Pio Bagel

Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn

Pio Bagel

Total Score

Ranks & Awards

4.17 / 5
#9 in Brooklyn #35 in NYC

Store: (Note: Store reviewed by second pass request) A classically styled store from the outside in. Medium-sized, roughly square interior. A wooden table with "Welcome to Pio Bagel" sits in the middle of the space to direct the order flow. 70+ orange juice cartons take up most of the drink fridge space. A wide variety of spreads on offer, displayed with care and in vintage containers. Bachata music plays faintly overhead, a testament to the Latino-owned store origins touted via a plaque by the door. Efficient, professional staff. 4

Bagel: A medium sized bagel, served fresh and hot. Double-sided toppings with very light coverage, most seemingly lost in cream cheese prep. A very yielding bite with a slight crackle to the shell, then soft and doughy all the way through. Standard toppings plus salt crystals at an excellent ratio. Beautiful browning to the shell. I could wish for slightly more crust action on bite but it would be quibbling; this is a fantastic bagel. 4.25

Cream Cheese: Served warm and fluid from the heat of the bagel. Stellar amount and even application. A very fresh spread. Good scallion chunk size but not as much texture contribution as the size might indicate. Still a great source of flavor. Just the right level of messy - manageable yet delectable. 4.25

Pio Bagel

Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn

Pio Bagel

Total Score

Ranks & Awards

4.17 / 5
#9 in Brooklyn #35 in NYC

Store: (Note: Store reviewed by second pass request) A classically styled store from the outside in. Medium-sized, roughly square interior. A wooden table with "Welcome to Pio Bagel" sits in the middle of the space to direct the order flow. 70+ orange juice cartons take up most of the drink fridge space. A wide variety of spreads on offer, displayed with care and in vintage containers. Bachata music plays faintly overhead, a testament to the Latino-owned store origins touted via a plaque by the door. Efficient, professional staff. 4

Bagel: A medium sized bagel, served fresh and hot. Double-sided toppings with very light coverage, most seemingly lost in cream cheese prep. A very yielding bite with a slight crackle to the shell, then soft and doughy all the way through. Standard toppings plus salt crystals at an excellent ratio. Beautiful browning to the shell. I could wish for slightly more crust action on bite but it would be quibbling; this is a fantastic bagel. 4.25

Cream Cheese: Served warm and fluid from the heat of the bagel. Stellar amount and even application. A very fresh spread. Good scallion chunk size but not as much texture contribution as the size might indicate. Still a great source of flavor. Just the right level of messy - manageable yet delectable. 4.25

Bagel Size and Texture

CracklyChewySmallX-Large

Seed and Salt Density

High Salt RatioLow Salt RatioTopping LightTopping Dense

Spread Ripeness and Texture

Fine ScallionCoarse ScallionDairy LatentDairy Forward

Store Style and Services

Variety of ServicesFocused ServicesClassicContemporary