Whenever you find yourself in a local restaurant in the city of Fort Lauderdale, chances are you’ll encounter people looking for a quick bite. Of course, there are a lot of busy folks who are rushing to reach work or school on time. It would only benefit them to grab something that’s easy to eat before officially starting their day. One type of food that’s commonly ordered by these people is the bagel.
For those who don’t know what this is, bagels are scrumptious pieces of pastry that look like a donut, but without the sugar coating and sprinkles. This type of bread has found its way to the hearts (and bellies) of people worldwide because of its taste and flexibility. It can be paired with a cup of coffee for a hefty breakfast meal or even a short break. But despite its popularity with the masses, not a lot of people know its origins. So, how and where did it originate? Let’s take a look, shall we?
The bagel’s history is not as simple as it seems. No one really knows where it came from or how it came to be. There are a lot of stories that talk about its humble beginnings, but these are as much of a myth as they are facts. Nonetheless, a Polish-born half-Jewish author who goes by the name of Maria Balinska wrote a book entitled The Bagel: The Surprising History of a Modest Bread. This piece of literature attempted to tell the history of the pastry in question, suggesting some theories.
One of these suggestions was the possibility that the dish came to Poland from Germany as a part of the 14th-century migration flow. She believed that bagels were an offshoot of their pretzels that slowly evolved into a round roll with a hole in the middle. This was called Obwarzanek, a pastry that was traced back to 1394.
The book also discounted a popular legend about the pastry in question. The story goes that it was invented in the late 17th century (around 1683) by a Viennese baker. It served as a tribute to King Jan Sobieski, who saved Vienna from the invading Turkish armies. Since the king was known for his love for horses, the baker made the decision to pattern the pastry into a circle, resembling the shape of a stirrup. Nice story, no? Well, there’s a problem with that as bagels were mentioned in Krakow written records as early as 1610.
Whether the stories are facts or products of fiction, they have been an essential part of the bagel’s lore throughout the centuries. These versions of its history have been accepted by many food establishments, including some restaurants that provide catering in Fort Lauderdale. And why not? It only adds an aura of mystique surrounding the dish which, for some, adds more flavor to the pastry. So, if you haven’t tried eating bagels, it would be best for you to try. After all, nothing beats eating food with a colorful history.
Here at Tower Deli, we can provide you with scrumptious bagels that you can enjoy eating while appreciating the different origins behind it. We offer different varieties of this kind of bread, ranging from plain to its cream cheese-dabbed variants. And if you want, we can even provide you with refreshing beverages to seal the deal. Of course, bagels and drinks are just a small portion of our menu. For more information about the different types of dishes we offer, feel free to visit our GO TO MENU to see the different types of dishes that we offer. For additional questions or inquiries, give us a call or send us an email.
So, if you’re looking for a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale that offers freshly baked bagels, always remember that Tower Deli is the place to be. Contact us today!