Pick A Bagel.

Over on the west side at 891 Eighth Avenue near 53rd, Pick A Bagel is not going to win any purist debates and it does not care to. What it is, reliably, is open early, fast, and consistent, with a huge spread of bagels and sandwiches and a line that never once made me nervous about the time. It is a short walk from the theater district, so it also works if you are lining up a whole day out and want to pair it with where to eat near Rockefeller Center later on.

The bagels are solid, everyday-good rather than transcendent, and that is exactly the point. When you are running to a meeting near Columbus Circle or the theater-district offices, you do not need a religious experience. You need a hot, fresh bagel in ninety seconds. Pick A Bagel delivers that with zero drama, 6am to 5:30pm on weekdays.

Bagel: dependably good. Line speed: quick and calm. Verdict: the no-anxiety option.

I know people love this place and I respect that, but I’ve been multiple times and I just don’t get it. The bagels taste mass-produced to me. They’re big and they have a huge selection of cream cheeses, but the actual bagel texture is too soft. It reminds me of a bagel from a grocery store that’s trying really hard. If you’re standing outside a Pick A Bagel and there’s literally nothing else within walking distance, fine. But if you have options, use them.