Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a place renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and outdoor adventures, might not immediately scream “culinary hotspot.” Having recently traded the concrete jungle of New York City for this mountain town, I was curious to see if Jackson Hole’s food scene could offer anything beyond cowboy fare. To my delightful surprise, it does, and my exploration began with a quest for a quintessential breakfast staple: the bagel. My first stop, and a local favorite, was Pearl Street Bagels.
The buzz around Pearl Street Bagels was palpable, with a line often stretching out the door – a familiar sight that instantly transported me back to my NYC bagel runs at Murray’s Bagels. The comparison to Murray’s wasn’t just based on popularity; it extended to the bagels themselves. Pearl Street boasts an impressive array of bagel varieties, including tempting options like bacon cheddar. However, the most striking similarity, and perhaps a slightly controversial one, is their shared stance on toasting: neither establishment offers it.
Murray’s Bagels famously views toasting as an insult to their perfectly fresh, warm bagels. They firmly believe in the bagel’s inherent deliciousness straight out of the oven, and while their bagels are indeed exceptional, I’ve always maintained that toasting preference is a personal right! Pearl Street Bagels shares this no-toast policy. Initially, I wondered if this was a matter of principle or practicality. Was it truly about bagel perfection, or was it simply a way to keep the notoriously long line moving? According to Heather Gould, one of the owners, it’s a bit of both. The philosophy is rooted in the belief that toasting is only necessary for stale bagels. She also admitted that retrofitting the space for toasters has never been a priority. Interestingly, despite initial requests for toasted bagels, Gould notes that most customers end up embracing and enjoying the untoasted experience.
Whether you’re a die-hard toaster or a bagel purist, Pearl Street Bagels delivers a genuinely outstanding, fresh bagel that stands proudly alongside New York City’s best, including the famed Murray’s. The veggie cream cheese I sampled was bursting with flavor and melted beautifully into the warm, untoasted bagel. Pearl Street Bagels has quickly become my go-to bagel spot in Jackson Hole. The atmosphere is welcoming, the coffee is excellent, and the bagels are, undeniably, top-tier. If you crave a crispy, toasted bagel, this might push your boundaries, but I wholeheartedly recommend stepping outside your comfort zone and experiencing Pearl Street Bagels in its natural, untoasted glory. You might just find yourself converted in the great toast debate!
