They’re boiling bagels near Brooklyn

NEW YORK STYLE

By Rita A. Leonard

The Bee, Oct 3, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jeffrey Wang, owner of Kettleman’s Bagels and Bakery on S.E. 11th, which brings New York-style boiled bagels to Inner Southeast Portland.

Rita A. Leonard / THE BEE

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Kettleman’s Bagels and Bakery, located near the Brooklyn neighborhood at 2235 S.E. 11th Avenue, brings the taste of traditional New York style boiled bagels to Inner Southeast.

Open in mid-April, Kettleman’s already delivers wholesale to about 30 local groceries and coffee shops, including New Seasons Markets, Stumptown Coffee, and Brooklyn’s True Brew Coffee Shop. Walk-in customers at Ketleman’s own location also enjoy a delicious variety of personalized breakfast and lunch bagels, as well as other baked goods made daily on-site.

Owner Jeffrey Wang has 17 years experience as a baker, previously owning three bagel shops and a deli in New York. He spent several years in the computer business in California before coming to the Pacific Northwest.

“The stress is not so high here. It’s a friendly neighborhood, and we get a lot of appreciation from our customers,” he comments. “We have a lot of encouragement to produce good quality food. We carry the best of the best, including Boar’s Head cold cuts, and Tao of Tea.”

The bakery is committed to environmental sustainability. “We use organic products wherever possible, and the freshest seasonal, local, natural products. We want to be recognized as a leader in Responsible Business Practices,” says Wang. “We welcome community input and participation in achieving these goals.”

Kettleman’s employs a staff of about twenty in their 7,500-square-foot bakery and restaurant. They produce fourteen different kinds of bagels, kettle-boiled, then baked on a stone hearth. They also make cookies, brownies, muffins, croissants, Danish, scones, and other items. Breakfast specials are called ‘Eggel sandwiches’, with a base of scrambled egg and various meat, cheese, and veggie toppings.

“We serve lattes, espresso, mocha, and other coffee specialties; hot and cold sandwiches; soup, salad and gourmet hummus; fruit juices and smoothies; a variety of whipped cream cheeses; and our Specialties: Brooklyn’s Best White Fish Salad, Kosher Coney Island Square Knishes, and Kettleman’s Bagel Dogs,” reports Wang. “We’re open Monday through Saturday, 6 am-6 pm, and Sundays from 8 am till 6pm.”

In addition to indoor and outdoor seating for about 50, Kettleman’s offers free wi-fi Internet, room for local artists to display and sell artwork, and an in-store Library area stocked with a couple hundred books. The business sparkles with a clean, friendly atmosphere, and offers a wonderful snack solution to southbound commuters stuck in traffic behind the trains at S.E. 11th and Division Street.

“Our bagels and cream cheese are the most popular menu item so far,” says Wang, “although our cold sandwiches with Boar’s Head deluxe ham, turkey breast and seasoned filet roast beef and Oregon lox are popular. We also have vegetarian choices. This area has been waiting for real boiled New York style bagels, and we are it.” Come in and enjoy, or phone 503/238-8883 for more information.