By Taylor Smith 

Chatham Bagels at 260 Main Street in charming Chatham, N.J., has many things going for it. 

In terms of quality, area residents state that the bagel shop rivals the best bagels in New York City. The shop is known for its huge bagels and chewy, satisfying texture. All bagels are made fresh in-house daily, so there is never a question of whether or not you will be able to purchase a hot bagel early in the morning. The gluten-free bagels have also won over fans, with many people stopping at the shop from neighboring towns to get their favorite wheat-free bagel fix. 

While the owners say that their bagels are great simply toasted with a little butter, their most popular item is the Super Egg bagel, which consists of an everything bagel accompanied by a fried egg and your choice of cheese. The homemade cream cheese offerings are also substantial, with unusual flavorings like jalapeño. 

The sign of any good bagel shop is whether or not you can get a piping hot cup of coffee any time of day to go with your bagel and sandwich order. Chatham Bagels arguably rivals some of the best coffee shops in Chatham for the quality of its brew, the hazelnut blend being a stand-out favorite. 

For visitors to Chatham, be sure to stop by Chatham Bagels for a satisfying breakfast on your way to the Chatham Borough Farmer’s Market, located at RR Plaza South off Fairmount Avenue.  Opening day for the 2019 season is on Saturday, June 15. This year marks the 13th season of Chatham Farmer’s Market providing fresh produce, flowers, fruit, meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and more to local residents. Market hours are held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through mid-November. 

Numerous annual events are held in downtown Chatham every spring and summer, including the Fishing Derby at Kelley’s Pond, Chatham Food Truck Fest, the Fishawack Festival, the Fourth of July Parade, and the Sustainability Fair. 

For a full list of weekly events in Chatham, visit https://www.chathamborough.org/chatham/.