June 19, 2009
The Best Lox and Bagel in Philly
I have exacting standards when it comes to a bagel and lox platter. I expect it to include a nicely toasted bagel with plenty of cream cheese, at least four slices of salmon and plenty of veggies: tomato, onion, capers and lettuce are mandatory, cucumber and pepper slices are welcome as well. I don’t treat the vegetables like a garnish, to me they are an integral component of the lox and bagel experience and so there needs to be enough of them to cover both halves of the bagel thoroughly (a bite of everything on the bagel with every bite of the bagel).
I’ve eaten lox and bagel platters all over this fair city and have discovered one that not only meets my standards, but raises the bar. What’s more, I’ve eaten it at least once a month for the last five years, and it’s never been anything but wonderful. You can get this sublime platter Sunday mornings at Day by Day, a nondescript restaurant that sits on the northwest corner of 21st and Sansom. Day by Day is mostly a catering company, but they open their dining room for lunch Monday through Friday and for brunch on Sundays.
What makes this particular lox and bagel platter so wonderful is the care with which it is constructed. The ingredients are always top notch. In the summertime, they omit the generic romas you see above and swap in glorious local tomatoes. The peppers are fresh and crisp and the lettuce is deep green romaine (two full leaves, which makes for ample bagel coverage). And the lox they use (six full slices) is perfectly oily and rich. The whole thing adds up to a divine bagel brunch experience. I highly recommend it!
Day by Day
2101 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-564-5540
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June 19, 2009, 5:13 pm
Mary says:
Every time I pass this place, I think of that talent show scene from Wet Hot American Summer when they sing “Day By Day” from Godspell. Maybe I’ll try the platter and create some new associations.
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