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Pizza versus bagels is like a New Yorker's personal Sophie's Choice, but thanks to the advent of the pizza bagel, we technically don't have to choose. And while you may be thinking of the rubbery, microwavable variety you used to enjoy before you knew better, New York restaurants are offering their own jazzed-up takes on the munchies classic, with premium bagels and fresh ingredients. From Midtown to the East Village, check out five places to get a solid pizza bagel.
Bagel Bob's: This near-NYU shop caters to students with a plain-cheese variety, spreading fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce on house-rolled, daily-baked bagels. $3
Baz Bagel & Restaurant: At this Little Italy lunch counter, a Mystic Pizza Bagel snugs tomato sauce, melty mozzarella cheese and fresh basil on a choice of kettle-boiled rounds in flavors like pumpernickel, sesame and whole wheat. $10
Black Seed Bagels: New York's reigning neo-bagel kings offer a pitch-perfect pepperoni pizza bagel slathered with thick tomato sauce and Di Palo's fresh mozzarella and basil. $7.50
Sunny & Annie's: This 24-hour gourmet deli doles out inventive sandwich combinations ranging from meatball-mozzarella to pho-roast beef. Snag a two-buck pizza bagel late at night, or get it delivered if you're feeling lazy. $2
Tompkins Square Bagels: Choose from any of the store's kettle-boiled bagels (everything, salt, garlic) to form the base for mozzarella, house-made marinara sauce and freshly snipped basil. $4.50