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ZipPicks Awards

Best Bagels in Downtown LA

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Yeastie Boys Bagels at Mateo 7.8
Downtown LA
Yeastie Boys runs a bagel truck out of an Arts District base on Mateo, slinging punchy, stacked sandwiches to go. The bagels skew softer and more California-deli in attitude, with names and fillings that favor big flavors over strict traditionalism. It’s best when you want a fun, handheld bagel sandwich before or after wandering the neighborhood galleries and coffee bars.
Must-Try Dishes: The Lox Deluxe, The Game Over Breakfast Bagel, Marcy Egg and Cheese Bagel
Scores:
Value: 7.7 Service: 7.5 Consistency: 7.8 Food Quality: 8.3 Atmosphere: 6 Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Street-side truck slinging irreverent, flavor-heavy bagel sandwiches.
Who should go: Casual brunchers who like playful names and bold fillings.
When to visit: Late morning weekend windows before the longest truck lines.
What to order: Lox Deluxe, Game Over, any egg-and-cheese–based bagel.
Insider tip: Check hours and location day-of, then grab nearby coffee to pair.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Mateo can be hit-or-miss on weekends; meter spots open earlier in the morning, and nearby paid lots fill once galleries and cafés get busy.
Dress code: Totally casual — workout gear, jeans, or weekend streetwear all fit the truck-and-sidewalk vibe.
Noise level: Moderate outdoors; truck generators and traffic mean it's not quiet, but conversation is easy while waiting or eating nearby.
Weekend wait: They don’t operate dinner service; mornings can see 20–30 minute waits at peak.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal waits, roughly 5–10 minutes depending on truck flow.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good options — multiple egg-and-cheese builds and customizable veggie sandwiches.
Vegan options: Limited — you can piece together a vegan-friendly build with modifications, but there’s no dedicated vegan sandwich.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal — no gluten-free bagels, and truck setup makes cross-contact unavoidable.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something casual and walkable — it’s playful and low-pressure, but the truck format lacks seating and ambiance for a more traditional date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations; plan to grab your sandwich and eat while wandering the Arts District or at a nearby café patio.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like handheld breakfast sandwiches; younger children may find the lines and lack of seating challenging.
Best For
Better for: Creative, bold-flavor bagel sandwiches served fast — perfect for grab-and-go brunch or a pre-gallery bite.
Skip if: You want classic New York–style chew, indoor seating, or gluten-free options — Pop’s or Boichik are better fits.

Hours

MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday8am - 2pm
Thursday8am - 2pm
Friday8am - 2pm
Saturday8am - 2pm
Sunday8am - 2pm