This New England Bagel Chain Is Very Underrated

It's also underappreciated and full of nostalgia. As someone who grew up in the shadows of New York City in the great state of New Jersey, bagels are something I take very seriously. I'm here to tell you that, in New England, this bagel chain is very underrated.

I'm talking about Bruegger's Bagels. Now, they initially caught my attention with their tagline, "Authentic New York Style," but let's be honest, many bagel shops and pizzerias loosely throw those words around. In Bruegger's case, they back it up and consistently deliver a great product. They started in Troy, New York, and now have their headquarters in Burlington, Vermont.

For me, however, it goes deeper than the great taste.

This past weekend my two younger sons and I drove my oldest son to his lacrosse game upstate. It was in an unfamiliar town that was over an hour away. We arrived very early, and it was raining, so I needed a morning indoor spot to spend some time before the game started. On the corner of the block, I noticed the signature Bruegger's sign and logo on a brick building.

The three of us ordered a simple plain or everything bagel toasted with butter. As we sat at a red table by the window, we each raved about how fresh and good our breakfast bagels were. This got me thinking.

When I moved to Massachusetts, there was a Bruegger's around the corner from our townhouse. It was the only spot of its kind in the area. I went once for a coffee, added in a bagel, and was immediately hooked. With all due respect, I know a good bagel.

For the next two years, this spot became a special place for me and my oldest son. In fact, I went there the morning he was born. Then, when my wife was pregnant with our second child, I would bring my oldest son to this Bruegger's every Saturday morning. In part because he woke up each day full of energy and I didn't want to wake up my wife, but also because we loved the bagels.

My son, in perfect one-year-old lingo, nicknamed the place "Bogel Time." The employees all got to know him and eagerly awaited his sunrise arrival. Depending upon how busy they were, one employee specifically would take him behind the counter to see how the bagels were made or to pick a hot one right out of the oven.

Fast forward twelve years, and the memories were baked right into the bagel I was enjoying, as that 1-year-old who I used to bring to Bruegger's weekly was getting ready to hit the field for a big game in a sport that he loves.

The bagels at Bruegger's are always fresh. In most locations, you can see the oven and you can observe how feverishly someone is working it, to constantly refill the bins. They are a perfect balance of soft and chewy, but with some crunch. The flavors including their everything bagels or sesame seed bagels, don't overwhelm you. Meaning, the topping is supposed to compliment how good the actual bagel is, not take over the taste experience.

Perhaps that's for their seasonal specialties, which right now include a maple French toast or a five-cheese bagel.

I will forever be a Bruegger's fan and I'm a customer for life. I go for the consistently great breakfast experience and stay for the moments shared with the little guys.

There are 14 Bruegger's locations in Massachusetts. There are also eight in Connecticut and one in Vermont.

As much as I love my south shore area of the Northeast, sometimes there is nothing better than a quick pause. We are fortunate in New England that there are so many great options that are a short drive away. It's not hard to embark on that perfect weekend getaway escape.

With summer coming to a close and the hustle and bustle of all the fall activities kicking into overdrive, here I will look at some of the best places for a weekend getaway in New England based upon all of those I have visited.

Many factors can be considered when nailing down that perfect two-day plan. We, of course, are graced with all four seasons of the year, so depending upon when you are traveling, different activities may be available to you. Then again, perhaps you don't want any activities at all.

Food options are important to me. However, I don't make trip plans based around what place has the best restaurants. I tend to lean towards exploring the local area in hopes of tripping across a local gem.

Driving distance is another thing I heavily weigh. Although I don't mind the occasional long road trip, my preference is to maximize my time on a weekend adventure. Therefore, time in the car is ideally under four hours. Cost is always a factor.

Lastly, I must preface this list by stating I am an outdoorsman. A good book or movie can certainly do the trick. I always opt for great ocean waves, a rope swing, or mountain over an extra hour of sleep.

In recent years, I have been to each of the places on this list over various months of the year. They each have their own unique characteristics. Their common bond is that they are all great destinations for a New England weekend getaway.

Cape Cod is an obvious location. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, there is perhaps no place that is more popular in Massachusetts. To me, it's about finding that specific corner of Cape Cod that is right for you. You can camp or find cottages along Cahoon Hallow Road that will enable amazing trips to the beach. Trekking those sand dunes, hitting the three-foot waves (yes, sometimes there are shark warnings), and then getting food at the Beachcomber while listening to the great live music, is my perfect day.

There is never a bad time to visit this charming town. You can ski Cranmore in the winter. Hike, hit the waterfalls, or visit Storyland in the summer. Either way, you will be graced with some amazing local restaurants. In fact, North Conway flies under the radar as one of the best pizza towns in New England. The hotels like Eastern Slope in accommodate any season, and are right in the middle of town where all the bars, restaurants and stores are. This weekend getaway is probably the least "quiet" but has the most amount of options at your fingertips.

The river that runs through Woodstock has a way of speaking to you. It's serene but can also provide a thrill of pushing you down stream. It's calming to provide that fresh water cleanse to rid yourself of all that comes with the lights on the city. Lastly, the various rope swings scattered around the town provide a liberating rush. From the climb up the rocks to the swing, to the plunge, you focus on nothing but the joy of that ride. Ramunto's Brick Oven and Brews is also an essential stop upon each visit.

Lake life just hits differently. Depending upon where you go around Lake Sebago you get the feeling that nowhere else on the planet exists while you there. Frye Island has the magic of no public cars, local watering holes, and the ability to bike incredible dirt roads. There's a history there to learn about and local taps to enjoy. It's common to see jet skiing or pontoon boating anywhere you look within the glistening waters. Furthermore, certain towns offer that one and only general store that has everything you can imagine, from household cleaning supplies to steaks to grill for dinner.