Bagelsaurus

By Emily Nichols · 05/01/2022 Cambridge · Bagels · $

To put it politely, Boston is not known for its bagels. There is one exception, though, that towers above the rest: They call her Bagelsaurus.

Go for the adorable name and dino-bagel logo. Go support a badass lady-owned business. But most of all, go for the bagels. Bagelsaurus so artfully achieves chewy, crackly, airy bagel perfection that you’ll never again consider lugging home a reserve stash from your weekend getaway to NYC.

Located on Mass Ave. in Cambridge between Porter and Harvard Squares, Bagelsaurus originally hatched as a weekend pop-up at Brookline sandwich shop Cutty’s. Taking over Cutty’s kitchen on Friday and Saturday mornings, baker Mary Ting Hyatt quickly cultivated a devoted following with her Sea Salt Bagels and Honey Rosemary Cream Cheese. So loyal was her fan base that when Hyatt launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2014 to help open a brick and mortar shop, she raised 163 percent of her goal. Boom.

The method behind Hyatt’s magic involves a decades-old sourdough starter plus slow and steady fermentation. From this foundation, Bagelsaurus builds a lineup featuring all the classics you crave (Sesame, Everything, Cinnamon Raisin) plus more modern creations (Seeded Wheat, Cheddar Garlic, and the brilliant Pretzel bagel). Do yourself a favor and pair that last one with the house-made mustard butter.

Herbivores and carnivores alike are drawn to Bagelsaurus’ bright, cozy space to get their bagel on. Purists will appreciate the many permutations to be had of the classic bagel-and-cream-cheese combo. (We’re partial to a Black Olive B with Scallion CC.) Want to up the ante? Oven-roasted tomatoes, avocado, capers, bacon, hot smoked salmon, and more are all available as add-ons. And for those with more ferocious appetites, spring for a bagel sandwich. We heart the Eggspañola—and you will, too.

Bagel hunters beware: Extinction happens. When the day’s bagels run out, Bagelsaurus closes shop. Spare yourself the agony and claw your way out of bed at a reasonable hour.

Updated in 2022.

Throughout Bagelsaurus’ history, round-the-block lines are pretty standard, especially on weekends. Since 2020, the bakery has offered online preordering Tuesday through Friday (the bakery is closed on Mondays).

Take a cue from Guy Fieri and substitute spicy pepper cream cheese for the mayo on your Bagelsaurus BLT, as he did on a 2019 episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Whatever you may think of the Food Network icon, the man knows a thing or two about spreadable cheese, and we are here for this substitution.

When it comes to weekday morning gatherings, there’s no party like a bagel party. Bagelsaurus offers handy Baker’s Dozen packs for online preorder in your preferred flavors. Bulk orders can often be accommodated with 48 hours’ notice via email.

Must Haves

Sea Salt Bagel + Honey Rosemary Cream Cheese
There’s a reason this combo earned Hyatt her first admirers.
The Eggspañola (Add Avocado)
We’re officially convinced that every egg sandwich should come with feta, pimenton aioli, and gremolata.
Pretzel Bagel + Mustard Butter
These ingenious concoctions get dipped in lye to achieve that signature dark brown pretzel-y crust.

Fun Fact

A lesser-known cousin to the bagel, the bialy often makes an appearance on Bagelsaurus’ menu on weekdays after 10 a.m. Bialys have a dimple where bagels have a hole, creating a cozy nest for fillings like onion and poppyseeds or cheddar and bacon.