There's always been a clash of opinions when it comes to bagel toppings – cream cheese or eggs, sweet or savory, plain or loaded. But today, a novel point of contention brands the horizon – should bagels be scooped or left in their traditional, sphere-like glory? This curious cultural standoff, often considered an LA-New York divide, reached a climax last year when a Los Angeles-based TikTok user shared a video of his New York deli visit, where he received a stern retort to his order – a gluten-free scooped bagel: “Dude, I’m not scooping your f---ing bagel, bro”.

So what exactly is a scooped bagel? This (in)famous fast food is essentially a bagel with its doughy insides taken out, leaving behind an appetizing crunchy exterior. While some believe the gooey inside to be its real charm, others find it a needless addition, throwing the balance of cream cheese-to-dough off-kilter.

With just under 50,000 likes, an aptly humorous comment on social media put it: “I imagine a scooped bagel is like ordering a muffin and only eating the wrapper.” Jeremy Schneider from NJ.com wrote in 2023, “Without its majestic fluffy core, a bagel isn’t even a bagel anymore; might as well eat a salted flatbread and punch yourself in the face.”

However, food writer and bagel enthusiast, Sam Stone, of Bon Appetit, holds a contrary opinion: “There’s still plenty of soft, springy inside to munch through in a scooped bagel… I’d argue that the dough-to-crunch ratio is improved; you can experience the crackly crunch without the overwhelming gumminess of too much inside.” Jennifer Aniston, beloved star of Friends, even sided with the scoopers, stating, "I don’t like chewy, I like crunchy. Try it."

Yet, the origin of this bagel-modifying practice remains unclear. As per a New York Post interview, one New Yorker noted the trend beginning in the early 2000s. Bon Appetit suggests the root may lie in the late 90s' low-carb diet fad.

Extracted of its middle, a scooped bagel harbors fewer calories and carbs due to less bread. However, as Jill Weisenberger, a registered dietitian nutritionist clarifies, a whole bagel can also be part of a balanced diet, just like any other bread product, if consumed in moderation: “It comes down to just looking at how it fits into what you’re eating on a regular basis… Some bread is going to be configured to anybody’s diet, it’s just a matter of quantity.” Therefore, in the bagel-themed war of attrition, decide based on personal preference rather than unsubstantiated health claims.