Just as it should be, Bella’s Bagels is full of holes, which is meant as a compliment.

The Menu

Hot and cold bagel sandwiches, soup and a variety of bagels and spreads.

Critic’s Tip

Be sure to check out the wall head shots of dogs. There you’ll find details about a cool program called Bella’s Buddies. For a small donation, dog owners can get their pet’s photo on the wall. Funds raised helps defray veterinary fees for area families who might not be able to afford to pay for care. For context: the place is named for the owners’ dog, Bella. 

There’s also a fun painting of Bella in the restroom.

On the Table

Choosing which sandwiches to order was difficult. The options were creative and enticing. While the names made little sense, the descriptions were what finally helped us make our decisions. 

The Cooper ($10.95) was a spin on caprese with fresh mozzarella, pesto and sliced tomatoes drizzled with balsamic glaze. This was all packed inside a sliced olive oil/rosemary bagel. There are more than a dozen bagel choices to choose from. While the choice was all mine, the person taking our order noted that it was a good choice.  The ingredients tasted like a summer garden.

The Charli, aka Denver frittata ($10.95), took the elements typically associated with a Denver omelet to make a sandwich. This featured a thin, cooked egg layer with sliced ham, red onion and peppers. The jalapeno cheddar bagel was smeared with green chile cream cheese. There was some heat with this, but not enough to overwhelm the palate.

The Buddy, more familiarly a Reuben, ($13.95) fell under the “mega sandwiches” distinction. Loaded with an abundant amount of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing made in-house, this was, indeed, a jumbo creation. We had it on a plain bagel, figuring there was plenty of flavor happening between the slices. 

All of the sandwiches required two hands and the ability to dispense with trying to take delicate bites. These were thick, stuffed creations with some of the fillings oozing out the sides.

House-made matzo ball soup ($4.95) was surprisingly comforting.  This was a chicken soup with pieces of white meat, thin noodles, vegetables and a single matzo ball.

For an extra $2 we added a side of potato salad; other options are macaroni salad and coleslaw. Red-skinned potatoes in a light-mayonnaise based dressing were a nice addition to the meal.

The Venue

This is an order-at-the-counter establishment, with food brought to the table. It’s a bright, clean space. Some of the light fixtures looked like bagels, really!

Afterthoughts

Bella’s Bagels is described as both “authentic New Jersey style” and traditional New York style bagels. Fortunately, the eatery’s website defines them the same way: “crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.” I enjoyed their chewiness, the variety of flavors and knowing the bagels were boiled, then baked as they should be.

Know Before You Go

Bellas Bagels

Bagel sandwiches, bagels to-go

Location: 3582 Blue Horizon View, Suite 148 

Contact: 719-358-6343; getbellasbagels.com 

Prices: $4.75 to $20

Hours: 6 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays; 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Details: Credit cards accepted. Wi-Fi. Outdoor seating.

Favorite dishes: Caprese and Denver frittata.

Other: No gluten-free options and bagels are vegan. 

El Paso County Health Department Inspection: In compliance (September 2025).