If you live in DC or you’ve spent time here, chances are someone’s told you: “You have to try Call Your Mother Deli.” And honestly? They’re right. This quirky little spot has gone from neighborhood favorite to one of the best bagel shops in Washington DC, showing up on pretty much every “Top 10 Best Bagel Shops Near Washington, DC” list you’ll find.
So, what makes this bagel shop so special? Let’s dig in.
Bagels in DC? Believe the Hype
For years, New York ruled the bagel world. But DC has been quietly building its own bagel scene, and shops like Call Your Mother are leading the charge. The city’s food culture is creative and international, and that shows up in its bagel shops.
Unlike the no-nonsense New York style, bagel shops in Washington DC like Call Your Mother don’t mind getting playful. The base is still the classic chewy, golden bagel, but the toppings and sandwich combos? That’s where things get fun.
The Vibe: Bright, Quirky, and Welcoming
Walking into Call Your Mother feels different right away. The storefronts are colorful, the branding is cheeky, and the energy is relaxed but lively. It’s not just a place to grab a quick bagel—it’s the kind of spot where you might end up staying longer than you planned, chatting with a friend over coffee.
They call themselves a “Jew-ish” deli, which says a lot about the menu: a nod to tradition, but with plenty of room for personality.
Where to Find Them
Call Your Mother has grown to a few locations around the city, which makes it easy to track down your bagel fix:
Park View – Call Your Mother Deli
📍 3301 Georgia Ave N, Washington, DC 20010
📞 (202) 450-5307
🛒 Order Online
Capitol Hill – Call Your Mother
📍 701 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
📞 (202) 601-7655
🛒 Order Online
Both spots give you the same great menu and vibe, so it just depends which neighborhood you’re closer to.
The Menu: Where Classics Meet Creativity
Now for the fun part—the Call Your Mother bagel shop Washington DC menu. Yes, they’ve got your standard bagel with cream cheese, but let’s be honest, most people come here for the sandwiches.
A few favorites:
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The Gleneagle – piled high with pastrami, mustard, and pickles.
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The Grand Cru – smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, onion—the works.
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The Rihanna-Flex – veggies, cream cheese, and a splash of hot sauce.
The menu has that perfect balance: enough classics to keep the traditionalists happy, but plenty of creative options to keep things interesting.
Keeping Bagels Fresh (Literally and Figuratively)
Running a Washington DC bagel shop isn’t just about baking good dough. Shops like Call Your Mother are constantly balancing a few things:
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Tradition vs. creativity – stick with basics or try something bold?
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Convenience vs. experience – online ordering is great, but hanging out in the shop is part of the fun.
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Neighborhood feel vs. expansion – how do you grow without losing the charm that made you popular?
Call Your Mother seems to juggle it all pretty well. You can order ahead if you’re busy, or you can hang out and enjoy the deli vibe. And while they’re expanding, each location still feels like a neighborhood spot.
Why People Call It the Best
When locals say Call Your Mother is the best bagel shop Washington DC has to offer, it usually comes down to four things:
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Great bagels – chewy, flavorful, and fresh.
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A fun menu – comfort food with creative twists.
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The vibe – colorful, welcoming, not cookie-cutter.
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Accessibility – two great locations plus easy online ordering.
It’s not just about the food (though the food is excellent). It’s about the whole package—the kind of place you recommend to out-of-town friends because it feels very “DC.”
The Bigger Picture: DC Bagel Culture
As more bagel shops near Washington DC pop up, the city’s reputation as a bagel destination keeps growing. Call Your Mother has become a big part of that story. It’s not trying to be New York—it’s carving out its own lane, proving that DC can do bagels with its own twist.
That’s how you build a legacy bagel shop: you make people crave your food, but you also make them feel at home.