Meet Daniel Messinger | Owner & Baker at Daniel’s Bagels

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Messinger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always loved cooking and baking and made homemade bagels for my family and friends on several occasions. They were so popular that when the pandemic caused me to be home from college and I started making bagels more often, people began asking to try them, and thus, Daniel’s Bagels was born! While everyone was stuck at home, I began making and delivering bagels out of my home kitchen and customers appreciated the contactless delivery service for a delicious product that helped bring their families together during a difficult time. Now selling at two of the most prominent farmers’ markets in Los Angeles, Daniel’s Bagels operates out of a commercial kitchen where we’ve been able to expand our bagel production in an effort to meet the demand we’ve received!

What should our readers know about your business?
Daniel’s Bagels was one of the many businesses born out of the COVID pandemic and started as a bagel delivery service. After my college graduation in 2022, I shifted my focus to selling bagels at local farmers’ markets in order to reach a wider audience. Our bagels are made with high quality ingredients without additives or preservatives. Each bagel is rolled by hand and boiled before being baked, giving them the signature crisp crust and pillowy soft inside that is essential to a great bagel. This time, care, and effort that we put into our product can be tasted and appreciated by each happy customer. Customers who are self-proclaimed “bagel connoisseurs”, many of whom are from the East Coast, are thrilled when they try our bagels since the high quality bagels they are used to can be difficult to find on the West Coast.

I’m extremely proud of all the work I’ve put into creating and building my business around a simple, high quality product that people are excited about. While it is extremely challenging and all-encompassing to start and manage every aspect of a new business, the prospect of growing the business and making our product available to more and more people motivates me, giving me the energy to continue moving forward and overcoming any obstacles. On challenging, long work days, I’m propelled thinking about the many positive interactions I’ve had with customers who often say things like “We came to the farmers’ market just for your bagels,” or “Thinking about your bagels got me out of bed this morning”. Having invested so much of myself in this brand and product, it’s extremely rewarding when you hear that people who were previously complete strangers think about and eagerly look forward to getting their bagels each week.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA offers such an eclectic mix of amazing places, people, and things and here are some of my favorites! For some great ways to start the day, head to Lodge Bread for a sourdough croissant or avocado toast and the walk-up window at Country Kitchen in Malibu for a delicious breakfast burrito. Some of my other favorite things to do in Malibu are taking a walk on Malibu Pier and getting the best lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster Co. A stroll through one of LA’s countless farmers’ markets is another fun and yummy way to spend a morning (my favorites are Brentwood and Playa Vista, but I may be a little biased). The farmers’ markets are also a great place to stock up on goodies for a sunset picnic on the lawn at Griffith Observatory. The Getty is a fun place to spend a day enjoying the art, gardens, and views. As a huge Dodger fan, I’ll never say no to catching a game at Dodger Stadium, despite the heavy gameday traffic. Some great dinner options are Din Tai Fung for dumplings, Ospi for Italian food (get the chicken parm!) and Sugarfish or Katsu-ya for some of the best sushi. Having attended UCSB, I love Santa Barbara and all it has to offer, so squeezing in a day-trip is essential! Some of my favorite places in SB are Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro, Los Agaves, and Bettina.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Each member of my family has contributed to my business in a unique and essential way and I’m so appreciative for the support they’ve each provided. My parents have both made huge impacts on Daniel’s Bagels, allowing me to launch my business out of their home kitchen and providing help and guidance whenever I’ve needed it. My younger sister Hannah was my first “employee”, spending countless hours making bagels and delivery driving during the pandemic. My older brother Ben continues to contribute behind the scenes, utilizing his business and entrepreneurship background to help me find ways to grow Daniel’s Bagels.

Website: www.eatdanielsbagels.com

Instagram: instagram.com/danielsbagels

Facebook: facebook.com/danielsbagels