The way people slice their bagels is, it turns out, a very divisive topic.
Twitter user Alek Krautmann, a Missouri native, sparked an online debate this week when he posted a photo of bagels he brought to his office in Washington, D.C.
The bagels were served in what he called the "St. Louis secret" style of being sliced like bread.
Today I introduced my coworkers to the St Louis secret of ordering bagels bread sliced. It was a hit! pic.twitter.com/XNGbljtpYz
— Alek Krautmann (@AlekKrautmann) March 26, 2019
Krautmann’s tweet has been liked, retweeted and commented on thousands of times. Replies to his tweet mostly denounced the idea that bagels should not be served whole, with one Twitter user dubbing the controversy #Bagelgate.
This isn’t a hit. This is "Hey let me find the worst and cheapest way to feed 25 people with 12 bagels!"
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) March 27, 2019
I love that #stlouis is getting destroyed over bagels today.
— Dan Montalto (@DJMontalto) March 27, 2019
I work in a bakery that makes bread & bagels every morning.... If someone asked me to "bread slice" bagels I'd refuse service. I have standards and a healthy respect for bagels.
— Str8OuttaSKAtland (@titty_tornado) March 27, 2019
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Other commenters, including St. Louis natives, stood up for Krautmann’s method, with one writing, "Sliced bagels=more cream cheese. This is empirically a win."
Not here for everyone dragging #StLouis about bagels. Be happy we gave you @panerabread #begrateful #breadisbread
— Rachel Barry (@RachPIB18) March 28, 2019
As #StLouis bagelgate has caused natl consternation, I’ll explain:
— Aisha Sultan (@AishaS) March 27, 2019
1. You don’t always want a full half
2. Greater surface area for spread
3. More sociable to make repeat trips to tray
4. Only works in communal settings eg ofc
5. We don’t do this solo. That would be psycho https://t.co/SmRsugWO5f
How do you think a bagel should be sliced? Tell us your thoughts in our "GMA" Facebook group!
Others thought up hilarious other foods that could be served "St. Louis style."
Today I introduced my coworkers to the St Louis PBJ pic.twitter.com/yEkBusJx6G
— Haver (@HaverOfOpinions) March 27, 2019
It's my coworker's birthday! I served her cake St. Louis style: pic.twitter.com/oyalpoypzL
— Micah Gordon (@MicahJGordon) March 27, 2019
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Take that, St. Louis! pic.twitter.com/tz2XRcyS5x
— David Del Vecchio (@ddvaia) March 27, 2019
St. Louis style sushi, anyone? pic.twitter.com/5rqHGTP3gY
— AtlasOne (@TheAtlasOne) March 27, 2019
About to have some St. Louis style ramen noodles. #StLouis #Bagelgate pic.twitter.com/9n6rh1zQSK
— Stang_6 (@Stang_6) March 27, 2019
Delicious St. Louis style deviled eggs! 👿 🥚 pic.twitter.com/8gEyxMJqH7
— Stacie Votaw (@stacievotaw) March 27, 2019
Made some St Louis style chicken for the office today. It was a hit! pic.twitter.com/au00gdaOkK
— Tremendously big and tremendously wet (@Robbie_gr) March 27, 2019
Mmm enjoying a muffin St Louis style! pic.twitter.com/LttWilp9Da
— 200 Sporcle Badge Haver (@Z_A_Kline) March 27, 2019
Even Panera Bread, the restaurant chain from which Kratumann bought the bagels, weighed in on the debate.
Our team is divided over here. Do other people slice their bagel Bread Co style? https://t.co/NbdZjj6G6C
— Panera Bread (@panerabread) March 27, 2019
Panera, which is headquartered in St. Louis summed up the debate in a later tweet that read, "We've learned a lot today, but in the end, a bagel is a bagel and no matter how you slice it, it’s still delicious bread."
How do you think a bagel should be sliced? Tell us your thoughts in our "GMA" Facebook group!
