After much success scoffing a number of steamed bagels at the other CBA location in Armitage,  I felt it was time to sample the offerings at  the Lakeview location, purely for quality control purposes you understand and also because their bagels are just so moist and tasty.

This location is right next to the Belmont CTA station, well almost right next, and if you crane your neck and dribble slightly (optional) you can see it as you pass by on the brown line. It is opposite to Cheesies and its a difficult decision when choosing which establishment to frequent, just do both.

Inside it is very different to the Armitage shop, it is part bagel shop, part coffee shop, part sports bar. A large TV screen with comfy chairs is at one end, sadly it shows local sports but you don’t have to look unless you so desire.

I had to get a Mikey’s Munch as I had this at the other place, it is  basically roast beef and some pepperjack cheese, with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and a parmesan peppercorn dressing on an everything bagel. It was just as tasty as I remembered but this time I was a bit uncertain of the merits of steaming the salad bits, it works just try not to think about it.

I also got a Motown Philly purely to see if it came anywhere close in flavour profile to a Philly Cheesesteak, and it certainly did, in fact it tasted more convincing that the effort served just down the road at Philly’s Best (which made me weep with sadness when I partook earlier in the summer. The Motown Philly has roast beef, green pepper, onions, provolone & italian dressing on bialy. It smelt and tasted cheesesteaky (is that adjective?) and it was a real hit at our table.

Overall I liked this place a little better that the Armitage spot just because it was a little airier, and the quality control mission was a success and well worth a stop off.

It is located at 955 W Belmont Ave, steps from the Belmont El, so you can stop off via the red, brown or purple trains. 

website: http://www.eatcba.com/ beware it contains images of bagelporn! (their words not mine)