Balena Bagels

In this episode of “Nick in Your Neighborhood,” I visit Balena Bagels in Castle Shannon, joined by newly elected State Representative Jen Mazzocco. This small-batch bakery is serving up something special in the South Hills with fresh sourdough bagels made in-house daily with simple, all-natural ingredients.

With a three-day fermentation process that creates the perfect balance of a soft, chewy inside and a crispy outside, Balena Bagels proves that great things take time. Rooted in Italian, Jewish, and North African traditions, every batch reflects a love for baking and for the community they serve.

At Balena, quality always rises to the top, and once they’re sold out, you’ll have to catch the next wave.