Originally posted by Robnark
come to think of it, I've never actually had a bagel. and to be honest, onion bagels really don't appeal, but what are they like?
I think bagels are more of a North American phenomenon. Onion bagels are not normally something I eat either (I'm a bit of a purist and I prefer poppy seed, sesame seed or plain
), but on occasion they can be quite tasty. The onion flavour is very intense because the bits of onion have essentially been roasted right into the bagel. I find they are especially good the way Chan describes because the unctuous smoothness of the cream cheese and the juicy tang of tomato perfectly compliment what can otherwise be a somewhat overpowering bagel. And the bacon... well that depends on how carnivorous I'm feeling at the time.
Though my personal choice is a poppy seed bagel (toasted of course
), slathered with smoked salmon cream cheese and then topped by thinly sliced red onion and dotted with a few well placed capers... Yum! 
