Ahhh I live in NY and work in Manhattan and I can tell you the bagels from the carts can't lay a finger on the bagels in the delis! The ones from the carts usually have these small circular bumps on the bottoms- some kind of factory pressing- the cart guys are likely the first humans to touch them when they butter them whereas the bagelries make 'em fresh on premises.
Especially where I live in Queens- the Jewish and Italian bagel places are among the best in the world.
Incredible bagels, pizza, delis, Chinese, sushi, Italian food- I lack for none of this- a truly great thing.