@farmerman,
they are like bagels before they got commercialized. more of a new york or toronto bagel than a montreal bagel. I usually bake them for a few minutes to get a bit of extra crust on them
so good
__
the serbian bakery also makes soft pretzels that are half-done. you bring them home and finish baking them off. warm fresh soft pretzels. yum. if you don't know to bake them they are very salty - from the baking soda based 'glaze' on top. no salty taste once they're baked. the miracle of science eh