The Austin area is known for its great food, but where can one find New York-style bagels in a TexMex-centric city? Use this non-comprehensive, metro-wide bagel guide to keep Austin schmeared.
Big City Bagels and Subs The small, family-owned business opened at the end of March. The owner was making bagels in Brooklyn and Manhattan before bringing his long-time recipe to the area. The deli aims to be a simple, clean, straightforward business with nice people serving good food – what matters most, according to the owner. 10401 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 117, Austin 512-646-8957 Mon-Fri: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m Sat-Sun: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Baker’s dozen $14 www.loc8nearme.com/texas/austin/big-city-bagels-and-subs/5153469
Bruegger’s Bagels The family-owned Westlake location is one of about 260 Bruegger’s Bagels in the country. The bakery was started in New York in 1983 and sells New York-style bagels and made-in-Vermont cream cheese blends such as onion and chive, jalapeno and bacon scallion. The bagels have no preservatives and are baked in small batches throughout the day to ensure freshness. 3267 Bee Caves Road, Austin 512-394-7174 Mon-Sun: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Baker’s dozen $12.99 www.brueggers.com
The Delicatessen Co. The deli opened April 26 and offers “real New York” bagels along with housemade cream cheese schmears, lox, Reubens, hot pastrami piled high and hero subs. For the first few weeks the shop’s hours will be Tues.-Sat., 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. before it transitions to longer hours at a date to be determined. Delivery and catering is also available. 200 E. Pecan Street, Pflugerville 512-761-3355 Mon-Sat: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Baker’s dozen $15 www.facebook.com/thedeli3/
Nervous Charlie’s Dough is shipped directly from New York City before local ingredients are added to create Nervous Charlie’s “straightforward, deliciously simple” bagels. They also serve a variety of custom cream cheeses, including honey walnut, pistachio and scallion. The shop is named for the owner’s dog Charlie, who wishes she were allowed to eat the bagels. 5501 N. Lamar, Ste. B101, Austin 512-366-5305 Mon-Fri: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat-Sun: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Baker’s dozen $15 www.nervouscharlies.com
Rockstar Bagels Founded in 2009, Rockstar bagels are fermented, boiled and freshly baked New York-style seven days a week. The shop sells to local coffee shops, food trailers, grocery stores and cafes. In 2014 Rockstar Bagels opened a walk-up window in East Austin and serves breakfast and lunch options such as The Fort Never, which is a rosemary salt bagel with plain cream cheese, raspberry jam and ham. 1900 Rosewood Ave., Austin 512-524-1401 Mon-Sun: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Baker’s dozen $18 www.rockstarbagels.com
Rosen’s Bagel Co. The bagels can be purchased at Wright Bros. Brew and Brew seven days a week and catering and delivery throughout Central Austin is available with 48 hours notice. Rosen’s Bagel Co. alters its boiling water to make it more pH basic, mimicking New York water. Lox is cured in-house and both traditional and Texas-inspired schmears are available, including bacon and lime, roasted poblano and caramelized shallot. 500 San Marcos Street, Ste. 105, Austin 785-235-2777 Mon-Sun: Full menu 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Limited menu 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Baker’s dozen $17 (must pre-order) www.rosensbagels.com
Wholy Bagel Bagels are prepared from scratch every night from a recipe that is more than 100 years old. The second location on Far West. Blvd opened in January. Classic and seasonal cream cheeses are available, along with bagel sandwich options for breakfast and lunch such as the Italian, which dresses the customer's choice of bagel with ham, genoa salami, capicola, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, banana peppers and homemade vinaigrette dressing. 4404 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin 512-899-0200 Mon-Fri: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat-Sun: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 3637 Far West Blvd., Austin 512-992-0003 Mon-Fri 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat-Sun 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Texas dozen (14 bagels) $14.86 www.wholybagelatx.com