SnackTime With Jen— Circle Of Life, July 19th

Welcome to my newest feature, SnackTime With Jen. This midweek morsel is a small taste of something fun. Topics range from food (of course) to fashion, amusing little discoveries both locally and abroad, and a variety of interesting intel too tempting not to share. So let’s get snacking…

Adam started Popup Bagels as a backyard pickup window during the pandemic. Now with multiple locations including Thompson Street in NYC, The Hamptons and Connecticut, this bagel newcomer is baking circles around all the well-known mavens. His goal is to make “the best, freshest bagels with a crispy crust and soft crumb center, just the right size and with a perfect proportion of seeds.” A noble cause indeed! I had to check it out.

So I popped down recently to try the offerings. The flavors were simple: Sesame, Plain, Poppy, Everything, and Salt. And although you can order in advance for a pickup, you must buy a dozen… which is a few too many for this gal. So I number 1 trained it down to the Village and happily agreed to the three bagel in-person minimum that came with one schmear. The bagels themselves are incredible– chewy, with crispy outsides, fluffy insides, and wonderfully seeded. Dare I say instantly addictive??

When you visit, be forewarned they don’t “do” sandwiches. Additional schmears, toppers, and spreads are sold separately and as they say, you “Grip, Rip and Dip.” So when your choices are to dip, dunk, or layer, this means you can feel free to create a mile high pile of lusciously whipped Scallion Cream Cheese on one half and if you’re feeling really schmancy, spoon on gobs of their smooth and salty Whitefish Salad to grace the other. Both are delightfully exceptional.

I’d say that as promised, these bagels are pretty close to perfection. And even though it’s a DIY concept (I’d never schmear their name!) be happy that they spend all of their time minding the ovens and not making sandos because your bagels arrive piping hot every single time you visit… yep, I’ve been back a few times already! Popup Bagels most definitely makes Jen’s Little Black Book. In fact I’m catapulting their Everything Bagel into the Foodie Hall of Fame. I can think of more than a dozen reasons why this is truly the best bagel ever (wink). So keeping with the concept of the circle of life, the best thing that I can do is pass it on.

I’m dishing it out each week in my newest feature, SnackTime With Jen cause everyone I know just loooves a little snack. Especially me.