Totally agree - some of the same bagel rollers and cashier! Now super slick and clean set up with two registers. My everything bagel was everything I wished it would be. Rejoice
The fake grass wall is a bad sign.... That sounds like they're trying to go viral through social media posts. Not sure why they'd want to when they already have lines around the block. But I'm so glad they're back!
Yeah I was worried about that too, and there's some big full moon decoration too, but it seems like it's just an aesthetic choice since the vibe of the store wasn't any different. I hope they don't go viral, the wait is long enough already haha
Selfishly I’m hoping the bagels are good, but not as good as they used to be. Ideally want them to fall off all the NYC Best Bagels lists too (they probably already should have since a totally new operation) so there aren’t hour long lines every weekend.
To your original point. I’ll realistically go 6 months without another bagel if this quality and the lines holds up - I’ll need out of town guests to inspire me.
This feels like a critical check point - pretty niche skill at this point, and having boiling vats on-site delightfully impractical relative to modern standards
Totally agree and this is why most bagel places are inferior as they don’t boil and seemingly many others are fine with that- for me it has to be boiled or I’ll eat any other bread product - these were great and clearly boiled like the old ones
So true, the impracticality of a boiling vat leads all newcomers to ditch or modify that step and then it is no longer a bagel - just a big roll with a hole in the middle. After that H&H investment bank reboot debacle, I feel we were all rightfully suspect but, thankfully this is a different story. One I’d like to learn more about? Who saved Absolute bagels and can we get their statue in Strauss Park?
It has no connection to the original they’re just taking the brand. Might be a good thing because there was apparently rat poop and roaches in the food and dead rats in food prep areas at the original location. But it’s just a random bagel store.
It’s in a different location and they’re only porting over the manager. It’s a different ownership group that didn’t buy the recipe from the old owners.
There’s a “Raku: It’s Japanese” in my neighborhood and it’s a pile of shit. I don’t go around calling it Raku.
THIS IS NOT A FREAKING AD. I know birds aren’t real and all that shit, but I started going to Absolute Bagels since it first opened. I am away for the holidays and was just curious. The friend who told me about the line doesn’t eat carbs.
What is wrong with you? I saw the bagel river when it first opened decades ago (which I believe is what my other comment specified). It was the first time I had seen one.
For the record, I am away for the holidays, but my friend who doesn’t do carbs texted me a photo of the line because she knows I was a fan.
Evidently some Redditors don’t believe in memories or community - an odd thing for a local sub.
I wish I got paid for this haha. And I know you're trolling, but people are asking the same questions on each thread and I didn't feel like rewriting the same post 3 times.
Also as Konflictcam said, it's literally the same location and a lot of the old staff was there today. The store is gut rennovated and spotless now.
B. I had these arguments when they first opened. A LES friend said that the bagels couldn’t possibly be as good as Ess-A-Bagel even though staff had worked/trained at Ess-A-Bagel.
But it’s fine. The more people who don’t go, the shorter the lines.
Speaking of boiling bagels. I’m also curious if the bagel place in 86th and Broadway boils or steams its bagels? I suspect steam, does anyone know for sure?
I was there at 8am, the bagels were as good as ever and fresh. A lot of the old staff was there and it was good vibes all around.
The bagels were free today, but it looks like they have tablets to take cards going forward.
The interior is rennovated and has a fake grass wall and a mural, but it's largely the same.
Prices:
*Edited to confirm they'll take cards and add the prices, I just went back through my pics and I took one of the board.
Totally agree - some of the same bagel rollers and cashier! Now super slick and clean set up with two registers. My everything bagel was everything I wished it would be. Rejoice
So happy the cashier is the same!
That is so great to hear!! thanks for the report!
The fake grass wall is a bad sign.... That sounds like they're trying to go viral through social media posts. Not sure why they'd want to when they already have lines around the block. But I'm so glad they're back!
Yeah I was worried about that too, and there's some big full moon decoration too, but it seems like it's just an aesthetic choice since the vibe of the store wasn't any different. I hope they don't go viral, the wait is long enough already haha
Would also love to hear from a local/regular how many of the workers are back!
I recognized 50-75% of the people that were working this morning
Great news!
Awesome
Any Thai iced tea?
Yes and the line was as crazy as ever!
Is it at a new location? Or re-opening at their previous spot on Broadway and 108th?
It’s in the same space
same spot. New Japanese market is next door now.
Selfishly I’m hoping the bagels are good, but not as good as they used to be. Ideally want them to fall off all the NYC Best Bagels lists too (they probably already should have since a totally new operation) so there aren’t hour long lines every weekend.
You may be disappointed - bagels were great and it was like a party in there this am
Great bagels is an OK outcome! Just wish I didn’t have to wait in crazy lines to get them lol
I hear ya - I used to go with the joggers and toddlers when they opened early - which I suspect they will do again after soft open.
The things we do for bagels…
To your original point. I’ll realistically go 6 months without another bagel if this quality and the lines holds up - I’ll need out of town guests to inspire me.
I live far enough away and am fat enough that I only go when I’m really jonesing or have out of town guests.
It is a proper flex for guests
Ok I’m cautiously excited - but when do they get health inspections? I don’t see any records online yet.
I drove by it earlier today and was so shocked how long the line was. Glad they are back as I try to cut down on carbs. Haha
Cross-asking - Do. They BOIL. The bagels?
I’m tempted to say no just to keep people away, but yes. When they first opened i was entranced by the bagel lazy river.
Yes
This feels like a critical check point - pretty niche skill at this point, and having boiling vats on-site delightfully impractical relative to modern standards
If they move away from that we’ll know it’s over
Totally agree and this is why most bagel places are inferior as they don’t boil and seemingly many others are fine with that- for me it has to be boiled or I’ll eat any other bread product - these were great and clearly boiled like the old ones
Couldn’t agree more, was always my rationale for having Absolute as Top
So true, the impracticality of a boiling vat leads all newcomers to ditch or modify that step and then it is no longer a bagel - just a big roll with a hole in the middle. After that H&H investment bank reboot debacle, I feel we were all rightfully suspect but, thankfully this is a different story. One I’d like to learn more about? Who saved Absolute bagels and can we get their statue in Strauss Park?
It has no connection to the original they’re just taking the brand. Might be a good thing because there was apparently rat poop and roaches in the food and dead rats in food prep areas at the original location. But it’s just a random bagel store.
Guess why I said “newly opened” rather than just “Absolute Bagels?” You are not the first person to make this observation.
I’m guessing they have extra incentive to keep up good health department ratings when the whole neighborhood knows about that report.
Or I can just choose not to go. You can also make that choice.
Then don’t go, this shit is so annoying.
What shit? Being honest about what the store is? Informing consumers about marketing tactics?
The quality of the food matters too bro…
If it has a bunch of the same staff and is in the same location I don’t think your characterization is accurate.
It’s in a different location and they’re only porting over the manager. It’s a different ownership group that didn’t buy the recipe from the old owners.
There’s a “Raku: It’s Japanese” in my neighborhood and it’s a pile of shit. I don’t go around calling it Raku.
Another poster is saying it is a lot of the same staff.
I think this entire post is an ad and there are paid posters here.
Edit: some dude left the same comment on both posts for this store lol. Some PE probably owns the space and is now spamming this subreddit.
THIS IS NOT A FREAKING AD. I know birds aren’t real and all that shit, but I started going to Absolute Bagels since it first opened. I am away for the holidays and was just curious. The friend who told me about the line doesn’t eat carbs.
You’re away for the holidays but were able to see the bagel river in a different post?
What is wrong with you? I saw the bagel river when it first opened decades ago (which I believe is what my other comment specified). It was the first time I had seen one.
For the record, I am away for the holidays, but my friend who doesn’t do carbs texted me a photo of the line because she knows I was a fan.
Evidently some Redditors don’t believe in memories or community - an odd thing for a local sub.
I don’t think PE is interested in operating a singular bagel spot.
Why wouldn’t PE be interested in reusing an established brand?
But hey maybe it’s not PE, maybe it’s just rich kids who bought a brand and paid a shitty marketing team to post on Reddit.
Because this is the smallest of potatoes unless “PE” just means “investors” in this case, which just makes it like every other restaurant.
People rooting for a beloved local business must be paid? Please grow up.
It’s a brand, not the same store….and it’s under brand new ownership now…
I wish I got paid for this haha. And I know you're trolling, but people are asking the same questions on each thread and I didn't feel like rewriting the same post 3 times.
Also as Konflictcam said, it's literally the same location and a lot of the old staff was there today. The store is gut rennovated and spotless now.
It’s bizarre to post on all three posts and respond immediately to the only comment critical of the store. I feel like I’m in the matrix right now.
This is the saddest conspiracy theory
A. it’s not in a different location.
B. I had these arguments when they first opened. A LES friend said that the bagels couldn’t possibly be as good as Ess-A-Bagel even though staff had worked/trained at Ess-A-Bagel.
But it’s fine. The more people who don’t go, the shorter the lines.
It’s not in a different location. At least know what you’re talking about if you’re gonna come on here and talk shit.
You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Dumb af.
Speaking of boiling bagels. I’m also curious if the bagel place in 86th and Broadway boils or steams its bagels? I suspect steam, does anyone know for sure?
Barney greengrass? Where are you talking about
No. That’s on Amsterdam. I think it’s Broad Noah Bagels.
Ahhh yes. I’ve not been but my roommate has and says the bagels are good.
My neighbor like them but I haven’t tried and personally don’t like steamed bagels. I’m just used to Zabar’s and when on eastside like Pick a Bagel
New bagels same rats!