New York-style bagels are gaining momentum in San Diego
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PopUp Bagels is known for its grip, rip and dip style bagels. Photo: Jen Goldberg/PopUp Bagels
San Diego's bagel scene is on the rise.
Why it matters: New York-style bagel shops are popping up around the city, looking to fill holes in the growing market that's hungry for an authentic bite of this breakfast staple.
Driving the news: PopUp Bagels is bringing hot "rip and dip" bagels to San Diego as part of a major Southern California expansion. The growing brand draws long lines in New York City and boasts a hefty Instagram following.
- Franchisees Paul Goodman and Griffin Thall plan to open the first local shop in the next few months.
- They're targeting Pacific Beach and La Jolla first, and expect to roll out 10 locations over the next six years, they told Axios.
Zoom in: Don't expect sliced and toasted bagels or egg sandwiches, PopUp is known for its steamy, doughy, fresh-out-of-the-oven whole bagels meant for sharing.
- The idea is to tear off a piece and dunk it in a tub of schmear, as demonstrated by our Axios Boston colleague who unexpectedly enjoyed the experience.
- Goodman and Thall, both San Diego State University alums and co-founders of Pura Vida Bracelets, are looking to create a community with events and an active social media presence.
- The shop will feature photos of local celebrity customers and release new cream cheese flavors weekly, they said.
Best bite: Sesame bagel with scallion schmear is the go-to for both Goodman and Thall.
State of play: New York's iconic H&H Bagels is expanding to California with five planned locations opening around San Diego.
- Marigold Bagels, available exclusively at the Mission Valley Farmers Market and pre-order pickups in Point Loma, is opening its first brick-and-mortor in North Park in June.
- Longtime Hillcrest favorite Big City Bagels replaced Solomon Bagels in North Park in December.
The intrigue: This is the first year that San Diego Magazine's annual restaurant awards includes best bagels in the city.
- 10 local shops are in the running for readers' choice, and chief content officer Troy Johnson is finalizing his critic's picks. Winners will be revealed in June.
What they're saying: "We're approaching the golden age of bagels in San Diego," Johnson told Axios. "It's like a far more enjoyable space race, with a new pop-up every week entering the pursuit of the ever elusive great San Diego bagel. We're covering it like CSPAN."