Bagel Uprising opens second location in Ballston amid D.C. bagel boom

Dig in: Breckinridge, a former FCC lawyer who started rolling bagels in his home kitchen more than a decade ago, has teamed up with Air Force veteran Justin Silverman to open the new Ballston shop.

• The pair bonded over homemade bagels, babka and challah, which the menu showcases: Breckinridge's boiled-and-baked bagels alongside Silverman's breads and pastries.

The vibe: Less hype, more homemade.

• Ballston is becoming a bagel destination, with chains Call Your Mother and PopUp Bagels opening nearby. But Bagel Uprising leans into a simpler approach.
• Think breakfast sandwiches, Ivy City lox bagels and lunch options like the "Del Rey-chel" with turkey, Swiss, caraway slaw and special sauce.

What they're saying: "You can get decision fatigue with a million things," Breckinridge tells Axios. "There's a simplicity to the approach here."

Yes, but: You'll still find fun twists, including kicky cilantro-jalapeño cream cheese, a housemade vegan schmear and a massive breakfast bagel stacked with egg, ham, hash browns and American cheese.

Coming soon: Silverman, who started baking to relax while in the Air Force, will soon add chocolate babka, whole and mini challah loaves, and challah sandwiches to the menu.

Zoom out: Bagel Uprising is joining a crowded crop of new DMV bagel shops:

• Call Your Mother: Recently opened in Bethesda, with Ballston and Adams Morgan locations on the way.
• PopUp Bagels: Opening Friday in Bethesda, joining its Georgetown shop.
• Buffalo & Bergen: Expanding into Virginia with its first Arlington location.
• Bagel Street (Vienna): A Chinese-Dominican-inspired bagel shop that debuted this spring.