PopUp Bagels — Restaurant in New York

Google needs to add another category for ratings— VALUE or COST or something like that, because it’s in that area where I think PopUp suffers.

Don’t get me wrong— the bagels are great, and I love that they are fresh out of the oven. I also appreciate that the everything bagel is generously coated top AND bottom. I can’t believe how many places now make everything bagels with the coating on only one side.

The flavored cream cheeses and butters are really interesting and definitely add something distinctive to the experience. They’ve had Oreo cream cheese and key lime pie to name two. My favorite is the rosemary garlic butter. The chimichurri butter is very good too. Even the plain cream cheese is good.

Wish they had more flavors of bagels, specifically lower calorie bagels like a whole wheat or oat bran option.

Service is very friendly and helpful.

Now for the downside…When it first opened on Columbus, which was only last year, bagels came to about $3 each in the various packages (and $3 for the schmear) AND you could get a 4th bagel instead of a schmear in the 3+1 package. The price was $12. That seemed a little high to me but reasonable given the quality.

Now, you have to pay $14 for the 3+1 package. The only way to keep your per bagel price at $3 each is to get at least 6 bagels and a schmear for $21. Online the schmears are sold separately for $7, so the 6+1 is a nice option if you’re taking food home.

The pricing feels a bit gimmicky to me, and I feel you should be able to get 1 or 2 bagels if you want them. What are single tourists supposed to do? The volume of business should allow for single bagel purchases.

Nevertheless, this is my go-to bagel place for everything and sesame bagels. For whole wheat and oat bran, I...

Full disclosure: unlike many leaving 1-2 star reviews here, I DID try these bagels, so this is a real review not just a random opinion. Ordered three everything with scallion cream cheese and paid with Apple Pay. Was in and out in less than two minutes - on a Saturday morning - their system works well. Bagels were hot and the cream cheese was soft and creamy. I didn’t “rip and dip” but rather brought them home to my waiting wife and son. We sliced our bagels with a serrated knife and carefully spread the cream cheese on each half. We then bit into the half bagel and chewed carefully, noting the medium density and warmth. We each swallowed, looked at each other and agreed that the experience was satisfying. There are many very good bagel stores on the Upper West Side including nearby Bagel Talk (Columbus and 77) and the GOAT, Absolute Bagels on 111 and Broadway which is well worth the trip if you’ve never been. Sure, if you only need one or don’t want a fresh-out-of-the-oven bagel or if you are very price-conscious, this may not be the place for you, but if you’re near Columbus and 76th and have a hunkering for a warm bagel, and especially if you want three or have two friends or are willing to freeze some, Pop-up Bagels is a...

We were in town visiting and, being originally from Buffalo, NY (now living in Florida where good bagels are impossible to find), we were on a mission to find the real deal. We didn’t realize that these bagels aren’t served toasted—and I almost bailed from the line because I’m usually a die-hard double-toasted, burnt bagel person with butter, cream cheese, or a classic egg and cheese. But WOW—I am SO glad I stayed. These were, hands down, some of the best bagels I’ve ever had. I ate three in under 30 minutes, and I never eat more than one! The flavor, the texture, the freshness—just unreal. The everything bagel was next-level, perfectly salted, and bursting with flavor. On top of that, the crew working the line was friendly, efficient, and clearly cared about the customer experience. When my friend arrived a bit frazzled (and crying) with her kid having a meltdown, one of the guys working the line noticed and gave her a bagel on the house. It completely turned her day around and gave us a good laugh. Between the incredible staff and the mind-blowing bagels, this place is a must-visit. Absolute perfection. Can’t wait...