Apollo Bagels started as a small pop-up in Brooklyn, and even though they haven't been around for very long, they've already earned almost cult status among bagel lovers. It took me a long time to finally try Apollo Bagels. Every time I've walked past one of their Manhattan locations, the line has been so long that I've kept on walking. But one Saturday morning, Steve and I decided it was finally time. We headed to the 35th Street location, got in line, and waited about half an hour before we reached the counter to order. Then we waited a little longer while they prepared our bagels, but once you've already waited that long, a few extra minutes don't really make much difference.
The menu is fairly simple, and it's clear that the focus is on a handful of well-thought-out combinations rather than endless choices. I ordered the Everything Bagel with Tomato, Steve went for the Everything Bagel with Smoked Salmon, and of course we also had to get a glass of their freshly squeezed orange juice, which has become almost as popular as the bagels themselves. At Apollo, the bagels are sliced in half and served open-faced, a bit like Danish smørrebrød, just on a bagel.
One of the things that sets Apollo apart from the classic New York bagel shops is their sourdough bagels. They still have the signature chewy texture a proper New York bagel should have, but they're perhaps just a little lighter, with a crispier crust and a subtle tang that I really liked. They're also just the right size. Filling, without feeling like you've eaten a brick. My Everything Bagel with Tomato was really good. The tomato was so flavorful, and the combination of tomato, cream cheese, and the Everything Bagel was fantastic. There was just the right amount of cream cheese for me, though Steve would have preferred a slightly thicker layer. Other than that, he was just as impressed as I was.
Once we had our bagels, we walked over to the pedestrian plaza on Broadway just before Times Square, where tables and chairs are set up between the skyscrapers. It's a great place to sit down and enjoy a takeaway breakfast or lunch, and considering you're only a few minutes from the crowds of Times Square, the atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed.
Was it worth the wait? I actually think it was. Of course, I wouldn't have minded if the line had been a little shorter, but Apollo Bagels makes some truly excellent bagels that are quite different from what you'll find elsewhere in New York, both in flavor and presentation. If you only have time for one bagel shop in New York, there are more classic places with shorter waits. But if you're curious to try one of the city's most talked-about bagels right now, Apollo Bagels is definitely worth a visit. And order the Tomato, even if you would normally have picked something else. It's really, really good.
If you like tomatoes, my Open-faced Tomato Sandwich Recipe might be just what you're looking for
Apollo Bagels, 224 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001
