Bagel Magnets
Description: New York City has no shortage of bagel shops, but Absolute Bagels on the Upper West Side rose above with their hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, oven-baked, and always fresh bagels. The shop was founded in 1990 by a Thai immigrant who honed his craft at a couple of venerable bagel shops before striking out on his own to make his mark. With a nondescript storefront, no social media presence, and no website, Absolute Bagels let their food do the talking, and that strategy served them well. Despite not offering delivery and only accepting cash, Absolute was among the most popular bagel joints in New York, with regular lines down the block. Of course, all good things must come to an end, and in December 2024, Absolute Bagels unexpectedly shuttered.
