In a few weeks, people in The Gulch may be doing what folks in New York City have been doing for years: standing in line for a bagel. PopUp Bagels plans to open its first Tennessee location at end of February or the beginning of March, as part of its expansion into the South. An Atlanta opening is planned for Feb. 6.
In just a few years, Nashville went from a dearth of bagels to an abundance, with bagel shops in many city neighborhoods. Deepen Patel — managing partner at Connecticut-based Power Brands Hospitality Group, owner of PopUp Bagels — used to live in Nashville, having attended grad school at Vanderbilt University. He says the brand is different from other bagels. Their m.o. — “grip, rip and dip” — means you are supposed to tear the bagel into pieces and dip them into fresh-made cream cheese schmears. No slicing and making bagel sandwiches on these baked goods. The bagels — which have won Brooklyn Bagelfest "Best Bagel" two years in a row — are traditional flavors, including everything, salt, sesame seed and poppy seed. Bagels are baked regularly and always served hot.
Schmears run the gamut from traditional plain cream cheese or scallion to rotating flavors that include collaborations for savory and sweet options, including Grillo’s Pickles and a Buffalo (wings) butter and lemon pepper cream cheese in time for the Super Bowl. The rotating nature of the schmears keeps people coming back to try new varieties, Patel says.
The yearlong series encourages local chefs to try their hand at signature cream cheese combos
Patel and Power Brands have partnered with local restaurateur Leah Bentley to open the new restaurant. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with possible adjustments for neighborhood needs. Patel says opening weekend will include a party with a DJ and other festivities. When the brand opened in Southern California, some customers posted about waiting more than two hours in line.
The team believes Nashville will be a good fit for the brand. “Expanding throughout the South in Tennessee and Alabama represents an exciting step in our growth story,” PopUp Bagels CEO Tory Bartlett says in an email to the Scene. “Launching in Nashville allows us to connect with a passionate, fast-growing community that shares our love of great food and hospitality. We’re excited to introduce PopUp Bagels to Music City and beyond.”
While checking out the grip, rip and dip sensation, don’t forget to continue to support your favorite locally owned bagel spots — including Donelson’s Bagelshop and Inglewood’s Mr. Aaron’s Goods. Many local restaurants had to throw out ingredients and other food during power outages, in addition to being closed in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern. They could use purchases of extra bagels and schmears, too.
