BITES ON A BUDGET is a toothsome and tasty series where members of the OC family forage for great food––under $10!
During my lunch break, I headed to Tompkins Square for a New York staple: the bagel. In the heart of Alphabet City, Tompkins Square Bagels serves delicious, chewy bagels (from pumpernickel to French toast), with spreads and toppings including flavored cream cheeses, butters (pumpkin, almond, sunflower), hummus, nutella, and bananas. This hyper-local bagel shop has been in the neighborhood since December 2011 and was opened by Christopher Pugliese, who takes pride in supporting the community by doing business with local artists and vendors. TSB also prefers everything old school. They make their bagels with the traditional kettle and Cutler oven, and even give free food to customers who bring in pre-1986 rap vinyl records!
Before making my final decision, I took one more look over the chalkboard and decided to get a Pizza Bagel for $4. Sold! A few minutes later, out came my open-faced bagel that came covered in peppery mozarella cheese, with tomato sauce oozing out from underneath. As I bit into the plain bagel (a recommendation from a friendly employee), I smelled the distinct aroma of basil, which complemented the toppings perfectly.
TOMPKINS SQUARE BAGELS
165 Ave A
New York, NY 10009
map
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Melted mozarella goodness
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Up close and personal
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Stone Street coffee to go with your bagels?
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Bagels and spreads
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Letting the outdoors in
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During my lunch break, I headed to Tompkins Square for a New York staple: the bagel. In the heart of Alphabet City, Tompkins Square Bagels serves delicious, chewy bagels (from pumpernickel to French toast), with spreads and toppings including flavored cream cheeses, butters (pumpkin, almond, sunflower), hummus, nutella, and bananas. This hyper-local bagel shop has been in the neighborhood since December 2011 and was opened by Christopher Pugliese, who takes pride in supporting the community by doing business with local artists and vendors. TSB also prefers everything old school. They make their bagels with the traditional kettle and Cutler oven, and even give free food to customers who bring in pre-1986 rap vinyl records!
Before making my final decision, I took one more look over the chalkboard and decided to get a Pizza Bagel for $4. Sold! A few minutes later, out came my open-faced bagel that came covered in peppery mozarella cheese, with tomato sauce oozing out from underneath. As I bit into the plain bagel (a recommendation from a friendly employee), I smelled the distinct aroma of basil, which complemented the toppings perfectly.
TOMPKINS SQUARE BAGELS
165 Ave A
New York, NY 10009
map
![](http://www.openingceremony.us/userfiles/image/news/june13/061913-bites-tompkins-square-bagels/061913-bites-bagel_4.jpg)
![](http://www.openingceremony.us/userfiles/image/news/june13/061913-bites-tompkins-square-bagels/061913-bites-bagel_5.jpg)
Melted mozarella goodness
![](http://www.openingceremony.us/userfiles/image/news/june13/061913-bites-tompkins-square-bagels/061913-bites-bagel_6.jpg)
Up close and personal
![](http://www.openingceremony.us/userfiles/image/news/june13/061913-bites-tompkins-square-bagels/061913-bites-bagel_1.jpg)
Stone Street coffee to go with your bagels?
![](http://www.openingceremony.us/userfiles/image/news/june13/061913-bites-tompkins-square-bagels/061913-bites-bagel.jpg)
Bagels and spreads
![](http://www.openingceremony.us/userfiles/image/news/june13/061913-bites-tompkins-square-bagels/061913-bites-bagel_2.jpg)
Letting the outdoors in
![](http://www.openingceremony.us/userfiles/image/news/june13/061913-bites-tompkins-square-bagels/061913-bites-bagel_3.jpg)