New York City Bagel
Dec. 26, 2017 By Tara Law
A popular Astoria bagel shop that doubles as a cafe is opening a third location where it will serve beer.
New York City Bagel & Coffee House, which combines a trendy cafe atmosphere with a traditional city bagel shop, will open a 33-10 30th Ave. location in June.
The shop will offer the same menu as its other two locations, and serve bagels, homemade spreads, soups, pastries, coffee drinks and sandwiches. It will also offer a selection of craft beers.
The first New York City Bagel & Coffee opened in 2012 at 29-08 23rd Ave. and the second in 2015 at 40-05 Broadway.
Michael Lagudis, who co-owns the business with John Loukas, is a lifelong Queens resident and restauranteur. His parents operated a coffee shop when he was a child, and he ran his own diner in Hell’s Kitchen from 1996 to 2013.
Lagudis and his business partner opened their first New York City Bagel & Coffee at a time when he felt the diner business/industry was starting to falter. Lagudis believed that if they could serve reasonably priced food in a more attractive atmosphere there would be a better chance of success.
Lagudis, 46, a self-professed bagel lover, said they will make their bagels on location and stick to a simple recipe and high quality ingredients. The bagels are made with brown sugar instead of malt and are kettle boiled.
“Kettle boiling is like searing a steak,” said Lagudis. “You lock in the juices.”
Each location also makes a variety of cream cheeses and other spreads in-house. This store will be the only one to offer beer. They are about to file for a wine & beer license.
Lagudis said they have adopted a simple approach to business. They promote the personal touch and don’t deliver or have an app.
Although some of his younger customers want the store to deliver, Lagudis said that their emphasis on customer service.
“Once they experience it, they like it,” said Lagudis. “I’m old school when it comes to customer service. We’re a neighborhood place and we love getting to know our customers.”
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