The ultimate prize in the bagel world has been claimed once again by a Texas contender! Starship Bagel NYC has officially earned the highly coveted “Best Bagel” award at the prestigious New York BagelFest 2025. Held on November 16 at Citi Field in Queens, New York, the event saw the Dallas-based Starship Bagel NYC triumph over dozens of competitors from across the globe, solidifying its reputation as a national leader in the food industry and proving that the best bagel NYC has to offer can come from anywhere.
Starship Bagel NYC: A Trilogy of Triumph
This landmark victory marks the third consecutive year Starship Bagel NYC has earned accolades at BagelFest. In 2023, the establishment clinched the “Best Bagel” award, followed by a win for “Schmear of the Year” in 2024. The 2025 Starship Bagel NYC award for “Best Bagel” underscores their consistent excellence and dedication to craft. Beyond the main prize, Starship Bagel also distinguished itself at the 2025 competition by winning first place for “Best New York-Style Bagel” and “Best Showmanship.” They also secured runner-up positions for “Most Creative” and “Schmear of the Year” with their Garam Masala Schmear, demonstrating a broad range of culinary skill from Starship Bagel NYC.
The Starship Story: From Texas Kitchen to National Stage
Founded in 2021 by Oren Salomon, a Brooklyn-born entrepreneur who developed a passion for bagels in his adopted home of North Texas, Starship Bagel began its journey from a humble home kitchen. Salomon, who apprenticed at San Francisco’s acclaimed Boichik Bagels, quickly established a loyal following. The bakery now operates three locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex: Lewisville, Downtown Dallas, and North Dallas. Their distinctive approach, characterized by generously topped bagels and inventive schmears, has propelled them from a local favorite to a nationally recognized restaurant and a strong contender for the best bagel NYC has to offer.
An Ingenious Strategy for Success at BagelFest
Competing in a city renowned as the global capital of bagels, Starship Bagel NYC employed an innovative strategy for the 2025 BagelFest. Owner Oren Salomon revealed a calculated gamble: par-baking the winning bagels a week in advance at their Texas facility, then freezing and transporting them via dry ice to New York. Upon arrival, they were finished baking in an oven purchased specifically for the event at Citi Field. This unique method, aimed at ensuring peak freshness and quality, proved to be a masterstroke, turning an “away game” into a resounding home-field advantage for Starship Bagel NYC and showcasing a distinct quality improvement in their product.
National Acclaim and Culinary Influence for Starship Bagel NYC
Starship Bagel’s meteoric rise has not gone unnoticed beyond BagelFest competitions, with their James Beard nomination in 2025 for Outstanding Bakery a significant feather in their cap. The bakery has garnered significant national attention, including an appearance on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and a nomination for a prestigious James Beard Award in 2025 for Outstanding Bakery. These achievements highlight Starship Bagel NYC’s significant impact on the trending food landscape and its ability to compete with establishments in more traditional culinary hubs, proving they are among the best new york style bagel makers.
Texas Takes on the Big Apple: Starship Bagel NYC Wins
The consistent success of a Texas-based restaurant in a New York City-centric competition like BagelFest challenges long-held notions about culinary supremacy. “There’s no panel more discerning than New York bagel lovers,” Salomon remarked, emphasizing the significance of winning on their turf with Starship Bagel NYC. The victory is a testament to the growing culinary prowess emerging from Texas, proving that exceptional food creations are not confined to specific geographic regions and that Texas bagels can rival the best.
A Taste of the Future from Starship Bagel NYC
With their proven techniques and growing acclaim, Starship Bagel NYC is poised for further expansion and innovation. The successful par-baking method is slated to be rolled out across all their locations, promising all-day availability of hot, fresh bagels and a potential reduction in costs and environmental footprint. As the food news continues to highlight their achievements, Starship Bagel NYC is setting a new standard for what it means to be a top-tier restaurant in today’s competitive culinary world, especially for those seeking the best bagel NYC has to offer.
