From Dough To Glory: New York Couple Has Sold 100,000 Stuffed Bagels
In my travels, I have discovered one thing for certain and two things for sure: New Yorkers are not just serious but deeply passionate about their bagels. While there is no official count for the number of bagel shops in the area, there are roughly over 500, most of which claim to have the best in the city. This shared love for bagels is celebrated annually at BagelFest, launched in 2019. Maps even exist that pinpoint where to find 'the best' bagels in each New York City borough.
In 2021, the bagel world got a new kid on the block, revolutionizing how New Yorkers eat bagels, and they are here to stay. Meet Moonrise Bagels.
What began as a casual New Year's brunch with family and friends, featuring homemade pizzas and bagels, blossomed into a thriving business. From a humble apartment in Woodstock, New York, Moonrise Bagels has expanded from pop-ups to three physical locations, a testament to the unexpected success that can arise from a simple gathering.
Jeremy Rhodes, co-founder/owner of Moonrise Bagels, has always had a passion for cooking. His Sunday nights were often dedicated to crafting fresh pasta and homemade sourdough. However, the pandemic, a shared experience for many, brought about a shift in daily life and an abundance of free time. With this newfound time, Jeremy delved into a bread cookbook, ultimately discovering his love for making bagels.
Ali and Jeremy Rhodes, co-founders and owners of Moonrise Bagels.
At the end of 2020, the couple was in a saucy situation. After realizing he had way too much pizza sauce remaining, Jeremy had the crazy idea of stuffing a pizza inside a bagel. This unique twist, along with their exploration of stuffing other comfort foods inside bagels, became the unique selling point of Moonrise Bagels. Using their family and friends as unofficial food critics and taste testers, they realized that they clearly had a hit on their hands. The couple sold stuffed bagels from their apartment using word-of-mouth and social media to draw customers.
Soon after, news about these incredible stuffed bagels spread around town, creating a high demand resulting in the couple doing pop-ups and selling at farmer's markets. It comes as no surprise that they always sold out! At the end of 2021, Ali and Jeremy took over the lease for the sandwich shop across the street from their apartment, marking their first physical location. Now, four years later, the couple has sold over 100,000 stuffed bagels (and officially tied the knot).
Stuffed Bagel
Depending on your region, there are spoken and unspoken rules about what makes a perfect bagel. In my opinion, the ideal bagel must have the same structural integrity: a soft inside and crispy exterior, plain or seasoned. Moonrise Bagels nailed it. The ingredients should be fresh and flavorful for every bite if the bagels are used as breakfast sandwiches. Again, they nailed it.
Our experience with Moonrise Bagels' traditional bacon, egg, and cheese stuffed bagels was not just delicious, but also convenient. Each package comes with clear instructions for preparing your bagels, which ship frozen. When I made them for my nieces and nephews before a road trip, we followed the package instructions (in the oven) and also tried the air fryer. Both methods resulted in the perfect bagel. The bagels are a decent size, so I served them in halves, which was perfect for our on-the-go meal. Even my picky eaters found themselves going back for a second half. The stuffed nature of the bagels made the experience less messy, and we didn't have to worry about toppings sliding off as we ate. We all agreed that these were one of the best bagels we have ever eaten. Just as the reviews suggested, we became repeat customers.
Everything Bacon, Egg, And Cheese Stuffed Bagel
While we chose the breakfast-style stuffed bagels, Jermey and Ali created something much more. They take pride in their unique selling point- crafting every single product by hand using high-quality and wholesome ingredients. Their favorite comfort foods like buffalo chicken, Reubens, Philly cheesesteak, and eggplant parmesan inspired their menu. There's even a sausage, egg, and cheese-stuffed bagel option with vegan sausage. And for customers who like the tried-and-true bagel and cream cheese, there's something for you too! They offer traditional bagels (everything, poppy, sesame, or plain) with plain or scallion cream cheese. Whatever flavor you choose, each and every bagel is hand rolled, boiled, and baked fresh daily. As their name (and flavor combinations) suggests, you can enjoy Moonrise Bagels' stuffed bagels from sunrise to moonrise and anytime in between–not just for breakfast.
While Moonrise Bagels has delighted us with their classic flavors so far, Ali has assured us that there's more to come. Customers can look forward to a wave of new and exciting experiments in the future. This anticipation for new flavors adds an element of excitement to the Moonrise Bagels experience.
Selected of Stuffed Bagels
'We understand that trying a new food can be a little intimidating, so we've made it approachable by stuffing it with familiar and beloved foods. This approach has even convinced the most skeptical customers to try it,' shared Ali.
In just under four years, Moonrise Bagels has seen impressive growth with no signs of stopping. It's beyond clear that they have created something unique that resonated with many people. The couple shares that the entire journey has been surreal. 'To think that we started this in our kitchen on a whim one night and now have sold 100,000 Stuffed Bagels within all 50 states and Canada, it blows our mind,' Ali said. Their unique blend of flavors and dedication to quality sets them apart.
Ali further shared that it's been heartwarming to witness the loyalty of our customers, whether they visit our stores or order through our Goldbelly platform. 'Our Stuffed Bagels have become a part of their special moments - from celebrating birthdays and new arrivals to comforting during times of loss. Being a part of these significant moments, providing comfort through our food, is a privilege we deeply cherish,' she said.
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Bagels
As far as what's next, they're just getting started, using the pride from their accomplishments to fuel what's to come.
You can stop by their original location in Woodstock. Or visit the storefronts in Poughkeepsie and Kingston. They offer nationwide shipping through Goldbelly.
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