A new food craze has arrived in Fairfield, bringing with it a wave of hot, fresh carbohydrates. PopUp Bagels, known for their slogan “They’re not famous, but known,” has built a strong following. The business began with Adam Goldberg, who started selling bagels out of his kitchen window in Westport during the pandemic. Since then, PopUp Bagels has expanded to 11 storefronts across Massachusetts, New York, Florida, and Connecticut. Their Fairfield location sits on Post Road in the heart of downtown. This past weekend, I paid them a visit to see what the hype was about.
I was initially worried about visiting on a Saturday morning, expecting long lines, but the entire experience—from walking in to walking out—took all of five minutes. The longest part was the drive there!
One key detail to note is PopUp Bagels’ limited menu. Bagels are only sold in multiples of three, which might not be ideal for the solo bagel enthusiast craving just one. Additionally, they focus primarily on cream cheese, offering only a few specialty butters as an alternative. That said, their cream cheese is anything but ordinary—it’s packed with flavor and can easily elevate an otherwise plain meal.
Tearing open a fresh PopUp bagel is an experience everyone should have. The steam that escaped filled my kitchen with an irresistible aroma, making my mouth water. Their everything bagel was nearly perfect—its crunchy, well-seasoned exterior gave way to a soft, pillowy interior. The onion and sesame flavors were distinct yet balanced, enhancing rather than overwhelming each bite.
The plain bagel was just as satisfying and served as an excellent canvas for their flavorful cream cheese. For journalistic integrity, I also tried it with butter. To say my taste buds exploded would be an understatement. Dear reader, never underestimate the power of a classic. Even though I had to supply my own butter, the combination was well worth it.
PopUp Bagels might be a bit of a trek for some Warde students, but I highly recommend making the trip at least once. Trust me—you won’t regret it.