Long Lines Greet a New York Bagel Favorite’s First Houston Shop — H&H Bagels Makes Texas History In River Oaks

After New York City institution H&H Bagels opened in River Oaks, it had a line that snaked out its doors. Customers (including this one) waited an hour in the queue for H&H’s famed classic breakfast bagel, among others. Founded in 1972 by Helmer Toro, the original bagel shop on the Upper West Side has grown to seven bagel shops across Manhattan and multiple franchise locations throughout the United States, including this new one in Houston now. H&H’s first in Texas.

Native New Yorkers, as well as devoted bagel enthusiasts, swear the secret to H&H’s shiny, crisp crust and dense, chewy interior is the New York City soft tap water famed for its low mineral content. For more than five decades, H&H’s original recipe has remained unchanged with each tender bagel proofed, kettle boiled, bathed and oven baked. Moreover, these bagel experts rely on unbromated and unbleached flour, non-GMO ingredients and no artificial preservatives, with each bagel packing 13 grams of protein.

Those outside the New York area might have seen references to H&H Bagels on iconic shows Seinfeld to Sex and the City. Regular readers of the paper of record, The New York Times, might have read about the setback the brand suffered in 2010 when its “owner pleaded guilty to grand larceny charges admitting in court that he had failed to turn over to the state more than $330,00 in payroll taxes he withheld from employees.”

Shortly after, H&H filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closed its Upper West Side store. Today CEO Jay Rushin, who stepped into the role in 2014, has been credited with reviving and reimagining H&H Bagels, growing the number of New York City stores and launching its franchise model.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring H&H Bagels to Texas,” Rushin says. “The responses to our recent openings around the country have been amazing. And we can’t wait to share an authentic taste of New York with the Houston community.”

A New York Houstonian

Houston’s first H&H Bagels is owned by Noman Khan, a born and raised New Yorker with deep family ties to Houston, where he and his family have lived for more than a decade. A longtime H&H regular whose family previously lived on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Khan saw an opportunity to bring the authentic New York bagel experience he missed to Houston.

The menu features the same well-known NYC classics, made to order, including the Classic Bacon, Egg and Cheese ($8.90) and the Nova Salmon with “The Works ($16.45).” Classic spread sandwiches are available, including a variety of cream cheese flavors, such as Scallion, Spicy Scallion, Veggie and Strawberry, as well as the classic bagel options customers love, including Plain, Everything, Sesame, Cinnamon Raisin, Jalapeño Cheddar, Whole Wheat, Egg, Pumpernickel and more.

The menu also includes speciality sandwiches, including the Southwest Turkey ($14.90), made with bacon, avocado, pepper jack and southwest sauce. Then there’s The Gardener ($8.45), with veggie cream cheese, avocado, tomato & cucumber. H&H Bagels also offers catering boxes, designed to be on display, packaging a variety of bagels with toppings and spreads.

Houston’s own H & H Bagels is located at 2850 Westheimer Road. It is open from 6 am to 3 pm daily.