The nationally acclaimed Dallas bagel shop Starship Bagel has opened a third location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The chain has been recognized as the best bagel outside New York, traditionally known for its doughy and versatile breads. The bakery recently won a blind taste test competition at NY Bagelfest 2023.
“We serve bagels that we make from scratch every day, boil and bake all morning every morning, and out of respect for the hard work that goes into our craft, we insist that the bagel be the highlight of anything we serve,” founder Oren Salomon said in a statement, per CultureMap Dallas.
The new location is at 6859 Arapaho Rd. #603 in North Dallas. The chain also has a location in Lewisville — the original store Salomon opened, fondly referred to as “mothership” — and one in Downtown he refers to as a “satellite.”
“When done right, the bagel can be an intense and deep sensory experience on its own,” Salomon said per CultureMap. “The first bite should be a forceful crunch followed by a deep warm chew that gives way to an infinite landscape of malty and subtle yeasty complexity. These sensory experiences are perfectly complemented by creamy spreads, salty fish, and fresh cut raw veggies. That’s all a bagel needs, and that’s all we’ll ever serve.”
The restaurant serves a limited selection of sandwiches with unique ingredients. Notably, the shop makes a smoked salmon sandwich featuring fish flown in from Brooklyn and a clever take on avocado toast called the “Millenial Falcon” — a play on the most famous starship from the Star Wars franchise. The new spot opened just in time for May the 4th, aka “May the 4th be with you,” an informal commemorative day celebrated by Star Wars fans.
Salomon told D Magazine that his business plan always featured a North Dallas location. He grew up in the neighborhood, and he said he has deep ties to the area.
“It all feels very full circle with this location,” Salomon said. “This location solidifies my connection to my secular yet very Jewish upbringing, which is extremely personal to me and is a story I feel was only possible in this city.”
The new location’s storefront was once a Blockbuster Video, where Salomon rented videos in his youth. The location is even painted in blue and yellow in a nod to the former video rental giant that ultimately went bankrupt and was bought out by Dish Network. In 2014, the final 300 stores were closed.
“I grew up here. I live here now. I plan to keep living here. Dallas represents my past, present, and future,” Salomon said per D Magazine. “I’m hoping to become a secular third place for anyone of any background who seeks comfort in a Jewish space, or who seeks comfort from the Jewish bite we know as the bagel.”
