A bagel shop serving New York-style bagels has opened in Northlake: Called Branded Bagels, it’s an indie shop in a new-ish shopping center at 1242 FM 407 #300 in Northlake Commons, where it opened softly in May, with an official opening on July 10.

Branded Bagels was founded by couples Peter & Christie Wangoe, and Craig & Andrea Wilkinson, friends who were inspired to open a shop after taking a life-changing bagel tour in New York two years ago.

With Branded, their goal is to replicate a New York-style bagel with the contrast of a chewy inside and a crispy shell, and bring it to Texas.

“We went to New York several more times, got some recipes, came back, and built it from the ground up,” Christie says. “It probably took 75 recipes to get to the plain bagel recipe that we love. We’ve had people come from the East Coast and say it’s just like a New York bagel."

To achieve the desired texture, they use a multi-rack oven which steams, then bakes the bagels.

They serve 14 to 16 bagel varieties such as Sesame, Everything, Garlic, Onion, Poppyseed, Cinnamon Raisin, and Jalapeno Cheddar. They have more than a dozen cream cheese schmears, all made in house in creative varieties such as honey almond, sundried tomato, spicy bacon, and birthday cake.

They offer a weekly rotating flavor such as the Asiago bagel and a hot honey maple bacon schmear. Single bagels are $4; a dozen are $22.

The bagels can also be ordered in breakfast and lunch sandwiches such as bacon, egg & cheese; Caprese with pesto cream cheese schmear drizzled with Balsamic vinegar; and salmon lox, starting at $6. They also have hot and iced coffee, and soft serve ice cream.

Although it's a new venture, Christie says that she and Andrea always enjoyed being in the kitchen, trying new recipes, and cooking for family gatherings.

They chose to open in Northlake because of personal connections to the community and closeness to home. The space is rustic-chic, with gray brick counters and indoor and patio seating.

"We had a vision and it was a big leap of faith, but we wanted to serve the community in Northlake," Christie says.