Shug’s Bagels Set to Open in Clarksville, Austin in 2025
Austin, Texas – The exciting news for food lovers in Austin is the announcement of Shug’s Bagels, a new bagel shop that is set to open in the Clarksville neighborhood at 1206 Parkway. This spot will take over the former Austin Java restaurant space, which has a long-standing history in the city. The opening is scheduled for sometime in 2025.
New York Deli-Style Bagels
Shug’s Bagels will offer a New York deli-style experience to its customers, featuring a variety of kettle-boiled bagels that are known for their deliciously chewy texture. A wide range of flavors will be available, including classics like everything, salt, and jalapeño-cheddar cheese, along with sweet options like cinnamon raisin and French toast. For those who prefer gluten-free options, some bagels will be available to meet their dietary needs.
A selection of cream cheeses will enhance the bagels, including flavors like scallion, garlic-herbs, vanilla-walnut, and strawberry. Plant-based cream cheese options will also be offered for vegan customers. In addition to bagels, Shug’s will serve breakfast and lunch, featuring a variety of chicken cutlet sandwiches that can be enjoyed on bagels, rolls, or wraps.
Exciting Menu Options
The menu at Shug’s Bagels aims to cater to all tastes, featuring several enticing fillings. Some standout items include:
- The Ridgewood: Taylor ham, eggs, and American cheese
- The classic lox combination
- Open-faced pizza bagels
- Turkey clubs
- Philly cheesesteak
- Chicken parm cutlet sandwiches topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella
- Barbecue cutlet with melted cheddar cheese, bacon, and barbecue sauce
For those who want to customize their meals, build-your-own options will be available as well.
Founder’s Journey
The owner of Shug’s Bagels, Justin Shugrue, hails from the Westchester, New York area. After attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas, he noticed a significant presence of students from the Northeast who were yearning for a taste of home. He commented, “They’re looking for that hometown cuisine that a lot of New Yorkers didn’t even think was a regional thing.” His love for the iconic bacon-egg-cheese sandwich and fresh bagels from New York inspired him to open Shug’s.
Following his stint in the service industry, Shugrue launched Shug’s Bagels in Dallas in the summer of 2020 and subsequently opened a second location in the fall of 2023. “I wanted to create an atmosphere similar to classic bagel shops in the Northeast,” he remarks.
Expansion Plans and Community Impact
Austin’s location will be Shug’s fourth planned store, as the team is also working on a third site in New Orleans, near Tulane University. The Clarksville spot is significant because it was once home to Austin Java, a beloved diner mini-chain that opened in 1995 and closed in 2017 with only one remaining location in far south Austin.
Shugrue has already begun the permitting process and plans to improve the kitchen space, ensuring they will be able to bake fresh bagels on-site. The shop will operate as a counter-service restaurant, with hopes of drawing in bagel enthusiasts from across the area.
For many in Austin, the opening of Shug’s Bagels promises to bring a welcome taste of the Northeast. With its exciting menu and nostalgic vibe, Shug’s Bagels is likely to become a popular spot for residents and visitors alike.
