Schmear
The Yiddish-derived word for the generous layer of cream cheese spread on a bagel at New York bagel shops.
Example
Asking for an everything bagel with a scallion schmear tells the counterman you want cream cheese spread thick, not a scraping.
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Ess-a-Bagel
The Midtown East bagel shop since 1976 famous for oversized chewy bagels and generous schmear architecture.
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The East Village bagel shop known for hand-rolled bagels and an enormous menu of creative cream cheeses.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I order my bagel toasted?
If the bagels are coming out warm, no. Toasting is for day-old bagels, and some classic shops will gently mock the request.
What schmear should a first-timer get?
Scallion cream cheese on an everything bagel is the consensus starter. Add lox if you want the full New York experience.
How much cream cheese is a proper schmear?
Enough to see it at the edges of the bagel, not a thin scrape. New York shops apply it generously by default, so ask for light if you want less.
