Jewish American Heritage Month Spotlight: Zucker's Bagels

In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, this restaurant spotlight series highlights the vibrant partnership between Sharebite and Zucker's Bagels, bringing authentic, handcrafted bagels and socially conscious dining to workplaces across New York City. This Q&A series explores the rich heritage behind Zucker's Bagels, rooted in Jewish deli traditions and family legacy, and how their collaboration with Sharebite’s innovative platform delivers fresh, high-quality meals while supporting local communities. From classic lox sandwiches to modern twists, discover how this partnership is bring authentic Jewish-American foods to the larger corporate audience.

Sharebite & Zucker's Bagels Candid Q&A

Q: Can you describe the story behind your restaurant's name and what it represents?

A: I grew up in a retail family in New York – my parents ran a popular clothing business on the Lower East Side. Retail has always been a part of me, and so during my career on Wall Street, I was really inspired to open a bagel shop with my family – the first was named for my father!  When I founded Zucker’s in 2007, I also wanted to bring my mom into the mix, and Zucker is her maiden name. To me, Zucker’s just felt right for my new bagel shop in Tribeca, and so a new family bagel tradition was born.

Q: What inspired your menu?

A: Twenty years ago, I wanted to create a modern take on a classic bagel shop using high-end ingredients - our menu was originally inspired by classic Jewish deli appetizing with our own take on tradition. From the beginning, it was always important to me to source from local companies and use great products, from the coffee to smoked fish to cream cheese to natural flours and so forth.  We have always highlighted our partners because we are proud to work with them – from Irving Farm Coffee to Acme Smoked Fish to Samaki Smoked Fish to Guss’ Pickles to Green’s Bakery and many more.

Q: Of all the dishes you offer, which do you recommend for a first time customer?

A: The Zucker’s Traditional is always a great place to start if you’re here for a classic bagel, schmear and lox with the works! We offer the Traditional in so many ways now – open faced with dill, or served with a sweet and spicy cream cheese.  Our special this month is designed by Chef Marc Forgione and his son – called Sonny’s Traditional – featuring a limited-time caper pickle relish cream cheese, smoked salmon and red onions, drizzled with lemon and hot sauce. 

We also have an incredible egg sandwich menu and there’s always a line for our bagel, egg and cheese sandwiches (trust me, they’re worth waiting for). So if smoked fish isn’t your thing, keep it simple with a bagel and schmear sandwich, avocado toast, or another of our dozen signature sandwiches. One of my go-to’s lately is our chicken salad. It’s hard to make just one recommendation!

Q: How has Jewish culture inspired you to open your restaurant?

A: Growing up in New York City, I spent my summer as a busboy at a notable resort in the Catkills, so Jewish food culture and deli traditions are a part of me. I love this food – it’s a part of me, and I wanted to create community through my restaurant. We now operate seven bagel shops in some of Manhattan’s best neighborhoods. Part of my culture growing up is giving back to your community, and so long ago my business partner and I made it a priority to serve our neighbors as best we could. We donate 500 bagel breakfasts per day (more than 200,000 per year) to a wonderful downtown food pantry and resource center, The Bowery Mission, which is something we’re grateful to be able to do. We often go there to serve food - it’s just a great program to be a part of. 

Q: What are some Jewish traditions that you incorporate at your restaurants?

A: A lot of our menu will feel familiar to anyone who grew up around Jewish food – smoked salmon, whitefish salad, latkes, halva, Dr. Brown’s and more – although we also have many menu items that might be unrecognizable to your grandparents! Although I think bagels are no longer thought of as simply a “Jewish” food, we do pride ourselves on making hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, classic and authentic New York bagels early every morning at every shop. This is one tradition that we’ll never let go of – our bagels are made on site, baked throughout the day so you can enjoy a fresh, warm bagel.

Q:  What do you love most about working with Sharebite?  

A: Sharebite is such an easy to use platform that allows us to connect with new bagel lovers every day. Not only do we appreciate the convenience you bring to offices throughout the city, we’re also proud to work alongside you in fighting food insecurity! It’s amazing that your model matches meal donations to City Harvest and Feeding America. Keep up the great work!!

A Recipe for Impactful Dining

The partnership between Sharebite and Zucker's Bagels blends culinary tradition with a shared commitment to community impact, creating a dining experience that impacts both body and soul. Through this Q&A, we’ve seen how Zucker's dedication to authentic high quality ingredients, hand-rolled bagels and Sharebite’s mission-driven platform elevate workplace meals while supporting vital causes like food insecurity. This collaboration proves that great food and meaningful values can go hand in hand, transforming the way teams connect over a bagel, lox and schmear!