I hadn’t seen my sister in over a year, and our long-awaited reunion was finally happening—not in India, but in the heart of New York City. The trip was so last minute that I hadn’t even planned an itinerary, but she had me covered. Knowing me well, especially my foodie habits, she had already decided on our first stop: Liberty Bagels.

After surviving the entire journey on nothing but my morning coffee and a Snickers bar, I was starving. Running on little sleep and the remnants of my in-flight caffeine fix, I was skeptical when she suggested a bagel. “Will that even fill me up?” I wondered.

Dragging my suitcase through the city while squeezing past tourists at some of New York’s iconic attractions, we finally arrived at Liberty Bagels—only to be met with a long line. Clearly, we weren’t the only ones eager to get a taste.

The moment we stepped inside, the scent of freshly baked dough filled the air, and the sight of vibrant, rainbow-colored bagels stacked behind the counter made me rethink my initial doubt. The place was packed, buzzing with tourists and locals alike, all waiting to get their hands on what I was about to discover were some of the best bagels in the city.

My sister, a self-proclaimed food expert—just like me—had already made her choice: the Mediterranean bagel, stuffed with olives, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes. I, on the other hand, was overwhelmed. Everything looked tempting—the classic everything bagel, the sweet cinnamon raisin, even the viral rainbow bagel. But when I spotted a jalapeño bagel on the menu, I knew I had to try it.

A few minutes later, with no seating available, we stood in the small area near the entrance, packed with people waiting for their orders. Even though the restaurant had seating, it was filled with families enjoying their meals. My suitcase acted as our makeshift table as we unwrapped our bagels, taking in the energy of the bustling streets.

My jalapeño bagel was everything I had hoped for—warm, and flavorful. The creamy texture of the scallion cheese balanced it perfectly. My sister’s Mediterranean bagel, though heavy and fulfilling, leaned on the blander side.

As I devoured my bagel, I realized something: this was the perfect introduction to New York. A simple, no-frills meal bursting with flavor—just like the city itself. With our hunger satisfied and energy restored, we stepped back into the chaos, ready for the adventures ahead. But one thing was certain—The TikTok hype that led us to Liberty Bagels was definitely worth the wait.