By Gus Saltonstall
The Absolute Bagels name is no more.
The New Absolute Bagels, which took over the longtime home of the original Absolute Bagels, has changed its name to 2788 Bagels.
The bagel shop is located at 2788 Broadway, between West 107th and 108th streets, which is where the number in the new name comes from.
West Side Rag visited the store on Monday morning to see if we could get more information about the new name. A manager, who did not identify herself, told us the original Absolute Bagels owners wanted them to change the name.
“They [owners of the original Absolute Bagels] said that they would take legal action if we didn’t change the name,” the manager said. “And we said yes, rather than fight it.”
The bagel shop opened in December of 2025 as the “New Absolute Bagels.” Before the business opened, a temporary sign called the incoming shop, “New Absolute Bagel,” but when the store welcomed customers on the first day, a new banner made it plural once more.
The original Absolute Bagels permanently closed in December 2024. The longtime and beloved bagel shop was owned and run by Sam Thongkrieng, along with other members of his family.
At the time of closure, and in the more than a year since, Thongkrieng has never responded to journalists’ requests for comment, including from the Rag, or issued a public statement of any kind.
When asked if 2788 Broadway would remain as the name, the manager on Monday morning said, “This is our name for now.”
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Absolute was overrated and vermin infested. It was crazy to keep the name.
There was a line out the door there yesterday afternoon. Are they as good as the former Absolute?