South Lamar is about to smell a lot more like New York bagels. Nervous Charlie's, the Austin bagel shop known for its New York-style dough and creative schmears, is gearing up to open a third location at 2159 S. Lamar Blvd. On-site signage is already in place, and the owners have been teasing the move with a tongue-in-cheek social media video. The new outpost will land on a busy stretch near Loro, Bird Bird Biscuit and Uncle Nicky's, with the opening billed only as "coming soon" and no firm date yet on the books.
South Lamar spot confirmed
According to MySA, Nervous Charlie's is taking over the former Patika space at 2159 S. Lamar Blvd, a move the shop has confirmed with both online and street-facing signage. The announcement leaned into Austin oddball humor with a Jurassic Park-style spoof that included the line, "This species of bagel has been extinct on South Lamar since before Rainey Street was cool." MySA notes that, for now, the shop is describing the opening simply as "coming soon."
Where it started
Nervous Charlie's first opened in the North Loop area in 2018 and quickly drew attention for trying to bring an East Coast bagel vibe to Austin, as reported by Eater Austin. Founders Chris Cunningham and Ali White built the concept around hefty bagel sandwiches and a rotating lineup of schmears, a combination that helped the shop stand out early on.
Existing locations
The Nervous Charlie's website currently lists two brick-and-mortar spots: the original shop at 5501 N. Lamar Blvd in Austin and a Cedar Park location at 410 W. Whitestone Blvd. With the South Lamar site in the works, this would mark the brand's third location, giving it another foothold inside the city limits in addition to its suburban presence.
Menu and ingredients
From the start, the owners have highlighted a clear East Coast influence. Nervous Charlie's uses bagel dough shipped from New York, house-made schmears and deli-style sandwich builds, with the business saying it "uses only the best ingredients from NYC, the surrounding tristate area & Austin TX," per Eater Austin. Regulars can expect staples like lox, bacon-scallion schmear and hearty breakfast sandwiches, along with rotating specials.
Neighbors and timing
MySA places the upcoming shop on a South Lamar block already anchored by local favorites such as Loro, Bird Bird Biscuit and Uncle Nicky's, adding yet another breakfast and lunch option to the corridor. With signage already installed but no official opening date, Nervous Charlie's is keeping the exact timing under wraps, repeating only that the new location is "coming soon."
The South Lamar expansion points to continued appetite for bakehouse-driven breakfasts in Austin. This story will be updated once the owners announce an official opening date.
