Boss Bagels and Coffee, a new shop that offers the only wood-fired bagels in Texas, opens Tuesday, August 29, in Alamo Heights. The name is an acronym for “Bagels on Southern Soil.”

The concept is the dream of husband-and-wife team Brannon and Christie Soileau, both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York. They have 25 years’ experience working in kitchens across the U.S. and in the Grand Cayman Islands, and they have owned award-winning restaurants in the Midwest.

When Brannon was offered a teaching position at the CIA, they sold the restaurants and moved to New York. After seven years teaching in the Big Apple, he was offered a position at the CIA in San Antonio. The couple gladly packed their bags and headed south. They quickly fell in love with the Alamo City and wanted to bring a gourmet NYC-style experience to their new home.

The bagels are hand-rolled before they’re boiled in honey water and baked in a wood-fired oven that’s on full display in the store. “We smoke our own salmon, trout, and brisket, as well make our own corned beef,” says Christie. “We have 16 kinds of bagels and 21 different schmears, including light and tofu schmears. And our sandwiches are amazing!”

Schmear flavors include specialties like sundried cherry, white truffle Parmesan, and loaded baked potato, plus offbeat offerings like birthday cake, peanut butter, and snickers.

Sandwiches come on natural, steamed, or toasted bagels, with selections like the Tangy Tuna: spicy cilantro lime tuna salad on a jalapeño bagel with roasted poblano schmear, sliced cucumbers, and tomatoes. Wash it all down with a full line of gourmet coffee beverages, premium teas, and bottled soft drinks.

Boss Bagels and Coffee is located at 6458 N. New Braunfels Ave. The store is open Tuesday through Friday, 7 am to 3 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 3 pm.