Wicked Bagel got its start in Lexington seven years ago. It's now planning a third store

WATERTOWN — When Porcini’s restaurant on School Street closed 15 months ago, many people wondered what would come next. The Italian restaurant was owned by one of the state's most prominent businessmen, Joe O’Donnell, who was known for his tremendous support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation before his death in January.

Soon after the “closed” sign went up, passersby learned that a popular bagel chain had its eyes on the location.

Wicked Bagel, which began seven years ago in Lexington, is known for New York-style bagels made fresh beginning at 3 a.m. each day. The business was planning its third store; its second opened in Woburn two years ago.

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Next month, Wicked Bagel will open in the Watertown building. For store owner Maria Mahoney, her landlords are familiar faces — her husband Jack's family.

Unlike the other two Wicked Bagel locations, which serve bagels, sandwiches, pastries and doughnuts, the Watertown spot will also have a full liquor license, which Mahoney says it plans to use as part of its weekend brunch service.

The store interior has been under construction for eight months. But once complete, it will offer seating for 40 patrons inside and another 30 outside on the back patio.

Wicked Bagel began after its owners experienced New York bagels

Mahoney said she and her husband used to live in New York.

“We did what everyone did in New York on the weekends," she said. "On Sunday, we would go to our favorite bagel store."

When they moved back to Massachusetts, Jack expressed frustration over not being able to find a decent New York-style bagel.

“I made the mistake of saying, ‘Why don’t we open a bagel store?’” said Mahoney. “And the rest is history.”

Wicked Bagel opened its doors in 2017 in Lexington, and has been successful ever since.

Maria Mahoney: 'Food has always been in my blood'

The Mahoneys are no strangers to the food business. They had a concessions company prior to getting into the bagel business.

“Food has always been in my blood," said Maria. "I have a Greek background. My mother and grandmother were excellent cooks. "I didn’t know how to make bagels, but I knew what a good bagel was.”

She and Jack tasted several different bagels to determine the type they wanted, which was New York-style.

“It’s kettle-boiled, to give it its crispy exterior,” Mahoney said. “I take my bagel against any New York bagel store and think they’re the same.”

Mahoney pointed to a couple from Minnesota who occasionally visit their son in Arlington, saying they bring home bags of bagels and freeze them.

“It’s a good bagel; that’s what keeps people coming back,” she said.

Her personal favorite is the French toast bagel with strawberry cream cheese.

More than just bagels

After COVID-19, Mahoney said the couple introduced doughnuts on the weekends, and they too have been a hit. The pastry chef also makes cinnamon buns, muffins, cookies and more. The breakfast menu also will include pancakes, waffles and omelets.

All 15 flavors of cream cheese at Wicked Bagel are made in-house with fresh ingredients. Vendors that Mahoney likes to use include Atomic Coffee Roasters and Boston Smoked Fish Company for lox.

The Woburn Wicked Bagel makes six kinds of pizza bagels, each of which will be offered in Watertown.

Hopes for new Watertown location

Mahoney, who is a certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, hopes the Watertown store will be a place people come with their families.

“I love people to come to my house and feel welcome," she said. "This will be extension of who I am."

Mahoney said she plans to offer live music, and that she is considering making the space available for private rentals.