Elias Youssef, An executive in the food services industry

Elias Youssef

Bagels and Lox - A Multiethnic New York Food Tradition

Elias Youssef

A Towaco, New Jersey, entrepreneur with a Mediterranean background, Elias Youssef leads Eli's Corner Gourmet Bagel, LLC. With his bagels featuring whole grains, Elias Youssef offers low-carb options which can be incorporated into classics such as the Salmon River. This open-faced creation features sliced lox, capers, and chive cream cheese, as well as fresh lettuce, tomato, and cucumbers. 

An NPR feature delved into the multiethnic roots of bagels and lox, with the origins mysterious but almost certainly being in New York. Much like pizza transcended its Italian roots in the hustle and bustle of early urban America, this creation took its form from bagels, a form of ring breads that were easily preserved on long journeys and may go back to the creations of Uighur merchants along China’s ancient Silk Road. Their firmly-baked shell meant that they could be dunked in hot liquids as necessary during stops on lengthy treks, with the bread magically becoming revitalized.

The lox part of the equation comes from Scandinavian cultures that have long maintained a preservation method for salmon involving brine. Lox may also owe a debt to Native American cultures that traditionally smoked and preserved salmon, with the valued end-product often acceptable as a form of currency. The roots of the cream cheese are from England, while capers are traditional to Italian cuisine. Bagels and lox have been seen by some as an early 20th century version of contemporary fusion items, such as the ramen burger.

Elias Youssef, friends, and family

Elias Youssef from Elias Youssef on Vimeo.

Elias Youssef

Elias Youssef serves as the president of Eli’s Corner Gourmet Bagel, located at the Red Barn Plaza in Towaco, New Jersey. 

Entrepreneur Elias Youssef

Elias Youssef remains active with various interests, hobbies, and charitable work.

Elias Youssef