Yes, bagels are back, with a vengeance! Wonderful shops are bobbing up all over the country, in much the same way as their "kissing cousin" the donut shop. The bagel cycle is fairly predictable, as bagels never really go out of fashion, but the trend often spikes every ten years or so, rejuvenating itself as bakers find more creative ways to make or market them. "Schmears" are sometimes part of the secret sauce of the bagel business, but other factors, such advanced fermentation methods, or the use of non-traditional flours or other ingredients, can play a role.