Welcome to Open Tab, a weekly roundup of news, gossip, and stories that have stayed open in my tabs all week. Last week we covered the upcoming Anthony Bourdain biopic.

This week is a big one for New York bagel shop owners (and bagel lovers). Bromated flour (which includes the ingredient potassium bromate) is set to be banned in New York state. The ingredient works as extra insurance that your dough will be springy and pliable, but it has shown to be carcinogenic. This has massive implications for bagel and pizza shops, an estimated 80%–90% of whom use brominated flour, as they’ll likely have to find new suppliers. Which may mean a higher price for your next schmear or slice.

In other news, expect more changes for Crumbl, the once viral cookie chain that’s seen slowed growth in recent years. This week the chain’s two cofounders announced they’re stepping down. “This is not goodbye,” reads a statement shared on X. Does this mean America is preparing to enter the next era of desserts? Should we all get into ice cream again?

Also this week: New tipping data from payment platform Square holds good news, there’s a looming protein powder crisis, tomatoes are really expensive, and we dive into the wonders of eating on Route 66.

New data from payment platform Square reveals that tipping averages at full-service restaurants have started trending upward for the first time in four years. Back in 2022, tipping averages were around 15.16%, but over the years they steadily lowered. For the last three quarters, they’ve begun to rise, though hovering at 14.82%.

What actually is the correct percentage to tip? (We here at BA talk about tipping, like, a lot. Seriously.) Personally, I tip at least 20% on every sit-down meal I experience, and I assumed that we all agreed that was the standard. Speaking as a service industry vet, if you’re tipping 14.82% on dinner, you should be made to work a Mother’s Day brunch.

If you were hoping this would be the year that you finally get yoked, I’ve got some bad news: A USDA report reveals a looming whey protein shortage. Suppliers reportedly can’t keep up with the very high demand. According to the report, “Some market contacts indicated that certain suppliers are sold out for the remainder of the year.” I guess we’re going to have to go plant-based this summer.

If you’ve started to find yourself wondering if tomatoes are getting pricier, you aren’t losing your mind. Prices have jumped nearly 40% since this time last year due to issues with weather, tariffs, and transportation costs. Also more expensive? Basically everything else you’re buying at the supermarket, if you hadn’t noticed.

Overall prices were up nearly 3% in April compared to that time last year. Looks like we’re going to have to start adjusting our grocery spending, gals—though I will not be relinquishing my expensive soft cheeses. Gotta make life worth living somehow, you know?

Route 66 occupies a special place in American culture—it’s a celebration of freedom, mobility, and the romance of the open road. But did you know it’s also home to some of the most diverse cuisine in the country? Cornish pasties, Lebanese steakhouses, and, of course, fried onion smashburgers. Read on to discover the wonders of the Mother Road in time to celebrate its recent centennial. Road trip, anyone?