Bagel Place has been a staple in College Park, MD since 1983. Bagels made in-house daily create delicious sandwiches for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Ever since I moved to Oklahoma in 2007, I return to Maryland every summer to visit my family and friends. I usually go in mid-July, right before my life gets crazy busy getting ready for football season. The first couple of years, I tried to see everyone and do everything. I had a great time, but returned to Stillwater exhausted. I’ve scaled it back significantly, seeing a few friends each visit. Sometimes I’ll throw a road trip into the mix, as Kara and I did a couple years ago with a weekend extravaganza to NYC.
Last weekend, my friend Ryan celebrated his 40th birthday with a party at RJ Bentley’s, located just across the street from U of Maryland campus. I’ve lost track of the number of times, and amount of funtivities, we had at Bentley’s over the years. Unfortunately, Bentley’s has gone way downhill over the years, but that’s a whole other story. There was no chance I was missing out on the party, and the chance to catch up with friends I hadn’t seen in years
On Sunday morning, Kara and Amy picked me up for breakfast at Bagel Place.
Bagel Place is also across the street from campus, and just 2 blocks from Bentley’s. When I worked on campus, I ate at Bagel Place occasionally, and usually got it to-go. Since moving, I’ve only been to Bagel Place twice, both when Kara was in town. I realized that I’ve never posted about Bagel Place, and I couldn’t even begin to remember what I had on my last visit. So I’m considering this a new post, rather than a repeat.
Bagel Place is family-owned and operated, open 7 days a week, 6:30am-7pm. It’s located on the corner of a strip mall, and has been there since 1983. There are a couple of patio tables outside, and from what I remember the outside tables are a relatively new addition. It is quite a spacious restaurant, with Terps posters and memorabilia on the walls. The seating is tables and booths, with seating for about 100.
As you enter Bagel Place, there is an Espresso Bar along the wall between the 2 entrance doors. The order counter is at the far end of the restaurant, and there is a partially open kitchen behind the order counter. There is a large menu board hanging over the counter, and also a basket of hand-held menus. The large cooler-fridge (like at the grocery store) holds bottled drinks, water, 8oz to-go containers of cream cheeses and other items.
You order and pick up your food at the counter. The service is always quick, and I don’t recall ever waiting more than about 10 minutes. The Bagel Place menu is surprisingly substantial, including 10 types of cream cheese and 19 bagel flavors, both made daily; breakfast menu items available all day long; deli sandwiches, sides and sweets, specialties, pizza bagels, veggie bagels, soups, and salads.
Amy and Kara both have dietary restrictions, including gluten intolerance. Gluten free bread on the menu was a pleasant surprise.
Amy had toasted Rudi’s Bakery gluten free bread with bacon, egg, and cheddar
Amy said that gluten free bread tends to have a “flat” taste, but this one has a lot of flavor and is delicious. Her exact words “it’s a party in my mouth”, and she’s doing the “yummy food dance”. I love reviews like that!
Kara and her husband Scott follow a paleo diet. Bread is not paleo, but GF bread is a paleo option. Kara did toasted GF bread with bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato. She had asked for cucumbers, but they put red onion instead
Kara really liked her sandwich as well. Both she and Amy said the egg is very light and fluffy.
I did a BLT on a toasted sesame bagel, with red onion and mayo. I would have added avocado, but unfortunately they don’t have any
My sandwich was fabulous. There is nothing like fresh-made bagels and bread. The dough is chewy, as it should be, but still has a wonderful texture. The bacon is perfectly cooked, and is a generous portion. I really like that they use green leaf lettuce, rather than iceberg.
We all had regular coffee. I immediately regretted ordering the small, because I knew I would want more. However, there are free refills at the espresso bar. At the order counter, the only coffee options are regular and decaf; there are 6 options at the espresso bar.
There is no question I’ll return to Bagel Place. I really need to make a point to visit once each trip.
