ADVERTISEMENT

    Review: Sammy’s New York Bagels

    There are few things that are necessary for survival in any town – knowing the location of a good bagel shop/deli should be among them. Having moved here over a decade ago from New Jersey, it wasn’t until a few months ago that I discovered, in the predominately Jewish enclave of Bexley, some of the best bagels I’ve had this side of New York City. Block’s has been my shop of choice, mostly out of necessity (it’s the only one open on Saturdays), with their authentic water bagels that have a density and texture that imposters like Panera don’t.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    We finally were able to hit the “other” Jewish deli in town while running errands this afternoon – every time we had tried to go to Sammy’s before, they were closed for Sabbath. When we saw them open today, we made a point to stop. Even after typical lunch hours, the place was packed, with regular customers picking up Challah and Honey Cakes and other baked goods (I just realized that today is the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, so that explains it!)

    We were greeted by the owner himself, an outgoing sort who seems to be genuinely friendly rather than as a facade, and his postive attitude was absolutely infectious. Because Sammy’s is completely kosher, there is no meat on the menu – but trust me, you don’t miss it. Eggs and lox can go a long way toward making me happy happy. We took a while to decide, and he encouraged us to try a couple of different salads, which was a nice touch.

    Paul got an Lox, Onion and Egg sandwich on a garlic bagel ($4.59), which was piping hot scrambled eggs redolent with large chunks of very fresh lox and sauteed onions served on a toasted bagel. They definitely don’t skimp on the good stuff!

    Egg, Lox and Onion Sandwich on Garlic Bagel

    Paired with his sandwich, he had a side of Sammy’s very good deli-style potato salad – creamy and not sweet, potatoes with the just right amount of bite – we loved this simple salad so much that we got a pound of it to take home with us.

    Deli-Style Potato Salad

    I went with Egg Salad Sandwich on an everything bagel ($4.59). I’m very particular about egg salad that I don’t make, but this was at least as good if not better than my own. The red onion and tomato did beautiful things for it – and the side of the bagel that had the everything toppings? ::swoon:: A perfect combination of flavors and texture.

    Egg Salad, Red Onion and Tomato on Everything Bagel

    By the way, I am SO not a pickle fan. I mean, I usually *tolerate* pickles if they’re on a sandwich I’m eating or in some type of salad, but I don’t actively go and seek them out. I don’t crave them. Sammy’s pickles are absolutely crave-worthy.

    With my sandwich, I ordered a bowl of matzoh ball soup ($3.50), which was the best I’ve ever had outside of New Jersey. VERY flavorful broth with a good amount of schmaltz, nice tender matzoh balls which weren’t too salty. *This* is the Jewish penicillin of my childhood memories.

    We ended up going back to the counter to get a couple of cakes, some bagels, and some salads for takeout. I think we spent more for take home stuff than we did for a sit down lunch. Now that we’ve discovered Sammy’s, I think we’re going to relegate Block’s to a backup place, if for nothing else than the awesome flagels (more about that this weekend!). There are places that you realize that you’ll be a regular at the second you step in – the combination of excellent food and very friendly service paired with reasonable prices guarantees that this will be a regular stop. Highly recommended!

    If you’d like to go: Sammy’s New York Bagels, 40 N. James Rd, Columbus, OH. 614.246.0426. Closed Saturdays.

    More reviews by swampkitty can be found online at ColumbusFoodie.com.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    Bears Bagels Opening Brick-and-Mortar

    While Bears Bagels has developed a consistent lineup of...

    The Thurman Cafe: Truly the Tastiest Burgers in Columbus?

    The Thurman Cafe is a Columbus staple. It’s hard...

    The “Liz Lessner” Restaurant Era Has Officially Come to An End

    There's no denying the impact that Elizabeth Lessner has...

    Posh Teatime Co. Finds a Permanent Home Near Bexley

    Posh Teatime Co. is getting its own storefront. The...

    New Owner of Ho-Toy Building Plans for 3 Restaurants, Office Space

    Four new businesses will find their homes inside a...
    columbusfoodie
    columbusfoodiehttp://www.columbusfoodie.com/
    Becke is a fortysomething not so rrecent college graduate who lives a rather idle life. I’m married, no kids, thus lots of time on my hands and lots of disposable income. I enjoy dining out, cooking, food photography, reading, writing, gardening, and shopping. I’m making an honest (but not always successful) effort to live a healthier lifestyle, and am trying to adopt eating locally and organically as part of that. Visit me at www.ColumbusFoodie.com.
    ADVERTISEMENT