Cheap Eats: New York Bagel and Deli

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Early on in our marriage, I brought home a bag of bagels from the grocery store. My husband, on helping me unload the loot (I did say it was early in our marriage) suddenly grabbed the offending bag, snorted then sneered, “These aren't bagels.”

Um, check the label, hon.

True, the bagels, probably a store brand, already pre-sliced, were small and rock-hard, with little ice crystals forming on the surface from being shoved into a freezer case far too long. But big deal, I said. It's all just bread.

Again, he snorted.

Did I mention he's from New York? They take this stuff seriously, swearing it's the city water the bagels are soaked in before baking that gives them perfect flavor and just the right golden crust.

So, the other morning when I spotted a little storefront on Highway 111 in Palm Desert called New York Bagel and Deli, I made a quick U-turn and dashed in for a sample.

The place is small, just a few tables inside and three more outside on the sidewalk, but the multitude of goodies inside makes up for it. Rows of wire baskets behind the counter hold the bagels — egg, chocolate chip, salt, onion, blueberry, poppy, jalapeño and several more.

I ordered a pumpernickel ($1.25) with cream cheese ($1.15) and was pleased with the fresh, chewy quality of the bagel and the thick layer of schmear.

The deli part of the eatery's name comes in via a variety of sandwiches, all $8.99, including the Ellis Island (pastrami, melted Swiss, onion and mustard); Chelsea Chicken (grilled chicken breast, tomato, garlic sauce, roasted pepper and Swiss cheese) and the Mediterranean (roasted turkey breast, feta cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and Caesar dressing).

Breakfast sandwiches featuring egg start at $4.49. A bagel with lox, cream cheese, tomato and red onion is $9.99.

Before I left, I selected a half-dozen (a good savings at $4.99) to take home, knowing hubby would be pleased with a fresh haul.

He was. He nabbed an “everything” variety (thoughtfully tucked into its own little bag so as not to spill onion bits and poppy seeds onto my favorite cinnamon raisin) and took a bite.

A big smile spread across his face. “They must import their soaking water from New York.”

Sure, hon.

Have a suggestion for Cheap Eats? Contact Barbara Lowell at (760) 778-4544 or barbara.lowell@ thedesertsun.com.