I don't find much of that living here in NoVa. The chain places seem to have constant turnover with staff or the smaller places employ people who I think just don't pay attention to who comes in and out. (Or, truth be told, don't care to establish personal relationships.) There is one place that is an exception.
The Bagel Cafe in Herndon, VA. (If you go to the website, don't let the colors blind you.) It's a local institution that is beyond unique. Absolutely garish decor, bizarre music of all types, cramped seating in uncomfortable chairs - I love it all. Having grown up with real New York bagels, I had a hard time finding anything palatable south of Jersey. But the BC knows what they are doing and is my go to place.
They have TONS of bagel flavors and just as many cream cheeses. One of my favorite spreads is the green olive. Salty and creamy on a crunchy/chewy bagel. Mmm. But more often then not, I get egg and cheese.
The bagels are ginormous! |
But what makes this place extra special is the warm welcome. (If by warm I mean it has a certain nearly indescribable one-of-a-kind charm all its own.) My friends and I used to go every Sunday after church, but my church moved towns (no, I'll never get over this) last summer, and many of the guys and girls have gotten married or had kids, so we just don't meet up for lunch much anymore. I however, have started dashing by on a Saturday here or there on my own for a bagel to go. (Fortifies me for a tough day of errand running.) I will note that our absence has not gone unnoticed by a certain someone.
Every time I go in now, I saunter up to the cashier, cautiously, to order and am promptly met by Jerome. I brace myself. Jerome has taken personal offense to our group not coming by as much and seems to enjoy taking it out on me. As the only person from the group in sight. This is a sample of our conversations, which can go on for some minutes with people unhappily waiting behind me.
Jerome: "I'm sorry, I don't know you. You haven't been here in a year." (As he puts out a coffee cup for me. I guess I can never order bottled juice again because this has become my usual.)
Me: "Hi Jerome. Actually, I was here three weeks ago."
Jerome: "No you weren't. Y'all don't come in anymore."
Me: "Yep, less than a month ago. That was me. The church moved so the others you can get mad at, but me, no. I'm here. Notice me here now, for example. Ordering a bagel."
Jerome: "You don't like us anymore. You don't care about us."
Me: "Right here, still me, still wanting to order a bagel. Feel the toasted sesame with egg and cheddar love." (Apparently with a side of hard time for free.)
It's always worth a laugh to me. I'm glad Jerome remembers me every visit and is comfortable enough to tease me (relentlessly) about my lack of showing up on a regular schedule. The fact that he takes pleasure in letting me have it every visit seems to bring him joy. Who wants to rob someone of that?
And in return, I get the most delicious, and affordable, bagel around with the added excitement of the mystery flavor coffee of the day that you don't know until you arrive and read the sign. ($5.00 for a bagel & schmear or egg sandwich, each with a cup of java, is unbeatable in these here parts.)
A completely satisfying, hearty breakfast or lunch. Never lets me down. |
Jerome may be right that I don't show up every Sunday anymore, but he's wrong about one thing - I would NEVER wait a year to go back! That is just crazy talk. I love the Bagel Cafe. (Love, love, LOVE!) Where else could I go and get great food (they have all kinds of lunch items too), experience interior design out of the 80s (oh yes, there is a hanging mobile in the entry way) AND get harassed by the staff for a mere five George Washingtons? I'm glad I have all that to count on with every visit and it never changes. Cheers!
See you soon, Jerome!
Awww! That's a sweet bog Karen! I'm likin' this Jerome already. I have my Jamie at Pino's in Farmville and it's a great feeling. So glad she called me Laurie this week instead of Mrs. Mills:)
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