Historical Charlottesville, Virginia, is known for being the home of one of the founding fathers of our country, Thomas Jefferson, and for his school The University of Virginia. What many people may not realize is that the area known as “The Corner,” and the UVA campus itself, in Charlottesville are also home to some amazing Bagel shops.
Bodo’s Bagels opened in Charlottesville in 1988 on Emmett Street, and has expanded to three locations, including my favorite one on the University’s “Corner” near the Rotunda at 1609 University Avenue. Telephone: (434) 293-6021.
Bodo’s makes all of their bagels from scratch every day in the “New York” style, kettling them before baking them. They have a wide variety of bagels as well, such as Plain, Sesame, Poppy, Garlic, Salt, Everything, Cinnamon and Raisin, to 100% Whole Wheat Bagels in Plain, Everything, and Cinnamon and Raisin. You can get a bagel with one of their many homemade cream cheese spreads which include Herb, Scallion, Olive, Vegetable, Walnut Raisin, Honey Pecan, Blueberry, Lox and Honey Butter as well as Egg bagels with Cheese, Ham, Sausage, Bacon, or Deli-Egg bagels. Prices for bagels start at .70 each and can rise to $4.80 depending on toppings and spreads. My favorite is the Deli-Egg topping with Scallion Spread on a 100% whole Wheat Everything Bagel. They also have various Salads, Wraps, Sandwiches and Omelets available. Bistro type seating is available outside and inside this Bodo’s location the dark, wooden interior gives you a “nestled” feeling while you are eating. Parking is limited, and you may have to park at the parking garage or at the University and walk to the location. There are two other locations in Charlottesville with ample parking if this is an issue.
Einstein Brothers Bagels has two locations on the campus of The University of Virginia, one in the Rice Hall and the other location in the campus bookstore. Telephone: (800)224-3563.
Parking is an issue as you will need to walk from one of the parking garages, but the walk is well worth the gastronomical treat that you receive when eating one of their delicious bagels. Einstein Brothers Bagels are also baked fresh every day, and come in a wide variety such as Plain, Honey Whole Wheat, Plain, Pumpernickel, Asiago Cheese, Blueberry, Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Raisin, Cinnamon Sugar, Cranberry, Garlic, Good Grains, Onion, Poppy, Potato and Sesame. Einstein Brothers also serves a wide variety of Egg Panini, Egg Wraps, Sandwich Wraps, Salads, Pizza Bagels and Bagel Hot Dogs. Various Coffees, Espresso and Lattes as well as Teas and Fruit Drinks are available as well. My absolute favorite bagel here is the Whole Wheat Everything Nova Lox; its salmon and cream cheese filling is heavenly. Prices for bagels vary depending on bagel type, filling and topping, but range from $.99 to $5.69.
Dunkin Donuts has three locations in Charlottesville, including the one at The Corner near The Rotunda, 1509 University Avenue. Telephone: (434) 984-9600.
Including one of the mass producing restaurants in the category of “bagel shop” is anathema to some “bagel purists”, but Dunkin Donuts does have a wide variety of bagels available at this location, including Sesame, Poppy, Cinnamon Raisin, Everything, Garlic, Multi-Grain, Salt, and Plain as well as Bagel Twists with various baked in flavors and their other Sandwiches, Wraps, Muffins, Doughnuts, Pastries, and Hash Browns, as well as a wide variety of Coffees, Espressos, Teas and other Beverages. Prices vary depending on type of bagel and topping or filling, but range from $1 to $6 in price. Like the other locations at The Corner, parking is limited.
Starbucks has nine locations in Charlottesville, including the one on The Corner at 1601 University Avenue. Telephone: (434) 970-1058.
Starbucks is not known for their bagels, but are known for their coffees, which come in a wide variety and are generally considered by many to be equivalent to nectar from Heaven. This location only has three varieties of bagels, Plain, Sesame and Everything and they are of the mass produced variety and are $1.25 each. The bagels are not terrible; it’s just that with so many choices of genuine New York style bagels nearby, I would pass. If you just can’t pass up your Starbucks coffee, if the weather co-operates you can have the best of both worlds, get your coffee from Starbucks and walk a few feet down to Bodo’s Bagels and grab one of their bagels of homemade goodness and enjoy both outside at one of the bistro tables under the umbrellas.
