A fairly new venue, it is handily located on the West Coast of Florida,
in Heritage Oaks Plaza, Hernando. Housed in a
double-storefront, J & L Bagel keeps its
Formica tables and 60 cushioned, wood-backed
chairs busy and filled from early morning (7
AM) to closing time (3 PM), except for Sunday
when operating 8 AM to 2 PM or Mondays when
shut.
This establishment clearly breaks away
from the areas mostly eating mediocrities by
virtue of it's being the nearest thing to an
authentic New York deli.
Square-shaped, J & L Bagel and Deli
offers a typical New York environment, dotted
with framed New York sport pictures. An
up-front display case shows-off much of its
wares -- meats the likes of hot New York
Corned beef and pastrami along with chopped
liver, smoked salmon, whitefish, flavored cream
cheese,
potato knishes, and salads such as tuna, egg,
chicken and seafood.
Their broad assortment of stainless
steel kettle boiled and 500 degree oven-baked
bagels (freshly made several times a day), is a
genuine New Yorker, its dough imported from the
Big Apple. Of equal importance is that all
sandwich's are enormously overstuffed.
Among the state-of-the-art selection of
burgers
for $7.25 you can get a succulent deluxe,
heartily seasoned burger bulging with bacon,
tomato and cheese, proffered on a fresh bun.
Filling omelets both plain and fancy
like the combo of bacon, sausage and cheese,
shows-up with a choice of potatoes and buttered
bagel. The duo of pancakes sided with butter
and syrup are likewise popular here. Incidently,
do not be put off by dish presentations that are
less successful-looking than others. The
texture and tastiness of the comestibles will,
nevertheless, measure up
to expectations.
An array of rib-sticking pastries and
muffins are largely made on the premises, along
with such imports from New York as the
celebrated, large, delicious black and white
frosted cookies and lush crumb cake.
Another triumph of sorts is the group of
stainless-steel urns dispensing all the
perfectly hot, exotic coffees you can drink or
icy soft beverages.
After one year in business, word is
out. A respectable, casual place like this
doesn't happen to often in any neighborhood.
Owners Louis and Gale Valenti have the right
tight grip on this business.
J & L Bagel and Deli,
2494 North Heritage Oaks Path,
Hernando, Fla.
Phone: 352-293-2338. Open daily 7 AM to 3 PM; Sunday 8 AM to 2 PM; closed
Mondays. Prices range from $1.95 to $7.95.
Accepts major credit cards.
www.JLbagelanddeli.com