I am a sucker for brunch.  Particularly because brunch has to be the most laid back of all meals.  During the week, my breakfasts (usually yogurt + almonds) are quickly eaten half-asleep in front of MTV music videos.  On the weekends, I am happy to patiently wait for a table, leisurely sip coffee and read the newest edition of Creative Loafing.  Furthermore, I love breakfast/ brunch food.  Growing up – and still today, I am almost always game for breakfast for dinner – that is, unless pizza is an option.  I’ve eaten brunch all over the city of Atlanta and certainly have a number of favorite spots.  One spot, in particular, I’ve consistently eaten at for over five years.  It’s no frills, but it uses one of my favorite words in its title (hint: it’s not “bagel”) and it’s about as great of a New York-style deli as I’ve found here: Bagel Palace.

Outside Bagel Palace

At Bagel Palace, the menu is long, the staff is adequately friendly and totally down with a few order alterations and the coffee is hot.  It’s always busy, but I’ve never had to wait for a table.  Located close to Emory, there are enough college students in there after a long night out to make me feel comfortable going in shorts/ t-shirt and w/o make-up.  There are enough families eating there to make it feel cozy and sufficiently neighborhoody. 

I always order the same thing – #13.  Two eggs over easy, pumpernickel bagel w/ light plain cream cheese and hash browns.  Coffee and water.  Please and thank you.  Upon checkout, it’s hard for me to resist purchasing one of their close-to-perfect black and white cookies peering out from behind one of their numerous glass cases.  I usually don’t resist…  The meal is cheap.  What more could you ask for from a Sunday brunch??

Bagel Palace

My favorite part about the experience, however, is Bagel Palace’s extensive bagel and cream cheese selection.  Always brings to mind Forrest Gump: 

“There are shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo.  Pan-fried, deep fried, stir-fried.  There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich.  That’s about it.”

Bubba + Forrest

At Bagel Palace, you have your selection of the following:

Bagels
Plain
Poppy
Sesame
Cinnamon Raisin
Sun-Dried Tomato
Seven Grain
Whole Wheat
Egg
Pumpernickel (my fav.)
Everything
Salt
Onion
Garlic
Blueberry
Rye
Also: Bialys + Minis

Cream Cheese Flavors: (Regular) Plain, Vegetable, Scallion, Herb, Lox, Sun-Dried Tomato + Basil, Cin-Wal-Raisin, Van-Wal-Raisin, Strawberry, Blueberry, Peach Pecan, Jalapeno, Horseradish, Salsa, Green Olive + Pimento/  (Light) Plain, Vegetable, Scallion, Lox, Lox + Scallion, Apple Cinnamon, Lemon Pineapple, Honey Walnut.

Impressive, I know.  Next time you roll out of bed on a Sunday and want a substantial brunch, but can’t find your comb, a toothbrush or matching clothes – don’t forget about Bagel Palace!  See you there soon - I’ll be the one in cute sweats and enormous sunglasses.

xx, L

Bagel Palace + Deli
2869 N Druid Hills Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30329-3924
(404) 315-9016

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