L'Chayim Delicatessen — Restaurant in Benzonia Township

I've been here twice. First time was alright. Food takes a while to come out, but tasted good. I had an everything bagel with lox.

I came again today and due to the wait from last time I decided to call and place an order instead of dine in and wait. They told me it would take 30 minutes, so I showed up about 5 minutes before they said it would be done just in case they finished early.

Walking in the door it looked like complete chaos. there were 4 people working on making bagels seemingly as quickly as possible, with one person manning the order counter. There was an older woman working with some teenagers or younger adults, and was ordering them around, while none of them were wearing gloves, and the older woman was coughing into her elbow above the food every few minutes. I also observed her 'wash' a knife by rinsing it off, no soap, and the attendant at the front desk put his BARE hand into a pickle jar after handling money.

They have a separate marked counter for online/call in pickup. I patiently waited right in front of the counter for 5 minutes because they looked very busy. During which time, another couple walked in behind me and asked if I had been serviced yet. I said no, so they stood behind and waited with me another 5 minutes. Finally the lady behind me flagged down one of the workers to ask them to service us since we had both been waiting a while and hadn't even been spoken to yet. The guy did not realize that neither of us were there to place an order and were there for pickup, even though we were under the order pickup counter.

After telling the guy my name for pickup, the older coughing woman rudely commented that they had already called my name and I should have come earlier, which doesn't make any sense since I called to place an order and arrived prior to when they said the food would be ready, and clearly were not manning the counter for call in pickups.

The food this time was much worse, I got an egg, chorizo and pepperjack bagel, and it was clearly slapped together as quickly as possible, dry, and just was not up to par with my prior experience. Disappointed in the rude disorganized service, and dip in food quality. The health code violations are also surprising, given how highly rated this location is. I recommend saving yourself time, money, and avoid the rude staff by just buying bagels to make your own sandwich at home from family fare. That's what I'll be doing next time I...

HORRIBLE! Im A regular customer who ordered 3 dozen Parmesan bagels and they were all nasty, dried out and burned.I called when I got home, I was so upset at losing &60 to non edible food and asked for some type of compensation. He said twice that “I will refund the whole amount.” Owner with bald head said he would refund me fully but when I called a week later, having received no check as HE told me he’d send, he hung up on me! I paid $60, yep, $20 a dozen for dried out Parmesan bagels I wouldn’t feed an animal. Did I forget to mention I drive over 2 hours to get there one way? I buy quantity to freeze but NEVER, EVER again! This guy is nasty, rude and I’ve never been hung up on by any business. When I asked why I hadn’t received the check, and he said he wasn’t going to give me any refund, I said “So you’re going back on your word?” I didn’t even get that whole sentence out and he hung up. This place is overpriced and unfriendly. We have always gone because we don’t have a bagel place near us but this guy whenever he waited on us couldn’t even crack a smile much less a you’re welcome as I always say thank you. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME HERE. RIDICULOUS PRICES AND RUDENESS. I WOULD GIVE ZERO STARS IF I COULD. Oh, I forgot to mention, I just bought 2 dozen the month before, in June and they were $16 a dozen. When the girl gave me the total for this garbage it now is $20 a dozen. I asked why such a huge increase? She said “Oh, they have to pay for the new store they opened in another city.” Real good business to tell customers that! HORRID EXPERIENCE AND WILL BE LETTING ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS BE AWARE AS THEY HAVE GONE HERE ON MY ADVICE BUT SURE WONT EVER AGAIN, Thanks for stealing my money and lying...

I guess i should just start at WOW! Hands down THE BEST Reuben i have ever had. The meat was tender to the point of almost melting in your mouth, like a good prime rib. The dressing was, by far, also the best ive ever had, and the sauerkraut was perfect, lighty acidic, with a touch of sweetness. All on hearty and rich rye bread. My wife had a chicken shawarma pita, and was also very happy with the quality and flavor. We also ordered some salt bagels and a tub of cream cheese. Salt bagels are exceedingly difficult to find in my hometown, a few hundred miles south of here, so i had to grab some. These were also perfect. I tend to be a bit nitpicky about places and tend to always find something wrong when writing a review, but i simply cant say enough good things about this spot. The two gentlemen working were above and beyond friendly. My wife and I were checking out the framed photo prints on the wall, and the older gentleman filled us in on the artist, his studio, and let us know where we could see more of the artists work displayed. Just downright friendly and helpful, with delicious food. 10/10 We will be...