68 Deli Bagel & Grill — Restaurant in High Point

We visited on May 18, 2024. I would like to take a second to note that this business does seem like a family-owned and run operation. This place also did just open recently so I get that things need a lot of ironing out. The first thing we noticed before even entering the door was how many people were sitting around with no food, this should have been our first red flag, but we decided to order anyways. The second thing we noticed was that there was no prices listed on the menus. The girl at the register was very nice and seemed like she was still getting the hang of the register system. We also took note of all of the empty bagel baskets behind the register, which gave us little options to choose from. I get that it is while supplies last, but for a Saturday morning I would expect them to make a lot more. We ordered two Morning Classics, one on a garlic bagel with only American cheese and bacon, another on a blueberry bagel with bacon, egg, and American cheese. We also ordered two canned sodas. So according to our receipt, we ordered at 10:29am...we received our food at 11:08am....39 minutes for two bagel sandwiches. Although we had to wait awhile, we did get to watch as other patrons walked up to the counter to check the status of their order or report that their order was wrong, and we also got to listen to the loud echo that the high ceilings produced, all while we sat in the uncomfortably warm lobby. We also took note that the two women who were working in the food prep area did not have any hairnets on their relatively long hair, which was a little concerning. There did not seem to be any urgency in the kitchen at all. We finally got our food and were not impressed by the taste or portions. The price seemed a little high for what we got, my partner expressed that she had seen a video on Instagram where the bagels were packed full, we did not receive this. I understand that making things fresh is a draw for customers, but the website for the business really only states that the bagels are made fresh. I would possibly take a note from fast food restaurants books and to prepare batches of eggs and other food items to hold in a heat well, this could reduce the wait times drastically. I get that this isn't a glamorous solution, so you could at least utilize it at peak times. I would be interested in trying this place again in the future once they work out their funks, but as it stands I will be going to High Point Bagels instead, which also, why is this shop so close to High Point Bagels? Only...

This little cafe is a new spot in town to get some breakfast, and so we decided to try it.

We visited on a Saturday morning, and there was no crowd (Yet. People haven't heard of this place but they will!), so we had our choice of seats and tables. We ordered a simple breakfast plate with a bagel on the side, and an entree of French Toast covered in berries. The coffee was nice and hot from the carafes along the sidewall, with a nice but simple set of flavor choices. Better taste, quality, and serving temperature than Panera! The food was really really good, if a bit simple. French Toast was flavorful with blueberry and strawberry topping per my choice, and no syrup needed because the fruit "cobbler filling" medley that accompanied the berries was plenty of sweetness. The standard breakfast plate was also good, hash browns not quite crispy but almost, with a spinach bagel on the side that really stood out. As a transplanted northerner, I can't help but wonder about the origin story on their bagels, but it tasted excellent.

The atmosphere in this restaurant was sort of "echo chamber impersonal" due to the bare industrial look, but I can see this place growing personality quickly. And let me qualify, I wouldn't necessarily be offended if they had HPU flair around, but I would prefer something more creative LOL. The decor just needs a little work, but it was certainly clean and serviceable.

What really set this visit apart was the service. Five stars all the way. Their staff is super attentive, friendly, and welcoming, the kind of interaction that makes your day better after you've had it! Kudos to the team working here and they made us want to come back as soon...

The newest addition to Centre Stage plaza, 68 Bagel & Grill is a bit of a headscratcher. The name suggests a location further up Eastchester past the Palladium, and a more established bagel shop is less than a mile away. This bafflement aside, 68 Bagel & Grill does have several things going for it. It’s spacious and clean, the staff is courteous, and there are more menu options than you’d expect. Like the other are bagel shops, 68 offers bagels with various spreads, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch sandwiches. To those, they add French toasts (including stuffed), pancakes, and omelets. The ability to get a more-than-a-sandwich breakfast without the bustle of a diner is a definite draw. The fact that they use Giacomo’s meats is another perk in their favor.

For my first visit, I picked up a Jersey Shore (Taylor ham/egg/cheese) on an everything bagel to go. The sandwich was prepped quickly, and the pricing was fair. The melty cheese/salty meat combination hit all the right flavor notes. The bagel, however, was chewier and breadier than a true New York style, and the texture seemed a bit off. They make them in-house rather than using New Garden as a supplier, so they get points for effort at least.

If getting your hands on a great bagel is your only concern, you’re probably better served going down the street. However, if you value ambiance, customer service, variety, or aren’t seeking bagel supremacy, 68 Bagel & Grill makes for an attractive breakfast or...