2 months ago
Raggamuffn9
I was Thrilled when I saw that a real bagel place was opening in North Providence! Being born in Ny but raised in the Fl Keys we had a deal with family that would visit. They brought a cooler full of fresh bagels and returned to NY with the cooler filled with fresh fish or shrimp or whatever we caught. It was a great for all! When I went through the drive thru I had one thing on my mind. Egg salad on an everything bagel. No egg salad!? Hmmmmm... I asked the very kind man over the intercom what he suggested. The "Patriot " was his choice so I ordered it. The bagel was good. But the sandwich was (I'm sorry) a disappointment. Sure there was turkey, and avocado etc. But it was dry. Whether on white bread, a wrap or a bagel there needs to be some type of dressing or spread. I go to Brooklyn every now and then to dog sit my daughters pups when she travels. On the corner is a convenience store that has a grill and we get a bacon, egg and cheese on a roll for $4.00 ... But we both love just a bagel with egg salad. $3.95 ... And that is two doors down at a place similar to yours but tiny. (Considering the overhead, egg salad is an easy addition to the menu. And an easy profit.) That Simple egg salad on a lightly toasted bagel usually gets us in the door (to go) and we end up leaving with a dozen assorted and a few spreads. The low price of either previous sandwiches is not an issue. The place in Brooklyn has a similar sandwich as the Patriot, except it has bacon. $8.95. It's a tiny place as many are in NYC but at both places the sandwiches are made in front of you and they ask if you want a "schmear" or dressing of some type. In and out in ten minutes with an armful of extras to boot. I read through your menu, it's vague. There is a "Fresh Tuna" sandwich, but is that tuna salad or plain dry tuna? Could it be seared? Who knows? It doesn't say. And the egg sandwich... there is a nice history of it coming from NJ, but not much about the sandwich? It lists types of meat & cheese, but no mention of the egg? Is it fried? Is it scrambled? Is it one, two? Can you get an egg white sandwich? Then at the bottom of the description it prices meat, is that for extra meat? It Must be, or the price is also ... wait for it... Vague. Also, I noticed one of the sandwiches on Providence Bagels menu has cole slaw, which is a great idea 👍 . But why isn't cole slaw available as a side? Potato salad, egg salad, cole slaw and tuna salad by the pound would be good money makers for the establishment. Easy to make, a crowd pleaser and profitable! A win, win, win. On our next visit if those were available we would definitely grab a pound of at least two. Plus the spreads for breakfast. That turned what would have been , let's say a $4.50 egg salad on a bagel into a $35.00 +. ticket. Just food for thought. Lol
The gentleman at the drive up window was stellar! He was attentive, he didn't pause when suggesting something, he knew the menu, was prompt and kind. That young man will be the reason we give Providence Bagel a 2nd chance.
You have the opportunity to have a winner with your restaurant. You just need a few minor things worked out. I was a chef in FL and food critics flew down from Chicago (The Sun Times) and NY (The NY Times) to meet me and write about my cooking. Contact me and I will share a few things that will help you keep that goldmine going!
