This is the fourth “Week O’ Charlottesville Lunches” article. I will feature my favorite lunch places around the downtown mall. Monday, we covered Eppie’s, Tuesday, Rev Soup, Wednesday, Feast, Today, Bodo’s Bagels.
I don’t know if it’s possible to talk about lunch in Charlottesville without mentioning Bodo’s Bagels. As much as a staple the Downtown Mall is to Charlottesville culture, Bodo’s is the same to food. The bagel place has been around for many years and has three locations that serve the same menu.
You go to Bodo’s for cheap, high quality food and quick service. I know this one actually may require a drive for some, but it’s close enough to the mall to warrant it being one of my favorite lunch joints.
Out of towners feel intimidated when they look at the Bodo’s menu. It’s large and you have to create your own lunch combination. Let’s start with the basics, The Bagel. Bodo’s boasts the New York Water Bagel methodology. I have no idea what that means, but what I do know is that most people love it and some people hate it. I think locals have grown up with it and love its dense, crispy exterior while some other bagel connoisseurs complain. I’ve developed my own complaining camp in the middle: I like my bagels hot and if they aren’t fresh, then I just don’t think the sandwiches taste good.
The bagel sandwiches can be topped with pretty much every standard meat and cheese you can imagine. There are some cool things like olive spread and feta cheese spread, but I usually stick to the basics.
Many people love their Caesar salads which are enormous and delicious. I think the lettuce is kinda crappy sometimes, but that’s a personal preference. I like Bodo’s simple, straightforward model. It’s healthy fast (cheap) food. You can easily get out of there for under $7 bucks and it’s filling.
Enjoy your bagels.
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Tagged as: bagel, bodo's, Charlottesville, dining, eat, Food, lunch, meal, reviewYou can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
blech. bodo’s is not lunch. it is not downtown. and bagels are not healthy.
Not trying to be rude, but why write a review about Bodo’s? Everyone has been there, esp. locals, and has tried the food. I kind of feel like your wasting you time with this review, in a way…
here is my heart..
/break it
I’m a fan of the Cleo salad, myself.
This was just dissapointing to me b/c I really enjoyed your last 2 reviews. For a person like me, who is stuck in the uva, corner, 29 bubble at times, hearing about new, tasty restaurants in the downtown area is helpful, b/c otherwise I would probably never try them (I’m a creature of habit). I’d really love to hear a review of Bashir’s b/c mediterranean food is just delicious…
Better luck tomorrow
Have no fear, young Villain. I shall avenge.. in the meantime read this:
http://cvillain.com/charlottesville-restaurant-reviews/
I liked it Thor. It’s good to have ‘normal’ on here for those people from out of town that may stumble across our little blog.
Well, since you did take your time to review it, I’ll throw in my 2 cents on the food:
Everytime I got there, I get light eggs, sausage, and american cheese on a cinnamon and raisin bagel (no matter what time of day…I’m obsessed with breakfast food). And I always get a large coffee…love the coffee there. Never tried anything else b/c besides for the breakfast sandwich aspect, I don’t really like bagels (unless they are grilled or toasted, which Bodo’s doesn’t offer, which really pisses me off). If you want a really good tasting breakfast sandwich, go across the street from the one on 29 to Sam’s Kitchen. That places is delicious and you won’t get salmonella, either. Not as filling as the Tavern, but good food (not just breakfast) for cheap. Broiled chicken salad is delicious.
Goodness I am old. Am I the only one that remembers the Bodo’s location in the photo being a Rex’s?
I like Bodo’s. But for a pretty familiar restaurant, you really could have gone into much greater detail.
uva non-douche: do NOT go to The Tavern. have you been reading the news?
It pisses me off that Bodo’s doesn’t toast their bagels. WTF.
Cvillians LOVE Bodo’s but i just don’t get it. I married to a NJ/NY guy (this warrants you knowledge of bagels) and he doesn’t want what the big deal is. Plus, the bagels are small.
I agree that this review is played out. pick something ON THE MALL. Feast was a stretch but this is just ridiculous.
iQUIT
@10: I disagree! This blog is about cville, not just the downtown mall. Branch out. Learn the rest of the city.
@12: For the most part I agree with you except, but read the very first sentence of the post, above the picture.
except, but
I forgot how the English language works.
@ 8 - three cheers for sam’s kitchen! their omelets are amazing. saturday mornings there are great for people-watching, too.
i too love bodo’s coffee… it was one of the first things i went for when i got back into town.
/i think it has crack in it
@13: I am now “owned” by echo.
/is that what those kids are saying these days
Their Caesar is divine but I think the rest of the menu is pretty boring. Eating there sucks though because they blast the loudest most ridiculous music imaginable.
God…I…just…can’t…hold…out…any…longer.
@10: You lose any credibility that might have been afforded by your husband’s New Jersey background (which does not confer automatic bagel knowledge, by the way). Why? It’s simple. You toast shit bagels, not good ones. A good bagel is all about texture, and when you throw a bagel in a toaster, obviously that texture changes completely. I sincerely hope you don’t do the same with good baguettes.
Toast a stale bagel, toast a Lender’s bagel, but for God’s sake don’t toast a good, fresh bagel. It totally defeats the purpose.
If “I want it toasted” is your default stance at any bagel joint, you clearly don’t know what you’re talking about. Hey, if you like a toasted bagel, that’s wonderful. Go with what you like. But never, ever claim with a straight face to be an authority.
Thor, I think you were trying for the right idea, but maybe everyone was waiting for a hitherto undiscovered lunch combination, that will totally change their life? It is hard to really mix it up at Bodo’s. Consider my own favorite: an onion bagel, with herb cream cheese (you have to order it “easy on the cream cheese,” otherwise they put too much), and smoked turkey. Cheap, tasty, but not new or exciting.
To “change your life” how about the new veggie place in that tiny one-room kitchen near Fellini’s?
How about the gourmet hotdog guy with the cart near the fountain on the mall?
What about a lunch crepe from The Flat: Take it Away Creperie on Water St?
Of course, there is always the lonely, sad, dejected Charlottesville franchise of the Salad Creations chain, hidden away at the far-end of the mall in the new Holsinger building (which also has The Melting Pot).
OH SNAP
@2 i have actually never eaten there. i went inside once, but wtf is a bagel sandwich so i left.
I actually enjoy the stuff inside of my bagels (sausage, egg, and cheese) more than the bagel itself.
Brieft Rant: Does any one else love the tater tots, sold at fast food breakfast places, and get very frustrated with the potato home fries that they serve at normal breakfast restaurants? I just want some of the delicious tater tots, please!
Uhhh…can I have your tots?
aww man Bodo’s bagels are perfection. You can get a plain bagel with just cream cheese for like $1.60 and it’s filling and delicious. yum. I want one now.
@22…come again?
@21: Burger King has these tater tots with cheese in the middle. OMFG. So greay and fattening but so gud.
@24 Napoleon Dynamite quote…sorry.
/thinks it’s okay to use overused movie quotes in daily conversation.
@26 Sorry I missed it, I’m usually a movie conisseur of sorts and quote movies frequently. At SS on Tuesday, someone was talking and they mentioned Matt Damon, then I was like “Mattttt Damonnnnn” and 1/2 the ppl got it so I didn’t feel like a complete retard.
ps- You know how I know you’re gay? You like Maid in Manhattan.
@18 - You are an idiot. If the guy likes toasted bagels, who’s to stop him? Back in Long Island, New York (where bagels were invented, by the way) I went to a bagel shop and had one every day. I listened to what people order to see if there might be some cool combinations of toppings I hadn’t thought of. You how 70% of people like their bagels? That’s right, TOASTED. At almost all places, after you ordered, they would look at you and say “ay yo, you want this toasted?”, if you didn’t specify. Who are you to tell anyone how or how not to eat a bagel? I personally agree that Bodo’s should toast thier bagels. I, for one would go there more.
Secondly, discrediting a person because of of thier spouse’s background is absolutely discrediting to yourself.
In defense of the restaurant, though, they are quick. Even if the line’s out the door, you’ll still have your food within 5 mintues.
Welcome to the party, pal.
My idea of a perfect breakfast is a plain bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomato, onions and capers. Bodo’s lets me get that as a bagel sandwich. What’s not to like?
Call me a traditionalist in the world of breakfast, but I don’t think that’s “breakfast”…anything that includes capers just isn’t breakfast in my world. Sorry!
Who cares? This toasted vs. nontoasted argument is as boring as the what makes a “Real” Philly Cheese Steak argument. But seriously, what is with people and bagels? People fucking LOVE bagels. Me, I’m like meh. It’s dough. Wooooo.
@26 worst movie EVAR.
@29. exactly–BREAKFAST.
@30: You don’t know me! I can be breakfast. Shiiiiiit.
@30 Did you just call me gay? How rude!
@33 Just testing your movie quoting knowledge skills
@29…maybe it’s one of those beauty is in the eye of the beholder type deals…I don’t believe steak and eggs is really breakfast either, but lots of ppl order it, so eh…that’s all I’ve got to say about that
@33: What’s wrong with being gay? Paging eduardo to the thread, paging eduardo.
Newsflash: Breakfast is anything you eat when you wake up in the morning.
@36: Pizza and beer? mmmm…college
haha good call echo
@ 28
1. I participated in the party long before you knew the party existed. Ask Thor. (Do people really say shit like “Welcome to the party, pal?”)
2. You must have missed the whole “Go with what you like” thing. Clearly I was saying that no one, under any circumstance, may eat a toasted bagel. And I think you’ll encounter many bagel aficionados who agree that toasting ruins a good bagel. Eat what you like, but be prepared for push-back when you claim that toasting is God’s method of bagel preparation. Hell, I obviously raised your hackles with my opinion and fully expected that to be the case. That’s what happens when people are opinionated about food.
3. I was not, in fact, discrediting the commenter based on her husband’s background, but rather pointing out that to claim authority based on a spouse’s former domicile is ridiculous. If my significant other were from Alaska, would that make me an authority on pollack? Doubtful.
4. There is so much wrong with Long Island…
5. Did you know that 73.4% of all facts are made up? (See point about 70% liking bagels toasted.) Going to “a bagel shop” every day doesn’t exactly mean that you have observed a representative sample of bagel shops or Long Island bagel eaters.
I don’t think reading comprehension or basic logic are your strong points.
@39: He’s new. He doesn’t know about “Welcome to the INTERNET”
Tuesday, are you an expert on pollack?
I was born in Hawaii so naturally I am an authority on where to find the Hookie-la. Hookie hookie hookie hookie hookie hookie-la.
@39
1. I’m pretty sure you’re wrong about that.
2. You sure are having fun with this bagel thing, aren’t you? I never claimed there was a wrong or a right way to order a bagel. That was you.
3. The originator of the argument (see #10) only pointed out that her husband was from NJ and the he doesn’t “want what the big deal is” (whatever that means). I don’t see the declaration of authority.
4. Also, I agree there is a lot wrong with Long Island. But the bagels are waaaaaayyyy better.
I don’t think we’re arguing about toasted bagels anymore…
@ shen…random ? but did you used to work at Boheme before it closed?
@42 You were not born in Hawaii (were you?), you’re just trying to be like Barrack.
I like Bodo’s, the sandwiches are a good value and I love the energy of the place. They pay their staff well and I think you can tell from how the perform their jobs It’s not for everyone, no place is. It is part of the quirkiness that is cville. Everyone should try it once.
@44 i was told boheme didn’t close. was that a lie? i am confused.
oh it’s definatley closed…and RANDOMLY enough, a lot of the ppl that used to work there now work at Rivals, down 29 haha
@44: Um no, nver worked at Bohème. My parents used to sing that song to me. I would do a little hula dance.
@45: Yes, I was. Honolulu. Navy brat.
Tripler Naval ? GTFO, me to!
Tripler Army Medical actually. Whoaaaa…
@43:
It seems that once again you have failed to read closely and are arguing past my points. Since you called me an idiot, I feel that you can, at the very least, take the time to read what I’m saying.
1) No, I was involved with the site at its very beginning. Not that that matter at all.
2) I never claimed there was a “right” or “wrong” way to order a bagel. Just that a good bagel is marked by its texture, which is ruined upon toasting. Once you’ve toasted bagels, the differences between good and mediocre bagels (texture-wise) are pretty much nonexistent. You can disagree all you want, but there is a physical transformation that takes place upon toasting that messes up a good bagel (defined, in large part, by its texture).
3) “married to a NJ/NY guy (this warrants you knowledge of bagels)” You omitted the parenthetical clause, but she claimed knowledge by association, not me. There’s no excuse for misrepresenting a statement that was very plainly made.
3) Waaaaay better than what? I agree that Long Island bagels are better than bagels from Kyrgyzstan.
@51: If the fucking archives worked, we could show 3stix that you were indeed one of the earliest commenters. Doof was convinced you were Kyle.
@ 31 be thankful no one’s arguing over philly cheese steaks on bagels!
/ducking
@47 echo, why’d you lie to me?
Bodo’s has nice bread ring sandwiches, but please, don’t encourage them by tacitly agreeing to call “bagels”.
/pulls the “yo, folks from NYC know bagels” card
@55 - call them “bagels
/pulls the “sometimes I don’t write so good” card
i want the bagel toasted at bodo’s because i don’t think they have a “good” bagel.
Bodo’s has a holier-than-thou, anti-toasting mentality regarding their bagels and they need to get over it.
OMG Thor you started the most boring war of all time. The Bagel Wars. Nice job.
@47, 54: I had a friend eat dinner there last week, and I saw people sitting at the bar in there just the other day.
Can’t wait to see what tomorrow’s review will bring!
If it is open, it’s not ‘Boheme’ anymore…its some place else, or the guy that owns/owned it was just in there dicking around.
@51, 52, 3stix: Behold, BusRider’s first post, over a year old.
I was told it is under new ownership, but it is definitely still open.
Well then they kept the name, but none of the food, service, drinks, etc. will be the same cause the chefs (who were amazing!) and all staff no longer work there either. I’m Intrigued now…
@51
1) Sorry, your imminence. I didn’t realize who I was talking to. I’ve been at least a lurker since the beginning, and I just didn’t recognize your name.
2) I gotta go with R’orange on this one… see #57.
3) I tend to think that someone who grew up in an area that offered more than one bagel option probably has a better understanding of what a good and bad bagel should be. Considering that you never disclosed a background (possibly Kyrgyzstanian, though), I have to make the assumption that you are from an area with few bagel choices, leading me to believe that R’orange’s husband (and likely R’orange herself) at least has a better reference than you.
4) If you really need me to answer your question… I win.
Interesting that no one mentions the fact that there is no chicken in the chicken salad.
@9 I thought it was a really sketchy Rax’s Roast Beef on Preston.
@28 : Just because a lot of people do something does not make it better. Lots of people like well done steaks, or PBR, or ice in their good booze. I do not want to even think about the lines if Bodos had to toast their bagels. Yeah- toasting completely changes the taste. Fox was smart business wise not to toast.
It’s not Bohème anymore!
Thor, if you wanna go to a real lunch place actually on the mall, why don’t you try Petit Pois or Bizou?
@39 Well I’m not from Alaska, but I did live there for two years and I can say with authority that a good Alaskan breakfast should comes with beer. Maybe Alaskan Amber (mm) but your favorite beer should be available fo breakfast consuption at 7 am before a hard day of work. Perfection. And I cant think of anywhere in town where I can have that happen with good breakfast food and good coffee.
/dont know shit about pollack but I can tell you all about some motherfucking halibut
It’s so hard to quit when everyone asks questions.. well.. some of us have done those places before and this is more about quick places, not full service. I only have one more and I’ve already chosen it.. I hope you are happy!
P.S. I understand the complaints about this one, but peeeeps… if you think you can write more articles, step up the the plate!
NEW PHRASE FOR THE WEEK: Let he who has written an article cast the first snark.
@70: Sounds like my kind of place. Alaska anyone?
@68: My apologies… Rax’s. That’s what I meant. Wonder whatever happened to them?
@37 Nothing wrong with being gay but there is something wrong with being mis-categorized. Like hey Shen, aren’t you a blond?
Oh boy, now I’ve offended blonds.
/puts hand over mouth and runs away.
@71: “Let he who has written an article cast the first snark.”
THIS!!
@74: Guess you haven’t seen my driver’s license photo…
@77:LOL…I had forgotten about that.
the only thing i like about bodo’s:
@ the location on 29, they have pink neon lights on the side. imagine in all of the glowing glory “bodo’s” and two conspicuously placed neon bagels side by side about yea apart. and PINK neon no less!
bodo’s, come in for some bagels and topless women.
strip clubs use PURPLE neon, duh.
@79: They do look like boobies
Well you know what I meant. Anyway, I told my girlfriend those looked like boobs the other day and she was like no they don’t they’re too far apart. I’m glad people agree!
82 @ 77 and @79/81 respectively
“Let he who has written an article cast the first snark.”
You gonna review McDonald’s tomorrow?
/”I had the shot. There was no danger. So I took it!”
@74, I didn’t mean to insinuate that you were gay, i know you have a g/f and such, it was just a failed attempt at movie quote humor…
nah, McDonald’s is too close to the mall. He’ll pick Milan up on 29.
dont know shit about pollack but I can tell you all about some motherfucking halibut
Oh, why not. Go for it. Just for the halibut.
@85 No problemo non douchey. Just trying to be snarky. Snaaaark.
@88: I think you’re gay, dude.
@88 Don’t worry about Shen, she thinks I’m a dude as well
@9 I remember Rax’s lulu!
me too echo! yummy.
me want now.
I enjoy capers, because they allow me to twirl my mustache while saying “mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha”.
Oh, you mean the food kind. Never mind.
@ 9: I remember Rax.
I can go older still & remember Roy Rogers in the original Bodo’s.
Older still & remember not arguing the authenticity of lunch bread.
old people alert
@95 Isn’t that an oxymoron
wasn’t Rax a Roy Rogers wannabe? I do vaguely remember it being open late and getting post bar closing food there. Either that or I needed food earlier than last call. Guess I killed those brain cells(not sure if it was drinking or food from Rax).
Thor, are you out there? Waiting for Friday Finale Lunch Review…
why does everything in this town have to be mall-centric? including the blog posts about lunch?
because god hates you.
@99. Cause that’s where Spicey Bear HQ is.
@99: You could always register and post your own non-mall articles.
I am going to do an article on Greene County gas station cuisine. Stale donuts, readymade sandwiches curling at the edges and the requisite bizarre ‘homemade’ fudge selection at the register. Riveted? You will be.Oh yes.
My bodo’s lunch today: Grade A-
Ingredient list
Bagel: Everything
Fillings: Turkey (not smoked)
Toppings: Muenster, Sprouts, Onion
Condiments: Kalamata olive spread, mustard, little mayo
A-verra a-verra good.
@100 - le sigh. god does hate me. and he’s in love with the mall.
@102 - that’s… smart.
@103 - that’s smarter.
tho I do have one comment on the post above… I’m a middle-roader too. I get all disgruntled when the bagels aren’t fresh, cause it actually takes them down quite a few notches.
and that’s when I’d prefer them toasted.
I work at Bodo’s. I used to eat the onion bagels, but recently the’ve changed the kind of onions they use in the onion mix and it is disgusting now. It’s the consistency of sawdust. So gross. But. You can get an egg on a plate with your sausage and cheese and ask them to hold the bagel if you’re not into them.
This guy came in today and asked me what my favorite sandwich was. I told him smoked turkey and provolone melted on a sesame.
He said, “I’ll have that.”
He’s probably the first customer who’s asked me to suggest something and then actually taken my suggestion. Usually they go, “ummm, I think I’ll have plain cream cheese on a plain bagel.”
This guy came in today and asked me what my favorite sandwich was
That’s a great question! I’m glad he took your suggestion. I’d probably add an “and why?” to the question, but otherwise, it can often quickly lead you to a menu’s goldmine.