365 Things To Do in Charlottesville: Bodo’s Bagels

We get a little feedback on our Nest Report blog posts that we may be too focused on the numbers and data.  So, we’re going to stray a little from our hard-nosed number crunching and start a series on something else we love: Charlottesville.  Our 365 Things To Do in Charlottesville series will focus on, well, things to do in Charlottesville.  From local eateries to hot spots to sporting events to whatever, we’re going to give you the low down on the best there is locally in Charlottesville.

But as much as you may love burgers from Five Guys or shopping at the new Anthropology store in Barracks Road, you won’t be hearing about them here. That’s right.  No national chains.  No franchises.  Just local.

So, we’ll get started with something we all love about Charlottesville: Bodo’s Bagels.  Whether you’re a UVa student, a long-time townie, or a New York-transplant, you’ve been to Bodo’s.  You’ve waited in the long lines that stretch out the door at their 29 location and you’ve craved their bagels, cream cheese, or sandwiches at some point during the last week.

What’s the big deal with Bodo’s?  First of all, the bagels are spectacular – there’s just something about them.  Always fresh. Always hot.  Always perfect. We’ve had clients from New York tell us they are better than any New York bagel.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t get any testimonials because nobody wanted to end up in a witness protection program.

Second of all, it’s cheap.  Got $5?  At Bodo’s, you’ve got breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

And third: it’s one of those places to be seen when you don’t have to look your best.  Early morning Saturday and Sundays at Bodo’s are full of Charlottesville movers and shakers dressed in baseball caps, sweat pants, and flip flops. You don’t have to look great at Bodo’s…you just have to be there.

Here’s a short list of the favorite meals at Bodo’s from the Nest Realty crew:

– Light egg with sausage on a plain bagel
– Everything bagel with honey pecan cream cheese
– Smoked turkey with lettuce, tomato, and muenster on a wheat bagel
– Chicken salad and lettuce on any kind of bagel

Bodo’s has three locations: on 29, on Preston Ave, and on UVa’s Corner.  (If you’ve lived in Cville for a while, you surely remember the saga of Bodo’s 3rd location on The Corner.  Check out the story here from The Hook.)  Trailside Coffee in Crozet‘s Old Trail also serves Bodo’s.

Bodo’s is the quintessential ‘local’ business that has and will continue to dominate the local bagel market. Chesapeake Bagel Bakery (used to be by the fountain in Barracks Road Shopping Center, where Five Guys is now) and other bagel shops have come and gone, but Bodo’s is here to stay.