Fresh from New York
By Laura Briedis
Bringing a taste of the Northeast to our Midwest town, NY Bagel Deli is as authentic as it gets. As soon as you walk into this family owned and operated restaurant, you feel like you are in a famed New York City deli and bagel shop.
You are instantly greeted with the aroma of fresh corned beef, pastrami, kettle-boiled bagels, homemade cookies and muffin tops wafting through the air, and iconic city photos adorning the walls.
Having grown up on Long Island and in Philadelphia respectively, owners Dominic and Caryl-Lyn Mazullo, along with their four children, moved to Northeast Ohio four years ago. When they couldn’t find a bagel deli-style restaurant similar to those on Long Island, Dominic opened NY Bagel Deli in Medina in December 2014.
Their daugters–Nicole, a college student, and Danielle, a high school student–work at the restaurant on weekends and in the summer.
“It’s a way of life on Long Island to stop and grab a quick breakfast on your way to work,” Dominic says with a friendly East Coast accent. “We wanted to recreate that fast-casual dining experience for our customers in Northeast Ohio.”
“We ship our bagels in from the Bronx and bake them fresh every day in our kitchen, so they are truly an authentic NY bagel,” he reveals. “They are hand rolled, kettle boiled, seeded on both sides and have no preservatives. We also have seven flavors of our homemade cream cheese, including lox, veggie and scallion.”
NY Bagel Deli’s signature egg sandwich, aptly named the “Fuhgeddaboutit,” features three eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, home fries and cheese on a hero bun.
If you are looking for healthier fare, you can choose from nine different egg white sandwiches or create your own. The very popular “Lexington” is made with three egg whites, turkey, avocado and pepper jack cheese on your choice of bagel, ciabatta or multigrain bread.
“We serve eggs all day in a New York minute,” comments Dominic.
Diners can order breakfast sandwiches and omelets along with freshly baked bagels and muffin tops daily, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“To expedite orders even faster, our online ordering app should be up and running by the end of September,” Dominic notes. “The NYBD app will allow you to place and pay for your order online, enabling you to bypass the line when you arrive to pick it up.”
In addition to bagels and breakfast sandwiches, there are more than 60 lunch sandwiches on the extensive menu. Guests can choose from hearty overstuffed sandwiches, wraps, grilled Reubens and paninis—all served with their famous homemade potato chips and a pickle.
Since opening close to three years ago, NY Bagel Deli has stayed current by adding menu items that have become wildly popular. The spicy Buffalo Wrap—with bleu cheese, celery, lettuce and tomato on your choice of five different wraps—has quickly become a fan favorite.
Earlier this year, burgers, fries, onion rings and milkshakes made their way onto the already extensive menu. Not your typical burger, you can include toppings like corned beef, pastrami and fried eggs served on a brioche bun or one of 16 bagel flavors.
One of his favorite menu items, Dominic takes pride in his South Philly-style Cheesesteaks that pay homage to his Philadelphia roots.
“They’re loaded with a half-pound of meat and served on an authentic Philly roll (Amoroso). Our cheese steaks are the best around,” smiles Dominic.
A lunch staple is the traditional corned beef Reuben named The Wall Street Journal. Piled high with eight ounces of corned beef, sauerkraut, melted Swiss and Russian dressing, it’s served on fresh-grilled rye that’s delivered to NY Bagel Deli four days a week.
“All of the Boar’s Head meats and cheeses are sliced to order and sold by the pound for our customers to take home, along with our homemade chicken salad, egg salad and tuna fish salad,” says Dominic.
“In addition, our grilled chicken is cut fresh daily, and either pounded thin and marinated overnight in a house blend of seasonings or breaded and fried for our chicken sandwiches.”
Also on the menu are chopped salads. Customers can create their own salad, choosing from four lettuce types and dozens of toss-ins, such as chicken, avocado, sunflower seeds and a variety of cheeses topped with a choice of salad dressings.
What makes NY Bagel Deli unique is its East Coast influence, but Dominic is quick to point out he is not a Yankees fan (despite a couple of Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle framed prints adorning the walls).
“I grew up a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan, so I root for the Phillies and the Eagles,” he comments. “I have a lot in common with long-suffering Browns fans.”
NY Bagel Deli is located in Signature Square at 3725 Medina Road in Medina. It’s open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily. Order online at NYBagelDelis.com, fax 330-952-0986, or phone ahead to 330-952-0985 for fast pick-up.