“Being from Long Island, I know my bagels,” says Paul Zangos. Locals might be acquainted with him as the owner of Tarbender’s Lounge in Leesburg, but soon, they’ll also know him as their neighborhood bagel man with the opening “around Christmas” of Bender’s NY Bagels.
When Zangos debuted Tarbender’s two years ago “it was part of the original plan,” to serve bagels, he says. But the popularity of the night spot ended up taking up all of his time. Only now, because of the pandemic, has he had been able to catch his breath and get the plan in motion to open Bender’s. “It’s a tough time for everybody,” he says. “Now I’m giving the town what they want and what I know best.”
Zangos says that his training in the realm of bagels is part of his secret, but promises that his product is an authentic New York-style water boiled bagel. There will be eight to 10 flavors at a time with an emphasis on classics like everything, sesame, poppy, garlic and onion.
Bagels will be served with flavored cream cheeses and as breakfast sandwiches. Those will include a pork roll, egg and cheese. Lunch will start in the form of daily specials like lox or tuna salad before eventually expanding to a full menu that will include standard deli sandwiches served on the bagels.
Customers with a sweet tooth will be treated to edible art in the form of cookies from Sugar Cookie Sisters, an Alexandria-based baking company. After all, diners ordering a bagel sandwich aren’t exactly watching their carbs. // 10 S. King St., Leesburg
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