Who Needs 7-Eleven When You've Got Bagel Heaven?

Whenever I think of where to go for my next post, I automatically think of food first. So, without further ado, I’d like to present Bagel Street Deli, the best fast food shop in Athens.

During class on Wednesday, my stomach was hankering for a tasty, toasted bagel sandwich, or “bagelwich.” I’d been waiting to go to Bagel Street for days but never had the chance.

  Class was over; the time had come.

My friend Jess and I headed from Scripps to Court Street. Bagel Street came into sight and my mouth began to water at the thought. What shall I get this time? I pondered.

Jess and I pulled open the glass door and excitedly walked into the narrow, dimly lit restaurant that smells like toast. The red brick walls are covered in aluminum foil figures and the chalk signatures of loyal customers.

We continued down the thin hallway to the ordering counter. To my left hung two gigantic chalkboards with their signature selections sorted into categories: Breakfast Served Anytime, Originals, Carnivorous Cravers, Poultry Pursuers and Veggie Delights.

Each of these creations is served on your choice of bagel (There are 22 to choose from!).

My typical Bagel Street experience involves me getting a Tom’s Turkey with an Oweo for dessert. Wednesday was my lucky day because Tom’s Turkey was the special of the day for only $3.25.

Once we ordered and received our bagels, we ate at a table created with Naked Juice lids.

I carefully unwrapped the warm aluminum foil, suddenly smelling the aroma that was being concealed by the foil. I took a large bite, getting a taste of everything (sun-dried tomato bagel, American cheese, mayo, tomato, lettuce and turkey). Within 10 minutes, I devoured the entire thing, without one crumb to spare. Jess did the same with her OU Bagel (a wheat bagel with cream cheese and bacon). I think we finished our sandwiches so fast because we knew what was coming for dessert.

The Oweo. A delectable, gooey mess made of two, fist-sized chocolate chip cookies with cream cheese in the middle. The sandwich is then steamed, which brings out the flavors. The two of us split one of these delicious treats, and that too was gone within minutes. 

Although it took us literally fifteen minutes to eat, the uniqueness of the place kept us there chatting for about an hour, which was probably the best hour of my day.

Welcome to Vintage Heaven

Now that Halloween is only nine days away, the vintage and costume shops in Athens are buzzing with prospective customers searching for the perfect outfit to wear around Court Street next Saturday. If you’re planning at all to walk around on Halloween, you are required to have a costume.

  Like most Ohio University students, I’ve had my costume planned since last Halloween. Next Saturday, I’ll be sporting the old-fashioned movie star look by dressing as Audrey Hepburn’s character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. And thanks to a trip to Court Street yesterday, I found my remaining piece, a fake cigarette holder.

The search for the cheap cigarette holder took me to one of my favorite places in Athens, Athens Underground. And since I could not take photos inside the shop, I captured shots of my walk from Read Hall to Athens Underground.

I arrived at the store around 1:45 p.m. and walked down the narrow, concrete staircase to the Underground, located at 90 Court St. I slowly turned the tiny, delicate doorknob and pulled open the wooden door. As I entered, the musty smell of old clothing instantly smacked me in the face (the scent reminded me of my grandma’s basement filled with old knick-knacks, boxes and the ever-present mothballs).

I was overwhelmed, as usual. Everywhere I turned my head, a new vintage item came into sight. In my immediate view, I noticed an array of glasses, ranging from 1950s “cat” glasses to aviator sunglasses. Through the doorway next to the glasses was a single-dorm-room sized room filled with shoes and undergarments, including old-fashioned lingerie (some resemble armor).  Sorry, but I don’t see how this would be sexy.

The next room was busting with dresses—from 50s style June Cleaver dresses, to 70s sequined dresses, to 80s shoulder-pad-filled prom dresses. The next, with men’s formalwear. The one after, with vests, scarves and hats. Now, back to the main room.

The main room consists of collections of records, books, magazines, sheet music, postcards, Playbills, *insert breath* formal hats, prom-style clutches, broaches, rings, necklaces, China dishes, linens … I can’t think of anything else right now, but you get the idea. Athens Underground has everything.

OK, almost everything. The shop doesn’t carry cigarette holders (I found mine at the costume store down the street), which was the initial purpose of this venture. However, although it didn’t have what I was looking for, my “trip through time” made it worthwhile.

Can't take the heat?

One thing I’ve noticed since starting this blog. It has triggered massive cravings. I apologize, but I just can’t help myself.

Now, with that said, I ventured to Casa Nueva (right off Court Street) this week. I felt the need for non-dining hall food.

I sent out a mass text to my friends Wednesday morning about my urge to go to Casa, and three of them agreed. (You’ll get to watch them eat in the video.)  Since I formulated the plan to dine there, I squirmed with anticipation all day, and I even knew exactly what I was going to order. Filling my head were daydreams of fresh, local veggies combined with a splendor of smoked jalapeños and garlic… Mmm…

Anyway, the time arrived at last. I met with Alec, Alex and Vince, and we strolled the 10 minutes from Read Hall to Casa.  Little did the guys know, I had been plotting to make them try the habanero salsa, Casa’s spiciest salsa, and capture the moment on video. (I did finally caution them before trying it though.)

I ordered a basket of chips and two different salsas, habanero and black bean, as an appetizer.

Here’s what happened:

According to the menu, Casa’s habanero salsa is “A flavorful infusion of citrus followed by the intense heat of habanero peppers.”

The definition is dead on. The slight citrus tang complements the fresh, juicy tomatoes.  But as soon as you taste the citrus and tomatoes, an extreme burning sensation fills your mouth, tongue and throat. It’s almost painful, and I can take really spicy foods. I can eat a dozen hot wings from Buffalo Wild Wings without breaking a sweat. This was different.

Thankfully, I also ordered the black bean salsa to ease the pain of the habanero salsa. (The black bean salsa was gone within minutes.)

Now, on with the main entrée, my Enchilada Roja, which is an enchilada stuffed with Monterey jack cheese, veggies of the day, tomatoes, onions and in my case, chicken. Customers can choose between black beans, tofu, jasmine rice, pork, Puerco Pibil, beef or chicken.  Chipotle salsa is smothered over the enchilada, with shredded lettuce and carrots stacked on top of the salsa. Sigh…

Although I didn’t get to taste-test any of the special autumn desserts, I know I’ll be back in the near future.