Bodo’s

by Charlottesville29

For the full article on Bodo’s, including the story behind Charlottesville’s most popular place to eat, click here.   The short report is below.

Why Bodo’s?

Bodo’s, a bagel bakery, may be Charlottesville’s signature restaurant.  It has become so embedded in Charlottesville culture that it is now a Charlottesville institution to call Bodo’s a Charlottesville institution.  Combined, Bodo’s three locations employ 120 area residents and feed close to 6,000 people a day.  Bodo’s popularity is partly because the bagels are great.  And, cheap too.  But, a bigger reason may be that the entire Bodo’s experience is so positive, and so congruous with Charlottesville.  Like Charlottesville itself, Bodo’s is a happy place to be.

What to Order

Given the breadth of the menu at Bodo’s, it seems silly to suggest specific items to order.  The number of possible combinations at Bodo’s seems infinite.   But, as longtime customers, we can offer a few ordering tips.  First, when we order a sandwich, we almost always ask for it “cut in half.”  We have yet to crack the mystery of why this makes the sandwich so much more appealing to us, but it does.  Maybe it will work for you, too.  Second, if we add condiments, we typically like to request “EZ” — as in “EZ Mayo” or “EZ Mustard.”   This invariably provides a sufficient amount without going overboard.  Beyond that, for specific sandwich suggestions, we decided to ask the experts, Bodo’s owners, for their single favorite way to enjoy a Bodo’s bagel.  The results are magnificent.

Owner Picks

  • Kokola:  Smoked Turkey on an Everything, hot, cheddar, herb cream cheese, sprouts, cucumber, lettuce, and tomato
  • Smith: Lox on an Everything, watercress, corn salad, pesto, lettuce, onion, and EZ mayo
  • Jenson: Avocado on an Everything, cheddar, sprouts
  • Fox (founder and former owner):  Pastrami on an Everything, kalamata spread, tomato, onions

Staff Picks

Below is additional inspiration for those looking to get out of the bacon-egg-and-cheese rut.  Bodo’s staff members provide their single favorite way to enjoy a Bodo’s bagel.

  • Amanda:  Peanut butter on a Raisin, walnut cream cheese
  • Shequita: Egg and ham on a Wheat, vegetable cream cheese
  • Sam:  Egg and sausage on an Everything, cheddar
  • Crystal B.:  Egg white and ham on a Garlic, swiss, feta, sprouts, onions, mustard
  • Patrick:  Sausage on a Raisin, muenster, lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo, mustard
  • Kayla: American Cheese on a Plain, hot, butter
  • Brianna: Turkey on a Whole Wheat, hot, provolone, pesto, cucumber, onions
  • Shelly:  Turkey on an Everything, provolone, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo
  • Anna F.:  Smoked turkey on an Everything, cheddar, bacon, avocado, sprouts, lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo, pepper spread
  • Justine T.:  Smoked turkey on an Everything, muenster, bacon, vegetable cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, mustard, horseradish
  • Joe:  Smoked turkey on an Everything, hot, Swiss, hummus, kalamata olive spread, pesto, mustard
  • Keith:  Smoked turkey on an Everything, muenster, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions, mustard
  • Hannah: Ham on an Everything, hot, American, lettuce, mayo
  • Victoria:  Ham on an Onion, hot, provolone, American, butter, mustard
  • Beth D.:  Pastrami on an Everything, muenster, pesto,  sprouts, watercress, lettuce, onions
  • Mike: Pastrami on a Plain, Swiss, pesto, mayo
  • Jered:  Corned Beef on a Raisin, Swiss, sprouts, honey, mayo, caesar dressing
  • Cody:  Salami on a Plain, muenster
  • Emily:  Tuna on an Onion, Swiss, sprouts, tomato, mustard, pepper spread
  • Ricardo:  Tuna on an Everything, cheddar, bacon, avocado, lettuce
  • Matt:  Tuna on an Everything Wheat, bacon, lettuce, tomato
  • Kelly:  Chicken salad on an Everything
  • Claudia:  Egg salad on a Plain, bacon
  • Cindy:  BLT on an Onion, mayo
  • Olivia: NoBull Burger on a Sesame, provolone, avocado, sprouts, watercress, onions, mayo, mustard