The Landwehr Report

Hernando, FL
September, 2009

GETTING WHAT YOU PAY FOR

By Sheldon Landwehr

If you ever doubted that a sandwich was a meal, you must not have eaten at J & L Bagel and Deli.

A fairly new venue, it is handily located on the West Coast of Florida, in Heritage Oaks Plaza, Hernando.  Housed in a double-storefront,  J & L Bagel keeps its Formica tables and 60  cushioned, wood-backed chairs busy and  filled from early morning (7 AM) to closing time (3 PM), except for Sunday when operating 8 AM to 2 PM or Mondays when shut.

This establishment clearly breaks away from the areas mostly eating mediocrities by virtue of it's being the nearest thing to an authentic New York deli.          

Square-shaped, J & L Bagel and Deli offers a typical New York environment, dotted with framed New York sport pictures. An up-front display case shows-off much of its wares -- meats the likes of hot New York Corned beef and pastrami along with chopped liver, smoked salmon, whitefish, flavored cream cheese, potato knishes, and salads such as tuna, egg, chicken and seafood.

Their broad assortment of stainless steel kettle boiled and 500 degree oven-baked bagels (freshly made several times a day), is a genuine New Yorker, its dough imported from the Big Apple.  Of equal importance is that all sandwich's are enormously overstuffed.      

Among the state-of-the-art selection of burgers -- for $7.25 you can get a succulent deluxe, heartily seasoned burger bulging with bacon, tomato and cheese, proffered on a fresh bun.

Filling omelets both plain and fancy like the combo of bacon, sausage and cheese, shows-up with a choice of potatoes and buttered bagel.  The duo of pancakes sided with butter and syrup are likewise popular here. Incidently, do not be put off by dish presentations that are less successful-looking than others.  The texture and tastiness of the comestibles will, nevertheless, measure up to expectations. 

An array of rib-sticking pastries and muffins are largely made on the premises, along with such imports from New York as the celebrated, large, delicious black and white frosted cookies and lush crumb cake.

Another triumph of sorts is the group of stainless-steel urns dispensing all the perfectly hot, exotic coffees you can drink or icy soft beverages.

After one year in business, word is out.  A respectable, casual place like this doesn't happen to often in any neighborhood.  Owners Louis and Gale Valenti have the right tight grip on this business.

J & L Bagel and Deli, 2494 North Heritage Oaks Path, Hernando, Fla.  Phone: 352-293-2338.  Open daily 7 AM to 3 PM; Sunday 8 AM to 2 PM; closed Mondays.  Prices range from $1.95 to $7.95.  Accepts major credit cards.  www.JLBagelAndDeli.com

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