Bodo’s: Camping Bagels (Charlottesville, VA)

Every once in a while I like to go camping. Nothing super serious, just a few days of wandering in the woods. Since I live in Richmond, there aren’t too many prime camping spots in the immediate area. Instead, I go to the Charlottesville area. They are right on the edge of the Shenandoah National Forest, a great place for tree lookin’ and camp fire boozin’. I probably go there at least a few times a year. When most people go camping, they like to prepare for their stay by ensuring things they have the necessary supplies. Then they’ll go early in the morning to the camping area so they have plenty of daylight to spend walking about and what have you. My camping routine is similar, but still different in a few key areas. First of all, I barely prepare at all. I just jam whatever I can find at the last minute. Half the camping fun is seeing what all I brought. I do head out early in the morning, although not because I want more daylight. No, I’m early because I must get to Charlottesville by breakfast time, there are bagels to be eaten.

Bodos seems like a sort of Charlottesville institution. I don’t know anyone that has lived there or been there frequently that has not been to Bodos. Bring up Charlottesville in conversation, and Bodos will inevitably be brought up. There are a few Bodos locations around town. The one I frequent is on Emmett St. I understand this is the primary location, and the biggest. The building it is in looking like it maybe used to be a fast food place. Once past the giant bagel sign, the inside has a long front counter and a dining area with about twenty diner style tables. There is also a drive through window off to the side, but it isn’t currently in use. Instead of anyone manning the drive-thru, there is a small army of employees working the registers, drinks, and food. It seems like there are 50 people back there churning out meals as quick as they can. This insistence on speed is a very good thing indeed, as Bodos is always, always, incredibly crowded. Their parking lot is always packed, and lines for food frequently extend outside. Table space is at a premium, with people diving for seats. Clearly, other people are wise to Bodos tasty treats.

Bodos makes bagels, and breakfast related meals. Nothing too terribly special, just straight forward bagels. They are, however, impeccably cooked. They have a firm outside with a chewy inside dough. They have various different kinds, all of which can rival an authentic new york bagel any day. The food accompanying these bagels are fresh made cream cheeses in many flavors, as well as eggs, cheese, and meat combinations. If you like bagels, or really just like breakfast, they have a flavor that you will love. When I go camping, I always like to get two bagels. The first is an everything topped bagel with “Deli-egg” sandwich. The deli-egg is a like an omlette, egg mixed with chopped bits of bacon, ham, peppers, and cheese. This sandwich is flavorful and savory. I could woof one down in three bits and love it. The second one I always get, is my blueberry bagel with strawberry cheese cheese. This is super sweet and sugary, it being my breakfast dessert. I wash these both down with a big cup of fresh orange juice, and I’m ready for anything wandering in the woods can bring.

I haven’t listed all the menu options Bodos has to offer. I think my fingers would hurt too much if I did. They have many cream cheeses, many eggs, lox and salmon, meats, cheeses, and others. A lot of times having many menu options is a bad sign, but Bodos runs a tight ship. I’m confident everything on the menu would be great. The only bummer this just the massive crowd, it gets tight in there, both standing and sitting. But you can’t get too mad at a place for doing their job so well. With that said, any trip to, or really even near Charlottesville, deserves a stop at Bodos. Once you go there, any Charlottesville visit after will feel incomplete.