Authentic Jersey bagel shop opening in Johnson County: ‘True bagel store’
Darryl Hall knows Jersey bagels.
He grew up in the Garden State, working at a bagel shop in high school (inventively called The Bagel Store), and he’ll still frequently fly over to see his friend in Jersey, who also owns a bagel shop.
The KC area has a few options for bagels, but there aren’t nearly as many as there are in his home state. Plus, the options for quality bacon, egg and cheeses are slim. So Hall is opening up his own shop.
“A true bagel store,” Hall said.
The Grateful Bagel aims to open late May or early June at 8913 W. 135th St. in Overland Park It’s named after Hall’s favorite band, Grateful Dead, and will have a few playful nods to the band.
“The coming soon sign is kind of the same font as Grateful Dead,” he said. “I might name a sandwich off of lyrics or something like that.”
The spot is next to Blue Valley Northwest High School — Hall’s first job was also by his school — and Scheel’s Fields.
He’ll offer simple, tried and true flavors and schmears. Not Fruity Pebble-flavored bread or other concoctions that New Jerseyans would turn their nose at.
It’ll be everything one could expect from the sorts of bagel shops in Hall’s home state.
“Bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel with a peach Snapple. It changes your life,” Hall said.
By the way — it’ll serve Taylor Ham on its BECs. Not pork rolls.
“That’s a big fight in New Jersey,” Hall said. “If you live in northern New Jersey, it’s called Taylor Ham; if you live in southern New Jersey, it’s called pork roll.”
The Grateful Bagel is decades in the making. Since leaving his high school job, Hall has dreamed of opening his own store. But doing it in Jersey wasn’t as practical. There’s stores on almost every corner there.
When Hall and his family moved to Overland Park, it seemed like less of a pipe dream.
Now, with keys in hand, it’s finally happening.
“I figured it would be a good breakfast spot for an area that’s growing,” Hall said.
Kansas City does have a few other spots for bagels. Luca Bagel Co. opened in Brookside last year at 633 E. 63rd St. Meshuggah Bagels has four locations across the metro, including one in Overland Park at 7069 W. 105th St.