Tom and Susan Badolato, the outspoken hosts of “The Tom & Suzie Show” on Internet radio WBAD.net, are beginning another new venture together: launching a New York style bagel shop right down the street from their home in Bristow.
“Tom & Suzie’s NY Bagel Deli” is scheduled to open this fall at the currently under construction Bristow Commons Shopping Center located on the corner of Linton Hall Road and Devlin Road. Tom and Suzie promise the food and service will be so authentic, their customers just might forget they’re in Virginia.
The Badolatos knew what was missing from the neighborhood: real New York style bagels.
“We want a nice breakfast, something good,” Susan said, but commented there was nowhere to find an authentic bagel in Northern Virginia.
When the Badolatos have ventured into Fairfax County for bagels, they found the bagels fell short of their New York City standards.
Tom lived in Long Island most of his life and Suzie grew up in Rhode Island. They both were surrounded by New York style cuisine and have very high standards for the food they intend to deliver to their customers.
Tom is confident in his ability to make authentic New York bagels, because he trained with one of the masters back in Long Island.
“The reason why we’re starting a bagel store, other than the market need, is a good friend of mine from high school's dad started a bagel store 35 years ago,” he said.
When Tom saw his buddy again at a reunion, they discussed business. Tom learned his friend’s dad had opened another bagel shop, which he then passed onto his son. Tom told his friend about his intention to open a bagel shop in Virginia. When his friend offered to train him and provide him knowledge of the trade secrets and family recipes, Tom knew this was a dream he needed to pursue.
“We’ve got to open a bagel store,” he told Suzie.
Tom and Suzie’s bagels will taste just like New York bagels, simply because they will make them exactly as his friend makes his bagels out on Long Island, using fresh dough, boiling, then baking the bagel. While not a quick process, he says it is the only way to ensure that unmistakable crispy on the outside, soft on the inside texture that defines a superior bagel.
Most bakeries do not take the time to follow all of the steps, since it takes much longer than baking bread and other baked goods they may also happen to be selling. Like the old “time to make the donuts” commercial, running a real bagel shop means that someone has to arrive at the store by 3 a.m. in order to have fresh, hot bagels ready at 5 a.m.
“Making bagels is a lot of work,” Suzie said, “but we’re doing it for our selves and for the community.”
Knowing that people who commute to work, leaving very early in the morning, would love a warm bagel and coffee in hand is motivation enough to wake up before the sunrise. But Tom and Suzie think personality will also play a role in their success. They believe in good costumer service and creating a neighborhood space where customers are treated like part of the community.
“Personality is important. We want to get to know our clients,” Suzie said.
Tom adds that the customer is always right, and bagels will be made to order.
Plus, there will be plenty of savory and sweet bagels and cream cheese to choose from. They even know how to make a proper New York egg sandwich, insisting that the egg must be fried, not scrambled and fit properly to the size of the bagel, so it doesn’t fall out.
Tom and Suzie plan to have everything a respectable New York bagel store and deli would, such as lox, white fish when available and quality brand cold cuts for huge sandwiches.
As coffee lovers themselves, they are promising to have “slamming coffee,” and as proud Italians, they’ll be selling Italian cookies and fresh cannoli pastries.
Knowing that fans of their radio show are already intending to travel out to Bristow to meet Tom and Suzie, they want to bring the rock n' roll attitude into their store. Their personal style says motorcycle-rocker, and they think that will be a great way to distinguish their shop.
Although they expect to mainly serve bagels to go, they will have limited seating inside the store, and perhaps some outside seating during the warmer months.
Tom expects Tom & Suzie's NY Bagel Deli to open the end of October or beginning of November.
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