Schmear Bagels and Cafe is a beloved Port Washington restaurant. Whether it’s for a quick grab and go bagel, a sit down meal with a variety of toppings from the salad bar, or even catering for a Saturday brunch with family, Schmear Bagel and Cafe is available.
Opening in 2017, Schmear took over the storefront that was previously Brother’s Discount Supermarket. After a full renovation, the cafe emerged as a stylish space with high ceilings, wood grain, and marble tiles. The back of the store is devoted to bagels, which are baked in house, along with all of its bakery items.
“It’s good. The inside is very nice and aesthetic and the food is pretty good. There’s good brunch food,” said junior Jessie Solomon.
One of the most popular aspects of the restaurant is its wide selection of food. The menu features omelettes, bagels, salads, paninis, and more to provide its customers with something for any craving at any time of the day. There are burgers and paninis for lunch, and overnight oats and baked goods for a fun, sweet breakfast option. The menu is also very customizable, as everything is made fresh on-location. Egg sandwiches can be made with any time of cheese, and smoothies can be blended up on the spot with any mix of toppings fit to a customer’s liking.
The cafe’s name is also an immediate draw to those coming from both in and out of town. “Schmear” is a Yiddish word, Americanized to mean a spread, fitting given the cafe bakes their bagels ready to order. However, Schmear makes their bagels nontraditionally. Instead of boiling the dough and then baking it in the oven, they steam them first. This process creates a “less chewy” and “more squishy” bread.
Schmear also offers specialized menu options depending on the day. It’s French toast bagels, for instance, are only available on weekends. This allows the restaurant to attract more customers on the weekend, as the incentive to get a bagel increases knowing that it is only available two out of the seven days of the week.
Customers can order at a counter in the back and wait for their food by the cashier in the front of the store. There are also prepackaged foods and a wide array of drinks available, making the ordering process quick and easy.
“I always get excited when my family and I go to Schmear on the weekend. I love their French toast bagels. They’re the perfect combination of cinnamon and taste just like a piece of French toast,” said freshman Brigitta Rudegeair.
Schmear’s convenient Main Street location also makes it more popular. It is across the street from the Port Washington train station, offering commuters and locals alike the perfect spot to quickly run in and get coffee and breakfast before their train, as it opens as early as six in the morning on weekdays. Schreiber’s juniors and seniors also have the option to quickly run off campus during an off period to venture to Schmear Bagel and Cafe, either by car or a 10 minute walk.
“I usually go to Schmear on my off periods. My friends and I love their bagels, and they also have really good coffee. It’s a close walk to the school, and super convenient. It’s also a really good study spot,” said junior Simone Gordon.
From the moment you step inside Schmear, you’re greeted with a warm atmosphere, the aroma of freshly baked bagels filling the air. The shop is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with plenty of tables and chairs, for customers to sit down and enjoy their meal. With consistent foot traffic from commuters, students, and local families, the cafe continues to serve as a go-to spot for both quick stops and longer visits.