Lenny’s Bagel Deli & Coffee opens on Brighton Road bringing freshly made bagels beachside.
Are Brighton bagels the new sandos?
Jul 31, 2024, updated Nov 04, 2024
When opening up Lenny’s Bagel Deli & Coffee last month, manager Thomas Parks says the team wanted to create a unique lunch spot.
“[The owner] wanted to provide a new venture down here in Brighton,” Thomas says.
“There’s not really anything like this in the area, and we wanted to provide a space and a takeaway shop that had provided quality bagels and quality coffee.”
In a spot filled with traffic and within walking distance from Brighton Secondary School and Sacred Heart College, they thought it was a great opportunity.
Owner Adam McGuinness is also the owner of Fleet Street Social in Port Noarlunga.
“They’ve recently come down here and opened up this new shop because he’s a chef by trade, so he has a restaurant down [in Port Noarlunga] and also dives into some cocktails, which I had previously worked out with him as well,” Thomas says.
“He came down here to do something different and [work] the morning hours.”
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Bagel sneak peek. This picture: supplied.“Compared to somewhere like down south like Port Noarlunga there’s a bit more exposure here, especially with the schools around here, closer to the beach and Glenelg, and it’s only a short drive from the city as well,” Thomas says.
“Word spreads well if you have good quality food, a lot of people will drive down for it.
“We’re just trying to create a good atmosphere for people to come in and try different bagels and take it away with them and enjoy either their Saturday mornings or any morning during the week.”
Pirlta, too, likes bagels and coffee“There’s not really much of a bagel shop, specifically around here, and they’re quite a unique breakfast or lunch food,” Thomas says.
“We came up with the idea of wanting to provide something that’s different, and people can come try it.
“Around this area specifically, there’s so many different coffee and lunch and brunch shops and we just wanted to be a little bit different.”
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Much like the cafe’s ethos, the menu has options that aren’t found on your regular such as a pickled vegetable, chicken salad and a Reuben.
But the menu also has classics like a breakfast choice and a salmon, cream cheese and capers option.
This picture: supplied.“Adam has had a few different business ventures now. He started off with a takeaway burger [place] and that was inspired by American style,” Thomas says.
“He’s very passionate about food and loves diving into different areas and I think he’s nailed it with the menu that we’ve got at the moment.”
This picture: supplied.“[It’s a] bright and vibrant atmosphere,” Thomas says.
“Obviously the green I think comes from Adam’s family, they’re very passionate Celtics supporters.
“It’s a nice fresh feel.”
Despite the short interaction with customers, Thomas says this takeaway style of venture creates a better culture with those walking through the doors.
“For the business side personally, it’s [about that] customer interaction one-on-one. You take your order and then we call it out and make everything fresh here — the baker’s here early morning baking the bagels and then we come out here and we build them for them and then deliver,” Thomas says.
“I think just that little interaction rather than someone sitting down and maybe being a bit overcrowded with other people.
“They can take their food and go and sit down by the beach or go home [and] enjoy the food in their own environment. I think that’s a plus.”
Lenny’s Bagel Deli & Coffee is located at 1/339 Brighton Road, North Brighton and is open from Monday to Friday from 6am until 2pm, then Saturday and Sunday from 8am until 2pm.
Connect with the business on Instagram for more.