Since we visited a couple of spots for quick bites, I'll make them quick critiques.
Breakfast at Greenfield's Bagels was a nice surprise. Who would have thought you could find a decent bagel in this neck of the woods? We both agreed the bagels were boiled, then baked, which gave them a passing grade for authenticity, sparing them the "fagel" label. You may recall from my recent Tampa bagel review that fagel is the Food and Loathing term for fake bagel, a.k.a., Einstein's.
Greenfield's star product met the right balance of crispy outside, chewy inside. So, if you are in the area and craving an authentic bagel, this is a good choice. Do not, however, expect a robust breakfast menu. For breakfast, bagels and an assortment of smoked fish and spreads are the offerings of the day and you'll enjoy them in a neighborhood deli atmosphere that's conducive to reading the newspaper and slurping down coffee. Aside from bagels, lunch sandwiches seem to be their specialty.
Restaurant Info:
Greenfield's Bagels and Deli
101 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 180
Greenville, SC
864-987-0064
http://www.greenfieldsbagelsanddeli.com/
Now, jumping over to another place that offers a specialty: soft pretzels at Bavarian Pretzel Factory.
A pretzel operation outside of a mall or ballpark? This I had to see.
First of all, this spot is a restaurant and bakery that occupies a corner location of a small strip center. Upon entering, we walked past a few rows of long beer-hall tables before reaching the counter and bakery case. The decor reflects feminine touches: wavy blue and yellow valances top the windows, and seat cushions in matching fabric pad hard wooden benches. A German radio station played in the background while a woman I assume was the owner busily tended to a handful of customers while lifting sheet pans of pretzels and breads in and out of the oven.
A few lunch specials and soups were listed on a chalkboard and a more elaborate menu of German dishes was posted on a board behind the counter. Sister and I both ordered soft pretzels, which the counter lady explained were nothing like those in the mall. No kidding. They were worse. These were seriously chewy in an unpleasant way. While Sister and I pondered whether this possibly could be the outcome the baker intended, we chewed and chewed and chewed, then washed the weirdly firm, dry and tasteless pretzels down with German beer. In hopes of adding some flavor to the pretzel, I requested mustard, which was unexpectedly and disappointingly sweet. The kind lady at the counter told me they have a special cheese spread that is a pleasing pretzel accompaniment but they were out of it and she needed to make more.
Things at Bavarian Pretzel Factory may have been slow for a reason. A man dining solo next to us sent back a plate of food to be heated.
As we left, I asked Sister, who has visited Germany, if that's how true German pretzels are supposed to taste. She doesn't recall eating pretzels in Germany, but she sure as heck remembers the beer.
Restaurant Info:
Bavarian Pretzel Factory
1106 Woodruff Road
Greenville, SC
864-283-6266
http://www.bavarianpretzelfactory.com/
