By Jen Avison Smith
Judi Siegel loves Bagelmania’s burger.
While the owner of award-winning Siegel’s Bagelmania enjoys the entire menu, she does switch up her favorites. Along with her eponymous Famous Pea Soup, she’s currently loving The Goodman, a sandwich loaded with pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing on thick slices of dou- ble-baked rye bread.
The Bagelmania menu represents more than just amazing food. It reflects the tight-knit culture of Las Vegas, along with the passion folded into every bite of the delicatessen’s delights.
The Business of Bagels
Bagelmania’s reach is worldwide. Siegel notes that the deli welcomes patrons “from all over the place,” and the customers are truly what set it apart. While Bagelmania sees its fair share of celebrity guests, the company holds first-timers and regulars to an A-list status.
“We do like to think of every customer as a celebrity, as a true VIP,” she says.
Beyond the deli namesake, guests will see surnames titling the signature dishes. Those with their own menu items are Las Vegas residents, regarded as local lead- ers who remain integral to the city’s success. Siegel says this honor belongs to those who give much of themselves to the community.
“It’s so well-deserved,” she says. “Why not have something named after you at a deli?”
The rest of the menu features a variety of bagels – still made with the original 1989 recipe – along with a collection of break- fast items, salads and classic sandwiches with a “build-your-own” option.
The bagel recipe isn’t the only thing that remains unchanged. Many of Bagelmania’s original staff moved with the company to its new location. Siegel attributes the success of Bagelmania to the quality of its workforce.
“The key is that we have such a great team,” she says. “When you have such great staff, and a team that likes to execute, it all comes into place.”
Community at the Center
Judi and her husband Stephen Siegel moved to Las Vegas in 2004. As real estate professionals, they planned to stay for one year to tackle an entire residential apart- ment complex flip before returning to Los Angeles. Naturally, they never left.
Nearly 20 years later, Siegel loves every- thing about Las Vegas, from the communi- ty and the people to its restaurants and the nature surrounding the city.
“Vegas is spectacular,” she says. “Every- thing’s always reinventing itself. Any day in Vegas can be New Year’s Eve.”
The Siegels bought Bagelmania pre-pan- demic, moving it to its current location on Convention Center Drive. It quickly became a favorite fixture in the couple’s business portfolio, along with the popular Pinkbox Doughnuts chain.
Between her many commitments, Siegel loves taking her two children to their sporting events and considers working out her “drug of choice.” She works with several nonprofits and is an active board member for several Las Vegas organizations, to provide her insights on how to improve the community, as her way of giving back.
The Next Meal Awaits
The Siegel reach extends beyond its first deli venture. Bagelmania’s next location is already in the works in Summerlin’s Boca Park, along with 10 more Pinkbox Doughnuts locations throughout the Valley as well as several ad- ditions nationwide – and even a brand-new Las Vegas hotel.
Siegel says when you love what you do, it just comes all together.
“When you have a good team and a positive mindset and you love what you do – and you have good food – no problem is too big that cannot be solved,” she says.
Bagelmania Menu Highlights
There is so much to enjoy on Bagelmania’s large menu.
Hollaaaah French Toast
Three slices of thick-cut cinnamon challah French toast, powdered sugar and warm maple syrup. Extra charge for seasonal berries and whipped cream or vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or coffee ice cream. “Challah at your server!”
Mish Mosh Soup
Chicken, noodles, kreplach and a matzo ball. Served in a bowl only, not a cup.
Herb “Frey’s” Chili Cheese Pastrami Fries
Curly fries covered with nacho cheese, chili and pastrami and served with cole slaw. The platter is ginormous.
The Goodman
A current choice by Siegel, the sandwich is loaded with hot pastrami, melted Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing on thick slices of double-baked rye bread with a big fat pickle on the side.
The Joe Lombardo
A bagelwich with pastrami, Swiss, BBQ aioli and an onion ring stacked with two fried eggs and a hash brown cake. “Show Love for Our Gov!”
There are bagels and shmears galore – and stop by the expansive bakery and Pinkbox Doughnuts for to-go goodies on your way out of Bagelmania.
If You Go
6 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily, 252 Convention Center Drive, Las Vegas, 24 hours Thursdays-Mondays, 3:30 a.m.-12 a.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m.-12 a.m. Wednesdays, Harry Reid Airport. (702) 369-3322; SiegelsBagelmania.com
