New York-style bagels, hot pastrami sandwiches, and a drive-thru are all part of the menu at Buddies’ New York Bagels in West Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The shop makes its bagels fresh daily and offers everything from bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches to deli-style lunch options.
Located at 181 Susquehanna Boulevard, just a short detour from Interstate 81, the shop is convenient for commuters and travelers. It opens as early as 5:30 AM on most days, with a menu that includes everything bagels, jalapeño cheddar varieties, flavored cream cheeses, and fresh coffee.
The drive-thru makes grabbing breakfast easy, but the lunch menu gives visitors another reason to stop. Between the pastrami sandwiches, bagel varieties, and early opening hours, this small-town shop has more to offer than a typical breakfast counter.
A New York Bagel Stop on Susquehanna Boulevard
Buddies’ New York Bagels sits at 181 Susquehanna Blvd in West Hazleton, Pennsylvania. It is a bagel shop through and through, and it wears its New York style right in the name.
West Hazleton is a small borough in Luzerne County. It sits close to Interstate 81, so the shop serves both neighbors and travelers heading north or south.
That location gives it a steady mix of faces from morning to midafternoon.
What catches my attention is how focused the place is. Bagels, bagel sandwiches, coffee, and lunch favorites make up the heart of the menu.
There is no attempt to be everything at once.
The shop holds a strong Google rating of 4.7 stars from more than 700 reviews. Numbers like that suggest a lot of people leave happy, and that is not easy for any small business.
A clear identity helps a small shop stand out. In a town where many breakfast choices come from big chains, a bagel shop with a New York focus feels like a fresh option.
To see why, it helps to start with the bagels themselves.
The Everything Bagel Leads a Long Lineup
Everything bagels come up again and again when people talk about this shop. Covered in seeds, garlic, and onion bits, they make a bold base for almost any spread or sandwich.
The rest of the lineup gives you plenty of room to explore. Sesame, garlic, asiago, cheddar jalapeno, cinnamon raisin, and chocolate chip bagels have all been mentioned by customers.
That covers savory, spicy, and sweet in one display.
I would start with the everything bagel to get a baseline. Then I would try the asiago on a second visit, since cheese-topped bagels make a great snack without anything added.
Picking a flavor is half the fun. A cheddar jalapeno bagel brings a little kick, while cinnamon raisin works well with a plain schmear for a sweeter morning.
Here is a helpful tip for groups. Mixing several flavors lets everyone taste a bit of each, and it quickly settles friendly debates about which one wins.
Of course, a bagel is only part of the story. Many people come in for what goes between the two halves.
Pastrami Makes a Strong Case for Lunch
Hot pastrami with Swiss cheese on an everything bagel is one combination a customer specifically recommended. That pairing sounds like it came straight from a New York deli counter.
The shop serves lunch sandwiches as well as breakfast ones, so the menu does not stop once the morning rush ends. Another customer praised a pastrami on rye with provolone and yellow mustard, which shows bagels are not the only bread option.
I like that pastrami shows up in more than one style. It lets you choose between a classic deli sandwich and a bagel version with extra texture.
Sandwiches here are wrapped tightly, according to one regular. That small detail helps the food stay warm, which matters if you are eating at a desk or in the car.
Lunch at a bagel shop might sound unusual to some people. In New York, though, it is perfectly normal, and this menu follows that tradition.
If you work nearby, a pastrami sandwich could make a solid break from the usual lunch routine. Just remember the doors close at 3 pm, so plan accordingly.
Breakfast Sandwiches Built for the Morning Rush
Egg sandwiches on fresh bagels form the backbone of many morning orders. Add bacon, cheese, or cream cheese, and you have a filling start to the day.
Bagel sandwiches are among the most talked-about items at the shop. That makes sense, since a bagel holds up better than soft bread when stacked with eggs and meat.
One customer described the bagels as huge, with plenty of cream cheese. A big bagel can easily keep you full until lunch, so it may be smart to skip the extra side.
Breakfast here feels practical. You can grab a sandwich, eat it on the way to work, and still feel like you had a real meal instead of something from a vending machine.
If you like to customize, ask about options when you order. Small swaps, like a different bagel flavor, can change the whole sandwich.
A good breakfast sandwich needs a good drink to match. Luckily, the coffee gets plenty of attention too, and it deserves a closer look.
Hazelnut Coffee and Fresh Croissants
Coffee lovers will be glad to know the shop pours hazelnut coffee. One traveler mentioned it as a reason to make the shop a regular stop.
Several customers have called the coffee fresh and fantastic. Fresh coffee may sound like a basic promise, but anyone who has sipped a stale cup at a gas station knows it matters.
Bagels are not the only baked goods either. Croissants also appear on the counter, and one customer listed them among her favorite treats.
I can understand the appeal of a croissant at a bagel shop. Sometimes you want something lighter, and a flaky pastry with coffee makes an easy morning snack.
Pairing ideas are simple. Hazelnut coffee goes well with a cinnamon raisin bagel or a croissant, while a plain coffee might suit a savory everything bagel better.
Since the shop opens at 5:30 am, early shifts get a real option. Nurses, factory workers, and commuters can grab coffee before sunrise without settling for something less tasty.
Speed matters on those mornings, which brings us to one of the shop’s handiest features.
A Drive-Thru Lane for Busy Mornings
Few bagel shops offer a drive-thru, but this one does. It is one of the features people mention most often.
A drive-thru lane is a big help in Pennsylvania winters. When snow is falling, staying in a warm car while ordering bagels feels like a small luxury.
Parents with sleepy kids in the back seat will also appreciate it. You can pick up breakfast for the whole family without unbuckling anyone.
The staff has a reputation for working quickly. One customer said speed does not come at the cost of quality, which is the balance everyone hopes for.
Of course, ordering accuracy matters at a window. Most customers say their orders come out right, and the owner responds to problems by offering replacements when mistakes happen.
Here is a practical tip. Check your bag before driving off, especially for sandwiches with custom requests like extra cream cheese.
The drive-thru suits commuters, but the shop is just as handy for travelers. Its spot near a major highway makes it an easy detour for road trips.
An Easy Detour Off Interstate 81
Interstate 81 is a long road, and fast food breakfast gets old quickly. Travelers have discovered that this shop is a short trip from the highway.
One visitor from North Carolina suggested taking exit 145 and heading east about two miles. That driving note makes the shop easy to find for anyone passing through Hazleton.
Another traveler said the shop became a regular stop while visiting family. Long drives become more pleasant when you have a dependable place to refuel with coffee and a sandwich.
I would make time for this stop on any trip through northeastern Pennsylvania. A real bagel beats a soggy drive-thru muffin any day.
Road trippers can also take bagels home. Buying a baker’s dozen means thirteen bagels, which is a fun tradition that gives you one extra for the road.
Bagels freeze well, so a bag can last for weeks. Slice them before freezing to make toasting easier later.
Of course, a good meal is about more than food. The people behind the counter play a big role in why visitors return.
Friendly Faces Behind the Counter
Amanda’s name shows up often in reviews and owner replies. She appears to lead the shop, and customers describe her as friendly and hands-on.
The owner responds to nearly every review, thanking customers by name. Even when someone has a complaint, the reply usually offers a fix, like a refund or replacement.
That kind of attention says a lot about how a small business runs. It shows someone is paying close attention to the details.
Staff members get praise too. One customer called the crew peppy and welcoming, even at very early hours, which is not easy before sunrise.
A story from local nurses stands out. They accidentally placed a pickup order, and the shop sent someone to deliver it to the hospital when they called.
I find that detail particularly interesting. It shows a willingness to help that goes past the usual counter service.
Customers have described it as a family-owned business that treats people like family. That warmth carries over into the space itself, which many describe as clean and comfortable.
A Clean Dining Room Worth Sitting In
Grabbing a bagel to go is easy, but the shop also has a seating area. One visitor described it as comfortable, which makes lingering over coffee a nice option.
Recent customers have praised how clean the shop looks. One even said she loves the outside of the building as much as the inside.
Cleanliness matters at any food business. When a customer once pointed out a messy floor, the owner replied that she would talk with the staff, showing she takes feedback seriously.
Sitting down gives you a chance to slow your morning. You can read, chat with a friend, or just enjoy a warm sandwich without rushing.
Families might appreciate having a place to eat together. Kids can pick their own bagel flavor and enjoy it right away.
I like the idea of starting a Saturday morning here. The shop opens early on weekends too, so you can beat the late breakfast crowd.
Planning ahead helps, especially since the hours are a bit different from many restaurants. Knowing when to go can shape your whole visit.
Plan Around the 3 PM Closing Time
Early birds win at this shop. Doors open at 5:30 am every day and close at 3 pm, so late afternoon cravings will have to wait.
That schedule fits a bagel shop well. Bagels and breakfast sandwiches are morning foods for most people, and lunch sandwiches fill the midday gap.
Weekends follow the same hours as weekdays. That makes the shop a reliable choice for Sunday breakfast, when some local spots stay closed.
If you want a wide choice of flavors, try visiting earlier. Popular varieties can run low as the day goes on, so morning gives you the best shot at your favorite.
Office workers have brought bagels to share with coworkers, which is a great way to win friends at work. Ordering a dozen or a baker’s dozen covers a whole team.
Remember to pick up cream cheese too. A few different spreads make a bagel spread feel complete.
Keep a reusable bag in the car for leftovers. Slice and freeze any extras, and you can enjoy a taste of New York at home all week.
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