Undercover Diner Visits Bagel Boat

Although we don't live in Lake Wylie, our church is there, which gives us a good excuse to explore some of the area's lunch spots. One place that is interesting and also very good is Bagel Boat.

If you're planning a visit, be prepared. The place is usually busy. We got lucky on this trip and found a table without much trouble, but when we stopped by about a month later, the restaurant was packed before 11:30.

Bagel Boat operates with a simple order-at-the-counter, pick-up-at-the-counter format. Menu boards hang above the counter, although one of the TV screens wasn't working during our visit. Even so, ordering was quick and easy.

I ordered the tuna melt on bread, which was prepared on-site and turned out to be an excellent choice. The tuna was fresh; the sandwich was well prepared.

My wife ordered the Loaded Turkey sandwich and was equally impressed. Too often, bagels can be overly dense or tough. That wasn't the case here as it was served on one of Bagel Boat's soft, fresh bagels.

To wash it down, we each had an unsweet iced tea.

This isn't a fancy dining experience. Meals are served with plastic silverware, and the atmosphere is casual and functional rather than polished. But that's not why people come here. They come for fresh food, generous portions, and bagels that clearly have developed a loyal following in the community.

Based on our experience—and the crowd we saw during both visits—Bagel Boat has earned its reputation as one of Lake Wylie's go-to breakfast and lunch destinations.

Undercover Diner's Take: Fresh bagels, quality sandwiches, and a steady stream of customers make Bagel Boat worth a stop. Just don't be surprised if you have to wait for a table.