Scottsdale has plenty of brunch spots, but very few can claim a deli case stocked with Halvah bars and a menu that reads like a love letter to New York. The spot in this story looks like a small bagel shop from the outside, yet it opens up into a full restaurant with room for big families and Sunday crowds.
It serves pastrami on rye, matzo ball chicken soup to go, challah French toast, and a round, chewy bread that confuses first-timers in the best way. The doors open early every single day, and they close by mid-afternoon, so timing matters.
Some guests have been loyal for years, while others have strong opinions about the bagels and the prices. Keep reading to learn where it is, what to order, how ordering works, and the small tips that make a first visit go smoothly.
A Slice of New York on Scottsdale Road
The mystery ends at New York Bagels ‘N Bialys – Shea, a bagel shop and deli at 10320 N Scottsdale Rd #400b, Scottsdale, AZ 85253, United States.
It sits near the Shea Boulevard area of Scottsdale, which explains the name tacked onto the end. Shoppers heading to nearby stores often pass it on the way, and some admit they drove by for ages before finally stopping.
The concept is simple to describe. It is an NYC-style spot for classic deli fare, built around Jewish staples like bagels, Reubens, and challah French toast.
That mix gives it a split personality in a good way. Part bakery, part sit-down restaurant, and part grab-and-go market, it covers breakfast and lunch without trying to be a nighttime hangout.
Guests can dine in, order takeout, or shop the deli section for goodies to bring home. The brand also has another location in Tempe, which longtime fans have mentioned as a handy option for folks living on that side of the Valley.
With a 4.4-star standing across hundreds of opinions online, the place clearly has a following. Still, the best way to understand it is to look past the sign and see what is actually happening inside.
Bigger Than the Bagel Shop Label
Plenty of first-timers show up expecting a tiny counter with a few stools. Instead, they find a large restaurant with plenty of seating and servers moving between tables.
That size pays off on busy days. Families have been seated right away even on Father’s Day, which is no small feat for a breakfast spot.
The layout has changed over the years. Booths used to line the room, but they were removed to make space for more guests, a move that long-term regulars noticed and still mention with a bit of nostalgia.
There is also a patio for those who prefer eating outside. In Scottsdale, outdoor seating at breakfast is a real perk during the cooler months, and it suits a slow weekend brunch.
The overall feel leans classic deli. It is casual, busy, and built for groups, with a bakery case and a deli section adding to the market vibe.
Cleanliness gets regular praise, including the restrooms, which tends to say something about how a kitchen is run. Owners have been spotted on site and closely involved, and the staff has been described as working together as a team.
So the room is ready. The bigger question is what lands on the table.
Pastrami on Rye, Deli Style
Here is the sandwich that put this article in motion. The pastrami sandwich on rye is a deli classic, and it shows up on the menu in a regular size alongside other heavy hitters like the Reuben.
Diners who ordered the pastrami on rye called the sandwiches good, which is a solid start for any NYC-style kitchen.
The side dish matters too. Home fries get strong marks and have been described as excellent, so they make a smart partner for the pastrami.
Potato pancakes are a more divided topic. They come up often in conversation, but some find them dense and oily, so home fries may be the safer bet for a first visit.
Brisket fans are not left out. Longtime regulars have named anything with brisket as a personal favorite, and the corned beef hash is another frequently mentioned item.
One tip worth repeating comes from a past guest: the breakfast side of the menu tends to outshine certain lunch sandwiches. A turkey sandwich once drew a poor showing, while deli meats and morning plates fare better.
Pick the pastrami, add the home fries, and the lunch plan is basically sorted.
Soup Worth Taking Home
Sometimes the best order is the one that leaves in a bag. Matzo ball chicken soup is sold here by the container, making it an easy grab for anyone looking after a family member or stocking up for later.
One guest who popped in just before closing walked out with a container of the soup for herself and her mom. She returned several times afterward and kept calling the experience great.
That takeout option fits the shop’s flexible setup. A quick stop at the counter can turn into a full meal at home without waiting for a table.
Of course, the soup also pairs naturally with that pastrami sandwich for anyone eating in. Together they make the kind of lunch that sends people back to work ready for a nap.
Food here has been called comforting by repeat customers. That description fits a bowl of matzo ball soup better than almost anything else on the menu.
Because the doors close at 3 PM, soup runs should happen earlier in the day. Showing up late in the afternoon can mean a quieter room, but it also leaves less time to browse.
A container in hand is a small win that feels bigger by dinnertime.
The Bialy Question
What exactly is a bialy? Plenty of people walk in without a clue, and staff at the register have been known to explain it patiently to curious newcomers.
A bialy is a round roll related to the bagel, and it is the second half of the shop’s name for a reason. Bialys are the single most talked-about item tied to this location.
The bagel lineup goes wide. Salt bagels, egg bagels, and jalapeno and cheese bagels all have fans, and the egg bagel has been singled out as great.
Opinions on texture vary, so it is fair to set expectations. Some praise the bagels as chewy and authentic, while others have found certain batches dry or not chewy enough.
For a loaded morning, the Egg-A-Bagel Pileup is a favorite. Regulars suggest building it on the jalapeno and cheese bagel with jalapeno cream cheese.
Bakery treats round things out, from muffins to cookies and pastries. Benedicts with hollandaise and a lox platter add more reasons to linger at breakfast.
Trying one bagel and one bialy side by side is the easiest way to settle the debate personally.
How Ordering Works Here
First visits can come with a small puzzle. The front of the house is not always obvious, and newcomers have been unsure whether to wait for a host or head to the cashier.
Experiences have differed on this point. Some guests were greeted and seated with table service, while others found that getting in line at the cashier was the way to go.
The simplest move is to ask right away. Staff tend to be friendly and happy to answer questions, so a quick check at the front avoids confusion.
Service gets mostly warm marks. Friendly servers, quick fixes when an order slips, and staff who explain the menu well all come up often.
Busy stretches can slow things down. Some diners have waited for refills or the check when servers were handling large group tables.
Management does respond to concerns. When one family had a rough first visit over ordering confusion, the owner apologized and promised coaching for staff.
A minute of asking beats ten minutes of guessing, and it usually leads straight to a smoother meal.
Families, Brunch Crowds, and Even Pups
Big tables, a patio, and a menu with something for everyone make this a natural fit for family outings. Groups have praised being seated quickly and not feeling rushed while choosing.
Weekend brunch is a popular use of the space. Casual weekday breakfasts work too, especially for anyone who wants an early start before work.
Dog owners get a fun surprise. There is a puppies menu, so four-legged family members are not totally left out.
Coffee drinkers are covered as well, with coffee and lattes that have earned compliments. That makes it a solid pick for a breakfast meeting or a catch-up with friends.
The deli section adds another layer for shoppers. Halvah bars are among the treats on the shelves, a nice find for anyone who grew up with them.
Food here has been described as kosher-style and presented in a satisfying way. Displaced East Coasters especially seem to appreciate the familiar menu.
Bring the kids, the grandparents, or the dog, and the place tends to make room for all of them.
Hours, Costs, and a Fair Verdict
Early birds win at this deli. It opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 3 PM every day of the week, Monday through Sunday.
That schedule makes it a breakfast and lunch destination only. Plan pastrami cravings accordingly, because there is no dinner service to fall back on.
Prices draw mixed reactions, so it helps to know the numbers. A dozen bagels has been priced at $20.99, and a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich has run about $12, though prices may vary over time.
Some guests feel the costs have climbed. Others argue the portions balance out the price, which is worth keeping in mind before ordering a big spread.
The overall picture is a busy, roomy, NYC-style deli with a loyal base. It earns praise for friendly staff, clean spaces, comforting food, and a menu packed with Jewish deli staples.
Not every bagel will convert every critic, and that is fine. The pastrami on rye, a container of matzo ball soup, and a bialy on the side make a strong case for at least one visit.
Go early, ask how ordering works, and let the deli case do the rest of the talking.
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