For years now, it has been a persistent question on Bluffton’s mind: What’s going on with the old Bojangles? It was an enduring mystery ever since the popular fast-food joint abruptly shut its doors three years ago without notice. For a restaurant at the edge of Bluffton’s busiest thoroughfare, a spot that guarantees regular drive-through traffic, it seemed inconceivable that it would sit vacant so long.
When, we asked ourselves, would some smart restaurateur seize on the absolute goldmine in the heart of Bluffton? When we got our answer, “overjoyed” doesn’t begin to describe the reaction.
Bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel
Island Bagel & Deli, one of the most popular breakfast spots in town, a place we regularly mobbed, overrunning the modest parking of Sheridan Park, was getting a second Bluffton location.
“I can’t wait,” said owner Ana Rojas. “This has been so long coming.”
The Island Bagel team gets their first look at the new location in Bluffton.
As we spoke, the doors had not yet opened. There were still a few approvals and inspections to go through. Pity the poor town official who had to suffer an entire town’s impatience for their favorite bagel place.
“Everything else is ready,” Rojas said. “We needed to get into a bigger place so we could better serve our customers. It means so much to me when people wait for a parking spot just for a bagel and cream cheese. It means we have that support, and now we can get them a little more room.”
A bagel buffet with an assortment of cream cheese
The new location marks the third in Rojas’ growing empire, the first expansion since she took over the Lowcountry institution four years ago. Famed for their homemade bagels, flawlessly baked rings of joy that thread the needle of chewy and fluffy for the ideal texture and flavor, both locations have gained a loyal following.
Ana Rojas and her son, Jesse, pose for a quick photo at their busy Hilton Head Island location.
And if you think people only come for the bagels, you haven’t seen what they do with them. Those bagels provide the foundation for deli sandwiches that rival any New York City shop, layered with freshly sliced cheese and Boar’s Head meat. They deliver a doughy counterpart to the creamy deliciousness of hand-crafted cream cheese in a kaleidoscope of flavors. And they share the spotlight with fresh-baked cookies, muffins, Danishes, and scones, not to mention the chicken salad and egg salad the team prepares fresh every day.
Italian Sandwich
The original locale, on Hilton Head Island, supplies all the bagels for both locations fresh every morning. With the second location opening in Bluffton, Rojas has the opportunity to work even more of Island Bagel’s culinary magic.
A veggie bagel sandwich with a side of pasta salad
“The other reason we wanted this location was to get a bigger kitchen, so when the Sheridan Park store is running out, they don’t have to wait for the island to supply them,” Rojas said. “We’ve been looking for a bigger kitchen so we can bake everything here, but now, since we have so much space, we’re going to be able to expand our offerings.”
That includes chicken salad and egg salad by the pound, a greater variety of breakfast items, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. And that’s just what the expanded kitchen in the new location offers. Its layout, having formerly operated as a fast-food place, will give Island Bagel & Deli something it has never had before: drive-through service.
Start your day out with a delicious sausage, egg & cheese from Island Bagel!
“That won’t be open immediately when we open; we have to make sure everyone is trained on it. But we’re excited to be able to offer that,” Rojas said. “In the meantime, we’ll operate as always, with customers ordering ahead or through DoorDash.”
As if that wasn’t enough, the Buckwalter location will extend the store’s hours, staying open until 4 p.m. to give all those hungry teens a place to grab an afternoon snack. “Between all the schools and the hospitals, it’s a perfect place for us,” Rojas said.
For Bluffton, it’s a win-win. We get easier access to our favorite bagels, more offerings to sample, and a wider window of time to get our order in. For Rojas, it also represents the opportunity to turn her business into a family venture, with her son Jesse serving as manager of the new location along with superstar manager Peyton B.
“I’m excited for it. Not just because I won’t have this lady over here bossing me around all day,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been managing the island location for the past two years, so it will be exciting to start in the new place.”
Bluffton, you’ve been asking for years what’s coming. Now that you know, get ready for even more of your favorite bagels and more.
“I’m so blessed. I thank God for his grace and to my team for their extraordinary talent and hard work. It’s great to have such amazing people behind me,” Rojas said. “I just want to keep working and offer the best to my customers. They’re the people I love.”
