Westside Bagel Brings East Coast Comfort Food to Maui

Melissa Arnold and her partner Scott like their bagels the traditional way:  hand-rolled, kettle-boiled and freshly-baked.  Originally from the East Coast, they came to Maui more than five years ago and weren’t able to find this favorite food on the island.

So, they solved that problem by making bagels themselves, not only authentically, but also organically.

“Scott, a chef by trade, decided to start baking at home,” explains Melissa, who says the positive response from friends led them to grow their home hobby into a burgeoning business.  “We pride ourselves on using only organic, unbleached flour for our bagels, which makes them different from anything else on island.”

After starting out with appearances at the Maui Swap Meet and Lāhainā Gift & Craft Fair, Melissa says “the demand was evident and we were determined to bring traditional, kettle boiled bagels to Maui on a full-time basis.”

In October 2018, they opened Westside Bagel, a cozy, cafe-style spot in the Lāhainā Square Shopping Center, which Melissa says is actively being developed to feature other local eateries and shops.

“We also offer a full breakfast and lunch menu of made-to-order bagel sandwiches and hoagies, sides, and a full coffee bar featuring local Maui Oma Roasting Company coffee in hot, iced, espresso or Nitro Cold Brew form,” she says.

Bagel sandwich and local coffee at Westside Bagel. Courtesy photo.

Bagels are hand-rolled and baked fresh every day at Westside Bagel in Lāhainā. Courtesy photo.

Bagel sandwich offering at Westside Bagel in Lāhainā. Courtesy photo.

Melissa describes the menu offerings as “East Coast comfort food,” with breakfast favorites like Hash Brown Latkes (a spin on a traditional Jewish potato cakes); Bacon, Egg & Cheese bagel sandwiches; Lox and Cream Cheese; and an East Coast favorite known as Porkroll (a.k.a. Taylor Ham to those from New Jersey), Egg and Cheese.

As for lunch, Melissa says the crowd-favorite is the Philly-style Cheesesteak, which features chopped ribeye and melted American cheese.  She adds the Italian Hoagie, which features sliced-to-order quality meats, is also a hit.

Melissa tells me welcoming service and quality methods are paramount at Westside Bagel, with bagels and hoagie rolls baked fresh each morning and all sandwiches made to order.  She’s also received a lot of positive feedback on their vegan/vegetarian-friendly vibe.

“Every bagel but one is vegan, all are organic, we have tons of fresh vegetable choices available and we offer an array of vegan spreads and alternative milks for our café beverages,” Melissa says.

Westside Bagel is open at 840 Waine‘e Street in Lāhainā from Tuesday to Saturday between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., and due to popular demand, Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon.  Learn more on Westside Bagel’s social pages.