Family Small Business Filled with Success

Water Bagel and Deli at 504 Livingston St, Norwood, NJ, is not your run-of-the-mill eatery, it’s more than a deli and more than a bakery. While others open their doors before sunrise to bring in food products to sell, owner Eqbal Sarwary is already busy in the kitchen baking fresh, aromatic handmade bagels for his hungry patrons.

Mayor James Barsa (center) of Norwood, NJ, with the Water Bagel and Deli crew.

The concept, the owner and business have all the trappings of a successful future.

Eqbal launched the business in August 2018 and today the thriving restaurant is open seven days a week from 5 am to 4 pm. He catches his patrons going and coming home.

For Eqbal, this wasn’t really a new endeavor. It was merely a natural transition for a food expert from one type of foodservice another. Eqbal has been in the food and hospitality business for 30 years and finally he fulfilled his dream of having his own establishment.

Water Bagel and Deli, which is staffed by family members, has on display a wide range of freshly baked bagels including economically priced favorites such as plain, garlic, onion, poppy seed and pumpernickel as well as creative baked treats such as whole wheat, multigrain rainbow and a delicious and moist spinach bagel. The deli also has a range of toppings including popular flavored cream cheese, Nova Scotia lox, jelly or jam, and butter.

Other breakfast and lunch menu selections include mini bagels and flagels, omelets, hot lunch sandwiches, wraps, veggie sandwiches, salads and grab-and-go salads.

An array of regular, flavored and de-caf coffees as well as a selection of teas and soft drinks is also available.

 “Our hot delicious bagels are kettle boiled and oven baked, fresh on premises throughout the day so we never run out of what the customer wants,” observed Eqbal. “Our mission is to provide fresh, healthy, nutritious and great tasting breakfast and lunch at reasonable prices in a clean, friendly and convenient environment.”

Eqbal and his family are emigres from Afghanistan and their success is a tribute to what can be done not only in the United States but also in Northern Jersey.

Yes, this small business caters to the busy consumer who is seeking an appetizing and healthy grab-and-go sandwich but why miss out on all the excitement of downtown Norwood. Water Bagel and Deli features a spacious and friendly eat-in area for those patrons who would rather sit a spell, eat their meals and talk with their friends and neighbors. Who knows, you may even get to see local Mayor James Barsa, one of the deli’s regulars.

Their website is https://www.waterbagelanddeli.com/, where you can sign up for their regular notices, and you can also follow them on Facebook or Twitter.