Deli Ohio in Canton featuring Cleveland bagels with expanded breakfast

CANTON — Ryan Miller, co-owner of Deli Ohio, said he often craves an authentic bagel with schmear.

Bagels like the ones made by The Cleveland Bagel Co. Some Canton-area residents drive to Cuyahoga County for the popular bagels, he said.

Miller said the bagels are delicious enough to sell at Deli Ohio, 328 Walnut Ave. NE in downtown Canton.

Bagels will be part of Deli Ohio’s expanded breakfast menu starting as early as late March.

Miller originally had considered opening a separate location in downtown Canton under the name of The Biscuit & Bagel. 

However, incorporating The Biscuit & Bagel into Deli Ohio will make it easier to staff the additional menu items, Miller said. Two additional workers will bring the workforce to around 10.

“It’s a natural progression for us to just move it here,” he said. “It will be its own thing.

“We’re going to revamp the entire breakfast menu, so it’s not just the deli doing breakfast.”

Pastries made on-site will also be featured. Miller described the overall concept as a “grab-and-go breakfast.”

Customers also will be able to eat on site. 

‘Name and following’

Deli Ohio has been open for about 10 years.

The eatery describes itself as a community-focused sandwich shop with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients from Ohio and local farmers.

Homemade cookies, breads and soups are among the signature items.

Cleveland Bagel has locations at 4201 Detroit Ave. and 7501 Carnegie Ave. in Cleveland.

“They have a name and a following,” Miller said.

Cleveland-style bagels are described as an “old-world style that was carefully researched to recreate what a bagel used to be,” the company says on its website. ” Not too doughy, not too sweet, Cleveland Bagel Co. bagels are smaller, full of flavor, chewy,  with a crisp exterior that we’ve spent countless hours perfecting.”

Miller said he approached The Cleveland Bagel Co. several years ago about carrying its product. However, the business hadn’t been in a position to supply bagels at the time.

Deli Ohio will be making a variety of homemade schmears, Miller said. Specific types will be announced later, he said. Fresh juices also might be offered.

“I think the customers are there,” Miller said.

Online ordering will be added. Deli Ohio also will open at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday once the bagels are added, Miller said. The shop currently opens at 9 a.m., and Miller said its 2:30 p.m. closing time might be adjusted.  

Saturday hours may be added when events are happening downtown, Miller said.

“We’re going to do everything from bagel and schmears to the biscuit sandwiches we have done at Deli Ohio for six to seven years,” Miller said. “We make our own biscuits from scratch.”

Bagel sandwiches are also planned “for like a quick-service lunch,” he said.

Cleveland Bagel offers plain, sesame seed, sea salt, poppy seed, rosemary sea salt, cinnamon cranberry and everything styles.

Deli Ohio will carry multiple varieties, Miller said.

“We are going to get a giant motherload (delivered), but we’ll actually bake them fresh every day,” he said.