Empire Bagel & Delicatessen at 221 West Jackson Street, Thomasville, Georgia.

Empire is a welcome addition to the Thomasville community, bringing a taste of the Northeast to the heart of the South. As someone who didn’t grow up on bagels and lox, my girlfriend has been singing the praises of New York delis for ages while I could only stand confused. Well, Empire has shown me what I’ve been missing out on this entire time! With everything from the basics of a bagel and cream cheese, to the classic bagel and lox, and other deli sandwiches, you should be able to find something new to try or a staple to commit to. The bagels are freshly baked, with a hard outer crust and soft inside, but don’t expect it to be toasted (apparently frowned upon here). Yet, the very best part about the bagels, being fresh and handmade, can also be their worst trait. Each bagel is formed by hand, so consistency is hard to come by and an order of a baker’s dozen may leave you disappointed. Nevertheless, I love what Empire is bringing to Thomasville and look forward to many more visits.