Bruegger's Bagels Irmo, Lexington

Bruegger's Bagels traces its origins back to 1983, when founders Nord Brue and Mike Dressell began using their years of experience under a professional bagel baker to start their own business. In the early '80s, bagels were relatively unknown to most Americans, rarely seen outside of their natural habitats: Big Apple delis and free-range bagel grazing grounds. At the spearhead of introducing the breakfast delicacy to the world at large, Bruegger's grew locations in 26 states, winning a loyal customer base with crispy, chewy bagels kettle boiled and stone-oven baked fresh each morning.

Today, guests still smear the piping-hot circles with hummus, jelly, or rich vermont cream cheese or sink their teeth into anytime breakfast bagel sandwiches of smoked salmon and ham and egg. At lunchtime, bagels fill up with thai peanut chicken, refueling diners along with paninis stuffed with roast beef and horseradish. Healthy, substantial salads tempt palates with morsels of fresh mozzarella cheese, tender grilled chicken, and crispy cucumbers and greens, and sustainably sourced coffee drinks such as the blended mocha Brueggaccino make for tasty, sweet notes to meals.