A Sandwich with Local Flavor from Bagel Chateau

Located just a few storefronts down from a shop with a similar name, serves a full lineup of deli favorites and breakfasts. Its Mountain Avenue neighbor, , is known for making some of the best bagels in the county. While Bagel Chateau may not receive that recognition, it offers a few things that make it worth the trip: indoor seating, ham and a good slice of Springfield.

Bagel Supreme is strictly kosher, and I am a huge fan of its . It's a somewhat healthy, filling way to start a morning. The staff is pleasant, they know their customers and the line moves quickly.

Bagel Chateau, on the other hand, is more of a luncheonette, with a solid menu of breakfast and lunch options that includes everything from Genoa salami to provolone cheese, on either a bagel or two slices of bread. Most sandwiches come with a side of potato chips, and you can sit and eat your meal at one of about a dozen tables inside the establishment.

We've written about other places in town such as and that draw large crowds at lunchtime. There's a lot to see at these Route 22 chains—workers on their lunch breaks standing in line, ordering from an assembly line and eating silently at a small table while catching up on Blackberry e-mails.

But if you want to see where Springfield comes to eat—from workers to retirees to stay-at-home moms—Bagel Chateau is a good spot. The conversations overheard can also be entertaining.

On an afternoon last week, I sat near two women, a talker and a listener. From the talker, I learned about making chicken soup with less salt, blanching string beans like her Italian aunt used to, morning coffee as an aid for diverticulitis and, my favorite, a recent nighttime binge.

“The other night, I had a quarter of a melon and that wasn't enough, so I got handful of nuts and that wasn't enough,” she told her friend. “Then I got Stella D'Oro toasts and that wasn't enough, so I got multi-grain chips and that wasn't enough. I went to fridge again and then I said 'STOP IT!'”

Ma'am, if you're reading this, I can totally relate. I do the same thing, only I confess my binges to friends via texts and facebook messages.

Behind me were two older businessmen, whom I believe eat here often. One had just come from the hospital and was gearing up for three doctors appointments in one day. Across the room, a man sat alone reading the New York Times. The actual, physical, disappearing newspaper. And at the counter, a mother and her young child waited for their order.

This is a lot more interesting, and real, than watching people at the Route 22 chains. More important, the food here is more real, too. I have tried the roast beef and the before, so this time I went with ham. A generous amount of thinly slices ham, a slice or two of swiss cheese and a creamy russian dressing on a light rye bread. Served with a side of chips, a crisp pickle, the total came to about $9 after I added my cream soda. It was a good lunch, but I am still partial to the turkey sandwiches at Bagel Chateau.

The food was enjoyable, and so was the vibe. This pop-and-son operation works with a small staff, and whether I've dealt with the owner or a paid employee, it's clear they care about serving their customers.

For a good deli sandwich, with a side of Springfield life, Bagel Chateau is a solid option for lunch.