Can a bagel shop make legit pizza? Yes — and it’s happening in South Charlotte
What do you get when you find a spot that serves legit bagels for breakfast, solid subs for lunch and New York–style pizza for dinner? You wish you lived a little closer.
Because if we were South Charlotte residents, New York Old School Bagel & Deli would absolutely be in our regular rotation, possibly multiple times a week.
New York Old School Bagel & Deli has been serving bagels since December 2023, and we are the first to admit we are late to the party. The bagels are huge and fluffy and immediately reminded us of some of our favorite New York bagel shops.
When we mentioned to different friend groups that we had finally found a great new bagel spot, the response was consistent. They already loved it, and many people have clearly been DoorDashing these bagels for quite some time.
A conversation with the general manager revealed the shop soft launched pizza in late December, meaning we are catching it early in its pizza journey.
The shop itself is a small walk-in storefront that gives off classic New York bodega vibes. Bagel racks line the left wall, a beverage cooler on the right is stocked with Yoo-hoo and Dr. Brown’s sodas, and a front counter anchors the space for ordering.
Despite its size, it feels inviting rather than cramped thanks to white subway tile, good lighting and a thoughtful layout. There are a few covered tables outside if you want to eat there, though we assume most customers opt for takeout.
One of our favorite moments in any pizza review is that first step through the door when the smell of pizza hits you immediately, and New York Old School checks that box.
While we always start with a large cheese pizza in our reviews, New York Old School Bagel & Deli also has all the toppings and combinations you would expect from a good pizza joint, along with specialty pies, such as a thick crust Sicilian, a grandma pie and the Hot Hot Hot, which is a take on hot honey pepperoni pizza.
Don’t worry if you can’t eat a whole pie, the shop also serves slices and had both cheese and pepperoni when we stopped by on Friday night. In addition to the 18-inch pie, which we ordered on both visits we also tried a vegetable calzone for good measure.
This visit included a special guest reviewer, my grandfather, Pops, who worked in the family pizzeria as a kid. His verdict was simple and meaningful: “This is a respectable New York pizza, and that is a compliment.”
The crust is slightly thicker than a traditional New York slice but still thin enough at the tip to encourage the classic fold. The sauce, which we were told took a lot of experimenting to dial in, strikes a nice balance. It is slightly sweet, flavorful and works perfectly with the saltiness of the cheese. The pizza had a satisfying crunch without being overcooked.
The vegetable calzone was generously filled with mushrooms, onions, peppers and mozzarella and baked so it was crisp on the outside while staying soft and melty inside.
We already love the shop’s breakfast and dinner offerings and will have to come back another time for lunch. The menu includes a New York chopped cheese, along with classic deli staples like tuna salad sandwich.
While New York Old School Bagel & Deli is just starting its pizza journey, the foundation is there.
With quality ingredients, thoughtful execution and a clear respect for New York style, this feels like a pizza shop that is only going to get better.
New York Old School Bagel & Deli
Location: 7510 Pineville-Matthews Rd #11a, Charlotte, NC 28226
Cuisine: Bagels, NY deli food, pizza
Instagram: @new_york_old_school_bagel
Tristan Graziano, a Weddington High School student, enjoys golfing in his free time and hanging with his friends. He can be reached on Instagram @tristan_graz03. Jamie Graziano, aka The GrazFather, is a graduate of the University of Florida, an employee of a Fortune 500 company and dad who dreams of starting his food review and travel website TheGrazFather.com. He can be reached at jamie@thegrazfather.com or on Instagram @thegrazfather.
