Call Your Mother Lil' Deli – Bethesda

I recently visited this bagel place just off the NIH campus and had quite the memorable experience. Let’s start with the good stuff: the bagel sandwich was darn good.

Now, for the not-so-great part. Picture this: I’m all set to enjoy my bagel at one of their charming picnic tables, blissfully unaware that the table had been recently baptized in bleach. Fast forward a few minutes, and my pants look like they’ve been through a tie-dye experiment gone horribly wrong. And this happened right before I had to give a scientific talk! Let’s just say my pants were the talk of the conference, but not in the way I had hoped.

While I appreciate the cleanliness, a little heads-up about the bleach would’ve been nice. Despite this bleachy blunder, the food was good enough that I might just risk it again—though next time, I’ll bring a hazmat suit if I'm dining in.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 5

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Avocado

I got the royal palm, nitro cold brew and a cookie. The sandwich was pretty good, and there was a reasonable amount of salmon on it. The sides/drinks were good. My bagel honestly wasn't great which was surprising coming from a place that sells a lot of bagels. While I would probably go back and/or try some of the other sandwiches, I'm not sure what would bring me here over some of the other bagel places around Bethesda.

Parking: Difficult to find a spot, especially during prime time.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 5

This is not a deli they use microwave/toaster oven/Dunkin’ Donuts type eggs. Really gross

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

Order ahead and skip the line. Bagel sandwich is good. Grab the Raspberry donut when you can.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My order was wrong and they still sent it out. If you enjoy having the phone hung up on you and their phone line ignored then this is the perfect location.

Service: 1

Walked up and they were playing a Tribe Called Quest, so the vibes were spot on. Music the entire time was perfectly in my wheelhouse. Located in a trailer across from an entrance to NIH. Bagel sandwiches were great. Big fan of the Grand Villa, an overloaded PB&J with some added peanuts and sunflower seeds. If you are hungry, try the Mountain View. Egg, a Latke, cheese, and avocado is a wonderful combination apparently. Outdoor seating only with some picnic tables. Parking is scant the two times I have been here.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: The Mountain View

Always a dependable spot for a nice lunch. Do yourself a favor and try their yucca cheesy bread

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Probably the best bagel I've ever had

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I tried this for the 1 time in DC and was amazing! However this location was a disappointment. The bagel was not cheesy and was hard. Also the customer service was trash! I will never return to this location.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Delicious turkey sandwich on challah bread, makes good lunch sandwiches, a little on the pricier side.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Quick friendly service, great bagels and lox and bagel sandwiches.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sun City

Love this place, excellent food. It never disappoints. Highly recommend it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: The Thunderbird, The Pastrami Sun City, Sun City

Ordered the Sun City Bagel.....it did not disappoint.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

I always believed that we should treat others how we would like to be treated. Since I’ve been here before to drop off an order, figured I’d drop the order off first, pick up something and then continue with my day. The owner was so sweet the last time I was here so I assumed that I would have the same positive experience, however I was wrong. I ordered a bagel w/ cream cheese and the young lady who took my order at the window to the left was so sweet. While I was waiting the guy at the window was bagging I’m going to assume to go orders. I saw my order be placed right next to him and he kept skipping over it to fulfill the online or pick up orders. Then when these two girls arrived they asked me if I was waiting and I said I was but cashier assisted them. Then I asked “can you please bag my item, because I have to go?” The cashier ignored my request and continued to attend to the customers that just arrived. Once the customers left my order was bagged slowly without any napkins or anything inside and handed to me. I received my item and walked away because I’m trying my hardest to not make this a “racial thing” but if you guys pull your cameras, you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Great

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5