Does faux-shrubbery, a neon sign or a decked out three-row “toaster wall” make you a contender for an Instagram-friendly eatery? That’s how 19-year-old Mariam Zahran sees it — and so will most fans of Instagram.
She, along with her father, Wael Zahran, uncle, Abdelrahman Mufti, and cousin, Omar Salama, opened Toasted in August, a trendy bagel store and deli that replaces the Dunkin’ Donuts just a mile from the Nassau University Medical Center.
The trend factor moves from its walls to its showcases, which are stocked with the essentials, as well as camera-ready goods like infused cream cheeses — confetti, Nutella, Oreo and raspberry cheesecake are among the nearly 20 types offered — and “The Bomb” macaroni and cheese, a recipe that features three types of cheeses, toasted breadcrumbs and crispy bacon crumbles. Eventually, customers will find bagels and cream cheeses infused with cereal like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Apple Jacks, Zahran said.
At the shop’s burger bar, customers can order anything from a bacon cheeseburger to a Greek or Mexican-inspired one, and have it sandwiched between one of Toasted’s 15 bagels. The shop also houses a salad bar and an oatmeal bar.
There’s a handful of tables in the spacious eat-in area, plus some bench seating and a standing counter against oversized windows. Toasted, across-the-street neighbors with Chinese restaurant Hunan Dynasty and burger chain Wayback Burgers, is open for catering, delivery and take out.
Toasted is at 2295 Hempstead Tpke. in East Meadow. It’s open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 516-595-7731, toastedgourmetbagels.com, or on Instagram @toastedny.
