Meet an Owner of Towson Hot Bagels in Timonium

When Tony Scotto, part-owner of Towson Hot Bagels, was growing up in Italy he developed a taste for fine deli meats and ingredients.

That's because "my family has always been in the deli business," he said, recalling his grandfather who ran a deli and made his own bagels and sold them to restaurants, door-to-door in Monte di Procida, Italy.

"The flavors are what you grow up with—no one can take that away," Scotto said.

As a part-owner of three THB bagel shops and delis, including the Timonium store that's been open since July in the Yorkridge Shopping Center, he said he brings the same love of quality food to his customers.

That means the eggs in the omelettes and on bagel breakfast sandwiches are fresh-cracked, Scotto said. The bagels are made fresh daily—boiled first before they're cooked.

And the meats and cheeses are the best he can find, from Thumann's in New Jersey. Each order is made separately, and with fresh ingredients—no compromises, he said.

I tasted a few things from the menu, including my standard: everything bagel with lox, veggie cream cheese, capers and red onions. It was one of the best I've had—the bagel was large, fresh and not too dense, light and crispy but only slightly chewy, just the way I like them.

It had perfectly fresh lox, tomato and onion, so I will return soon for another.

I've never eaten corned beef before, but I had a taste at THB and found it smooth, mild and tasty. The tuna salad had the right amount of Hellman's mayo, and is made with albacore—the kind I use at home.

The chicken salad was the best I've had, because it's hand-shredded in approximately 1-inch strips, allowing the flavors of the seasonings and mayo on more of the chicken.

And there was nothing left-over about it. Rather, it's made with chicken breasts cooked especially for the salad, Scotto said.

The three-store THB chain is family-owned by Scotto, his brother, his sister, father, a cousin, and the original owner of the first store in Towson, Willie Martinez.

Scotto said he and his family joined in about five years ago when there was only a Towson store, and have helped open new ones in Timonium and Canton. They've also expanded the store in Towson.

THB, located at 1810 York Road near Kohls and MOM's Organic Market is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call the store at 443-841-7063.

The latest news is that Scotto and his partners plan to open more THBs soon, although he would not say where.

Editor's Note: The original version of this article listed the incorrect number of family. We regret the error.

Who sells your favorite bagel in Lutherville-Timonium? How about your favorite breakfast spot? Where would you like to see a new THB open? Tell us about your experience at the Timonium THB, or at any of the THB stores, in the comments section below this article.