It all began with a bagel. Collegetown Bagels, to be exact. For over 20 years, stacks of excellent bagels have formed the foundation of the Brous & Mehaffey stores, now numbering five Ithaca locations.

A family business, Brous & Mehaffey grew from two bagel stores, on College Avenue and Aurora Street. By 1983, CTB Appetizers was in place, as a gourmet deli and full-service catering center focused on fine specialty foods.

Seven years later, the acquisition and renovation of the 80-year-old Ithaca Bakery added both a centrally situated, highly visible and high-traffic location, and a fully equipped bake shop capable of turning out traditional, restaurant-style Italian bread as well as dozens of delicious, creative new artisan breads and pastries.

Today, the stores serve daily waves of Ithacans from every walk of life and dazzles travelers passing through our fair city. Customers find sustenance from a simple cup of good coffee to super sandwiches, exquisite entrées and the most ornate, customized cakes they can imagine. But more, they enjoy an exciting, ever-evolving environment built on good service, tantalizing taste temptations and an ongoing welcome with a local touch and a cosmopolitan vision.

Online ordering and call-ins are available for pickup orders. Make sure that your picking up from the N. Aurora St. location!

A full-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Located inside Marriott on the Commons.

Features freshly baked, locally made and seasonally inspired donuts. Its donut recipe is actually made with potatoes – giving it a decadent texture that we cannot WAIT to share with you. (yes gluten free! yes vegan! as well as good ol’ gluten-full.)

Waffle Frolic specializes in sweet and savory waffles loaded up with an assortment of delicious toppings that change daily. They also carry an array of baked goods with vegan and gluten-free options, and a full espresso bar featuring fair trade certified and bird friendly Coffee Labs Roasters coffee from Tarrytown, NY.

Waffle Frolic serves full breakfasts and late night goodies such as the Viking Donuts and funnel cakes. In addition to waffles, Waffle Frolic offer paninis, soups and salads, and daily specials (savory grilled cheese sandwiches, fried chicken, and homemade turkey chili). On hot summer days, stop by Waffle Frolic for a smoothie or frappe drink.

With ample seating on the upstairs level, Waffle Frolic is a great place to sit and work thanks to their free WiFi service.

Waffle Frolic hosts poetry slams, a free book exchange, and rotating monthly art shows.