Don Guerra’s Barrio Bagel & Slice is not your average bagel shop. For one, it’s owned by a James Beard Award winner. Secondly, it’s located at a converted Sonic Drive-In in Gilbert. Most impressively, however, is that the drive-thru’s artisan bagels couldn’t be further from your run-of-the-mill Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Co-created and co-owned by Guerra (the bread maker extraordinaire behind Tucson’s famous bakery, Barrio Bread) and Oren Molovinsky, a nationally renowned restaurateur, farmer, developer and contractor, Barrio Bagel & Slice has earned the title of “a drive-thru worth driving through.” At the heart of this new take on fast-casual dining is high-quality ingredients, scratch-made bagels, bread and more.

“We want our wholesome, high-quality, healthy foods to be accessible to our entire community,” says Guerra. “Barrio Bagel & Slice is the next step in the evolution of our mission to be community-supported and customer-centered while redefining the concept of fast-casual dining.”

A Drive-Thru Worth Driving Through

Guerra and Molovinsky chose the Sonic Drive-In on 689 N. Arizona Ave. because of its prime location in the rapidly growing community of Gilbert; the buildout’s ample covered parking; and its nostalgic, old-school drive-thru charm. The reimagined space is a comforting blend of the quintessential bagel café and a charming by-the-slice pizzeria. Designed to be a welcoming atmosphere—both through its convenience and design—Barrio Bagel & Slice pays homage to the owner’s Arizona roots with hand-painted murals from Signs by Kurt and Great Not Good Co.

On top of quick drive-thru service, the bagel shop also offers catering and a convenient in-app option for pickup orders (free to download in the Apple App Store and Google Play).

Beyond the Bread

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On Barrio Bagel & Slice’s menu is an array of artisan bagels, signature Barrio breads and Sicilian-style pizza by the slice—all of which are made from scratch and baked onsite with heritage grains grown and milled in Arizona

Additional on-the-go breakfast options include breakfast bagel sandwiches, avocado bagel toast and breakfast combos.

Beverage options include a variety of hot and iced teas, cold brews and coffee drinks made with locally roasted, organic Mexican coffee beans from Flagstaff’s Matador Coffee Roasting Co., bottled juices, craft lemonade from AZ Lemonade Stand and Mexican bottled sodas.

Lunch and dinner crowds can enjoy Sicilian-style pizza by the slice made with homemade focaccia dough. Pizza options include classic margherita, pepperoni, potato and onion, “verde,” vegan pesto and “the pizza bagel.” Signature sandwiches are made on a choice of a Sonoran bagel, torta roll or sourdough focaccia panini bread. Fresh salads, meal combos and sweets are also available.

Already on the horizon for Barrio Bagel & Slice is a second location in Tucson. Barrio Bagel & Slice’s Gilbert location is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, go to barriobagelandslice.com