5th Street Bagels began in Jacob Dawley’s kitchen.

Demand for bagels from family and friends grew as Dawley received mentorship from local restauranteur Steven Draheim in moving forward with the bagel business. After hosting pop-up events at Northwest Crossing’s The Grove and Austin Mercantile, Dawley launched his first food truck with a grand opening party at Ponch’s Place last month, according to a press release.

Ponch’s Place, a food truck pavilion which opened at the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon in the spring, has proven a natural fit for 5th Street Bagels, Dawley said.

“There’s such a sense of community here. Neighbors are walking in, people are finding us from surrounding businesses,” he said. “Everybody has welcomed me with open arms.”

Two food carts remain since the pavilion’s grand opening — Carmelita’s Michoacan-style Mexican food and Sweet Herb’s dim sum and beverages — as two other spots have welcomed new mobile eateries, keeping the options well-balanced. New trucks, Wrap Star and On A Wing & A Crêpe, bring more worldly flavors to the pavilion in the form of wraps and chicken wings respectively.

Miracle pumpkin

Dawley has expanded offerings to include six bagel sandwiches ($13 each), taking into consideration some of the feedback he has received from vet clinic staff to make changes to the menu, such as adding the option to substitute any protein for turkey.

New items are on the horizon, he said, such as the Big Eddy plated breakfast, named after Dawley’s father-in-law and the Deschutes River rapids. Another bagel with a storied name is Miracle Pumpkin, named for the jack-o-lantern Dawley’s mom once threw in the backyard. The following year, a pumpkin was found growing up a tree and was hence named Miracle Pumpkin.

“I think it ended up being like a 35-pound pumpkin,” Dawley said.

On special last week was a Miracle Pumpkin bagel with pumpkin pie schmear ($8), a sweet, icing-like topping spread on the namesake bagel.

Dawley’s bagel sandwiches are hearty and no fuss. Melted American cheese oozed out of the sausage sandwich on a za’atar bagel I tried last week with a side of Tater Tots ($15). The Middle Eastern spices brought a complimentary earthy flavor to the sandwich’s rich components. The accompanying tots were hot and perfectly crisp.

From the archives: Beloved pooch Ponch inspires the vibe at Bend’s newest food truck pavilion

Pocket hugs

Food vendors of Ponch’s Place serve customers navigating a roller coaster of emotions as they care for their pets.

“The hardest part is the sadness, watching people have to take their pets to the hospital,” Dawley said.

Hoping to be a shining light, Dawley purchased 1-inch-wide metal hearts inscribed with the words “pocket hug.”

“If somebody is having a rough day, hopefully, it’s a little pick-me-up,” he said.

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Details

What: 5th Street Bagels

Location: Ponch’s Place, 62889 NE Oxford Court, Bend

Contact: bendbagels.com

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Price Range: $6-$15