CLEVELAND — Cocky's Bagels and Sandwiches is not your typical bagel shop and they are completely fine with that.
The duo behind the dough is Keene and Natalie Cockburn. Their motto: "Eat more hole foods," which is proudly stamped on the wall of their Flats location in downtown Cleveland.
Their bagel obsession starts with Keene who has been a bagel aficionado since he was a kid.
"He literally did not like bread growing up," said his wife and co-owner Natalie. "So he would always make himself these hefty sandwiches out of bagels."
It was always his dream to open up his own bagel spot. So with Natalie's support, they went for it.
Keene quit his job and Natalie, who had already earned a degree in biology, stopped pursuing medical school and they bought a food truck.
"We bought a Craig's List trailer that used to sell like funnel cakes," said Natalie. "My parents... in the beginning, looked at me like I am an idiot."
But hey, the gamble paid off for the couple as they first built their business with the food truck, followed by a brick-and-mortar shop in North Olmsted. They then opened a second location in the Flats followed by a third location in Columbus.
"I think, it all worked out I guessed," laughed Natalie.
And it's continued to work out, growing the business by doing bagels their way.
"We are not the typical bagel and cream cheese," said Natalie. "We are boujeeing it up! There is so much you can do with a bagel!"
And they are gotten creative.
Coming out of the kitchen, they have created next-level bagel sandwiches like their Big Daddy Bagel, the Wake and Bacon, the Hot Italian, BLT bagel, plug bagel bombs loaded with cream cheese, and the show-stopping grilled cheese bagel with tomato soup.
"It's great energy. Great music," said regular Daniel Kramer. "Great brunch spot but also late nights."
Along with food, they have a full bar with Bloody Marys, mimosas, and espresso martinis.
"It's a dream come true," said Keene. "Having a restaurant here in the Flats is just something that I thought I'd never have."
You can check out Cocky's Bagels on Instagram @cockysbagels and find more information on their website www.cockysbagels.com.
