On any given morning (except Sundays), you can expect to see a line forming outside a pearly-white shop in Savannah’s historic district. The diners in this queue, myself included, are waiting for the coveted bagels from Big Bon Bodega. One of the city’s most beloved casual eateries led by Kay Heritage and Shahin Afsharian, Big Bon is a Korean-inspired bodega, that merges American comfort food with Southeast Asian flavors. This reimagination of cuisine has earned the restaurant national attention, including an appearance on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. With that pedigree—and my preexisting love for bagels—I had more than enough reason to visit during my trip to Savannah. And I’m very glad I did.
From Food Truck To Beloved Bodega
Credit:
Courtesy Big Bon Bodega
Big Bon started as the city’s first wood-fired pizza food truck in 2016. In 2019, founder Kay Heritage shifted the concept into a bodega-style shop inspired by places she frequented during her upbringing in South Korea.
“I wanted Big Bon Bodega to have that warm, welcoming feel of a small, family-owned shop that I remember growing up in Korea,” Heritage says. “Since I started Big Bon with my daughter, Anna, the name felt very appropriate. It’s extremely rewarding to nourish hearts and souls and to create a casual, welcoming environment where everyone can feel at home.”
Watching families gather around the picnic tables out front, it’s clear Big Bon achieves exactly that.
What’s On The Menu
Credit:
Courtesy Big Bon Bodega
“Although our food is very simple, with a menu that’s centered on bagels, pizzas, and bowls, Shahin is extremely mindful of how each menu item will be enjoyed by our guests,” Heritage says.
Shahin Afsharian, Heritage’s right-hand and a Michelin-trained chef, pulls inspiration from his travels when crafting the menu. “Everything we make is always approachable and crafted with care,” Afsharian says. “We’re incredibly honored to serve soulful food with a global perspective and to combine bold international flavors with fresh, thoughtfully sourced ingredients.”
Credit:
Courtesy Big Bon Bodega
The casual nature of Big Bon Bodega’s menu still leaves room for creativity and mindful eating, incorporating ingredients like unbleached, non-GMO flour, hormone-free dairy, seed-free oil, and local raw honey. Classic bagel combinations like Loch & Schmear exist alongside Korean Steak & Egg and Southern-inspired options like the Pimiento Pig.
“The dish that truly reflects where Big Bon Bodega is headed is our K-Steak & Egg Bagel, which begins like a classic breakfast sandwich, but includes marinated beef bulgogi, seasoned egg, spicy gochugaru aioli, and sliced cheddar,” Afsharian says. “It’s sweet and savory with a little heat—familiar but layered with global character. That balance of comfort food and international flavor is becoming our signature at Big Bon Bodega. Best of all, we build it on a fresh, high-protein bagel made with quality ingredients, because we believe that everyday food should still be crafted with care, intention and love.”
Dining and Cooking