This story originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of Town&Gown magazine.
For many, breakfast is a rushed affair — a caffeinated sprint toward whatever activities lie ahead. But for Madison and George Salgado, the founders of Morning Glory Bagels & Coffee, it’s a sacred ceremony.
“We’re breakfast people through and through. While some people treat themselves to dinner or drinks, breakfast and coffee have always been our ritual — the moment we slow down, nourish our minds and bodies, and set the tone for the day,” they say. Born from a desire to turn the first meal of the day into a moment of connection and care, Morning Glory has quickly become a reason to venture to Pleasant Gap.
The path to Morning Glory wasn’t paved overnight. George, a veteran of the hospitality world, spent years honing his craft in every corner of the industry — from the high-energy kitchens of Kildare’s to the operational complexity of national staples like Panera and Olive Garden. His true passion, however, flourished while managing menus for fraternity and sorority houses, where he treated students to creative, chef-driven dishes. His personal flair is further evidenced by his own line of hot sauces, BurnSesh, ensuring every dish has a chef’s touch.
In 2025, that passion hit the road with The Dining Haul, a food truck that became a staple at local breweries and events. The community’s overwhelming response was a clear sign that they had something special and ultimately inspired them to start thinking about a brick‑and‑mortar space. When the opportunity arose to take over the beloved space at 113 E. College Ave. formerly occupied by CakeShop by Tati and Warren’s Kitchen, the stars finally aligned.
Madison explains, “We wanted a space a space where people could start their morning feeling cared for, connected, and ready to take on whatever comes next.”
Food for Body & Mind
The menu at Morning Glory focuses on a creative-first approach to the morning palate. The Salgados are working to refine recipes that push the boundaries of traditional bagel fare, offering a sensory experience that balances classic comfort with new experiences.
While they invite the public to try everything on the menu, there are some things they like to recommend to first-time visitors. Of course, we were more than happy to follow their suggestions.
First up, something that you can only get at Morning Glory Bagels & Coffee, an authentic English breakfast plate. It’s a wonderful spread of different tastes, textures, and ingredients. Rye toast, bacon, eggs, and breakfast potatoes are all what you would expect to see on a breakfast platter, and they are perfectly prepared here.
Then some more interesting additions make this truly shine: baked beans, lightly seared tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, and black pudding — a type of blood sausage from the U.K. and Ireland, made from pork or beef blood, fat, and seasoned with herbs and spices. Together, they form a hearty, classic, and comforting way to start the day. For those who have had an English (or Irish) breakfast before, it may trigger a twinge of nostalgia.
The stuffed French toast is another favorite that we sampled. It rotates seasonally, and this spring and summer it’s filled with a delicious guava‐infused cream cheese. It’s important to note that this is actually stuffed and not a filling placed between two pieces of toast, as you may find at other restaurants.
Among the breakfast sandwiches, the Chorizo Sunrise has quickly become a fan favorite, according to the Salgados. It has a little kick from the chorizo and chipotle aioli, balanced with tomato, cotija, and avocado. The hint of spiciness is just enough to bring out all the flavors. Another standout is the roasted garlic steak sandwich, Morning Glory’s take on a steak-and-eggs classic served on an everything bagel with peppers, onions, and roasted garlic herb cream cheese. We’ll have to go back to try that one another time!
We also tried a variety of their bagels. Hand-rolled, boiled, and baked fresh every morning — the bagels are crisp on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and made from scratch daily in small batches. The flavors range from classics to more adventurous combinations. Apparently, they can’t make enough Maple Bacon or Vanilla Cinnamon Crunch bagels. The Maple Bacon is packed with candied bacon and maple syrup, then topped with maple sugar for that perfect sweet‐and-salty combo. The Vanilla Cinnamon Crunch is loaded with vanilla and cinnamon‐sugar pearls, topped with brown sugar, and pairs beautifully with several of their cream cheeses — strawberry cheesecake, Biscoff cookie butter, and honey pecan, just to name a few.
All of this, of course, needs to be accompanied by a delightful beverage, preferably caffeinated and expertly poured. There are plenty of them on the menu here, whether you prefer Italian, Spanish, or Eastern varieties. We tried a hot latte — your choice of whole milk, oat, coconut, or almond milk — a hot dirty chai — chai tea with a shot of espresso — and the iced dirty chai. All complemented our dishes wonderfully.
The Road Ahead
While the team is settled in their new home, they aren’t slowing down. Guests can expect monthly rotations of specialty coffee drinks and lunch menus, alongside seasonal breakfast specials. Although the food truck is currently parked, the owners haven’t ruled out bringing Morning Glory’s flavors back on the road for special events. Wholesale production is also in the works as they continue to optimize their recipes for the growing community.
Morning Glory inherits a rich local legacy and keeps the momentum going by retaining the talented team from the previous establishment. Matt Coll continues his tenure in the kitchen, while Ken Drew serves as both the lead baker and the resident artist. Ken’s creative vision is visible throughout the café, where his artwork and décor set the stage for an environment that celebrates local talent. Madison and George may be the faces of Morning Glory, but they say the contributions of Matt and Ken have helped shape the café’s identity.
Whether you’re stopping in for a quick Chorizo Sunrise or lingering over a coffee to admire the local art, Morning Glory Bagels & Coffee is a reminder that the best way to take on what’s next is to start with a moment of connection. “We’re excited to open this back up as a community space for the people who’ve been coming to this spot for years and others who are venturing in for the first time,” says Madison.
Join the Community
Morning Glory is actively looking to expand its gallery of local artwork. If you are a local artist looking to showcase your work in a space that values creativity as much as a perfect cup of coffee, the team is ready to connect. T&G
Sherri Jordan and Luciano Sormani are the ad coordinator/graphic designer and creative director at Town&Gown.
