When we entered a uniformed security guard handed each of us a yellow ticket and told us to order at the counter, eat and then present the tickets upon leaving to pay. In retrospect is sounds simple enough, but at the time it was a bit disorienting.
Once past the security station there are a number of ordering stations (cutters) at a long counter running the length of the establishment. Being a newcomer I wasn't familiar with which section of the counter I should head toward in order to order lax and a bagel, but after trial and error (unfortunately trying all of them) I finally got to the one authorized to let me have a bagel. Unfortunately this was not the same one that could give me coffee so I had to double back, but after only ten minutes or so I was able to collect my plates and head to a table and sit down.
After the ordering ordeal things went more smoothly. The bagel and lox were served with small containers of cole slaw and cream cheese as well as onions and tomatoes, all placed on top of a bed of iceberg lettuce leaves. Not being well versed in the tradition of new york bagels and lox I don't think I am qualified to comment on the finer points of the arrangement, but certainly I found the main components to be satisfactory, although nothing that would stand out from other places with a less complicated ordering system.
