What A Bagel Spadina Road — Restaurant in Toronto

Avoid this location and get delivery from another one instead if you care about decency.

I don't really write google reviews unless I feel like the experience was notable enough to warrant a warning for others. Went in to get breakfast this morning and a few things were off. The grilled cheese is considerably worse than other locations. Cheap cheese that wasn't even melted so I had to throw it in the microwave when I got home. The menu selection is limited compared to other locations. I really wanted eggs benedict but they don't have it there. They also won't sell you hot latkes on their own. Steak and eggs were pretty good and the bagel was standard, but I didn't get the option to have it toasted or buttered. Not a big deal but it would have been nice. All of that could be forgiven if it wasn't for one thing: a person who I assume to be a manager or supervisor (didn't catch the name but it was a short bald guy, I think he had a beard, working the till) that was really mean to other employees. He seemed generally unhappy to be there and showed it with every interaction, including with customers. Another employee mistakenly told me they were sold out of something and he started talking down to her like she was stupid. I felt really bad for this woman who was probably not too excited that she has to sell bagels on a Saturday morning in the first place. Guy needs a massive ego check and maybe the average quality of their output will go up. No one will do good work for an arrogant supervisor who doesn't communicate with respect. Even if you're the biggest a-hole in the world the worst employee shouldn't be talked down to like that; it's terrible business. It also didn't help that english seemed to be a second language and she was likely older than him. It was kind of gross to see.

Anyways, if you're craving What A Bagel, order delivery from the Queen and Spadina location. Worth the extra cost to get what you've come to expect. I generally really like their food but wouldn't buy anything from this location again unless they change some things (like the suspiciously xenophobic vibes their arrogant employee gives off). Maybe he's a great guy, but he wasn't showing it and that reflected in the food and service...

This is the second time that this has happened to me. And unfortunately I forgot about my first experience as I came back to visit after a long time. I ordered a breakfast sandwich after trying to understand what the vegetarian or the avocado bagel would contain. The server had no idea and was asking other servers and couldn’t communicate properly. She was however great with making the breakfast sandwich and asking all the right questions about the ingredients.

What was upsetting is my experience at the cashier. This is the second time that I’ve asked this question and no one seems to give a straight answer. The breakfast sandwich is $7 without taxes. I was made to pay $2 extra because I picked up a jalapeño cheese bagel. There’s no indication suggesting extra price. When I asked the cashier why was I paying full price for the breakfast sandwich when I was paying extra for the jalapeño cheese bagel ? She kept on saying the jalapeño bagel comes at an extra price. But that price is not taken into account for the breakfast sandwich. You’re paying full price for the breakfast sandwich which already includes the price of a bagel (which I’ve not eaten) plus extra for the jalapeño bagel. Finally she understood and kept on saying that the billing system is this way! Then please fix the billing system. This is the second time I’ve ended up paying extra for a bagel that I’ve not eaten. Last time the cashier told me that I wasn’t the first one who had asked this question and that the owner needed to make the change. Why is this not addressed or communicated to the owner? Why do we pay for a bagel which we don’t end up eating and then have to pay full price for a bagel that we want in the sandwich plus the full price of the sandwich? We should be only paying for the difference in the price of the bagels and...

Food is good. Staff are nice. They work very hard and provide healthy food to the community. I must say it is well appreciated! Prices are very fair.

I must address to comments that I read:

One comment said she got food poisoning on and off for a week from chocolate chip cookies . Sir, or ma’am, you are a moron. Food poisoning does not occur on and off for a week. It happens hours to 24 hours after the poisoning and does not last more than a day or two in most cases, it never goes on or off, so you’re just being an ignorant moron.

Secondly, many people are taking shots at the bald manager. You must understand this man has to deal with many idiots in the neighborhood. There are many entitled people, and a lot of Israelis, who are very rude. Those who are complaining about him I can guarantee, did something really stupid or asked a really dumb question to annoy him. He has always been kind to me. Yes, he may be abrupt, but you must understand he is working at a fast paced high stress environment. If you have no sympathy for the plate of your fellow man then go F youself.

Honestly, the customers that go into thisare mostly the rude ones, will try to bud you in line.

Anyone who has who has been going here for years, knows that this place is a hidden gem....