Bodacious Bagel Inc — Restaurant in Ashland

This is a hard review for me to write as I’ve been coming to this place for over 20 years. Over those 20 years, the ownership and priorities have shifted. I also live out of state now, so when I come home, I notice changes more abruptly as I don’t slowly get used to things changing, if that makes sense.

Look, if your options are a supermarket or Dunkin Donuts bagel, these are miles better. However, by east coast bagel standards, they’ve gotten worse.

I’ll use the bialy as a case study. Bialys are supposed to be thin but puffy treats with caramelized onions, garlic, and poppy seeds. And they used to be from here! But now they are so big and puffy, they feel like unboiled bagel dough. And on top of that (no pun intended), they have clearly dried granulated onion/garlic mixed with poppy seeds. Gone is the beautiful caramelized mixture. And the bialy is as thick as a bagel. Did the person who re-designed these lose sight of what made a bialy a bialy? Just try to run a cafe instead with carbs? Super sad.

Not sure what else to say besides I hope this place keeps an eye to being a bright spot in the area as opposed to a race to the bottom of commodification of breakfast and cost. I know it’s hard these days with inflation, but people can get puffy carbs across the street at Shaw’s, or honey dew, or Dunkin. Why should they come here instead? Think about it, owners, and...

Friendly place with freshly made proper bagels and open at 6AM. Old school coffee in styrofoam cups is pretty tasty. You can also buy sliced salmon and meats if you need them. We don't buy their made bagel sandwiches, so can't speak to their quality. Gets crowded on weekend mornings but they are pretty efficient working through the line when I go. (During late August '21, I do wish the workers would wear masks as is now recommended but not required by the CDC because Ashland as "substantial" transmission: "If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission." I am OK with them not requiring customers to do so because that would be hard for a small business right now without a mandate from the state and customers are on an honor system. But as a customer would prefer masking on the workers' part since COVID cases are rising quickly right now. I just decided to stop going until there is a change with the disease trends or the...

Very disappointed with their quality standards as well as their customer service today. I’ve been coming since I was a kid and have always been met with friendly faces and delicious food. Today I was sorely disappointed I got two bagels toasted with butter and a frozen coffee. I got to the car took a bite of my everything bagel and realized it hadn’t been toasted although it was warmed not toasted. I went in thinking I hadn’t communicated I’d wanted it toasted. I kindly told the woman I may not have communicated I wanted my bagels toasted. The woman rudely stated that she had toasted my bagels. If that’s the case then perhaps it’s time for a new toaster? While your at it a new bakery case so the baked goods taste fresh? I understand that in the customer service industry you are met with rude people everyday but I was merely a loyal customer craving their delicious crunchy/chewy style toasted bagels and instead got a raw bagel lathered in butter and heated in the mic. I left with a bad taste in my mouth. Unfortunately I will not...