Emerald City Bagels — Restaurant in Atlanta

Having previously lived in New York City for 25 years before coming to Atlanta, Emerald City Bagel was a curl of the monkey’s paw when I asked for a New York-styled bagel. As some caveats, my partner and I went to the secondary location on the belt line - which receives the boiled bagels from the main location every morning. We also went around 1:00 PM, so we didn’t get a chance to try the freshest bagels. However, having been to other NYC bagel stores like Best Bagel and Coffee and Katz Deli, this Emerald City Bagel experience was a 2.5/5

I asked the cashier about how the bagels were made, and he let me know that the owner of the franchise moved from New York to Atlanta to open his shop. The cashier let me know that the bagels are boiled in the traditional way, and that they are sent from the main location every morning. The environment and ambience was a retro take on a bagel shop. All of the employees had a 1950s styled uniform, complete with a small paper hat. The pace of the restaurant was decidedly not NYC, which wasn’t a problem but a noticeable difference. The restaurant was not jam packed with people calling out their bagels, and the staff didn’t have the feel of seasoned, efficient bagel cashiers.

When we ordered, I got a standard toasted everything bagel with regular cream cheese and capers, and my partner got an egg and cheese bagel with avocado. My bagel was decidedly “Okay”. The bagel itself tasted like a garden variety bagel you could get in the city. Given the huge range of bagel options, being middle of the pack isn’t a strong endorsement, and I would struggle to describe this bagel as a solid mid-range bagel. Positively, it was clear that the bagel was boiled the right way, and it was seasoned well. However, the bagel came out lukewarm despite the toasting, and there was no fluff to mine. I got a generous dollop of cream cheese and capers, so I was happy with that.

My partner’s bagel, on the other hand, was crazy. I could not, in good faith, call her egg, cheese, and avocado bagel a NYC styled one. Her bagel had a glossy finish to it that made us question if it was truly boiled. When asked about adding avocado and tomato to the bagel, we were told that hot and cold sandwiches had to be built certain ways, and that hot sandwiches couldn’t have cold toppings added to it to “preserve the bagel”. So my partner’s avocado and tomato came in a separate container, which she added to the bagel herself. Looking at her bagel, the egg and cheese were really disappointing. The egg looked like a thin, fried egg rather than the fluffy scramble that we were expecting, and the cheese didn’t seem like it was added on at the right temperature. When compared to some random photos of an average NYC bagel (Final image), you can clearly see the difference between how the eggs were made.

All together, Emerald City Bagel on the beltline just barely makes it on to a recommendation list. For people from the Tri-state area, I would describe my experience as fine for someone who wants the closest reminder to what bagel should be. But, in my opinion, there was a lot of daylight between these bagels and what I expect from an NYC one. This wasn’t the place where you’ll get the BECSPK you had before hopping on the plane. I’m looking forward to a different experience at the main site later...

I have been to the location twice. The first was fine. The second really has me questioning if I would want to go back for my usual breakfast bagel order. Both times I ordered a bagel with veggie cream cheese, meat, pickled onion, and tomato. The first time I was there. I ordered with no problem. The second time, this order was a major issue for them even though I ordered directly off of their menu. They have a build your own adventure and based on my experience need to either train their staff or update their menu to what they currently offer. The in-store menu lists meats as a premium toppings for their build your own bagel menu item. First I requested bacon which they were out of before 11 AM. I saw they had pork roll so I requested that instead. When I requested that, the woman at the register did not appear to know how to enter it into the POS system, and, when she did add it, she added it incorrectly as a side. I saw it listed on the screen and said I requested it on the sandwich not on the side (and explained if they build it into the sandwich it isn't as messy to eat). She corrected it to reflect "on the sandwich," but then said they would not be able to do this on a busy weekend. I am baffled by why it is on the menu if it is not something the employees can handle making. After that interaction, they still did not make the sandwich correct and put the meat on the side. An error I didn't see until I got back home as I ordered take out. Additionally, the pickled onions were not put onto the bagel with care because there was a bunch of excess brine that made the creamed cheese slippery and the bagel soggy. The sandwich ultimately tasted like vinegar/brine because of this. It was a waste of $15 which is quite a hefty price for a breakfast sandwich. Luckily, I also got a ginger seltzer which was quite delicious given the rest of the sour experience. As a former northeasterner, I was excited, but, as of now, I would suggest others proceed with caution if you are planning to get something off of...

I have never written a review, but my recent experience at this place compels me to share. As someone who's worked in food service for years, I understand the challenges of a busy Sunday morning. However! the treatment we received was unacceptable by any standard.

Arriving around noon, we expected a wait and were told it would be 15-30 minutes for our two bacon, egg, and cheese bagels. We accepted this as we figured that would be the case and waited patiently.

After 40 minutes with no food in sight, I politely tried to check on our order. I was repeatedly brushed off, which was both frustrating and unprofessional. When I finally got a response, I was told it was "coming out soon." Yet we watched as customers who ordered after us received the same items and left.

At the 50 min mark, after still politely asking again, we were told, "I'm putting it up on the board now." By this point, the once-busy restaurant had cleared out, leaving just us and a few new people.

It took a full hour to receive our $30 order of 2 BEC bagels. To add insult to injury, despite specifically requesting toasted bagels, ours were untoasted. While not a deal breaker on its own (I can make do with a soft bagel), it exemplified the overall lack of attention to our order. After such a long wait, you'd think they could at least get the basics right.

What's particularly disappointing is that we had already tipped, expecting at least decent service. Throughout this ordeal, not once did we receive an apology or explanation for the delay, which was double the initially quoted time.

I've worked in busy restaurants and understand the stress, but I could never imagine treating customers this way, regardless of how hectic it gets. The lack of communication, dismissive attitude, and failure to fulfill a simple request like toasting a bagel were simply unprofessional.

Next time, I'll save time, money, and frustration by cooking at home. If you value your time and expect a basic level of customer service, I'd suggest you...