Bagel Mainea — Restaurant in Augusta

Bagels and sandwiches are yummy, however they are expensive and very slow. I always try to place my order over the phone and have noticed if you order when they’re busy, they won’t prioritize your phone order at all. When I order over the phone closer to their closing time I can just go pick up my bagel normally. But if I order over the phone before 11:30 am when I arrive they tell me to get in line and I have to wait in the long line just to get to the register and them tell me my order isn’t ready... just completely defeats the whole purpose of ordering your stuff over the phone. Also I come in 15-20 mins after I placed my phone order... so it should be ready or at least close to being ready but instead I’m being made to wait an extra 10 in the line. Definitely not the place to order if you’re in a hurry or time crunch. There’s two cashiers so they could fix this very easily by having someone on one of the cashiers take the people who order over the phone on the side! I come from NYC so I’m used to an expensive sandwich, but they are even more expensive here somehow.

Edit: whoever is responding to these must not realize how passive aggressive they seem. I work in the food industry and my restaurant makes everything to order and we don’t even take that long for full on entrees. It’s not because it’s “made at the moment”, it’s because you guys are disorganized and slow. You can gaslight the other reviewers, asking them for “grace” when it’s literally the cashiers JOB to be polite… but as someone who works in the industry I can see right through it. So glad I never came back here. Overpriced and...

The bagels here are delicious! The quality, in my experience, has been consistent on every visit. I also genuinely appreciate how inclusive the menu options are for vegan customers. It can be challenging to find food options in this area with these dietary restrictions, but Bagel Mainea more than delivers.

The service has opportunities. Sometimes the staff is friendly, and engaging, but when traffic is high in-store, you can see the stress level and you don't receive the same quality of service. This doesn't phase me much, as I love the bagels and typically order them in a bag, with no additional asks. I did observe several upset customers during my last visit who, when vocalizing their concerns, were met with defensive, unapologetic responses and attitude. Now, these customers were upset - but I think more could have been done to show genuine understanding and appreciation for their feedback.

I would also love to see a remodel, or redesign, of the space in the future. It can be hard to determine who is in line, with the small waiting area, and I have often had several people cut in front of me as a result. A number system would potentially help eliminate that. Take a number, and wait to be called to place your order. Either way, some attention is needed here.

All in all, I know I'll be...

2-17-24 8:20 am Middle aged lady of short stature was a contamination problem. We watched her with our own eyes shove chips in her mouth (like some do when eating popcorn), placing palm against mouth to push clump of chips into mouth. She kept the chips to her right of the register along with a drink. She did this several times, then we watched her press a lid onto a beverage cup with the same hand for a customer. Never washed her hands. This employee had each finger nail painted every other color. Tattoo on neck. I did not catch her name. Anyone handling food should not be eating themselves in fact handling money and serving food and beverages is not sanitary. Perhaps a worker only working cash register would solve the contamination problem. I want to add she laughed at us to another customer cause we were looking over their menu and we invited people to go ahead of us. (Not in a nice way, as rolling her eyes and with an irritated demeanor was done at the same time) It appears that she is intimidated but the young beautiful girl with me and only cares to be friendly with male customers. The other staff was super nice and did a great job with our bagels. Please see to it she receives some training in food safety and customer satisfaction. Those...