Flakowitz Bagel Inn — Restaurant in Boca Raton

We loved the theatrics of the place. When we entered the establishment we were greeted, actually I would say we were more intercepted than greeted by a waitress that glared at us through cracked eyes that vented so much hatred like she believed we were a pair of notorious child torturers who had the gall to call in for breakfast which was most ill judged because we haven't ever tortured anyone in our lives. Come forth the next showdown, and it was a showdown. In my quite reasonable estimation the customer is the addressee and the merchant the addresser. Not here. She looked at us as if she couldn't for the life of her figure out what the purpose of our visit was. Perplexed as she was by this she reacted as if we were a threat to her and all that she loves. Actually, on second thoughts, just a threat to her. I asked her for a table for three. " There's only two of you," she objected. "Yes but there will soon be three. We're waiting on one more." "Well there's two right now!" She squawked. She abruptly ushered us into a corner as others were being shown to their tables which made me feel like a really fat kid with bad Asthma who had yet again failed to be selected for any kind of sporting event even at handicapped level. It would seem that our crime was being a party of two having the brass nerve to present ourselves as three and we were now paying the price for such deception. About ten minutes had passed and we were still stood there, neglected like a pair of disabled puppies about to be put down because nobody wants them. We then had an idea. Why don't we ask her for a table anyway since each table has the capacity to accommodate the dizzy heights of up to four diners but given her insipid attitude and the barrier she had built, this wasn't going to be easy. If we had any designs on having breakfast here then we were going to have to be shrewd about it. Her veins protruded, like water slides of blood around her face and her stress levels rocketed upon receiving our quite sensible request. She reverted back to "so you are two then? Not three!" At this point she scribbled out 3 on her pad and replaced it with 2, stabbing the note pad with her pen as she did so. We had clearly destroyed her weekend. I thought I could easily stand there and explain to her again that we're a party of three but right now there's onl...you get the picture. we conceded defeat allowing her to proudly amble down her path of righteousness just because it was easier that way. Remember what I said about being shrewd? At this point we made a dash for our prize which given our efforts you would think we were trying to obtain the crown jewels in The Tower of London but no, just a meagre table which had two spare seats then one when the third member of our party joined us moments later. We were then served with very nice food by another waitress who was fine.

Are you trying to create a New York/New Jersey style of diner where clients are frequently addressed as Bozos by ill mannered staff as often portrayed in 1980's filmography? If so then you have created a threatrical masterpiece and you should be applauded for that.

If this is not the case then would it not be a good idea to employ emotionally mature people with fully developed...

I’ve only eaten inside once in e last year. It was crowded. Noisy, boisterous. And the waitstaff could not be more aggressive than they were. It seemed like almost everyone around me loved this vibe. Frankly, I did not, especially being on top of the tables around me and the real overweight guy in the booth adjacent to me pushing the booth back so he could get in and by doing so he pushed our table.

The food was huge portions and good. The coffee was hot and well prepared and refilled constantly even when you said “no more”.

I’m a pick-up the order guy. And am consistent with what I order: corned beef on rye with a side of latke or French fries. Corn muffins when they have them, but they seem to run out quickly. They are very large and tasty. We love their chicken salad and Cole slaw. Both are a creamy consistency. The grilled chicken sandwich is great as is the Caesar wrap chicken sandwich.

I marked the atmosphere three stars and that is for the inside dining as well as pick-up windows. The pick-up windows remind me of the skit on Seinfeld with the soup nazi.

At Flakowitz, you order at one window (left side) and step aside and go to the next window (right side) to pay) but only when your name is called. If you linger too long ordering or don’t move quickly after ordering the men or women working there glare at you and sometimes shout to move away. And if you stand near the pick-up window before your name is called they shout to move away. It’s actually amusing to watch. And I forgot to mention, they have these metal food carts positioned in front of each window so you cannot get too close to the staff inside. Of course, this also demands you speak loudly. It’s a Flakowitz scene, all the regulars know the drill.

The food is plentiful and great. And the prices are high, but all restraints have high prices these days.

Enjoy. And behave...

I have been frequenting this local restaurant for over a decade. The last 2 times I tried to have breakfast, the hostess steered me from my patronage. The first time she skipped over my name repeatedly and gave the tables (with same number in their party) to people who arrived after me. Today she wouldn’t give me a time of wait and just said very very long. When I asked if I could sit outside she said, “ Yes. But it will take a very long time before we can get to you.” So I left. This is poor customer service. after the first experience, I didn’t go back for several weeks. I used to go every weekend.

I am adding to this review. Same hostess refused me as a single patron. But she was allowing couples ahead of me to sit down. I was the first one on the list and I watched five tables sat before me. Four of those were couples, one was a table of four. Two individuals or one individual — we are all waiting for the same tables. A two top. So whether you put two people at the four top or one person at the four top, we are each waiting for the same table. I have slowed down my frequency since the last review. But now I am done. I will no longer go back to Flakowitz until they choose a different kind of hostessing system. Meantime, I went to Boca Beach House and they sat me immediately at a four top without any questions and they were packed solid. Their food is better. Their service is great and the atmosphere is...