The Cleveland Bagel Company

I’ve been going to Cleveland Bagel since 2016 when they first opened their doors. I lived down the street, and was so excited to have a homemade bagel shop within walking distance. Now that I’ve moved out to the suburbs, I still frequent Cleveland Bagel a few times a month. Their bagels are delicious. However, their customer service is the worst I have ever experienced in any establishment, ever. They are consistently rude, to the point that my husband won’t even accompany me there anymore. A bunch of surly late 20 to early 30 year-olds run the shop. The typical greet is, with a sigh, “any sandwiches?” For the life of me, I cannot figure out why everyone in there is so upset. Some examples of my experience there include, 1) when my bagel order was wrong, I had to rewait in line (at the request of the employee). To correct the order took over 40 minutes, and the response of the employee was “okay.” For a minute, I had to remember that it was not my fault that the order was made wrong. 2) If they run out bagels, be prepared to have to a customer (not an employee) let you know that they will be locking and slamming their doors early. 3) The atmosphere in the shop is wholly uncomfortable. The shop is quiet, there is no music, and I’ve never seen anyone there greeted by name. For some reason, the employees are under the impression that you, the customer, are lucky to be there. Additionally, as of late, it also has become the “Land of NO.” “NO PARKING,” "NO PETS" and “NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS” signs are scattered throughout the shop. They have removed all the seating and it is evident that this is a “take your food and get out” establishment. I see people just eating their bagels in their car, which is kind of sad after you’ve just paid for an overpriced bagel. This place definitely does not care about their customers, and it’s made clear.

While normally poor customer service does not bother me, the way that customers are treated really rises to a level that is unconscionable. I will continue to get bagels there only because they are the only good bagel shop on the west side of Cleveland. However, it is never an enjoyable experience going there, and I really don’t love giving them my money.