Bruegger's Bagels — Restaurant in Des Moines

Review Date: September 15th, 2015

Panera, eat your heart out.

In a world where you can get coffee anywhere, bagels here-n-there, and artisan menus far-and-few, Bruegger’s hits all 3 of those notes while delivery quality.

On a wild 4-hour trip to Des Moines to try Zombie Burger, I made it a point to stop for an appetizer at a bagel/coffee place. My destination pointer landed on Bruegger’s and what a delicious stop it was after being cramped in a car for 4 hours.

We rolled up on an empty belly which demanded coffee and bagels. We stroll in after taking some goofy photos outside and look over the menu. I knew I was going to get a black coffee, a bagel, and something else to tide me over. I can’t remember the flavor of bagel I got, but the combination of chips, coffee, and bagel hit the sweet spot. The bagel left a little bit to be desired but my taste buds weren’t picky after such a long drive… and needing to save space for our next adventure.

If you have been to Panera, Einstein Bros Bagels, or The Great American Bagel, this place will be of common familiarity. A decently-sized artisan cafe that offers a fancy menu with basics, such as; coffee, bagels, cookies, donuts, breads, other various baked goods. You can swing by and get a simple coffee or stop in for lunch and try something upscale and unique.

During my visit, I only had some basic things but there were some interesting and delicious sounding items on their menu. I would like to try them out some day, if I am ever in the area of a Bruegger’s again. The bagels I get at home pale in comparison… and there is no way my cooking skills can come up with anything half as delicious as what these...

Went there to get bagels early morning. Pulled up and the open sign wasn’t on and it looked like most of the lights were off and no one inside, but was within their normal business hours. Walked in and I was the only customer there. Walked up to the bagel section, employee behind the counter didn’t give me much attention. I told her I was ready to order and she walked towards the register. I told her I was just getting bagels and she said I have to order at the register. Don’t know why we couldn’t just grab the bagels in the bagel section and then go to the register and pay, but whatever. So I tell her my order and then I mention the Open sign wasn’t on thinking they’d probably want to correct that. She seemed annoyed that I mentioned it. So tap my card to pay then walk over to pick up my order back at the bagel section. She just hands me the bag and doesn’t say anything. Then I start walking out and she flags me down saying the transaction hadn’t completed. So I walk back to the register to finish up. So in total, we went from bagel section, to register, to bagel section, to register to complete one transaction all while the employee seemed upset that I wasn’t even there. Got home, read through the reviews, saw the place had multiple instances of people finding cockroaches, and threw away the bagels not willing to take a chance. Just an overall terrible experience. Won’t be going back to any Brueggers...

Went this morning 9am on 3/19/24. I wanted to order a dozen bagels and cream cheese bundle. I began looking at the bagels and the lady at the register loudly and EXTREMELY rudely told me, “you have to order your bagels at the counter”. I explained I wanted to look to decide what I wanted. She said I had to order off some sheet attached to the register. She then began rapid fire asking questions about my order. Not even allowing me time to think about my choices. I told her I’m a visual person and like to see what I’m ordering. She then began mocking me by holding up her fingers to show me how many I had left to order in the dozen. I would understand the sense of urgency if they had a line but I was the only person in the restaurant. I felt like she wanted me out of there as fast as possible. What an AWFUL experience and your company should consider hiring someone with an ounce of customer service. I still tipped because I didn’t want to punish the person who prepared my food. She was helpful and kind. Worst restaurant experience I have ever had in my life. I’m sad because I LOVE brueggers and have a lot of good memory’s going there...