This is the ONLY place to get a proper bagel in It Tampa. They are the best I've had in Tampa and particularly North Tampa. So if you are at all near USF this is the only place to go for bagels). I'm from New York and this is the only place in the area that does their bagels right. They are not as good as NY bagels, but are so superior to other available bagels in Tampa Bay (i.e. frozen, Publix bakery, Einstein's, Starbucks, Panera, ect.) That they should not even be classified as the same food. That's how good they are. They serve proper Bagels and Lox. I am very picky about Bagels and Lox and they are excellent here. They also make great breakfast sandwiches. Anything hot that goes into the sandwich (i.e. eggs, bacon, etc) is made on a flat iron grill to order and in front of you. All of their smears are very good if you are not feeling the above. Their Black and White Cookies (proper NY style) are awesome as well as all of their muffins. These are incredible non-bagel options. The croissants, turnovers, and coffee are acceptable but nothing to write home about. Not that they are bad at all, but I'm picky with those sort of things. If you want proper French pastries I would look elsewhere. The coffee is the best out of the mediocre things mentioned, I live close enough that I usually bring my bagel purchases home so I can make my own espresso to go with it. The only problem with this place is that it is TOO GOOD and TOO POPULAR. They make ALL of their bagels fresh every morning at the same time and don't make more. They WILL SELL OUT on the weekends and close early. They often sell out a lot of their more popular bagel options on weekends before close. So make sure to get there early-ish on weekends if you are really dead-set on a particular bagel (everything and cinnamon raisin always seem to be there first to go) or call ahead to see if they still have them in stock for the day. There is often a line, but not always. There is almost always a moderate length line early weekend mornings (as one might expect given the above circumstances). This is only a breakfast place so no late afternoon bagels here. Everything is super fresh and made daily. Finally, It's a family run a small local business and that matters to me, I love supporting "Mom and Pop" local businesses they are good for the community and I generally like my food to be made fresh by real people rather than over processed prefabricated foods that require nothing from the staff than to warm it up. This...
Read moreIt is with great pleasure that I regale you with the tale of my recent discovery in the sun-kissed land of Florida - an establishment of unparalleled culinary magnificence known as "Bagels Plus." As I set foot inside this delightful haven, I was greeted by a symphony of aromas and a cornucopia of freshly baked bagels that beckoned to be savored.
The bagels themselves are a triumph of the baker's art, each one a testament to the dedication and skill of the masterful artisans who toil behind the scenes. From the classic plain to the exotic sun-dried tomato and everything in between, every morsel boasted a perfect balance of texture and flavor that transported me to the heights of gustatory delight.
However, it is with a heavy heart that I must address the proprietor of this esteemed establishment. His archaic views and chauvinistic demeanor cast a shadow over an otherwise splendid experience. The incessant sexist remarks and condescending attitude toward the exceptional women who form the backbone of Bagels Plus were a stain on the tapestry of this culinary paradise.
Yet, despite this regrettable flaw, the true luminaries of Bagels Plus are its remarkable employees. Their unwavering dedication, impeccable service, and genuine warmth elevated my visit from mere satisfaction to an unforgettable experience. Their smiles, their efficiency, and their genuine love for their craft imbued Bagels Plus with an atmosphere of conviviality and welcome, a rare and precious quality indeed.
In conclusion, I implore any connoisseur of fine bagels in Florida to venture forth and partake in the delights offered by Bagels Plus. While the owner's egregious behavior may mar the experience, the exceptional service and exquisite creations fashioned by the exceptional staff are the true heart and soul of this establishment. Let us celebrate the artisans who grace this place with their talent and dedication, and may their brilliance shine ever brighter amidst the shadows of antiquated attitudes.
Yours in culinary...
Read moreI will start by saying I live live in Manhattan and queens for over 10 years. Like the rest of the folks who came from that area of the country I may be a bit snoody about my bagels. I would also like to say I have a extensive background in the hospitality industry that I will not get into right now. As far as the bagels I have not found another bagel in Tampa that I like better. While I am sure that this bagel shop is a neighborhood staple, I think a renovation is well overdue. I am sure many of the locals who frequent this place on a regular basis would probably disagree with me because because people typically feel uncomfortable with change. If this were my restaurant I would I would update it by bringing in more natural light so it doesn't feel like I am eating in a cave. It kind of gave me the feeling of walking into a bar in an old Western film and the music stopping. I would brighten it with lighter colors that are easily wiped down.This gives it a much cleaner feeling when eating there.It would be similar to the difference between key food grocery store in New York and Publix in Florida. Publics absolutely feabsolutely feels cleaner and most likely is cleaner. This makes me wanna buy more stuff! I am also sure this has a lot to do with lighting.I am sure many small businesses especially in the hospitality industry are suffering due to the events of the last couple of years so shutting down and down and remodeling would be an incredibly tough thing for most businesses to do.Due to the loss of revenue for the shutdown time as well as the expense of the remodel, it would be a challenge. I just believe it would be a worthwhile investment in the long run. But who the h* am II am just some guy leaving leaving a review with with voice to text on Google because I'm bored sitting in my garage. I love small businesses small businesses and I hope my review was...
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