The Speckled Egg — Restaurant in Florida

Extremely disappointing.

Tried this place because of the many great reviews, but honestly I'm sure that these 5 star reviews must be referring to a different restaurant. I'll start by saying that the employees were very nice and generally helpful. The woman who took our order offered us menus and showed us how ordering works, but the super thick plexi glass barrier made it impossible to communicate with her. We couldn't understand a word that she said. We were handed cups without any directions of where or how to get our own drinks, and the iced coffee that I ordered never even came. When I finally went up to ask for it, a friendly employee walked by to help and went to get it. I noticed that in her hand she had a pitcher of water she just got from the sink with a coffee filter of coffee that had been clearly rubber banded shut floating on top. When she said she would get me coffee she motioned toward the pitcher. I'm assuming that's how they make it. The layout of the restaurant is reminiscent of a Subway, and the food was worse. While ordering I noticed multiple toaster ovens behind the first counter, but I assumed that these were for heating the baked goods. BOY WAS I WRONG. On the way out I took a closer look and they were clearly "making" the meals inside these toaster ovens. I say "making" because I have never had less fresh cooked food in my life. I have experienced hotel continental breakfasts more satisfying. My sister's Denver omelette came out first, within minutes of us sitting down, even though she was the third to order and there were others waiting ahead of us. The eggs were clearly microwaved with raw onions and peppers inside. My breakfast burritos came on two wilted pieces of iceberg lettuce with a side of hash-browns that looked like they had been at the bottom of a McDonald's bag for a day already. My husbands Ruben sandwich was made with wheat? bread and had runny coleslaw on it. My friend's food came last, and was the completely wrong sandwich. The staff was very helpful in correcting the error, but even the sandwich that she ordered was cold and tasted like cranberry soap rather than jam. The entire meal tasted liked like it came out of a plastic bag and was made in the microwave. The avocados were rubbery and slimy, the fruit cup was clearly thawed recently, and everything was cold within minutes of it being set down. We weren't expecting fantastic quality, especially with the deli feel of this restaurant, but even then it was an extreme...

As a long-time regular customer of Speckled Egg (and Bagel Bagel in previous years), we have always had a very good experience. However after our visit today, I understand other reviewer comments about the staff being rude, and it will be a while before we try the place again. As we continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic, I appreciate the sign on the door specifying no mask, no service. However there is nothing posted about a thermal detection device. This afternoon my son and I walked in, followed the directional signs toward the register, and an employee practically flew at us, told us to go back around, and I was I totally confused. She was trying to explain something about a temperature check, but when I looked around nobody was taking temps. So, the bottom line is, they have an overhead thermal detector for temperature. But it’s fairly close to the door, so if you walk in from 95-degree afternoon heat, and go to the right toward the counter to order, it will register an elevated temperature. Apparently we “walked to the register too fast.” It’s not a big place. Terrible cluster. We asked for our order to go (because we felt embarrassed) and I left with only a Diet Coke for me. When we arrived home, I discovered they made my son’s sandwich wrong. So I called to let them know about the mistake with the sandwich and to suggest they also include info about thermal detection on their no mask, no service sign. The lady on the other end of the line quickly became defensive and rude. She insisted there is a plaque right on the building. But if there is a plaque, it’s not at all obvious to anyone walking through the door. The mask sign is right on the door. I double checked on the way out for anything about the temp detection, but did not see anything. I am not someone who deliberately goes against policy; but if I don’t know the policy and there is nothing posted. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It was an embarrassing situation because there were other people eating right where she accosted us, she was loud about it, and then the other employees joined in from behind the counter. The attitude of the employee who took my phone call was less than desirable for an employee of a business likely struggling during this challenging time; especially since she barely acknowledged the fact they made the order incorrectly. Very off-putting, and very disappointing because we have been regular customers since the owners originally opened Bagel Bagel in that location...

My wife and I discovered that our usual bagel/sandwich place had pulled up stakes, so we went searching for another location that had similar offerings. We’d both seen The Speckled Egg from the road many times, but this was our first time trying them. TSE is charming — a well-kept and quiet interior, brightly colored and inviting. Outside seating with sun umbrellas is also available. We were instantly warmly greeted by one of the counter staff, and she made a point to ask if it was our first time so she could give us the rundown — i.e. order at the counter, seat yourself and the food will be brought to you. The menu is posted on a bright, modern digital display behind the counter, but handheld laminated menus are also available and were offered. The menu is typical breakfast/brunch/lunch cafe fare with an emphasis on bagels, which is what we wanted. A coffee bar is available. The young man who took our order was fast and efficient, completing a drink order for the customers before us, acknowledging us while we waited, and getting to us as fast as he could. I didn’t catch his name, but he is a hoot — great sense of humor and enthusiastic about our order, complete with a “Not a hugger” ballcap that somehow perfectly completed the picture. My wife refused a drink but she was still offered a cup for water. We sat, and the food was out within five minutes. My bacon, egg and cheese bagel was delicious and well-made, wife was likewise very happy with her bagel w/cream cheese. Albert, the GM, stopped by our table to warmly greet us and check how our experience was going. He was a pleasure to talk to, and he made conversation with us explaining the history of the restaurant and how they prefer to operate. The bagels are a NY recipe, and we both feel they rival if not surpass the bagels from our previous preferred place. My wife asked about their chicken salad, and Albert immediately went to the back to fetch her a sample (which she also greatly enjoyed). We both loved our experience here, and we will definitely be back to sample some of the lunch items on their menu. TSE is a quiet and charming small business with a professional and friendly staff that make you feel welcome. Their food that we tried was well-made and delicious....