Chesapeake Bagel Bakery — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

I went here three years ago after a Dr. Appt at Holy Cross and was pleased with the bagels and liked the mixed berry cream cheese. I stop by when I'm in the area bc of the great bagels. Last visit i got a bagels with my favorite mixed berry cream cheese. When I arrived home (20 minute drive) I toasted a bagel and opened they cream cheese,. I was (sadly) surprised when I saw what appeared to be a scoop from a knife missing off the top of the cream cheese. I threw it out not not knowing what happened. Today I was nearby and got a bagel with butter as the previous incident cooled my desire for my favorite mixed berry cream cheese, I mentioned to the three girls behind the counter what happened and even showed them a picture I took that day. One lady stated "people take a taste using their finger and put it back. It happens sometimes." She further said "you can tell as the cream cheese is pushed up to one side". I said I was hoping it was a weighed item and someone used a scoop to remove the "overweight" cream cheese. It sounds like the gross, finger-scoop happens more that I'd think.

OK, so things happen in business and it's how a business recovers that shows how good they are. They apologized for the situation and said you should have brought it back. I told them it's a haul from Parkland so I just threw it out.

Not a big deal, but they could have offered something like enjoy today's $3 bagel purchase on us as a goodwill tactic, or the next one is reduced price or something. Happy I got an apology but sometimes even just a small positive gesture will retain a customer.

Moving forward, now I'll miss the mixed berry cream cheese and those good tasting bagels. WARNING: CHECK YOUR CREAM CHEESE...

I've lived around the corner from Chesapeake for over 15 years and have always recommended it—to neighbors, friends, and even the school where I work down the street. It used to be one of my favorite local spots. The staff was always warm and friendly, greeting you by face if not by name, and the food was consistently great.

Sadly, the experience has really changed over the past few years. Most of the original staff is gone, and the new team just doesn’t have the same energy. Greetings feel forced—if they happen at all—and there’s very little effort to make customers feel welcome. I’ve started going less and less because I don’t enjoy spending my money somewhere I feel like an inconvenience.

A few weeks ago, I even received two delayed charges on my bank card for visits that had happened nearly a month prior. It turned out to be a system glitch on their end. I get that things happen, but now I only go when I have cash.

Today I called in a weekend morning order and was surprised to get through immediately—9 a.m. used to be packed. Only two cars were out front when I arrived. Both bagels were cold and barely toasted, one with unmelted butter, which is unappealing. It was just another disappointing visit.

This place used to be a gem, and it’s hard to see how far it’s fallen. I really hope they can turn it around, but for now, it’s not the same Chesapeake I used to love. Changed my review to 2 stars today.

2019, 6 years ago, I left a 5 star review: Best bagel place around!! Staff is amazing and the food...

Our first time there and we ended up walking out. No one acknowledged us upon entering. The staff was VERY unfriendly and rude. We weren’t sure where the line started and ended up at the register which should’ve been last. No one told us anything about ordering first. We went to get a 4 person nova platter…. Typical family meal. And were rudely told that normally you have to call ahead for that. Had they started with that we could’ve ordered something different. It’s our fist time there how would we have known that? Upon saying they could it would just take a few minutes another employee who had been talking about inappropriate things (getting CPS called on her) beat a dead horse and kept on about how we should’ve called first. The staff also said they are “totally separate from the platter people”….. what? This is a business and you all work together. If one lady is getting the lox and veggies ready wouldn’t you get the bagels to go with it? So they asked what bagels we wanted and then rudely stopped us and asked if they “could finish this order first?” Uhhhh yeah so why did you ask for ours? Terrible experience and won’t be back. Drove all the way from Hollywood and planned to spend quite a few dollars too. In the end we declined their service and left without eating or spending any money. Their loss! If you’re looking for a BETTER place go to Moms Kitchen right...