Davey's Delicious Bagels — Restaurant in Fort Wayne

I won a gift certificate from a charity auction and chose to spend it on a takeout while downtown on a Saturday. It was my first visit to the locally-owned Broadway Street restaurant and, unfortunately, probably my last. There is no identifiable easy parking, so I had to walk two blocks to access the store. Since the menu is simple (steamed bagels with a collection of sandwich ingredients, basic bagels with spreads, and coffee/expresso drinks, it seemed posed for rapid overturn. However, there is no organization to ordering as couples with their dogs huddled in two small areas. A sign over a cash register said, "Order Here," but no one in front or behind the counter seemed engaged in doing that. I finally started asking people if they were in line to order and the groups began to move. After I ordered my sandwiches, I wondered through a maze of rooms that were decorated with the old and bizarre decor that are utilized in many down town restaurants. Everything appeared clean, and groups of customers were gathered around an assortment of tables. Nobody, however, appeared to be eating. After ten minutes of exploring, I returned to the front room. Five people were working behind the counter, except no one appeared to be doing anything except drinking shots of expresso and talking. One young man repeatedly called for "Lyle" to no avail as the wrapped sandwiches sat on the counter. After 20 minutes, one of the men from a gathered group in the back came to the front to ask about his order. "You Lyle?" Lyle answered yes, and the guy said, "These just came up." He didn't tell them they were ready 20 minutes ago and that he had called in a conversational voice and didn't bother to walk through the restaurant to look for him. Forty minutes after my order was placed, my name was called by a very friendly young lady who should have apologized for the wait. Since she didn't, I have to assume such long wait times are normal. The sandwiches were indeed good, and I enjoyed them, but they weren't good enough to make me bid on Davey's in the next auction. Nor will I be returning on my own without a book to read or a movie playing...

Having a craving for an Everything Bagel, not a franchised industrial bagel, but a real chewy/crunchy toasted bagel spread thick with cream cheese, i decided to give Davey's a try since it is a small local business. Running short on time, i ordered and paid for the bagel on-line. That was easy, and I received the text notification that it was ready before i arrived at their shop. After struggling to find parking, I walked into the shop expectng to find my order waiting for an easy grab and go. Nope. I had to wait 7 minutes in line to pick up an order I placed and paid for 20 minutes prior. I'm not sure of the point in offering mobile ordering, if you still have to wait in an inefficient line. Mildly irritated since i was in a hurry to go to an appointment, it was finally my turn to pick up my much-anticipated bagel. It came out wrapped in foil and still warm. However, when I reached my car and unwrapped it, I was so disappointed. It had good flavor with the Everything Bagel seasoning and quality cream cheese, but the bagel itself was soft like bread, not the chewy mouthfeel of an authentic bagel, and definitely not toasted-- just warmed. Now I imagine with their other sophisticated menu offerings, the flavors would be great since they sounded creative and delicious and used local suppliers, but you would still end up with more of a sandwich experience rather than a true bagel experience. So if you want a great sandwich, you'd be satisfied, but if you want an authentic bagel, you should...

First, I want to say I appreciate and respect anyone who opens a business. This review is meant to be constructive. On a Saturday, I was heading up to visit my Mother in Law in a nursing home on the north side of town. I knew she would love the chewy steamed bagel sandwiches. They are YUMMY. I was short on time so, before I left home I ordered and paid for my bagels online. When I got to Dave’s, and even though I already paid for them, and there was a sign for carry out orders, I was told I had to wait in line like all the other 20 customers. I told the gentleman behind the counter I didn’t have time. The gentleman behind the counter told me if I could not wait in line for the bagels I already paid for online, I was to never come back and my business wasn’t welcome there. I laughed and left.

I told my wife this story and she felt I was making some of this up. Days later, our neighbor confirmed my story, he was in the store at the time and really shocked at how I was treated.

Please find a way to allow patrons who order online to pickup their items, even on Saturday, without waiting in the long line. I hope to be...