The Bagel Nook — Restaurant in Freehold Township

This was the most stressful and unpleasant bagel breakfast ever. My son and I decided to start our Saturday late, and I was excited to bring him to The Bagel Nook for the first time. As a huge bagel fan, I knew he’d love their unique cream cheese selection, but unfortunately, the experience was incredibly disappointing.

I admit it was my mistake not checking their hours before visiting. When we arrived, I noticed half of the spreads were already being put away. Concerned they might be closing, I asked the employee who was putting the spreads away about their closing time. She curtly replied, “Soon! At 3,” and added that she didn’t even know the current time. I checked the time and told her it was 2:25 PM, but her unwelcoming tone immediately soured the experience. Despite this, I didn’t want to ruin my son’s visit, so we stayed.

When we approached the cashier, I asked for a menu, but the cashier simply showed me a QR code without offering any assistance or in finding the selection of spreads or speciality bagels. Feeling rushed and unwelcomed, we quickly ordered our usual deli bagel order, but I was dissatisfied because it wasn’t what we had originally wanted. Still wanting to try a specialty bagel and spread, I turned to the only employee who acknowledged us and showed genuine courtesy. Named A*a, and she kindly helped us choose a bagel and spread pairing. She even served our food with a smile, which was refreshing amidst the otherwise unfriendly atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the rest of the staff lacked basic customer service skills. The cashier who rang us up didn’t greet us, didn’t use common courtesies, didn’t ask if we wanted a receipt, and didn’t even tell us whether to take a seat or wait for the food. She just continued socializing with her coworkers while “helping” us. We decided to sit at the best available table, which was dirty, so we cleaned it ourselves.

While eating, the first employee we encountered when we came in, loudly complained, “I don’t want to keep doing this shit,” while scooping and grabbing handful of cream cheese with her gloved hand, chunks of cheese sticking to it. It was unappetizing to listen to and watch while trying to enjoy our meal.

To make matters worse, another employee behind the counter, where food is handled, received a bagel off the floor with her bare hand, from a visiting “friend” who had picked it up from the dining area. This was definitely a hygiene concern for me. WHY?? Have your friend throw it out. But just to be clear, I didn’t see her handle food afterward and I also didn’t see her wash her hands. Who knows! Shortly after, that same employee came into the dining area and began spraying a couple feet away from us all the glass windows with Windex (at least 6-8 sprays), filling the space with a strong chemical smell. At this point, I could no longer try to enjoy my food and asked A*a for to-go containers, which she kindly provided.

As I packed up to leave, I overheard these same employees (all females) laughing and talking loudly, most likely about my situation. They seemed entertained, as they all stared at me, smirked, and one even made a loud comment to the others as I walked out. Feeling disrespected and mocked, I went back to thank A*a for her great customer service and told her that the rest of the staff’s customer service was unacceptable. I also let her know I’d be writing a review.

Management, please consider hiring more employees like A*a or retraining your current staff. Customers deserve to feel welcomed and respected, regardless of when they visit. Perhaps your business does not need new customers, and your employees clearly do not care if we return but i still want you to know about the disappointing long 15-minute experience we had at your Bagel Nook.

While the food was ok, the rude and unprofessional atmosphere completely overshadowed it. Unfortunately, we won’t be returning or recommending...

The Bagel Nook has pretty much a decent amount of reviews that seem to be good. So I definitely wanted to go and try it, especially with the variety of bagels, cream cheese spreads etc. I went there the first time with my bf and I got a bialy with jalapeño cheddar cream cheese, lox, onions & tomatoes. He got a French toast bagel with their maple bacon cream cheese. So first off just want to say their service doesn't leave much to be desired it's so so. The one girl asked me what I wanted and I start saying it, she goes you want what? I mean I think I was very clear of what I wanted on the bagel. So she tells someone else to take my order and I'm like okay fine just don't be rude about it. So let's try this again I start saying what I wanted and the woman goes okay so you want the jalepeno cream cheese with the lox, onions and tomatoes all together? And it wasn't in a nice way she said it very sarcastically as though it was the oddest thing she had ever heard. So I'm not one for confrontation moved on from there we left and ate our bagels my bf didn't like the cream cheese he got it was literally just regular cream cheese with bacon bits throughout didn't really get all that maple flavor and it wasn't even remotely sweet. I mean if you're going to call something maple bacon I would think it would be like a sweet cream cheese. And they cut every bagel with the same knives, how is that okay?! I'm sorry but if someone has allergies and they are cutting into lox bagels it can be a problem. And also I mean who wants someone cutting into a lox bagel and then cutting into your French toast bagel etc.

Second time going we thought why not give them another try? Their bagels are actually good especially the sweet ones. So I got pretty much the same thing as I did the first time but asked them to toast the bagels. The girl making the sandwiches sneezed, instead of sneezing into her elbow or shirt I mean something she just looked down. That was a bummer Bc you would think being a place that is constantly handling food they would teach them some sort of sanitation. Second thing I specifically told her I wanted the two bagels toasted and saw her write it, but why would she? So ofcourse neither were. We also got 2 cocoa pebbles bagels with side of strawberry banana cream cheese, and Oreo cream cheese. When we opened the strawberry/banana it smelled artificial, I tasted it and I mean just horrible. It reminded us of a kids medicine or just artificial candies that want you to think it's really those fruits. On top of that it wasn't sweet at all and I don't mean I want it cloyingly sweet but obviously if you made fresh strawberry/banana it would have some sweetness. It was just regular cream cheese with some artificial drops and you could also tell by the colors. The Oreo one was so so but again just not sweet, just regular cream cheese with mixed in Oreos. Am I the only one who has heard of sweet cream cheese?! No! Wegmans sells them and they are delicious. Anyway I'm sorry this is long I just don't think it's okay for people to be biased or lie in anyway. Just tell the truth I'm posting this Bc I'm hoping the owner or someone will see this and some changes can be made. Maybe then will I give them another try until then there are better places to go and I'll just make my own cream cheeses if I really feel like having something different. I'm just a lover of supporting small businesses, but this...

Very disappointed with my first ever visit to the Freehold location.

1. they completely forgot about my order. The 4-5 customers after me received theirs so went and inquired. Was then apologized to as they had not seen my order and began working on it
2. my wife is a born vegetarian and had ordered a caprese panini but when she opened the wrapper, it was some chicken sandwich. She held back her nausea and gagging and said it was okay and get them to make the correct sandwich. They apologized before and after making the correct sandwich
3. I had ordered the egg salad sandwich on a roll. Their menu indicated that it includes lettuce, tomato, and onion. I opened my wrapper to only find the egg salad and bread. Took it back but before I could say a word, one of the girls with a very nasty attitude said "what now?" I told them there's not lettuce, tomato, and onion. This was then followed-up with 4 girls telling me how it was my fault for not telling them I wanted it. I politely reminded them that on their menu it said that the sandwich comes with it and I would have only said something if I didn't want any or all of the lettuce, tomato, and onion. They continued to throw a tantrum and insist it was my fault.
4. dropped my wife and kids to the car and went back in to speak with a manager. The manager was very apologetic and sincere about my experience which I am satisfied with. However, one of the 4 girls saw me head towards the manager and came running back to us to which the manager instructed them to leave and get back to work. This was also appreciated.

I'm not coming back to this place as this experience was to intense and just not worth it after receiving poor customer service and...