Bongiorno Bagels — Restaurant in Gilbert

UPDATE (October 2020): Proper Mask wearing is poor and there is little social distancing but they at least no longer allow dine in eating though they have two outdoor tables next to the open front door. The staff member (who was under 30) who helped me wore his mask over his mouth only. That’s not how you wear a mask!! And the customer after me (who didn’t understand that we’re supposed to keep distance between customers) also wore his mask only over his mouth. Didn’t see hand sanitizer and employees weren’t wearing gloves to prepare food. So disappointed to see what’s going on when the owner isn’t there.

In terms of the bagel, well this is no New York bagel so if you’re not from the NY area don’t think they taste like this. The bagels at Bongiorno are too soft and doughy, no different than the rubbish at Einsteins. And if you ask for your bagel to be toasted they barely toast it. I also didn’t like how they put the containers of deli salad in the same bag with the bagels. The blueberry bagel does have a lot of blueberry flavor which was nice.

I do appreciate that they have have the usual deli fare like macaroni salad, potato salad, tuna salad, etc. and even Marino’s Italian ices though there’s no wooden spoon that used to come with it. Seemed Expensive to me, the quality declined as did the standards.

The tuna, which they make, was terrible. Extremely dry and they put something in it other than celery that looked like parsley. Tasted odd. Whitefish is imported so that’s always good.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: Friendly, helpful staff who gives away bags of bagels when it’s close to closing time. Whitefish is imported from Acme in New York. It can be salty but it’s good. My family thought the bagels weren’t authentic NY bagels. We’re from NY so we’re tough critics. I’ve had the gluten friendly bagel and didn’t like it.

They have large deli pickles and...

Listen, these bagels are 🔥! Seriously, the best around these parts. The problem is the way this place operates. I've driven all the way there several times over the years and find them closed. OK, I get they are only opened until mid afternoon. Fine. I get it. Then they aren't opened on Monday or Tues or Weds. Only opened 4 days a week. Well, people need bagels on Mondays for work or Weds "just because". The college is across the street and students would like to pick up a bite to eat during the week before or after school or maybe at lunch. I went a couple of months ago at 11 am on a Friday and they were sold out of bagels. Sigh! So much for that. I then went last Sunday and found a line out the door and past the next door suite. I also get this. This place is good. However, please hire more help or offer quick pick up for people who just want a single bagel or two to go- not toasted, not a sandwich, not a drink. Just a simple bagel. Today was the straw that broke the camels back. I drove 3 miles out of my way before an appt to get bagels before the crowds, before they sell out, before they close and I find it closed for 2 1/2 weeks! Geez! Forget it! I also know that you guys need a vacation, but I also know that small businesses CAN remain opened during family vacations. I had 3 small business stores at once in Chandler and managed to go away for a month, while my stores stayed opened. Idk if you guys just don't need the business and you're doing this for fun because I can't tell honestly. All the closures and breaks and not having anything to buy says you guys are just in it for fun. Trust me, I WANT to support you and tell others and buy more, but you guys don't make it easy! It's...

Someone told me about this place because I am originally from Long Island NY. The bagels are the best I’ve had in Arizona but it’s too far from where I live to make the trip. My wife and I were relatively close by so we decided to try their bagels.

They use a NY water conditioning system which is supposed to have a positive impact on the outcome of how these bagels taste. They were good and even by Long Island standards.

The service was good as well. They have good amount of people working the counter to keep the line moving at a quick pace and it appeared there was enough people in the back with food prep as well.

We were there just before noon and they were running out of certain bagels. They also appear to have a limited selection of bagel flavors.

The prices are a bit on the high side but the product is good so I felt it was accurately priced according to value.

The store front is very basic and while it says it’s a bagel shop and delicatessen I felt that was a stretch. They only had a few types of cold cuts in the case at the counter.

Pros: Good bagels and nice people who work here.

Cons: limited selection of items relative to what you would experience in a NY bagel shop. The place is a bit tired and could benefit from a front of store renovation while adding some product to capitalize on the great deal of activity they generate.

There is room to make this place better from a consumer experience as well as increase profits from a business perspective.

Overall: Great place! If you are missing bagels from Long Island or the NY area and you are nearby it’s worth the trip. Just let them know they can reduce the amount of cream cheese they use. It...