Freedom Bagel Bakery — Restaurant in Meridian

We’ve been trying all the local bagel spots and we definitely won’t be back to Freedom Bagel Bakery. Food was fine, but the service was terrible.

I went in for some bagels to go, two of which I ordered “toasted with plain cream” she had me check the screen, and I see “warmed, plain” seems legit. Get home and my wife & her friend’s bagels are uncut, cold, and without cream cheese.

Already a little frustrated that I have to drive back, the hits keep coming when I have to interrupt the four employees having a gab fest to let them know I need the bagels cut, toasted and have some cream cheese put on.

The young lady, who seemed super annoyed I interrupted their gossip session, tells me “those were rung up plain and cream cheese is an extra charge.” Whatever. I pay and they hand me 3oz of cream cheese in a 4oz container, because I guess I need to go home, unpack the toaster, and make it ourselves. So much for service.

I did new restaurant openings for two large restaurant chains for over a decade, mistakes happen, no biggie, you take it back and say “let me take care of this for you.” Not explain to the customer how they screwed up and make it their problem. For $2.64 and not having to wipe your food prep surface Freedom Bagel Bakery got a one-star review and lots of word of mouth recommending the competition.

UPDATE: I'm glad that 500+ people have already viewed this. Hopefully it makes a difference on where you choose to spend your money. Even if only 1% of those views are effected by this review that's a measurable impact.

The owner's response was "We would be grateful next time if you could ask for a person in charge..." No acknowledgement or accountability, just more deflection on what the customer did wrong. I'm supposed to create a scene and impede service because your staff doesn't know how to manage errors? Wrong answer, my dude. "We would love the opportunity to make this right and show you that what you experienced does not reflect the level of service we strive for." was the correct answer. Culture stems from the top, and it's clear the owners don't like accepting responsibility either. Please take your...

I'm really confused and sad about my last visit here. Last time I went in here I pointed out to them that they had someone without a disabled parking permit parking in their handicapped parking. The lady I told this to acted annoyed that I even brought it up. She responded that it was probably just an Uber driver(which it obviously was as he was standing there with ear plugs in waiting for someone's food). I'm not sure why that's ok at all especially from a place that's called "FREEDOM Bagels" because she obviously didn't care about disabled people's freedom. Which was super odd too then see she this woman was wearing slippers. For one I've worked in the food industry and have always had to make sure to buy special non slip black shoes so that was odd to see. The second odd thing about this is the only people I see wearing slippers in public like that have to do so because of a disability. So I found it extremely frustrating that they couldn't say anything to the Uber driver to tell him not to park there again. I actually wouldn't be surprised if they tell the Uber drivers it's ok because they seemed to have no issues with it. I, however, had a spinal cord injury and I'm lucky I can even walk, but I have permanent damage down my right leg that requires me to use a cane. I am a handicapped placard user and my rights deserve to be protected. Im I'm really hoping there will be a reasonable reason to why I was treat like this. It was on mother's day when I went last and this happened and I have been too disappointed to even try to go back. I was bringing all my family and friends here as I loved this place they have amazing bagels. Their service however needs some serious adjustments. I just can't believe she couldn't even pretend that it was important enough to like mention to her boss. She literally didn't have to actually care just pretend to at least but she couldn't even do that.I was hoping if I gave it some time to think about it I would see a better side to this but almost two months later I'm still extremely...

I’m normally a frequent visitor of Freedom but have to say I was greatly disappointed this morning with menu discrepancy and customer service. The hand written menu on the wall clearly states “single bagel $1.99” and lower on the same part of the menu it reads “cream cheese or spread on the side $.25” looking at that you’d assume the side of cream cheese would be a quarter right?? No, that’s the “fee for putting it on the side”. Huh??? Don’t have the empty tiny container sitting inside the 4oz container option in-front of your register if you are going to charge MORE than if I were to just buy a 4oz thing of cream cheese separately, for a 2oz side. That’s actually insane. the girl “threw in” an additional tiny side of cream cheese and said “I’ll give you a deal” but babe that’s not a deal when your menu doesn’t make any sense and you’re over charging me. The labor it takes to fill a 4oz container is more than the 2oz, and arguably more to put it on the bagel so that can’t be an reason as to why I’m being charged more either.

I paid for two bagels and was charged $5 extra but got two 2oz sides. If I were to buy two 4oz containers at $2.50 a piece that comes out to $.62 an ounce. Why in the world am I paying $2.50 on top of the bagel charge AND an extra $.25 for 2oz?? That’s $1.25 an oz??

It’s already expensive, $4.50 for a bagel but to have a menu that doesn’t make sense and isn’t clear on top of that is crazy.

I would have much rather your employee educated me and said “hey it’s actually cheaper to do 4oz on the side would you like to do that?” Instead of saying “well I don’t make the menu sooooo” and shrug at me when I’m telling you it doesn’t make sense.

It may be just a couple bucks but the discrepancy is really really frustrating. I’ve been a day 1 customer and am really disappointed this morning. Clear up your menu and...