Honestly, I really want to thank Mostafa, the staff member at this bagel shop. He is truly a kind person. This might be one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I’m a tourist visiting New York, and on December 22 at noon, my friends and I took a Lyft to Wall Street. While waiting in line to enter Liberty Bagel for lunch, I realized my phone was missing. I rushed out to search the spot where we got dropped off, but I couldn’t find it. I assumed it must have fallen on the back seat of the Lyft car. I was anxious and had to enter the shop through the exit to find my friends for help (the entrance was locked, and there was a line of people waiting). I explained my situation to Mostafa, the staff member, telling him I had lost my phone and had to come in through the exit. Since my spoken English really sucks, I didn’t explain clearly at first, and he thought I had lost my phone in the shop. He loudly asked everyone in the shop if they had seen a missing phone. After I clarified that my phone had fallen in the car, he encouraged me to find a way to contact the driver. Using my friend’s phone, I tried to contact the Lyft driver, but the call wouldn’t go through, possibly because of the virtual number used by Lyft (the call would hang up immediately). I also tried calling my own phone several times, but since it was on silent, no one picked up. Finally, I thought of using my Apple Watch. I connected it to my friend’s hotspot and used Apple’s Find My service to play a sound on my phone and activate Lost Mode with my friend’s number attached. This worked—the Lyft driver called back! However, since I was nervous and unfamiliar with the location, I couldn’t explain to the driver where I was. I handed the phone to Mostafa, and he communicated with the driver for me. The driver agreed to bring my phone back for $40, which I found reasonable. Mostafa gave the driver his number so the driver could call him when he arrived. Around 2 PM, the driver arrived, and I got my phone back. I tried to give Mostafa some cash to express my gratitude, but he refused and simply asked me to leave a good review on Google. I told him I would share my story. I can’t believe I got my phone back just three hours after losing it. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s effort and help. New York is truly filled with kind and warm-hearted people. That’s the whole...
Read moreIf you're a bagel enthusiast like me, then you absolutely cannot miss out on Liberty Bagels in the heart of New York City. This hidden gem has undoubtedly raised the bar when it comes to serving up the most delectable, fresh bagels I have ever tasted.
From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by the unmistakable aroma of warm, doughy goodness. The cozy atmosphere and friendly staff make you feel right at home, setting the stage for an unforgettable bagel experience.
Let's talk about the bagels themselves—perfection in every bite. The bagels at Liberty Bagels are the epitome of freshness, with a crust that's beautifully golden and a soft, chewy interior that's unrivaled. It's evident that they take immense pride in their craft, and it shows in the impeccable quality of their creations.
Their extensive menu boasts an impressive variety of flavors and toppings to satisfy every bagel lover's cravings. From classic favorites like plain, everything, and sesame to innovative creations like blueberry, chocolate chip, and jalapeño cheddar, there's something for everyone. You can also choose from an array of cream cheese spreads, lox, and other mouthwatering accompaniments to complete your bagel masterpiece.
What sets Liberty Bagels apart from the rest is their commitment to using only the finest ingredients. They source high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients to ensure each bagel is crafted with care and precision. Whether it's the premium flour, the fresh toppings, or the homemade spreads, every element is thoughtfully chosen to enhance the bagel experience.
Aside from their exceptional bagels, the service at Liberty Bagels is truly top-notch. The staff members are friendly, attentive, and always ready to recommend their personal favorites or assist with any dietary preferences or restrictions. Their genuine passion for their craft and dedication to customer satisfaction make the dining experience even more enjoyable.
In summary, Liberty Bagels is a mecca for bagel lovers in NYC. With their unparalleled freshness, diverse flavors, and warm hospitality, they have rightfully earned a spot as one of the city's best bagel joints. If you find yourself craving a truly exceptional bagel, make your way to Liberty Bagels—you won't be...
Read moreDowntown location is a 100% 'tourist trap', right next to the 'Raging Bull'. New Yorkers should best avoid it during season (which is year-round), especially weekends. On this cold Sunday morning, the queue of 10 outside + 30 inside the store was shepherded by couple of gents with bad vibe (not personality) of nightclub bouncers, as if they were doing a favor by letting us in! Decor aimed at positioning them as quick stop bagel museum, or at least as social media strut (pic - decor is nice, tourist-focused). There's branding all across (including the doormat - pic) and potential stolen glory in calling themselves 'Home of the Rainbow Bagel' {I thought that claim was with Scot Rossillo of now-defunct Bagel Store}.
Queue moved fast. They've structured it such that order + payment is taken deep inside the premises and food delivered nearer the exit. Expect patrons to walk out with the food? While that enables accommdating longer Qs inside the premises, it adds to drill-master style Q management and to in-store traffic turmoil.... The few tables are deep inside, or one has to scarf food standing, along curtain wall, sharing space with trash cans. Definitely a downer.
Jalapeno-everything bagel was colored green (why?) and had a lot going on; which wasn't jalapeno. Cinnamon raisin bagel had nice striations (pic) but too chewy for our liking. Schmears were okay. Interestingly, both bagels had cc spilling out on one side and dry on the other! Coffee was okay. Self service corner is almost like an afterthought (order your creamer with coffee, please). Yet another store that fell short on jalapeno / everything bagel index {à la... Big Mac index of The Economist}; my single factor index for this year's holidays bagel crawl. On this parameter, New York Times rating is not reliable. These NYT guys should try the mystery eater approach to evaluate better. A successful case of leveraging locational advantage to present a visual aura.
The place might work for downtown office goers (who just need to fill up), or for visuals-seeking tourists. Connoisseurs, be prepared for disappointment if you're going for bagel, not for buzz. Disclaimer: This review is about bagel experience only. Liberty Bagels also offers other breakfast options and...
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