Emma's Bagel Cafe — Restaurant in Niles Township

I've been a long time customer of Emma's, despite the subpar consistency in their food product, overpricing, and poor customer service .

I came to buy a milk shake and lunch for my family, and my children were next to their cookie display (which is lined at child height next to the line to order.) I was with them, just looking at the menu and watching them. The owner came by and passive aggressively said, "Don't drop any of these boxes, 3 have already fell today and you don't want your mom to have to pay for it." Excuse me? Is it my fault you place your overpriced poor excuse for chalk, I mean cookies, next to the line precariously to the very edge of a foot wide counter? I said, "ok we're leaving," and left. But, I decided I should say something because they should know why they lost a customer. I came back in to speak with a manager (I did not know he was the owner at the time.) I was pointed to a woman, and came up to her - and as I was approaching, he was making fun of me and my family leaving! Then as i tried to say how absurd this was, she said, "why are you telling me?! He's the owner! Just leave, papa, don't worry about these people." And then she turned around and walked away. He then stormed out of the store and drove off. Way to be mature and own up to your horrible customer service! I wasn't overtly rude, I used no rude language, just was irritated that he picked on my kids and suggested I would be liable for something that isn't my issue (I can't help you put your goods in a precarious place and get upset when it gets knocked over!) If it's a policy, ok, treat me like an adult and tell me respectfully. Please don't use passive aggressive behavior with my children as an intermediary and expect me to want to continue to use your overpriced, low quality...

I feel bad giving two stars, and I still recommend that you eat here, and I would go back as well. But, the two stars are for a reason.

I left my Uber with high expectations. My first impression was made when I glanced through the window and saw that all the patrons that weren’t eating, were wearing masks. I put on my mask under my nose out of respect.

The atmosphere inside was homey and comfortable. I was excited and optimistic.

When it was my turn to order, the male behind the counter with the darker complexion, greeted me with a frantic gesture motioning me to put my mask over my nose. I complied silently, and then asked the covidphile to recommend what I should order for breakfast. He suggested a three vegetable and cheese omelette, with a bagel and hashed browns. I took up his suggestion, and also paid for bottled orange juice.

I was shocked to discover that the bottled orange juice that I had paid for, was a Tropicana concentrate, instead of freshly squeezed. It tasted like it was out of the fridge from a nurse’s station in a second rate hospital.

Then my plate arrived. (See pictures) As the waitress put the plate down on my table, some raw shredded mozzarella fell off onto the table. I simultaneously noticed, that instead of hashed browned potatoes, they had put a handful of shredded mozzarella on the plate.

I was very confused.

Upon closer examination, the mozzarella was actually shredded potato, that was barely cooked. I couldn’t swallow more than two bites of this corrupted dish that was presented as hashed browns. Were they pranking me?

Omelette was acceptable, but unseasoned. The bagel was good.

When I visit Chicago next time, I’ll go back, but I know what...

I've picked up orders here several times because my daughter likes chocolate chip pancakes, and Emma's is just around the corner, but I honestly hate coming here.

This review is based on today's order, but the overall experience has been exactly the same every time I've been here, unfortunately...

Today, we ordered online at 1pm. We asked for 3 orders of pancakes, that's it. The email said the order would be ready at 1:30. Got there at 1:25, we were never greeted or acknowledged by anyone (this isn't the first time, it's always that way).

I went to the coffee counter and stood there at least 5 minutes before someone came by, and I asked about our order. I was totally ignored. Waited for another person. I asked about my order, she said they were working on it.

We stood around, watching them cooking and they didn't even start preparing our order until 1:40. I understand they were busy, but the unfriendly attitudes and complete lack of proper customer service etiquette is wild.

I'll find somewhere else to order from next time. This is the only place I've ever consistently felt unwelcome and not valued as a customer.

Btw, the pancakes were just okay, definitely not worth waiting 45...