Bagel Bar East

Not that I had super high hopes but from the picture online, Bagel Bar seemed like a nice big stocked deli. There weren’t many bagel options and the schmears looked like an afterthought. Bagels were disappointing. Dry and flavorless...tasted like a mass produced bagel from the store. I watched them cut and toast a bunch of bagels and left them out for 30+ minutes to dry. I don’t really understand why a place would be called bagel bar if bagels are such a low priority.

Server had a ton of attitude and avoided checking on us. Our order took almost 40 minutes. We ordered two bacon egg and cheese bagels. We had to ask the cleaning people and even the host for boxes and service. Somehow it felt like it was our faults for the food and service lacking.

The matzo ball soup had very little flavor. Overall not terrible but also not worth paying for either. It tasted and looked exactly like Progresso soup but with less seasoning.

Bagel Bar has a ton of options and I liked that they carry Carnegie Deli beef. I can just order those direct so I don’t really see a need to come back unless the quality and service improve. There seemed to be a few other unhappy diners and the couple next to us left a big majority of their food after having the same reaction I had. I barely finished half before boxing the rest to go.

I know I’ve been spoiled by Russ and Daughters in NYC but I just felt like today was a big hot mess. Also the service could have saved the experience but that was ultimately lacking too. I woke up today craving a good bagel and I wanted to try a new place but I should have just stuck to El Bagel.