Spread Bagelry — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Where to begin.... First the bagels are ok, nothing I'd get off 95 to go and get. I've had the real thing in Montreal and its way better! So that would have gotten you 3 stars.

However, the most frustrating thing about this eatery is its total lack of customer service and complete INCOMPETANCE. They really do not see the big picture will always continue to be an overpriced small time dough store.

I placed an order for pick up one week in advance for 24 bagels and the recommended number of tins for cream cheese. (Way to many I'm guessing they were doing their best to inflate the bill) I prepaid for this order. This was for my girlfriends meeting with her fellow physicians and coworkers. Most who happen to live here in Ritten House. The order was to be ready Thursday morning 7:15AM so she could drive in pick up and be on her way. She arrives to pick up the order. There is her and one other customer and an extremely disoriented cashier. Hung-over, high, or drunk? The girl pulls the prepacked order and unpacks it. Then proceeds to charge my girlfriend again full price even though it says "paid" on the ticket. Needless to say my girlfriend goes to her meeting and half the order is missing. EMBARASSING! Not only to my girlfriend who was trying to do something nice for her coworkers but for a store that lacks the skill of adding and subtracting. Upon calling the management they said we'll give you a full refund. However, when checking for this refund only half the refund was received. Again adding and subtracting issue. Called the store again and the manager said we needed to pay for the abundance of cream cheese that was provided. What good is the cream cheese without the f^%$%ing bagels! Don't know if we'll ever see this refund....

The bigger picture is this and a math lesson. You figure she had 12-13 people in that meeting. Who now know the incompetence of spread. Who now won't go to spread. You figure their overpriced menu puts each visit about 35$ per visit; times 12 = $420 if they all visit in a month. They tell a friend the story = $5040 per month. For 12 months = $60,480 lost revenue per year. This review on google = who knows. As a Biotech salesrep I cater events to large corporations regularly. Spread won't be used for this. For the same price at Panera Bread. I would have had coffee, utensils, plates etc. Not 2 flimsy plastic knives that were provided. If you want Montreal style bagels get them in Montreal. Philly is for...

After months of anticipation (because I swear they were supposed to open back in January or February), Spread Bagelry (located conveniently across the street from me) opened its doors to customers this past Monday.

As a New Yorker, I grew up with bagels, whether it be the ones from the bodegas and delis right by school, or the ones off the coffee carts outside the office, or the ones from H&H that have garnered national acclaim.

Although I'm not a big fan of bread, I'm almost always willing to make an exception for a taste of something new. And having never had a Montreal-style bagel, I was keen to see how it'd fare against my traditional New York bagel.

To my delight, I thought my whole wheat everything bagel was quite delicious. A little denser and a little sweeter, it contrasted well with the slightly salty Trader Joe's peanut butter cream cheese I slathered on it. Because Montreal-style bagels are made without salt and boiled in honey water, they have just a hint of sweetness--which my sweet tooth appreciated.

While the staff is still figuring out basic things (like how to use the credit card machine), they are very congenial, which is always wonderful to have first thing in the morning. In addition, the rustic quality of the space and the warmth of the wood fire oven are both great draws for potential customers, especially since spring has yet to cling to Philly.

Food-wise, Spread offers a number of scrumptious-sounding seasonal spreads (including Amish Farm Jam and Sweet Farm Butter), as well as breakfast sandwiches, regular bagel sandwiches, and bagel melts. The menu is just extensive enough without being overwhelming, and the fact that the bagelry serves La Colombe Coffee is simply icing on the cake.

While the cost of these bagels and bagel products are definitely (and often significantly) higher than your typical bagel options, they may be worth it given the seasonal, local, and farm-fresh quality of their ingredients. However, I'll need to make it back and try the Bagelry Club before I make any further comments. --lil miss...

Was craving a bagel and ventured into Spread Bagelry for a Carnegie Breakfast - egg, Swiss cheese, and pastrami on your choice of bagel.

Felt like a quaint local neighborhood spot and it was decently steady on the Sunday morning that I visited with plenty of people coming to dine in and those ordering/picking up to-go. I didn't think too much of the wait at first because it was busy, but after a handful of patrons had long ordered and received their food before I had, I came up to the cashier to ask about mine. I don't know if my ticket didn't show up on their screens or if it was overlooked, but i ended up waiting even longer before it was done. I apparently wasn't the only one whose order wasn't made/overlooked /lost because a gentleman who was already waiting on food when I first stepped in line experienced the same long wait. I don't know if that's a regular thing that happens or if the staff was swamped, I'm not sure.

I finally got my order and even after a 10 minute walk back to my hotel, my bagel was still nice and warm. The eggs were nicely seasoned and the Swiss cheese was a nice touch, however the pastrami was slightly lacking in quantity. On the plus side though, the pastrami was delicious and the bagel overall hit the spot.

All in all, not a bad place for a breakfast sandwich. It might be more on the pricey side but I think it's still worth checking out despite the...