Vanilya — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I wanted to like this place. I had their bagel at The Dutch and it was so good that I asked where it came from. Came here the next day for another and was SO disappointed. The person taking the orders was increeeedibly rude to me and my partner. They gave us the impression of superiority, too-hip-for-you, and that we were not wanted there. It doesn't take much effort to be kind, but they were really unpleasant to us.

When taking our orders, the employee was unfriendly and took the wrong order. When we tried to correct the order, it was like we personally offended them and it was STILL wrong. They were very snappy at us, and we tried to be as nice as possible.

At the end of the transaction, my partner used cash and the person taking his order didn't give his change back. It was like a forced tip. I gave a tip on my card for the two of us, but I almost didn't because that was so rude.

When we got the orders, the food was not good. The egg on my egg sandwich was spongey and tasted like the fake egg in a McDonald's McMuffin. The bagel was chewy & hard to eat. It seemed like it was a day old. The bagel at the Dutch seemed to have come from a completely different place. The quality was so much worse directly from the bakery. I expected more for such high prices. We left feeling like the place had the most negative energy. I will NOT be going back. I personally don't like my bagel with a side of pretentiousness and...

These are THE BEST BAGELS in Philadelphia. I like a nice soft fluffy bagel. This is it. Delicious inside with just the right “bite” to it. If you haven’t tried these. Do so! I lived in NYC for over 9 years, I am Jewish and grew up eating bagels all my life. I know my bagels. There are other hot new bagel places around, sure, they are ok. They are all a bit different. But Vanilya is still my #1. By far. Another important thing: THEY ARE STILL GOOD A DAY LATER! (Obviously in a bag or plastic or fridge…) but other hot new poetry-loving bagel places are not good at all the next day…. Hard as a rock. Vanilya bagels stay fluffy. I also LOVE the pastrami egg and cheese here. The zatar sandwich is excellent as well. The flavored cream cheeses are good. And their pastries are also some of the best on Passyunk Ave. The owner, Bonnie, is sweet and a hard worker. The Covid pandemic was tough- she adjusted and made it through. She is real with her customers and tells you how the business is, I like that. She also is kind and supports her regulars and local business. Please. Just get her bagels, you won’t regret it. And guess what, they sometimes sell out… cause they are so good! So don’t be surprised if they do… and if so- come earlier the next day or order ahead on her website. That day, get one of the more more mediocre bagels within a few...

The bagels here are absolutely excellent, a bit pricey but worth it.. what I will say, count your bagels.. I’ve done a 1/2 dozen multiple times and this is the second time I was shorted a bagel, which is prompting me to write a review. I did overhear the owner say that she just hired someone new .. but again, for the price, I expected to get what I pay for.

Lastly, my review is so low because any interaction I’ve had with the owner, she’s just been completely rude, not only to me but other customers and even sometimes the way she talks to her staff. It’s not surprising every time I got there the staff seems to have changed, she uses everyone as her personal doormat.

I hope someone in South Philadelphia opens a decent bagel spot so I can give my...