Bagel Cafe 21 — Restaurant in Richardson

So far this has been the best bagel place I've had in DFW!

I went there around noon for lunch on a Wednesday and was hopeful for a wide selection of bagels, but was not surprised that they were almost sold out.

The staff was super friendly and got my sandwich to me super quick, even with a complicated order, she said they normally run out of majority of the bagels pretty early, so try to get there early or call ahead to reserve your bagels in the morning!

I had a great experience and even though I didn't get my precious everything bagel, I'll be returning to sample more of the menu! My sandwich was great, the herb and garlic cream cheese was super good and the bagel (I got plain) was amazingly tasty. I vaguely remember my New York bagel experience being a bit more crusty, but this place was still amazing! Also, extra points for putting so much bacon on my sandwich.

Update: I went back the following week and got there early enough (like 6:15am on a Monday; they open at 6) - there was no wait, so my guess is that the rush hits around 7:30 or so. I got my everything bagel and bacon/chive cream cheese. So good! I still wish the bagel had a crispier crust, but it was great nonetheless. The employee behind the counter was so friendly and got my food quickly. I definitely prefer this over any chain or other bagel...

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a bagel, and saw this place after working out at a nearby gym. As soon as I entered the shop, I noticed the shop was quite packed. Not sure if this is typical or not, but there were at least 15 customers in the shop. I’ve always wanted to try a lox bagel, and I saw several reviews indicating that this was the place in town to try a lox bagel (on Everything). The Rainbow Bagel also caught my eye so I ordered it with a strawberry cream cheese.

The Lox Bagel did not disappoint. I’m a huge fan of smoked salmon (on sushi) and everything combined including the lox spread tasted so good. As you can tell from the pictures, the strawberry cream cheese added was quite significant, and probably the most I’ve seen from any shop. I’m not sure if they made their strawberry cream cheese, but I can tell that there was no added sugar like you find in store-bought cream cheese. The Rainbow bagel in itself has no flavor and seems like a normal bagel. Either way, I really enjoyed the bagel.

I’ll probably go again to try some of the other items like the muffins...

Giving this place a 4 out of 5, but it may be a 5 for some. I don't really think they boil their bagels like the website says (which was why I was excited to try this place). They are not chewy like a boiled bagel usually is, more bready, like Einstein's (who proof their bagels). Also, they serve their Lox bagel as a sandwich wrapped up like a whopper, not open face on a plate. I should have known better since it was listed with the bagel sandwiches, but again, the website pics has it open face, so I wrongly assumed. I asked for my order "for here" but I guess they wrap and bag all orders as if they are to go. I also asked for a plate and they looked at me like no one has ever done that before and then said they did not have plates...so I made a mess at one of there tables (garlic and sesame bagel). The coffee was good (house blend) and the décor was pleasant and very clean. I probably won't be back because I prefer boiled bagels...or I guess just not their boiled bagels (again, too bready, not...