H&H Bagels — Restaurant in Santa Monica

I have never been to H&H Bagels in NY, so I cannot compare. But I did see about this place online and was super curious to try. I have been disappointed with some bagel places around here, and I have my specific spots that I like.

Anyway, so I wanted to try this one. I had already passed by it a few times and it was always crowded with long line.

So, we went on a weekend, it was crowded, but we probably waited 10-15min. It can still be considered as a lot, but I wanted to try.

Inside it gets a bit loud, and the way to order is not very easy as you have a big glass between you and the worker. You kind of have to yell to make yourself heard - imagine when you have to name a bunch of different ingredients.

After that, you go to the register to pay where you need to repeat your order again. I just feel it’s a bit messy as a system. And, then you need to find the person who took your order.

Now comes the time to try the food. The bagel is fairly big with quite a lot of food inside. But… it was a bit blend in terms of taste to be honest. I did ask for toasted bagels, but if they actually did it, it was very light so that was disappointing as well.

And, I don’t have much more to say - it was just a very basic bagel, so for me it didn’t live up to the hype.

I would try it again very well toasted with salted butter, and then it might bring me...

Update 3/15:

Sadly the growing pains have not been worked out. Twice went online to order due to line & wait & the online order system was deliberately turned off. Once I said forget it, the second time I was 6th in a short line & the wait was 30 minutes at a non peak weekday time. When I commented to the manager that this wait was unacceptable & online ordering was again not available, he basically nodded. I will no longer wait in a 30 minute line for one bagel sandwich. So suggest they get online ordering consistently available or it’s back to Sam’s Bagels right down the street.

As a transplanted NY’er was expecting growing pains at this newly opened branch in our neighborhood but experience was amazing! We ordered online, the Taylor ham, egg & cheese bagel sandwiches were perfection, pickup was easy. Staff was lovely. My only negative comment was the overly crowded space with TOO many dogs. Don’t fall into the trap of your establishment looking like doggy day care. The “service animal” scam is used by everyone and as much as we all love dogs, they don’t belong in an indoor food setting. Otherwise kudos on a...

Visiting LA for the weekend, how excited were we to find an H&H bagels on Montana in Santa Monica. Of course I asked, and yes, the dough is from New York and then freshly baked in SM, so no wonder it’s so delicious. Top that with a nice serving of cream cheese and nova (smoked salmon) - no skimping there 😉 - and we could not have been happier. The quality of the food was excellent ( just like New York) and the serving was really generous. I actually saved half of my bagel for lunch!

The staff is very nice and moves swiftly even though everything is made to order. A big thing for me, cleanliness, and an A+ there too. The staff is attentive to the tables when a guest leaves and the drink and supply bar.

A little bit of a wait, but no one is complaining as everyone knows why they are there. Sides the food, H&H has a great environment and everyone is very friendly.

First stop for us next time in...