Rubinstein Bagels Capitol Hill — Restaurant in Seattle

Update After seeing a response to another review with a similar complaint to mine, I noticed the restaurant had removed the service fee in response to customer feedback. It's great to see a business listening to its customers and addressing deceptive pricing practices. Because of this, I've updated my star rating and have begun visiting the restaurant again. Original review is included below for reference.

Original Review

I have been going here a while. I like the bagels and have always had good service. I was thoroughly annoyed though with the change to a mandatory 18% service charge. Unlike some other commentors I was explicitly told about it and was told I didn't need to tip although I still did have to go through the tip screen (it at least defaulted to no tip at the time).

Although I couldn't imagine for all customers going forward they were going to go through that whole schpeel about service charges and not needing to tip and based on other reviews it seems like they already stopped.

When I asked about it I was told it was because customers were starting to tip less, especially around Christmas. Which for a restaurant where we do our own bussing and picking up of orders I guess I am not sure why people would feel the need to tip as much. But regardless, if the goal from the owner is to compensate your workers more with the guaranteed 18% of sales then PLEASE just raise your prices 18%. You can then promise that 18% increase in price as a profit sharing with your employees and remove the tip option all together.

I don't need to be involved or explicitly told about the inner workings of your business. This is an issue between the owner and workers no need to involve customers. Just show me the actual price I am going to pay and don't make me feel like the bad guy as to why your workers aren't making as much.

Almost certain to go less often as a result of...

Seattle 4/5, So Cal 3/5, NY 2/5. I’m a Jew from California originally and I’ve been chasing the bagels of my childhood ever since we came to the PNW. Seattle especially has pretty terrible bagels, even worse south of the montlake cut.

That being said. Rubinstein is my favorite bagel within walking distance to me, and that stands for a whole lot honestly! I’m not going to take an hour long bus for my breakfast bagel, ya know. Although slightly chewy, their bagels are tasty and my sesame bagel had the right amount of sesame seeds. I had the lox breakfast sandwich and I added cucumbers which made it perfect. Generous and really nice lox. Perfect amount of onion, really thin cut and not too much. They serve it open face WHICH MAKES ME SO HAPPY.

Although not a deli, it’s a solid bagel shop which has LOX that’s a welcome addition to the neighborhood and outperforms anything else on the hill, and I’ve tried them all.

Cute little shop with good coffee and nice staff. No inside seating due to Covid but on a nice day there’s a ton around the neighborhood or a short walk to the park would be a great spot to eat a bagel.

If you’re looking for the best bagel in Seattle maybe try Zylberschtein’s or Rachel’s Bagels and Burritos. Or order from Russ and Daughter’s for a special occasion. But rubenstein outranks Eltana, Westman’s, dingfelders, all the cherry house coffees, and Seattle bagel bakery by a mile in both...

I have been so anticipating their opening on 15th near my home. I have walked by regularly to see if they were open yet. Today they were. I got a sea salt bagel with a schmear of cream cheese. So disappointed. Way too salty. Tough. Outer crust is hard to bite through and then the inner is chewy and doughy. Also small but that was an advantage as I could barely get the whole thing down and I do love to eat and never give up but seriously considered it. Having spent some years in Jersey and New York, I have some experience with a good bagel. This is not a good bagel. Westman's is way better and it's a longer walk but that's where I'll continue to go for the closest thing I've found here for an authentic NY bagel.

I'd have given two or even one star but the staff were excellent so kudos to them.

I'll also say that I will return because they have just opened and I know what that's like and maybe they were just off. I'll give them another try but not optimistic.

I am so sorry to leave a negative review but maybe that will help to improve what you're offering and make a successful venture. I don't...