Broadway Bagels Cafe — Restaurant in Spartanburg

I seldom write a poor review preferring to praise good experiences. For many years, since B. B. opened, my wife and I have enjoyed our visits. It’s been several years (pandemic and travel) so we decided to return on a Monday for lunch around 11:30. It was nearly empty. The service pleasant but slow. My wife’s coffee took so long I inquired. “It’s on the way.” Her steak bagel arrived, bagel good but minimal steak that resembled Steak ‘Em. A few minutes later my Western Omelet arrived, then her coffee last. Absolutely the worst omelet I recall in 70+ years. The eggs were grilled extra well done both sides, brown. Then a slice of cheese, then ham, not the best -I checked to sure it wasn’t fried baloney, then the veggies layered. (50-60% dried tomatoes - I like them but mucho overkill). The burnt eggs were wrapped around it all. Were they trying for crepes? Missed that too. Aren’t omelet fixings normally folded into the eggs? Anyway I ate the filling and took the burnt eggs for my dog. My wife ate half of hers and the rest came home for doggie. With hindsight the 20% tip was excessive but the staff was briskly pleasant. I almost went 25%. Learning curve, save a cash gratuity until done, opps we had to clean up ourselves. I hate we won’t return as we have fond memories of excellent food from the past. Oh well, things change. Hope it changes again...

A while back I experienced a hankering for lox & bagels. So, I searched for a place to that offered this item (unfortunately, in this part of the country classic delis are a bit hard to find). Broadway Bagels popped up, and my wife and I sampled their offering on a Saturday morning breakfast outing. This was our first visit to this establishment, and the initial impression was that we were welcomed by the fragrant, delicious smell of the food being prepared. It smelled like you would want a deli to smell upon entering. Since we were on a mission to scratch our lox & bagels itch, we knew the contents we would select - now, to choose what type of bagel, and they have many to offer. I chose the onion and my wife went with the plain. I wanted all the trimmings with my sandwich - 4 oz. of lox, generous cream cheese, a slice of tomato and plenty of capers. They were not stingy in loading up the bagel! My wife suggests that for most people 2 oz. would be sufficient. The lox & bagels were great, and I am pleased to have a new dining place for bagel options. I failed to take a picture this time - a failure I will remedy on my next visit! Other options look equally appetizing, I look forward to sampling them. Glad to have this option...

We were in town visiting family, and stopped by for some brunch with a friend. Very disappointing.

The whole place is a little outdated and felt pretty tired. A sprucing up in decor would do it good. The employees we saw could be more put together, like a semblance of a uniform. Maybe some hair nets or hats, and shoes that are kitchen-safe.

It felt like everything was an upcharge. When something is priced highly, it comes with expectations. You expect either exceptional food or a wondrous experience... sadly, we got neither. We wanted to see if we were just being pretentious, so we looked at some menu prices in NYC, and wow. Brooklyn, NY fresh bagels are less expensive than they are here. We were right to feel a bit overcharged and underserved.

I hope the owners see this review as constructive criticism, and not a harsh comment to try to get removed. The place really has potential to be outstanding. As a note, we do NOT mind paying higher prices for food and experiences. We just feel higher expectations are fair when prices are high.

We are willing to come back and give it another chance to...