Good Judys Espresso & Bagel Bar — Restaurant in Urbana

To preface, I've had real New York bagels and am a huge bagel enthusiast.

I saw all the good reviews and read somewhere that the owners have tried Utopia bagels as well, so I had really high hopes. I loved their concept, their branding, and their vision. I really wanted to love their bagels as well! These bagels were freshly made yesterday, but the taste was so off.

I bought their blueberry bagels from the farmers market. And coming from an Asian person, the blueberry bagels are not sweet at all. It was just bread with blueberries in it. I expected the dough to be infused with blueberries, but maybe that's just a Cali/NY thing. Yes these bagels were chewy, but not stretchy like a New York bagel. It was just so, so gummy and it stuck to my teeth! I don't even think I can call these bagels; all of them lacked that signature exterior speckled with small air bubbles, and the crumb was totally off. Bagels should look plump. Plump to the point where they're on the verge of imploding because of all the tightly packed air bubbles. But these were just on ozempic or something.

The bagels were made the day before I purchased them, so maybe they didn't ferment long enough? But I was severely disappointed in these bagels 😞 I guess I have to wait to go back home to San Diego for better bagels that have the same price point as...

I'll preface this review acknowledging this is the second day the store has been open. There are definitely some kinks to be worked out with the store layout, and processes.

The staff were friendly and greeted me when I entered. Everyone seemed to be working together well despite it being a bit busy.

I ordered a 12oz Americano and two breakfast sandwiches. The Americano was pretty watered down tasting even for an Americano and the flavor of the coffee was not very good.

The sandwiches sat on the toaster for a while so by the time I got them, they were barely warm, but I was able to reheat them at home and they were good.

The layout of the store could also use some work since some areas get blocked in as a line forms and there is no clear pickup area for orders. It also seemed like the staff were in each other's way since most things were at the front by the register.

I am excited to have a coffee/breakfast place in the area and I am hopeful that some small changes can improve the overall experience. I'll go back in a few weeks and give it another try and update...

Preface to say I never (repeat never) have Google reviewed a business in my life and I had to come give Good Judy’s 5 stars it was that good! I got a caramel latte with oat milk that tasted great and was well mixed (didn’t have caramel just sitting at the bottom like you sometimes get elsewhere). The bagels were chef’s kiss! I don’t know how you make a better bagel - soft, chewy, perfectly crisp on the edges when toasted. I ordered an everything bagel and BOTH sides had the seasoning on it (top and bottom) and they do not skimp on the amazing cream cheese. Top it all off the menu is extremely well priced for the quality they deliver. I’m so happy to have a coffee shop and these bagels on this side of town - exactly what we needed! Thank you, Good Judy’s, will be...