Botta Bing Bagel & Deli — Restaurant in Virginia

I purchased a dozen bagels on Sunday morning, July 29, 2012. By the way, Botta Bing does not pack a baker's dozen. I arrived home, and as soon as I felt the first bagel I realized it was stale. I cut into it and the inside of the bagel was refrigerator temperature cold. It was clearly a day-old bagel that had been refrigerated. I cut into another bagel and it too was stale and cold. I found that every bagel I checked was stale. I took the dozen bagels back to the store. I told the worker what I discovered and the worker claimed that although the bagels were made off-site they were nonetheless fresh. I asked her how that explains the cold temperature of the bagels and the fact that they were clearly stale, at which point she admitted that some of the bagels in the bin were from the day before, but claimed that she felt them and made sure she only gave me fresh ones. She gave me a refund for the bagels. The Botta Bing website states: "freshly made bagels on-site", however, the worker admitted to me that they were made off-site. Botta Bing no longer occupies the front of the building but has moved to a dimly lit back area. The front of the shop is empty...

I simply loved this place. I was craving a bagel with real lox and cream cheese, not that lox spread and Botta Bing delivered with no disappointment. It was a bit hidden behind some other stores, once we found it we were a little skeptical as it's nothing glamorous but the food quality was amazing, the prices were beyond reasonable and the portions were massive. You will come here and certainly leave full. The two women behind the counter cooking and taking orders were non-stop from the time we walked in the door. Everything was fresh and made to order. There is limited seating but the rotation is quick as people eat and leave. If you decide to stay they tell you take a seat and actually bring you your food. My partner had one of the breakfast sandwiches on a bagel, the eggs and meat were falling out the sides it was packed so full. To bad we were only visiting. If we lived closer I'm sure we would be there at least a few times...

To say you make NY style bagels, I hold you to a high standard.

I went into the deli and it was clean, and the owners were very warm, inviting and kind. I asked for a dozen bagels, but as I was picking out my selections, I noticed a gnat in the bagel case which was a bit of a turnoff. Anyway, I thought to myself we are in gnat land anyway, so I proceeded on with my order.

When I got home I was hoping for that tear into a warm bagel experience, but these bagels didn't give you that. I wondered if they might have been left over from the day before then.

I toasted up the bagel and added cream cheese, and after all it was tasty, but not true NY style, because you wouldn't see the hole in the center.

In the future I'd try Botta Bing again because I'd like to try a fresh made breakfast sandwich, which maybe then would make me change my opinion on the quality of...