Brooklyn Bagel Bakery — Restaurant in Virginia

So I’ve been ordering from Brooklyn Bagels forever! I’ve lived in VA since 2000. I moved here from NY and they were the closest thing to NY authenticity in the area. The worse thing that has happened is that the county remodeled the streets in the area recently and there is now no parking so it’s dicey getting your orders. Today I made an order for delivery for my fam and because I have the flu and am miserably confined I messed up one of the bagels- I couldn’t find a means of creating a sandwich with avocado, tomato and lettuce, so I ordered a everything bagel and then put in the notes the additions thinking that I would be charged. Once the order was received I got a call from them that started with an accusation that I ordered a bagel for $1.75 with all these additions that I didn’t pay for. I tried to explain that it was just me trying to order an item that I didn’t see on the online menu and so I made the note in hopes that I could pay for the additional items. It was met with continued statements of me not getting the items because I didn’t pay for them. I took a moment and said sir-I have been a loyal customer of yours for years. I simply was trying my best to customise a bagel, but didn’t find the right means and so used the notes box. He said well the only way you can get the order is if you cancel it here and you redo it. Instead of getting more frustrated I took a deep breath. I know the times we’re living in. Everyone’s on edge, too many people are hurting and angry for reasons they can’t even articulate within themselves sometimes. And so I reminded myself-we’re all suffering and so the best thing to do is simply be kind. And so I said sir- I’ve been a loyal customer of yours forever. I’m not trying to take something that I didn’t pay for. I was simply hoping that you would charge me for the things I noted. He said - the system doesn’t work that way. And then he took a breath and said, you know what, I’ll do this for you. I’ll make the sandwich this time and not charge you. But the next time. I said sir, again, it was a mistake. I’m not the person to try to get over and get something I didn’t pay for. He said ok. I understand. He then took a breath and said my name and then said this one is on me. I thanked him. The bagels arrived promptly. I couldn’t have one because my stomach can take NOTHING! but liquid for the next few days, but this interaction reminded me of something very important-in these times, we’re all going through something that is hard, for some miserable, for others so painful we don’t know how we will get through. it takes nothing to be kind. I was kind to him- lord knows what was going on in his day prior to my order and in turn he was kind to me. It was a small lesson that we can all take in life. Especially now. Thank you Brooklyn Bagels- for always being wonderful. Love your food and your staff. Walk good and be safe out there. We’re going to get through. Just hold the ones you love as close as you can. And remember all is just a stage. My oldest daughter has been eating Brooklyn Bagels all her life. She’s about to go off to college after 18 years. Perspective!! This too shall pass!...

I was craving a bagel and lox. Badly. So this place seemed like a good bet. I had read the previous reviews about issues with incorrect orders, and the suggestions that one order as clearly as possible to potentially avoid similar problems, so when I stepped up to the counter I thought I was ready. I spoke directly and quite clearly, IMO, as I requested a plain bagel with cream cheese, lox and capers. The man behind the counter nodded and said "cream cheese and capers. No lox?" Hmm. I shook my head and responded, "Lox, yes. I definitely want lox. I would like Lox, cream cheese, and capers please." He nodded and asked, "tomatoes?" I said "no tomatoes. Just lox, cream cheese and capers.” He nodded again. "Got it."

He got right to work on my order. I couldn’t see what he was actually doing, as the counter between us was unusually tall and completely opaque, but he seemed focused and confident in his ability to successfully execute the bagel topping task at hand. And there was no one else in line to distract or divert his attention. I thought all was good.

We sailed smoothly through checkout, and I strolled out the door with my freshly made bagel wrapped up and packaged in a refreshingly simple, unbranded paper bag. I believed success was certain.

Once seated at a sidewalk table outside, I opened the bag and saw that I had indeed received lox, cream cheese and capers… AND tomatoes. AND red onions.

?!?!?

Seriously? How did we go wrong? I honestly don't know how I could have been clearer. Perhaps I could have added, "No tomatoes, for real. AND no red onions either, in case you're thinking I want those and just forgot to mention them." But given the explicitly unauthorized tomato inclusion, I don't think that would have helped. I requested it one way. He just made it his way. Very strange. But at least I got everything I DID want… Plus a bit extra.

Once I removed the extraneous tomatoes and onions, all was fine. Nothing groundbreaking, but perfectly good for a basic bagel and lox. If that's what you're in the mood for, it's one of the better options out of the few in the area. And if you like tomatoes and onions, it's an even better option.

Unless they make it differently in your case, of course…

It's kind of like walking into a...

I had high hopes for Brooklyn Bagels in Arlington, but the experience left me thoroughly disappointed. The service was reminiscent of the Tri-State area—quick-moving and no-nonsense. You had to know what you wanted before getting to the front, with 3-4 staff rotating to take orders. Normally, that kind of service works when the food makes up for it. Here? Absolutely not.

On my first visit, I was excited and ordered a pork roll, egg, and cheese. They had no idea what a pork roll was (fair, outside of the Tri-State area), so I rephrased it as a Taylor ham, egg, and cheese. Still nothing. I ended up just saying “ham, egg, and cheese,” but at a place called Brooklyn Bagels, you’d expect some knowledge of East Coast staples. However, that is not what took away points from my review.

When my order finally arrived, it was a disaster. The bagel sandwich looked absolutely despicable—just take a look at the photos I’ve added to this review. I opened up one of the halves of my bagel, and from the photo you’d think I had removed some of the insides. Nope. For the price I paid, I was expecting something resembling quality. Instead, I got a semi-stale bagel with lackluster ingredients that shouldn’t even be associated with the name “Brooklyn.”

If you’re going to market yourself as “Brooklyn” anything, the product should live up to it. This was a...