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Bagel Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Food Bagels Restaurants, Bagels [Edit]
6551 Trigo RdSte 1
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 685-7114
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6:30 am - 3 pm
Thu-Sat 11 pm - 3 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
82 reviews for Bagel Cafe
Review Highlights
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"The Super Emma or the Super Deluxe are the best by far." In 11 reviews -
"that lemon pepper makes all the difference in the world." In 16 reviews -
"...one of the things i uber miss about college/isla vista." In 9 reviews
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82 reviews in English
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Review from Christian C.
Cupertino, CA
super emma, fire in the hole, harvey kaitel. yum! I Love this place, and I love how it's open from 10pm to 3am on thurs fri and saturday.
though they did open 15 minutes late one time and made me wait 40 minutes for a bagel, i will still give them 5 stars because their food is really yummy...
note: any purchase under 5 dollars with a credit card is subject to a 50 cent fee.
other than that their food is well priced. -
Review from Erish M.
Northridge, CA
I've been here so many times that I can't even count. I remember my first time coming here, it was so good that I came back everyday for the next week! When they make it right, it tastes DELICIOUS!
Sadly, the last few times I went here, something's changed. They just don't seem to pack the same amazing punch that keeps me wanting more. I watched them make my slammin' salmon, throwing 2 (barely covering 1/4 of my bagel) slices of salmon on it (literally throwing it on there, so that the salmon was only on part of my bagel). It seemed like the people there didn't care & the fact that they don't ever use gloves gives me the goosebumps.
This place used to be worth spending 5 or even 7 dollars on just one bagel alone. Now, it's just expensive and gross, and not worth waiting that ridiculous wait for a bagel. If you do crave a bagel; however, I'd go for the ones straight out of the oven. That way, you can kill the germs that are spread from their hands. -
Review from Nathan W.
Sup Dude? Oh hey, I'm just a little toasted, laying on a whole container of cream cheese on your bagel duuuude. Woah, I'm totally cross faded & failing at my simple job, but hey get back on that wave & ride. Yaaaa....
Really good menu, I had half of an avocado, cream cheese, sprouts, American cheese melt on an herb cheese bagel (sorry forgot what it was called, got too much of a second hand high from the staff). I also ate half of my girlfriend's Hampton (lox, cream cheese, onions, tomato, & lemon pepper) on sesame wheat.
With endless combinations, they all looked tasty. They also all had so much cream cheese oozing off, it was a little ridiculous. It was a very Isla Vista joint, but I guess that is part of the "charm." Our food did take a while, which I hear is the norm. All in all an awesome menu of bagel sandwiches & melts, but don't expect me to write a review & not sound off on the lackluster staff. -
Review from Christopher M.
Anaheim, CA
OMFG!! DELICIOUS!! Eating at Bagel Cafe is the BEST FIRST choice you could possibly make in the morning!! The cafe is pretty small, but the food is definitely worth it! There is plenty of outdoor seating, so finding a table shouldn't be a problem. I ate here for the first time today, and even at 8am, this place is already forming a line. Don't worry though, the line moves very quickly, and the food is prepared swiftly. Aside from a wide variety of bagels and pastries, Bagel Cafe also has several options in hot breakfasts. I ate the "5-0" SANDWICH and I pretty much devoured it. The eggs were cooked perfectly, and the bacon and peppers balanced the flavor perfectly. In short, Bagel Cafe is breakfast HEAVEN!! Definitely coming back here again!
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Review from David W.
Goleta, CA
Wow! My son and I went here this morning...This was good stuff. Eggel breakfast...Can't wait until next time!
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Review from Janelle H.
Los Angeles, CA
again, i was a dumb dumb freshmen who did not understand the treasures of isla vista. NO other bagel place has ever come close to bagel cafe, ever. the melts and the sandwiches?! EVERYTHING GOOD I WILL WAIT IN LINE I WILL (try) TO WAKE UP EARLY! they close early afternoon..or when they run out of their fresh baked bagels.
now opened late on weekends! blargh yum mrwar1 Previous Review:
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7/17/2007
It took forever to get my bagel and when i asked for tomatoes they gave me 2 slithers of tomato....
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7/17/2007
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Review from Amanda m.
Goleta, CA
My initial response once i got into the Bagel Cafe today was 'yuck'! There were 2 girls outside smoking cigarettes right next to the front door, and the scent was wafting inside. I despise the smell of cigarattes and it almost made me want to leave and eat somewhere else. But- I had read great reviews on yelp and trekked out to IV with the sole purpose of going here, so I persevered. Their menu has bagel sandwiches, bagel melts (ie. toasted and with cheese and other stuff on top, served open-faced) and some breakfast bagel sandwiches. I believe they also have coffee.
At the recommendation of the counter-boy, I decided to order the Super Deluxe to-go. Mid-ordering, the 2 smokers ran into the store to share their excitement about the trance music coming through the stores speakers. Apparently their male friend worked there so they spent some time chatting with him too. Later while I was outside waiting for my food, I heard the 2 girls and the boy loudly talking about how they couldn't wait to smoke a bowl.
Really, guys? Keep that stuff on the d/l. I'm pretty sure the girls were drunk or hungover and high. I didn't like that the guy who kept talking about smoking a bowl was behind the counter earlier. Luckily he didn't make my sandwich, someone else (perhaps sober?) did that task.
Anyways, the atmosphere is gross and pretty much sums up IV. The food is alright. They gave me my bagel to-go with a light wrapping of foil around it. Since the bagel was hot out of the oven, it was hot as hell. They should look into getting a carrier or wrapping it in a bag or something else.
Overall: this is probably best for drunk or hungover college kids. If you're sober, WTF are you doing here? -
Review from Youri Y.
Oxnard, CA
I've came here a few times and what makes them different from other food places in IV are:
+opened early morning for hungover food
+reasonable to cheap prices (bagels, bagelwiches and melts range from $2.50-$6ish)
+a bit more healthier alternative compared to getting a chorizo breakfast burrito
+fast and friendly service
+outdoor patio seating to enjoy the usual cloudy 65 degree SB weather :)
Only negatives I could think of are the long line out the door usually and the place is tiny. Other than that, it's worth a try :) -
Review from Katrina T.
Cupertino, CA
When my girlfriend said, "let's get bagels for breakfast" I thought, GREATTTT carbs for just a simple bagel. I didn't realize that this placed didn't just offer bagels, they offered BAGELWICHES! YUM!
Super tiny and cramped inside. Sucks because this place gets super busy with all the college students coming here for breakfast after a hangover from the previous night. It took me a good 15 minutes to decide what I wanted to get. I decided on the "Taxi" which was oh soo good. From what I remember, it had ham, cheese, cream cheese (special flavor, I forgot what it was called), lettuce and tomato. I don't know if I am missing anything, but whatever because this bagelwich was so damn good.
I think it is cool that this place specializes only in bagel-type food and everything on the menu is tasty. They also call their bagels cool names relating to the college life, like the "hangover". I don't know what they do, but they do it well. So many bagel options itself and a variety of bagelwich choices. To be honest, after you get the bagelwich it doesn't look that appealing, but once you take a bite into it, it is a wholeeeeee different story! -
Review from Chrissy S.
Isla Vista, CA
Bagel Cafe is the bombest! It's a bit pricey, but so worth it!
Their bagels are baked fresh in the store. They're amazing with just cream cheese and I recommend trying some of their flavored cream cheeses (the lox one is my favorite).
If you're down to splurge though, go for one of their melts or bagelwiches -
Review from Alexx S.
Goleta, CA
Fresh Bagels, huge variety and good offers...
BEST BAGELs in TOWN! Period! -
Review from Caleb C.
Santa Barbara, CA
A friend of mine was just hyping this place like crazy so I decided to give it a try. I got the pizza bagel for a cool 5 something dollars and it was pretty good. This place stays open pretty late (we went around 2 a.m. i think) which was a plus and the people who work there are really nice.
Good stop for breakfast or late night snack -
Review from Kristina P.
Novato, CA
Dang for all the hype and good reviews I heard about this place I am HELLA disappointed and they messed up on too many levels.
I was checkin out the menu, lady worker was nice at first but turned out to be a shady & annoying beezy.
1. I was the only customer and after awkwardly standing there waiting for 15 minutes, struggling with words with friends in the early AM to waste time, and listening to this chick QQ about boys and sounding like a complete derp... homegirl THEN remembers to make my sandwich after i'm waiting this long... Come on girl shouldn't you be used to making sandwiches for people now with the quickness? When you're hungry and not a morning person the last thing you wanna do is listen to some chick friggen whining about her life & boy issues. Shiet hurry up and do your job and tell your life story afterwards.
2. I ordered the international, and for what it is its pretty overpriced and I was disappointed by the size of it. PLUS to make it even worse homegirl left out the 2 crucial ingredients of lettuce & tomato and put onions aka not the bizz to my tastebuds. Dayumm girl I just told you my order and there's no other order to do. This place was a major disappointment... but hopefully in future times they'll redeem my love. -
Review from KyraAnne G.
Huntington Beach, CA
I don't understand what all the hype is about! I should preface this with the fact that I don't really like bagels and I've been spoiled by H&H in NYC. After tons of friends recommending it, I went and got what everyone told me to: the Super Emma on a Herb+Cheese bagel.
The first thing that bothered me about Bagel Cafe was the atmosphere. I ordered the bagel for $6.25 (WHAT?!). First I realized he overcharged me but I didn't bring it up because it was only 50c. But also the employee was NOT friendly or working very hard. He was standing around changing the music for about 4 minutes until even starting on my bagel and I was the only person in the store so I knew there was no excuse. However the manager was incredibly nice and kept apologizing so he made up for it.
I didn't really like the bagel either :( However the pesto cream cheese was delicious. If I return I will get a bagel with the flavored cream cheese without any toppings. -
Review from Liz K.
Los Angeles, CA
Oh lordy lord how I miss me some Bagel Cafe. After trying to find a comparable bagel in Los Angeles I started to reminisce about Bagel Cafe, the IV hangover institution.
On Saturday and Sunday mornings you can expect the line to run out the door and around the corner but it's worth it, not only for the morning after walk of shame people watching opportunities, but yes, for the bagels.
Ive spent many a morning here re-reading the large menu of options trying to decide what to get but I usually go with the same thing every time, the openfaced bagel with pesto and sliced tomato or the turkey bagelwich. I love this place to death and make it a point to visit every time I'm In the Santa Barbara area. -
Review from Anya R.
I've yet to find a place like this anywhere.
Somewhere that has a bajillion yummy bagel sandwiches.
Beware this place gets PACKED Sat and Sun morning/late afternoon for all the college kids that have hangovers.. aww I remember those days..
Just went back recently and prizes have been raised.
SUPER DELUXE MELT. I have that on Jalapeno bagel. To die for.
Over 6 bucks- they take credit card. Just be patient because their numbering system is non existent. Go in the number order! -
Review from Alexandra M.
Irvine, CA
This place used to be wonderful. It was my favorite cheap eat in college, but it's overpriced and not nearly as good anymore. And it's not that I've graduated college and no longer go there hung over, it really just has gone downhill.
I graduated in 2007, and have gone back several times over the years and still loved it, but recent trips have made me decide it's time to say goodbye to the Bagel Cafe.
The last time I went they forgot the lemon pepper on my Zuma and the bacon on my husband's Eggle. This wouldn't be such a big deal if it didn't mean wrassling through the crowds to get it fixed. Both of the bagel sandwiches were painfully bland. All of my veggies tasted like they were starting to spoil, and there was no salt on anything. I could go on, but point is that it's really just not the same quality institution it was a few years ago. :( -
Review from Justin R.
Riverside, CA
My girlfriend and I have cravings for this place all the time- sadly, we live 3 hours away. Their bagle coccotions are the best I've ever had. I go with the "Fire in the hole every time"- turkey, bacon, avocado, and habanero salsa. I'm salavating thinking about right now.
Though It's sometimes difficult to find a seat and the tables are metal grating, we try to visit this place every time we are in the area. -
Review from Austin E.
Goleta, CA
Great bagels and great location in Isla Vista. However, an employee working night shift tonight made a very rude and peculiar gesture which has since completely changed my perspective of Bagel Cafe. Sadly, I won't be returning there anytime soon.
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Review from Cathy N.
Love bagels? Love bagels with TONS of cream cheese? Good then. Go to the Bagel Cafe!!!
This was definitely my "hangover remedy" during my college days. A big fluffy tomato basil bagel, slathered with a fatty layer of jalapeno cream cheese. Drooooool. They also have "open faced" bagels, which is a bagel sliced in half with whatever you want on them.. ham, cheese, sour cream, onions, etc. They have some pre-made "open faced" and bagel-wich options on the menu.
Busiest hours will be around 11am and 12pm, 'cause that's when all the college students are rolling out of bed. Come a little earlier, or a little later.. they do close at 5pm though, so don't come too late! Outdoor seating only, so you'll have to take your order to-go if it's cold or rainy.
Miss you, Bagel Cafe!Listed in: Otra vez! Otra vez!
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Review from Enza P.
BEST BAGELS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
Every time I'm in Santa Barbara, I have to eat here at least twice, and take and get another bagel for the 4 hour drive home. They have SO MANY THINGS ON THE MENU IT'S RIDICULOUS. I think you could try a different bagel everyday for half a year before having to repeat the menu. They've got their regular menu and a white board with specials. And by specials I mean, delicious bagels that are cheaper than the items on the menu. A bagel here varies from $2-$6. Some of these bagels have a crap load of ingredients in them like bacon, cheese, egg, peperoni, garlic, ham, basically anything you could possibly think of!!
This place gets so packed, especially when everyone at UCSB is hung over and in desperate need of some food. On weekends, they open extra late just for drunkies.
In the morning, I had to try really hard to wake up, walk 4 houses over to get food before the place filled up. It's a tiny place with usually 4 people working. Although the line gets crazy long, they take orders fast and the food comes out in great time.
I am so impatient when it comes to waiting, but this place is worth it. And honestly, the wait is NOT that bad; so don't turn this place away, it just shows how popular it is!
Even when it's busy, the employees are always super nice. I love garlic bagels or onion bagels and they've got the best garlic bagels here. SO MUCH FLAVOR :) So much that I've got to brush my teeth after hahaha.
I wish they had one in the bay area. I miss this place so much! -
Review from Suzanne S.
Kentfield, CA
UCSB alum and this is one of the things I miss most about IV. Their bagels are made fresh on-site, and they distribute to many other IV businesses for resale. It's super small and can get really packed friday, saturday, and sunday mornings but it's worth it. The Super Emma or the Super Deluxe are the best by far. Try it on their galaxy (everything) bagel.
Awesome. -
Review from Eryn K.
San Francisco, CA
I mean...they make everything fresh...and they a bajillion different combos/toppings/cream cheese types/etc...what's not to like?
So...everything is dank. Except I wasn't a big fan of the benedict bagel with was a bagel of your choice, cream cheese, tomatoes, lox, and hollandaise. The lox was gross and tasted too fishy aka not fresh. Canadian bacon would've been a better choice...BUT! Everything else is purely crackin'. My friend go the Hangover bagel (btdubs this place is like the perfect place for the day-after-you-got-really-shit-faced-type of day) which was cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapeno cream cheese, and some other shit...bacon should be a clear give-away of it's chronic-nature. Too poppin'. They have this tight thing too that you can hollow out the bagel and fill it with shit!
They have a really good array of super salty, semi-salty, sweet and salty, sweet as fuck (like Sex on the Beach aka butter and cinnamon sugar on ya bagel...really like sex...actually). This place is crucial. The lines can get a little long and the wait can be a little bitch especially if you're starving, but I mean...suck it up, it's worth the wait! -
Review from Jamie S.
Bagel Cafe is the best place in IV. Food is amazing.
I've tried a few things like Sex on a Bagel and the Hampton, but my go-to bagel is the Super Emma on Herb Cheese. $6.25 seems a bit pricey, but I can't help but go. Great drunk food, great hungover food, great sober food.
My only complaint is that they're not open for dinner. I'm so going to miss this place when I graduate in June. -
Review from Lindsay B.
Riverside, CA
I love Bagel Cafe! My boyfriend used to go to UCSB and lived in Isla Vista. Lucky for me! I love their delicious bagel creations! Whenever I get a chance to be in Santa Barbara, I always beg to make a breakfast stop here. All I've ever ordered is the Super Deluxe, which is probably a shame, but it's too yummy to pass up. The lemon pepper really adds a great taste to the sun-dried tomato cream cheese. Definitely stop here if you get a chance.
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Review from Dana M.
Santa Monica, CA
AMAZING bagels abound here!
Best Bagel? Herb and Cheese!
Best Sandwich? All their melted bagel open-faced sandwiches are pretty much delicious! I love the Super Emma on the herb & cheese bagel.
Where to eat after getting your food? Go a few blocks over to the bluffs at the beach and eat your bagels while watching the waves roll in from one of IV's great little parks.
The only negative in going here? This place will forever ruin any other bagel shop for you. -
Review from Daina T.
New York, NY
Whether you order a melt or plain on plain - all are amazing. This place was my go to pre-final meal and also my go to place on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings when I would of course be hung-over. I think half of my tuition money went to Bagel cafe - though it is not expensive by any means. Their bagels are amazing, the staff is friendly and you can't go wrong with anything ordered.
bagel cafe, I love you. -
Review from Peter L.
Berkeley, CA
I had a delicious Salmon bagel from this place. There was so much of everything. Lots of Salmon, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Very Filling. VERY SATISFYING!
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Review from Robert G.
Goleta, CA
If you've ever had a NY bagel this place can be rather disappointing. I wanted to like it, because it looks like a legit bagel shop, and they have a decent amount of options, but the quality of the bagels themselves just doesn't cut it. Rather bland taste. :(
BUT, if you are from CA then it looks like from the reviews you'll love it. :) -
Review from Donald B.
Los Angeles, CA
Great place to go for a hangover date.
There's usually a pretty long line for it on weekend mornings, but it's totally worth it. The Super Emma or the Super Deluxe are the most delicious items you can find in IV. It's moderately priced, pretty consistent, and you can sit outside and people watch during the afternoons. It's a great place to see who's walking to the beach and who's stumbling back drunk from the beach. If Freebirds is a great place to see and/or hear people be drunk and inappropriate, Bagel Cafe is a fantastic place to see people hungover and share stories.
But the place seriously has some of the best bagels I've ever had in my life and I'm ended my evenings early just because I've had cravings for a Super Deluxe. -
Review from Ellen O.
North Hollywood, CA
OMG Delicious delicious delicious.
-Ordered the chicken salad on a herb and cheese bagel. It was amazing! Comes with chicken, onions, cranberries, lettuce, Chinese peanuts, and mustard/mayo. YUM! Only down side is that their business hours suck compared to other places in IV.
Haven't tried the Nutella bagels, but I am definitely looking forward to it! :) -
Review from Kelly L.
Los Angeles, CA
So where do I begin???! This place is the greatest gift a hippie could give to the city of Isla Vista. The owner is the chillest guy EVER!!! When I went to UCSB, I literally had bagel cafe 2 or 3 times a week. I still go up to Santa Barbara just for bagel cafe (yes the hour and a half drive is worth it, because that's how much I care about my stomach begin fulling satisfied)
The Super Deluxe Melt is a freakin DP party without the hangover next morning feeling in your mouth. To all those that never went to UCSB or partied there, that basically means it is AMAZING!!!! avocado, cheese, tomatoe, lemon pepper...all melted together
Breakfast choice would be the Harvey Keitel (yes the naked indigenous dude from The Piano....I'm a movie freak, so whatevers). It's a cinnamon glazed bagel, with half blueberry half strawberry cream cheese. Get it double toasted. And believe me, this place provides you with a plethora of cream cheese (no cheap shots on the giving part)
Chill place, great bagels, great bagel sandwiches, and it's right in the heart of IV -
Review from Adrienne Y.
San Jose, CA
Where else can you get hot bagel sandwiches at 2 am to settle those drunk munchies? There's a lot of combinations to pick from here. I chose the ham and cheese on a wheat bagel, but next time I go I'll probably pick the lox cream cheese. It's pretty filling and reasonably priced for what you get. It's tiny inside, but there's tables to sit at outside. Good place to stop by and grab fresh bagelwiches.
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Review from Susan W.
Danville, CA
Very tiny and can get very crowded but worth the wait. Extensive menu. For those who don't like it.. perhaps you have forgotten thhat it is located in a college town. This is not the Ritz Carlton. It is a laid-back, quirky, friendly, beach college bagel shop with quality food.The bagels are fresh and the add-ons plentiful. We get them and take them to the park to eat overlooking the ocean. Don't go if you can't stand college students. If you do go you can expect good food and if you dial your atmosphere expectations back a little, I think you'll be pleased.
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Review from Katherine C.
San Francisco, CA
Bagel Cafe has the best bagels you will ever eat in your entire life. I don't know how they do it, but the Super Deluxe Melt is seriously LIFE CHANGING! A toasted Herb Cheese bagel topped with Sun Dried Tomato Cream Cheese, Tomato, Avocado, Onions, melted Swiss Cheese and a sprinkling of lemon pepper is seriously heaven on earth.
The Super Deluxe melt is a little pricey when you consider that the only difference between that and the Deluxe Melt is Sun Dried Tomato Cream Cheese over Plain and the addition of avocado....
The Deluxe Melt is definitely king of the bagels but seriously anything you get here will be delicious. A bagel from Bagel Cafe combined with an Iced Chai Latte is pretty much the most delicious breakfast you're going to find in IV...plus you'll be full all day... -
Review from Michael C.
Newberg, OR
The Good: Prepare yourself for a crappy review. I just remember the food was good.
The Bad: I think it was a little bit pricey for a bagel sandwich.
Try: I forgot which sandwich I ate. But it was good.
Don't Try: this place when you're hungover. You forget things. Like me. -
Review from Pinky R.
Goleta, CA
Love the bagel cafe, but not the long lines!
I get the same thing every time and everyone who I have had take a bite has loved it. The pesto on herb cheese. Yum! Pesto sauce, tomato, and melty cheese served openface. -
Review from Andrea W.
Los Angeles, CA
There is only one cure to an Isla Vistan hangover, and it is a Super Emma on Herb Cheese w/ a big ol' Diet Coke. Having graduated from UCSB and moved on to other, inferior bagel shops, I now spend my Sunday mornings daydreaming about that pesto cream cheese goodness...
And yeah, it's mostly (city?) college kids who work there, so sometimes it takes forever. Between 9 and 1ish on the weekends there's guaranteed to be a sloppy-looking line out the door, so if you don't feel like waiting, don't get a Melt (which takes a lot longer). Also seating outdoors may be limited, but there's a park w/ benches directly adjacent - way better!
& not sure if it's still the case, but when they were open at night was like the best quarter of my life. Seniors, eat as many bagels as you can :) -
Review from Angela C.
West Los Angeles, CA
Bagel Caf's bagel creations are great and delicious. However, the people who work there are completely incompetent and have no idea what they are doing!
I've been a customer of this place for the past 3 years, but whenever I go, it's a 50/50 chance that I'll get the bagel I order, or even one at all. Twice in the past 6 months, they've forgotten about my order. The first time, they let my bagel sit in the oven until it burned, and THEN after 15 minutes told me that the timer was broken. I didn't have enough time to wait for a different bagel, so I asked for my money back, but they refused. Awful. Then, not long after, they forgot about my order once again, but this time, it didn't even make it to the oven. Talk about crappy! -
Review from Mike R.
CA
Bagels are all great, the sandwiches are pretty good, and they are very generous with the cream cheese, especially if you get the short hispanic lady that calls you "amigo" (shes my favorite....largely because she considers me her "amigo").
Highly recommended: The Harvey Keitel:
Cinnamon crunch bagel with half blueberry and half strawberry cream cheeses. sounds strange but its freaking bananas, and it gives you a nice sugar rush to get you through that 8 AM lecture.
