One star is for the recent new hire. I have always loved this bagel place. I still do, but I am appalled that the new employee there is allowed to handle food with this disgusting, hairy beard. It totally grosses me out that he is not wearing a hair net or beard net. All I see is a pile of hair handling my food. It definitely is a health violation. I love the food but this is a total turn off, especially when I always seem to get him as a server!
Mike M.
Place rating: 5 Smithtown, NY
Bagels are superb growing up near a few Bagel Places I always passed them to go here. Egg sandwiches on point and just their bagels are always good.
Nick M.
Place rating: 1 Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
Good bagel, horrendous service. I came in at 2:45pm unknowingly 15 minutes before closing. Sat down to eat, and I noticed that they were starting to put stuff away, so I asked what time they closed. One of the employees just held up three fingers… I profusely apologized when I looked at my cell and it was 2:55pm. I told them«sorry I didn’t realize I’ll be out of your hair as soon as possible.» He responded«uh yeah» with an attitude. As I was packing up someone started to spray the perimeters of the entire shop which I’m assuming is related to pest control, or some kind of chemical. Bear in mind that I’m seven months pregnant with a toddler. Despite the attitude I received I made a point to wish them a good evening as I left. The three employees stared at me blankly and didn’t respond. I should have been more conscious about knowing their closing time, but there are a plethora of better ways to not only tell but treat a customer.
John M.
Place rating: 5 Rocky Point, NY
This is truly a 5 star bagel place. Their staff has come and gone but the proprietor, Jay, has always keep the operation running smoothly, every now and then a new guy will give me a standard everything bagel when I had ordered an egg everything, but I wouldn’t at all let that deter me from returning on the regular. Their coffee somehow always comes out better than I’d make it at home. The egg sandwiches are always on point, with quality ingredients that go well no matter what your combination of choice is. This place also has a substantial deli menu and selection though I stick to the egg Sammie’s. They’ve got deserts, muffins and cookies, as well as side dishes like potato salad, among many others. I had lived out of state for a number of months recently, and I was not able to find a single bagel place(and I looked!) that matched the passion and professionalism of this place and their bagel etiquette. I am a satisfied customer, and I am sure you will be as well.
Scott T.
Place rating: 5 Houston, TX
Best bagel place. Been to them all and nothing beats their egg everything toasted with vegetable cream cheese and a coffee
Chuck G.
Place rating: 4 Sound Beach, NY
I’m a fan. In a land that is as richly populated with bagel places as it is pizza places, and Chinese food places, I choose to visit this place over several others in the area a couple of times a month. I really enjoy their flagels and the flavored cream cheeses — that’s what keeps me coming back. The negatives are simple: the minimum charge amount, the obnoxious yet average coffee station, and the attire of the young ladies serving you. You should be able to charge a cup of coffee and a bagel… after all, that’s probably a typical order. Many people choose not to carry cash, myself included. I’d pass up visiting two other bagel shops in favor of this one if they did away with the minimum charge. I’m also not a fan of the young girls wearing short, shorts behind the counter — primarily because it’s a bagel place, not a gym or a dance studio. How about some khaki shorts, or even leggings… the short shorts are an eyesore. Ownership/management should enforce a bit more of professional attire for their staff. I know is sounds whiny, but when there’s a bagel place every ¼ of a mile from Wading River to Hauppauge, you need to set yourself apart from the competition to draw in business.
Nay R.
Place rating: 5 Miller Place, NY
Bagels are the perfect mix of soft yet chewy. They give you the perfect amount of cream cheese, and they’re so pleasant to talk to. The prices are much better than competing places in the area too.
Chelsea D.
Place rating: 5 Mt Sinai, NY
Best bagels I’ve ever had on the island. Doughy, big, and delicious. When I want to introduce friends from out-of-state to real New York bagels, I bring them here and they finally understand what all the fuss is about.
Erika G.
Place rating: 5 Manhattan, NY
I am so honored to be the first ever Unilocal!review of Better on a Bagel(the original). First of all, the Port Jeff one is gross city. I don’t know why anyone would there. The one in Miller Place has the softest, yummiest bagels ever and delicious cream cheese. When I got my driver license(quite a while ago) I would drive all the way here from Coram(even though there was a bagel place within walking distance of my house), but a dozen bagels(+ two free) and a tub of Temp-Tee and eat them all weekend long. Even though I moved off Long Island long ago, I still have these bagels every time I’m there and dream about them regularly. I was prompted to write this review because I listed BoaB bagels as my «last meal» on my Unilocal!profile. I have lived in NY for 29 years and never tasted a better bagel.