Au Bon Pain

I used to buy two everything bagels and coffee. Staff knew my order. I looked past the slow cooks who didn’t want to be there/​cashiers who never seemed to realize that hospitals are busy places and your #1 task is to ring things up: not take it easy (I’m being kind).Though, one Sept. morning, I noticed a rolled up paper towel on my bagel that was just sitting there waiting to be wrapped. Ok, a rolled up paper towel. Then, a cleaner threw a disposable rag into the garbage and it missed, landing on my bagel. She did not even seem to care if anyone noticed and took it off the bagel and threw it in the garbage. What do they do when we are NOT looking? Haven’t been there since. Zero stars.

The service here is not bad, it’s soooo BAD! Very unprofessional, one of the guys who makes the sandwiches can’t remember 2 things, has an attitude all the time, keeps ignoring you even if he has nothing else to do. Don’t expect him to say hello or ask what would you like. After couple minutes standing there he finally realizes you won’t go away, so he looks at you, he makes a face that makes you feel very uncomfortable to order, I bet he hates his job and the last thing he wants to do is to serve you… So when you get that look that means you can order… The food is good. Everything is delicious (full of calories), but the staff is not qualified. They have no idea about customer service. I hate to order anything there.

As far as Au Bön Pains go, pretty standard. It has everything a normal ABP has but its always open. Theres no cafeteria right now in Bellevue so if Im dying and really need food I go here. Compared to the eateries nearby its really not that bad. You have your basic soups and sandwiches and «baked goods» and a never ending supply of coffee. I’ve definitely survived on much worse.
Oh and I think theres deals on coffee if you get one of their eggy sandwich things.

This is a review for the 1^st avenue location, not the full service 24 hour one. This location never opens on time. I’m surprised when they open on time.
When you come here after they should be open in the morning, they respond in a condescending manner that they are closed. The only reason people would come to this location is because they have to as they work there. From now on I will go to the new deli on 29^th.
While the staff rings you up they talk about their personal problems in front of customers and yell to their friends while taking your order.
I used to like this chain until I came to the Bellevue Hospital Location. I won’t be a return customer going forward if they hire these kinds of people. In terms of the service staff, the Japanese lady that runs the front desk and maybe is the manager is top notch in terms of service. She is always friendly, task oriented and efficient in processing. She cares. It’s her support staff that are the problem. They act like they are receiving government subsidies and will remain in business forever regardless of the customer service they give. Specifically the tall black male that worked the morning of December 18^th. There is a new deli across the street with friendly and qualified workers, not to mention very good food –I’ll be going there from now on.

To help those searching for this location or wondering where the full service area is located (I had to inquire about the latter)…
Enter the Bellview glass lobby (East side of 1^st Ave between 27^th and 28^th St), you will see an Au Bön kiosk on the far right. Unfotunately, the kiosk is not open 24 hours. To get to the 24 hour full service area, go through the center gateway at the far end of the glass lobby past the visitor pass/​information desk (you do not need a pass). Follow the hallway down past the elevators, make a right before the emergency room doors, make the next left, past the gift shop, you will see it further down on the left.

If you don’t mind the airport terminal-​esque grand entryway or the clinical setting (never mind the physically and/​or mentally ill who you may bump into along the way) of Bellevue Hospital, then you may be pleasantly surprised to know that tucked in the corner of the lobby in a quiet nook, lies an Au Bön Pain outpost.
It is certainly no frills and feels like more of a coffee stand on steroids than a legit soup & sandwich shop, but they have a surprisingly good assortment of baked items and other confections, hot dishes, soups, salads and sandwiches. They also have a modest seating area adjacent to the shop, with perhaps 10 small tables, if you prefer to take your meals in very public, challenging and potentially unnerving settings.
This is not the best iteration of Au Bön Pain I have experienced. They offer the basics and the products are of decent quality. Given the stripped down presentation, the lack of warmth, and the mediocrity of it all, I’m going down the middle on this one. However, if you ever feel desperate for new food options in this part of the city, as I often do, then it’s worth a try.
As an aside, there is also a bigger, more robust and crowded location in the center of the hospital, but I assure you, it is not for the faint of heart or the meek.

This place is alright in a pinch. I come here because it’s the only place open 24hrs at Bellevue. From 10 to 11PM, all pastries are half-​priced, which is nice if you have to work the night shift. The food they serve here is not good and overpriced. Would much rather eat at Towers Café. They do have soy milk for your coffee which is nice. Sometimes I get their breakfast sandwiches which are not bad either, albeit a little greasy.

This location is the lifeblood of Bellevue Hospital and its endless supply of coffee is what aids the hospital’s employees throughout the day and night. I prefer the hazelnut.
Sandwiches are good and I love the pumpkin and butternut squash soup in the fall.

I have since my previous review returned to this location and was nicely surprised. The wraps are now packaged differently than the plastic wrap used before. I got a similar wrap, but this time with chicken in it. It wasn’t soggy at all this time!