Bruegger’s Bagels

If you a new Jerseyian or easterner look no further. Brugger’s is the ONLY chain that makes bagels that are not breadgles in Minnesota, and the only place that my dad will go for bagels. Trust me, I have lived in many twin Cities cities in MN since I was 5. And my dad was born in New Jersey.

Always hit or miss with service at most Brueggers locations. Wish I could show how my bagel was sliced today — one side hacked up and uneven. Sigh…

Went this morning and no bagels an hour after they opened. Apparently only one employee showed up to work. This isn’t the first time it has happened to me at this location. Time to find a new bagel shop that actually sells bagels in the morning.

I stopped at Brueggers off Rockford Road and 494 to have a longtime favorite – a garlic bagel with tuna fish, tomato, onion, and sprouts. The girl making the sandwich was new and had to ask for help identifying the tuna salad. No problem!
However, when she started putting the tuna salad on my bagel, I noticed that the tuna was crusted over and yellowed. When I politely asked if it was fresh, her peer «trainer» took another container that was also crusted over and yellow. He said, «it’s fine just been sitting out uncovered for a couple of hours.» Really? I think the trainer needs some training.
I said that I preferred a bagel with cream cheese and vegetables. It was fine, but in retrospect I wish I had gone elsewhere for lunch. If the food isn’t fresh, they don’t deserve my money.
I go to the Brueggers on Ford Parkway a lot and will continue to do so. However, I will not go back to the Plymouth location. I wouldn’t eat old dried and crusted tuna fish especially at a restaurant at 1:30 PM.

Un petit bagel pour la route? ou tout simplement une petite salade caesar? Rien d’extraordinaire dans ce restaurant, mais le patron est toujours souriant et sympa. Toujours un petit mot agréable, même quand il pleut ou quand il neige!
Donc si vous êtes dans le coin pour déjeuner, allez-​y!

Bagels just like they make back east. Terrific!

We hadn’t visited Brueggers in a couple years, but recently went on a Sunday morning. We found the bagels to be fresh, cream cheese and sandwich options plentiful, and very friendly service. We have gone a few times since. The kids’ favorites are the Better Cheddar egg sandwich or chocolate chip bagel with strawberry cream cheese. And we love the Herby Turkey!

I needed a quick sandwich for lunch and stopped in here to grab something. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten anything but bagels before and maybe that was where everything went to hell.
Chicken salad sounded good and they have a tarragon one that has cranberries, almonds, red onions, and some other stuff in it so I got that on wheat bread with lettuce & tomato. The girl was SLOW making my sandwich but still didn’t manage to spread the chicken salad evenly and gave me 2 of the smallest tomato slices possible.
When I got back to my desk I ended up picking out all the cranberries and noticed that the salad had obviously been sitting around for a bit evident by the greasy almond slices and yellow-​y parts.
Yes, I still ate it because I needed food, but I didn’t enjoy it. I won’t be doing that again.

Dear Bruegger’s — My favorite Bruegger’s:
I just have a few questions for you… 1) How on Earth did you forget to put cream cheese on my bagel this morning? I really shouldn’t have to open up the bagel to figure out whether or not you put cream cheese in there… 2) Why was my bagel ice cold? When I arrived 7 min after you opened, I would expect at least a mildly warm, soft bagel. Aren’t they supposed to be freshly baked… 3) Since when is it acceptable to put all the ingredients for my Iced Mocha in the glass that you are going to serve to me, and then shake a couple of times in hopes that it all mixes together?
I am thoroughly disappointed…
Sincerely,
«Mommy & Foodie»

I can sometimes be a bit of a purist regarding Bagel chains. I like them boiled, not steamed, and am still disappointed with Einstein Bros for dropping the Kosher designation for the remaining Noah’s that were under Rabbinical supervision. I also favour local chains that haven’t forgotten at least some of their ethnic roots, and never ever order fruit or chocolate flavoured cream cheese smears. Same with flavoured coffee. Ick!
The Brueggers Bagels is located close to both my Brother’s and Meg/Ron’s house within greater Maple Grove. They make a decent Everything, and when toasted and slathered with plain light cream cheese, makes any snobby bagel thoughts go away. Their coffee is also better than the Folger’s that is sometimes served at our host’s homes. Overall, it’s a pretty good deal.