Bruegger’s Bagels Looks Towards New York City
According to NRN, the Bruegger’s Bagel chain is looking to open 15 locations in NYC, starting with a location in Midtown near Times Square. I guess there aren’t a ton of bagel places in Midtown (Ess-a-Bagel and Times Square Hot Bagels are the only two that come to mind), but it still seems like a weird business move. Anybody ever tried this place? Where do you get your Midtown bagel fix? [NRN via Wined & Dined]
Posted: 1:30 pm, May 4th, 2009 under Asides, Bagels.
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29 Comments
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Brueggers has always been a solid option for bagels, although I haven’t had them in years. Not sure if they’re gona through some sort of recession/downsizing where the bagels are now smaller or different tasting then before (which happens to lots of mega-chain type restaurants), but the bagels definitely beat the generic deli kind, so bring it on.
I work near Ess-a-Bagel, which is totally awesome, and I know Bruegger’s won’t come close to that kind of quality, but hey, at least they’ll stay open during Passover! (I think)
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Why oh why oh why would I, a New Yorker, go to a chain based in Vermont to get a bagel? Right, I wouldn’t. Not even in Vermont. So of course they want to put this in Time Square, so the tourists can see it right next to Olive Garden and feel comfortable that they can get breakfast just like at home.
Not that bagels in midtown are that great. I’ll stick to Queens, where I can get a bagel in a real bagel shop that hand rolls them and they’re still hot. -
they are gross. c’mon, this is NY.
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They have one down in Charleston, SC where I used to live. This is one of the most poor business decisions I’ve read in a while. The bagels that they made weren’t even as good as the crappy mom and pop shops down there. It’s like getting a bagel from Dunkin Dounuts, which is never a good choice. So unless they are strategically placed in areas where there are no local bagel places, they don’t stand a chance.
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Ew. Awful bagels. They shouldn’t even qualify as bagels.
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I used to eat these in Boston. They are terrible. Made me long for moving to NYC and eating nyc bagels (which I do now!)
But perhaps the “NYC water” could improve them….
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I used to go to Bruegger’s back in college. This was in Cleveland so as you can imagine the bagel choices were limited. So it was an acceptable option then. Today…not so much.
The best bagels I used to get in midtown were at a kosher deli on 38th between 7th/8th. I don’t remember the name of the place, but it’s next to the Guy & Gallard. I’m sure it’s still around. Pretty good bagels and spreads.
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yo cleveland. represent! bruegger’s is no big deal though. fave is ess-a-bagel
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When I was in college in Boston this was a decent option for being below my dorm. We all know how low those standards are. Perhaps NY water was the missing ingredient, but with so many delis serving perfectly good bagels and then our standards like Ess-a, Hot & Crusty, H&H… don’t really see the point to this.
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Waaaay out of bounds, but H & H has that huge place on 46th and 12th. They sell hot, fresh bagels there.
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I used to eat Bruegger’s Bagels in LA where I grew up. They were one of my favorites there. But then I moved to NY, and nothing can compare…I’ll stick to my Bagel Express near my apartment – nothing is better!
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Sandra– that tip on the bagel place is what I have been waiting for Midtown lunch to provide me with for MONTHS now. You have just made a few or my hangover mornings a lot better, and blissfully PAX-free.
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Sarah, the world best hangover cure is a Bacon Butty with a Bloody Mary.
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There was one in new rochelle, near where I grew up (this is now roughly 15 years ago. I can’t imagine it’s still there). Awful, awful bagels. Serves no market. I’d avoid it.
That said, I’d love another east side bagel option besides ess-a. They’re good, but I’d take some non-oversized bagels as well.
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Question: What is the most pointless yet successful chain restaurant in Manhattan that is not located in Times Square or a similarly tourist-infested location? (I disqualify McDonalds etc. from consideration.)
The reason I ask is that I don’t think that Manhattannites are as cool as people think. Still, I’d be shocked if Brueggers succeeded here. It’s not disgusting, but it makes no sense in this city. But then again, many of the world’s great coffee cities said the same thing about Starbucks. Do not underestimate the power of chains.
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Ess-a Bagels are some of the best in NY but how come there aren’t that many bagel spots in midtown. Very Lame. As a long Island Native I have a childhood love affair with bagels!
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As a lifelong New Yorker who ate these throughout college in Ann Arbor, MI, they are pretty good for what they are…which are not bagels. As bagel-shaped flavored breads, they are good. As bagels they fail miserably. As long as you don’t expect an actual bagel experience, you won’t be disappointed.
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gross. Used to eat them out in Ann Arbor also because there were no decent options out there. The ‘bagels’ are tiny and dense. Stupid Stupid Move
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Barely passable when hungover and needing a bagel in Ann Arbor. they will be more useless in NY.
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Sarah – glad I could be of service! I hope that place is still there. I haven’t been in that neck of the woods for a few months. It’s been there for years though so I can’t see why it wouldn’t still be there.
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For the love of G-d no! These are the most soulless bagel you could ever eat. I have nightmares of chocolate-chip bagels (not kidding, they have those) with lox and cream cheese.
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terrible bagels- ny’ers will laugh at them
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I’ve been there a few times when I lived back in Ohio, not worth the money spent. After living here 10+ years, I am proud to say that I don’t eat bagels outside the city limits anymore, just not worth it. You aren’t going to get a good bagel anywhere else.
While strange they would push into the NYC market, if Sbarro and Olive Garden can find footing in the city, why not Bruegger’s? Which begs another question, how can Olive Garden survive here? There are SO MANY other options. Duane Reade has better food options than Olive Garden.
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Einstein Bagels tried this a few years ago on the upper east side. They failed miserably. So much for market research. HOWEVER, Dominoes and Papa Johns both do brisk business in NY, so who knows what the hell to think?
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I am the CEO of Bruegger’s and would like to respond. As for research, these comments confirmed our the work we did – Manhattanites are very opinionated about bagels. This is why we are not looking to displace your local favorites by entering neighborhood locations. (Though I am familiar with H&H and Ess-a-bagel and am not conceding that they are better.)
As for our product we make our own fresh dough, boil and bake in each location in small batches so the bagels are fresh and hot. Our bagels have won “best of” awards year after year in cities across the country. We don’t believe bagels (or, for that matter, any food) should be “oversized”. We pride ourselves on offering healthy, wholesome food, in a warm, inviting atmospere with great guest service. And while we are known for our bagels we offer much more – sandwiches and paninis , hearty soups, fresh tossed salads, organic and fair trade coffee and desserts.
Though we are new to Manhattan we have over 30 locations in New York State. We hope we will be as welcomed in Manhattan. -
Tal Bagels are simply the best in the city, period. Blind test them against H and H or ess-a-bagel and you’ll see.
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Any place that sells sun-dried tomato and blueberry bagels should be ashamed.
As a 4th generation Brooklynite and the granddaughter of a Ratner’s baker, I can confidently say that Bagel Hole in Park Slope is the best in the city. Dark, crusty and -this is key-smaller than a volleyball (my parents always say that today’s bagels are about 2x the size they were 50 yrs ago).
For bialy’s, Kossar’s on Grand St. takes the prize.
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Whoa! NYers are famous for this kind of blustery, old-school, “My-neighborhood-has-THE-BEST-_____” kind of rhetoric. So no surprise there. I am un UWS-er with H&H nearby (over-priced and tastless and have been for years). I was upstate last week, was served bagels at my Mom-in-law’s breakfast table, and couldn’t believe how good they were. Guess what? They were from Bruegger’s. Never heard of them. Before I left we went to the store and bought a dozen. Yes, that corporate-branded atmosphere is a turn-off for a “serious” city-dweller, but I cast my judgement aside and came home with a dozen bagels ($8, that is $16.80 in H&H dollars). I’ve been wondering all weekend why I haven’t noticed any Bruegger’s in NYC and now I think I see why. NYers would rather not give a place like this a try. Too bad because this is a much better bagel than anything H&H is serving up and for a much better price.
They already had one in the early 90’s on 42nd and 6th across the st from HBO. It didn’t stand out in any way..