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Back East Bagels

3.4 (386 reviews)
Closed • 5:30 am - 1:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Back East Bagels Photos

Business Info

BACK EAST BAGELS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Back East Bagels

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Emily R.

Bizarre to me these places in AZ advertise to be as good as east coast, yet they serve you an overpriced Einstein bagel. They can't toast them, no cinnamon raisin, bottom half of the everything is essentially a plain bagel. New York would never. Fine if you don't know what an east coast bagel is.

Norm W.

Forgot I was here about 6 years ago. Was happy to find a bagel place open at 6:00. Loved the fact this is an independent family owned business. Love the Vibe "Old Tempe." And the music. Had a sesame bagel with a slice of lox $8. You can get the whole 9 yard bagel and lox for $16 which is pretty much on par these days. Bagel was tasty and the coffee was hot. Not much else you want for a quick mellow stop. All good here.

Breakfast Egg Florentine

It's a chill place. It has indoor and outdoor seating. The food is delicious. Bagels are soft and the cream cheese is so good. The staff is friendly.

Ariyana J.

Literally the best bagels I've ever had, no glaze. Me and my bfs mom stopped in and got the Rueben on garlic and the Turkey Tempe on onion; everything is super fresh and soft. 10/10 definitely recommend! +the store is so cute and the workers are so sweet/funny; def will be back.

Inside at counter
Holly M.

Enjoyed a toasted garlic bagel with veggie cream cheese. Bagel was soft and airy which was reminiscent of my NYC bagels from the past. However the garlic tasted off to me a bit. Maybe it wasn't what I remember? But it was good still. I of course ate it. Topped it with a coffee to wash all the goodness down. Service was super friendly and happy! That's always a plus in the service industry nowadays. Inside devote was retro funky with old license plates hanging all over the walls and bopping 80's music playing. It was a happy vibe for sure!! Rock on!!

James P.

Back East Bagels 1628 E Southern Ave #2, Tempe, AZ 85282 Back East Bagels 1628 E Southern Ave #2, Tempe, AZ 85282 I recently visited Back East Bagels, and unfortunately, my experience was disappointing, primarily due to the customer service. While the bagels themselves have a good reputation, my interaction with the staff left much to be desired. I found the service to be slow and unhelpful, which detracted from the overall experience. It's frustrating when you're excited to try a new place, but the service doesn't match the quality of the food. This visit will likely be my first and last at this bagel restaurant, as I value good customer service just as much as I do quality food.

High gluten
Tim M.

I have always been a person who prefers Mom and Pop shops over the big chains. I have been going to Back East Bagels for over 18 years. My number one complaint is that when you order a Toasted Bagel it NEVER has any toast or crispness they are barely warmed. I have asked numerous times for the bagel to be double Toasted even double Toasted is only a slightly warmer bagel. When I order bagels to go and NOT Toasted I can toast them at home and they are very delicious. I should NOT have take home a bagel egg, ham and cheese sandwich and have to re-toast it. Today I ordered two bagel ham and cheese sandwiches and ask for them to be EXTRA Toasted. The cashier said we will double toast it and then acknowledged they need a new toaster oven. My to go order came out and the lady repeated what I ordered Green Chili Cheddar ham and egg and a Jalapeño ham and egg sandwich. I arrived at home only to discover a Green Chili and a Everything Bagle sandwich and neither one was toasted; warm yes but visible or physically toast was not on either bagel. I went back to have the sandwich made with right bagel and again asked please make sure it is toasted towhich she replied snarkily I'll triple toast it. I paid 15 bucks for two sandwiches and tipped 5 bucks I don't think it's too much to ask for it to be made right. Long story short. Great bagels lousy toaster and staff that seems to be mad at me they did not make the order correctly.

Back east bagels
Katie M.

Great bagel shop really clean with an excellent menu. They're usually open till 1 pm if they haven't sold out. The menu has a wide variety of options for a bagel shop and service is generally great.

Local vibes
Daisy W.

Good bagels as proven by the line that collects past the front door, but it does move quickly. Awesome price for a bagel and lox. I had a green chili heddar bagel with onion & chive. Loved the local vibe with all the stickers and license plate collection. Keeping this place in mind the next time I'm visiting!

Salt bagel with plain cream cheese
Sara F.

Smaller more dense compared to other bagel spots in the valley. Egg and sausage are mixed and microwaved (pre cooked) No flavor on the jalepeno cream cheese Jalepeno bagel is a more of a red pepper flake baked in and topped. Spicy but not flavorful. Out of most of the bagels (No every thing) Cream cheese (plain) is flavorless and the salt bagel (bottom) has a sourdough or egg bagel flavor Salt top is salty (duh) and crunchy. Overall we would not return as there are really great places in the valley and this one just didn't land for us. Also.. they sell out, but according to the cashier they sell out because they are short staffed so they don't make as much.

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Only place in AZ that has a bagel dog so that alone I love them for. Get there early on the weekends

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2 years ago

Absolutely delicious bagels made fresh, friendly staff, good coffee. Always my go-to for bagels

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3 years ago

Best bagels around, super fresh.Friendly service, not much room for dining in soul I take my orders To go to enjoy at the park.

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Alter Ego

Alter Ego

3.9
(247 reviews)
2.4 mi
•$$

I've been here a total of four times prior and never had complaints. Today was different. I…read moreunderstand the changes of seasonal menu but I just seem like the recent menu had no main concept. My boyfriend got the pizza and it tasted as if it were a frozen pizza. I got the bang bang shrimp and it was good (6/10). The problem that I have is the pistachio gin fizz was an absolute no! I am a HUGE fan of pistachio and gin so immediately I had to get his drink but it was beyond mediocre. Are we drinking only syrup??? My last complaint is the coconut tres leches dessert.... Do we actually know how to make tres leches or we just naming desserts however we want? Just curious. It came out super hot, steaming more like a molten cake. As a Hispanic woman, I was expecting a creamy moist cake to celebrate my graduation but this was not it as well. Last but not least if the bald manager with the orange shirt wants to eat in the back of the kitchen, not the problem I get it (I work at restaurants) HOWEVER shoving your two index fingers into your mouth to get your debris out was my last straw. Like I said I like this restaurant and never had problems but today felt like a fever dream there.

Fun place with outdoor and indoor seating. We came in for a Saturday brunch and it did not…read moredissapoint. I actually Yelp'd it prior to going and the menu I saw a pic of in Yelp is no longer the brunch menu. When I asked about a substitution they did not hesitate and the chef was all over making me my meal! The service is also really great here and everyone is super friendly. They offer, breakfast, brunch on the weekends, lunch and dinner so I would get over and try!

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Banh Mi Bowl
Banh Mi Bowl
Front desk, lobby. Nice place to read and chill.
Front desk, lobby. Nice place to read and chill.
Ego' Cado Toast

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Morning Squeeze

Morning Squeeze

3.6
(441 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$

This brunch spot offers generous portions and solid food quality that ultimately make the menu…read moreprices feel justified. While the ambience is fairly simple, the overall experience is a positive one, especially once the food arrives. I ordered the lox and bagel and was impressed by how substantial the portion was. The lox was generously layered, with a large amount of arugula on top. The arugula appeared to be lightly dressed with olive oil, which added great flavor. While it did not fully align with my personal dietary preferences, it was well executed, and I would be happy to return to see if it can be adjusted. The dirty chai was another highlight in terms of flavor. It was well spiced and not overly sweet, which I appreciated. Although it was described as very hot when delivered, it arrived closer to lukewarm, but the taste itself was enjoyable. Service was efficient and attentive. The check was dropped off relatively early, which initially felt a bit quick, but our server continued to check in on us throughout the meal, creating a balanced and courteous experience. The fresh squeezed orange juice was excellent, and everything we ordered was well prepared. Parking in the area can be challenging, though the nearby parking structure behind Pedalhaus makes it more manageable. Overall, this is a reliable brunch option with strong portions, thoughtful flavors, and enough positives to make it a place I would gladly return to.

Decided to give morning squeeze another chance…read more My boyfriend ordered the butter cake French toast, and I had the BLTA with fries. The French toast was the star of it all. It was absolutely delicious and the best part of the dining experience. The BLTA (Bacon Lettuce Tomato Avacado) sandwich was way too heavy on the lettuce and the bread was quite hard, making it difficult to eat. It was moreso a handheld salad. Service was okay, though not especially attentive, as our water wasn't refilled. At the host stand there was some confusion when we arrived. She didnt realize we were standing there and then when my boyfriend asked a question about a menu item she didnt respond. Not sure if she was just not paying attention, the music was too loud, or didnt want to converse with us. Sort of awkward. Overall, the experience was mixed, but the butter cake French toast was delicious.

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Interior
Interior
Frisky Chick with potatoes
Frisky Chick with potatoes
Interior!

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Interior!
Daily Jam - Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant

Daily Jam - Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant

3.9
(1.3k reviews)
2.8 mi
•$$
Free WiFi
Outdoor seating

Everyone was happy and enjoying conversations but most of all eating their breakfast…read more Friday morning brunch time and it was still full but things were moving along. Stand and order at the counter... ahh, no pressure if there's line. Then go and find a table for six...yikes. Our breakfasts were on our tables quickly and all at the same time, perfect. From Chicken and Waffles to the Eggs Benedicts and my grandkids pancakes were all taken down quickly with no fuss. We shared a few bites, I refilled my coffee and were out. Smoothly run, large menu, outside space and a clean bathroom is enough for me to try Daily Jam again. Last word... let's go.

3/14/26: It's not often I give such sucky ratings, but in this case, it was warranted. Not much…read moreroom to move, dry rolls, tough toast, no flavor (for the most part). We popped in this particular Saturday morning while trouncing through the Tempe Festival of the Arts. There was a line (no surprise since it is ASU territory), but the layout of the line meant people brushing by you & getting too close. The guy who took our order was uncheerful & came across as "I don't want to be here; what do you want?" Not the best impression. We placed our order & were lucky enough to find a seat. There is a small patio on their south side; the light rail to their north. The guy who delivered our food was more friendly. The cinnamon roll was so dry, I swear it had been sitting out for a week -- and there was too much cinnamon. My sister's classic eggs benedict was unappetizing; the English muffin, too, was dry. So dry she practically needed a steak knife to cut into it. There's a Proof Bread shop just down the street. How Daily Jam can have such God-awful muffins is beyond me. The potatoes had no seasoning, she had to salt them -- and the salt & pepper shakers needed filling. My croque madame was edible, if simple. In short, there is absolutely no desire to visit Daily Jam again.

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Plain & Simple, Eggs Toast & Potatoes with Bacon
Plain & Simple, Eggs Toast & Potatoes with Bacon
Red Velvet Waffles! Awarded best in AZ by Food Network!
Red Velvet Waffles! Awarded best in AZ by Food Network!
Morning Glory Omelette (egg white)!

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Morning Glory Omelette (egg white)!
Over Easy - Tempe

Over Easy - Tempe

4.6
(117 reviews)
2.2 mi

Man, this place was GOOD. My partner and I came here planning to have a relaxed brunch, and it…read moreended up being one of those spots where you accidentally stay for hours because the atmosphere is just that enjoyable. We were drinking mimosas, eating, talking, and taking our time, and I really appreciated that we never once felt rushed to leave or pressured to keep ordering. A lot of places start making you feel awkward if you stay too long, but the service here stayed friendly and attentive the entire time we were there. The mimosas were honestly one of my favorite parts because they had so many different fresh juice flavors to choose from instead of just the typical orange juice. It made the experience feel way more fun and customizable, and you could actually taste how fresh the juices were. Every mimosa we tried was refreshing and super easy to drink. The food was also really good and paired perfectly with the drinks. Everything tasted fresh and well-made, and it all came out quickly even though the place was busy. I also loved that they offer both indoor and outdoor seating because it gives the place such a nice vibe depending on what kind of experience you want. We spent a good amount of time just relaxing, enjoying the weather, and hanging out, and it honestly made for such a nice date spot. Overall, this place has a really welcoming atmosphere, great service, delicious food and drinks, and the kind of environment that makes you want to stay awhile. Definitely somewhere I'd come back to for another long brunch.

I'm 6 months pregnant, and my needs may be different from yours, so this review is strictly based…read moreon my experience. My husband and I found this place online, and it looked like a great spot for brunch. When we arrived, there was no one at the hostess stand, and it took quite a while for anyone to acknowledge us. When the hostess finally came over, we asked for a table for two. She immediately told us there was only outdoor seating available and didn't even mention that waiting for an indoor table was an option. Keep in mind, it was 110°F on a Sunday in Arizona. My husband had really been looking forward to trying this place, so we asked what was available and decided to stay. We were seated outside near the entrance. Shortly afterward, we watched the hostess tell other guests who arrived after us that indoor seating was available with only a 5-minute wait. Why wasn't that option offered to us? We absolutely would have waited. Unfortunately, the hostess's attitude and the way the situation was handled completely changed the experience for us. It left us feeling unwelcome, and we weren't able to enjoy our meal the way we had hoped. The food may have been fine, but customer service is a huge part of dining out, and this experience overshadowed everything else. Safe to say, we won't be returning. An unfriendly and dismissive environment is not something I'm interested in supporting.

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Interior
Interior
French Toast
French Toast
Avo toast

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Avo toast
Foch Café & Bistro

Foch Café & Bistro

4.4
(190 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$

Let's start with the food: 5/5. I got the breakfast bowl and it was hands down the best breakfast…read morebowl I've ever had. It had duck bacon (was curious about this bc I'm not a fan of duck), turkey sausage, black beans, quinoa, egg, spinach and more. Somehow that entire medley was perfection when it comes to flavor. Usually bowls can be dry with no sauce, but it was not lacking at all. Staff and service: 5/5 we brought our dog Tom who's a pretty big golden doodle and sometimes can get overly excited when he gets brought outside. But their staff was nice enough to give us a dog bowl with water for him and served his egg on a little to go box plate. It's a little stressful with Tom at times and they made it so much easier. Inside/outside set-up: 5/5. They have a gorgeous inside dining with bar situation. Interior design was super cute for a date and I loved the hanging lamps. Outside had a dog friendly patio and they had cute canopy booths. Overall, we went here on a whim and it's my new favorite spot.

Handsome lil spot! I definitely enjoyed the ambiance & decor. We had rezzies for noon on a…read moreSaturday, which was a very good idea because the place was hoppin'. We were welcomed with a friendly smile. We explained that the other half of our party was on their way & the host promptly prepared our table... mostly. There were small plates set for each of us, but only one roll-up/napkin (for 4) & no drink menu. Minor details, but it kinda set the tone for the service experience. Now listen... the spot itself is cute. Once we actually got service, our waiter was cool. It just took forevvverrrrr & I ended up having to request cutlery after food was served. To be fair, it was busy, but there also seemed to be plenty of wait staff, so I'm not exactly sure where the disconnect was. Food-wise: the spinach artichoke dip was definitely the table favorite. My caprese panini was ok, it was sadly lacking pesto which feels a little criminal for a caprese situation. Our friends loved the fancy French toast & I was absolutely there for the prickly pear mimosas The entire brunch honestly felt like it was one dropped plate away from becoming a sitcom episode. One poor new waiter dropped a plate on the floor, then later knocked glasses off the rack above the bar & shattered a couple right next to guests sitting there. I genuinely felt bad for him because you could tell he was having a rough shift. That said, I really appreciated that they acknowledged the long wait & gave us a discount without us having to ask. That kind of accountability goes a long way. Overall, I'd still go back & give them another try because the atmosphere was fun, the vibe was there, and I can see the potential. Every restaurant has an off day -- especially during a busy brunch rush.

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Inside seating area
Inside seating area
Foch Café & Bistro
Tequila Sunrise

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Tequila Sunrise
Brunch Snob

Brunch Snob

4.4
(1.2k reviews)
5.2 mi
•$$

Brunch Snob has the cutest drinks, a really fun vibe and good food!…read more The manager Caden is super customer service oriented and he works really hard! It's such a fun place for outings with friends!

Brunch Snob is not playing around with portion sizes. This is the kind of place where your plate…read morehits the table and you briefly consider "sharing," then immediately come to your senses and protect your meal like its your first meal after a week long fast. I tried the Reuben with tater tots, and honestly, it was one of the best reubens I've had. The meat-to-sauerkraut ratio was dialed in, the marble rye was toasted perfectly, and there was a buttery crispness to the bread that made every bite feel intentional. Not dry, not soggy, not falling apart like it gave up halfway through brunch. Just a really well-built sandwich. The presentation was picture perfect too, which is always appreciated before I destroy it in no time flat. And the tots? Respectfully, more restaurants need to take notes. These weren't sad little freezer nuggets tossed onto the plate as an afterthought. They were hot, crispy outside, soft inside, and actually seasoned. I definitely picked up garlic, and I definitely kept eating them long after I said, "Okay, last one." Then came the Crazy Clucker, which is less of a menu item and more of a structural engineering project. It starts with what tasted like a homemade biscuit, toasted just right and topped with honey. Under that is a fried egg with just enough runny yolk and gravy to make things interesting, then chicken fried bacon, which sounds like something invented during a dare but somehow works unbelievably well. And yes, hiding under all that is a chicken thigh, because apparently regular chicken and waffles weren't dramatic enough anymore. The hash browns on the side were also really good: golden, hearty, soft inside, with a little extra char instead of full crisp. I'm usually a crispy hash brown loyalist, but these still won me over. By the end, I wanted a second helping of basically everything, which is both a compliment and a personal problem. Bottom line: Brunch Snob lives up to the name in the best way. Friendly staff, quick service, huge portions, big flavor, fun presentation, and food that makes you immediately start planning what you'll order next time. I HAVE to work my way through this menu, there were at least 9 more things I wanted to order on the menu!

Photos
Brunch Snob Bar!!!
Brunch Snob Bar!!!
Brisket Tacos
Brisket Tacos
Bloody Mary (vegetarian)

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Bloody Mary (vegetarian)

Back East Bagels - bagels - Updated June 2026

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