The food is good but... The service is very slow. It shouldn't take 20 minutes to get a single bagel. They seem to have enough people on hand. They need a better system to process orders. read more

You better check your order before leaving. Instead of the gyro sandwich, we got a wheat bagel with grilled chicken. Instead of chicken parm with vodka sauce sandwich, we got breaded chicken with tomato sauce and PASTA on a roll. The everything bagel with turkey and cheese came out fine. The regular chicken parm sandwich came out fine but was nothing spectacular. Not worth getting there again. The Buffalo chicken wrap was tasty but did not have much buffalo flavor and certainly no ranch. I will likely never go back cause there are too many other delis around. Cute interior though! Probably a good spot to sit down with a coffee. read more

See all

Had the worst experience ever. No customer service, and simply showed that they don't care about their customers. I came in at 2:14pm and saw the sign of the Philly Chick sandwich. I asked the man, Miguel i think that if the sandwich was the same price if I got a wedge (hero) or a roll and he said, "no on a roll is definitely cheaper". So I ordered a roll. After 20 minutes I asked for the sandwich and he said it should be right out. So I asked to pay, he said the sandwich was $11.99 plus tax. When I asked the man that he said it was cheaper on a roll he said, "no it's the same price". When I said, "so you lied to me". He said "yes sorry sir". Ok at this point I was really hungry and said ok that's fine I just want the sandwich. When he asked the kitchen where the sandwich was they said that they had put it out a long time ago. So he looked on counter and there it was. He gave it to me and started to walk away. The sandwich was cold so I was curious and opened it. It wasn't even my sandwich! When I walked back to the counter another young lady came in and said, "I opened this sandwich and when I picked it up to eat I realized it wasn't mine". The man took both sandwiches and said let me rewrap them and give them back to you. No sanitary! At the very least make new ones. But I've been there so long that I told them you can keep the sandwich and I want my money back. He said hold on, went to the back to re wrap the girls sandwich and came back to give it to her. Then he said, "I can't give you cash back for a refund". I said I GAVE YOU CASH GIVE ME BACK CASH. So he gave me back $12 cash even though it should have been more and he try to show me that there is no tax on the sandwich. I wasted time! Left super hungry! Frustrated and the owners or management should address this immediately. read more

Empire Bagels - Receipt as proof - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Carmel Hamlet, New York

See all

Hurts to do this because I love empire bagels in fishkill best breakfast sandwich in the area. This spot in Carmel though for starters nice atmosphere and friendly staff service is great. The food though so the cookies didn't really like them I did also try the cheese danish which is good. The juices like the cold buster are good. Now the sandwich I love the everything egg bagel by far my favorite bagel. The eggs though I ask for scrambled and no matter what the eggs are just fried unlike when I order for the fishkill spot. And the avocado seems like some guacamole spread instead of cut up pieces of avocado. read more

See all

Not sure what everyone's complaining about but Empire Bagels has a great selection of bagels and it's the perfect spot for a quick bagel and cream cheese. Can't say I've tried the breakfast sandwiches or the more complicated orders that everyone keeps complaining about but the staff here is really nice, friendly, ready to serve you and the bagels are made fresh daily. The cool part is they even have gluten free options for those that need it! From breakfast sandwiches, to pancakes, to delicious made to order smoothies to baked goods. It's a spot that has it all. Finally tried their S10 smoothie recently and that was delicious and fresh! Basically, if you're trying to be healthy one day and be a fatty the next, you can be both. And yes, for y o u r convenience, they do have plenty of seats and booths. Bottom line: if they can't get the bacon right, maybe don't order it. If you don't want to overpay for sandwiches, keep it simple. Order bagels, you'll be happy. read more

See all

Their breakfast sandwiches and iced coffee are great! There have been a few times that our order has come out incorrect so I would recommend checking your order before you leave. They have plenty of tables for you to eat at indoors. Highly recommend! read more

This review is done by Sue because she said she loves this place! Huge selection besides their awesome bagels. Healthy protein shakes etc. This is one of my favorite morning breakfast places read more

See all

There seems to be much hate at this bagel place. Maybe it's a competing bagel joint trying to engage in customer competition. The bagels are great and the bacon, egg and cheese was stellar. I was in and out very quickly, but it was clean and the service was as nice as it could be placing an order and running out. read more

Empire bagel on the morning of thanksgiving eve, if I had to describe it, is something like your favorite neighborhood NYC bodega, meets small town café in a Saturday morning. You come in to large television displays, featuring vast breakfast and lunch menu options, cases lining the service station, full of fresh veggies, spreads, and must importantly bagels !! Behind the cases, employees are hustling to take orders, push orders through the kitchen window and ring out orders in a timely manner, and I say they are doing impeccably! Upon entry, the space is lined with booths to the right, and tables to the left, high top bar facing the front window, low top before the order line starts. The service is extremely friendly, a spot where locals frequent and are treated compassionately. It's the small things. The food was tasty, but the service made it even it better. Definitely stop in for food breakfast, lunch and service - and WiFi ! read more

See all

I tried calling in an order today (Sunday, August 3rd) at 2:55p and no one answered the phone. So I drove over to the store to order in person. I walked in the restaurant at 3:10p and there was a woman at the register and it sounded like she said "how can I help you?" I walked up and asked to order a 24oz Janairy Smoothie. The woman looks blankly at me and says "no". I figured I said it wrong so I repeated myself and spelled the smoothie name out. Again she said "no". So I finally showed her the name on the smoothly on my phone from their menu and she said "it's canceled". So I asked, "You don't sell that smoothie anymore?" And then she walks over to their door dash order receipts and pulls one off to show me that she canceled the DoorDash order. I then tell her that I didn't make a DoorDash order, I'd like to order it here. And she finally says "no, we are closed." There were other male workers sweeping and doing other things at the counter near her. None made eye contact and kept doing what they were doing. I said "You're closed? Your website and Google say you're open until 4:00p today. It's only 3:10p. And your front door was unlocked and there's a customer right there eating." And she repeats "I don't know. We're closed." Other people came in behind me and she just started saying they were closed. Poor customer service. And I don't know why the fact that they were closed was not communicated from the beginning. It felt like they were hoping I would think they couldn't understand English and just give up and leave. Just terrible customer service. read more

Never had a bad thing to say about this place until today. While a lot of people complain about the staff and prices, I've never had an issue with staff and the prices... well you want delicious NYC bagels??? These are them and you pay for quality. However, this morning I order a side of sausage with an omelette, 3 dollars... they send one paper thin sausage patty... seriously guys? Do better. That's outright thievery. Never going back! I refuse to support greedy people who just don't care. read more

Empire Bagels - A miserable, Burnt, dry frozen industrial crap sausage patty that they have the nerve to charge 3 dollars for. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Carmel Hamlet, New York

If you ask for a bagel with cream cheese and bacon ... they only give you a bagel with cream cheese but they also charge you for bacon. Not only charge you for bacon, it's more expensive then what the sign says. The extra bacon was charged- WITH NO BACON! Normally I would say something but I have.. and the problem is that whoever makes my food is not paying attention... the same thing happens every time I go to this bagel place. I also bought 6 bagels- they only gave me 5. I've asked them to slice it, and they charge me for it but they don't slice the bagels. Today was the last time. Thanks but no thanks! read more

Empire Bagels - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Carmel Hamlet, New York

The nova lox spread is awful! A heavy amount of paprika for color and a minuscule amount of nova. It was disgusting! I gave it one star just to be able to post this review! read more

While the bagels are some of the best baked in Putnam County---I realize they are not baked in Carmel but delivered---the clerks employed at the Putnam Plaza store are TOTALLY INCOMPETENT--RUDE--INEPT--CUSTOMER 'UN-FRIENDLY' who all deserve a crash course in customer relations. Gabbing amongst themselves, fooling around with cell phones and not giving a damn about those who pay their salaries are all inexcusable. I sincerely hope management and ownership wake up and retrain these individuals or fire them all and employ new staff. read more

This place has the best breakfast sandwiches, food is always good and bagels are always fresh. Staff is always friendly they have more than one location near me and I need er have a problem. I do recommend calling in your order if you go on the weekend be cause lines can get long and causing a wait time. Try this location. You won't regret it read more

Been there 4 or 5 times. The bagels are the best around. Especially first thing in the AM. Warm and fresh.

I ordered a salt bagel toasted with cream cheese and bacon(asked for bacon to be cooked well done). I received a plain bagel with cream cheese and raw bacon. This is not the first time my bacon has been given to me like this. I always ask for my bacon cooked well done, this isn't even cooked. For the prices they charge you think they would get your order correct. I understand mistakes happen but this happens more often than not. Very disappointed. $28 for 3 sandwiches and all 3 orders were wrong. I have given multiple chances to this place. Whenever I tell them my order was wrong they look at me like I'm crazy. Definitely will not be going to this location again. read more

Empire Bagels - This was supposed to be a salt bagel with cream cheese and bacon - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Carmel Hamlet, New York

See all

This place has delicious bagels and makes great bacon egg and cheese sandwiches... when made correctly. They opened about 3/4 years ago and always got orders wrong then. I tried them out again today and they still got my order wrong. The new sandwich was given to me and I asked if hot sauce was put on it bc it didn't appear that way when I checked it in the store and I was told it was on there & it definitely isn't. Don't waste your time. Your order WILL get screwed up. read more

Went for my first time on my break for work. Got a regular bagel with the garlic cream cheese. Not too bad, then I chomped down and felt a sharp hard pain. Spit out the bagel WITH A PIECE OF METAL INSIDE IT. Thank god I bit into it and found it before I swallowed it. Toothache for an hour. I brought it to the attention of the workers and asked them to double check the bagels or cream cheese for more metal parts but they just shrugged it off. Be very careful if you go here. read more

See all

This place is clean and has everything. Michael at the front desk is awesome and made our experience amazing!!!! Can't wait to come back.

Prices went up, quality went down. Paid $27 for two bagels with cream cheese, and two iced coffees. The bagels were very small, similar to the size of pepperidge bagels which are $5 a sleeve. Coffee was very bitter and watery. All in all I think you're paying for the atmosphere, because what bagel place needs 9 tables including lounge couches. read more

With "bagels" in their name, you'd think Empire Bagels would at least get that right. But you'd be wrong. I've been in this place 10 times and 10 out of 10 times when I ask for "lox spread" - which for some reason is called "nova spread" and is right above "sliced lox" on their menu - they're out of it. Seems to me that a bagel place without lox spread is an imitation bagel place. Almost bait-and-switch level messaging. Any legit NYer knows bagel joints have plenty of lox spread on hand, ready to schmear on a bagel at a moment's notice. "Why is this person so obsessed with lox spread?!" you may ask yourself. I know I would. It goes to authenticity; attention to detail; saying what you mean and meaning what you say. Old-fashioned values that shouldn't be so old fashioned. If you can't get the basics right, then why would I bother with the rest of your place? Do yourself a favor: go to another legit bagel place in Carmel; one that has lox spread because REAL bagels shops care about their customers. read more

I went in for a late breakfast a while back. When I entered the place it was almost empty with no one in line waiting to be served. I stepped up to the counter to find only one server. She totally ignored me, no greeting, not even "I'll be with you in a minute". So I said "hello", she said "hello" and continued to ignore me. I waited another minute or two at the counter then I left. I have not been back and will not return, ever. I find that their items are over-priced and in general and the service was mediocre at best. Fortunately, there are other options in town or nearby. read more

Empire Bagels is my go-to breakfast spot before my morning commute nearly everyday. The staff is always super accommodating, even on their busiest days, rain or shine. Highly recommend any of their omelettes & wrap sandwiches. I also love that they have tofu cream cheese & vegan options. read more

$6.23 for a bagel with butter and a large coffee. I wanted to tell them I didn't want it but I was afraid the lady behind the counter would have kicked my ass. read more

First off the staff is always rude. I went in to buy yogurt which is already made. The staff was standing around not doing anything and told me to wait before they let me pay. I gave them another chance, I ordered on the mobile app, my husband goes to pick it up and same thing. They tell him to wait meanwhile they aren't doing anything. Then my husband gets home and finds out they completely messed up our order. Terrible. read more

Sooooo slow. Their bagels need more seeds. Can make a decent sandwich. Really need more staff though.

Best Bagels But... - foods great - service is SLLLOOOOWWWW - They prioritize mobile over human orders meaning you will wait a long time for a simple thing - $$$$ WAY too expensive for what it is. $13 for a bec and a plain bagel is nuts. - asking for tips? for over priced food and slow service? nnnnno. I literally installed yelp just to post this comment. read more

The best bagels in this area!!! 100% always service with a smile. Store is clean, decorated nicely, great atmosphere!

Not trying to add to the negative reviews. Unfortunately we stepped into this place early Saturday morning before work. We ordered a bacon egg and cheese on a roll, and a western omelette with home fries and toast. The food was good, they had Joe Tea which is hard to find! Food took a bit longer then normal. My problem with the place is the women behind the counter. The lady who took my order was sweet. But the lady with the tattoos on her forearms was so nasty to me, and the staff. The order was missing the home fries and toast once I paid 25.xx for breakfast. When I asked for the home fries and toast she caught this attitude of I can't understand what he's saying? Saying I need to stand here to order food. I said audibly no you missed the home fries and toast in my order. I clearly paid for them even tho I was not offered a receipt so I'm not sure how much everything was. Food was good: I won't come back here because I don't believe in people walking over people! Even there customers! I'm not sure if she's an owner? Or some kind of manger? Either way I'm not coming back. I'll go to Cameron's deli back towards Brewster. read more

I order some food to go. I was in a rush and left one of the wraps I had order. I was at the hospital and noticed after I got there that I called and said I could pick it up later on or tomorrow since I already paid for it. However the gentleman that helped me I can't remember his name but god less this man he drove to the hospital and delivered the wrap I forgot. I could never thank him enough. From me they get 10 out of 10. I don't care what other reviewer say they have a heart of platinum in my book read more

I have been coming here for over a year. I love this place and EVERY SINGLE WOMAN that works there will do whatever it takes to make sure you're happy! Ivana, and all the ladies deserve a raise and a bonus!! Especially for all the crap they put up with from ignorant racist customers in the Carmel area. Thank you ladies!!!! Las Mujeres read more

This is the only location I have visited. The service is almost rude, slow, and inept. Today the third and last visit. Walk in, staff out numbering customers, no hello, no nod, nothing. Just ignored! After a few minutes, someone asked for our order, no smile, no can I get you something else, no thank you. If there is a manager, they are hiding in the back somewhere. Owners should be ashamed. read more

Food is quite good and fresh. If you're getting food to go, make sure to check that the order is right. Pleasant space to dine in.

Initially We thought the food was decent. After they messed up 2 phone orders, I thought I'd give them another chance and order in person. FAIL! And then they accuse me of saying/ordering something I didn't. Customer Service fail. Third strike. YOU ARE OUT. read more

The service is so slow , the staff doesn't get the orders right. Other places that are better.

Never had gluten free bagels and offers an omelet instead but they're awful. Just go to Cams for gluten free stuff.

The bagels are ok, but perhaps a tad too sweet. They were $1 a piece last year, now they're $1.35. A 35% increase? For real? They're not worth $1.35 plus tax. read more

I come for breakfast or lunch! Food is always good no matter what. Not huge on protein shakes as some taste chalky but their peanut berry protein shake tops the cake! Friendly staff that greets you as soon as you walk in the door and accommodates to you right away! read more

The best bagels in town!! Customer service is awesome, everyone is super friendly and on top of things! Their BEC is to die for. Highly recommend!! read more