When I lived here in California used to really enjoy Garden State Bagels. They remind me of the good bagels back on the East Coast. I was a frequent customer. I also bought them by the dozens for my office. I visited them today for the first time in several years since we're visiting California. I was extremely disappointed. They tasted like the bagels you buy in the grocery store very bready, no outside crunch or dense inside. They shouldn't be spongy. SAD! read more

I believe this was already stated but I will reiterate - Garden State Bagels are the closest to authentic New York City bagels - a bit of a crunch on the outside, moist and chewy on the inside. I purchased a dozen consisting of an assortment of savory flavors, all delicious. Not being a fan of the sweet or other flavors, I must admit being really skeptical of the peanut butter bagel, what next? Garden State opened a bagel shop on Paseo del Norte in Carlsbad, a 2mi walk for me, how utterly convenient! Delighted they are located in the 'hood. read more

Authentic bagels with a large variety. We were here for a four-day trip and came twice. Well worth the visit.

I freeking love this place. They are BUSY and people can misinterpret that as unfriendly, but I would rather have my mouth full of one of these warm, delicious bagels than be chatting anyway. I drive from South San Diego (El Cajon area) for these and it is SO WORTH IT. I grew up with a place called The Bagel Factory that made the most legit bagels outside of New York state...and these are almost as good which is saying a LOT considering it is nearly impossible to find a decent bagel IN New York anymore... Enough of that. Their breakfast sandwiches are great, they've got just the right setting on the toaster oven if you like your bagel toasted, they use real Philadelphia Cream Cheese, their sourdough is to die for... I could eat these ALL DAY LONG (if I didn't live/work so far away, I probably would)! Love you GSB!!! read more

Four stars? Are you kidding me? If this isn't a five star bagel shop for San Diego there is none. Bar none it is by far the best and I'm fortunate to live close by. I'd drive if it wasn't. If he ever threatens to close I'd buy the place to keep it open Signed Jersey Philly New York guy Ps have to laugh about the two star review from "jersey girl" who was disappointed with her cinnamon raisen bagel and referred to this place as CA bagel. Real Jersey girls don't eat raisin bagels! It's all about the everything, garlic, salt, poppy, bialey etc. Seems our jersey girl went Californian herself LOL read more

Second time here and still have nothing bad to say! Bagels are so yummy and toasted perfectly. Cream cheese is fresh and plentifully applied. Hubby had the egg, cheese and sausage bagel sandwich- so good! And everyone there is very friendly and eager to help. read more

They need to cook the bagels longer . To doughy . Add some corn meal for crunch. Bit expensive also .

Been going here since I moved to Encinitas in 2013. Simply, a great bagel shop. Good people, good bagels. My favorite is sausage, egg and cheese (just one slice of cheese) on Combo bagel. read more

Bagels are not fresh and staff very unfriendly. Needs lots of work all around. The old floors offset with bagel smell leaves funky odor

I adore the owner and the staff, they're super sweet at this little strip mall bagel joint. And like every bagel place, there's a group of adorable old man regulars that come in each AM for their coffee and nosh. They've got a good selection of coffees, creamers, and bagels- the variety is pretty exotic! I've been here a couple times and both times I wanted just a cinnamon bagel with butter, and they didn't have that flavor. I ended up with blueberry with cream cheese this most recent visit and it was just a-ok. I felt like the bagels were fresh but the toasting is SUPER light, like barely a grill. The guy who helped me was clearly training too. There's a random bagel shortage in some local areas.... like Carmel Valley. NO BAGELS?! The closest one is Einstein's in SB, and inland Encinitas too, not a lot to choose from. Maybe another Garden State should open-hum? read more

We are BIG fans of the Carlsbad Garden State Bagels location (http://www.yelp.com/biz/garden-state-bagels-carlsbad-2?hrid=tbj1TSqMSxTMDWt9rzZljw). Even though we live in Carlsbad, the Encinitas location is a bit closer to us so 1 out of 10 times we find ourselves at this location instead. I found the customer service here to be inconsistent. The first time we came here, we were not impressed by the young attendants taking our orders. They were somewhat of robots and didn't appear to be enjoying their job -- so overall, I would've given them 2 stars. Not rude but not friendly or welcoming. We love their bagels so much, we continued to go and I'd say overall, they're 3 stars. I would say the owner is much more pleasant to work with. The small pleasantries goes a long way. read more

BAD SERVICE!!!! Ordered a "combo" bagel(I don't know why they don't just call it an everything bagel) toasted with cream cheese. They made it and gave it to me so I went to the register to pay, then some guy walks in and starts like laughing and talking to the person who was running the register (which I assume was the owner?) and then he orders his "usual" and totally cuts me and the owner didn't even care and completely ignored me until this other guy was fully satisfied and payed and left. Finally its my turn to pay and then someone else walks in for a pick up ordered, once again the owner takes this person in front of me again who has ordered a bakers dozen. I waited for about 10 minutes to finally pay for my damn bagel that was probably cold by now. Finally payed and got out of there after about 15mins wasted... I work with customers all day long and I know that it was unacceptable service. it shouldn't matter if I'm a first time customer or long time customer we should be treated fairly and equally. Definitely wont be coming back here. (Einsteins is down the street) read more

Garden State was a go to place. We started picking up bagels at the Carlsbad location about 10 years ago. Fast forward to our move 3 years ago and began frequenting the Encinitas location. My family and I have been to this location about 8-10 times. The bagels are solid but the atmosphere is off. I don't know the name of the guy who seems to run the place but he is not friendly. He loves to talk politics with anyone who will listen (I assume the volatile pitch is with his regulars). It is early. We are are grabbing bagels and coffee. The last two times I have been to GS he has been on his political rant. He is either bitching about "the man" not tending to his CC needs or presidential issues- Honestly it just isn't anything I feel like hearing. I have two well behaved toddlers and we never eat inside. The staff seems to dislike children which is odd considering it is bagels. The reason I decided to finally write a review was my last visit with the political guy. I tried my absolute hardest to make pleasant small talk. I inquired about his day. No answer. I asked how his weekend was. No answer. I went to check out and attempted to thank him with blank stare-again. Apparently the CC machine wasn't working. Finally he looked at me to tell me about corporations not taking care of small businesses. I was buying an egg sandwich bagel and a few plain bagels. Uncomfortable. Side note I am fairly sure I picked up food poisoning from the egg sandwich bagel. 24 hours worth of food was shared with family. The only time I went on my own was my egg bagel which was runny and not done. Next day I paid for it for hours. I wouldn't say to not go here I just wouldn't say it is a must. Stick to cream cheese, no small talk, and take it to go. read more

These bagels are the closest thing to the NYC's soft, chewy, perfect bagels. Garden State bagels is definitely doing something right. Rumor has it that they boil their bagels before they bake them. Whatever it is, these bagels have the best combination of softness and perfect chewyness to them. My favorite has to be their chocolate chip bagel. Hands down, best bagel in San Diego. read more

I find myself having breakfast here with the kids about once a month. I like this place. Bagels are good. Decor is old and dingy (although I like the unidentifiable skyline mural.) Staff isn't very friendly. Overall it lives true to its name and generally feels (and tastes) like an East Coast bagel joint. read more

I have gotten a dozen bagels here in the past and remember them being superb, but they did not live up to my memory or my idea of a perfect bagel. Plus, I was on my way to the hospital and stopped in to get a few breakfast bagels- bacon, egg and cheese, along with a dozen to take home and they were out of the everything bagels (I think they call them combo), but said they would be ready in 5 minutes. I said I would wait for them and paid. It is very small inside and had a steady flow of customers coming through and I had no where to stand that didn't feel like I was in the way of someone while I was waiting. I waited 20 minutes before finally saying I had to go as they told me it would just be 5 minutes. 5 minutes after that I finally got my bagels. They were not that friendly and I felt like I was putting them out by waiting. The positive was the bacon on the breakfast bagel was real and not the super thin, limp microwave kind (even though they microwave it). The everything bagels were missing salt and overall were just ok. I might go back if I was in the area, but not worth going out of the way for them. read more

Garden State Bagels - Bagels Near Me - Encinitas, California

I really love this family owned bagel shop. Very small but their bagels are so soft on the inside, a tad doughy (the good doughy) and slightly firmer on the outside. A perfect balance. So many flavors and with a dollop of cream cheese they are perfect. read more

In the endless battle of bagel vs. donut, I will always and forever be a bagel man. Donuts can suck down a fat one, and not like a fat one for the donut, I mean that a collective of people can vote on what constitutes as a fat one and after we get a 2/3's vote on what is an acceptable representation of what a fat one may be the, that will be the size requirement of what the donut will have to suck down. Bagel's are like compliments for me, thrown around without a care, "Oooo Taylor you're so hot" "Oh Taylor I didn't know it was that big" "Oh Taylor what you do with bacon turns me on so much", what can I say, my imaginary friends are nymphos. You really need to know what it takes to make a proper bagel if you're ever going to be a bagel pro, like any good magician as well as bagel maker, they never reveal their secret (until some a**hole with lazy eyes and a large bladder makes you sit through watching him get electrocuted in a cage for 4 days in hopes that he singes off all his chest hairs but instead you waste that time when you could have done something productive like have a Walking Dead marathon at your house, damn you David Blaine!). Long story short, eat your bagels here only, obey, conform, reproduce, and above all, consume! read more

The bagel quality and selection here is fantastic. It was busy even on a late weekday morning. Ordered a latte and their machine wasn't working at the time, but they managed to get me the latte about ten minutes later. I enjoyed sitting and having my bagel while watching customers come and go. They do seem to have some regulars! Next time I'll be more adventurous and try one of their unique flavors like Reese's Cup. read more

Garden State Bagels - They have every flavor! - Bagels Near Me - Encinitas, California

I've spent my spare time over the better part of the last few years searching out various bits and pieces of transplanted NY Metro Area culture to help provide more of a homey feel as an East Coaster trying to embrace San Diego living. There are real bagels, which have a thick skin and chewy, soft inside that you could compress into a small hard ball (if you were to choose to disrespect a delicacy of my culture by doing so), and then there are rolls with holes. While the bagels here don't fall 100% into the latter category, they aren't in the former either. If you want something truly close to an authentic bagel, you still have to go to Hillcrest. The ambiance at this nice little shop made me feel like I was back in Jerz (a good thing, I promise), but the product left something to be desired. Bagels were not bad, just not entirely authentic. read more

Got an everything bagel with jalapeño cream cheese and jalapeño bagel with eggs and bacon/pepper jack cheese. People were really nice and the food was great. The place was super clean as well. Would love to visit again. read more

Their bagels kick ass. They have an awesome selection and their breakfast and lunch options are tasty. Everything is fresh and decently priced - $2.69 for the bagel with walnuts, cream cheese and raisin is awesome. $7 for a corned beef deli sandwich is a little more than I'd like, but oh well. It's really good and I know I'm a cheap ass. Phil and I are in the same boat - not going here for the service. But, I haven't had any problems and it never once occurred to me that anyone would complain about it. It's a bagel place, where you order and pick up at the counter. No different from...any other fast food type of joint. This just isn't a chain and it happens to be less greasy than McDonald's. Since discovering it, I crave this place in the AM now and I can't wait to go there on the weekends. I really dig it. Good points were made about the inside - definitely not a classy joint. PS I think their OJ sucks and banana-bread sucks. -1 star for that. read more

Amazing amazing bagels....Omg I drive out of my way to have a breakfast sandwich ....I think of them all the time!

$5.05 for a Combo Bagel (aka "Everything") toasted with Jalapeno Cream Cheese and a large coffee. In and out in less than 4 minutes? Check. There were quite a few people there, good turnover = fresher product, and the staff was friendly enough. I really liked the quality of the bagel and the jalapeno cream cheese. I'm a bagel snob, so there's something to be said about that. The coffee was surprisingly not crappy like it is at most bagel places. I'll be back, I get a hankering for a bagel sometime and nothing can satisfy that hankering... except for a bagel of course. Auf read more

We were hesitant going in with the middling reviews due to the service. However, we've now been 3 times and service has been excellent every time. Maybe they've seen the reviews and focused on service more or maybe they've just found better help, but everyone has been incredibly attentive and patient. But the bagels are really the high point. They have the best I've ever had and their Nova Lox bagels are excellent and completely piled with Lox! The tuna and egg salads were also a big hit with my wife. Another cool thing is that it does really feel like an east coast bagel shop. I've only been to New York, but this reminded of the bagel shops there I'm design, selection and preparation. Plus, they have giant cookies which are good and cheap :). Can't wait to try their loads sometime soon! I will say that their egg and cheese was not not very good and I'll stick with the rest of their menu. This review might very well bump up to 5 stars upon return visits, so keep an eye out :) read more

Can you say FOOD POISONING!? I have been up for 24hrs prying to the porcelain gods. I am dead serious, I got food poisoning yesterday from the roast beef sandwich. read more

Absolute best bagels in the area. Nothing against Einstein and others, but Garden State reminds me the most of New York bagels. Not only the bagels, but his smoked salmon is some of the best I've had. Also, all of the other little things are great. This is a small place with only 6 to 8 tiny tables, so I wouldn't want to go in with 6 people looking to sit together at a deli. Although, there are one or two larger tables outside. The owner's name is Steve and he's there much of the time. The service is great. I can't imagine that someone would be disappointed with Garden State unless they hated the occasional line on a weekend morning or wanted a luxurious place to sit while enjoying their bagels. Unquestionably recommend Garden State Bagels. Skip read more

Upon recent visits I have been surprised with the friendliness of the staff. I have been greeted warmly, helped quickly and with a smile. Much improved customer service! read more

Garden State Bagels has phenomenal bagels... and they're open at 5:30 - fantastic combination! While the service can be 3 star, the bagels and cream cheese have always been 5 star. Garden State has some of the most interesting and unique bagel flavors around. The assortment goes way beyond your run of the mill bagel shop - and everything is fresh - every time. The fresh squeezed OJ is ice cold and delicious and whether you're going for a breakfast sandwich, sack of bagels, or lunch, you won't be disappointed. read more

Waited in line for 5 minutes before the cashier started taking orders. But even though I was first in line, he skipped past me and took the order of the guy behind me. He treated me like I was invisible. I walked out: No sense in spending my money in a place where they treat their customers like that. read more

I wouldn't want to sit inside because its a little dingy, and the service is a little iffy, but whatever, its bagels. Y'know? The bagels are phenomenal. I like getting chicken salad on a cinnamon raisin, and my boyfriend gets a salt bagel with egg and pepper jack. Today I had a sun dried tomato basil bagel with cream cheese, tomato, sprouts and lettuce. yum. Get yer bagel and go somewhere else to enjoy it. :P oh- and good OJ read more

This place has the best bagels in San Diego. The plethora or choices in bagels, sandwiches, spreads, coffee etc is top notch! The service is quick, reliable and professional. I'm a fan of going early on weekend mornings when locals are still sleeping and enjoy the quietness before the madness (they handle it well.) The owner Steve is almost always there, runs an efficient ship and is always engaging and genuinely interested in how you're doing. It's a great spot for out of towners to experience a good so cal locale that has a great east coast feel too. I highly recommend this place and encourage you to beat the rush and enjoy a good convo with Steve. read more

Now I've been here a couple of times in high school and now I've been more often now that I'm passing through when I go to work. Their staff here hasn't gotten to know who I am yet, but I am here quite often. I know it's hard because I always change what I get, but the type of bagel and lightly toasted always stayed the same. A must try it their coffee!! Different selection and it makes for a great energy boost when I am on my morning drive!! read more

Five Stars for Garden State Bagels!!! My kids love this place and Steve, the owner, is amazing. Always friendly and engaging. He and his crew do an amazing job serving the most delicious bagels in North County! I also come here for lunch on a regular basis, their Deli Meat Sandwiches are fantastic! read more

Garden State Bagels - My kids are always asking to go to "the bagel place" i.e. Golden State Bagels - Bagels Near Me - Encinitas, California

I wanted to bring bagels for my coworkers and we live very close to this place. I ordered 2 dozen mixed bagels (I also included 7 speciality bagels for an extra charge). I ordered a jalapeño/cheese, toasted with cream cheese for myself and it was DELICIOUS! They were very generous with the cream cheese and the bagel was so fresh and perfectly chewy. My coworkers also loved them and one girl said it was THE BEST blueberry bagel she's ever had and she even asked me to bring them again the next morning. The prices are reasonable for the quality and they are bakers dozens so you actually get 13 bagels per dozen. I may have missed seeing this but I don't think there is a bagel deal that includes the cream cheese tubs. That would be my only gripe. I should add that they do have a wide variety of yummy cream cheeses as well. Give this place a shot if you're in the mood for a fresh, tasty bagel. read more

Excellent, Friendly staff and wonderful bagels. This is a true neighborhood friendly place. The people care and get to know you. Great tasting bagels and challah bread. Fantastic unique bagels every month. Excellent place for breakfast and lunch. read more

Very poor service and subpar Bagels. I have been there three times. Once when they were busy and the second and third time when very slow, (I was the only one in there.) Both times employees were curt and impolite and made me feel like it was a bother to have a customer there. Their bagels are mediocre. Don't waste your time. Nothing at all like East Coast Bagels or (dare I say) even grocery bagels. These taste like round sandwich bread. The are not chewy nor dense, and have no flavor. read more

I crave this place every month or so... Other bagel places try to be some Starbucks and subway combo with no sense of identity. Not GStateBagel... I feel like I'm in a lil midtown or Hoboken bakery minus the double doors and weather. Whenever I go in here there's a bunch of people standing around asking "were you next? Cuz I don't know where the line really starts." ...what a great problem to have. A crammed lil store with TOO many customers... Either way, I always get helped quickly and am in and out!!! It could not be any better Carlsbad and Encinitas... Bagels and Beach I love you so much garden state bagel I can't shut up because it's so good and I want to buy them everyday and ,,, okay I think you get the picture. read more

I absolutely love coming to Garden State! I use to work right down the street from them and would go in there early to get their sausage egg bagel sandwich with coffee. They have so many different kinds of bagels & they're always fresh! I've always been searching for a morning breakfast place just as good as Garden (Einstein or Bruggers Bagels doesn't even compare), but haven't found a place that even competes. Always have gotten excellent service and every single person I've taken here loves it just as much as I do! read more

Steve and company are wonderful! He was attentive, friendly and made sure that the line moved quickly. I had a HUGE order for 13 people (to go) and there was a line of people ahead of me...was in and out in less than 10 mins! Amazing service and wonderful variety of bagels. They have a refrigerator where you may pick up your own flavored cream cheese or even a package of lox if you can't handle a full order of their open faced nova which looks awesome! Thank you for a wonderful experience. read more