Pay attention and take a number! This place tastes just like the Highland park location. Haven't tried everything but... Bagels and cream cheese - very good Sliced Corned beef and pastrami - very good Coffee cakes - very good Will be back a lot read more

Two stars, and both are for the food. The bagels are good. We got the lox and bagels, the breakfast sausage roll-up, and an asiago bagel with chive cream cheese. No complaints there. The kitchen knows what it's doing. The service is the problem. The number system makes no sense and slows everything down. And the guy who helped us clearly did not want to be there. He wasn't rude exactly. He just gave us nothing. The food is worth coming back for. The experience isn't. Fix the numbering and hire people who actually want the job. read more

I was really excited for this location to open and wanted to give it some time for new opening pains. I've ordered from the Northbrook location a couple of times before, but it has been at least a good year or so. I visited the Arlington Heights location the day after Memorial Day (they're closed on Mondays, just an FYI) around 9:30am. Parking was tough as they share a lot with many other businesses in the strip mall and there was construction going on across the street taking away some street parking availability. I eventually found parking and went it. It is an intimate location with the register and food to the right as you walk in. Shelves of other baked goods to the left. I'm not sure what else is to the left. Right in front at the far end is their kitchen area with what looked to be an open cook/prep space. I barely walked in then was greeted right away by a woman at the register. There was another person inside who had already ordered and was waiting. I took a moment to look at the shelves and selected a small box of some prepackaged butter cookies. I was offered help again and kinda felt a little rushed. Without having a chance to look at the menu, I was asked again what I needed. Since I wasn't given much time, I just asked for half a dozen bagels. I didn't even look to see what bagels were available. Feeling rushed, I went with my default choices I normally get at another bagel & bialy shop - 1 egg, 2 chocolate chips, 2 cinnamon raisins, and a sesame seed. They were quickly put into a paper bag and I was rung up asking if I needed anything else. Again without having a chance to look at the menu board posted up toward the ceiling, I just asked for a small plain cream cheese. I was given two choices - 1/2 pound or a pound. I went with 1/2. Everything was quickly done as someone else got the cream cheese and handed it to the cashier. I was rung up, given the total of $24.65, and before I knew it I was thanked, given my bag, and sent on my way. Good thing I paused for a moment, noticed they had a rewards program after I was rung up and got to enter my phone number. I felt like I didn't even get much chance to look at the menu or offered any help other than "what would you like?" There was no one else but me and the other customer waiting. There were no lines and no reason for a rush. As I was being rung up, another customer came in and right away someone else asked her what her order was. It's like they're working on lunch rush mode without any customers. The other customer ordered a bacon, egg, cheese bagel and was told that they don't have it fresh. They had an egg cheese sandwich already on the steamer, but nothing they could make at that time. That seemed a little weird. She asked when they would have fresh to made and was told, they don't know but for now it's premade and ready in the steamer. She left without anything. 5 mins later, I'm home and ready to enjoy a nice cinnamon raisin bagel. It was extremely disappointed to open my bag and find 6 really hard bagels. Not soft and pillowy, like a bagel should be. Not even warm like a fresh bagel. They were all hard (maybe over baked?) and crumbly. I tried to slice mine in half they crumbled into 3 pieces not halved. I tried a chocolate chip bagel hoping it would be fresher and same. Hard, dry and crumbly. This was a complete disappointment! 6 bagels and they were hard as a rock, broke into pieces when I tried to cut them, and hurt biting into them! I've had fresh bagels, hot from the oven, and these were not it. Positive side: Plain cream cheese was ok, but expensive. Cookies were decent but only 7 in my box and pretty pricey. Would I return? Maybe ... after I've forgotten about this experience. I really wanted to like this place, hoping this would be a new easy place to visit for some delicious, fresh bagels. $25 is a lot for 6 hard bagels, cream cheese and 7 small butter cookies. NO pictures, I was rushed and didn't get time to take any. read more

Grand Opening done right! Once Upon a Bagel has officially opened their fourth bagel shop in Arlington Heights. It is located in a strip mall with plenty of parking to accommodate guests. Their menu is expansive with bagels, bialys, deli sandwiches, salads, and more! When entering, grab a number from the counter to save your place in line. One orders at the counter and then pats at the register when the order is completed. The bagel case is behind the register so I recommend taking a look before going to order. I was thoroughly impressed by how many bagel flavors they had to offer! I got a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich on a Garlic Bagel (toasted). I was able to pick my cheese type, egg preparation, and ask for my bacon to be crispy. My sandwich was certainly made fresh and bagels were still fresh at lunchtime when I visited. The sandwich in total was $14 which is a bit steep but the flavor was amazing!! This is certainly a treat and a great bagel option in the Chicagoland area! read more

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service: went in around opening time on friday. technically they open at 8 but they'll open after they're done prepping which could be before 8. the staff was very friendly and gave good recommendations. one had even recommended jalapeño cream cheese on the cinnamon raisin (which we will try next time)! food: ordered the everything bagel with chives cream cheese (my favorite of the two) and the cinnamon raisin bagel with walnut raisin cream cheese. both bagels toasted. love the thick slab of cream cheese on both. they were very tasty. the bagel itself i wish were bigger. not the best bagels i've ever had but they may be the best in the neighborhood. looking forward to trying the breakfast sandwiches and other bakery items! read more

Once Upon A Bagel - everything bagel with chive cream cheese - Sandwiches Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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Greetings! A new star is born in the downtown Arlington Heights constellation of great eating! Specializing in bagels and related great eats, Once Upon a Bagel hits it out of the park with the first bite. Bagel with a schmear is perfect...best bagel I've had in a long time. The corned beef on rye was perfect. Great flavors and portions with a very comfortable price. Friendly staff and spotless interior tells me that they're off to a great start! Hopefully, by landing in Arlington Heights, owners and customers alike will see their food-based dreams come true! Until next time...tk read more

Excellent bagel sandwiches and baked goods. Great variety! Love the salted pretzel bagels. read more

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Paid 10.00 for a tuna sandwich. No lettuce no tomato no pickle no side. So low quality for 10 bucks. The young cashier didn't ask what I wanted on it. He has zero personality. This should have at least had lettuce and tomato or the kids should have asked. He never said thank you!! Won't be back. read more

Once Upon A Bagel - Plain tuna sandwich. 10 bucks. So not worth it. - Sandwiches Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Bagels are just fair and the prices really high. Cream cheeses are good but also expensive. Will not go back

Their food is delicious. The bagels are unique. My favorite is the salty pretzel but the jalapeño cheddar is also good. The regular tuna salad is famous in our family. The service is always accommodating. They are glad to carry large orders to my car. I have only used the carry out service which is excellent read more

I love Once Upon a Bagel. I was SO EXCITED to hear one was opening in Arlington Heights, so close to me. I often go out of my way to go to the Northbrook or the Lake Forest locations. Their lean grilled Reuben is my favorite sandwich!! It's a real treat!! The sandwich I had today from Arlington Heights was horrible. I had to throw the whole thing out. What a total waste of money!! It came on soggy bread from the sauce and the sauerkraut because they never grilled it at all and the meat was not lean either!! It was totally fatty and grizzly. I couldn't even chew it!!! My daughter got the grilled turkey club which she loves, that's her favorite sandwich and it came not grilled and on two skinny pieces of white bread. Hardly any turkey and wilted lettuce. The first time we went by the Arlington Heights store location it was closed, the second time we went by they said the grill wasn't working, at least a week prior, to the third time we stopped by, which was today and clearly the grill still isn't working because neither one of our sandwiches was grilled the way it usually is and it was not up to their usual standards. Obviously, they're not ready to open yet. They need to get some training on how to make the food if they're going have the same name as the original restaurant and continue to have a great reputation. The Arlington Heights location is not good. I would not go back there or recommend recommended it!! if you want to get the real deal go to the other once upon a bagel locations. I am so very disappointed, I'd like my money back. Worst sandwich ever. :( read more

Once Upon A Bagel - Not grilled at all, not hot, not good!!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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It's a nice experience. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They take their time with you. Their bagels are delicious and the cream cheese is fresh. They have different other food items you can pick up like soups and deli and even cookies and coffee cakes. read more

Great bagels and a very nice staff. I love getting their pastries and the owner is very welcoming.

Great place for deli faves! Stopped in for a late lunch. The guy behind the counter was helpful and patient as we browsed the shelves and menu. Ordered the mish mosh soup and some sandwiches to go. The broth was light and not too salty, with lots of veggies, chicken, noodles and rice. The matzo ball and kreplach were delicious as well! We also enjoyed our sandwiches. Will definitely be back!! read more

Really enjoyed my pumpernickel bagel. Quick service, very friendly staff. I'm eager to go back and try some more bagels!

the asiago bagel with chive cream cheese was so good! service is quick and efficient and i'm so glad that this place is so busy