Bernstein's Bagels is more than an eatery - it's a community. We liked the food and the experience…read moreso much that we came here two days in a row for breakfast. Bernstein's is a popular spot - having arrived at the opening time we felt lucky to secure a table. Here is what we ordered: bagel and lox, garden bagel and raisin smear bagel; as well as coffee. Everything was so good that even the picky eater amongst us had no complaints. We also enjoyed conversing with other patrons at Bernstein's. Having quickly deciphered that we are visiting from out of town (probably by overhearing us talk - the tables are very close together) they immediately made us feel welcome and recommended places to visit around Portland. We usually don't talk to strangers, so being pulled into a friendly conversation was a different kind of experience for us, but the one that we enjoyed with gratitude. Overall, this a great breakfast spot!

Bernstein's is a tough place to grade, especially if you're from the place whose bagels, cream…read morecheese, and sandwiches it's trying to emulate. I've been coming here since they were tucked away in St. John's and were the bagel provider for the Portland Art Museum's cafe, and it's produced a love-hate relationship. I love the new place on Russell Street and the coffeehouse aesthetic that fits its corner of Portland far better than an average bagel shop. I love that they've gone through the trouble of learning to prepare bagels correctly and have trained Portland to expect a chewiness to their bagel and a mild tackiness often incorrectly identified as "crisp" on the exterior. I love that they use Nossa Familia coffee--the city's closest approximation to East Coast Italian roasts--and that they attempt lox and capers, tuna salad, and pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches. But there's still a whole lot to hate. I hate that it makes me pay $3 for a bagel that cooked to pretzel density half the time (a common overcompensation in this market) before it's touched by so much as an ounce of cream cheese. I hate that buying in bulk scarcely dents that price to the level of competitors who have rapidly gained on the shop's quality. I hate that pork roll (loose, cheap pig renderings mashed into a sausage and sliced), a Kraft single, and an egg on their bagel goes for $15 (!). And I quite frankly hate that I regularly have to include these obnoxiously pricey bagels among the city's best for lack of better options. It encourages newcomers to set even higher per-bagel prices without the quality to back it up--making for angry, disappointed customers--and creates an unsustainable novelty for a product that thrives in everyday available volume. The one $5 bagel in town exists solely because it's using flavors and ingredients uncommon to the medium, but I'm no sure that spot on Sandy can keep up its one-bagel-at-a-time approach forever. Bernstein's has found its place, but not without making certain adjustments along the way. Its lines have given way to advance ordering and easy pickup. Its bagel, schmear, and sandwich menus have broadened as it attempts to give people more for their money. And with competitors entering the market on the East Side at $4 to $5 per plain bagel, offering that same price for a bagel with cream cheese makes them the better point of comparison on their side of the river. Bernstein's can be an above-average to really good bagel for this market, but its greatness relies heavily on just how willing you are to cross a bridge.

Ordered an egg, sausage, cheese, & veggie cream cheese on salt bagel. Bagel was quite salty but was…read morestill really good.

I consider a bagel and whitefish a luxury. At $20, it would seem HHBB emphatically agrees with me…read more And yet their answer to what should be a nice treat is dismembered and mutilated slop, specifically: The toppings removed from one and stacked directly under the other, all sitting in a POOL of caper juice. But don't worry about getting your hands dirty/wet lifting this monstrosity - you've already been primed opening the box with food residue smeared across the outside of the lid. Never again.

Lox salmon on everything bagel with cream cheese. Perfection!! Chewy bagels and great portion…read more Would come back.

I love that they make fresh real eggs. And I saw them hand…read moreform the bagels, wow! The breakfast sandwich needed more flavor for my taste.

I consider a bagel and whitefish a luxury. At $20, it would seem HHBB emphatically agrees with me…read more And yet their answer to what should be a nice treat is dismembered and mutilated slop, specifically: The toppings removed from one and stacked directly under the other, all sitting in a POOL of caper juice. But don't worry about getting your hands dirty/wet lifting this monstrosity - you've already been primed opening the box with food residue smeared across the outside of the lid. Never again.

Note: They participate in Too Good To Go as I saw someone get their bagels when I stopped by. Thank…read moreyou for not wasting food! Came here to grab a sandwich for our road to Mt. Rainier. I went with a Poppy seed bagel with egg, sausage and cheese. It was hearty but the bagel lacked something for me. It was denser than what I'd prefer. The egg was a bit dry as well and could use a thicker slice of cheddar cheese (for moisture). We also got a corned beef sandwich and it was very good. The beef was perfectly seasoned and moist. They also have house made cream cheeses for you to choose from. Easy Parking on street.

OH MY GODNESS, wow. This place was worth the walk! First off the food truck area it's in is so…read morecute! I love the abundance of heaters! And such cool art, I had the jalapeño bagel with jalapeño cream cheese breakfast bagel! The flavor! I know it's just breakfast but man, I will go on another hour walk to buy again! They hav so many options and different takes you can customize your bagel how you'd like! If you're in the area give them a try!

SOOOO GOOOD. Definitely recommend stopping by for a delicious bagel and smear or Bagel sandwich. I…read morehad the smoked Salmon Lox Bagel. Was really good. Loved the smoky flavor. Enjoyed the crispiness of the bagel with the right amount of chewy.

A casual neighborhood spot where staffs are very friendly. Lots of people order and takeout their…read morebagels since the space is pretty small inside. I enjoyed the Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagel Sandwich (eventhough I misunderstood what I ordered lol). The salmon filet was soft and flavorful without being too salty, paired perfectly with the dills, tomatoes, lemon, and plain cream cheese!

Bagels are 4.5 star…read more However, I don't appreciate that an employee was wearing a pin in support of a movement for a murderous group of people. Such pins do not foster an inclusive and welcoming environment. I do not think these employees would be welcomed by that group either. I will not be spending my bagel funds at this location.

Not really a bagel afficienado so keep that in mind. I don't really go for the simple bagel/cream…read morecombo. I'm more of a sandwich guy so when I go here I almost always for the the BEC bagel setup. Perfectly acceptable customer service has been my experience. Nothing to write home (or Yelp) about but I've never walked away frustrated or with the wrong item, etc. The interior is no frills. They have plenty of seating if you choose to dine in on the inside. I would love it if they had some outdoor seating but its understandable considering the logistics of this location.

This place was pretty good. I went here for a quick bagel and the only thing I'd recommend is not…read moregetting a bagel with egg on it. The egg had a slightly weird texture but the flavor was good.

Went to this Speilman's thinking they were the same as the Broadway location. I was wrong. They…read moredon't have as many bagel sandwich choices, or rotating selection of specialty coffee drinks. The flavor of the bagel was good, but we were absolutely disappointed with the size of the bagel. They were tiny and the whole was pretty much non-existent. I did however enjoy the green sauce. When we got our bag of bagels I was disappointed that the bottom of the bag was grimy with cream cheese and got all over my hand and the table. Is this place even in the same family as the other Spielman? The coffee cups were even different.

It had been a long time since I had a decent bagel. I saw Spielman's and entered with high hopes. I…read morewasn't disappointed. The establishment itself is a mix of all kinds of decor. The building looks like a cabin. Not necessarily my vibe but it is "Portland Weird". Still, I was there for the food not the scenery. The workers were great. Nice and friendly. Had two delicious bagels. One with lox and tomato's which was amazing. I ended up getting some of their salmon cream cheese to go. Tasty!

The smoked salmon bagel is so good! Highly recommend! Their…read morecold brew is strong enough for caffeine but the taste is mediocre.

Henry Higgins in SE is a great bagel shop. The vibes are simply correct. The cream cheese selection…read moreis great. The Jalepeno cc has awesome flavor, I get it on the potato and black peppercorn bagel. The garlic bagel and everything are favorites too. We like to read a Willamette Weekly and sit in one of the four little tables inside. There are outdoor picnic benches too. The lemonade is super good and refreshing. The coffee too acidic for my taste. The day olds are a great deal! Favorite bagel shop in PDX.

Always friendly. Bagels are fresh. For me, too much cream cheese, but that's not a bad thing for…read moremost. We stop every time we are in the area.

Respectfully... what in the children's cough syrup was this?…read more I order strawberry jelly + strawberry cream cheese all the time. This combo is not exactly experimental cuisine. Somehow this place managed to create a spread that tasted like someone melted a Barbie Dreamhouse into silicone caulk and added pink food coloring for emotional damage. The 'strawberry jelly' had the texture of industrial lubricant and the flavor profile of expired medicine from 2004. The cream cheese tasted like it witnessed a crime. I genuinely paused mid-bite and checked the packaging to make sure I hadn't accidentally ordered a novelty prank item. Bagel itself? Innocent. Victim, honestly. I don't normally leave reviews but this experience felt important to document for public safety.