I've lived in the Northeast (New Jersey/New York) for about half my life. When I order a bagel, I'll tell them the type of bagel, whether I want it toasted (always yes for me), the type of cream cheese (scallion vegan cream cheese), and then any additions that I want (usually tomato and onion). When ordering coffee, I'll let them know what I want (drip coffee) with whatever kind of milk (with heavy oat milk enough to change colour) and sweetener (with sugar please). Then you let them know any sides you want. I may or may not be saying it a bit quickly, because I'm half awake, and running on auto pilot, because I've lived in the Northeast for so long. The absolutely delightful lady behind the counter got it all recorded, fired, and sorted as and when it was coming out of my mouth. Confirmed everything, collected my payment, and we kept it pumping. As soon as the coffee was ready, called me over to grab it, because it was chilly and rainy while we waited. When one of the items I was ordering was taking a long time, the staff let me know that the item was taking a while longer than expected to finish cooking. My food came out perfectly done. Also, when they pass you your food, they confirm how many things you're ordering to make sure you get all your stuff. This operation is efficient, fast, and friendly. It's inexpensive for what you're getting. Coffee is excellent. Bagels have that snappy exterior, and chewy insides. Hash browns are crisp and piping hot. Coffee is rich and dark. Genuinely, you can't have any complaints when everything is done just right. read more

My fav hole in the wall bfast spot! Quick stop for bagel & coffee on my way to work- great food, great people.

Quick service and the sandwich was good and filling. It was a good quick breakfast before our conference but wouldn't necessarily frequently stop by. Nothing stood out to me. read more

Was good. Did an online order and it was ready. Got 2 egg and cheese Asiago bagels with jalapeño cream cheese. It was pretty good I would get again. I wish the cheese was more melted and it was warmer in general. read more

Schmear - Bagels Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Good bagel - good cream cheese - NO option for substitutions or omissions. The picture with the smoked salmon slices is misleading, there is no option for this bagel, just chopped up bits of salmon mixed into cream cheese. Yeah, one & done... read more

I split the breakfast sandwich with my friend on a cheddar jalapeño bagel and it was delicious! We went on a Wednesday morning and there was a little bit of a wait but the folks working there were very kind and thanked us for being patient! I would definitely go back if I'm in the area read more

Schmear - Bagels Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Was visiting Philly and looking for a good breakfast bagel place. I was surprised by the fact that it was just a walk up window but, the staff was friendly and efficient. I ordered the Bacon egg and cheese on a jalapeño bagel. It was delicious! It was a little more cream cheese than I would usually add but, it was well flavored and the bacon was so salty and perfectly cooked. The sandwiches my friends got also got raving reviews from them! Definitely a nice little spot if you're in the area and trying to grab something quick. Loved their vibe a lot. read more

Bacon egg and cheese w garlic herb cream cheese. A LOT of cream cheese but it was really good! It's such a small place but i appreciate how nice the main guy is even when they have a line down the block! Maybe they just need one more employee! I also love their honey pecan cream cheese !! read more

Schmear - Bacon egg cheese w garlic herb cream cheese - Bagels Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is becoming my fav breakfast sandwich/bagel place. Line is usually not too long but I usually have gone earlier in the morning or around lunch when breakfast rush has died down. read more

Schmear - Breakfast Sammie - Bagels Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Had the everything bagel. I don't think they actually bake the bagel at this location. I think they get it from their bigger location. Had mine toasted with veggie cream cheese. Was tasty and convenient. read more

It's no secret that Philadelphia isn't exactly a bagel town--the preferred doughy treat here is undoubtedly the pretzel. That being said, I can't help but sometimes crave a bagel when I'm in the area. I have tried a few bagel spots in the Philly 'burbs but left disappointed each time, as the bagels always seemed to miss the mark. So when I walked by this location of Philly Bagels, I was curious how a bagel place in Center City would hold up. The setup is simple, with just a window for ordering and no indoor space. I stopped by around 10am on a Sunday and there was only one person ahead of me on line. They offer a decent variety of bagels, along with an even longer list of cream cheeses. I went with a plain bagel toasted with one of their speciality spreads, the "dragon schmear" (jalapeño, red pepper, scallion, & walnuts). Service was quick and efficient. For a bagel outside of the NY metro, I would give it 5 stars. It definitely has the texture (hard boiled outside with a chewy inside) that many places fail to get right outside of NY/NJ. The "dragon schmear" was good too, balancing well with the plain bagel. Philly Bagels is definitely deserving of its name and will be my go-to next time I'm craving a bagel in Philadelphia. read more

Schmear - storefront - Bagels Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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After living in nyc for a few years I was hesitant to try bagels in Philly since moving back. Today I was craving a bagel and headed over to Philly bagels and let me tell you they satisfied my cravings. I ordered the lox special which comes with tomatoes capers and onion. I wish there were more capers but let me tell you, they really stuffed this bagel. It was the perfect amount of lox to cream cheese ratio for me and the bagel itself was pretty good! The service was also phenomenal and super sweet. I will definitely be returning next time if I want a bagel read more

Schmear - Lox special - Bagels Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The man at the window was so kind! They're walk up only! I got a jalapeño cheese bagel and it was really good.

Great little bagel spot right off of Broad. Their everything and sesame bagels were solid and highly recommend one of their sandwiches (new hot honey sandwich is ). Great service as well! read more

Schmear - Bagels Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This place is so unique. It's a tiny walk up kitchen with an outdoor facing order counter. Place you order and you can watch they get it ready. So cute. And so good. They are so friendly and so worth the stop. It was Philly Bagel when we discovered it on our trip to Philly last year. We were told they were rebranded recently. The bagel sandwiches are still great! read more

A good bagel from a tiny shop I have a bit of a soft spot for small shops that do one thing but do it well. This little bagel place is a gem of a stop, offers bagels and schmere for anyone crossing along. I got a couple of everything bagels with garlic herb and dragon cream cheese. The bagels were fresh and chewy, the cream cheese was full of toppings and the flavors were good. This place does bagels but does them well, and you'll be hard pressed to find better in walking distance. Worth traveling to if you want a bagel. read more

Schmear - Bagels Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Very nice lady up front. Tried the pino bagel and it was 10/10. They're usually busy but well worth the wait. read more

Schmear - Pino Bagel - Bagels Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Really good quality, good value, friendly staff. Definitely recommend, small location so don't miss it.

Surprised more people havent reviewed this place! Its the smallest lil joint you'll ever see (can only order through a window and its only a two-man operation) but their bagels are so fresh and so good. I always get their jalapeno cheddar bagel, toasted, with the best part: their garlic and herb cream cheese spread. It is unlike any you can buy in a store - the garlic HITS you in the face...in the best way possible. read more

The gentleman taking order was really nice and helpful, super efficient and the breakfast sandwiches were so good!!!

Egg Sandwiches are good. The store closes at 2pm, which is an hour earlier than most of the competition around Center City. However if you still get to the place anywhere around 1pm - 2pm. You'll be met with "only thing left is Cinnamon Raisin." This seems to be a consistency. And it's not the company or higher-operation. As the store has genuinely changed brands and companies. I am unsure if this stems from a staff that is unwilling to make anything for the last hour of operating service because they want to clean up and be done with the day, or if they're genuinely out of bagels, if that's the case then it's poorly managed as this has been an issue every time I've come within the last hour, which is not my norm. But I do expect them to at least have stock enough than simply one bagel type for the last hour of being open. Something here needs to change. Overall the store and make runs a little slow to get the sandwich out, but staff seems adequately friendly, and seems clean enough. read more

This branch is located in a two square block area that contains the worst of Center City, beggars, "extra" charges, tourists, yuck. Then I go here and the guy wishes me a happy new year and gives me a bag of fresh bagels (because they were closing). Go figure. It warmed my dark heart. read more

The cream cheese selections are like no other place. The bagel selections are just a few. I recommend you order online because the line can get pretty long outside. Definitely an unusual experience, and you should definitely check out the different cream cheeses they offer. It is the only place you'll find them. read more

This place blew me away. Got a bagel w/lox. Probably the best bagel I've had outside of NYC-- this is in the same league as Absolute Bagels on the Upper West Side. But here they take credit card, and the lines aren't as long. Also they have vegan cream cheese, and it's excellent. read more

Good bagel and price! Takes them a bit to make your order if you are getting a sandwich but otherwise nice service.