This morning, the baker was helping make sandwiches up front. She accused me of trying to cheat the system by asking for cream cheese on my healthy harvest bagel. I felt very offended, as a repeat customer for 6 years, I've always paid in full. I've tipped since the first day the jar was labeled "Counter Intelligence." When I explained that I've always gotten the same order, she became combative. She made a scene to the other customers and workers, saying: "I've been here 11 years! Apparently people have been trying to pull one over on us! If they ask for cream cheese you make sure they pay for it!" read more

We stopped here for breakfast on a road trip. They have a very large selection of fresh bagels (including a banana bread flavor!) and a bunch of different spread options. I had an egg sandwich with cream cheese on a bagel and it was solid. The decor is typical coffeehouse with plenty of tables and many of them occupied by people on computers. read more

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Second timing coming to uncommon grounds. Once again, horrible experience. Unorganized and chaotic when it comes to ordering. Claims there's 2 separate lines for drinks and food however no indication of where the lines start causing there to be a cluster out the door and all around the counters and cash registers. If you're just ordering a drink you apparently have to wait an unnecessary amount of time behind all the people ordering food. There should be 2 distinct lines for food and drinks. read more

Love uncommon grounds. Their bagels are pretty decent for upstate and their cream cheese is great. I usually get the healthy harvest and it's always fresh. I've honestly never loved their coffee or lattes but they've recently had a special - Parisian drinking chocolate with espresso - highly recommend. You won't regret read more

Uncommon Grounds - Parisian drinking chocolate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

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Those mocha frappes (with an extra shot of espresso) are premium, even on days that are cold. AND, when they're done with the big burlap sacks of green coffee, they stack them on a shelf in back, and you can take them home with you. I have the COOLEST laundry bag now. Just work on the coffee portion, and we're set. read more

Ah sweet bagel-y goodness. I've got some nostalgic feelings about Uncommon Grounds. I used to head here while a student nearby - a friend introduced me to the place on a lazy Sunday morning, and if I'm ever in the area, I go back for more. Why? CIRCA 10 YEARS AGO: NOW: Quick Line Quick Line Friendly staff Friendly Staff Fair Prices Fair Prices GREAT bagels Great Bagels Even Better Bagel Sandwiches Even Better Sandwiches Newspapers Newspapers + Free WiFi! Chillaxed atmosphere Chillaxed atmosphere *Fave sandwich is the veggie w/honey mustard & sprouts. Yum. Ah sweet bagel-y goodness. read more

Breakfast all day here. I had a bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on a garlic bagel. The bagel was awesome. Thick, doughy and really flavorful. Sandwich is made with eggs prepared beforehand and heated up. A small stove top where you prepare eggs made to order would take this sandwich to the next level. We stayed and did some reading there for about two hours. There are lots of tables, good lighting and the place gets a nice smell when the roaster is going. What's missing is the couch seating area you find in other coffee shops. read more

Uncommon Grounds - Breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg and cheese on garlic - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

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It's not an NYC bagel but it is the best in Albany. My fave is a pumpernickel with salmon cream cheese. It's not pink. It's not flavored. It's cream cheese with salmon. That's critical. Salads are good, and so very filling I can never finish one. They sell TC Paris macaroons too, so that always makes me happy! But most importantly, everyone is really friendly. Over the past year, the baristas have taken time to learn my name and order. It's my go to! read more

I must say we frequent this establishment for good reason! The staff is super friendly and the food is great! Yesterday for lunch we had a turkey sandwich on an everything bagel with a bowl of squash soup! The turkey is always fresh and never dry! My wife loved the soup, not made on site but tasted as if it was! Avoid the rush hours in the am if you are in a rush! read more

I prefer the Uncommon Grounds in Saratoga Springs, to be honest. This location is a little cramped, the employee I dealt with was kind of a hipster asshole. It's nice because the coffee is very good (certainly better, in my opinion, than some of the big chain options in the area) and the location is convenient for me given where I work. It's reasonably priced for the quality, and it's definitely a good place where you can meet up with a friend for coffee, or get some work done out of the office. Overall, it's a good coffee shop that I'll visit now and then, but I still prefer the one in Saratoga. read more

BEST BAGEL SPOT IN THE CAPITAL REGION - Pumpernickel bagel w. Pesto ---HEAVEN!!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND Also, the staff is excellent, upbeat, and so welcoming. P.S. I do not work here, I am just an avid Uncommon Grounder!! read more

So I'm assuming all locations are closed? I've called all 3 locations numerous times, no one has ever answered, nor is there any kind of machine read more

Bagels = huge. We get a baker's dozen, freeze 'em all (they freeze really well), then either pop them in the micro when we want them or take them to work (they thaw by lunchtime!) The cream cheese they have is kinda meh in my opinion, although their veggie cream cheese is better than many other places. And while I really love to slather a thick layer of cream cheese on my bagel, more often than not I get more than even I can handle and end up scraping most of it off onto the plate. My mom once got a chicken salad sandwich on a pumpernickel bagel, and that was divine. It was so huge, half came home with us. Coffee-wise, I've come out of the honeymoon phase. While I initially liked the selection, the fact that I am served lukewarm coffee most of the time is slightly upsetting. Even though I chalk it up to me visiting at not-so-busy hours...not-hot coffee is kinda icky. Now I'm more likely to get some ground to go so I can brew at home. I love going in when the coffee roaster is running...mmmm... Maybe I'm lucky, but I've encountered friendly staff who will actually talk and joke with us! Could be due to the time I usually visit (slow periods in the evenings). read more

Love having this quaint coffee and bagel shop right around the corner from our home. The coffee is delicious and the bagels are the best in town! Always fresh, so big and very tasty. The atmosphere is so welcoming and I love that you have the option to purchase art from local artists right off the walls. I often escape to Uncommon grounds to write my blog, grab breakfast or just swing by to get a Iced Coffee. I can guarantee that almost every time I am there the baker from the back brings out a fresh batch of bagels. Friendly service! read more

This is one of my favorite places to go to meet up with a friend for a quick cup of coffee. It has a very relaxing atmosphere, the staff is friendly, and I'd say they're reasonably priced. I'm a fan of their salads, and always end up getting the Meditteranean salad. I'm not much for their coffee, but I do like their teas. Definitely a nice place to go if you're looking for a laid back coffee shop and some free wifi. read more

Everyone should know by now, this is where you go for bagels in the Capital Region. Speak up, if you are hiding bagel secrets. This review will fall under the Albany location because the bagels and overall experience are slightly better. Having the bagels in front of you as you order make a huge difference. The bagels in Saratoga are behind the register. I usually decide what to order based on what they look like. The divide between crispy vs. doughy can vary at times, so it's important to check them out before ordering. Quick Tip: don't toast the garlic or onion bagels. The garlic and onion crispies turn black and taste like burnt death. Both locations have a patio, but the people watching is much better in Saratoga Springs. Go to either location for a solid bagel fix, some free WiFi, or a light meal. Oh, the coffee's not too shabby either. read more

This place used to be a weekly staple for me since it first opened. At some point YEARS ago the employees and customer service started to take a turn for the worse. I eventually just stopped going about a year ago - tired of the employees rolling their eyes at customers, the huffs and sneers when you walk in the door, the blank faced cashiers who then look like they want to punch you when you order a coffee, having to repeat your order 5 times and then still have it made wrong ... and god forbid you mention it to someone. Instead of an "sorry about that" you'll get the look of death, a slammed knife on the cutting board and yet another wrong order. A friend I was with one time preferred to throw away her sandwich rather than dare ask for it to be fixed a second time. Order a ham, egg and cheese and get turkey, egg, cheese, mayo and lettuce?? I went in this past Thursday just for a bagel and cream cheese and, YUP still the SAME. What is fascinating is only one person working was recognizable from years ago (seemingly a manager)- and with the same utterly miserable and angry look on his face. Staring down customers and muttering under his breath. The employee behind the counter upon standing up from the low boy cooler and seeing me looking to order huffed and rolled his eyes and said under his breath "f#$% here they f'n come" (It was 11:30am and just before lunch rush). That said, the utterly horrendous attitudes and horrible customer service presumedly are spread down like a cancer from management and considered acceptable business behavior. The bagels are good and unique ... but sure as hell not THAT good. Never again will I walk in that door. read more

This is definitely my go-to place for a bagel in the capital region. They are large, not too doughy and have a lot of "toppings" on them (ie lots of poppeys). I really like their veggie cream cheese. Their chicken salad is also pretty damn good. The coffee is meh. It's ok, definitely nothing special. It can get really crowded here on the weekends with tons of SUNY kids lined up out the door. The line does move fairly quickly. The people who work here aren't too friendly and it can be really confusing who is helping who. The prices are fair, pretty much on par with other bagel/sandwich/coffee places. Overall, they have some good stuff here, it can just be annoying when the line is super long and the employees are unfriendly. read more

A lovely place to hang out or do work. Always a great selection and the service has always been phenomenal!

I want to like Uncommon Grounds. I really do. Locally owned, close to my office, all of that jazz. But time and time again, I'm disapointed. The bagels are hit or miss, in my opinion. I like a nice crispy bagel, but a lot of the time, they're doughy and undercooked. Ick. Soup comes from a bag and isn't made fresh, so that isn't anything to write home about. My biggest complaint is the customer service. There are maybe two employees there who are friendly and quick. The rest are grumpy, slow, and too busy shooting the sh*t with their coworkers to listen to your order. A pet peeve of mine is when i order something and I'm then asked about fourteen times what i asked for again. Come on people, just listen! read more

My favorite place to get great bagels and homemade cream cheese. Also the soup (I always get the manhattan clam chowder if it's there) is fantastic. I've been here MANY times (usually hungover). It's busy on weekends, the line is hectic but goes pretty fast. The bagel makers usually seem a little "out of it" in the fact that you have to repeat your order a few times. I wish they would just ask what bagel you want and if you want it toasted, THEN ask what you want on it so you don't have to tell them twice. No matter who I have to interact with to get my spoils it's worth it. Another bummer is sometimes they are out of my favorite bagel, Pumpernickel. Lots of people must have figured out it's so so amazing/tasty and they go pretty quick. On the other side, It's good to know that they batch make the bagels based on need so there's never an old, not as warm bagel sitting in the basket. It's common to see them carry out one or two fresh bins of bagels while you're in line. Yum, now I want a warm bagel. read more

Honest to god, best bagels in Albany. I come here quite a bit for lunch while at work. You honestly cannot go wrong. Their bagels, cream cheese, coffee, bagel sandwiches are all delicious. The staff seems to change quite a bit though and they're a hit and miss. I've had some good ones and some rude ones but that's what you get when you're so close to so many colleges. Either way, that hasn't stopped me from frequenting this place. So good! read more

This is a convenient walk from SUNY and is right across the street from the #12 bus stop. There are always about 7 people behind the counter, so why is service so slow, disorganized and inefficient? It's not clear who's actually working, who's on break, and who's hanging out outside of their shift. And then it's not clear to the employees who's been helped, who's been rung up and who's still waiting. And it doesn't seem clear to the customers whether they should wait for their bagel or move on and pay, or whether they should order their drink from someone other than the person they ordered their sandwich from. It's not clear if you can skip the bagel line and hit the register for drinks, but I do it anyway. And then I go sit down and watch the people after me, confused too. The bagels are extra chewy and their cream cheese (which is usually a good 1/4-inch thick) is subpar. When I feel like splurging, I go for the lox. It's good, but I hate how they haphazardly toss on an oversized piece of lettuce in there, and I always have to fold the lettuce to size before biting into it. Their coffee is definitely way better than that watered down crap at the Muddy Cup. But because UG has such a big coffee selection, it tends to sit at the counter pots for a while, getting both old and cold. They'll gladly replace it if you say something, but no one on staff will check it on their own accord. Best deal: If you're staying a while, $1.31 coffee with unlimited refills. read more

When I was living in Albany, I loved this place so much that my boyfriend made me a Christmas ornament out of a tiny Uncommon to-go cup (earning him major points in the adorable/creative/thoughtful category). This was definitely the best coffee shop in the Capital Region, in my opinion. The Albany Uncommon Grounds is great to go to by yourself with your laptop, order a bagel and a cup of soup, and waste time before your grad. night class. I wouldn't call the Albany location the coziest place to hang out, but the staff is friendly, the bagels and coffee are delicious, and it is definitely not awkward to sit and relax there by yourself. The Saratoga Uncommon Grounds is the one where if you want to hang out for a while with friends in a cozy, relaxing place, this is it. I found the staff here to be less than friendly, however. Also, the bagels are behind the register, not where you order, so if you are like me and like to scope out which ones look most fresh, you risk ordering the lone plain bagel that has been sitting there for the past few hours. The four stars I am giving are for the Albany location. Saratoga, I would give three stars, based on the customer service. read more

Quick service, delicious hot breakfast sandwiches. Ample seating, tons of coffee and tea options!

This place is the only decent restaurant by my building at work. Don't expect much customer service but do expect good food. If you're someone that needs that special attention during your dining expereince, this place is not for you. I got used to it only because the salads are amazing. It's a bit pricey but they are not cheap with the ingridients; if you ask for tomato - you will get plently of tomato! They have nice tables outside which is wonderful on a sunny day. As you can't tell, I'm not raving about this restaurant but it's the best option for lunch. read more

ive never had such an awful experience at this location. maybe when they opened the one in stuyvesant plaza, they took all the nice staff there because most of the staff working during my visit were incredibly rude and snappy. seems like they had a bad day or were in a terrible mood, but you work in food service! dont take it out on the customers! not only were they rude to me and my friends, but we saw them treat many other customers poorly and they were rude to each other in front of customers. obviously ill be going to the new location instead of this one from now on. read more

I come here because it's convenient and the bagels are decent. I don't know much about coffee, but sometimes I'll get the house cup with free refills, and it always tastes fine. Not spectacular, but good enough. They have a pretty nice selection of tea, but warning: do not get the charming little tea pot of tea, despite it's cost effectiveness. They clearly don't get cleaned thoroughly and are pretty gross. I was actually ordering one when the girl behind the counter said to the guy who was serving me, "ew, those things are so dirty..." Which brings me to my big detraction. The service here is pretty terrible. So yeah, they're obviously a bunch of hungover UAlbany students, but their professionalism is non-existent. I never know who's working, who's just casually strolling behind the counter because they happen to know the manager and who's hanging out on break. Listening to their loud, obnoxious conversations and watching them awkwardly flirt with each other gets old after about a half an hour. And the manager, the guy with the glasses? What is his deal?! He's such a sour puss. Alright, that said, it's a good location for going before or after classes and getting work done, and the free wifi is nice. The bagels are really tasty, but will probably be manhandled into flatness by the apathetic staff behind the counter. read more

I am thinking about having an everything bagel with chicken salad now, yummmmmmm yummyummm read more

Really Yummy bagel, which is what they are known for, cozy casual environment, the 2 Times I was there, the staff were very friendly, your neighborhood coffee shop with ok coffee. read more

The food was decent, but the service is lacking. No smile or greeting, and it seemed as though one is expected to know the menu and how the establishment operates. I ordered my food and unknowingly began to order my drink and was cut off mid-syllable and told "drinks that way". This was at six forty-five in the morning when the place was empty. I guess my suggestion is to do some research on the menu and come in knowing exactly what you want and how to place your order if it's your first time going there. read more

Great coffee. Bagels are good for upstate. Student hangout, but cozy. Friendly staff.

Good?...Yea not bad. Expensive?... Yup. Hipster?... You got it! I would go in to get a toasted everything bagel with chicken salad on it with onions and lettuce. ~$6, really? It was very tasty though, although i admit it is hard to mess that dish up. Place us like any other cafe but this one was a bit darker, almost feels like your in a hallway. Get to the register, order food, wait, eat (if there's a table open). Not good, not bad. Right in the middle. read more

This local coffee house serves good food, good coffee and depending on the barista good lattes. What they do not serve well is customer service. With the exception of a couple super friendly employees, the majority of the staff here are rude, temper mental and straight up grouchy. As an Albany native I've ALWAYS supported locally owned businesses - keep the money in our community. However, on countless times I have left this place and went down to Starbucks (about 1/4 mile down the road) because of the terrible attitudes here. This place also has a STRICT policy on no substitutions, no changing anything on its menu. For example, they have a line of specialty beverages that for some unknown reason they are only available in a medium size. Maybe someone doesn't want that much and a small "Filthy Chai" is sufficient or it was a late night last night and now you have a 12 hour shift to work so a large "Turtle Latte" is what you need to start your day ...... NO! We do not alter the size of our incredibly delicious specialty beverages! MEDIUM is what you get or nothing at all. Even for an up charge they will REFUSE to make it for you. The last thing I'd like to mention about this coffee house is some of the barista's make incredible beverages. So delicious it makes you want another one right away but the majority of them can't make an espresso drink to save their life. Funny thing is that some of the employees will joke about how bad some of their co-workers are at making these drinks. Well ...... for $5+ per beverage I don't like taking that risk for a crap drink. So I'll go in but if I see that the people on are the ones that don't make good drinks I'll go up to Starbucks. I've mentioned it to them before very friendly and they get pissy and rude with me so screw it. Uncommon Grounds - you've got a good business and we know that when the students from UAlbany are here you make a killing. But start paying attention all your customers - you've got a slew of local residents that support u year round but with the attitude and your strange policies on ordering drinks you don't deserve more than 2 stars. read more

Uncommon Grounds - This is what you get at Uncommon Grounds. Neither one of these latte's have been sipped yet 1/4 of the cup is empty. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

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Best bagels in Albany! Variety of different bagels, freshly baked on the premises. Super busy on the weekends but worth the line. Tons of different options like tuna salad, turkey, eggs, white fish, chicken salad, ham, BLT, etc. Great selection of teas and coffees as well as some bakery selections. They also offer soup and salads. Only complaint would be that it is strictly bagels! No rolls or English muffins but with bagels that yummy it isn't a problem! read more

Uncommon Grounds - Tuna salad bagel on a sun dried tomato bagel and egg and fresh mozzarella on a honey oat bagel with veggies. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

Bagels here are almost on par with the ones in the new york city. I found it funny when reading other reviews when they talked about the service at this bagel spot. The people working here do have this weird stuck up attitude but I don't mind it cause the bagels are delicious and i never experienced any problems during any of my visits there. One of my favorite things here is their cream cheese. The cream cheese,though they pack it on, is light enough to not make you feel like you are going to have a heart attack after each bite. Recommended bagels include pumpernickel bagel with garlic cream cheese, some basic stuff like an everything bagel and veggie cream cheese. But BEWARE of their watered down coffee. read more

I love the teas here but the owner dude is kinda creepy.

It's a very nice, clean, artsy looking place to get fine bagels or have a breakfast or lunch sandwich. Their coffee is fresh brewed and ambitious. They have good soups and salads. read more

These bagels are so fresh and delicious. They also have soups and sandwiches but the bagels are the first thing I order. The lines can be very long but they try and get the line moving as fast as possible. Whole grain bagels are my fav. read more

I'm giving UG 4 stars because I keep coming back, though it's not for the food or the coffee. It's the location and the atmosphere. My 2 "besties" from playgroup years are living around the capital district and this is a great central location to meet, with something healthy for everyone at a reasonable price. Though the wait time for food can be long depending on time of day, there is no pressure to move from your table once it's claimed. People read, work, interview or, like us, have deep philosophical or religious discussions or just catch up on life. Pleasant staff add to the experience. Tonight I had the BLT salad, which was huge but missing some IDK ingredient. More bacon? Lose the eggs? Tomatoes with flavor? Something was missing, & can be added to improve this dish. I also love the business card board in the back hall. Not enough businesses provide this service anymore. Thanks, Uncommon Grounds! read more