I guess I'm a bagel snob. I just don't get the concept of Einstein Bagels or why they are so popular. Sure, they have many types of bagels, but I'm a purist. I only eat the traditional ones - plain, sesame, poppy, egg. Sometimes I'll have onion or salt, but never sweet bagels. You might as well get a donut. For this visit we had gift cards. I decided rather than get a soft, doughy bagel sandwich, I would go for the bagel dog. It was tasty, but it had been microwaved. The bagel wrapping the hot dog was wet. On a positive note, the people working there were friendly. But, I think I'll continue to go to the city or the north suburbs when I want a good bagel.
(2)
Elana K.
Looks like there are some negative reviews for this place, but they are all quite old (2-3 years at least). I went to this place for the first time today. As far as a bagel place goes, I would say it exceeded my expectations. The staff was very friendly, they had a cool selection of delicious and unhealthy-looking stuff, and the interior seemed quite clean and well laid-out. I ordered their "Veg Out" sandwich. This sandwich includes "Spinach, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Garden Veggie Cream Cheese Shmear & Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Cheese Shmear." It was just as yummy as it sounds. Furthermore I was given the choice of potato salad or chips, and they also gave me a pickle spear. This meal came out to $6.45, which isn't a bargain but not bad for the area. Since I work nearby I am sure to stop by again in the near future, and hopefully my five-star impression will endure.
(5)
Sarah G.
Since I yelped about this Einstein's in April I have had nothing but poor experiences here. I am pretty sure they fired (or she quit) their one stand-out employee and the current employees are rude at best. My food now takes entirely too long and while they currently have a special for free coffee when you buy a breakfast sandwich they never mention it - YOU have to ask for your free coffee in order to get it, which blows my mind. I am slowly coming here less and less with each negative visit I have. I emailed the local manager back in April to let her know I loved this location and her employees and she never responded - not a way to do business. She won't be hearing from me again, considering I have nothing nice to say anymore.
(2)
Brook E.
Okay, I have to update this review because my beefs with this place have been resolved--plus they get an extra star for improving and listening to customers. I've had very positive experiences on three separate occasions with this location in the past month and half, and feel very comfortable updating my review and recommendation. 1) This location is doing a much better job keeping up with cleanliness in the dining room. You can tell they are making an effort to get items cleared, and crumbs wiped off throughout the breakfast rush. 2) The customer service was just okay before. Now, when I come in, I'm always immediately greeted with a smile. It makes such a difference! Bagels and coffee are delivered fast and efficiently. It's so rare that businesses noticeably improve, I feel like it's important to come back and update feedback when it's warranted. This is a great establishment, and seems to really be getting in its groove for positive customer experiences.
(5)
Nari H.
Came here on a Sunday morning, with a big order and a coupon. They got everything I asked for, in a timely fashion and they were friendly. I love Einstein's bagels - they are the best. Can't ask for more!
(4)
Food For thought C.
2 star - step your game up!!! Is this place just terrible when I visit? The service is horrible on all levels. Coffee is better at truck stop, not to mention cheaper. Somebody please overhaul the staff or do some re training immediately. I will definitely take the time to drive to Panera than settle for consistently terrible service. This would be a one but the apple dutch bagel is out of control. I will miss u.
(2)
K N.
I saddly must agree with the other commenters on here. I have been here twice in one week. Both times I went in when there wasn't a rush, and there were 4 or 5 people behind the counter at any given time all looking very busy. The first visit, I ordered a toasted onion bagel w/cream cheese and lox. It took 8 minutes for them to make that, and they all looked flustered except for two of them were laughing hystarically at something (God I pray it wasn't something they did to my food. I didn't say anything rude or anything. Just stood there waiting for a long time). My second time was today. I ordered the same exact thing and they were out of Onion bagels and didn't let me know that until 5 minutes after I ordered. They said they were making it on an everything bagel instead since it has onions on it. I guess I had no choice. I waited and waited. It was about 10 minutes later that I finally got my food. There was an employee pushing people out of the way to fill the pop machine with ice. It was just such a hot mess. I love my onion bagels w/cream cheese and lox and this is the only freaking place in Schaumburg that seems to have that on the menu for under $10, but I am having a very hard time letting myself go back a 3rd time. This place isn't worth my hard earned pay. Shant be going back.
(1)
Rob B.
The food and atmosphere were good but I found it to expensive for a plain bagel and orange juice.
(2)
Faust G.
Six workers were overwhelmed by five customers (in two groups). It took a while to be acknowledged and then all they did was up-sell and make it difficult to get a bucket that had both regular and "gourmet" bagels. They were also unable to grab the correct bagels from the baskets (Chocolate Chip instead of Cranberry, etc...). Idiots! Plus, my wife's "tasty" turkey sandwich was made rather sloppily with sub-par ingredients. This was the worst Einstein Bros Bagels experience ever and this place is not doing the franchise any favors.
(1)
Shauna K.
The "Pastrami" was obviously turkey pastrami, there was barely anything on the sandwich I paid almost $9.00 for, they were horribly understaffed. The food was actually pretty gross tasting, don't go.
(1)
Happy C.
The service here is too slow to attend to the needs of customer. You can never just walk In and out in under ten minutes. There are many employees present but they all stand around doing other things and not attending to customers. Happens every time I come in the morning. Have one person in charge of taking orders and another person should be charging the customers. I don't understand how to different terminals is efficient.
(3)
Neel K.
I do fancy myself as a bagel connoisseur having lived in NY for so long. Einstein Bagels are not top tier but they are certainly leaps and bounds above your Panera or Dunkin donuts. They also have a great variety of smears that can satisfy even the pickiest person Overall the service at this location I think is very good. They are attentive, toast the bagels perfectly, and apply an adequate amount of cream cheese or butter. Their stock of bagels tends to get a little low around 10am, but they still have a decent selection.
(4)
Gordon G.
If you must suffer with Einstein, this is the only acceptable location in the NW suburbs. I was amazed by the obviously new employee who was friendly, helpful, and efficient. When I asked for my gift card balance to be checked, he didn't know how to do so, but I barely noticed because without attitude, he immediately summoned the manager for assistance. The manager was very polite with both myself and the new employee, and took it a step further to make sure I was a happy customer. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because it's a horrible entrance/exit from Meacham Road. If you're coming from the north, forget it. But at least your order will be correct, from pleasant people, and they don't have tattoos and piercings all over their bodies like the Palatine location people. Service industry people do not need to display holes and ink over their bodies while making/serving you food. Kudos Schaumburg, you're doing things right! I think you're the only location in Illinois that does.
(4)
Jeannie O.
My normal morning routine this summer include some form of bagel. Usually I get my coffee and bagel at Starbucks and I realized, why don't I try Einstein Bro Bagels? I love cranberry bagels and only bagel shops like Einsteins have it. So I go to the one right across the street from work, figuring 20 minutes is plenty of time. I was so very wrong. I've given this location at least 3 attempts that maybe I had a fluke visit. Each time, I would stand in the "Order Here" line to wait patiently for a toasted cranberry bagel with honey almond schmear. That's my simple order. NO ONE acknowledged my presence, not a simple "hi welcome" or "I'll be with you in a moment". 5-10 minutes go by. 5 minutes is an awfully long time to stand at one spot with no one to greet you or even take your order. After taking my order I make my way to the "Pay Here" line and wait for my food. This takes another 5-10 minutes. I end up rushing to work that is only across the street. When I go to Starbucks on Golf Rd, I end up sitting in my car eating my breakfast for 5-10 minutes before walking into work. I like the food, but this service is kind of bad. Again, I've tried to give this place a decent shot but I've just been disappointed that everyone has their back turned against the customer and eye contact is avoided. I'm not one to demand service as soon as I walk up to the counter when you're busy but acknowledgment would be nice.
(1)
Sean H.
Just waited 11 minutes to have my order taken. I can't believe how slow they are here. This will more than likely be the only time I come here.
(1)
Emmie M.
They take forever to get anything done. The employees could care less about waiting on you or paying any attention to the customers. Besides the fact that every time I come in here it takes way longer than it should they aren't very friendly at all. I asked one of the older male employees there a question about what soups they had (I didn't see on the menu) and he flipped out and in the meanest voice said they are always the same look at the menu. Great customer service always.... NOT!
(1)
Mark B.
Love the sundried tomato cream cheese ! Service needs to be better but the place is always clean ! I will go back
(3)
Irene Z.
Been to this location a handful of times in the past but been coming more frequently lately, very early morning (630am) and after my morning run. Usually get a bagel and coffee, and sometimes a sandwich (for lunch later). Love that lunch items are available as early as 6am and hold up until the noon hour! Bagels here are really good, lots of unique and different varieties (PB&J, Dutch Apple, Cinnamon Sugar, Spinach Florentine, Pretzel)...and fresh tasting. Nice selection of cream cheese or other spreads. My fave coffee here is the vanilla hazelnut. I'm one of those people who usually need sugar (sub or Equal) and milk in my coffee, but I can drink the Vanilla Hazelnut black because the flavor is that good. And love the bagel poppers (cinnamon sugar or glazed)...kind of like donut holes. It's a clean and tidy establishment. Plenty of seating. Staff is always friendly but the execution is hit or miss lately...in the last month, been here at least 2-3 times a week and of those times, at least once a week our order was wrong...i.e., asked for a turkey sandwich on a pretzel bagel and got a potato bagel instead. Or were rung up incorrectly at the register. Regardless, still a good morning spot.
(3)
Jennifer C.
I have been to this place probably about 10 times in the last 1.5 years. It is fine. One time I had a Chai tea latte that really wasn't very good, but all of the bagels here are usually pretty on point. I love their Gourmet Dutch Apple Bagel with honey butter it really is good. I had their white chocolate mocha earlier this week and it was pretty good. I think its kind of overpriced considering coffee drinks aren't really their thing, but other than that I enjoyed it. I will definitely be back for the Dutch Apple bagels.
(4)
Lauri S.
They spread the cream cheese so thinly across the bagel, you can see right through it across the entire surface of the bagel half. This was on two different bagels. I ordered a nova lox sandwich. No lettuce, one small slice of an unripened tomato that only covered half the bagel, 3 capers on one side, 4 on the other, and onion was sliced so thickly I couldn't eat it. My impression is they are trying to give the least amount of food possible to cut costs. Great American Bagel offers a much more generous, hearty bagel and/or sandwich for similar price.
Bob R.
I guess I'm a bagel snob. I just don't get the concept of Einstein Bagels or why they are so popular. Sure, they have many types of bagels, but I'm a purist. I only eat the traditional ones - plain, sesame, poppy, egg. Sometimes I'll have onion or salt, but never sweet bagels. You might as well get a donut. For this visit we had gift cards. I decided rather than get a soft, doughy bagel sandwich, I would go for the bagel dog. It was tasty, but it had been microwaved. The bagel wrapping the hot dog was wet. On a positive note, the people working there were friendly. But, I think I'll continue to go to the city or the north suburbs when I want a good bagel.
(2)Elana K.
Looks like there are some negative reviews for this place, but they are all quite old (2-3 years at least). I went to this place for the first time today. As far as a bagel place goes, I would say it exceeded my expectations. The staff was very friendly, they had a cool selection of delicious and unhealthy-looking stuff, and the interior seemed quite clean and well laid-out. I ordered their "Veg Out" sandwich. This sandwich includes "Spinach, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Garden Veggie Cream Cheese Shmear & Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Cheese Shmear." It was just as yummy as it sounds. Furthermore I was given the choice of potato salad or chips, and they also gave me a pickle spear. This meal came out to $6.45, which isn't a bargain but not bad for the area. Since I work nearby I am sure to stop by again in the near future, and hopefully my five-star impression will endure.
(5)Sarah G.
Since I yelped about this Einstein's in April I have had nothing but poor experiences here. I am pretty sure they fired (or she quit) their one stand-out employee and the current employees are rude at best. My food now takes entirely too long and while they currently have a special for free coffee when you buy a breakfast sandwich they never mention it - YOU have to ask for your free coffee in order to get it, which blows my mind. I am slowly coming here less and less with each negative visit I have. I emailed the local manager back in April to let her know I loved this location and her employees and she never responded - not a way to do business. She won't be hearing from me again, considering I have nothing nice to say anymore.
(2)Brook E.
Okay, I have to update this review because my beefs with this place have been resolved--plus they get an extra star for improving and listening to customers. I've had very positive experiences on three separate occasions with this location in the past month and half, and feel very comfortable updating my review and recommendation. 1) This location is doing a much better job keeping up with cleanliness in the dining room. You can tell they are making an effort to get items cleared, and crumbs wiped off throughout the breakfast rush. 2) The customer service was just okay before. Now, when I come in, I'm always immediately greeted with a smile. It makes such a difference! Bagels and coffee are delivered fast and efficiently. It's so rare that businesses noticeably improve, I feel like it's important to come back and update feedback when it's warranted. This is a great establishment, and seems to really be getting in its groove for positive customer experiences.
(5)Nari H.
Came here on a Sunday morning, with a big order and a coupon. They got everything I asked for, in a timely fashion and they were friendly. I love Einstein's bagels - they are the best. Can't ask for more!
(4)Food For thought C.
2 star - step your game up!!! Is this place just terrible when I visit? The service is horrible on all levels. Coffee is better at truck stop, not to mention cheaper. Somebody please overhaul the staff or do some re training immediately. I will definitely take the time to drive to Panera than settle for consistently terrible service. This would be a one but the apple dutch bagel is out of control. I will miss u.
(2)K N.
I saddly must agree with the other commenters on here. I have been here twice in one week. Both times I went in when there wasn't a rush, and there were 4 or 5 people behind the counter at any given time all looking very busy. The first visit, I ordered a toasted onion bagel w/cream cheese and lox. It took 8 minutes for them to make that, and they all looked flustered except for two of them were laughing hystarically at something (God I pray it wasn't something they did to my food. I didn't say anything rude or anything. Just stood there waiting for a long time). My second time was today. I ordered the same exact thing and they were out of Onion bagels and didn't let me know that until 5 minutes after I ordered. They said they were making it on an everything bagel instead since it has onions on it. I guess I had no choice. I waited and waited. It was about 10 minutes later that I finally got my food. There was an employee pushing people out of the way to fill the pop machine with ice. It was just such a hot mess. I love my onion bagels w/cream cheese and lox and this is the only freaking place in Schaumburg that seems to have that on the menu for under $10, but I am having a very hard time letting myself go back a 3rd time. This place isn't worth my hard earned pay. Shant be going back.
(1)Rob B.
The food and atmosphere were good but I found it to expensive for a plain bagel and orange juice.
(2)Faust G.
Six workers were overwhelmed by five customers (in two groups). It took a while to be acknowledged and then all they did was up-sell and make it difficult to get a bucket that had both regular and "gourmet" bagels. They were also unable to grab the correct bagels from the baskets (Chocolate Chip instead of Cranberry, etc...). Idiots! Plus, my wife's "tasty" turkey sandwich was made rather sloppily with sub-par ingredients. This was the worst Einstein Bros Bagels experience ever and this place is not doing the franchise any favors.
(1)Shauna K.
The "Pastrami" was obviously turkey pastrami, there was barely anything on the sandwich I paid almost $9.00 for, they were horribly understaffed. The food was actually pretty gross tasting, don't go.
(1)Happy C.
The service here is too slow to attend to the needs of customer. You can never just walk In and out in under ten minutes. There are many employees present but they all stand around doing other things and not attending to customers. Happens every time I come in the morning. Have one person in charge of taking orders and another person should be charging the customers. I don't understand how to different terminals is efficient.
(3)Neel K.
I do fancy myself as a bagel connoisseur having lived in NY for so long. Einstein Bagels are not top tier but they are certainly leaps and bounds above your Panera or Dunkin donuts. They also have a great variety of smears that can satisfy even the pickiest person Overall the service at this location I think is very good. They are attentive, toast the bagels perfectly, and apply an adequate amount of cream cheese or butter. Their stock of bagels tends to get a little low around 10am, but they still have a decent selection.
(4)Gordon G.
If you must suffer with Einstein, this is the only acceptable location in the NW suburbs. I was amazed by the obviously new employee who was friendly, helpful, and efficient. When I asked for my gift card balance to be checked, he didn't know how to do so, but I barely noticed because without attitude, he immediately summoned the manager for assistance. The manager was very polite with both myself and the new employee, and took it a step further to make sure I was a happy customer. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because it's a horrible entrance/exit from Meacham Road. If you're coming from the north, forget it. But at least your order will be correct, from pleasant people, and they don't have tattoos and piercings all over their bodies like the Palatine location people. Service industry people do not need to display holes and ink over their bodies while making/serving you food. Kudos Schaumburg, you're doing things right! I think you're the only location in Illinois that does.
(4)Jeannie O.
My normal morning routine this summer include some form of bagel. Usually I get my coffee and bagel at Starbucks and I realized, why don't I try Einstein Bro Bagels? I love cranberry bagels and only bagel shops like Einsteins have it. So I go to the one right across the street from work, figuring 20 minutes is plenty of time. I was so very wrong. I've given this location at least 3 attempts that maybe I had a fluke visit. Each time, I would stand in the "Order Here" line to wait patiently for a toasted cranberry bagel with honey almond schmear. That's my simple order. NO ONE acknowledged my presence, not a simple "hi welcome" or "I'll be with you in a moment". 5-10 minutes go by. 5 minutes is an awfully long time to stand at one spot with no one to greet you or even take your order. After taking my order I make my way to the "Pay Here" line and wait for my food. This takes another 5-10 minutes. I end up rushing to work that is only across the street. When I go to Starbucks on Golf Rd, I end up sitting in my car eating my breakfast for 5-10 minutes before walking into work. I like the food, but this service is kind of bad. Again, I've tried to give this place a decent shot but I've just been disappointed that everyone has their back turned against the customer and eye contact is avoided. I'm not one to demand service as soon as I walk up to the counter when you're busy but acknowledgment would be nice.
(1)Sean H.
Just waited 11 minutes to have my order taken. I can't believe how slow they are here. This will more than likely be the only time I come here.
(1)Emmie M.
They take forever to get anything done. The employees could care less about waiting on you or paying any attention to the customers. Besides the fact that every time I come in here it takes way longer than it should they aren't very friendly at all. I asked one of the older male employees there a question about what soups they had (I didn't see on the menu) and he flipped out and in the meanest voice said they are always the same look at the menu. Great customer service always.... NOT!
(1)Mark B.
Love the sundried tomato cream cheese ! Service needs to be better but the place is always clean ! I will go back
(3)Irene Z.
Been to this location a handful of times in the past but been coming more frequently lately, very early morning (630am) and after my morning run. Usually get a bagel and coffee, and sometimes a sandwich (for lunch later). Love that lunch items are available as early as 6am and hold up until the noon hour! Bagels here are really good, lots of unique and different varieties (PB&J, Dutch Apple, Cinnamon Sugar, Spinach Florentine, Pretzel)...and fresh tasting. Nice selection of cream cheese or other spreads. My fave coffee here is the vanilla hazelnut. I'm one of those people who usually need sugar (sub or Equal) and milk in my coffee, but I can drink the Vanilla Hazelnut black because the flavor is that good. And love the bagel poppers (cinnamon sugar or glazed)...kind of like donut holes. It's a clean and tidy establishment. Plenty of seating. Staff is always friendly but the execution is hit or miss lately...in the last month, been here at least 2-3 times a week and of those times, at least once a week our order was wrong...i.e., asked for a turkey sandwich on a pretzel bagel and got a potato bagel instead. Or were rung up incorrectly at the register. Regardless, still a good morning spot.
(3)Jennifer C.
I have been to this place probably about 10 times in the last 1.5 years. It is fine. One time I had a Chai tea latte that really wasn't very good, but all of the bagels here are usually pretty on point. I love their Gourmet Dutch Apple Bagel with honey butter it really is good. I had their white chocolate mocha earlier this week and it was pretty good. I think its kind of overpriced considering coffee drinks aren't really their thing, but other than that I enjoyed it. I will definitely be back for the Dutch Apple bagels.
(4)Lauri S.
They spread the cream cheese so thinly across the bagel, you can see right through it across the entire surface of the bagel half. This was on two different bagels. I ordered a nova lox sandwich. No lettuce, one small slice of an unripened tomato that only covered half the bagel, 3 capers on one side, 4 on the other, and onion was sliced so thickly I couldn't eat it. My impression is they are trying to give the least amount of food possible to cut costs. Great American Bagel offers a much more generous, hearty bagel and/or sandwich for similar price.
(2)