I have now been to Spread about 8-9 times before writing this review. Mostly because it's the only bagel place nearby and I want so badly for it to be good! Unfortunately, they just cannot live up to expectations. To start, the bagels are fine (the only reason they're getting 2-stars over 1). Nothing special, certain not H&H caliber, but infinitely better than Manhattan Bagel. If you're just looking for a plain, uncut, into aster bagel, Spread will usually do you right. So as I said, I have been to Spread nearly a dozen times, and the one thing that sticks out more than anything is the incompetence of the staff. The person on the counter is often only half there. High, hungover, sleep deprived, socially inept, whatever it may be, the counter person is, more often than not, rude, short, and barely there. I've had to repeat my order numerous times, and am treated like a fly buzzing around their head. My second big issue is the product itself. Not one time have I ordered one of the specialty sandwiches and found it properly made. I am either given the wrong type of bagel, missing ingredients, cold food, soggy bread, twice I was even given the completely wrong order. There is nothing worse then walking home dreaming of juicy brisket and horseradish on a poppy seed bagel, only to open up the bag and find a tuna melt on a whole wheat bagel. The quicker way to ruin a Sunday morning. Finally, my last issue with Spread is their selection. Now I have worked in the restaurant industry for almost a decade and I come rely understand how smaller establishments stock product and are apt to run out of things at times, but I have never once been to Spread when they haven't been out of half the menu. At a certain point you have to realize that business is growing and start increasing your production. When you run out of brisket, tuna, everything/poppy/sesame bagels every single day at eleven AM, a smart manager would start the day making more brisket/tuna/bagels. Every successful business owner knows that every time a customer leaves your establishment with any negative feelings, they are twice as likely to never come back. Long story short, Spread Bagelry is an average bagel shop operated by a bunch of below average workers. Maybe one day we'll get ourselves an H&H or Einsteins here in Philly, but until then, we're pretty much out of luck when it comes to a good bagel.
(2)
David A.
Went here Sunday to try out the Montreal bagels that have gotten some good press. I had an everything bagel with nova and scallion cream cheese, along with tomato and onion. I don't treat myself to bagels very often. This was a fantastic product. Bagel had incredible texture. It was chewy and delicious. Lox was good, not great but no complaints! They served this with a small cup of cucumber salad that was dressed perfectly and nice and crunchy. They also serve La Columbe coffee. Sat outside and enjoyed the bagel and the great weather. Nice (but tight) space inside with indoor seating. Owner and staff were friendly. Egg sandwiches as well which I will try next time. A good spot!
(4)
Brian S.
I had to add a star for their wheat and wheat everything bagels as well as their Saturday entertainment (usually an accordian player). It makes waiting in the line a lot more bearable. Also the owner is really cool and he will sometimes hand out hot, steamy, airy bagels free straight from the oven. That helps a lot too!
(4)
Jessica W.
Why do people line up here for bagels every weekend morning? No seriously, why?!? There is nothing notable about Spread, except for their outrageous prices. It's worth the trek down to Old City to go to South Street Bagels instead.
(2)
Sean M.
This past weekend, I ordered 2 bagels with cream cheese on the side. The cashier said, "$11 even," with a straight face. I simply said "No" and waited for her to re-calculate. She said "Oh yeah, that's for full tubs of cream cheese. $8.50." I said, "that's still crazy, but OK." Due to being very hungry, and having waited for the normal 20 minutes, I sucked it up and paid. The odd thing is that last week, I got the same thing and paid under $7. The prices are always crazy, but now they are inconsistent, and coupled with the wait, I will not be returning.
(2)
Alex P.
Nice cozy place to have a coffee and a bagel out of the wood fired oven... A bit pricey but you're certainly not going to get a better bagel in Philly
(4)
A B.
Fantastic bagels! I've been to Spread three times - twice for breakfast and once for lunch. It's a cozy place to eat and you can watch the bagels and sandwiches cook in the brick oven while you wait. The employees are wonderful - friendly, efficient, and helpful. First visit, I picked up two bagels (everything, cinnamon raisin) with plain cream cheese. Doesn't sound very exciting, but both were awesome. Toasted perfectly and probably too much cream cheese, but no complaints! Definitely fresh. Second visit, I went with a friend and we ordered a tuna-melt to go - amazing. It is absolutely big enough to share, you will be full after one half, even if you eat a lot! It came with chips, which was a nice touch. Tuna wasn't too fishy, perfectly seasoned, and I will absolutely be back here to order it again. Third visit, I picked up a bagel (whole wheat) and salmon cream cheese to-go. Again, it was toasted and cooked perfectly, but I received about half the amount of cream cheese as I had before. There was lots of salmon, which was nice - usually that is missing at most restaurants. The salmon was very flavorful, and I definitely got my money's worth food-wise. On the weekends, there is some kind of fun musician outside and the line can get long. I went at 8am on my 1st and 3rd visit and was surprised to find that the Special of the Day, a chocolate chip bagel (both visits!), was completely sold out after only being open for an hour. Must be a good bagel!
(4)
Lindsay H.
I love a bagels. I long for the days of picking up a dozens bagels on the weekend and indulging. Sadly, America realized that they aren't great for you and ever since, the bagel shop business has slowly gone down hill and then I read about Spread. Spread is a bagel place through and through and it's more than that. Their bagels are "Montreal" style. What the heck is that? Well, there's made in a brick over...aka super crusty on the outside and chewy/deliciousness on the inside. Awesome. I absolutely recommend checking this place out. Expect to wait a little since it's a tiny place and one of the only delicious bagel places left in town!
(5)
Catherine L.
Nearly there, but not quite. As a Montreal gal, born and raised, I was thrilled, overjoyed at the prospect of having a Montreal Bagel place right here in Philly. First poutine, now bagels... what's next? Montreal style smoked meat? One could only hope. Anyhoo. A true Montreal Style bagel is traditionally served with sesame seed (or poppy) so when I ordered a Montreal bagel I was told "They all were". Mistake #1. Next came the official tasting - the bagels were almost on point, the slight sweetness, and the consistency, almost there - but still the bagels themselves proved to be a bit too thick and the shape of the actual bagels not right . In all, the total flavor profile? It fell a bit short. Not bad, but not what I missed from the old country. Lastly, the price tag! Sweet mary and joseph- is this place expensive! For two sandwiches and drinks - the total is nearly $30? A wee bit too rich for my blood. Place is tiny, not much room to eat in, and no ice is offered with the bevvies, what gives? Service is pleasant, but not entirely helpful. All and all: a nice detour from the regular world of bagels, good stop for brunch, and a nice little insight (albeit a little inaccurate) into what Montreal bagels have got to offer.
(3)
Bernie B.
I have wanted to try this place for a long time. I made it there today and even though the wait is annoying, it is part of the charm. I have been thinking about the bagel and whitefish salad I had. The whitefish was very good, but the bagel was just fair. I am not sure why the bagel was not a winner for me. It was good, but the pop up bagel shop in my neighborhood has much better bagels. Also, the iced coffee was so weak from the melting ice it was lousy. I am not sure I will come back here.
(3)
ana m.
Good.... but not sure it's entirely worth the long lines and high prices. I ordered a bagel sandwich and the turkey was quite dry. The bagels themselves are good, but be prepared to wait...... My iced latte was very good, but I finished it by the time my sandwich was ready to pick up. :/
(3)
Lizette H.
The first time I went here I had an amazing experience; I had large bagels stuffed with cream cheese, check out the picture! I had a plain bagel with the veggie spread and another plain with the berry spread. Both were equally delicious. The bagels were crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. The next time we came, we had the same thing plus a bagel sandwich with lox and another plain with green onion spread. Boy, they're not joking with the green onion, a little strong for me. I also tried their half bagel with the tomato slice and cheese on top, not worth it- lacked flavor. So we enjoyed ourselves so much, we ordered some bagels to go...except when we got home, we had scrawny rings. Pitiful rings. These were *not* the same thing. I was disappointed and felt ripped off. I'm hoping it was just a bad batch because I will go again....I just hope they are as glorious as the before. I gave it 4 stars because of the scrawny to-go bagels and the fact that they cook their turkey and pork on the same tiny grill and when asked if they would mind making an exception by cleaning a tiny section to make something follow religious guidelines (for me) they were hesitant. So be it, it's their business, I just won't be ordering anything that needs to be grilled. I will be back for the veggie and berry spread though!
(4)
G C.
Good bagels, doughy and a bit sweet. Had the everything but would try for the sandwiches next time. Still prefer the huge ny style bagels though.
(3)
Anne K.
I had a plain bagel with fresh farm butter and Amish jam. It was good - but to be quite frank, I think most bagels are good. There is something pretty special about a bagel right out of the oven though - a wood-fired brick oven, in this case.
(3)
Julie N.
Spread's Montreal-style bagels are in a league of their own in Philly. Upon coming into the small shop, you are immediately enveloped in the warmth and smell of the wood oven, and it smells delicious. We both had bagelwiches: lox for him and egg and sausage for me. They come with a few slices of cucumber which was a nice touch. My belly was happy. I had an iced coffee - which I immediately regretted... Spread unfortunately just pours hot coffee into a cup of ice, which made for a lukewarm, diluted coffee. Never again - getting OJ next time. Breakfast for two was about $20. A little pricey for bagels but a nice change from our spot on South Street.
Use to come here to get the delicious pastrami they were shipping from NY. The bagels are good also. Lack of parking in area is a bit of a downer. The bagels are not cheap but they are worth it.
(4)
Lilli C.
I usually don't care about bagels, but these were so good I came 2 days in a row. The bagels are sweet with a hint brick oven smokiness. LOVED the lox with whitefish bagel sandwich on a whole wheat everything bagel. Staff was friendly and it didn't seem too expensive. When I came on Sunday at 10AM the line was out the door...while on Sat at 1PM there was no line.
(5)
Andrea T.
My darling friend brings me back Montreal-style bagels every time she goes to Canada. They are delightful. These aren't real/true Montreal-bagels. They are close, but they are no cigar. I've been here twice now. The first time was before an Ikea-run. I waited on a sunday in a line almost to the nail salon. It really wasn't worth it. Avoid this place on the weekends. It's allure has died down a little, but there is still the hectic frenetic feel. Although this past saturday they did have a bluegrass 2-man band outside. If you want to soak up the tunes and not be trampled on, grab your bagels and go across the street and sit or perch near the cheetah on the side of Arcadia boutique. Today I made some killer egg salad at home and I was like JCC SUMMER CAMP LUNCH MUST NEED BAGEL. If it was friday I'd go to Maxx's for bagels. Every friday Maxx's has challah and bagels from Rollings in Elkins Park ( kosher btw). So, I strolled in and was actually pleasantly greeted! They close at 4, and at 2 I was impressed they still had a bunch of different flavors of bagels. With my punchy egg salad at home, I wanted to keep it simple. Two bagels costs 4 bucks. Two bagels, one plain nothing on it bagel costs 2 bucks. I just don't get it. I'm sorry. I'll easily spend 4 bucks on a lousy crappy bagel if it's room service, because I didn't have to leave my house and it's served on a platter, literally. I can't justify spending that. I seriously can't. Not saying I won't do it every now and again, but I could not come here every day. They do however have level-up, so I suppose, I will get some cash back after a few trips, but still. The whole less than half a block home I was like 4 dollars. 4 dollars. For 5 I could have gotten a bag of rollings bagels on friday!
(3)
Amy W.
My go to place when I miss my NY bagels. Yeah, so these are Montreal style, but the bagel aficionado in me can understand a well done, fresh bagel. Prices are a bit high, but the ingredients are fresh. The spreads are varied - with lox, whitefish and other seafaring creatures. The brunch bagels with some creamcheese, tomato and omelet are an especial delight on weekends. Wait times can be long at the neighborhood fav, so bring your iPad whilst you wait!
(4)
Valerio S.
Lovely bagels, good quality, I had the one with salmon and scallion and onion cheese cream. The place looks great, in the spring time you can also sit outside and enjoy your meal.
(5)
Adam L.
I really like Spread Bagelry. I had The Frittata Sandwich this morning. What an inventive, amazing breakfast. Putting a sweet jam on a by-the-number egg meat and cheese sandwich makes a world of difference. Love it. As for the bagels, what can I say? Yes, theyre different. Either you will like them, or you wont. Me- I like them. No, I wouldnt prefer them, but you can tell they are made very well and have a place in the bagel world. I'll tell you this much- there are a ton of places that make shittier bagels than here, and take way less heat. I love the environment, love the food, and tho the prices are slightly high, I also think it is exactly in line with the quality items that are served. Worth every penny. I highly recommend Spread as a quick breakfast spot.
(4)
Joanna H.
I used to live three blocks away and thought it was normal plain bakery. Little did I know, Spread makes awesome bagel sandwiches. Many of my friends have been actually enjoying this place for quite a while and I found out about this after I moved away from the neighborhood. From the outside Spread doesn't look fancy or anything. But one you step inside, it's cute and gives a nice wooden cozy cafe vibe. The prices aren't expensive but I do think they could be even $1 cheaper depending on what you get. The bagels are fresh, not too soft, not too chewy but not too doughy. Perfectly salted with generours topping ingredients. It's great to get breakfast and lunch sandwiches from Spread and I strongly encourage you to check it out. Don't get there too late or else you'll have to wait in line. Not a huge line,, but you know.. when you're hungry you want your toasty fresh bagel fast :)
(5)
Christopher D.
Finally got to try the Montreal style bagels. While I didnt detect much smoke in the bread itself, the crisp crust of the bagel is unlike any bagel I have had before. I would be hesitant to toast these as they may in fact get too hard. Had a lox sandwich ... which was pretty standard with tomato onon and cream cheese. Lox portion was sufficient but not big. Flavor over all was good. Space is not that big, and lines can get long. Definite plus for philadelphia.
(3)
Vee V.
This place is overpriced and as it happens, doesn't actually make bagels, at least by a New Yorker's definition. We went here today out of curiosity and because we were missing our Sunday morning bagel and coffee tradition, which has gone by the wayside since we moved here. We each ordered a breakfast sandwich on a bagel and two iced coffees. The bagel was umm, not good. It was crumbly and dry and didn't have the weight and texture of a real bagel. Then, there was this sad fried egg, with a sprinkle of cheese and slice of tomato. Really? $7.50 for that? These are the days I miss being a block away from a delicious bagel spot that is serving up a longer list of delicious breakfast sandwiches, for half the price, with a smile. And the thing of it is, I am willing to pay $$ if the food is good but that is not the case here... Just don't call it a bagel, because it 'aint.
(1)
Cindy C.
A nice selection of bagels, spreads, and breakfast sandwiches. I love that coffee refills are free. It's on the pricey side, but it's probably the closest thing to a good bagel in Center City.
(4)
Greg M.
Great little spot with a very nice atmosphere, friendly staff and a tasty but limited menu (they do bagels and a few breakfast and lunch sandwiches - which are all very nice). I'd go the full five stars, but it's a tad pricey.
(4)
Dean M.
Although these bagels are not bad, it is very misleading to call them Montreal bagels. The consistency is all wrong and most obviously they look nothing like the real thing. True Montreal bagels are uneven and no two are alike, but at Spread they look like they came straight from Sysco's freezers and simply boiling them in honey water won't make up for that. Worst of all, Montreal bagels are dirt cheap, but at Spread they are très chers. The firm 4:00 PM closing is really inconvenient.
(2)
Brian C.
I stopped in today as I love myself a good bagel, and the bagels here certainly are delicious and unique. The bagel (Montreal style) itself is not as dense as a New York bagel, and the bread itself is a bit springy and chewy. The wood fired flavor also comes through in the bagel with a bit of a smoky flavor, which is very good. I had the onion bagel sandwich with egg white, spinach, turkey bacon, and truffled mushrooms. This was very good. I also had some of an everything bagel sandwich with egg frittata, bacon, and jam. I was a bit apprehensive about the jam, but the sweet/savory combination works quite well. Both of these came with a slice of fresh cucumber on the side. The service was nice, and though it was very crowded in the store, we were able to find a small table next to the door. The interior was clean, with subway tiled walls, a retro Coke refrigerator, and bottomless La Colombe coffee (awesome!). I also appreciate the huge rack of magazines on the wall, but given the popularity of the place I don't see myself hanging out and reading a magazine for a long time. All in all, I had a delightfully pleasant lunch, and I will be back.
(4)
L K.
The problem with this place is the inconsistency. When the bagels are baked well they are delicious- soft and chewy in the best way possible. But about 30% of the time they are burnt and thin. I've started keeping an eye on the bagels they are making up for you so I can stop them if it's a burnt one, but I feel like I shouldn't have to do that. Also with the cream cheese- sometimes Its like an inch thick, other times it's so thin you can't even taste it. For the insane prices they charge it should be perfect every time. Hopefully they can take these couple of points into consideration! Once they do I have no probably changing my review to a 5.
(3)
Meredith B.
Philadelphia has needed a non-chain bagel place for years. I've said it myself and thought of how I could open one. I'm so glad you are here! Welcome! Excellent bagel, great menu selection, a little pricey. Tip: Get your bagels in the morning - the times I've been there later in the day (3pm) the bagel freshness doesn't seem to last as well as it should.
(4)
Carmine M.
Spread makes a great bagel, not by New York standards but still good. One suggestion, uses a separate knife for the onion bagels than you use for the rest of the bagels. The disgusting taste of the onion bagels ruins the flavor of anything it, or the knife used to cut it touches.
(2)
Clark M.
Very cool place, good food and a nice spot to grab a breakfast sandwich. Owner seems to be engaged and always around (which is great, love when owners take pride in a small business)- but figure it out man, ALWAYS a 20 minute wait in line to order then another 10-15 to get your food. Waiting and waiting and waiting EVERY... SINGLE... visit makes me never want to come back and I'm sure others feel the same. Get a game plan together on how to take orders quicker and tell the patrons where to stand (out of the way) until they get their food. Love the place, love the food but always an aggravating experience.
(2)
Jenni I.
I was in Philadelphia for 48 hours and went here twice. This place is awesome! Very small with limited seating, so I recommend taking out -- which is actually perfect due to proximity and the beautiful weather Philly is having. All the bagels are made on-site in what appears to be a pizza oven. One of my friends remarked that they're denser than you're typical bagel. I agree, and that's part of what makes them so delicious. I ordered the Turkey Club twice. It's fresh pulled turkey meat (not cold cuts!), like you'd have as left overs from Thanksgiving, along with cheddar cheese, granny smith apple and some type of mustard dijon sauce. I had mine on a toasted whole wheat bagel. Delicious! Also comes with a bag of chips. Believe it's around $9 -- as are most lunch sandwiches here. Breakfast sandwiches and bagels run cheaper. Iced coffee is pretty delicious, too. Great place for a quick breakfast or lunch. Definitely recommend picking up some sandwiches and going out for a picnic.
(4)
Richard B.
I love this cafe. Free refills on the coffee, excellent ambiance and can i say the restroon is outstandng. Byob and u can make bloody mary`s with their BM mix they sell. Outdoor seating is stellar, make sure you check out the cheetah statue across the way.
(4)
Kristy L.
I'm no foodie. I don't have a refined palate. It takes a lot to disappoint me but Spread managed to do so. The bagel I got was hard and dry but what really bothered me was all that butter. So much butter. The greasy mess overpowered any flavor it was supposed to convey. Can't believe I waited in line for that.
(1)
Abbie D.
My previous review is below, but I felt it necessary to post another and give the full 5 stars.... Spread Bagelry is by far my most favorite place to get a bagel in Philadelphia. They have an amazing way of boiling the bagels in a slightly honeyed water then firing them off to perfection in their wood oven. The honey water definitely gives the bagel a oh so perfect sweetness to the delicious dough. I am in LOVE! I bring my little 23 month old friend and he almost finishes a plain bagel with butter every time! He too has great taste! Tuna salad is good too! PREVIOUS: Awesome wood fired bagels! Had the everything with cream cheese and tomato very very tasty.. Another time I ordered the asiago bread bagel - melted cheese on the bagel with a slice of tomato YUM!
(5)
Matt M.
Love this place for breakfast. Coffee couldnt be better and the bagels are chewy and have great flavor.
(4)
Eric M.
Service gets worse every time I go there. The staff always behaves as if they're recovering from a sophomore-year-grade evening of binge drinking and are just barely able to manage orders as they come.
(2)
Avneet S.
Okay, I know I know. I should stop complaining about the pricing at the businesses in the area. But that really is the only *major* disadvantage of Spread. The prices make it one of those things I can't justify more than once a week. The bagels are so good. The spreads are so good. The fresh squeezed orange juice is always nice to grab and go, and the iced coffee is cold brewed - yum. Food-wise, my only complaints are that the peanut butter goo that they pass off as actual peanut butter should totally be passed up, and that they don't ever have vegetarian sandwiches/sandwich specials. But, it's worth the wait in line for a simple honey-kissed whole wheat bagel - toasted with just some butter - and a tall cold class of iced coffee before you start your Saturday or Sunday in the city.
(3)
August T.
From just a bagel perspective the place gets a B+. With high rent and very limited nearby competition, the bagels are priced at $2 each. That's pretty darn high. They offer just 6 or so flavors a day, also probably justified economically. So bagels become a luxury item.
(3)
Zack L.
Solid.
(5)
Cam M.
....
(1)
Sarah F.
YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting "the classic" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.
(4)
Casey R.
I stopped by Spread on Sunday while running errands and was somewhat under whelmed. It was definitely the wrong time to try the place as the line was out the door but I was craving a bagel so I waited. The line did move quickly which was nice. I also picked up a magazine to leaf through from their full rack where the line was. I ordered an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, tomato and onion. At $5 it was far from a steal. I also got a bottomless coffee. Perhaps it is because it was so busy but my sandwich did not come with the onion on it, which it took me a while to realize, so I guess that is my bad. I found the bagel hard to eat and thought the cream cheese was not at all flavor full. I was able to find a small open table next to the bathroom to sit down and relax while I waited for my bagel to be brought. As I was leaving I realized I was at the only table that didn't have condiments on it. Perhaps some salt and pepper and hot sauce would have made my lunch more enjoyable but I much prefer the bagels I by at the co-op and make at home. The coffee however, was great, especially since they offer simple syrup and soy milk.
(3)
Steve M.
Absolutely delicious bagels. Crispity crunchity on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle, hot and fresh. There is just nothing about these rings of doughy heaven not to love! Their cream cheese selection is terrific (the berry was shockingly good), and I cannot wait to get back and try a fresh breakfast sandwich. So delicious, and the line moves quickly enough not to drive you crazy! Worth driving all the way across town for... but wow would I kill to have this place in Northern Liberties. I also happen to love the accordion player sitting outside, but I am betting that if I lived upstairs the novelty of that would wear off quickly!
(5)
Daniel T.
Lox bagel sandwich on a sesame bagel and the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on an everything bagel are my faves. Order, walk over to Rittenhouse, find yourself a nice bench and enjoy. On weekends it can get busy, but def worth the wait.
(4)
Jen S.
I really want to like this place because it is only a few blocks from my apartment and I have great memories of bagels in Montreal. Unfortunately, our experience here wasn't great. Prices were high as others said, the service seemed indifferent, and they ran out of coffee and were a little disorganized when it came to brewing more (this was Sunday am). The most important part, our bagels were not crispy - very doughy. Also, I should have specified toasted, but forgot and got a cold bagel with too much cream cheese just plopped on the middle of the bagel. The bagels were sweet, but I liked that. I also liked the doughiness, however they needed a crispy outside to balance that out. Ambiance/interior design was great - very cute shop. Maybe they will get it together as they go. I would like to try them again, but I don't know if I will because of the prices. Likely I will stick with Metropolitan bagels, which are much cheaper and, in my opinion, tastier.
(2)
Ken G.
Really wanted to love this place but thought it was just ok. Poppy bagel had a nice char and the wood burning fire looked great. Bagel was a step above ordinary but not as dense as I remember a Montreal bagel to be. Cream cheese was fresh and creamy but needed a tad more flavor (maybe I should have tried a spread). Girl working the counter was more interested in singing a really bad version of Prince than waiting on customers. I will give it another shot because the wood fire and char do add a whole new dimension to the bagel, and my Lear jet timeshare only allows me to get to Montreal once a month LOL
(3)
Ken L.
Ok, I waited a few weeks. Lines out the door. But again tried to get some bagels. How can you be out of bagels and make people wait 30 min. limited menu, very disorganized, Bagels are good not great and as everyone said pricey but it is in Rittenhouse neighborhood but this place needs some management bigger space. Will prob just get my bagels at Le Bus or Capagiro (H and H from NY)
(1)
Scott B.
I love the Bagel Club sandwich. It makes an amazing lunch or brunch. Combine that with their La Colombe coffee and I'm in heaven. I'm sorry, but I don't care which genre of bagel you classify it as: Montreal or New York or Podunk. If it tastes good it is good, and Spread's are good!
(5)
MC E.
Read about this place and wanted to check it out. Went in this morning and there was no wait and plenty of bagels (most still warm). The place is super-cute and the people working there were very pleasant. Now that I have been there, I probably won't be rushing back as I got 6 bagels and a container of cream cheese and lox for $16!!!!!!! I am not cheap by any means, but that is ridiculous. They are delicous and I know my husband will like them as well - just very pricey. A special treat, if you will.
(3)
Jessica M.
Craziness ensues even at an off time on a Saturday afternoon. But then again I suppose there is no "off time" on a lovely, brisk Saturday in January. For as crowded as it was in there, the staff kept their cool (not easy when standing right by a hot oven - hardy har har!). I went in determined to get a "lunch" sandwich but ended up getting a breakfast sandwich instead after watching a cook prepare eggs on the griddle. I took it to go since there wasn't much room to sit and in my 5 block walk home, it was still hot when I arrived ready to eat. My only complaint was that it needed salt and pepper. This is pretty standard for a breakfast of eggs and cheese but I was surprised that it wasn't even a tad seasoned. I guess they have to cater to those who don't care for it and leave the seasoning to the individual. I will definitely go back to get a lunch sammy and also to pick up a dozen the next time I am headed out to the family....it will be nice to introduce them to something other than their standard DD bagels. Again - props to the staff who were friendly and accommodating and made you not care about a little bit of a wait!
(3)
Eric C.
Delicious. By far the BEST bagel sandwich I have ever had. I ordered the Egg White with Truffled Mushrooms, Spinach, Lite Swiss and Turkey Bacon on a Whole Wheat and did this sandwich send my senses whirling this morning! It was decadent. The flavors blended together amazingly. Wow, I wish I could wake up to this every morning. The prices are slightly on the higher side, but definitely justified by the HIGH QUALITY product. I recommend everyone to put it on their list.
(4)
James G.
Would you like some flies with that? My main concern about this place was the amount of flies. My girlfriend and I sat on the upper level and there were swarms of flies. They were all over the wall. That's bad enough however, the owner was walking around cleaning tables where the flies were. It was IMPOSSIBLE for him not to notice the flies but we could see no fly trap or fly paper or anything. That can only lead me to assume he didnt care that his customers had to swat away flies while eating. Great customer service. My other concern I paid nearly $25 for 2 bagels. Thats a ridiculous price! Plus the coffee was crap and I had 1 slice of bacon on my Blt. Not one slice for each side but one slice, cut in half, with half placed on each side. Pathetic for a 10 bagel!! In summary the amount of flies ruined any chance of me enjoying this place. Dirty, expensive and flimsy with the bacon!! Won't be back!
(1)
Rob F.
I'm not sure these are much more authentically Montreral than other bagels are authentically New York. It's been a while since I had a Montreal bagel. However, whatever they are, they are quite good. Slightly sweet, with a slightly cakelike crumble instead of a doughy texture. Really nice crust.
(4)
Brittany Y.
Brittany's secret slow morning routine: Head over to Spread Bagelry (the earlier you go the more accomplished you'll feel later on) and order the Frittata Scramble with that crazy good Amish jam on whole wheat everything bagel. Then, skip the espresso at Spread, since, well, they aren't as hot with coffee as they are with replicating Montreal's finest, and walk over to La Colombe and grab a latte. Sit and eat your gooey ungodly-but-glorious mess of a breakfast sandwich while the Center City hipster elite drool with envy and wonder, "Where the hell'd she get that?"
(4)
Sara M.
Insanely overpriced. My sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich cost over $7!!! If I'm paying $7 for a breakfast sandwich, it better knock my socks off. I thought the sandwich was very underwhelming. The eggs lacked flavor and the bagel was hard and tasted too much like burnt garlic. You can get a much better breakfast sandwich (for $4 cheaper) down the street at Palm Tree Gourmet. In college I worked right next door to a deli that (in my opinion) served the greatest bagels/breakfast sandwiches ever, so I may be holding this place to unfairly high standards. Regardless, I can't justify paying that much money for a mediocre sandwich. Not to mention this place is tiny and always so crowded. I probably won't return.
(2)
Alex M.
i go here quite often and i do think the bagels are pretty good (love the club). but honestly, its the slowest bagel shop EVER. 20 minutes for a bagel is unheard of and is so infuriating every time i'm waiting in line. it could easily be fixed by having more than 1 person making the orders. literally every other bagel place i've been to runs more efficiently than this one. i imagine most of their success is due to the lack of bagel shops in this city, but if another one opens up that doesn't have long waits then i assume they will lose customers.
(3)
raquel s.
"It tastes stale. On purpose," was the perfect response to "Do you like it?" Montreal-style bagels are horrible. They are so horrible that they need to come with the warning that "Montreal Style" before the word bagel serves. I wish I would have realized that. I wish I could have my Sunday breakfast to do over. They were unfortunately crumbly. The onion and whole wheat everything's flavors seemed off to me as well. They just kind of started disintegrating in my mouth upon first bite. I honestly thought that they were disgusting. Now, I remember why I never came back after I grabbed one to go last year. Where was the cream cheese? Oh. That's right. It's not cream cheese, it's spread. And was applied as such. I still can't believe the price of the bagel. There was absolutely nothing to it that would justify the $11 price of a bagel with a swipe of spread, a tomato slice, and single thin shaving of lox. My boyfriend didn't even eat the bagel or tomato. He picked the single piece of Lox off of it and ate that. I really wanted to ask if I happened to get an off batch or something--but judging by the line- apparently it was just me. I decided I would do the polite thing--just not go back--but I couldn't help but write this review. I had egg whites, turkey bacon etc. To their credit the egg whites were cooked very light and fluffy...but the bagel couldn't hold up to it. It really could not hold my sandwich together. I really wanted to love this place. Especially since they have La Columbe. I hope they make better use of the wood oven with a pizza place.
(1)
Samantha B.
Spread is a great bagel place in an area lacking any other bagel places. Their bagels are very unique and doughier than normal. They also bake them in house in a huge fire burning oven, which gives the bagels a bit of a smoky taste. It's a great lunch place. Bagel melts are cheap and pretty good once re-toasted. Their bagels and sandwiches are definitely on the pricey side, but very good, with many fresh, house made ingredients. I can't speak for the line on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but I've heard it can get pretty long. Call ahead to order before picking up. I've picked up a couple bagels on Saturday for Sunday morning, and they just don't retain their great Spread-y quality. Overall, good neighborhood bagel spot.
(3)
Krista P.
I stopped by with Michael G. for a quick lunch and came out full and happy. We both ordered the club sandwich. I asked for mine served toasted, and the girl happily obliged. The bagels come with chips (ruffles-esque), and when I ordered a soda I was nostalgically surprised when it showed up in a glass bottle (nostalgic enough to outweigh my disappointment in the lack of free refills). They had good music playing, and I'll definitely be back to grab a bagel and hang out for a bit.
(4)
Danielle R.
Wonderful! Service was friendly and fast. The young lady offered great suggestions for our first visit and the free coffee refills were awesome! I had a whole wheat bagel with scallion cream cheese and a plump juicy tomato on top.. Couldn't be happier with this neighborhood gem!
(5)
Audra H.
these bagels are like no other..pure heaven..had to leave NY to find the perfect bagel! :)
(5)
Tia T.
This is my first yelp review, and the things I'm about to write comes from a girl who loves any bagel and used to love Spread. Yes, I USED TO love this place for its quantity and quality, BUT it's changed!!! The size of their bagels decreased immensely!! I could have bought a larger bagel from Superfresh, it was the smallest bagel I've ever seen ANY restaurant serve, let alone a montreal style bagel place. Today I ordered a plain jam n butter on a bagel (assuming that no matter what I ordered it would be good) but the amount of jam that was on my bagel was embarrassing, I thought I somehow offended the cute counter boy or something it was SADD!! Just like residue of what could be jam... barely any chunks. IM UPSET ABOUT THIS! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BAGEL SANDWICHES THAT MADE ME FULL AND HAPPY TO BE EATING AT SPREAD!! ALL AROUND A HEARTBREAKING DAY!!!
(1)
Andrew R.
Here opening day as well. Was looking forward to this opening for months, only to be disappointed. Don't get me wrong - I think the "Montreal-style" sesame bagel may have been one of the best bagels I've ever had - just as those in the know of Montreal bagels have suggested - good flavor, great texture, small, and just somehow better than the traditional NY bagel. BUT - Prices are OUTRAGEOUS. Woman ringing me up said $7 something, and I said, no that's not right, I just got a bagel and a coffee, and she said nope - that's right - $2 for a bagel, $3 ADDITIONAL for the butter/jam, and $2 for the coffee + tax. So truly over $7 for a bagel + coffee. With cream-cheese, would have been a dollar or two more! Breakfast sandwiches are $8 (each, not for a pair). Whitefish and other "lunch" sandwiches are $11-$13. So - crazy prices overall, and sadly, after waiting for months, I'm not in a position to frequent a place for a $7 bagel + coffee. Finally (and this may just be opening day issues) - but the counter person (possibly wife of owner? or other family member) - was just not getting it -- looking back at the menu to check prices on each order she rung up (creating a line out the door) + also a little bit rude. This I'll cough up to opening day jitters (you'd hope on opening day, people would be friendly than usual, but not in this case). The guy making the bagels (owner), did seem friendly and overworked -- hopefully he'll be the front-man in the future. In any case - great bagel, crazy prices. Rating reflects food, service, and in this case - the disappointingly and ridiculously expensive prices.
(2)
Aaliyah P.
Ok so i knew it would be pricey but delish per all the reviews however i just can't get on board with spending over 8.00 for a bagel with cream cheese and a toddler size oj. I was impressed with this state side version of a Montreal style bagel. I chose the whole wheat everything with veggie cream cheese, the bagel was normal in size and was overflowing with CC , overflowing to the point where i needed to scrape. Having just eaten my fair share of Montreal style bagels this past June while visiting Montreal I can attest to Spread being a legit baglery but the rapeage my wallet suffered left me feeling used and abused. i def won't rush back.
(3)
Aruna A.
So after months of anticipation, reading the sadly poor reviews, and the terrible fire, I finally found myself in the neighborhood of Spread, with a chance to actually go in. I was excited when I realized this, and made a beeline for their storefront. First of all, I think it's a pretty adorable establishment. They have outdoor tables (just a few) a few small tables in front, and a few smaller tables in the back. It's also just adorably decorated, and set up. The counter where you order has a great view of the oven where they are firing up bagels, or toasting other orders. Near the cash register they have specially available bagels. When I went today - there was a tomato and Gruyere (which was VERY tempting) and a bacon and cheese (I forget which cheese) and a pizza bagel (which was VERY VERY VERY TEMPTING - those looked great and were only $3). These were all halves and priced at $3. I decided to go for a simple regular poppy seed bagel with veggie cream cheese, just to get a taste of what this was all about. They also have a number of breakfast sandwiches and specials that seemed really exciting. I was so hungry that while sitting at the subway stop, I was tempted to have a bite. And it was DELICIOUS. I came home and devoured it. Best $4 I ever spent. It was expensive, but it was def worth it. I can't wait to go back and try the pizza bagel and other options So exciting. One disclaimer: I've never been to Montreal and had a Montreal bagel. I don't know if these are special Montreal bagels. But they are certainly good bagels.
(4)
R. M.
I have been coming to Spread since they opened. I would describe it as somewhat Montreal Style bagels with a lack of Montreal style service. Whenever I come in here, they are always out of a specific type of bagel. I can come in at 7:30 a.m. after my jog and I will be given a list of what they do and do not have. This happens on the weekend and weekdays as well. I have also been told to call ahead to place a bagel on hold...seriously. It's almost as if whomever is running this establishment wants to make the exact number of bagels that could be possibly sold for the day. No more. No less. Which goes against the Montreal style way of bagel making where bagels are easy to come by. And do you know what these places do with their left over bagels? They wrap them in cellophane bags and sell them to customers who want to grab and go. Genius. And, how about some labels on the bread basket so the cashiers don't have to look over to see what is left. I can do that myself. Lastly, this place needs a good cleaning. If you're not rushing out with your bagel or just sit and look around for a bit, you'll see what I mean.
(3)
Irma I.
Never had a Montreal style bagel so I can't say its authentic, but I can say that it was delicious- if I'd live in the city I would be a regular. My husband had a breakfast sandwich (the standard?). I had cinnamon raisin bagel w/pumpkin cream cheese that was perfect. The coffee is strong & the staff very friendly. Tiny place makes full use of its space & busy with lots of locals.
(5)
Monali P.
Marvin Gaye is belting out one of my all time faves at Spread - Any place that plays motown has already won my heart. I heard through the grapevine this place had memorable bagels. So here I am, just in town visiting. Savoring the smooth, fresh salmon (and generous servings at that- justifies the price), cream cheese bagel with tomato and onions. No capers. Just how I like it. Side cucumber salad cleansing my palate. Iced coffee is so good it definitely rivals if not surpasses my favorite haunts in Seattle. Outlets near every table (key for the computer addicts of the world). And I'm just about to lose my mind. What an adorable little bagelry.
(4)
Barrett L.
Probably one of the few decent bagel shops in Philly, this small but cozy bagel shop just off Rittenhouse serves up Montreal-style bagels and delicious coffee to a young and friendly clientele. Aside from serving the usuals (bagels with cream cheese, bagels with lox), they also offer a terrific array of bagel sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. I recently had the Nova Scramble (smoked salmon cream cheese, scrambled eggs, tomato, onion) on an Everything Bagel which was out of this world. And, they play fun music too. My one complaint is that it's probably a tad pricey for bagels ($2 for a bagel?), but I suppose that's what you get for going to such a kick-ass bagel shop. Overall, great neighborhood gem and I'm excited to become a regular customer.
(4)
Rich B.
Overpriced and overrated. Nothing special to warrant a $2 price tag for one bagel. You gotta be kidding me.
(1)
Levon U.
The bagels are some of the best I've had in the city, though a bit on the pricey side as other reviewers have said. Just adding plain cream cheese to a bagel is an extra $1. Anything more and the prices really start to climb. Better to grab a dozen for home and add your toppings there. Service at the counter is good, but be prepared to wait even when it's not crowded. I've never been out of there without having to wait at least 15 minutes for an order for one.
(3)
Jen H.
Disclaimer- this is my first time eating a "Montreal" style wood fired bagel so I really have nothing to compare with. With that said, i really enjoyed my bagel sandwich. The bagel is slightly bigger than most- be prepared for that. I ordered the Roasted Chicken BLT sandwich on a wheat everything bagel. Bagel was very yummy- very chewy. I also appreciated the fact that the wheat everything bagel did not have salt on it. The roasted chicken was a very good solid choice. My boyfriend ordered the egg white sandwich- I took a bite out of it and I have to say it was pretty yummy. It had egg whites, turkey bacon, spinach, and truffled mushrooms. Pretty amazing stuff. The price is a bit steep (as mentioned in the other reviews) but I figure they are using pretty quality ingredients so I can't complain too much. Would definitely come back when I visit Philly! Wish they had a wood fired bagel place in Baltimore!
(4)
Noheli T.
I've heard great things about Spread and the line outside on a Saturday is always a great sign but I honestly wasn't blown away. I ordered the standard sandwich, which was good but nothing to rejoice over. The place was packed but my friend and I were able to find seating in the back but that was a big mistake! There were flies everywhere! We tried to eat as quickly as possible and then left. Maybe next time I'll just order to go.
(3)
Abby B.
This place is better than your typical Dunkin' Donuts or Manhattan Bagel, but I was kind of expecting a bit more. After several days of walking by Spread, I decided to endure the line that was out the door. I ordered an everything bagel with veggie garlic cream cheese. First of all, the bagels here are huge; I had to take half of it home and this coming from a gal whose family nicknamed her "Bottomless Pit." Typically, bagel shops either put too much or too little cream cheese on the bagel, but Spread does it juuuussst riiight, in my opinion. Bonus: you get a strawberry with your bagel if you eat-in. I don't know why this is a bonus, but it is. They also serve brunch and for $8 you can get some bloody mary mix if you BYO vodka. If these are bottomless bloody's, then that's awesome; if not, I'd rather go to a more restauranty place for brunch. The staff was very nice, the place is cute and quaint and I'll probably be back to try one of their sandwiches. However, I'll have to wait until my next payday - this place ain't cheap.
(3)
Christine F.
*3.5 stars overall* I stopped by this place 3 mornings during my finals week. Always gotten the "everything" bagel (i.e. a bit ofsesame, poppy, onion), toasted, with various spread. I was blown away the peanut butter and amish jam combo, but wasn't as impressed by the scallion cream cheese spread, which I was expecting to be more flavorful. They also serve la colombe coffee with free refill, which is another plus.
(4)
Jason B.
Loved this place. Atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The wood burning brick oven smells amazing. The bagels are boiled and baked in the brick oven right in the front of the house. The spreads look incredible. I ordered an everything bagel with egg whites, spinach, muchrooms, and turkey bacon, and it was extremely delicious and satisfying. I would eat here all the time if I lived closer.
(5)
Fred G.
The only place in the world that one can get a fresh Montreal rye bagel with Katz's Deli (of NYC) pastrami. This is the kind of sandwich that death row names would have for their last meal. Seriously luscious. Dude, do NOT miss this
(4)
Alie A.
Fresh bagel selection and very fast service. Pricey but enjoyable. The owner's a nice guy committed to keeping his customers happy. We need more places like this in Philly.
(3)
Deborah G.
The best part of this bagel shop is the atmosphere. It is in Rittenhouse Square and it's definitely a quaint Philly neighborhood. The shop is very small and we saw a line coming out of the door and we almost left. The owner popped out and told us to wait because service is very fast. I told him we were from B'more and he said he was going to give us a treat. In a flash he came out with a steaming hot everything bagel in a piece of white tissue paper. This hot and holy roll was too hot to handle and when I broke it open steam came out. I tasted it and it was very good because it was fresh out of the wood fired oven. However, I thought it tasted more like a seeded bagel than an everything bagel. We made it to the counter where we were asked what we wanted to drink and first ordered our beverages. One of my party took two tables that were open - by the window and in back of the door. This is what I call tight space. The whole place has three tables for two up front, six larger tables in the back and five tables outside where people with dogs were eating brunch. Next we ordered our bagelwiches. There were two turkeys and one hot brisket sandwich on various bagels (onion, plain and poppy). To Spread's credit , the turkey was homemade and so was the brisket. However, the portion controller must have a strict limit on the amount of protein that is placed on each bagel. I ran out of turkey as I was on the second half of my bagel and discarded the bread as it was just bagel and no protein. The brisket was very tasty and warm but the fat was not trimmed and it too was a very skimpy portion. The three bagelwiches with beverages, tax and a tip were $40. I could not believe this - even in NYC - you get huge portions not an air bagel with chips in a wicker basket for $$$. I decided to buy six bagels to take home to B'more. I've eaten the cinnamon raisin bagel toasted as well as reheated in the oven. The oven is better as these bagels are somewhat doughy and the toaster does not heat them properly. Six bagels were $7. I think I will let them air dry and string them on a necklace as they are too expensive to eat. They are also too heavy to wear. So I guess I'll end up eating them slowly to enjoy the most expensive bagels on the east coast. Would I return? Yes but I would order a bagel with a specialty cream cheese and a coffee. The portions are do not match the hefty prices they charge. Stick to the bagel basics.
(3)
Lauren Z.
I love this place. They have great bagel spreads and real close to Rittenhouse square. The bagels are delicious and worth the sometimes longer than wanted wait. The coffee is just okay, nothing to brag about but it's not bad (La Colombe). The atmosphere is cool, if you have a small party and are able to find a table.
(4)
Christine B.
That pink paper is back up behind the window, and the door is closed because they had a mechanical failure. Maybe the prices will be lower when they fix the fire problem?
(3)
Maureen F.
Never a big wait. Easy in, easy out. Bagels are great- love an everything with veggie cream cheese or a BLT. Wanna try that pastrami special Coffee is great. Prices are very rittenhouse...but quality is there. good soundtrack playing all the time. Friendly staff. Wanna try the BYO vodka for brunch sometime....
(4)
Anna Marie C.
now that i've been to montreal (and fairmount bagels) and feel like i can weigh in the the authenticity of the bagel, i'll give it a 'meh-plus'. on the issue of authenticity, i'll give a albany... or maybe a burlington. it's almost there, but not quite. i love the fact that montreal style bagels are a bit sweeter and less dough-y than new york style ones, and these fall somewhere in between. the cream cheese/spreads/sandwiches are not too shabby, but the pricing is new york-style. other little things.. the space is cramped. it's not that small but feels that way. on occasion, there appears to be too many staff in the area yet nothing seems to be going on. and just because i can see you coming off of break, please wash your hands before you get back to work. thanks.
(3)
Christine C.
I've eaten here several times, and yes the bagels are good, but expensive. The service always seems to be a bit scattered and confusing, especially when it's crowded. Today I ordered a sandwich to go, and after waiting about 5 minutes, found out they gave it away to someone else, whose name begins with the same letter as mine. "Oh don't worry, we'll make you another." Which they did, while I waited. I wasn't offered a thing like a coffee or lemonade as a courtesy. Disappointing for a neighborhood place.
(2)
Elizabeth M.
There is always a line spilling out of this place on weekends, so finally I bit the bullet and waited in it. I really liked it. It's a super cute shop, friendly people working there, interesting yet simple menu combinations. I found these bagels flavorful and loved that they don't taste like all the other bagels out there. The breakfast sandwiches could be $1-2 less, but it's Rittenhouse, what do you expect!
(4)
Kevin C.
As prior reviewers have noted, Spread Bagelry is a bit on the pricey side, but from my experience the quality is on par with the price point. My usual order is the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on a poppy seed bagel with a hot tea, and I have yet to be anything but pleased. The service is fast and friendly and they have never had an issue accommodating my somewhat (read: extremely) picky orders. A lot of the times there isn't enough inside seating to accommodate every customer, but the seating outside is a perfect place to people watch and there always seems to be an open table. When you are lucky enough to sit inside the waitstaff is super attentive and they are constantly checking to make sure everything is ok (but not to the point of being pushy), which is always a plus. Overall it's one of the better places in the city to grab a quick and delicious breakfast but due to it's high price point it definitely isn't a place I (or many) can afford to eat at on a regular basis.
(3)
Howie A.
You might have had bagels from NY or around Philly, but the Montreal-style bagel served at Spread Bagelry far surpasses in taste ! I had a chocolate chip bagel with scallion cream cheese today and savored every bite. I learned there is a chance next year a matzah recipe will be created for Passover consumers.
The food is really good. Montreal style bagels FYI, NYC snobs. Look; I lived in New York and grew up on H&H. These bagels are differently made. Get over it. That's the good news. You'll notice the two stars which indicates that something is horribly wrong with a place if the food is good. I'm not as hung up on the price as others are here. You can go down the street and buy a three-day old piece of bread with a block of cream cheese on it for $2.50 if you really want. It's the wait. Wow do these guys need a systems design manager to come in and figure out a way to let the customers flow through. Increase counter size for making more sandwiches at one time, to start. Yikes is it slow, and no one should have to wait 20 minutes to get a bagel with cc. They've had their heads up their tuchus for a while with this, so I wouldn't expect it to change anytime soon.
(2)
Laura C.
I love a good bagel on Sunday mornings, so I was excited to see Spread Bagelry open up in my neighborhood. The bagels are very fresh and flavorful. (Although I think NY bagels are better). They run an excellent business and the atmosphere is vibrant and energizing. Only drawback: the prices are a bit steep for bagels.
(4)
Jenn V.
we went on a Saturday morning and the line wasn't too bad- we ordered The Club and The Classic (with Smoked Nova Salmon) - unfortunately they were out of Rye bagels at the time, so I had to 'settle' for a whole wheat bagel. It took about 10 minutes for our to go order to come out, we paid, and left to go eat it. This place is not cheap- the total of our meal, without drinks, was about $22 dollars... kind of excessive for 2 bagel sandwiches. The sandwiches themselves were very good- The Smoked Salmon was fresh, which isn't always easy to find and had the right combination of cream cheese, tomato and onions. The Club was different from what I was expecting- I usually do not have apples on my sandwiches, but it was a very pleasant surprise. Neither sandwich was particularly over stuffed- which for the price I expected more meat on both. In addition, both sandwiches state they come with a side (The Classic says it comes with a cucumber salad and The Club says it comes with a bag of chips)- neither of which were included in our to go bag. I would've given this place 3.5 stars without the price and the fact the side dishes of our sandwiches were no where to be found- so I rounded down.
(3)
Jon D.
I purposely came when I knew it wouldn't be busy. To be honest, I don't really understand the hype. The staff were very friendly and nice though. I got the wood oven tuna melt with gruyere and tomato. It was pretty good, but nothing special. Just your average tuna with no distinct taste or unique ingredients. Flavor was decent but tuna has much more potential. I also got the pizza bagels that were sitting out (just some bagels with sauce and cheese slabbed on them). I ended up taking one bite, didn't like it, and threw the rest out.
(3)
Flora T.
Overall, I prefer South Street Bagel for their bagels. I like my bagels chewier- these were denser. I got a breakfast sandwich and the flavors were uninspiring. The prices are comparable to South Street but you have a lot more flavors to pick from at South Street.
(3)
Mike C.
Just OK. Overpriced for what it is.
(3)
Madi C.
The bagel with peanut butter and jam is so good it's unfair. So are the breakfast sandwiches. And they have endless coffee refills of La Colombe. I would give it 5 stars but it's super smoky in there and you have to change clothes when you get home cause you smell like you've been cooking breakfast sandwiches for weeks in the same outfit.
(4)
Amy J.
I just tried this place for the first time with friends in town visiting, and we ended up going twice! The line is usually really long, but the bagels are good and I really enjoyed the nova salmon cream cheese which has bits of salmon in it!
(4)
Jason C.
After this place seemed to open and close a few times, I finally got to try it out and see what the fuss as all about. I had never had a Montreal style bagel before, and I don't think they're quite as good as a real New York bagel, but it's definitely worth the trip when you compare it to anything you have in your freezer, or Dunkin Donuts bagels, for that matter. The bagels are soft, fresh, and a little doughy tasting. Like everyone else, they do over-do the cream cheese in my opinion, so I always ask for it on the side. The cream cheese itself is fluffy, and a little addictive. The coffee is La Colombe, and it's delicious. It goes really well with an everything bagel and cream cheese. Maybe I'm just partial. The place was packed and the line was out the door on a Sunday morning, but the owner was still friendly, and chatted with me briefly as he brushed busily by, asking how the coffee was (I sipped it while I waited for my toasted everything...with cream cheese...mmm). I haven't tried much here yet, but so far, so good. I can't say there was a go-to bagel shop anywhere near me before this place opened, so I guess this is my go-to now, so that says a lot.
(4)
Marie D.
I usually skip breakfast and not because I don't like it. But once I had a taste of the oven-baked bagels at Spread Bagelry, passing up my first meal of the day has become a lot more difficult. An everything bagel with scallion cream cheese spread topped a followup visit's nova lox spread on sesame. The bagels themselves are flawless, crunchy and chewy. The seating, a long wooden banquette and a few bistro tables, in the back is rustic and inviting, but often very hot due to the large oven in the center of the store. Prices are gouging - $13 for coffee, bagel and juice; $28 for two dozen takeaway bagels - but I've never been one to complain about spending good dough on good dough.
(4)
Julia N.
I was all set to grump when I first tried this place: the bagels cost like TWICE or THRICE as much as the ones at the corner deli! What's so magical about these fancypants artisanal CANADIAN bagels anyway?? And so forth and so on. The thing is, these bagels are totally 100% way better than your typical bagel from a bag with a frosty white slab of Philadelphia cream cheese. These bagels are fluffy and chewy and light and vaguely sweet, kind of like pizza crust in a round breakfasty form. The Amish cream cheese tastes fresh and full of flavor; I'm partial to the garlicky veggie one. The setup in here is less than ideal - when it's busy, you'll end up huddled in a narrow space right next to the woodburning oven with a bunch of other people waiting. But they have fresh juice and little Cokes and La Colombe. They take LevelUp, which makes life a little cheaper and easier. All in all, I would spend the $4 here rather than $2 on the corner any day.
(4)
Jenna M.
Philadelphia FINALLY has decent bagels. Hellooooo Spread! My new favorite weekday morning treat: 1. Go to Spread. Order breakfast sandwich (egg white, spinach, mushrooms, & cheese - 4 food groups!) plus bottomless cup of coffee. 2. While waiting for sandwich, fill up travel mug with coffee. Drink. Repeat. 3. Pick up sandwich. Top up coffee. 4. Start the day well-fed and caffeinated. Yay!
(5)
Perry A.
The build up was more than I could stand. After reading ad nauseum about the superiority of Montreal Bagels over New York's, I just had to find a way to get to Mile End in Brooklyn to see what the fuss was about. But family life being what it is, a trip to King's county for doughnut shaped bread wasn't going to happen any time soon. So imagine my excitement when word about Spread Bagelry started to, well, spread. It grew even more frantic when the fire closed the store for months the day after it opened. Now finally re-opened, I was ready to have my bagel lust sated. Except it tasted like burnt ordinary rolls. Mind you I gave it every chance that I could afford. At $2 per bagel and about $10 for a sandwich it would be easy to break the bank. I got the classic, a bagel of your choice with amish cream cheese, red onions, a thick slice of heirloom tomato and smoked salmon. The Amish cream cheese was delish (nicely tart and so velvety), but it was no smear. More a overpowering than a contrast to make the smoked nova salmon shine. Even the lovely heirlooms and red onions could not hold back the out of balance flavor of the cheese. But the real star should have been the everything bagel that enveloped it. It was overly burnt and dry. Nothing like the dense and chewy dough and lightly crisp crust of H&H and Ess-A-Bagel in Manhatten. With the exception of the smoky taste and slightly sweetened crust from the honey water, these bagels were not exceptional. But for a real baseline, I also tried a raisin bagel, plain. It too was overly burnt and dry. I finished it, feeling guilty for spending $2 for a piece of bread. The cup of La Colombe was lovely. I will try again, if only for my optimism. I love artisanal concepts. But you still have to execute.
(2)
Christine K.
The bagels are the best in the city! The coffee is La Colombe- again the best in the city. Beware of the long lines on the weekend, be prepared to wait. Only negative is not much of a beverage selection.
(4)
Robert S.
I want to start off by saying yes, Spread is not cheap. I came here today for breakfast with three other people. We each ordered a bagel with either eggs and cheese or lox and cream cheese, as well as 4 coffees. $42 later, we were stuffed. Now, on to the review. I've been to Montreal more times than I can count on my fingers, and I must say that this is the best bagel I've had - excluding Montreal's (If you are ever in Montreal you MUST try a St. Viateur Bagel). The bagels, if toasted, are crispy on the outside and airy and soft on the inside. My go-to bagel is an everything with cream cheese or an everything breakfast sandwich. PS: Make sure you call ahead if you plan on ordering 8 or more bagels to-go.
(5)
Kevin P.
I was excited to see another bagel place open up in Philly, but I was really disappointed in the experience. The staff member that opens in the morning is not pleasant. I don't want a bunch of small talk, just smile and look like you want to be there. At least say "good morning" when a customer arrives. It blows my mind that an owner would have someone that rude running a relatively new establishment. My GF and each got a bagel sandwich and a coffee. We were the only ones in there and they got our orders wrong. We got our order to go, so by the time we found out the order was wrong, we were already halfway to work. I'm sure the bagels are true to the Montreal style, but I'm not a fan. They're too sweet for me and I like my bagels more crunchy on the outside. Can someone please open a NY style bagel place in Philly and do it right? Kermit's on Washington makes a damn good bagel, but they're only available on weekends. Knead is pretty good as well, but I'm not into all the new flavor combinations.
(1)
Helen L.
Coming from NYC, it's been pretty rough trying to find a bagel shop we like. These Montreal style bagels were not to my liking. They looked really good, but then you bite into it and it has this sweetness I didn't expect because I didn't know the style. Okay fine that is my palette, but this is not the reason why we gave it a 2. The service is horrible and the prices are pretty high for a breakfast sandwich. We even gave it a second shot and it sucked. The second and last time we got to the shop about 5 mins before they were going to open, so we hung outside by the tables. When 7 am rolled around, the girl just stared at me, unlocked the door and walked away. I looked at my BF and just assumed ok I guess we can go in. I'm sorry, but when you see people at your door and you are opening, open the door and say good morning. Be welcoming. It's called customer service. We walk in and order our food. Some one was new and was being coached, which was fine, but she was the only nice person in there. We got our over priced food ($25 for 2 sandwiches and coffee!) walked out, got into the car, drove off to work. We looked at our food to figure out who had what, to come to find out our food order was wrong! Seriously, we were the only people in there and I knew for a fact the girl writing my order down wrote it correctly, the short order cook didn't care to bother to read what she wrote. We rather go to Kermit's on Washington Ave. I didn't expect much, but really good. Sadly they only have bagels on the weekend.
(2)
Andrea J.
This was exactly what I was in the mood for after a night of celebrating my cousins wedding! I kinda made my own creation, which they were happy to do. Egg whites, turkey bacon, spinach, and cream cheese on a whole wheat everything bagel. I've never seen a wholewheat everything bagel but it was good!! I love the open fire where you can see them baking the bagels. The place is small and cute. I would return definitely return. My only complaint is it's a little pricey ($20 after tip for 2 bagel sandwiches and a lemonade) but when you have made to order with fresh ingredients and in a city, you are going to pay a premium.
(4)
Trina T.
Line was waaaay out the door but got in and out within 20 minutes. Bagels are super fresh.
(4)
J O.
Scrambled frittata w/ Amish jam on wholewheat everything - AMAZING Already contemplating coming back for lunch
(5)
Juliana K.
I enjoyed Spread Bagelry, but it didn't wow me. I had a bagel sandwich with egg and brisket. It didn't wow me. Also, the brisket was all on one side and not spread evenly throughout. It was like $9 which is a lil on the pricier side so I expected more brisket and more in general. The bagel alone was very good.
(3)
MA S.
We use to live down the street and when we didn't want to make breakfast this is where we went. Now we make it a point to stop in when we are in town.
(5)
Suki R.
This is officially my very FIRST yelp review. What could've prompted this? Was it the satisfaction I received from my bagel, or could it be my excellent mood? Probably a mingling of the two. I'm going to Montreal next month, and because this place claims to serve "Montreal style" bagels, I thought I'd educate myself in my favorite way - nom nom nom. After a night of Halloween mayhem, a large amount of carbohydrates conveniently located down the block was just what my roommate & I needed. We both selected the whole wheat everything, and it was perfection with it's toasty outside, softer insides and a nice touch of sweetness. I'm coming from a few years in NYC, so I am used to a cold attitude with places this adorable. Everyone here was friendly and in positive spirits. They even, un-prompted, let me try the Peanut Butter Jam I was curious about (it tastes like melted Snickers, far too dangerous to actually keep in my apartment). Now, I've noticed some people complaining about the prices - but you get what you pay for. To start with the basics, you are not getting any old coffee, they're serving La Colombe! Personally, bad coffee is one of my biggest pet peeves. While their prices could easily be much lower, they choose to try to select locally sourced, quality ingredients - and I think we all know this is not the cheapest way to do things, but better for yours and mines bodies as well as area farmers. No, this is not your corner deli (which I agree, can have cheap, delicious bagels & coffee), but that isn't what Spread is trying to be. Appreciate it for what it is, get your pre-conceived notions of a bagel place out of your head, dish out the cash, and enjoy - your taste buds will thank you.
(5)
Cam A.
Yes the prices are a bit high, but unlike many previous reviewers, I have the ability to read, so I read the menu and knew that before i ordered. The food is very good, the staff is among the most friendly in philly, and the renovation looks great. The very long weekend lines highlight two points: 1. the place is good 2. There's a big lack of places like it in the neighborhood. A great addition to rittenhouse west. - also an expat New Yorker
(5)
Lauren H.
That was not a bagel. That was a lovely wood burning oven baked circular loaf of bread. But not a bagel. Sorry.
(2)
Bernard L.
Complete waste of money. Staff talked the whole time. Breakfast sandwich was small and cost 7 bucks. Never again.
(1)
Kristen H.
This is a great neighborhood bagel place. I avoid it like the plague on weekends when the line is out the door, but it's usually pretty empty early week day mornings. The staff has always been pleasant and my bagel is ready quickly. I'm a creature of habit, so I usually stick to the cinnamon raisin bagel toasted with cream cheese.
(4)
Dave L.
Even the birds turned their beaks up at these bagels. What a dissapointment. Overated and way overpriced. Bagels taste like stale irish soda bread. Hoped that they would taste better toasted. Not a chance. Bought a half dozen anticipating they would be great bagels. Line out the door. I wish them well. They said they can't keep up with the demand. No way would I go back. I would rather starve than eat one of these again.
(1)
Beth M.
I've been here too many times. It does not compare to real Montreal bagels, but that's ok - I keep my expectations reasonable. Two stars because if you can actually get a fresh bagel, it's good. My low rating is for other reasons. First of all, this place is really expensive - plain bagel with no cream cheese is $2, cream cheese adds another $1, a slice of tomato is yet another $1, etc. You'll pay $8 or so for a bagel breakfast sandwich with bacon, eggs, and cheese. Add coffee or juice and you're talking $25 for two people. The second downside is the service. I was disappointed on my last trip here. Granted it was during the weekend breakfast mad rush, but they didn't ask my name when I ordered, and I hung around near the front of the store in the crowd for 20 minutes waiting for my to-go order. After finally asking where my order was, they retrieved a bag of bagels and I had to wait another 10 minutes while they hunted down a tub of plain cream cheese (there was none in the refrigerator). The bagels had been toasted and were really dry, since they had been sitting around for 30 minutes. Threw most of them away. What a waste of $. My last gripe is that I have asked for pastrami on 4 different visits, and they have ALWAYS said that they're out of it. I have no idea why it's on the menu.
(2)
Ann S.
This place is great. I went for the first time a week ago and they gave me a free bagel for being a new customer. Went back today and really enjoyed it! Very nice people great service. the bagels are FABULOUS! Not NY bagels the only difference is Ny bagels have a thicker skin. But these don't claim to be that. I'm glad philly has something just as good but different. THe only reason i didn't give 5 stars is $2 for a bagel. no matter how good it is that;s too much, so it won't be a daily stop but I will go back. In fact i plan to go back for lunch with a friend they have to try these!
(4)
Kristen S.
I came here for the first time about a month ago with a friend who had been raving about the Montreal style bagels that Spread bakes fresh daily. I was super excited because, to me, there is nothing better than a good bagel sandwich--especially a breakfast sandwich on the weekends after a night of working or drinking; something to fill the void or soak up the toxins! I ordered the egg white sandwich on a toasted whole wheat everything bagel and fell in love with it. I've been back every weekend since and have rotated between the egg white sandwich or simply just a toasted bagel with one of their delicious cream cheese spreads (the onion scallion is by far my favorite). The bagels are doughy, oblong, unique, and fresh every time. The staff is very friendly and diligent in addition to the delicious bagels. There isn't anything that I want to complain about other than the small interior which leaves little space for seating.
(4)
Mike C.
Spread is like a pretty blonde. They have an attractive product and pretty assests so you overlook the obvious flaws. The bagels are pretty good, the idea of woodfiring them isnt new but it is to philadelphia. The thing is they have about 15 people work there on weekend mornings and yet they still cant keep up with the flow. Twice I have waited 20-25 minutes for a bagel to go, nothing special just some cream cheese. There were only 6 people in front of me. That is obscene. And who pays a dollar for jam, and a dollar for butter. 4 dollars for a bagel with the bare essentials? The owner hangs out and makes small talk which can be nice but its just a bagel. I mean if youre vetri or garces fine, come talk to us. And if you want to elicit feedback on how the operation is going and if your costumers are satisfied even better. But I dont want to hear how Philly needed a bagel place so bad and it was so obvious to set this up. This isnt delivering medicine to the third world. There is potential, but as it stands this place is not taking feedback seriously
(2)
Sally R.
I'm not a huge fan of Montreal style bagels, but I love coming into Spread and seeing soon to be consumed bagels baking away in the oven. They have a down home vibe and a menu of rustic sandwiches. I really quite enjoy places that are new but make you feel like they've maybe been there all along and you just happened to notice it out of the corner of your eye. Once inside, the atmosphere is cozy, even on a busy busy Sunday morning, the crowd feels more like a gathering of hungry friends than a feeding frenzy. They sell lovely homeade jams and I always appreciate places that offer you the dine in option of using mugs instead of disposable paper cups. Perhaps, on a bit of a pricier side of bagels, but still reasonable compared to other eating-out options, you've got to tell yourself. I also dug the friendly service at the counter and the festive sounds of Huey and the Banjo playing outside, welcoming everyone in for their morning coffee.
(3)
Stef A.
2.5 stars because of the darn price. I've been anxiously awaiting for Spread to open. Decor is very awesome - seems like a good place to hang out and have your bagel and coffee but $12 for lox, cream cheese and tomato??? I can go to Bacchus and get it for half the price (although granted, the bagel is not as big). I also thought the sesame bagel I ordered was rather chewy. I"m going to give it another shot and just try ordering a bagel with veggie cream cheese but I will not be paying 12 bucks for the bagel with lox again.
(3)
K P.
We walked in and were greeted by a messy dissheveled cashier who after giving us the up and down look, bluntly asked if we were ready to order. We ordered "the standard" with egg whites, light cheese and turkey bacon on toasted bagels. The bagels were dry, and by dry I mean flour coating your lips as you took a bite. Not what i'd expect from any bagel. The bread was very doughy definitely a difference between a regular bagel. If you want a dry, doughy piece of bread with Trader Joe's turkey bacon, make it at home with Thomas' and you're guaranteed a better experience. And this wasn't a cheap breakfast either. For two bagel sandwiches and drinks we paid close to $20. Personally, I prefer breakfast with a lot less attitude. I have no intention of returning and will be sure to SPREAD the word.
(2)
Naz B.
Went to Spread yesterday, opening day, after months of wondering when this place would open. I'm from New York and have lived in Rittenhouse for 5+ years, and I've always wondered why there was no bagel place in the neighborhood, so I was excited to see this place open, despite the "Montreal-style" bagels. After the long wait, I'm pretty disappointed and can't see myself going back again. The space is nice - cozy and cute, an ideal place to sit and read the paper. However, the employees (maybe owners too?) are less than ideal. My boyfriend and I walked in, and as the only customers took a minute to read the menu and look around. There were quite a few employees there, and no one offered any sort of explanation as to the type of bagels or their "handcrafted" spreads or really much of a welcome at all. The lady at the register (dark brown hair) was a little snarky and seemed visibly annoyed that my bf ordered a bagel sans expensive spread. You would think her attitude would have a been a little better after just a few hours of being open. All that aside, the bagel was meh at best. I had an everything bagel with farm-fresh butter (or something like that), and my bf had a poppyseed bagel with nothing on it. I understand the difference in style between NY and Montreal-style, and it just wasn't special. It is a little sweet, denser and much smaller than a typical bagel. Maybe it's that I'm a NY bagel snob, but I'm just not impressed. Maybe the "handcrafted" spreads are something special, but spending $5-$6 (unless it has lox and cream cheese, which is $11 at Spread btw) on a bagel just doesn't seem reasonable to me. It's about double the price of the best bagel places in Manhattan with the most delicious "handcrafted" spreads available. Rittenhouse is just not that special and "high-class" to warrant the price. Since when are Rittenhouse prices higher than the UES? As for the size of the bagel, it is denser than a typical bagel, but it truly is the size of a lenders bagel from the frozen food section. That would be fine, maybe even a preferable size bagel in my opinion, but I'm not going to pay double for it. Oh well Spread and Philadelphia, I guess I"ll just eat bagels when I go to NY.
(2)
scott d.
$12.00 for a sandwich is one thing, but it needs to be the sandwich you at least ordered! Poor at best.....will never go back or recommend
(1)
Justin S.
Spread makes a great bagel. Get there early on the weekends to avoid the lines. It is really neat how they boil the bagels right in front of you and then bake them in that big wood fired oven in the center of the store. It is a fun experience. Definitely not cheap, but I wouldn't expect a low price from an artisan baker. I am looking forward to the opening of their bakery across the street.
(4)
Gretchen K.
Well, after a few weeks of continuous patronage, despire my previous review, I am happy to report improvement at Spread. Still some bumps in the road, but overall a great neighborhood place. Everyone is friendlier and things happen at a speed I can deal with.
(3)
Zack B.
Wow. First of all, we did not know this was their opening day, but now that we know, it totally makes sense. Docked a star for a ridiculous wait. They were sooo slow. Waited fifteen minutes for just a sliced bagel, which was cold, even though we asked for it toasted, but believed the register lady when she said " are you sure you want it toasted, they are fresh from the oven?" They were not. They were pulling bagels fresh from the oven, but those were not used for our order. Another docked star for that and other semi rude remarks we witnessed from that same girl. When we did get the bagel, it was pretty good. Though, not nearly as good as the ones we have tried in Montreal at one third the price. Here, a bagel with scallion cream cheese is 5 bucks! Overall they were VERY disorganized and should have trained their employees better. I think we saw the owner ther, and he didn't seem very concerned with the lack of customer service skills his employees were demonstrating. If executed better at half cost would be 4 stars. Oh, and Cates review is obviously fake. Yelp will probably filter it
(1)
Laura S.
I came in expecting to be underwhelmed based on others' reviews, but it's around the corner and I love breakfast food so figured I should at least give it a shot. The caption tells me 3 stars means "A-OK" - and Spread solidly earns their 3 stars. I'm not in love, but it was an all-around good experience. The offerings were definitely a step up from Dunkin Donuts/Manhattan Bagel. The bagels were sweet, chewy and flavorful. I ordered the everything bagel with plain cream cheese and my sister had a plain bagel. I like the texture and flavor of the Montreal-style bagels, although if you are more of a savory breakfast person the sweetness might not be your thing. I am actually a fan of the smaller size, too - I do not need a 6" monstrosity for breakfast! The more adventurous offerings for spreads looked good, but I really, really wish they had a low-fat cream cheese option. Really, really wish. Please, guys? My sister had a side of bacon with her bagel and pronounced it "very good" - this was her 3rd bacon experience in 24 hours so I consider her an authority. The OJ tasted fresh-squeezed (I'm pretty sure it was), mmm. Prices are a bit on the high side, but I accept that's the price you pay if you want to support local, homemade, small businesses instead of giant conglomerates. Service seemed a little scattered, but friendly. My guess is that this is one of the first weekends they've been open (possibly the first, given their inauspicious beginnings) so I'm sure they're still learning the ropes. A man that I assume was the owner was very friendly. The smoked meat sandwich is not back on the menu yet but he told me to look for it in September - I'll be back here at least once to try that, since my friends from Montreal tell me that authentic smoked meat is not to be missed. The space is cute - it's a bit small, which could become problematic if they get really popular. For now, though, there were no problems with seating. You shouldn't come in expecting cheap, fast service a la the big chains, but if you've got some time to linger over your coffee and a few extra dollars to put toward your breakfast, you'll leave here happy and full.
(3)
Meg G.
Spread is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to eat in the city. The other people who reviewed Spread negatively may have just experienced the growing pains of a newly established business. These flaws are to be expected with a new business -- but the spread staff is really overcoming these growing pains and creating one of best places to visit in the city. Here's my take on some of the negatives mentioned: Do not let the long line deter you from waiting - It moves quickly and the bagels are worth the wait. The staff is extremely friendly and will always go out of their way to make you feel welcomed and make sure you're satisfied. If you're not, talk to them about it. Their menu may be a bit more expensive than their competitors, but the food is worth it!!! The food is fresh and the LaColombe coffee is bottomless. The environment is warm and welcoming. They offer free Internet, a good selection of music, outdoor entertainment, and there are always available seats to dine. If you had a negative first experience, give it a second chance!
(5)
Emilio M.
Fantastic bagels. they are worth going out of the way to get. the sandwiches are very creative and delicious as well.
(4)
Sarah H.
These bagels are fantastic. They're baked in a wood-fired oven, and thus infused with feel-good-campfire-cozy-morning-sunrise kinds of flavors. I swear. Other reviewers have mentioned a line, but every time I've been here I've been first or second to order and there have been plenty of free seats. I just love this place. It smells great, they play awesome music, the staff seems kind and fun-loving, they brew la colombe coffee to perfection, and the little seats by the window provide the perfect amount of sunlight and people watching for your afternoon snack.
(5)
audrey p.
These bagels are very good -- softer than New York bagels, and a bit sweeter. The staff is also friendly. On the down side, though, the bagels are quite expensive ($2 each, extra for toppings), the space is cramped, and the selection is meager -- just a few flavors available. Also, the last time I bought several bagels I got a couple plain and an onion, and they were all bagged together. Really? If I wanted them all to taste like onion, I'd have ordered all onion!
(3)
A P.
I'm not sure what all the rave is about. I ordered a couple of bagels with the blueberry cream cheese and garlic vegetable, and the nova bagel sandwich. The cream cheese spreads were good and generously slabbed on. The freshness of the eggs and bacon on the nova was questionable, and quite messy to eat. In terms of service, I went at 8am on Saturday and though it was not crowded by any means, the lady messed up my order. She gave me the wrong type of bagel which I didn't find out until later since it was a to-go order. Overall, I was a bit disappointed and I'm not sure if it's worth another visit.
(3)
Rob W.
Pricey is the only gripe I have. Other than that this place is off the chain! I get the standard with Lox, cream cheese, tomato, and onion are all on one of the most amazing bagels you'll ever have. They have a brick oven that's dedicated to not only the bagels but also roasting brisket!
(4)
Erica E.
Spread is sooooo delicious I admit their loose bagels are expensive at $2 each and probably not worth it but the sandwiches are reasonably priced for what they are. My favorite is the egg white sandwich...comes with swiss cheese, spinach, truffled mushrooms, and turkey bacon. It is soo tasty I actually crave this sandwich. I think everyone should definitely try spread but it's hard to make it an all-the-time place because of the price
(4)
Steve W.
Had a delicious onion bagel with lox, egg, onion and tomato yesterday, followed by a chocolate chip bagel for dessert! Everyone in my party enjoyed their food. Highly recommended.
(5)
Claire B.
Okay, Spread. Here's the thing. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I visited during the initial opening and was surprised, as many of the other reviews go on to detail, to find slim pickins and a less-than-friendly staff. Seriously, we were shelling out close to $25 for two bagel sandwiches and were treated like a nuisance. Went again today after the grand reopening. Prices were lowered, which was nice to see, and everyone was so FRIENDLY. Smiling! Engaging! Asking people if they liked their food! Perhaps the owners have Yelp accounts? The menu's changed a little bit, too. The nova cream cheese sandwich has been upgraded to a nova AND cream cheese sandwich. Bagels with cream cheese are now $3 as opposed to $2 for the bagel and $2 for the spread. My nova sandwich had a TON of salmon on it, but... it still wasn't the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. The tuna melt was much yummier, and the halves were melted & wrapped separately, which maximized said yumminess. The wait for the sandwiches was the straw that broke this camel's back. I've been to bagel joints with less staff and a GIANT menu that delivered quality results at a fraction of the time. They were also out of everything except everything bagels in the middle of a Saturday afternoon. Maybe we were tailing the rush? Maybe they were playing catch-up? Either way, two times is enough for me and Spread. I appreciate the work that's been put into improvements during the downtime, but it seems like Spread isn't my cup of tea.
(2)
Stephen S.
Show some love for Spread! This is definitely a place that adds value to the Philadelphia food scene. I had the whole wheat bagel with PB & Amish Jam, I agree with other reviews, the bagel was sweet, but it was a perfect pairing for the runny peanut butter and thick amish jam. Absolutely delicious. My fellow Bagelar had an egg white sandwich of her own design on a whole wheat everything. Her bagel was much saltier with a hint of garlic and was no where near as sweet as mine. The perfect pairing for her choice as well. My only complaint about this place is that it's a little spendy. So I wouldn't come here every day or every week but I was definitely a fan of what they're going up in their wood oven. And it's still cheaper than taking the Bolt Bus to NYC to scratch that bagel itch.
(4)
Caitlin V.
I'm a big fan of my bagels, so when I heard a new bagel joint was opening up, I immediately put it on my to-do list. On a recent lunch break, it was oddly warm and beautiful out for winter so I made way over to Spread to grab a bagel sandwich. I had been waiting all day for it The idea of their fresh made bagels danced around in my head. The plan was to get in and get out and bring it back to my work to eat, but when I got there I immediately changed plans when I saw their adorable window seating that no one was taking advantage of. What? Who doesn't want to sit in a nook by the window eating a bagel and people watching in one of my favorite neighborhoods of Philadelphia? Don't mind if I do... I got their egg white/swiss/spinach/mushroom on everything bagel sandwich. It was whipped up fast, tasted so delicious. They even brought it to me and I paid after I ate real restaurant style. Great little cafe.
(4)
Emmaleigh A.
$1 extra for a slice of tomato? I still love you, but that's a little much!
(4)
Holly T.
I've been really curious about this place ever since moving to the neighborhood, as I'd only had Montreal-style bagels once, but really enjoyed them. I've now been a couple times, and so far, I really enjoy the food. People aren't kidding when they complain about the price tag (probably 2x the cost of a typical bagel place), but the bagels sure are delicious. I like seeing the bagels come out of the brick oven, the slight taste of char on the bagels themselves, and the pile of wood stacked up near the oven. Each time I've been, I've gotten the same order, which is a "frittata scramble" on an everything bagel. I never would have thought to combine jam with eggs, bacon, cheese, and tomato, but it's a great flavor and the amish jam they use is very tasty. The more I think about it, the more I feel like the price is justified, as these are really good ingredients. What I really don't like is the space and ambiance (or lack thereof). It's just too narrow, cramped, and unwelcoming. When it's not crowded, it's still not really a comfortable place to hang out (too bad, since they have bottomless La Colombe), and when it is crowded, there is no place to wait for your order. It's not a regular thing for me, but I can certainly see coming back to try some of their other bagel sandwiches; their club and pastrami sandwiches both sound really interesting, and they always have different daily specials.
(4)
Ryan B.
Like the other reviewers I was anxiously awaiting the opening a new bagel place near where I live. Unfortunately, after going once I will never be back. I walked in on opening day and was met with an air of annoyance and ambivalence. After studying the menu for 90 seconds, seemingly bothering the counter person in the process (there was no one else waiting to order), I ordered a plain bagel and a coffee. The woman seemed slightly shocked I would order a plain bagel, but after seeing that it was going to cost $2, there was no way I was going to add anything to it. The bagel itself was fine, certainly better than something from Dunkin' Donuts, but no better than a bagel from a place like Panera, and in no way worth $2. I really think the proprietors of this place have no idea how much food costs at other restaurants. In the end a combination of meh service, average food, and insanely high prices make this place a major disappointment. Here's hoping they change in the coming months, or are replaced by a better bagel store.
(1)
E T.
C'mon,you could be a little more friendly- you just opened off Rittenhouse Square after many months of a sign in an empty store front. We were waiting for you!! Instead, y'all seem a little grumpy. $2 bagel with $4 spread. I need a little more lox to justify the $4 charge. My friend ordered an $8 breakfast specialty sandwich. When did bagels become haute cuisine?
(2)
Robin C.
Best bagels I've ever had. And the lox was so good! It doesn't get better than this. I can't wait to go back! The space was small, but very open with a lot of light. Very comfortable and laid back. The service was quick and they got both of our orders right. Overall, great experience!
(5)
Kristin S.
I wanted to love Spread so badly. As an expat New Yorker, I've been on a 10-year quest to find good bagels in the Philadelphia area, and when I heard that Spread was opening around the block from my apartment, it seemed like a small miracle. My friends joked that it would be dangerous for me to live so close to a bagel shop, because I would end up eating there every day. While the bagels are delicious (sweeter and denser than NY bagels), and I enjoy the smell of the wood-burning stove on 20th street, I can't in good faith give this place more than 3 stars, because the prices are outrageous. With the cost of a bagel and coffee coming to more than $5, my bagel-induced happiness is always muted by the sinking feeling that I'm throwing my money away; I can't pull out my wallet without remembering that at my favorite bagel shop in Brooklyn, a larger bagel and a larger coffee cost only $2. I still stop by occasionally (let's face it; I'm a bagel junkie), but I'd probably be here twice per week if the prices were reasonable. Other minor complaints - the staff's attempts at conversation often leave me feeling awkward (I once witnessed the owner ask a woman holding a baby, "Is he yours?"), and the coffee situation is a less than ideal. The coffee, creamer, sweeteners, napkins, and pitchers of water are all crammed together on a small table, so that in order to grab a packet of sugar, you have to reach an entire arm's-length over everything else on the table. That's fine if you're young, spry, and not carrying anything - but if you're holding a purse (or backpack, or child that may or may not belong to you), or even just have short arms, I don't see how you could possibly sweeten your coffee without knocking something over in the process.
(3)
A. M.
UPDATED: Like a Phoenix.... Spread Bagelry is back after a short hiatus and re-tooling. Very happy that the prices are slightly smaller and bagels are slightly larger. Love the new attitude of the staff too. Great way to start the morning. In the week that it has been open I've stopped by three times. Great bagel and coffee to go. $6 is a little more than I would normally pay at an alternate Dunkin or Saxby stop - but you can't argue that the bagel and coffee quality are 10x better. Wireless access and afternoon turkey club sandwich were exactly what I needed the other day - although I would have been more happy with a can of diet coke... I don't get the appeal of 8oz of soda is a glass bottle. Wished I could have found a spot on Sunday - but they were PACKED. As much as I would have loved to enjoy my brunch there with the new Vanity Fair - I actually felt guilty wanting to take up a whole table to myself. Looking forward to this becoming another neighborhood routine.
(4)
y r.
"We use local Amish farm cream cheese, jams and fresh fruits & vegetables to make our homemade seasonal spreads" -- but no vegan options other than jam. I guess chickpeas and olive oil aren't local enough. Vegans beware.
(1)
Leah G.
I too have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Spread. I am THRILLED to finally have a solution to the problem that is the overwhelming dearth of quick breakfast food options in center city. I love the interior. It is also a lovely place to sit an enjoy your breakfast, not just take something to go. I got an everything bagel with cream cheese. I thought it was delicious. I will say, the coffee was not my favorite, this has some room for improvement. Contrary to the other reviews, I thought the staff was lovely. (I also don't think the pricing is outrageous; when I go to manhattan bagel I spend the same amount, and lets be honest, who really wants to go to manhattan bagel). I will definitely be returning!
(4)
Benjamin E.
I was conflicted. My girlfriend's parents from Montreal were in town and I thought I should take them to Spread - get them a taste of home. I then thought, wait a minute, if I was in Montreal, I would have no interest in getting a cheesesteak. A friend from work had the opposite opinion - "I'd want to see what Canadians did to a cheesesteak." I've been to Montreal many times and have had many Montreal bagels. Spread's bagels seemed to be a hybrid of Montreal and NY style bagels (a little puffier than the typical very thin sweet Montreal bagels), but this is by no means a negative. For me it was a great combination of the two - I think Montreal bagels are too thin and NY bagels too puffy. The Montrealers agreed. They did ask the owner about the thickness of the bagels and he claimed that due to the heat and humidity they couldn't prevent the yeast from doing its thing. I will have no problem if this issue persists. We all got bagel sandwiches with lox or whitefish. They were big sandwiches with very good fish. I will be returning.
(4)
Erin W.
I was so excited to finally eat here after walking past it for months and falling more and more in love with the decor. Exposed brick, subway tile, marble counters, sweet little wooden window bench. It's all beautifully done, and it should be, as it took them long enough. The obvious downside is that they have to recoup that money somehow, so my wallet was raped for almost $6 with tax for a bagel with chive cream cheese. The menu said bagels were $2, and then it listed "local farm fresh cream cheeses" for about $2-$4 each. I erred on the side of naivete and expected to pay $3 TOTAL, not $3 ON TOP OF the price of the bagel. FYI, you guys are next to an abandoned hardware store and a nail salon. You might share the block with D'Angelo's and Audrey Claire, but let's not pretend you get to indulge in the snooty Rittenhouse attitudes and matching prices. You serve bagels. Maybe my palate isn't as refined, but I'd much prefer the classic tang of good old Philadelphia cream cheese, especially if it will cost me less. Also, I waited roughly 3 minutes before anyone noticed I was at the counter and took my order. I fear for these guys on a busy Saturday morning. But you know who I feel worse for? The elderly man I was in line behind who was surprised that his order cost $14 (FOURTEEN), and was counting $1s from his wallet to try and pay for it. I gave it 3 stars because admittedly my bagel was pretty delicious, and because I don't want to see this place tank after the eternal construction process.
(3)
Jes S.
I wanted to review this place when I went on the 2nd (of May), but the yelp page wasn't set up yet... Things I loved: - Got the club breakfast sammich and it was SUPER Duper tasty. The insides were great and the texture/flavor/style of the bagel was perfect for such an endeavor. -Super sweet and cute interior, very comfy! Things I Didn't Love: - Said over and over again by other reviewers... The people/service was just awful. The lady behind the counter looked frazzled and confused, and they didn't seem to know what to do with a business. Someone offered to help her, one of the servers, and got snapped at. A new customer joined our long line and asked if everyone had gotten served and got semi-yelled at to wait? - The price? I got a sandwich and that was a reasonable price for the amount of stuff packed on it, but the bagels themselves were $2 each. If it's too expensive are ppl going to keep going? And a soda was $2, but it was not a very big soda... and yes, glass bottle coke, very nice, but I would like more coke please. 4 stars for deliciousness, minus one star for service . :(
(3)
Kristin G.
I've been to Spread twice now... First I got the tuna melt, it was good - not great considering it was about 10 dollars. Second time I got a cinnamon raisin bagel, which was delicious. You won't find bagels in philadelphia as good as the ones they sell here, seriously delish... But I must say, 2 dollars for a small bagel is a little steep, even if it's really delicious. If Spread started making their bang for buck a little better I would definitely give them another star and visit them far more often. It seems like I'm not the only one singing the song of their prices, I wouldn't mind paying 1.50 for the size bagel they have, or 2 dollars for a larger bagel. Anyway, regardless of the price Spread Bagelry is worth at least one visit, it's just not a place I would visit more than maybe once every, or every other, month.
(3)
Lauren F.
Oh Spread. You tempted me for 10 months with the promise of a bagel place moving in around the corner. Every few weeks I would stop by, hoping that I could get a Montreal style bagel for the first time. Alas, you waited too long and opened literally days before I moved. Days. I wish I was kidding. And it lived up to the hype. Those bagels, the cream cheese, everything was delicious, if a big expensive. Before I left I think we visited two or three times, one of which was the morning of our move. I had a sesame, which is my favorite regardless of the fact that it is the traditional topping of Montreal style bagels. Just a bagel and cream cheese, but it was delicious. I could taste the bit of honey that they boil the bagels in, definitely. So, my conclusion is, well, it's delicious. But I was promised bagels around the corner! Now I won't be able to appreciate the delicious new bagel place...
(4)
Bobby P.
Nice bagels and friendly service. I thought I remembered Montreal style bagels being chewier, but I actually prefer these. Love that they offer whole wheat everything bagels (phenomenal with the lox cream cheese spread). Why should you have to choose between whole wheat and everything? Most bagel shops seam to think its ok, but to hell with most bagel shops! All that being said, what is the deal with the egg and cheese sandwich with jelly? That was definitely a mistake on my part to order it, but it never should have been on the menu to pique my curiosity. Also, offering ham as an option on the breakfast sandwiches would be nice...
(3)
Jennifer T.
Every day for the past many months, I've sat on my front steps with my dog and stared longingly at Spread Bagelry and the slooooooooow construction process. Today it finally opened!! Typical "spread" of Montreal-style bagels, homemade cream cheeses, bagel sandwiches, La Columbe coffee, and the like. They have bagel melts of the day - today was tomato and gruyere, which it looked good but I opted for a whole wheat bagel with veggie cream cheese and a coffee to go. The slightly sweet bagel was a touch crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy inside. Homemade veggie cream cheese had celery, onions, tomatoes and maybe some other unidentifiable veggies mixed in. Mmmm so good! The only issue I have with Spread is that it's expensive, even for Rittenhouse. $5 for a bagel with cream cheese?? Give me a break. At least the coffee is decently priced at $2. The boyfriend got 8 bagels for his office, and apparently they don't have tub-sized cream cheeses yet... so he had to pay PER cream cheese. $39 later, he was NOT happy. I will be back, but only if I'm feeling spendy!
(3)
Danan R.
The bagels are pretty good: slightly dense, soft, with just a hint of sweetness. I had a plain with cream cheese and it was very satisfying. I also stole a bite of the pastrami sandwich on rye and that was delicious. I'll be back to get my own next time. For those of you who love coffee, they have endless La Colombe, which was one of my original reasons for coming here. It was very busy but the service was friendly and efficient. Prices are slightly high but the bagels (and coffee!) are worth it.
(4)
Elizabeth F.
I've got to say it, this is not a bagel. Perhaps this is a bagel in Canada in the same way that a boot is a trunk in England. But here in America a boot is a shoe and the baked good sold at Spread is bread with a hole in the middle. With that rant out of the way, I will say that it is a pretty good piece of bread. My everything Canadian bagel was warm and had a nice crunch to it. I had the vegetable cream cheese, which had nice big chunks of carrot and celery in it. It was a nice afternoon snack, but set me back $5. This is about a $2 too much to pay for what I got. As for the bagels being "handcrafted"--whatever that means--the things is still just some flour and yeast. But I must add, the place has a very cute storefront and a great seating area.
(3)
Kendrah R.
Stupid amount of money. $25 for two bagel sandwiches and then you skimp on the lox? That is just bad business. I won't be back.
(2)
Daniel P.
Loved it! And a cool ambiance to boot.
(5)
Ben M.
I flew into Philadelphia on a red eye, and on my way out of town I decided to stop for breakfast. As a devout fan of hipsteresque eateries I decided I would have to give this wood fired bagel shop a go. The service took a little while for ordering 3 bagels, I get the impression they're relatively new. They were friendly and everything worked out fine. I had an everything bagel. I liked the wood fired crunchiness and taste. It did cut the roof of my mouth. Tried "The Classic" and their melt of the day. Both were quite tasty. I see a lot of complaints about price. I was excited at how cheap the lox and bagel was, but maybe that's just coming from California.
(4)
Alison P.
I personally am a huge fan of Spread, but you have to go in knowing that this is not your typical bagel. These bagels are made in a brick oven and I love them-- they are light and crisp, and my favorite point about Spread might be that their seeded bagels have seeds on both sides, not just the top. Why doesn't every bagel place do that, huh? If you are splurging, go for the brisket and provolone, which is indulgent but worth it. I love the egg white sandwich with truffled mushrooms, and all of the spreads and farmer's jam are fresh and delicious.
(4)
Jose A.
The good: The bagels are actually pretty good. There is bottomless coffee The bad: You have to wait awhile to get them. You have to pay a lot to get them. If you're looking for a nice neighboorhood bagel shop, like south street bagels, you aren't going to find it here. This is trendy, upscale, overpriced, but still pretty good bagels. If you're looking for that definitely go here. It's just that I'm not.
(2)
Lissa C.
Honestly, for as expensive as the bagels are, I expected better. I've had two different bagels here both just toasted with butter. The bagels don't have much flavor- especially the everything bagel which is normally salty, oniony, etc. All I could taste was flour. South Street Philly Bagels is much better.
(2)
Melissa M.
5 stars because when I think of going out for bagels on a Sun morning, this is where I think of going first. Their creations are dough-y and chewy, have a very different character than a perfect NY bagel (the exterior has a little smoky crustiness rather than that thickness of well-boiled chew), and are wonderful in their own way. The onion bits, and sesame and poppy seeds are flavorful. Love that they have great whitefish salad and that the salmon cream cheese actually tastes like salmon. The coffee is terrific. The few lunch sandwiches I've tried (I'm so glad to see the whitefish, the selections in Philly being what they are, that I rarely try anything else) had just the right amount of really fresh veggies. Service is friendly and the folks who work there look like they like their jobs. Be prepared that bagels are $2/ea, and sandwiches approach $10. But you'll notice the two or three folks working the oven, and appreciate the effort it takes to make these fresh.
(5)
Duncan I.
Been a few times there now and pretty consistently have the same opinion. Place is cute. Ingredients are fresh and tasty. I love a crunchy toasted bagel and I understand it's designed to simply be a vessel to carry the food but it doesn't quite carry it, in fact my everything bagel was quite bland. Service was great. Their choice of coffee is questionable. Location is screaming for some good food joints and certainly needs something like this. Price is def a little on the higher side but so is rent so I can appreciate the need to elevate the rates.
(3)
Isaac T.
Delicious breakfast bagel
(4)
Sari S.
I stopped into Spread today after hearing about it from friends. I'm a proud Canadian new to Philly so I was excited to try their "Montreal" style bagels. Well needless to say, these are not Authentic Montreal style bagels. They were way too big, too mushy, and not hard the way I was expecting. One normally has to eat one right away because they get stale immediately. And honestly, these were way overpriced. However...They did taste good though! But $2 bucks for one bagel is ridonkulous.
(3)
A J.
ugh. dont waste your money on the coffee. I've been here three times and it's weak, watery, boiled Buffett style in a huge banquet urn. secondly, plan on leaving smelling like you've been working at a diner for a week. no exhaust where they cook. ew :( bagels are good. expensive.
(1)
Lizzie S.
Spread is my go-to lazy weekend breakfast spot. Strong coffee with free refills, bagels fresh from the wood-burning oven served with some classic R&B tunes, and only a block from Rittenhouse Square (ideal for picnicking). The line is often long but it moves quickly, and the local ingredients are worth the extra dollar or two. True, Montreal bagels are not the same as New York bagels, but can't I make room in my belly for both?
(4)
Ali E.
I have no idea what a Montreal style bagel is but the everything bagel with cream cheese is absolutely incredible. That's all I get but recommend that everyone try it. It's delicious. I agree with others that it's pricey. Bagel + coffee/tea ends up being $5. Which is more than i'd like to pay for a neighborhood place. I wish they had a frequent buyer card and gave discounts for bringing your own coffee mug. Originally gave this place 4 stars but reduced it to 3 because three times now I keep asking for an everything bagel but end up with whole wheat everything- huge difference and not in a good way.
(3)
Sam T.
Effing awesome. Good coffee, best bagels in the city by a wide margin. Maybe best avoided if you have a hipster allergy, and it would be nice if the line moved faster, but the sheer brilliance of the bagels more than compensates. Prices are competitive. Not the cheapest, but not extortionate, either
(5)
Jennifer M.
Really delicious bagels!!!! I like how they taste a bit sweeter than a New York style bagel. I would say these are the best bagels in Philly. Philly has a weak bagel scene. Don't listen to the haters on here!!!! Good job spread!
(4)
Adina R.
I'm a New York bagel fan so I have to say I was skeptical about the idea of sweet Monteal bagels but I'd been wanting to try Spread since I'd heard great things. And besides Philly lacks great NY bagels so I might as well try something different. Spread was ok. The nova and cream cheese was great and the bagel was fine. It was a Sunday morning so I'm sure the bagel was fresh baked, but it just didn't taste that way. Instead it tasted like a few days old cold bagel. Maybe I'll give it another try without the everything bagel and lox to get the pure essence of a Montreal bagel, but after my first try, it didn't seem like anything special.
(3)
Matt K.
For me there's no better way to have breakfast than with a bagel sandwich. For years, there's been on spot in the city that was my go to place for bagels. Then after seeing their "Best of Philly" win this year and a few tasty pictures from friends, I decided to give it a try yesterday. Location wise Spread located on one of the nicer blocks in the Rittenhouse Square/Center City West area. Seating is limited and it's not the biggest store so I'm not surprised to read that there can be lines running out the door. Luckily my "morning" started late enough that I was able to avoid any waiting. I got two bagels with my order; a turkey bacon, eggs and Gruyere sandwich on an onion bagel and a plain bagel with their 4 berry cream cheese. Both were toasted. Service was quick, I waited no longer than 5 minuets after placing my order. The bagels were bigger and thicker than what I'm used to. And despite being toasted, they were still slightly soft and chewy (and I mean that in a good way). The eggs came with thick slices of local Lancaster turkey bacon and topped with the perfect amount of cheese. Overall just a great sandwich. However, the plain bagel with 4 berry cream cheese stole the show. Again, the bagel was soft and chewy, but not doughy. The spread was made from local Amish cream cheese and not only had a great flavor from the berries, but had chunks of berries in it! It's easily one of the best spread's I've tried. Overall I loved my bagel experience at Spread. Yeah it was a bit pricey, but it was well worth the money. Would I go here every morning? No because I would be broke. But whenever I'm looking to get a bagel that's top notch I'm coming back. And I'm calling it now; I bet they're going to make one hell of a pumpkin cream cheese once we get closer to Fall.
(4)
Patty G.
I had breakfast at Spread today for the first time. I went with 3 co-workers at the recommendation of one in attendance. One of my co-works had a stroller which, due to a combination of the high step at the entrance way and the narrow shop, she couldn't get in so she waited outside while we all ordered. Four bagels with cream cheese and four coffees (which were self serve and La Colombe-- yum!) took 20 minutes. They weren't even toasted! They cost $3 each which, even for center city, is a bit high. The young lady at the counter was unpleasant at best and the owner, who I spent a few minutes speaking with, admonished his staff for not making bagels quick enough. As a customer, that made me uncomfortable to hear. On the bright side, the bagels were delicious. I've never been to Montreal or have had a Montreal-style bagel to compare this to but it tasted good to me. I would most likely not go there for breakfast again but would consider picking up a dozen bagels for a special occasion brunch at my house.
(2)
Walter C.
They are the best bagels I've had. Hands down. They taste like no other bagels I've ever had. Chewy, moist, sweet. Perfect.
(3)
Mike K.
50 dollar bagel; I went to Spread at 11am in order to miss the morning rush. I parked up the street from Spread to check it out for the first time and put in money for 45 minutes (thinking this would be plenty of time to get a bagel). Standing in line took about 15 minutes - fair enough. I ordered a bagel with lox cream cheese and a coffee. There was no where to stand to wait for your order. I had steaming hot coffee spilled down my arm by another guest while waiting because the place is too packed. Fair enough, accidents happen. It ended up taking exactly 32 minutes for Spread to give me a bagel with cream cheese. I got back to my car to find a 42 dollar ticket. So the 8 dollar bagel+coffee and my 42 dollar ticket...50 dollar bagel. The experience alone was so horrible I'd give it a 1/5, but really these bagels and spreads are also overrated (see picture). Get it together.
(1)
Grace H.
I went back to spread today for breakfast and was a little disappointed. I ordered an iced coffee and the egg white sandwich (again), but 1) there were no egg whites and 2) they only had sesame, everything, and plain bagels. It was still a decent meal, but if you advertise something on your menu, you should have those ingredients available!
(3)
Taylor C.
Best bagels I have ever had! So doughy and soft.. Definitely going to come back sometime soon
(5)
Hhh G.
Not sure how this place has only 3 stars. I got a plain bagel with Amish cream cheese AND Amish jam. UNREAL!!! One of the most delicious things I've ever tasted.
(5)
Ian B.
These Bagels are the best I've had in Philly. Wood oven baked, fresh, soft, and tasty! I went with the everything bagel, toasted with cream cheese. It was so good that my brains fell out.
(5)
Stephanie S.
I'm surprised Spread has a low 3 stars. I guess only because the prices are so expensive. But seriously some of the best bagels I've ever eaten. Not sure if it's a special recipe in the dough, or that they wood-fire the bagels which is pretty unique, but holy hell the bagels are delicious. My salmon scramble (nova lox, cream cheese, egg, salmon, tomatoes, onion) was so tasty both times I've ordered it. A little light on the salmon second time around, but plenty of cream cheese. I've tried a few other of their sandwiches, one had a delicious jam spread on it with egg and Canadian bacon. Very unique and good! Love this place, but $8-9 for a bagel sandwich is definitely hefty, and avoid on weekends after 11am cause the line is out the door down the sidewalk. Damn good bagels though!
(4)
Casey B.
Whole wheat everything?! The bagel gods have answered my prayers. My go-to is the frittata scramble sammy on a whole wheat everything bagel. Eggs, chedda, bacon, tomato and amish jam~ salty and sweet for the win. I always order a side of plain cream cheese and reserve half of the bagel for dipping purposes. Best of both worlds. This sandwich is amazeballs BUT the bacon is never as satisfyingly crispy as I hope, even when I've requested this specifically. Oh well, still delish. They also do these fun half-bagel melts for a couple bucks. I've had the french toast melt and the gruyere/tomato melt. All da yumz. These are by no means the cheapest bagels to be found in the city, but they are damn good. Lil babe of a place so it does get kinda crazy crowded. For this reason, I prefer to call ahead and take my sammy to go.
(4)
Colleen M.
Being from NJ, it's been so hard to find an acceptable bagel place in Philadelphia. I don't know what it is but the bagels in this city stink! Spread, however, is the exception to this rule! The bagels here are just so yummy. I'm a huge fan of the toasted everything bagel with cream cheese and a fresh squeezed juice. To avoid the outrageous line wrapped outside on the weekends, try calling ahead to pick up an order to go! Or... Go in around 2 PM :) My only gripe is that a bagel is like $5. Really? Meh.
(4)
Sabrina H.
We've done take-out breakfast sandwiches several times from Spread and each time we haven't been disappointed. The flavor of these bagels is just perfect. Crunchy on the outside and light and airy on the inside. The bacon is always crisp on the bacon, egg, and cheese (I hate floppy bacon) and this is a major plus (imho)! Bagels with butter are also amazing and everything ever tried has been super yummy. The place is a bit small and the line can get bananas with pretty extreme wait times which was the only thing that detracted from the experience. Each time, we've waited a LONG time for our orders (the sandwiches of course) and this can be slightly problematic with the parking situation/space of the place because there can be literally no place to wait. Nonetheless, the bagels themselves are just delicious and worth the wait!
(4)
Billy S.
Spread has some big positives, and a few really frustrating negatives. The main positive is that the bagels are great. They are a little sweeter than most other bagels, but I don't find this to be a negative, and I had never had Montreal style before but I think it's awesome. The other main positive is that the cream cheeses are amazing. Even the plain is noticeably better than most cream cheeses. The sandwiches are pretty good too but not quite as special. The downsides to spread are that they're always out of everything and it's expensive. I've probably been 6 or 7 times now and I'm not even consistent on when I go. I've been weekday mornings, weekend mornings, and weekends in the middle of the day. Regardless of the time they seem to be out of at least half of the bagels on the menu and at least one and sometimes all of the fruit cream cheeses. This is pretty inexcusable in my book and I considered 3 stars but ultimately the bagels are so good that I went with 4 stars. As for the price, I got 4 bagels with cream cheese the other day and it was just over $20. I think 3 had special cream cheeses, but that's still pretty rough. Good bagels in NYC can be found for half of that. Same for my favorite place in DC. With a little more effort Spread would be really great! Also note the line can be pretty long on weekends starting around 9:30 or 10am.
(4)
Heather S.
I love pretty much any carb I meet, but I am very particular about my bagels. First time I've tried Montreal style, and I am definitely a fan! This is a cozy little spot in the Rittenhouse Square area. We were in town for a weekend, and went here for breakfast both days. We were fortunate enough to visit when it wasn't super crowded but I could see how it could fill up quickly! I had the sesame seed bagel with cream cheese both days because that's my staple. My husband got the standard on the second day, and he was definitely happy with it. Bacon and eggs made fresh right behind the counter while bagels are being baked in the brick oven. They nada small selection of juices/beverages and $2 for endless coffee which was decent (not great but good enough). Like I said, we didn't even look around for another spot to try breakfast, so I would definitely recommend this spot and we will certainly go back!
(5)
Tu-van L.
Montreal-style bagels? I am now a convert! Just as chewy as its New York cousin but the crust is more crunchy (think Pizza Hut crust crunchy not baguette crunchy). There's something about that crunch yet easier to tear open with your teeth quality that makes it excellent. Love it! The everything bagel I had was so freshly toasted that the bagel and garlic topping got charred. Not too into char but it did add a flavor characteristic I love. Still makes for a good bagel and schmear breakkie.
(5)
Sarah K.
This place is good but not the best bagel in the world or even philly ( that goes to chestnut / south street bagels) but they do make a good sandwich. The pastrami is the reason to come. It's made in house and soo flavorful with the eggs they make fresh! Skip the food carts and spend a few bucks and make this your next hungover breakfast sandwich. For that, it's unbeatable.
(4)
Kaeti F.
This place is NOT VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY. I ordered an egg sandwich on a rye bagel. The kitchen is open, so I was able to see exactly how he made it. They do not separate their meat and eggs on the grill, nor do they use separate utensils when flipping, moving or cutting the food that is being prepared. The result? My sandwich was covered in bacon grease. I was so grossed out that I left without picking up my 10 dollar sandwich and went to Kermits instead. I'm sure this place is great for meat-eaters, but if you're a vegetarian, just stick with the coffee.
(1)
Ilana Y.
best bagels ever but I have never experienced terrible service like this before. Service is always slow even when it is not busy. 4/10 times that I've been to this bagel place they've gotten my order wrong, missed something that was supposed to be on the bagel, and not apologized. This last time I went, they ran out of turkey so decided to put chicken on my bagel instead without telling me. When I got home, I realized I had chicken instead of turkey. I called them to tell them and the lady said "we ran out of turkey but the chicken is really similar to the turkey."
(1)
Lindsay W.
If heaven was a bagel... All I wanted was a simple everything bagel with cream cheese. Shortly after, I'm walking on cloud nine with this fresh, just out of the wood fire oven, fluffy cream cheese squished rings, bagel delight. When it's time to try something a little different, keep it simple and float into happiness.
(5)
Elaine M.
I have walked by Spead a number of times in recent months and been drawn to the deliciously warm smell of fresh bagel sandwiches. I have been so jealous of all of the people dining al fresco. While walking to the Philly Marathon finish line the other week, we were in search of a quick stop to eat and I remembered how wonderful Spread smelled so I threw the suggestion out to my crew, and they were right on board. There was a quick moving, but consistently lengthy line out to the front stoop. Every table was taken, and there was a crowd waiting for their take-out orders up front. We decided take-out was the best option so we could get moving to our final destination. I ordered the Frittata Scramble on a whole-wheat everything bagel. I was drawn to this selection because of the Amish Jam mixed with hearty breakfast classics. And boy am I glad I made that choice! My sandwich was everything mixed into one. The warm and savory bacon, cheese and eggs, topped with the sweet jam was a fabulous treat! This is the first time I can remember having a'Montreal Style Wood Oven Bagel', which I found to be a little bit lighter than a standard bagel. This was a good thing, because some NY style bagels can be too heavy and leave me feeling bloated by the time I am finished. My bagel from Spread was the perfect portion size! Spread is definitely a REPEAT. Next time I hope to snag a table in the back so I can relax while enjoying my delicious sandwich!
(4)
Sam R.
I came here over the weekend and was totally excited to check out Spread Bagelry. I was expecting a really great bagel and coffee. What I received however, was a lackluster bagel and I honestly could have done better at a Dunkin Donut's. I came in the afternoon on Sunday and most of the bagels were gone and my order took quite a while to come out. There were a few bugs flying around and the place def looked like it needed to be cleaned and wiped down. I left feeling disappointed, I really expected so much more...
(2)
Erika B.
The bagels are okay but the service needs improvement. As other yelpers have noted, the wait for bagels and sandwiches is exceptionally long. They could easily do what many take out places do and use iPads to take orders when the line piles up. I like the fresh baked brick oven bagel concept and there are so few bagel places in the city but this one is not worth the wait.
(2)
JW A.
I ordered a half dozen whole wheat to go about a month ago. Came home and toasted one of wheat bagel and about after 3 bites, chewed on something strange... Spit it out and it was a cardboard piece! Really?? I called them as this was alarming and informed them what happened. The woman/ lady who answered said first, that they never had this happened and later told me they will give me a free bagle if I come and inform them about it when I come back next time. No thanks! No more cardboard bagel! I ate a lot of bagels in my life but this was first.
(1)
Steph S.
These are probably the closest bagels you will find to real Montreal bagels in the area. But could probably be sold for $1 instead of $2!
(3)
L R.
With their great bagels and sandwiches, I want to really like Spread. But their customer service is awful. I've been to Spread about 5 times now and every time, I've gotten lots of attitude from whoever is behind the counter. Example: Me: "how's your special?" (The one posted on the "SPECIAL" sign as soon as you walk in.) Girl: "uh we have lots of specials." Then I said in the same order I wanted coffee. This was discussed with the other peach of a twenty-something counter girl. Original said, "you didn't say you wanted coffee." Anonymous man behind me in line: "She said she wanted coffee." And this has gone on, and on, and on. And, scene.
(2)
Victoria R.
$10 for a bagel and orange juice?! Pros: -the inside is super cool in that there are staff members hustling to get the bagels freshly made in this huge clay oven (?) -everything there seems to be made fresh and exclusively to this place like the spreads as well. -they are generous about how much spread they put (I end up scraping a lot off so I could have some bagel with my spread) Cons: -this place is always PACKED so to expect to wait in line -there is seating in the back but the flies were a pest -the prices for a bagel just seemed a little too much even if they were made in front of me.
(3)
Melissa S.
I normally only post reviews when I have awesome things to say about a place. Not so much this time.... I wanted to like this place more due to it's concept. Philly needs a good bagel place. But Spread disappoints. After reading about long lines and painful wait times on weekends, I decided to give it a try during the week. Even at 1:30pm on a Tuesday the other patrons and I had to wait way too long for our food. I just don't get the hype!
(2)
Dima M.
Spread is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Philadelphia. That's saying a lot as Philly has many great breakfast spots. I usually go for the egg white sandwich or a toasted everything bagel with smoked salmon spread. Recently I mixed it up and went with the frittata scramble sandwich, and it was amazing - scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, and... wait for it... amish jam! Quite possibly the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had. The bagels are hearty and flavorful. They're always fresh (which is why they run out sometimes). In the summer you can sit outside and there's a band on the weekends.
(5)
John H.
Every weekend there is a long line coming out of this place....and I always wonder, are the bagels and fixins' really THAT good???? So having a day off from work allowed me to check out this bagel joint to see what all the noise is about without that dreaded line.....which is a major pet peeve for me! So how are these wood oven baked bagels??....pretty damn delicious!! I ordered an everything bagel with a schmeer of lox cream cheese spread....very very tasty! The bagels have a bit of that smoked flavor from the wood fired oven and the lox spread is plentiful with the chunks of fish! No pink food coloring here....just the real deal! This place is tiny hence the weekend lines, but bar none the best bagel in the city! Personally, I'd never wait in line for a bagel, but if I was that hard pressed...I'd go here! The total was $5.65 for my order...definitely a little pricey, but for a high quality lox and bagel experience....completely worth it!
(4)
Danielle L.
You will not find bagels this fresh and tasty anywhere in the city, trust me I've tried. The wood fire oven cooking gives the bagels a great texture and naturally the bagels aren't super doughy so the outcome is one hell of a bagel. Breakfast sandwiches come with thick bacon- not the cheap stuff you get from the likes of a Manhattan bagel or chain place. Only down side is you have to get here early, like 8:30 or before or else you can expect to wait in line and for a little while for your bagel to be made.
(4)
Jaz S.
So I went to spread for the first time today, and mind you I have already been to knead bagel, so my expectations were high. I expected spread to at least match the quality and taste of knead. Unfortunately the bagel I got (egg white bagel sandwich) was just off. The eggs not properly seasoned because it tasted incredibly bland and there was an odd fishy taste to the bagel which is odd since there was no seafood on it. I am not one to toss away food (especially a bagel I just spent 9 dollars on) but I really did not want to finish it and ended up tossing more than half because I found it to overall terrible. The reason this review is a three star over a two is because the coffee was good and the people are nice. Bottom line, if you want an excellent bagel sandwich, walk 12 blocks east to knead bagel
(3)
Rachel S.
What I Love about Spread: 1. Banjo music on summer weekends 2. Tasty bagels, just with cream cheese or as sammys 3. Can order takeout and picnic in Rittenhouse Park 4. Unique woodfire bagels 5. Adorable atmosphere with friendly staff What I Don't Love about Spread: 1. The line can get insane! 2. A little pricey for a sandwich/drink 3. Really small space for eat-in groups Bonus: My friend from Cincinnati has to visit this spot every time she comes through Philly. It's on her must-eat list.
(4)
Jillian H.
FARMED SALMON. So sad. We love Spread! It goes without saying that the bagels are the best! But. Get with the times, Spread!
These are Canadian style bagels. Meaning they are cooked in a brick oven. They have a chargrilled taste to them that some people love but truly I'm more traditional. People that do love this style love the sandwiches. Especially the spinach and egg white.
(3)
J S.
I'm so glad I ignored the star rating on this place. I was in philly for 24hours and knew I had to have a bagel somehow. I ran over to Spread before catching a cab and was rewarded with a delicious freshly baked bagel and high quality lox. So worth it .
(5)
Paul K.
Yea, I hate to wait in line too but this place serves an authentic wood-oven Montreal style bagel and that is something special.
(5)
Kristen M.
I love bagels just as much as the next gal and with Spread being approximately 147 steps from my front door, I was excited that I'd be able to frequent it with little effort. The line is almost always out the door on a Saturday and Sunday morning, enough for the owners to hire live music to keep crowd entertained. In my opinion the bagels are good- but not that good. They are smaller than the usual bagels you might find at the chain places and they are more expensive. I get that the wood-fired oven takes more time and they are special, but they are just ok. My go-to is the everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, dining buddy usually gets the lox. Whenever we stop by it's for convenience rather than taste.
(3)
Fabio A.
Lines for ordering and picking up our confusing. Young and inpatient attendants make it an unpleasant experience.
(1)
Adam L.
I have been coming here for a while now and absolutely love this place. They make Montreal style bagels all by hand and in a wood fire oven right there behind the register. I always like places that let you watch the people cook. Everything is really fresh obviously since they bake right there. The bagels really are top notch here and I am not sure you can get better in the city. Just be prepared to pay for them because Spread is a bit pricy. I have ordered most of the menu and my favorite is breakfast sandwich with the Amish jam. It's the absolute best. Spread itself is a small place a block west of Rittenhouse. When I say small it really only sits about 20 people and there isn't a lot of standing room either. It is a very nice little shop. Whatever they are doing right over there, keep doing it. I've been there plenty of time and will keep going back.
(4)
Sam W.
So good! Only negative is that their salmon is really a cream cheese/salmon spread and not sliced fish.
(5)
Dave M.
Not sure why this place is so popular. Yes, it's a cool concept, I'll give them that. But other than that- it's all wrong. The bagels taste horrible. The amount of time it takes to order is unreal, it took over 30 minutes for me to order. There were only about 7 people ahead of me. Lastly, the prices are just out of control. Extremely overpriced for a bagel. I want to reiterate that their bagels don't even taste good.
(1)
Cat H.
We went here early on a Sat morning and enjoyed tasty bagel, egg and cheese sandwiches and turkey bacon with fresh squeezed orange juice while sitting at a shaded little table out front and enjoying the slightly cool breeze before the early August day heats up. I'm glad we picked this vibrant little place for breakfast and would recommend it, especially if you can beat the crowds. The bagels are a little different than your average bagels - Montreal wood oven style? interesting - and they make a great egg sandwich.
(4)
David R.
Really cool place with fresh bagels made in a clay oven. Service is very slow- took them 20 minutes to make 2 bagels. Food was good but very expensive! Nothing to write home about.
(2)
M N.
Uh. The first time I got a bagel here, it was SO difficult to get a bite. I thought that I bad luck and was given a stale bagel. I gave the place a second change but again it was stale. I guess that's what a Montreal bagel tastes like?? I'm from NYC so I guess my bagel standards are high but still...stale is stale.
(1)
Paige O.
AWESOME, amazing bagels! Great breakfast sandwiches as well, and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and very laid back.
(5)
Bernie Z.
Some of the best bagels around Rittenhouse, but UNBELIEVABLY slow. My first time here was two weeks ago on a Tuesday morning; I ordered a bacon egg and cheese on an everything - and even though there was no line - it still took like 10-15 to prepare. This morning (Sunday) we stopped by for the same, and had to wait 45 minutes from time of ordering for a breakfast sandwich (after waiting in line for 20 minutes). In the course of waiting, more than a dozen who came in after us got their orders. It makes no sense that a bagel place can't handle a Sunday brunch rush. The servers were friendly and the food good, but they are woefully disorganized from a production standpoint. And expensive on top of that! ($17 for two iced coffees and egg sandwiches - that's more than Manhattan!) I won't be back for awhile, but next time I am I sincerely hope they've improved their service and production.
(1)
Samuel L.
Good bagel but very expensive. It was a good treat but I can't afford it on a daily basis.
(4)
Tom M.
Know that Spread is expensive going in. Also know that the quality justifies the cost. If you order a bagel with a spread, you are going to pay a healthy price. So don't do that. Just order the bagels ($2 each, $18 for a dozen which at this level of quality I contend is worth it) take them home and apply Earth Balance or vegan cream cheese yourself. The reason I am so high on Spread is the quality. They boil the bagels (the only correct way to do it) and then they bake them in a wood fired brick oven. Our wonderful community manager Michelle C remarked that it smells like a campfire in Spread. I did not quite get the camp fire scent but the quality is in the product. I have had the onion and the whole wheat thus far. I love the bagels' irregular shape. And know that when I walk in the door with an onion bagel it takes seconds for my wife to insist we toast that bad boy and devour it. As I buy just bagels the cost is not a huge issue for me. A bigger issue for me is the lack of flavor varieties. Their bagel line-up is pretty simple. Then again, by doing so few flavors they focus on quality and that is borne out by the taste.
(4)
Jaclyn K.
Can I give this place zero stars? I just returned with my nova special bagel ordered specifically without egg with egg on it. I watched the young lady at the counter write down my order without egg on the slip. I also ordered an iced coffee, total came to $10.80. As I was waiting, close to about 20/25 minutes, I observed numerous people after me, get their bagels, observed 3 gentlemen in the kitchen standing around doing nothing, and sipped on my extremely watered down iced coffee. Normally, I get that a place like this is busy on a Saturday brunch time. However, when I notice orders just being slopped up on the line in no particular order, I get upset. I know how a kitchen runs, I know in what order orders get taken. Twenty minutes for a bagel is insane. Fast forward to me now, my bagel with egg on it, no nova salmon spread, 3 measly slices of onion and a horrible looking tomato, I have a $8 bagel I can't eat. Thanks Spread, I'll never be back, and I'm starving.
(1)
Larissa G.
I can understand why this place does well, and I really appreciate its existence. It's super cute and so I was lured in for my second visit last weekend. The inside is bustling and smoky on the weekends, but the subway tiles and chalkboard menus are very charming. I tried to snag an empty seat while my boyfriend ordered, but was rudely told by a man working there that it was taken, when no one (nor coat, purse, etc) was in sight. I was put off a bit, but we found seating in the back. The fritatta bagel is pretty good. It has jam on it, with the egg and turkey bacon, which I thought would be better. I know this is Montreal-style, and I'm open to new flavors, but it was more "okay" than "wow". Also, I know the bagels are wood fired, but ours were about half black, and looked like ones that possibly should not have been served. The eggs were cooked amazing though, and I kept finding bits of yellow yolk reminders on my fingers throughout the day. The sidewalk area is cute, though it was too cold to sit for long. There were a couple people playing live music outside and children dancing, which was endearing. Inside, a woman had her small dog at the table and it kept barking loudly. Mind you, I absolutely love dogs, but I would never bring mine inside a bagel restaurant to sit at my table, especially if it was loud. I feel like someone should have said something, but oh well.
(3)
Katie D.
Tried this for the first time during the day Monday. They are definitely not New York style bagels, it's important to know that going in. The homemade cream cheese was so delicious. Honestly I was considering getting some extra on the side to bring back to my apartment. The price point was high, but worth the treat. Both my friend and I felt as though the service was a tad slow. Everything was chaotic enough that they seemed to need an additional server.
(4)
Lea T.
My favorite bagel spot in Philly! Although these Montreal style bagels are a little smaller and sweeter than NY style bagels I enjoy them just the same. The owner is very friendly and seems to keep an eye on the place very often. Prices are a tad higher than most places but here they offer gourmet toppings such as truffled mushrooms, turkey bacon, and egg whites. Be sure to go early or at off hours because this small spot gets very crowded very often. Excited to see they're also opening a bakery across the street!
(4)
Andrew T.
In terms of bagels in Philly this is probably the closest thing your going to find to a decent bagel in Center City. And by closest I mean they aren't traditional bagels. they're more like high end bread in the shape of a ring. They're just baked sans boiling so no hard dreamy exterior to bite into. If your office does breakfast Fridays and you want to show everyone what's up I suggest coming here. The bagels are pulled straight from a wood fired oven and are soft and deliciously fresh. I was a bit shocked when I was told my egg and cheese sandwich would be roughly $7 when at no point living in manhattan did I ever pay more that $5 for such a sandwich. A note on their coffee it is La Colombe so that's a plus but they don't brew it as strong and rich as La Colombe so that's not a plus. Daily bagel ritual probably not; it's more of a treat yourself to a boutique bagel once it a while, sure why not.
(4)
Kimberly Y.
I've had Spread twice now -- once catered but cold (not their fault, we just ordered early) for a breakfast event for an organization I'm part of, and again in store. Both times were great -- the bagels were so soft, fresh, and fluffy! Probably the best bagels I've ever had! but not that much more remarkable than Bruegger's or anything else. The time I went in, I didn't have an issue at all with the service, as they were quick and actually gave us more bagel than we had asked for! I also like that it's set up as a coffee shop so there's seating.
(5)
Vladislav V.
Amazing place for breakfast or just having a coffee with any style of bagels. Love it!
(5)
William B.
What, you might be asking, is a Montreal-style bagel? It is a bagel that is baked in a wood-fired oven after the standard boiling, and it is delicious! The lox sandwich has thick, fresh-tasting salmon and all of the other toppings are spot-on. It is expensive (~12 dollars) but worth it. The less-than-four-star reviews can only be explained by the proximity to Manhattan.
(4)
Kathleen M.
The bagel was OK, not worth the price, but the coffee was not hot and the workers are rude and unfriendly! The cashier was texting and inattentive. At least say Good Morning!
(2)
Veronica V.
I've been searching for a good bagel in Philly. This place is not it. I stopped in this morning to grab a breakfast sandwich on a bagel. When they directly me to the baskets holding about 5 different varieties, I was dismayed to see that they were all burnt. I was assured that they could give me a "lighter one", so I ordered the sandwich. The eggs were nicely cooked...fluffy and flavorful, and the bacon was nice and crispy. However, the "light" bagel was still burnt. When I bit into it, it even had that dark brown ring inside the black outside that you get when you keep something too long next to the flame. I can imagine that with a little finesse, this cooking method could make some really interesting bagels, but whoever is doing the cooking does not know how to do it, resulting in a sandwich that tastes like charcoal. Also, there were a couple of bites reminiscent of fish, which makes me think that the salmon must come into contact with the grill and that the grill doesn't get cleaned very well between orders. Plus, they DO NOT recycle!!!! I finished my orange juice before my order was done and asked where the recycle bin was. I was told there wasn't one and to just throw it in the trash can. Isn't recycling the law in Philly these days??
(1)
Kliner M.
I've been here three times over the past year, always getting a bagel with some sort of cream cheese. I'm from New York and the bagels here rival most I've had there. Fresh, soft, and chewy. My only complaint about the quality is that it's not entirely consistent-- split two bagels during my last visit and one was slightly overbaked. Slightly pricey and fairly slow service (because of the number of customers) but well worth it.
(4)
Vivian T.
As soon as you enter, you feel how warm it is from the brick oven used for the bagels and then you look up and you're overwhelmed w. the menu board... yikes. I love the old school and quint feel of Spread and the overall customer service was quick. The bagels are super yummy and I love the flour they have on the outside, brings a rustic taste to the bagel. I do think a wheat bagel w/ scallion cream cheese for $4 is expensive considering I can go to the supermkt and get 5 bagels for $3 bucks. But of course those supermkt bagels won't taste anywhere as fresh and yummy as Spread. Bonus they offer la calombe which is my ideal coffee. Dear Spread.... can you guys implement a reward program for every $50 spent here you get a free begal and coffee or something?.. Com' on lets reward the patrons of Spread. TIP - Buy 6 bagels for $10 ...bang for the buck. I am def coming back for this.
(4)
Sara A.
Only come here if you have nowhere to be. The wait is at least 30 minutes for a bagel sandwich. The bagels are good, but not worth the wait. The sandwiches are overpriced and not particularly anything you couldn't do at home. My recommendation is to buy a bag of bagels to go, go to a deli and buy eggs and bacon, and make the sandwiches at home. You'll be done faster.
(2)
Lilly S.
A must when in Philly. Coffee, onion, bagel, and all the wonderful smells of the shop!
(5)
Allison K.
Cozy spot, good sandwich options, decent bagels, but nothing mind-blowing. Frankly, I prefer South Street Philly Bagels.
(3)
Roopa S.
Tasty bagels and spreads, but kind of on the expensive side. Paid around $4 for an onion bagel with roasted vegetable spread-- enjoyed the meal thoroughly but wish the bagel was bigger and wish it was slightly cheaper. Definitely tasty though!
(3)
Joel G.
Best bagels , best coffee, and the best atmosphere in Philly! Wish we had one here in LA.
(5)
Brittany B.
Cute trendy bagel spot. It was really crowded when I walked in but everything smelled amazing. They were out of most of their bagels but I was already here so I decided to make the best of it. Bagel sandwiches were delicious! And definitely worth the walk! If you are picky about your bagel flavor I would recommend going early. I got the bagel and lox sandwich and it was very good!
(4)
S L.
I think the people who work here are on sedatives. They couldn't move slower if they tried. Bagels are still good, but it's painful to wait 10 minutes for a bagel with some cream cheese.
(2)
Joanna L.
Montreal bagels, eh? Wasn't initially sure what the difference was, but now I understand. The bagels made at Spread are a thinner and a little sweeter than your average bagel, but cooked in a wood fired oven, and made fresh daily! The staff is friendly and helpful, working behind the counter in a very small space, but seem to have locked down a casual production routine. Every time I'm in there, no matter how many people are waiting, the staff doesn't seem overwhelmed or phased by the rush. This isn't a bad thing, I'm simply stating that I admire how they seem to visually enjoy their jobs, working together as a team and providing customers excellent bagels. Each time I've visited Spread, there has been a line out the door. Typically I am an impatient gal, but I've always found the time to wait because it's just too good to pass up. I love bagels, but often feel that many places make them too thick and doughy for my liking. Spread has got the bagel game perfected though! The smell of the bagels rising in the oven fills my nose and excites me when I wait in line each visit. So far, I have only tried three different kinds of bagel sandwiches. I've had veggie cream cheese on a whole wheat everything, toasted, with cucumbers and tomato (a classic Wawa offering I fell in love with years ago, but Spread does it WAY better). I've also tried the Nova Scramble, which has eggs, scottish salmon cream cheese, onion and tomato -- very yummy. And the last one I tried is a simple turkey bacon, egg white and cheese on whole wheat. I look forward to eating my way through their menu! See you again soon, Spread!
(4)
Caprice C.
Food is OK. Service awful. They forget who is in line, they let people skip. They see a line yet 3 ppl cannot take more than one persons order. Inefficient. Will never come back.
(1)
Alina L.
Okay, long line doesn't necessarily mean the place is good, but long line EVERYDAY (well, usually on the weekends) definitely means the place is good! Let's just say Spread is my weekend to-go place, their bagel is just the perfect size with the best texture. FYI, if you order anything with egg in it, good luck waiting forever! I just realized that two weeks ago and have been ordering chicken sandwiches instead, so much faster (insider's secret) :) Waiting in line can be annoying, but at spread they sometimes have musicians playing right out the shop while you are standing in line. And even if you can't find a table to sit, you can always take your bagel to go and eat it in the park across the street :D
(4)
Tina D.
Ok, the bagels were good but it was a mad house. Don't bother ordering a breakfast sandwich or you will wait for an hour. The grill help is unfriendly and were taking their sweet time with everything despite the fact that the line was out the door. When we opened our sandwiches they were a mess! Just thrown together which made me not want to eat it. The egg whites were runny too. I had to take it off my sandwich. Big disappointment.
(2)
Lili W.
I used to LOVE spread. Don't get me wrong, the bagels are delicious, but the customer service/staff is lacking. Everyone that works here is high on something and are super slowww and unattentive. Several times, I've ordered a toasted bagel and when I got home my bagel was not toasted. Spread is not cheap and I don't think it's too much to ask for my order to be prepared correctly.
(2)
T L.
In a word, a clusterf-ck. At least last Sunday around 1pm. No line to order, paid, and then waited 30 MINUTES!!! - I kid you not for two to go sandwiches. The bottleneck was clearly with the cooks who seemed as if they were not experienced or efficient at all. To make matters worse, they started serving ppl who walked in 20 min after most of us waiting (1 sandwich as opposed to 2!), which is flat out UNACCEPTABLE. (Mgmt was basically non-existent which is also really bizarre.) Oh and truly lame was the fact that after I finally spoke up (we were all being way too polite), one of the cooks turned around and got an attitude with me - WHAT?! Dude, I do not sympathize with overly successful businesses. Get your act together! Figure out how to handle demand or notify customers in advance.
(2)
Chris P.
Wood fires bagels? Yes PLEASE!!! Best bagels in Philly. Period. Nice employees working there as well. Stellar!
(5)
Randall C.
I'm not mad about the long lines on the weekend. I'm not mad about the tiny space. I'm not mad about the staff's disregard for folks who choose to eat here, as though we're lucky to even be in the same room. I'm mad because the hot bagel sandwich that I was served was inedible-- smeared with unidentifiable goop inside AND outside, plopped in front of me, a weird mixture of beef fat and mayonnaise and grease from the grill. Absolutely disgusting. If you want to wait in line, get your bagel plain and add your own spread. The kitchen staff don't give a dm about the folks who have to eat the food they serve. And it shows.
(1)
Sam C.
I love spread! It's one of my favorite places in the city. All of their bagel sandwiches (I've had each at least once) is delicious. I only had issue with the lox, it's layered pretty thick to the point that I had to pull some out. But that's hardly a thing to complain about. The service and experience is always exceptional and the seating options are great. On clear days you can sit outside in the sidewalk, but inside there is also seating in the front or a quieter more private area in the back.
(5)
Jeffrey B.
Everything is fresh and taste good. But 30-45 min wait for a bagel is nuts. They need a more efficient process to justify ever going there.
(2)
Reid W.
Expect a wait, especially on the weekends. When I arrived, around 11AM on a Sunday morning, the line was out the door. I got an everything bagel with smoked salmon cream cheese, and it was delicious. I really enjoyed the montreal style, brick-oven toasted, bagels. It maintained the appropriate combination of crispiness and fluffiness. The smoked salmon spread, while a little light on the smoked salmon, was fine. Bagels were completed only a minute after ordering. I'm assuming the breakfast sandwiches take significantly longer to make. My only relevant complaints regard the size and price of the bagels. Bagels definitely aren't NYC-style behemoths, but they definitely include a price premium. I bought two bagels with cream cheeses and two OJs, and the total was $17 bucks... definitely not your typical neighborhood price point.
(3)
Geet M.
If there was no line, and I wasn't hungry...I would go back, maybe? Cute idea for a place, Montreal wood oven bagel concept= genius. I was hungry, (really really hungry) when I stopped here on a Sunday around noon and the line was out the door. The line was moving but I soon realized it just meant that you paid quickly, then waited in the back. They ran out of all types of bagels except sesame and poppy seed (a bit surprising for a place that always seems to have a line). My recommendation (if I could only give you one): don't come here hungry...I was ready to gnaw my arm after waiting 20+ mins for 4 bagels. We ordered to go and unfortunately found out at the park that 2 out of the 4 weren't exactly what we ordered...we were given something else in place of the egg white bagel: our replacement came with cream cheese, tomato, and normal eggs...definitely not what we ordered. Such a shame since the chicken bagel was quite tasty (mmm turkey bacon)... our experience lacked here too though... we did not get the side (chips)...such a disappointment for a $10 bagel. Well, $9.95 but you know what I mean. It would have helped greatly if the bagels were labeled as we all had to guess who's bagel matched their order The one other thing I would note is that the freshly squeezed orange juice is a gallon bottle bought from a company that manufactures "freshly squeezed orange juice" (it does say this on the label). It does not taste like the ideal fresh squeezed you get when its done in house...and for $3.5 for a small glass, the price doesnt justify it.
(2)
TD S.
I've waited in some decent lines for bagels (H&H, Murray's, Tal) on Saturday mornings, but never have I waited SO long for a mediocre bagel - 30 mins. I partly think the long line is due to the lack of supply of bagels in this town, but perhaps it was because there was only one person preparing all the orders (aggressive). HOWEVER, there is a bright spot for Spread. I anticipate the line will be significantly shorter once Chestnut Street Philly Bagels opens in a few months. As for the bagel itself, yawn. Small, not crispy, not-so-montreal.
(1)
Rachel C.
Spread. It just sounds dirty, doesn't it?? But I love the idea of wood fired bagels. I kinda consider everything to be better when they're wood fired. Everything off the menu sounded scrumptious. I went with the Nova Scramble so I could get all the good stuff: eggs, tomato, salmon and salmon cream cheese (!!). It was tasty, but I think it could have had a tad more flavor. I didn't taste the wood fired part of the bagel enough. I have no clue what that would take to make it more "wood fired" but it tasted more toasted than anything else. Which is maybe just what that does...?? I loved the fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and the whole ambiance - live music outside on a lovely Sunday morning. The line was long (for a Sunday am) but moved very quickly. I'd absolutely come back, as I think it's quality breakfast fare that's fast and easy!
(3)
Susan C.
I tried the bagels from Spread on my way home from Philly, and I don't see what's so great about their bagels. It just tasted like a regular run-of-the-mill bagel to me, not particular awesome or memorable, but definitely overpriced. Also, the orange juice here tasted a bit from concentrate-y rather than fresh squeezed.
(2)
Amy B.
This is a cute, homey little bagel shop. They have chocolate chip bagels which are very good, they're hard to find! I had one toasted with cream cheese which was good but I think it should have been warmer and more toasted. I think $5 and change for a regular sized bottle of Poland Spring and a toasted bagel with cream cheese is fair but the bottle of water could be a little bigger. Still, I will come back. They're next to Lee's Hardware and just off of the square.
(4)
Anne D.
Worst Bagel experience of my life!!! We ordered 4 things. 3 bacon egg and cheese sandwiches and a bagel with cream cheese. One "sandwich" has nothing on it. Just a bagel in tin foil. The other 2 sandwiches do not have cheese and the bacon is way undercooked. The only thing you got right was the bagel with cream cheese. These sandwiches are dry and nasty. We just moved a block away and you could have been our go to for bagels. Not a chance now. Gross!
(1)
Jordan P.
After checking my credit on LevelUp and seeing how close I lived to this Best of Philly bagelry, I stopped in for a particularly decadent brunch for one. I scoped the menu for a bit before finally deciding on The Standard on a whole wheat everything bagel, toasted. This included eggs (or egg whites, but I went for it with the yolks and all), bacon, and cheese. The sammy was ready much faster than I expected, but it was the middle of the weekday, so I'm not too surprised. I ordered it to-go so I could enjoy this breakfast in-bed (or at least, on-couch) right across the street at my apartment. It smelled intoxicating when I opened the bag and unwrapped my prize, and I couldn't resist taking a bite almost instantly. The "innards" of the sammy were phenomenal, the cheese well-melted, the bacon smokey and crisp, and the eggs were not too bad, either. A little over-done (I opened the sammy at one point to add some hot sauce). The bagel itself... well I can tell it was well-made, and beautiful as far as bagels go, but they toasted the HELL out of that thing. Toasted in this case seems to have translated to nearly-blackened, and it left the bagel kind of dry without much in the way of flavor other than burnt. It's especially tough for me to get my head around this considering the cost of this sammy. $7 is a lot for a bagel sandwich, considering you can get a bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel at many places for less than $4-5. I respect they rock the wood-fired brick oven thing, but I'd rather not eat a wood-fired bagel sandwich.
(3)
Di P.
Usually when I say "I'm from North Jersey" Philadelphians stop listening to me-- but people, I'm from New Jersey and am good at two food related things due to growing up there: identifying a good bagel and knowing where in North Jersey smells like rotten eggs. I got the Nova Spread (smoked salmon) on a whole wheat everything for $5. FIVE BUCKS for like two tablespoons of schmear. Which, I guess in one way it's good because usually places give you waaaaay too much cream cheese. But I'd rather have a lot, take out the excess than be left feeling ... dry. There was a pretty long line to get through the door in a small place, but surprisingly they moved the line pretty fast and we even got a seat. Also our bagels came out fast. People who got egg sandwiches were definitely waiting longer (naturally). I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if I lived around the corner I would be totally fine grabbing a fast breakfast. No chai tea latte. Booooo.
(3)
Ann M.
No matter how good the food is, if the service is bad- it totally spoils everything. Unfortunately, like many other reviewers pointed out with spread bagel ray, their service is seriously lacking! My husband went their twice without me and said he would never go back unless I went..well, I thought he was just being impatient. Wow, waited 25 minutes for 2 bagels with cream cheese on the side and when they forgot the cream cheese on the side- I waited another 15 minutes for them to fill a small tub for me. There is no sense of urgency whatsoever and a man in front of me said " never coming back here,!" . Agreed.
(1)
Katelyn I.
Delicious bagels! Will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Michael B.
A little pricey when you add coffee, but great bagel sandwiches. The bagels are toasted in a real wood fire oven! This place is kind of off the beaten path, but worth the walk!
(4)
Tyler L.
Spread. Such a popular spot. I will give them this, this is not a typical bagel spot. They have friendly service, have musicians out front on weekends, and they do an upscale bagel. That all being said, it is certainly not worth the price of admission. Two specialty bagels, two coffees...$24. Now I don't mind spending a little and the food is definitely better than Starbucks...but really? That being said, they have a line out the door almost constantly and they sell out of their bagels. So it must be priced right. Bagels are dense...maybe it is the brick oven that condenses them...anyways if you in the mood for something light and fluffy...not your place. Overall I like the atmosphere and I guess they are able to charge a premium because they have created something new and different. Just be warned, it is an expensive (asi-asi) bagel.
(3)
Jordan S.
Caveat: proud, Jewish Long Islander reviewing bagels of Philly. The atmosphere when you walk in says you are about to have an awesome bagel experience but it really falls short. The portions are pathetic for the price. Bagels at a place like this should be stacked. The selection is great as far as the specialty sandwiches but they sound a lot more interesting than they fare. The bagel/creamcheese/lox was really sad. I can never go back here willingly.
(2)
S S.
Meh. It's NO NY Bagel, that's for sure. Not at all impressed. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because I feel like 1 star should be for supermarket bagels. I order the everything bagel, toasted, with nova salmon cc spread, tomatoes, cucumbers & onions. The bagel was barely toasted. The onions were tiny & white, not the classic red onion. The tomatoes, or should I say one tomato slice (cut into 2 halves, one on each side) Both of the tomato halves were the "butt" of the tomato. The salmon cream cheese had barely any salmon, and tasted like regular plain cc. The cucumbers were so big that they wouldn't stay on the sandwich so I just ended up eating them separately. AND I found a tiny sliver of FOIL in my sandwich, so GROSS! I paid $7 and left hungry, and I don't even have that much of an appetite. (Went around the corner to Metropolitan Bakery & bought a fennel pretzel which was Amazing!)
(2)
Brendan L.
The bagels are quite good, and there's some decent variety offered, esp among cream cheeses. But Smear utterly and completely fails on the customer service front. We ordered a bagel w cream cheese (not toasted) and a bagel w egg and an iced coffee and it took 20 (!) minutes for them to serve it. Really. Two separate employees were on their cell phones during that time. One employee looked bored. Another walked in and out of the back area. No one seemed sure of what they were doing, so we waited and waited and waited. The bagels were good, but we will not be back. It's not worth the wait.
(1)
Robert M.
I had the Standard on a sesame bagel. I've never had a Montreal-style bagel so I can't comment on how it measures up, but I didn't enjoy the bagel as much as I have NY style ones. I was surprised by how sweet the bagel was. Overall it didn't blow me away but was pretty good. Bacon was overcooked IMO, and I was surprised by how little eggs/cheese/bacon there was on the sandwich..a "minimalist" approach I guess. The bagel itself was also quite a bit smaller than what I'm used to getting in NY. For $7, I felt kind of ripped off. I think the feeling that you're getting ripped off is really the best way to describe Spread. The bagels aren't like the ones I get in NY, and they aren't supposed to be, but they seem pretty good - although if I go again I'll just get a bagel and not the sandwich. But the prices can't be justified by the quality or the portions. The portions are smaller than in a NYC bagel shop and IMO the quality is inferior. If you go to Absolute Bagel or Ess-A-Bagel in NYC, bagels cost $1/$1.15 respectively versus $2 here at Spread. The sandwiches at Spread are similarly marked up. Judging by the line on the weekend they are doing OK at the current price point. But that says more about the lack of quality bagels in Philadelphia than it does about Spread.
(3)
Moira N.
I decided to come back and give this place another try. Unlike my last visit, the young woman at the register was upbeat and really helpful. There was an older (and very fashionable) woman also working and overseeing things. I knew not to expect any menu options that I would like and so I asked if they could give me a toasted everything with peanut butter and the young woman was very happy to oblige. Service was quick. The iced coffee was delicious. My bagel was good and the peanut butter was natural. Overall a much more pleasant experience. My boyfriend is still a fan but now just stocks up on many bagels at a time and makes his own sandwiches with them at home. I'm not a huge fan but won't keep avoiding this place either.
(3)
Kelsey T.
I'd love to be able to give Spread 4 stars, because the sandwiches are good and everything bagel is very delicious, but it takes forever... It's frustrating when you are only 4th in line and have to wait more than 20 minutes for a sandwich. Arrive when they open to avoid a long line!
(3)
Michael H.
This place makes INCREDIBLE breakfast sandwiches. My favorite is the tuna melt on an everything bagel! The best and worst thing though about Spread is that everything is made to order. This is great if you get here before 8am, but arrive much later, you'll be hanging out in a very long, slow moving line. Luckily, musicians frequently hang outside and play on the weekend provide, albeit limited, distraction.
(4)
T B.
Went for bagels on Sunday morning. Service is SO SO SLOW. I also don' t think my bagel tasted that fresh. The line takes forever and I was kind of grossed out at the flies in the back. I think they just need to make sure that they are focused on the bagels and not everything else on the menu. They service la columbe coffee which is a nice touch. I think the cream cheese needs to have more flavor .
(3)
Nicole H.
I'm a huge bagel snob. The bagels I had every Sunday growing up are simply nowhere to be found in Philly, and I've come to terms with that. But when I heard that Spread was serving Montreal-style, which apparently are like the deep-dish of the pizza world (similar, yet not comparable to the traditional choice), I figured I'd give it a try. Listen - the food was good. I found the bagel to be a little strange, but it certainly was tasty. The spread (I got the lox cream cheese) was delicious, and the egg was perfectly cooked. So why 3 stars? Well, the service was a 5 star experience. I ordered to go, and the speed was beyond fast. And they take LevelUp, which gave them some points in my book. But the price is insane. I can't believe I spent $12 on a bagel with cream cheese (not actual lox!) and an iced coffee. Cannot believe it. I'd say the food is 3.5 stars, the service is 5, the tiny checkout space is a 2 and the prices are a 1. If you're not concerned about price than definitely stop by and try these Canadian bagel things. But if you're trying to save your money I'd head somewhere else.
(3)
John S.
Been here twice now and the bagels are pretty good...nothing to write home about. The biggest issue is the service. Both times I've been here it's taken atleast 20min to get my order. Additionally, you stand in an enclosed, crowded and uncomfortable area and constantly are in peoples' way. The bagels are nothing special and you can find a better bagel without the ridiculous waiting...I will not be going back. Maybe get some cooks who have a bit more pep in their step. Also, the prices are egregious...$20 for two sandwiches and two waters..
(2)
Leo Y.
A solid bagel and good bagel sandwich. The egg white sandwiches with turkey bacon are great and they certainly don't skimp on the toppings (including the lox). With that said, the price for bagels is extraordinarily high.
(4)
Frank T.
Very good bagels, okay line and okay wait time. But when I left this place, all I can remember are the flies in the back seating area and the cashier that really hate her job and incoming people (customers). Can't enjoy any good meal when there are flies around you.
(2)
Chelsey M.
If the line out the door starting at 9 on weekends doesn't tell you how great this place is, then continue reading! I love bagels. I especially love these bagels. the montreal style bagel is slightly different than usual bagels, but I prefer them. The cream cheese is fresh and amazing. The owner is great. Sometimes they are slow and not very effecient, but I don't ever go here when I am in a rush.
(5)
Lolly G.
This is my experience with spread. Walked in on Monday morning to a girl behind the counter who saw us, turned her back towards us and aimlessly looked for cream cheese. She went on a stunning amount of time pulling bagels out of the toaster and asking a guy who came out there things were. I wanted to leave but we went through so much trouble parking, we were screwed into staying. There were about 2 people waiting for sandwiches. We then ordered there breakfast sandwiches (all without meat) and 2 iced teas. The total was 33 dollars. Unreal pricing. I thought it could be a mistake but after waiting that long we just wanted to go. The sandwiches were just ok, nothing special. I have never witnessed customer service like this and after being ripped off, I won't return. There's SO many good spots in the city for bagels it would be a shame to go here. They no doubt continue to have business based on their prime location, nothing else.
(1)
Michelle C.
I'm bumping up to four stars as a result of friendlier service, pitchers of water and bottomless coffee. Today I met a friend for lunch and ordered a whole wheat everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, tomato and bacon, plus a cup of coffee. The total was around ten bucks, which is still pretty expensive, but since it was lunch and not breakfast I didn't mind. There are now pitchers of ice water with lemon, which I'm happy to drink over paying for a bottle of water. My bagel sammie was absolutely delicious, and it came with slices of fresh cucumber on the side, which I then stuffed inside to add a little more crunch and flavor. Again, this isn't an every day type of place, but for a really tasty bagel and a cute place to have lunch, it's solid. Also, the wood burning oven smells like a campfire. Who doesn't love that?
(4)
Herbie H.
I had heard raves about Spread from a number of friends, and I finally was able to try it over the weekend. The line wasn't too long when I got there at about 10:45, and moved fairly quickly. I ordered the Frittata Scramble, per the suggestion of a friend. Surprisingly, the egg, bacon, tomato, and jam all worked extremely well together to create well-balanced flavor. I wanted to get an everything bagel, but had to settle on a sesame. The bagel sandwich was delicious, the coffee was decent. Yes, the $11 price tag for those two items was a bit much, but for a breakfast treat, it was worth it.
(5)
Jessica O.
The place is very cute and would be a nice place to sit down and eat if you had all the time in the world. My friend and I went for Sunday breakfast and surprisingly there was no wait to order but took about 15 minutes to get our breakfast which seemed to be a bit longer than necessary. The staff was very friendly. I think for a grab and go kinda place the prices are a little high with 8+ for an egg sandwich. Based on the method of cooking the bagels both our bagels were a little burnt. I probably would try something else for breakfast next time I'm in town.
(3)
Jessica S.
Though I'm a little bit confused as to why we got a legit Montreal style bagel place in Center City before a "traditional" or New York style bagel place, I can't entirely complain. I do love the bagels here! This was actually a first for me: never had a Montreal style bagel before. Being from North Jersey with a plethora of amazing New York style bagel place to choose from, I was certainly enthralled by the idea of a different style of bagel, and was really happy with the product. A little sweet, a little more bready, less "crisp" on the outside, this version of the Montreal bagel is really delicious. I prefer to get it with one of their spreads, just warm out of the oven, no toasting necessary. Their sandwiches are good, but they consistently just fall apart when I am trying to eat them, so I tend to opt for the simpler option. As noted, they are a little pricey for a bagel shop, but if you stick to the plain bagel and cream cheese option, you won't go too far into your pockets. +1 for friendly service, bottomless la colombe, and a cute atmosphere. Can be quite a bit of a wait on a busy weekend morning, but generally not too bad.
(4)
Melissa P.
Having lived in Montreal almost half my life, Montreal Style Bagels are definitely something that I missed when I moved to Philly, so I was super excited when I found out Spread was opening. They're not exactly like the Montreal Bagels I miss, but they're pretty close, so I'll take it! Also this place is just really cute and has great breakfast sandwiches and spreads! A bit pricey, but worth it.
(4)
George R.
Good service and very nice choice of bagels. Friendly people. A bit on the expensive side, but so much that I wouldn't go again.
(4)
Fei P.
Yumminess!!! The sandwiches are made to order, fresh ingredients. Only thing is that the sandwich itself is way to big to fit in my mouth and falls apart when biting into it. But sometimes the messiness adds to the flavor I guess. Definitely recommended :-)
(4)
Katie R.
YUM! You have to start with commenting on the bagels - they are absolutely delicious. However they cook them, it's fantastic. Love Love Love the bagels. I also love the variety of toppings/spreads/sandwich combinations you can get to go with the bagels. I'm your basic egg-on-a-bagel kind of girls, but they have all the standards (salmon, etc) as well as some interesting combinations. I hadn't been before the bottomless coffee bar, water pitchers, etc, but I am certainly appreciative. My friend and I had a morning meeting there and sat at our table for an hour, and it was nice to be able to refill when we needed without any hassle. What I don't love: waiting 20 minutes in line to order. I can't really complain about this as it just shows the place's popularity, but it's probably a good idea to go with someone so they can hold a table for you while you wait in line to order. Can't rate it 5 stars because it's definitely too expensive for a bagel shop (my bagel/egg/bacon sandwich was a solid $10), but this is definitely a place I would return to for breakfast.
(4)
Rennie J.
Delicious bagels, light and fresh tasting cream cheese. $15 for a 1/2 dozen bagels and spread is a little expensive, but for me, not prohibitively so. I experienced none of the indifference that other reviewers mention. I will definitely return. A delicious alternative to South Street Bagels.
(5)
Jon C.
The bagels are good -- they have crunch and also chew and a sweetness from the honey -- too much sweetness for me, and also too much sweet aftertaste, but your mileage may vary. On the downside, they seemed shocked and baffled by the idea that I would walk in and get a bagel. The relentless (bordering on brusque and rude) upselling is hard to take from a bagel store, and $2 is a lot to pay for a bagel. Larger issue is that they need to figure out if they want to brand/define themselves as a neighborhood bagel place or a neighborhood restaurant/hangout/coffee shop/brunch place. Why is there a woman outside handing out "menus" when they're basically a bagel store?? The branding and identity are confusing.
(3)
Brianne J.
Eh, I'm torn. Not really what I want in a bagel (who doesn't want crispy outside, chewy inside goodness??) - this place is baked so it's closer to a pretzel than a good, boiled bagel, but the flavors were good. I got the whole wheat everything, which is always an exciting find for me since not enough places have more than just the plain whole wheat bagels. Little pricey. Maybe I'll go back (it's pretty convenient for me) but HELL NO will I wait in a line for this place.
(3)
C.J. C.
I came here on their grand opening, and it was a huge disappointment. First of all the lady with the short brown hair working the counter was incredibly rude and unfriendly. Secondly, the wait for a bagel with ubberly overpriced cream cheese ($5) was close to 20min! Must I add that the same worker gave us a hard time when we asked to have the bagel toasted, and questioned our request, insisting that they would be "fresh from the oven." FYI, having a fresh bagel come out of the oven and having it sliced and toasted are not the same thing. If you're charging $5 a bagel, the least you could do is toast it without giving your customers attitude. And btw, the bagel was completely cold by the time we got it. So unless you have plenty of time, enjoy getting ripped off, and like your morning coffee with a dose of attitude, then I highly suggest you stay clear of this place. The only thing it has going for them is their decor. It was unclear whether they have free wifi, as the ladies at the counter were arguing about whether customers could use it or not.
(1)
Marie J.
I completely agree with the other reviewers on cost. I spent $10 on a breakfast bagel sandwich and coffee. However, the bagels are very tasty and based on how quickly I got my food, the staff appear to be very efficient ( and very friendly). Bottom line, it's definitely got quality, but it's not a place that I can frequent very often.
(3)
Alyssa M.
For months I've been watching this storefront develop and this morning I finally stopped in. It was surprisingly crowded for a very rainy Sunday. I have to echo what other reviewers have said -- it's over-priced and the service was slow, unfriendly, and poorly-trained. After waiting in line several minutes I placed my order (bagel & cream cheese plus coffee). This modest order cost $6.50!!! The woman took my order but didn't give any further comments or instruction -- I had to ask about the coffee and assume, based on the group of people lingering by the door, that my order would be up in a few minutes. I got the self-serve coffee (tasty Corsica from La Colombe), grabbed a copy of the Sunday paper, and sat down at the small table in the back. Several minutes later one of their waitstaff brought out my bagel. The food was tasty and the coffee was good, but I can't get over the service or the price. Perhaps the price reflects the huge number of staff on their payroll -- there were 5 or 6 people working in the small area behind the counter this morning. And this might contribute to the poor service as well as too many people are working in a cramped space and (based on my observation while waiting in line) they don't seem to have a good work flow. I think the bagelry is a great idea, but Spread has a few things to work out if the business is going to succeed.
(2)
Esther G.
Seriously, I have no problem waiting for these incredible bagels and food...and I'm not alone! This isnt fast food, it's made to order and delicious!...what a cool place...
(4)
Moe W.
I was walking past the new bagelry yesterday. I normally get my bagels in the burbs at a FANTASTIC New York style bagel store. I thought I'd give this new local place a chance. Walked in and ordered 1/2 dozen bagels to go. I was SHOCKED by the price!!!! $10 for 6 bagels?!?!?!? Are they nuts??? I bought them because I was embarrassed (now I ask myself why I was embarrassed). They are very good - but come, on..... I get a DOZEN for less than $10 elsewhere (and that's considered expensive). Unless the price decreases, I won't be back.
(3)
Jake A.
This is a cute place with great bagels nice staff and a very comfortable environment.
(4)
Shawn K.
The owners of Spread really missed an golden opportunity here. There's no question a serious need for a decent bagel place in Rittenhouse existed, but not for "Montreal-style" ones. They're super thin, so there's not much bagel to the bagel, and any type of distinctive taste is sorely lacking. The space itself is entirely too small for the crowds they attract-I've seen lines out the door on weekends-and their system of placing an order & then having you wait in a random spot while it's being prepared is totally haphazard. If you're lucky enough to get the attention of whoever's working behind the counter, you give that person your order and name, and then just...wait. Wherever. Since the physical space itself is so tiny, if there are more than two or three people also waiting for their orders, the wait can include a certain degree of awkwardness (akin to riding in a packed elevator), and I've attempted to make small talk with my fellow wait-ee(?)'s, usually to no avail. And forget it if you're in a rush--the place is always busy. There's nowhere to sit while waiting, as the few available tables are occupied, and the staff preparing your order are clearly in no hurry. Prices are high, even for Rittenhouse, for what, as described above, is basically a thin bagel with little substance (and/or sustenance). Customer service is hit-or-miss; again, the overall lack of organization in the ordering process is bound to cause confusion, and it does. More space and focus would do wonders in improving what has the potential to be a much better "bagelry".
(2)
Mona M.
Service is vastly improved since this place opened. The bagels are delish -- dense and a little sweet. I would give Spread five stars except that I find the prices a bit steep. I keep going back nonetheless!
(4)
Mark W.
Montreal style? Baked in a small wood oven after boiling the dough, true, but missing that wonderful chewiness of a hot Fairmount bagel. Still, better than the stale NY style bagel so common around here. Crowded, kinda pricey, but nice staff and more convenient than the 8 hour drive to la belle province. Good cappuccino.
(3)
Billy Y.
I'm really suprised this place isn't reviewed better. First, this is by far the best bagel place I have been to in Philadelphia, and I spent four years there for school. New Yorkers alwasy claim to have the best bagels, but this place gives NY a run for it's money. The service was quick and the setting was fitting for the food they had. I would recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Thomas G.
After what seemed like the longest opening in history (I must have celebrated two birthdays while "coming soon" signs were up ), I predict a fairly quick closing (less than one more birthday for this consumer). The whole notion of wood-fired ovens for bagels is a gimmick that does not produce a better-tasting bagel, just a slightly charred one. Their bagels tend to be smashed and, frankly, on the smallish side. My whole wheat bagel was too sweet as well. All of this might be pardoned since tastes do vary, but the price of one of these puny numbers is $2 per. I was stunned that a plain, untoasted bagel could be so expensive these days, especially with plenty of competition in the area from Maxx's, Metropolitan, Manhattan, Le Bus and literally dozens of cafes and convenience stores selling as good if not better product a lower prices. One visit did it for me and I would imagine the lack of repeat visits by other customers will be their death knell. Overpriced and underwhelming. Follow-up. Don't buy a lottery ticket on my say-so. This place has them lined up out the door on weekends which only goes to show I don't know much about what people want but I do know they are willing to overpay for it!!!!!!
(1)
David S.
great service good bagels
(4)
Anne D.
Probably the best bagel I've had in Philly, and I've had a lot of bagels. Not a huge menu- but personally, I'd rather have someone make a few things well than a lot of things poorly. The atmosphere is great but it does get pretty crowded on weekends. The staff was friendly. Great shop!
(5)
Diana S.
very expensive and the bagels are not even that good.
(2)
Ferd B.
This is missing that distinctive outer crust of a good New York bagel (guess life's softer in Montreal!), and overall it struck me as undistinguished except for the hype surrounding it. But my real problem with it is price: $3.24 for a bagel and butter? Seriously? Let's keep things in perspective: It's a small chunk of bread and 2 1/2 tbsp of grease. Not worth it at half the price, so taking a pass in future.
(2)
Maya L.
okay, i'll admit it. this place is expensive. but DELICIOUS! i love their sesame bagel with garlic veggie spread, you can tell the spread is made with fresh veggies, and is sooo good. the service is also top-notch, really nice. beware: the line might go out of the window in the morning, but as said before, it's totally worth it :D you should definitely stop by when you're in the area.
(4)
Amanda G.
I absolutely agree with most of these reviews. I very much anticipated the opening of Spread because I love a good, quick, cheap breakfast and bagels usually fill that need. Not spread, it may be good but it's not cheap and it sure isn't quick. The bagels are pretty good. I like that they taste different then most bagels you find and being a bit smaller isn't that big of a deal to me. The price however is. I had that same confusion when I ordered a bagel with olive oil and garlic cream cheese from a local farm. I thought it would be $3, but it was $2 for the bagel + $3 for the spread. Then I ordered orange juice which was another $3 and watched them take a gallon of Tropicana and pour it into a cup. It made me wonder about how their cream cheese. Is it really even from a local farm? At least try to fool me and have cups prepared before you open. There were maybe 4 tickets in front of mine and it took somewhere around 10 minutes to receive mine. And its true, they aren't friendly. I'm really hoping that they lower their prices, speed up and learn how to smile and treat their customers like guests because if not their going to close real quick.
(2)
a r.
Everything that I've had has been delicious. I would rather wait longer and pay more for good food. That's my personal opinion. That being said today I waited half an hour for my delicious bagel sandwich in a painfully slow line with unhurried staff slowly churning out baskets of tasty combinations only to find the bacon that I asked to have cooked well done turn out floppy. I also discovered a large chunk of fatty turkey that had no business being on my sandwich. Once picked off the sandwich was delightful and bagel toasty, soft, and chewy. Ingredients are fresh, tasty, and of good quality. However, at $10 I don't want to have to be modifying my sandwich myself especially when it wasn't even made in a rush. Never the less I will probably be back for breakfast tomorrow on my way to class, but I am a bagel addict. Unless you share these feelings this place probably isn't for you. As a coffee lover as well I also appreciate the fresh brewed la colombe!
(3)
Robert S.
I want to start off by saying yes, Spread is not cheap. I came here today for breakfast with three other people. We each ordered a bagel with either eggs and cheese or lox and cream cheese, as well as 4 coffees. $42 later, we were stuffed. Now, on to the review. I've been to Montreal more times than I can count on my fingers, and I must say that this is the best bagel I've had - excluding Montreal's (If you are ever in Montreal you MUST try a St. Viateur Bagel). The bagels, if toasted, are crispy on the outside and airy and soft on the inside. My go-to bagel is an everything with cream cheese or an everything breakfast sandwich. PS: Make sure you call ahead if you plan on ordering 8 or more bagels to-go.
(5)
Kevin P.
I was excited to see another bagel place open up in Philly, but I was really disappointed in the experience. The staff member that opens in the morning is not pleasant. I don't want a bunch of small talk, just smile and look like you want to be there. At least say "good morning" when a customer arrives. It blows my mind that an owner would have someone that rude running a relatively new establishment. My GF and each got a bagel sandwich and a coffee. We were the only ones in there and they got our orders wrong. We got our order to go, so by the time we found out the order was wrong, we were already halfway to work. I'm sure the bagels are true to the Montreal style, but I'm not a fan. They're too sweet for me and I like my bagels more crunchy on the outside. Can someone please open a NY style bagel place in Philly and do it right? Kermit's on Washington makes a damn good bagel, but they're only available on weekends. Knead is pretty good as well, but I'm not into all the new flavor combinations.
(1)
Helen L.
Coming from NYC, it's been pretty rough trying to find a bagel shop we like. These Montreal style bagels were not to my liking. They looked really good, but then you bite into it and it has this sweetness I didn't expect because I didn't know the style. Okay fine that is my palette, but this is not the reason why we gave it a 2. The service is horrible and the prices are pretty high for a breakfast sandwich. We even gave it a second shot and it sucked. The second and last time we got to the shop about 5 mins before they were going to open, so we hung outside by the tables. When 7 am rolled around, the girl just stared at me, unlocked the door and walked away. I looked at my BF and just assumed ok I guess we can go in. I'm sorry, but when you see people at your door and you are opening, open the door and say good morning. Be welcoming. It's called customer service. We walk in and order our food. Some one was new and was being coached, which was fine, but she was the only nice person in there. We got our over priced food ($25 for 2 sandwiches and coffee!) walked out, got into the car, drove off to work. We looked at our food to figure out who had what, to come to find out our food order was wrong! Seriously, we were the only people in there and I knew for a fact the girl writing my order down wrote it correctly, the short order cook didn't care to bother to read what she wrote. We rather go to Kermit's on Washington Ave. I didn't expect much, but really good. Sadly they only have bagels on the weekend.
(2)
Andrea J.
This was exactly what I was in the mood for after a night of celebrating my cousins wedding! I kinda made my own creation, which they were happy to do. Egg whites, turkey bacon, spinach, and cream cheese on a whole wheat everything bagel. I've never seen a wholewheat everything bagel but it was good!! I love the open fire where you can see them baking the bagels. The place is small and cute. I would return definitely return. My only complaint is it's a little pricey ($20 after tip for 2 bagel sandwiches and a lemonade) but when you have made to order with fresh ingredients and in a city, you are going to pay a premium.
(4)
Trina T.
Line was waaaay out the door but got in and out within 20 minutes. Bagels are super fresh.
(4)
J O.
Scrambled frittata w/ Amish jam on wholewheat everything - AMAZING Already contemplating coming back for lunch
(5)
Juliana K.
I enjoyed Spread Bagelry, but it didn't wow me. I had a bagel sandwich with egg and brisket. It didn't wow me. Also, the brisket was all on one side and not spread evenly throughout. It was like $9 which is a lil on the pricier side so I expected more brisket and more in general. The bagel alone was very good.
(3)
MA S.
We use to live down the street and when we didn't want to make breakfast this is where we went. Now we make it a point to stop in when we are in town.
(5)
Mike K.
50 dollar bagel; I went to Spread at 11am in order to miss the morning rush. I parked up the street from Spread to check it out for the first time and put in money for 45 minutes (thinking this would be plenty of time to get a bagel). Standing in line took about 15 minutes - fair enough. I ordered a bagel with lox cream cheese and a coffee. There was no where to stand to wait for your order. I had steaming hot coffee spilled down my arm by another guest while waiting because the place is too packed. Fair enough, accidents happen. It ended up taking exactly 32 minutes for Spread to give me a bagel with cream cheese. I got back to my car to find a 42 dollar ticket. So the 8 dollar bagel+coffee and my 42 dollar ticket...50 dollar bagel. The experience alone was so horrible I'd give it a 1/5, but really these bagels and spreads are also overrated (see picture). Get it together.
(1)
Grace H.
I went back to spread today for breakfast and was a little disappointed. I ordered an iced coffee and the egg white sandwich (again), but 1) there were no egg whites and 2) they only had sesame, everything, and plain bagels. It was still a decent meal, but if you advertise something on your menu, you should have those ingredients available!
(3)
Taylor C.
Best bagels I have ever had! So doughy and soft.. Definitely going to come back sometime soon
(5)
Hhh G.
Not sure how this place has only 3 stars. I got a plain bagel with Amish cream cheese AND Amish jam. UNREAL!!! One of the most delicious things I've ever tasted.
(5)
Ian B.
These Bagels are the best I've had in Philly. Wood oven baked, fresh, soft, and tasty! I went with the everything bagel, toasted with cream cheese. It was so good that my brains fell out.
(5)
Stephanie S.
I'm surprised Spread has a low 3 stars. I guess only because the prices are so expensive. But seriously some of the best bagels I've ever eaten. Not sure if it's a special recipe in the dough, or that they wood-fire the bagels which is pretty unique, but holy hell the bagels are delicious. My salmon scramble (nova lox, cream cheese, egg, salmon, tomatoes, onion) was so tasty both times I've ordered it. A little light on the salmon second time around, but plenty of cream cheese. I've tried a few other of their sandwiches, one had a delicious jam spread on it with egg and Canadian bacon. Very unique and good! Love this place, but $8-9 for a bagel sandwich is definitely hefty, and avoid on weekends after 11am cause the line is out the door down the sidewalk. Damn good bagels though!
(4)
Casey B.
Whole wheat everything?! The bagel gods have answered my prayers. My go-to is the frittata scramble sammy on a whole wheat everything bagel. Eggs, chedda, bacon, tomato and amish jam~ salty and sweet for the win. I always order a side of plain cream cheese and reserve half of the bagel for dipping purposes. Best of both worlds. This sandwich is amazeballs BUT the bacon is never as satisfyingly crispy as I hope, even when I've requested this specifically. Oh well, still delish. They also do these fun half-bagel melts for a couple bucks. I've had the french toast melt and the gruyere/tomato melt. All da yumz. These are by no means the cheapest bagels to be found in the city, but they are damn good. Lil babe of a place so it does get kinda crazy crowded. For this reason, I prefer to call ahead and take my sammy to go.
(4)
Colleen M.
Being from NJ, it's been so hard to find an acceptable bagel place in Philadelphia. I don't know what it is but the bagels in this city stink! Spread, however, is the exception to this rule! The bagels here are just so yummy. I'm a huge fan of the toasted everything bagel with cream cheese and a fresh squeezed juice. To avoid the outrageous line wrapped outside on the weekends, try calling ahead to pick up an order to go! Or... Go in around 2 PM :) My only gripe is that a bagel is like $5. Really? Meh.
(4)
Sabrina H.
We've done take-out breakfast sandwiches several times from Spread and each time we haven't been disappointed. The flavor of these bagels is just perfect. Crunchy on the outside and light and airy on the inside. The bacon is always crisp on the bacon, egg, and cheese (I hate floppy bacon) and this is a major plus (imho)! Bagels with butter are also amazing and everything ever tried has been super yummy. The place is a bit small and the line can get bananas with pretty extreme wait times which was the only thing that detracted from the experience. Each time, we've waited a LONG time for our orders (the sandwiches of course) and this can be slightly problematic with the parking situation/space of the place because there can be literally no place to wait. Nonetheless, the bagels themselves are just delicious and worth the wait!
(4)
Billy S.
Spread has some big positives, and a few really frustrating negatives. The main positive is that the bagels are great. They are a little sweeter than most other bagels, but I don't find this to be a negative, and I had never had Montreal style before but I think it's awesome. The other main positive is that the cream cheeses are amazing. Even the plain is noticeably better than most cream cheeses. The sandwiches are pretty good too but not quite as special. The downsides to spread are that they're always out of everything and it's expensive. I've probably been 6 or 7 times now and I'm not even consistent on when I go. I've been weekday mornings, weekend mornings, and weekends in the middle of the day. Regardless of the time they seem to be out of at least half of the bagels on the menu and at least one and sometimes all of the fruit cream cheeses. This is pretty inexcusable in my book and I considered 3 stars but ultimately the bagels are so good that I went with 4 stars. As for the price, I got 4 bagels with cream cheese the other day and it was just over $20. I think 3 had special cream cheeses, but that's still pretty rough. Good bagels in NYC can be found for half of that. Same for my favorite place in DC. With a little more effort Spread would be really great! Also note the line can be pretty long on weekends starting around 9:30 or 10am.
(4)
Heather S.
I love pretty much any carb I meet, but I am very particular about my bagels. First time I've tried Montreal style, and I am definitely a fan! This is a cozy little spot in the Rittenhouse Square area. We were in town for a weekend, and went here for breakfast both days. We were fortunate enough to visit when it wasn't super crowded but I could see how it could fill up quickly! I had the sesame seed bagel with cream cheese both days because that's my staple. My husband got the standard on the second day, and he was definitely happy with it. Bacon and eggs made fresh right behind the counter while bagels are being baked in the brick oven. They nada small selection of juices/beverages and $2 for endless coffee which was decent (not great but good enough). Like I said, we didn't even look around for another spot to try breakfast, so I would definitely recommend this spot and we will certainly go back!
(5)
Tu-van L.
Montreal-style bagels? I am now a convert! Just as chewy as its New York cousin but the crust is more crunchy (think Pizza Hut crust crunchy not baguette crunchy). There's something about that crunch yet easier to tear open with your teeth quality that makes it excellent. Love it! The everything bagel I had was so freshly toasted that the bagel and garlic topping got charred. Not too into char but it did add a flavor characteristic I love. Still makes for a good bagel and schmear breakkie.
(5)
Sarah K.
This place is good but not the best bagel in the world or even philly ( that goes to chestnut / south street bagels) but they do make a good sandwich. The pastrami is the reason to come. It's made in house and soo flavorful with the eggs they make fresh! Skip the food carts and spend a few bucks and make this your next hungover breakfast sandwich. For that, it's unbeatable.
(4)
Kaeti F.
This place is NOT VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY. I ordered an egg sandwich on a rye bagel. The kitchen is open, so I was able to see exactly how he made it. They do not separate their meat and eggs on the grill, nor do they use separate utensils when flipping, moving or cutting the food that is being prepared. The result? My sandwich was covered in bacon grease. I was so grossed out that I left without picking up my 10 dollar sandwich and went to Kermits instead. I'm sure this place is great for meat-eaters, but if you're a vegetarian, just stick with the coffee.
(1)
Ilana Y.
best bagels ever but I have never experienced terrible service like this before. Service is always slow even when it is not busy. 4/10 times that I've been to this bagel place they've gotten my order wrong, missed something that was supposed to be on the bagel, and not apologized. This last time I went, they ran out of turkey so decided to put chicken on my bagel instead without telling me. When I got home, I realized I had chicken instead of turkey. I called them to tell them and the lady said "we ran out of turkey but the chicken is really similar to the turkey."
(1)
Lindsay W.
If heaven was a bagel... All I wanted was a simple everything bagel with cream cheese. Shortly after, I'm walking on cloud nine with this fresh, just out of the wood fire oven, fluffy cream cheese squished rings, bagel delight. When it's time to try something a little different, keep it simple and float into happiness.
(5)
Elaine M.
I have walked by Spead a number of times in recent months and been drawn to the deliciously warm smell of fresh bagel sandwiches. I have been so jealous of all of the people dining al fresco. While walking to the Philly Marathon finish line the other week, we were in search of a quick stop to eat and I remembered how wonderful Spread smelled so I threw the suggestion out to my crew, and they were right on board. There was a quick moving, but consistently lengthy line out to the front stoop. Every table was taken, and there was a crowd waiting for their take-out orders up front. We decided take-out was the best option so we could get moving to our final destination. I ordered the Frittata Scramble on a whole-wheat everything bagel. I was drawn to this selection because of the Amish Jam mixed with hearty breakfast classics. And boy am I glad I made that choice! My sandwich was everything mixed into one. The warm and savory bacon, cheese and eggs, topped with the sweet jam was a fabulous treat! This is the first time I can remember having a'Montreal Style Wood Oven Bagel', which I found to be a little bit lighter than a standard bagel. This was a good thing, because some NY style bagels can be too heavy and leave me feeling bloated by the time I am finished. My bagel from Spread was the perfect portion size! Spread is definitely a REPEAT. Next time I hope to snag a table in the back so I can relax while enjoying my delicious sandwich!
(4)
Sam R.
I came here over the weekend and was totally excited to check out Spread Bagelry. I was expecting a really great bagel and coffee. What I received however, was a lackluster bagel and I honestly could have done better at a Dunkin Donut's. I came in the afternoon on Sunday and most of the bagels were gone and my order took quite a while to come out. There were a few bugs flying around and the place def looked like it needed to be cleaned and wiped down. I left feeling disappointed, I really expected so much more...
(2)
Erika B.
The bagels are okay but the service needs improvement. As other yelpers have noted, the wait for bagels and sandwiches is exceptionally long. They could easily do what many take out places do and use iPads to take orders when the line piles up. I like the fresh baked brick oven bagel concept and there are so few bagel places in the city but this one is not worth the wait.
(2)
JW A.
I ordered a half dozen whole wheat to go about a month ago. Came home and toasted one of wheat bagel and about after 3 bites, chewed on something strange... Spit it out and it was a cardboard piece! Really?? I called them as this was alarming and informed them what happened. The woman/ lady who answered said first, that they never had this happened and later told me they will give me a free bagle if I come and inform them about it when I come back next time. No thanks! No more cardboard bagel! I ate a lot of bagels in my life but this was first.
(1)
Steph S.
These are probably the closest bagels you will find to real Montreal bagels in the area. But could probably be sold for $1 instead of $2!
(3)
L R.
With their great bagels and sandwiches, I want to really like Spread. But their customer service is awful. I've been to Spread about 5 times now and every time, I've gotten lots of attitude from whoever is behind the counter. Example: Me: "how's your special?" (The one posted on the "SPECIAL" sign as soon as you walk in.) Girl: "uh we have lots of specials." Then I said in the same order I wanted coffee. This was discussed with the other peach of a twenty-something counter girl. Original said, "you didn't say you wanted coffee." Anonymous man behind me in line: "She said she wanted coffee." And this has gone on, and on, and on. And, scene.
(2)
Victoria R.
$10 for a bagel and orange juice?! Pros: -the inside is super cool in that there are staff members hustling to get the bagels freshly made in this huge clay oven (?) -everything there seems to be made fresh and exclusively to this place like the spreads as well. -they are generous about how much spread they put (I end up scraping a lot off so I could have some bagel with my spread) Cons: -this place is always PACKED so to expect to wait in line -there is seating in the back but the flies were a pest -the prices for a bagel just seemed a little too much even if they were made in front of me.
(3)
Melissa S.
I normally only post reviews when I have awesome things to say about a place. Not so much this time.... I wanted to like this place more due to it's concept. Philly needs a good bagel place. But Spread disappoints. After reading about long lines and painful wait times on weekends, I decided to give it a try during the week. Even at 1:30pm on a Tuesday the other patrons and I had to wait way too long for our food. I just don't get the hype!
(2)
Dima M.
Spread is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Philadelphia. That's saying a lot as Philly has many great breakfast spots. I usually go for the egg white sandwich or a toasted everything bagel with smoked salmon spread. Recently I mixed it up and went with the frittata scramble sandwich, and it was amazing - scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, and... wait for it... amish jam! Quite possibly the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had. The bagels are hearty and flavorful. They're always fresh (which is why they run out sometimes). In the summer you can sit outside and there's a band on the weekends.
(5)
John H.
Every weekend there is a long line coming out of this place....and I always wonder, are the bagels and fixins' really THAT good???? So having a day off from work allowed me to check out this bagel joint to see what all the noise is about without that dreaded line.....which is a major pet peeve for me! So how are these wood oven baked bagels??....pretty damn delicious!! I ordered an everything bagel with a schmeer of lox cream cheese spread....very very tasty! The bagels have a bit of that smoked flavor from the wood fired oven and the lox spread is plentiful with the chunks of fish! No pink food coloring here....just the real deal! This place is tiny hence the weekend lines, but bar none the best bagel in the city! Personally, I'd never wait in line for a bagel, but if I was that hard pressed...I'd go here! The total was $5.65 for my order...definitely a little pricey, but for a high quality lox and bagel experience....completely worth it!
(4)
Danielle L.
You will not find bagels this fresh and tasty anywhere in the city, trust me I've tried. The wood fire oven cooking gives the bagels a great texture and naturally the bagels aren't super doughy so the outcome is one hell of a bagel. Breakfast sandwiches come with thick bacon- not the cheap stuff you get from the likes of a Manhattan bagel or chain place. Only down side is you have to get here early, like 8:30 or before or else you can expect to wait in line and for a little while for your bagel to be made.
(4)
Jaz S.
So I went to spread for the first time today, and mind you I have already been to knead bagel, so my expectations were high. I expected spread to at least match the quality and taste of knead. Unfortunately the bagel I got (egg white bagel sandwich) was just off. The eggs not properly seasoned because it tasted incredibly bland and there was an odd fishy taste to the bagel which is odd since there was no seafood on it. I am not one to toss away food (especially a bagel I just spent 9 dollars on) but I really did not want to finish it and ended up tossing more than half because I found it to overall terrible. The reason this review is a three star over a two is because the coffee was good and the people are nice. Bottom line, if you want an excellent bagel sandwich, walk 12 blocks east to knead bagel
(3)
Rachel S.
What I Love about Spread: 1. Banjo music on summer weekends 2. Tasty bagels, just with cream cheese or as sammys 3. Can order takeout and picnic in Rittenhouse Park 4. Unique woodfire bagels 5. Adorable atmosphere with friendly staff What I Don't Love about Spread: 1. The line can get insane! 2. A little pricey for a sandwich/drink 3. Really small space for eat-in groups Bonus: My friend from Cincinnati has to visit this spot every time she comes through Philly. It's on her must-eat list.
(4)
Jillian H.
FARMED SALMON. So sad. We love Spread! It goes without saying that the bagels are the best! But. Get with the times, Spread!
These are Canadian style bagels. Meaning they are cooked in a brick oven. They have a chargrilled taste to them that some people love but truly I'm more traditional. People that do love this style love the sandwiches. Especially the spinach and egg white.
(3)
J S.
I'm so glad I ignored the star rating on this place. I was in philly for 24hours and knew I had to have a bagel somehow. I ran over to Spread before catching a cab and was rewarded with a delicious freshly baked bagel and high quality lox. So worth it .
(5)
Paul K.
Yea, I hate to wait in line too but this place serves an authentic wood-oven Montreal style bagel and that is something special.
(5)
Kristen M.
I love bagels just as much as the next gal and with Spread being approximately 147 steps from my front door, I was excited that I'd be able to frequent it with little effort. The line is almost always out the door on a Saturday and Sunday morning, enough for the owners to hire live music to keep crowd entertained. In my opinion the bagels are good- but not that good. They are smaller than the usual bagels you might find at the chain places and they are more expensive. I get that the wood-fired oven takes more time and they are special, but they are just ok. My go-to is the everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, dining buddy usually gets the lox. Whenever we stop by it's for convenience rather than taste.
(3)
Fabio A.
Lines for ordering and picking up our confusing. Young and inpatient attendants make it an unpleasant experience.
(1)
Adam L.
I have been coming here for a while now and absolutely love this place. They make Montreal style bagels all by hand and in a wood fire oven right there behind the register. I always like places that let you watch the people cook. Everything is really fresh obviously since they bake right there. The bagels really are top notch here and I am not sure you can get better in the city. Just be prepared to pay for them because Spread is a bit pricy. I have ordered most of the menu and my favorite is breakfast sandwich with the Amish jam. It's the absolute best. Spread itself is a small place a block west of Rittenhouse. When I say small it really only sits about 20 people and there isn't a lot of standing room either. It is a very nice little shop. Whatever they are doing right over there, keep doing it. I've been there plenty of time and will keep going back.
(4)
Sam W.
So good! Only negative is that their salmon is really a cream cheese/salmon spread and not sliced fish.
(5)
Dave M.
Not sure why this place is so popular. Yes, it's a cool concept, I'll give them that. But other than that- it's all wrong. The bagels taste horrible. The amount of time it takes to order is unreal, it took over 30 minutes for me to order. There were only about 7 people ahead of me. Lastly, the prices are just out of control. Extremely overpriced for a bagel. I want to reiterate that their bagels don't even taste good.
(1)
Cat H.
We went here early on a Sat morning and enjoyed tasty bagel, egg and cheese sandwiches and turkey bacon with fresh squeezed orange juice while sitting at a shaded little table out front and enjoying the slightly cool breeze before the early August day heats up. I'm glad we picked this vibrant little place for breakfast and would recommend it, especially if you can beat the crowds. The bagels are a little different than your average bagels - Montreal wood oven style? interesting - and they make a great egg sandwich.
(4)
David R.
Really cool place with fresh bagels made in a clay oven. Service is very slow- took them 20 minutes to make 2 bagels. Food was good but very expensive! Nothing to write home about.
(2)
M N.
Uh. The first time I got a bagel here, it was SO difficult to get a bite. I thought that I bad luck and was given a stale bagel. I gave the place a second change but again it was stale. I guess that's what a Montreal bagel tastes like?? I'm from NYC so I guess my bagel standards are high but still...stale is stale.
(1)
Paige O.
AWESOME, amazing bagels! Great breakfast sandwiches as well, and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and very laid back.
(5)
Bernie Z.
Some of the best bagels around Rittenhouse, but UNBELIEVABLY slow. My first time here was two weeks ago on a Tuesday morning; I ordered a bacon egg and cheese on an everything - and even though there was no line - it still took like 10-15 to prepare. This morning (Sunday) we stopped by for the same, and had to wait 45 minutes from time of ordering for a breakfast sandwich (after waiting in line for 20 minutes). In the course of waiting, more than a dozen who came in after us got their orders. It makes no sense that a bagel place can't handle a Sunday brunch rush. The servers were friendly and the food good, but they are woefully disorganized from a production standpoint. And expensive on top of that! ($17 for two iced coffees and egg sandwiches - that's more than Manhattan!) I won't be back for awhile, but next time I am I sincerely hope they've improved their service and production.
(1)
Samuel L.
Good bagel but very expensive. It was a good treat but I can't afford it on a daily basis.
(4)
Tom M.
Know that Spread is expensive going in. Also know that the quality justifies the cost. If you order a bagel with a spread, you are going to pay a healthy price. So don't do that. Just order the bagels ($2 each, $18 for a dozen which at this level of quality I contend is worth it) take them home and apply Earth Balance or vegan cream cheese yourself. The reason I am so high on Spread is the quality. They boil the bagels (the only correct way to do it) and then they bake them in a wood fired brick oven. Our wonderful community manager Michelle C remarked that it smells like a campfire in Spread. I did not quite get the camp fire scent but the quality is in the product. I have had the onion and the whole wheat thus far. I love the bagels' irregular shape. And know that when I walk in the door with an onion bagel it takes seconds for my wife to insist we toast that bad boy and devour it. As I buy just bagels the cost is not a huge issue for me. A bigger issue for me is the lack of flavor varieties. Their bagel line-up is pretty simple. Then again, by doing so few flavors they focus on quality and that is borne out by the taste.
(4)
Jaclyn K.
Can I give this place zero stars? I just returned with my nova special bagel ordered specifically without egg with egg on it. I watched the young lady at the counter write down my order without egg on the slip. I also ordered an iced coffee, total came to $10.80. As I was waiting, close to about 20/25 minutes, I observed numerous people after me, get their bagels, observed 3 gentlemen in the kitchen standing around doing nothing, and sipped on my extremely watered down iced coffee. Normally, I get that a place like this is busy on a Saturday brunch time. However, when I notice orders just being slopped up on the line in no particular order, I get upset. I know how a kitchen runs, I know in what order orders get taken. Twenty minutes for a bagel is insane. Fast forward to me now, my bagel with egg on it, no nova salmon spread, 3 measly slices of onion and a horrible looking tomato, I have a $8 bagel I can't eat. Thanks Spread, I'll never be back, and I'm starving.
(1)
Larissa G.
I can understand why this place does well, and I really appreciate its existence. It's super cute and so I was lured in for my second visit last weekend. The inside is bustling and smoky on the weekends, but the subway tiles and chalkboard menus are very charming. I tried to snag an empty seat while my boyfriend ordered, but was rudely told by a man working there that it was taken, when no one (nor coat, purse, etc) was in sight. I was put off a bit, but we found seating in the back. The fritatta bagel is pretty good. It has jam on it, with the egg and turkey bacon, which I thought would be better. I know this is Montreal-style, and I'm open to new flavors, but it was more "okay" than "wow". Also, I know the bagels are wood fired, but ours were about half black, and looked like ones that possibly should not have been served. The eggs were cooked amazing though, and I kept finding bits of yellow yolk reminders on my fingers throughout the day. The sidewalk area is cute, though it was too cold to sit for long. There were a couple people playing live music outside and children dancing, which was endearing. Inside, a woman had her small dog at the table and it kept barking loudly. Mind you, I absolutely love dogs, but I would never bring mine inside a bagel restaurant to sit at my table, especially if it was loud. I feel like someone should have said something, but oh well.
(3)
Katie D.
Tried this for the first time during the day Monday. They are definitely not New York style bagels, it's important to know that going in. The homemade cream cheese was so delicious. Honestly I was considering getting some extra on the side to bring back to my apartment. The price point was high, but worth the treat. Both my friend and I felt as though the service was a tad slow. Everything was chaotic enough that they seemed to need an additional server.
(4)
Lea T.
My favorite bagel spot in Philly! Although these Montreal style bagels are a little smaller and sweeter than NY style bagels I enjoy them just the same. The owner is very friendly and seems to keep an eye on the place very often. Prices are a tad higher than most places but here they offer gourmet toppings such as truffled mushrooms, turkey bacon, and egg whites. Be sure to go early or at off hours because this small spot gets very crowded very often. Excited to see they're also opening a bakery across the street!
(4)
Andrew T.
In terms of bagels in Philly this is probably the closest thing your going to find to a decent bagel in Center City. And by closest I mean they aren't traditional bagels. they're more like high end bread in the shape of a ring. They're just baked sans boiling so no hard dreamy exterior to bite into. If your office does breakfast Fridays and you want to show everyone what's up I suggest coming here. The bagels are pulled straight from a wood fired oven and are soft and deliciously fresh. I was a bit shocked when I was told my egg and cheese sandwich would be roughly $7 when at no point living in manhattan did I ever pay more that $5 for such a sandwich. A note on their coffee it is La Colombe so that's a plus but they don't brew it as strong and rich as La Colombe so that's not a plus. Daily bagel ritual probably not; it's more of a treat yourself to a boutique bagel once it a while, sure why not.
(4)
Kimberly Y.
I've had Spread twice now -- once catered but cold (not their fault, we just ordered early) for a breakfast event for an organization I'm part of, and again in store. Both times were great -- the bagels were so soft, fresh, and fluffy! Probably the best bagels I've ever had! but not that much more remarkable than Bruegger's or anything else. The time I went in, I didn't have an issue at all with the service, as they were quick and actually gave us more bagel than we had asked for! I also like that it's set up as a coffee shop so there's seating.
(5)
Vladislav V.
Amazing place for breakfast or just having a coffee with any style of bagels. Love it!
(5)
William B.
What, you might be asking, is a Montreal-style bagel? It is a bagel that is baked in a wood-fired oven after the standard boiling, and it is delicious! The lox sandwich has thick, fresh-tasting salmon and all of the other toppings are spot-on. It is expensive (~12 dollars) but worth it. The less-than-four-star reviews can only be explained by the proximity to Manhattan.
(4)
Kathleen M.
The bagel was OK, not worth the price, but the coffee was not hot and the workers are rude and unfriendly! The cashier was texting and inattentive. At least say Good Morning!
(2)
Veronica V.
I've been searching for a good bagel in Philly. This place is not it. I stopped in this morning to grab a breakfast sandwich on a bagel. When they directly me to the baskets holding about 5 different varieties, I was dismayed to see that they were all burnt. I was assured that they could give me a "lighter one", so I ordered the sandwich. The eggs were nicely cooked...fluffy and flavorful, and the bacon was nice and crispy. However, the "light" bagel was still burnt. When I bit into it, it even had that dark brown ring inside the black outside that you get when you keep something too long next to the flame. I can imagine that with a little finesse, this cooking method could make some really interesting bagels, but whoever is doing the cooking does not know how to do it, resulting in a sandwich that tastes like charcoal. Also, there were a couple of bites reminiscent of fish, which makes me think that the salmon must come into contact with the grill and that the grill doesn't get cleaned very well between orders. Plus, they DO NOT recycle!!!! I finished my orange juice before my order was done and asked where the recycle bin was. I was told there wasn't one and to just throw it in the trash can. Isn't recycling the law in Philly these days??
(1)
Kliner M.
I've been here three times over the past year, always getting a bagel with some sort of cream cheese. I'm from New York and the bagels here rival most I've had there. Fresh, soft, and chewy. My only complaint about the quality is that it's not entirely consistent-- split two bagels during my last visit and one was slightly overbaked. Slightly pricey and fairly slow service (because of the number of customers) but well worth it.
(4)
Vivian T.
As soon as you enter, you feel how warm it is from the brick oven used for the bagels and then you look up and you're overwhelmed w. the menu board... yikes. I love the old school and quint feel of Spread and the overall customer service was quick. The bagels are super yummy and I love the flour they have on the outside, brings a rustic taste to the bagel. I do think a wheat bagel w/ scallion cream cheese for $4 is expensive considering I can go to the supermkt and get 5 bagels for $3 bucks. But of course those supermkt bagels won't taste anywhere as fresh and yummy as Spread. Bonus they offer la calombe which is my ideal coffee. Dear Spread.... can you guys implement a reward program for every $50 spent here you get a free begal and coffee or something?.. Com' on lets reward the patrons of Spread. TIP - Buy 6 bagels for $10 ...bang for the buck. I am def coming back for this.
(4)
Sara A.
Only come here if you have nowhere to be. The wait is at least 30 minutes for a bagel sandwich. The bagels are good, but not worth the wait. The sandwiches are overpriced and not particularly anything you couldn't do at home. My recommendation is to buy a bag of bagels to go, go to a deli and buy eggs and bacon, and make the sandwiches at home. You'll be done faster.
(2)
Lilly S.
A must when in Philly. Coffee, onion, bagel, and all the wonderful smells of the shop!
(5)
Allison K.
Cozy spot, good sandwich options, decent bagels, but nothing mind-blowing. Frankly, I prefer South Street Philly Bagels.
(3)
Roopa S.
Tasty bagels and spreads, but kind of on the expensive side. Paid around $4 for an onion bagel with roasted vegetable spread-- enjoyed the meal thoroughly but wish the bagel was bigger and wish it was slightly cheaper. Definitely tasty though!
(3)
Joel G.
Best bagels , best coffee, and the best atmosphere in Philly! Wish we had one here in LA.
(5)
Brittany B.
Cute trendy bagel spot. It was really crowded when I walked in but everything smelled amazing. They were out of most of their bagels but I was already here so I decided to make the best of it. Bagel sandwiches were delicious! And definitely worth the walk! If you are picky about your bagel flavor I would recommend going early. I got the bagel and lox sandwich and it was very good!
(4)
S L.
I think the people who work here are on sedatives. They couldn't move slower if they tried. Bagels are still good, but it's painful to wait 10 minutes for a bagel with some cream cheese.
(2)
Joanna L.
Montreal bagels, eh? Wasn't initially sure what the difference was, but now I understand. The bagels made at Spread are a thinner and a little sweeter than your average bagel, but cooked in a wood fired oven, and made fresh daily! The staff is friendly and helpful, working behind the counter in a very small space, but seem to have locked down a casual production routine. Every time I'm in there, no matter how many people are waiting, the staff doesn't seem overwhelmed or phased by the rush. This isn't a bad thing, I'm simply stating that I admire how they seem to visually enjoy their jobs, working together as a team and providing customers excellent bagels. Each time I've visited Spread, there has been a line out the door. Typically I am an impatient gal, but I've always found the time to wait because it's just too good to pass up. I love bagels, but often feel that many places make them too thick and doughy for my liking. Spread has got the bagel game perfected though! The smell of the bagels rising in the oven fills my nose and excites me when I wait in line each visit. So far, I have only tried three different kinds of bagel sandwiches. I've had veggie cream cheese on a whole wheat everything, toasted, with cucumbers and tomato (a classic Wawa offering I fell in love with years ago, but Spread does it WAY better). I've also tried the Nova Scramble, which has eggs, scottish salmon cream cheese, onion and tomato -- very yummy. And the last one I tried is a simple turkey bacon, egg white and cheese on whole wheat. I look forward to eating my way through their menu! See you again soon, Spread!
(4)
Caprice C.
Food is OK. Service awful. They forget who is in line, they let people skip. They see a line yet 3 ppl cannot take more than one persons order. Inefficient. Will never come back.
(1)
Alina L.
Okay, long line doesn't necessarily mean the place is good, but long line EVERYDAY (well, usually on the weekends) definitely means the place is good! Let's just say Spread is my weekend to-go place, their bagel is just the perfect size with the best texture. FYI, if you order anything with egg in it, good luck waiting forever! I just realized that two weeks ago and have been ordering chicken sandwiches instead, so much faster (insider's secret) :) Waiting in line can be annoying, but at spread they sometimes have musicians playing right out the shop while you are standing in line. And even if you can't find a table to sit, you can always take your bagel to go and eat it in the park across the street :D
(4)
Tina D.
Ok, the bagels were good but it was a mad house. Don't bother ordering a breakfast sandwich or you will wait for an hour. The grill help is unfriendly and were taking their sweet time with everything despite the fact that the line was out the door. When we opened our sandwiches they were a mess! Just thrown together which made me not want to eat it. The egg whites were runny too. I had to take it off my sandwich. Big disappointment.
(2)
Lili W.
I used to LOVE spread. Don't get me wrong, the bagels are delicious, but the customer service/staff is lacking. Everyone that works here is high on something and are super slowww and unattentive. Several times, I've ordered a toasted bagel and when I got home my bagel was not toasted. Spread is not cheap and I don't think it's too much to ask for my order to be prepared correctly.
(2)
T L.
In a word, a clusterf-ck. At least last Sunday around 1pm. No line to order, paid, and then waited 30 MINUTES!!! - I kid you not for two to go sandwiches. The bottleneck was clearly with the cooks who seemed as if they were not experienced or efficient at all. To make matters worse, they started serving ppl who walked in 20 min after most of us waiting (1 sandwich as opposed to 2!), which is flat out UNACCEPTABLE. (Mgmt was basically non-existent which is also really bizarre.) Oh and truly lame was the fact that after I finally spoke up (we were all being way too polite), one of the cooks turned around and got an attitude with me - WHAT?! Dude, I do not sympathize with overly successful businesses. Get your act together! Figure out how to handle demand or notify customers in advance.
(2)
Chris P.
Wood fires bagels? Yes PLEASE!!! Best bagels in Philly. Period. Nice employees working there as well. Stellar!
(5)
Randall C.
I'm not mad about the long lines on the weekend. I'm not mad about the tiny space. I'm not mad about the staff's disregard for folks who choose to eat here, as though we're lucky to even be in the same room. I'm mad because the hot bagel sandwich that I was served was inedible-- smeared with unidentifiable goop inside AND outside, plopped in front of me, a weird mixture of beef fat and mayonnaise and grease from the grill. Absolutely disgusting. If you want to wait in line, get your bagel plain and add your own spread. The kitchen staff don't give a dm about the folks who have to eat the food they serve. And it shows.
(1)
Sam C.
I love spread! It's one of my favorite places in the city. All of their bagel sandwiches (I've had each at least once) is delicious. I only had issue with the lox, it's layered pretty thick to the point that I had to pull some out. But that's hardly a thing to complain about. The service and experience is always exceptional and the seating options are great. On clear days you can sit outside in the sidewalk, but inside there is also seating in the front or a quieter more private area in the back.
(5)
Jeffrey B.
Everything is fresh and taste good. But 30-45 min wait for a bagel is nuts. They need a more efficient process to justify ever going there.
(2)
Reid W.
Expect a wait, especially on the weekends. When I arrived, around 11AM on a Sunday morning, the line was out the door. I got an everything bagel with smoked salmon cream cheese, and it was delicious. I really enjoyed the montreal style, brick-oven toasted, bagels. It maintained the appropriate combination of crispiness and fluffiness. The smoked salmon spread, while a little light on the smoked salmon, was fine. Bagels were completed only a minute after ordering. I'm assuming the breakfast sandwiches take significantly longer to make. My only relevant complaints regard the size and price of the bagels. Bagels definitely aren't NYC-style behemoths, but they definitely include a price premium. I bought two bagels with cream cheeses and two OJs, and the total was $17 bucks... definitely not your typical neighborhood price point.
(3)
Geet M.
If there was no line, and I wasn't hungry...I would go back, maybe? Cute idea for a place, Montreal wood oven bagel concept= genius. I was hungry, (really really hungry) when I stopped here on a Sunday around noon and the line was out the door. The line was moving but I soon realized it just meant that you paid quickly, then waited in the back. They ran out of all types of bagels except sesame and poppy seed (a bit surprising for a place that always seems to have a line). My recommendation (if I could only give you one): don't come here hungry...I was ready to gnaw my arm after waiting 20+ mins for 4 bagels. We ordered to go and unfortunately found out at the park that 2 out of the 4 weren't exactly what we ordered...we were given something else in place of the egg white bagel: our replacement came with cream cheese, tomato, and normal eggs...definitely not what we ordered. Such a shame since the chicken bagel was quite tasty (mmm turkey bacon)... our experience lacked here too though... we did not get the side (chips)...such a disappointment for a $10 bagel. Well, $9.95 but you know what I mean. It would have helped greatly if the bagels were labeled as we all had to guess who's bagel matched their order The one other thing I would note is that the freshly squeezed orange juice is a gallon bottle bought from a company that manufactures "freshly squeezed orange juice" (it does say this on the label). It does not taste like the ideal fresh squeezed you get when its done in house...and for $3.5 for a small glass, the price doesnt justify it.
(2)
TD S.
I've waited in some decent lines for bagels (H&H, Murray's, Tal) on Saturday mornings, but never have I waited SO long for a mediocre bagel - 30 mins. I partly think the long line is due to the lack of supply of bagels in this town, but perhaps it was because there was only one person preparing all the orders (aggressive). HOWEVER, there is a bright spot for Spread. I anticipate the line will be significantly shorter once Chestnut Street Philly Bagels opens in a few months. As for the bagel itself, yawn. Small, not crispy, not-so-montreal.
(1)
Rachel C.
Spread. It just sounds dirty, doesn't it?? But I love the idea of wood fired bagels. I kinda consider everything to be better when they're wood fired. Everything off the menu sounded scrumptious. I went with the Nova Scramble so I could get all the good stuff: eggs, tomato, salmon and salmon cream cheese (!!). It was tasty, but I think it could have had a tad more flavor. I didn't taste the wood fired part of the bagel enough. I have no clue what that would take to make it more "wood fired" but it tasted more toasted than anything else. Which is maybe just what that does...?? I loved the fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and the whole ambiance - live music outside on a lovely Sunday morning. The line was long (for a Sunday am) but moved very quickly. I'd absolutely come back, as I think it's quality breakfast fare that's fast and easy!
(3)
Susan C.
I tried the bagels from Spread on my way home from Philly, and I don't see what's so great about their bagels. It just tasted like a regular run-of-the-mill bagel to me, not particular awesome or memorable, but definitely overpriced. Also, the orange juice here tasted a bit from concentrate-y rather than fresh squeezed.
(2)
Amy B.
This is a cute, homey little bagel shop. They have chocolate chip bagels which are very good, they're hard to find! I had one toasted with cream cheese which was good but I think it should have been warmer and more toasted. I think $5 and change for a regular sized bottle of Poland Spring and a toasted bagel with cream cheese is fair but the bottle of water could be a little bigger. Still, I will come back. They're next to Lee's Hardware and just off of the square.
(4)
Anne D.
Worst Bagel experience of my life!!! We ordered 4 things. 3 bacon egg and cheese sandwiches and a bagel with cream cheese. One "sandwich" has nothing on it. Just a bagel in tin foil. The other 2 sandwiches do not have cheese and the bacon is way undercooked. The only thing you got right was the bagel with cream cheese. These sandwiches are dry and nasty. We just moved a block away and you could have been our go to for bagels. Not a chance now. Gross!
(1)
Jordan P.
After checking my credit on LevelUp and seeing how close I lived to this Best of Philly bagelry, I stopped in for a particularly decadent brunch for one. I scoped the menu for a bit before finally deciding on The Standard on a whole wheat everything bagel, toasted. This included eggs (or egg whites, but I went for it with the yolks and all), bacon, and cheese. The sammy was ready much faster than I expected, but it was the middle of the weekday, so I'm not too surprised. I ordered it to-go so I could enjoy this breakfast in-bed (or at least, on-couch) right across the street at my apartment. It smelled intoxicating when I opened the bag and unwrapped my prize, and I couldn't resist taking a bite almost instantly. The "innards" of the sammy were phenomenal, the cheese well-melted, the bacon smokey and crisp, and the eggs were not too bad, either. A little over-done (I opened the sammy at one point to add some hot sauce). The bagel itself... well I can tell it was well-made, and beautiful as far as bagels go, but they toasted the HELL out of that thing. Toasted in this case seems to have translated to nearly-blackened, and it left the bagel kind of dry without much in the way of flavor other than burnt. It's especially tough for me to get my head around this considering the cost of this sammy. $7 is a lot for a bagel sandwich, considering you can get a bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel at many places for less than $4-5. I respect they rock the wood-fired brick oven thing, but I'd rather not eat a wood-fired bagel sandwich.
(3)
Di P.
Usually when I say "I'm from North Jersey" Philadelphians stop listening to me-- but people, I'm from New Jersey and am good at two food related things due to growing up there: identifying a good bagel and knowing where in North Jersey smells like rotten eggs. I got the Nova Spread (smoked salmon) on a whole wheat everything for $5. FIVE BUCKS for like two tablespoons of schmear. Which, I guess in one way it's good because usually places give you waaaaay too much cream cheese. But I'd rather have a lot, take out the excess than be left feeling ... dry. There was a pretty long line to get through the door in a small place, but surprisingly they moved the line pretty fast and we even got a seat. Also our bagels came out fast. People who got egg sandwiches were definitely waiting longer (naturally). I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if I lived around the corner I would be totally fine grabbing a fast breakfast. No chai tea latte. Booooo.
(3)
Ann M.
No matter how good the food is, if the service is bad- it totally spoils everything. Unfortunately, like many other reviewers pointed out with spread bagel ray, their service is seriously lacking! My husband went their twice without me and said he would never go back unless I went..well, I thought he was just being impatient. Wow, waited 25 minutes for 2 bagels with cream cheese on the side and when they forgot the cream cheese on the side- I waited another 15 minutes for them to fill a small tub for me. There is no sense of urgency whatsoever and a man in front of me said " never coming back here,!" . Agreed.
(1)
Katelyn I.
Delicious bagels! Will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Michael B.
A little pricey when you add coffee, but great bagel sandwiches. The bagels are toasted in a real wood fire oven! This place is kind of off the beaten path, but worth the walk!
(4)
Tyler L.
Spread. Such a popular spot. I will give them this, this is not a typical bagel spot. They have friendly service, have musicians out front on weekends, and they do an upscale bagel. That all being said, it is certainly not worth the price of admission. Two specialty bagels, two coffees...$24. Now I don't mind spending a little and the food is definitely better than Starbucks...but really? That being said, they have a line out the door almost constantly and they sell out of their bagels. So it must be priced right. Bagels are dense...maybe it is the brick oven that condenses them...anyways if you in the mood for something light and fluffy...not your place. Overall I like the atmosphere and I guess they are able to charge a premium because they have created something new and different. Just be warned, it is an expensive (asi-asi) bagel.
(3)
Jordan S.
Caveat: proud, Jewish Long Islander reviewing bagels of Philly. The atmosphere when you walk in says you are about to have an awesome bagel experience but it really falls short. The portions are pathetic for the price. Bagels at a place like this should be stacked. The selection is great as far as the specialty sandwiches but they sound a lot more interesting than they fare. The bagel/creamcheese/lox was really sad. I can never go back here willingly.
(2)
S S.
Meh. It's NO NY Bagel, that's for sure. Not at all impressed. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because I feel like 1 star should be for supermarket bagels. I order the everything bagel, toasted, with nova salmon cc spread, tomatoes, cucumbers & onions. The bagel was barely toasted. The onions were tiny & white, not the classic red onion. The tomatoes, or should I say one tomato slice (cut into 2 halves, one on each side) Both of the tomato halves were the "butt" of the tomato. The salmon cream cheese had barely any salmon, and tasted like regular plain cc. The cucumbers were so big that they wouldn't stay on the sandwich so I just ended up eating them separately. AND I found a tiny sliver of FOIL in my sandwich, so GROSS! I paid $7 and left hungry, and I don't even have that much of an appetite. (Went around the corner to Metropolitan Bakery & bought a fennel pretzel which was Amazing!)
(2)
Brendan L.
The bagels are quite good, and there's some decent variety offered, esp among cream cheeses. But Smear utterly and completely fails on the customer service front. We ordered a bagel w cream cheese (not toasted) and a bagel w egg and an iced coffee and it took 20 (!) minutes for them to serve it. Really. Two separate employees were on their cell phones during that time. One employee looked bored. Another walked in and out of the back area. No one seemed sure of what they were doing, so we waited and waited and waited. The bagels were good, but we will not be back. It's not worth the wait.
(1)
Robert M.
I had the Standard on a sesame bagel. I've never had a Montreal-style bagel so I can't comment on how it measures up, but I didn't enjoy the bagel as much as I have NY style ones. I was surprised by how sweet the bagel was. Overall it didn't blow me away but was pretty good. Bacon was overcooked IMO, and I was surprised by how little eggs/cheese/bacon there was on the sandwich..a "minimalist" approach I guess. The bagel itself was also quite a bit smaller than what I'm used to getting in NY. For $7, I felt kind of ripped off. I think the feeling that you're getting ripped off is really the best way to describe Spread. The bagels aren't like the ones I get in NY, and they aren't supposed to be, but they seem pretty good - although if I go again I'll just get a bagel and not the sandwich. But the prices can't be justified by the quality or the portions. The portions are smaller than in a NYC bagel shop and IMO the quality is inferior. If you go to Absolute Bagel or Ess-A-Bagel in NYC, bagels cost $1/$1.15 respectively versus $2 here at Spread. The sandwiches at Spread are similarly marked up. Judging by the line on the weekend they are doing OK at the current price point. But that says more about the lack of quality bagels in Philadelphia than it does about Spread.
(3)
Moira N.
I decided to come back and give this place another try. Unlike my last visit, the young woman at the register was upbeat and really helpful. There was an older (and very fashionable) woman also working and overseeing things. I knew not to expect any menu options that I would like and so I asked if they could give me a toasted everything with peanut butter and the young woman was very happy to oblige. Service was quick. The iced coffee was delicious. My bagel was good and the peanut butter was natural. Overall a much more pleasant experience. My boyfriend is still a fan but now just stocks up on many bagels at a time and makes his own sandwiches with them at home. I'm not a huge fan but won't keep avoiding this place either.
(3)
Kelsey T.
I'd love to be able to give Spread 4 stars, because the sandwiches are good and everything bagel is very delicious, but it takes forever... It's frustrating when you are only 4th in line and have to wait more than 20 minutes for a sandwich. Arrive when they open to avoid a long line!
(3)
Michael H.
This place makes INCREDIBLE breakfast sandwiches. My favorite is the tuna melt on an everything bagel! The best and worst thing though about Spread is that everything is made to order. This is great if you get here before 8am, but arrive much later, you'll be hanging out in a very long, slow moving line. Luckily, musicians frequently hang outside and play on the weekend provide, albeit limited, distraction.
(4)
T B.
Went for bagels on Sunday morning. Service is SO SO SLOW. I also don' t think my bagel tasted that fresh. The line takes forever and I was kind of grossed out at the flies in the back. I think they just need to make sure that they are focused on the bagels and not everything else on the menu. They service la columbe coffee which is a nice touch. I think the cream cheese needs to have more flavor .
(3)
Nicole H.
I'm a huge bagel snob. The bagels I had every Sunday growing up are simply nowhere to be found in Philly, and I've come to terms with that. But when I heard that Spread was serving Montreal-style, which apparently are like the deep-dish of the pizza world (similar, yet not comparable to the traditional choice), I figured I'd give it a try. Listen - the food was good. I found the bagel to be a little strange, but it certainly was tasty. The spread (I got the lox cream cheese) was delicious, and the egg was perfectly cooked. So why 3 stars? Well, the service was a 5 star experience. I ordered to go, and the speed was beyond fast. And they take LevelUp, which gave them some points in my book. But the price is insane. I can't believe I spent $12 on a bagel with cream cheese (not actual lox!) and an iced coffee. Cannot believe it. I'd say the food is 3.5 stars, the service is 5, the tiny checkout space is a 2 and the prices are a 1. If you're not concerned about price than definitely stop by and try these Canadian bagel things. But if you're trying to save your money I'd head somewhere else.
(3)
John S.
Been here twice now and the bagels are pretty good...nothing to write home about. The biggest issue is the service. Both times I've been here it's taken atleast 20min to get my order. Additionally, you stand in an enclosed, crowded and uncomfortable area and constantly are in peoples' way. The bagels are nothing special and you can find a better bagel without the ridiculous waiting...I will not be going back. Maybe get some cooks who have a bit more pep in their step. Also, the prices are egregious...$20 for two sandwiches and two waters..
(2)
Leo Y.
A solid bagel and good bagel sandwich. The egg white sandwiches with turkey bacon are great and they certainly don't skimp on the toppings (including the lox). With that said, the price for bagels is extraordinarily high.
(4)
Frank T.
Very good bagels, okay line and okay wait time. But when I left this place, all I can remember are the flies in the back seating area and the cashier that really hate her job and incoming people (customers). Can't enjoy any good meal when there are flies around you.
(2)
Chelsey M.
If the line out the door starting at 9 on weekends doesn't tell you how great this place is, then continue reading! I love bagels. I especially love these bagels. the montreal style bagel is slightly different than usual bagels, but I prefer them. The cream cheese is fresh and amazing. The owner is great. Sometimes they are slow and not very effecient, but I don't ever go here when I am in a rush.
(5)
Lolly G.
This is my experience with spread. Walked in on Monday morning to a girl behind the counter who saw us, turned her back towards us and aimlessly looked for cream cheese. She went on a stunning amount of time pulling bagels out of the toaster and asking a guy who came out there things were. I wanted to leave but we went through so much trouble parking, we were screwed into staying. There were about 2 people waiting for sandwiches. We then ordered there breakfast sandwiches (all without meat) and 2 iced teas. The total was 33 dollars. Unreal pricing. I thought it could be a mistake but after waiting that long we just wanted to go. The sandwiches were just ok, nothing special. I have never witnessed customer service like this and after being ripped off, I won't return. There's SO many good spots in the city for bagels it would be a shame to go here. They no doubt continue to have business based on their prime location, nothing else.
(1)
Michelle C.
I'm bumping up to four stars as a result of friendlier service, pitchers of water and bottomless coffee. Today I met a friend for lunch and ordered a whole wheat everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, tomato and bacon, plus a cup of coffee. The total was around ten bucks, which is still pretty expensive, but since it was lunch and not breakfast I didn't mind. There are now pitchers of ice water with lemon, which I'm happy to drink over paying for a bottle of water. My bagel sammie was absolutely delicious, and it came with slices of fresh cucumber on the side, which I then stuffed inside to add a little more crunch and flavor. Again, this isn't an every day type of place, but for a really tasty bagel and a cute place to have lunch, it's solid. Also, the wood burning oven smells like a campfire. Who doesn't love that?
(4)
Herbie H.
I had heard raves about Spread from a number of friends, and I finally was able to try it over the weekend. The line wasn't too long when I got there at about 10:45, and moved fairly quickly. I ordered the Frittata Scramble, per the suggestion of a friend. Surprisingly, the egg, bacon, tomato, and jam all worked extremely well together to create well-balanced flavor. I wanted to get an everything bagel, but had to settle on a sesame. The bagel sandwich was delicious, the coffee was decent. Yes, the $11 price tag for those two items was a bit much, but for a breakfast treat, it was worth it.
(5)
Jessica O.
The place is very cute and would be a nice place to sit down and eat if you had all the time in the world. My friend and I went for Sunday breakfast and surprisingly there was no wait to order but took about 15 minutes to get our breakfast which seemed to be a bit longer than necessary. The staff was very friendly. I think for a grab and go kinda place the prices are a little high with 8+ for an egg sandwich. Based on the method of cooking the bagels both our bagels were a little burnt. I probably would try something else for breakfast next time I'm in town.
(3)
Jessica S.
Though I'm a little bit confused as to why we got a legit Montreal style bagel place in Center City before a "traditional" or New York style bagel place, I can't entirely complain. I do love the bagels here! This was actually a first for me: never had a Montreal style bagel before. Being from North Jersey with a plethora of amazing New York style bagel place to choose from, I was certainly enthralled by the idea of a different style of bagel, and was really happy with the product. A little sweet, a little more bready, less "crisp" on the outside, this version of the Montreal bagel is really delicious. I prefer to get it with one of their spreads, just warm out of the oven, no toasting necessary. Their sandwiches are good, but they consistently just fall apart when I am trying to eat them, so I tend to opt for the simpler option. As noted, they are a little pricey for a bagel shop, but if you stick to the plain bagel and cream cheese option, you won't go too far into your pockets. +1 for friendly service, bottomless la colombe, and a cute atmosphere. Can be quite a bit of a wait on a busy weekend morning, but generally not too bad.
(4)
Melissa P.
Having lived in Montreal almost half my life, Montreal Style Bagels are definitely something that I missed when I moved to Philly, so I was super excited when I found out Spread was opening. They're not exactly like the Montreal Bagels I miss, but they're pretty close, so I'll take it! Also this place is just really cute and has great breakfast sandwiches and spreads! A bit pricey, but worth it.
(4)
George R.
Good service and very nice choice of bagels. Friendly people. A bit on the expensive side, but so much that I wouldn't go again.
(4)
Fei P.
Yumminess!!! The sandwiches are made to order, fresh ingredients. Only thing is that the sandwich itself is way to big to fit in my mouth and falls apart when biting into it. But sometimes the messiness adds to the flavor I guess. Definitely recommended :-)
(4)
Katie R.
YUM! You have to start with commenting on the bagels - they are absolutely delicious. However they cook them, it's fantastic. Love Love Love the bagels. I also love the variety of toppings/spreads/sandwich combinations you can get to go with the bagels. I'm your basic egg-on-a-bagel kind of girls, but they have all the standards (salmon, etc) as well as some interesting combinations. I hadn't been before the bottomless coffee bar, water pitchers, etc, but I am certainly appreciative. My friend and I had a morning meeting there and sat at our table for an hour, and it was nice to be able to refill when we needed without any hassle. What I don't love: waiting 20 minutes in line to order. I can't really complain about this as it just shows the place's popularity, but it's probably a good idea to go with someone so they can hold a table for you while you wait in line to order. Can't rate it 5 stars because it's definitely too expensive for a bagel shop (my bagel/egg/bacon sandwich was a solid $10), but this is definitely a place I would return to for breakfast.
(4)
Karl B.
I have now been to Spread about 8-9 times before writing this review. Mostly because it's the only bagel place nearby and I want so badly for it to be good! Unfortunately, they just cannot live up to expectations. To start, the bagels are fine (the only reason they're getting 2-stars over 1). Nothing special, certain not H&H caliber, but infinitely better than Manhattan Bagel. If you're just looking for a plain, uncut, into aster bagel, Spread will usually do you right. So as I said, I have been to Spread nearly a dozen times, and the one thing that sticks out more than anything is the incompetence of the staff. The person on the counter is often only half there. High, hungover, sleep deprived, socially inept, whatever it may be, the counter person is, more often than not, rude, short, and barely there. I've had to repeat my order numerous times, and am treated like a fly buzzing around their head. My second big issue is the product itself. Not one time have I ordered one of the specialty sandwiches and found it properly made. I am either given the wrong type of bagel, missing ingredients, cold food, soggy bread, twice I was even given the completely wrong order. There is nothing worse then walking home dreaming of juicy brisket and horseradish on a poppy seed bagel, only to open up the bag and find a tuna melt on a whole wheat bagel. The quicker way to ruin a Sunday morning. Finally, my last issue with Spread is their selection. Now I have worked in the restaurant industry for almost a decade and I come rely understand how smaller establishments stock product and are apt to run out of things at times, but I have never once been to Spread when they haven't been out of half the menu. At a certain point you have to realize that business is growing and start increasing your production. When you run out of brisket, tuna, everything/poppy/sesame bagels every single day at eleven AM, a smart manager would start the day making more brisket/tuna/bagels. Every successful business owner knows that every time a customer leaves your establishment with any negative feelings, they are twice as likely to never come back. Long story short, Spread Bagelry is an average bagel shop operated by a bunch of below average workers. Maybe one day we'll get ourselves an H&H or Einsteins here in Philly, but until then, we're pretty much out of luck when it comes to a good bagel.
(2)
David A.
Went here Sunday to try out the Montreal bagels that have gotten some good press. I had an everything bagel with nova and scallion cream cheese, along with tomato and onion. I don't treat myself to bagels very often. This was a fantastic product. Bagel had incredible texture. It was chewy and delicious. Lox was good, not great but no complaints! They served this with a small cup of cucumber salad that was dressed perfectly and nice and crunchy. They also serve La Columbe coffee. Sat outside and enjoyed the bagel and the great weather. Nice (but tight) space inside with indoor seating. Owner and staff were friendly. Egg sandwiches as well which I will try next time. A good spot!
(4)
Brian S.
I had to add a star for their wheat and wheat everything bagels as well as their Saturday entertainment (usually an accordian player). It makes waiting in the line a lot more bearable. Also the owner is really cool and he will sometimes hand out hot, steamy, airy bagels free straight from the oven. That helps a lot too!
(4)
Jessica W.
Why do people line up here for bagels every weekend morning? No seriously, why?!? There is nothing notable about Spread, except for their outrageous prices. It's worth the trek down to Old City to go to South Street Bagels instead.
(2)
Sean M.
This past weekend, I ordered 2 bagels with cream cheese on the side. The cashier said, "$11 even," with a straight face. I simply said "No" and waited for her to re-calculate. She said "Oh yeah, that's for full tubs of cream cheese. $8.50." I said, "that's still crazy, but OK." Due to being very hungry, and having waited for the normal 20 minutes, I sucked it up and paid. The odd thing is that last week, I got the same thing and paid under $7. The prices are always crazy, but now they are inconsistent, and coupled with the wait, I will not be returning.
(2)
Alex P.
Nice cozy place to have a coffee and a bagel out of the wood fired oven... A bit pricey but you're certainly not going to get a better bagel in Philly
(4)
A B.
Fantastic bagels! I've been to Spread three times - twice for breakfast and once for lunch. It's a cozy place to eat and you can watch the bagels and sandwiches cook in the brick oven while you wait. The employees are wonderful - friendly, efficient, and helpful. First visit, I picked up two bagels (everything, cinnamon raisin) with plain cream cheese. Doesn't sound very exciting, but both were awesome. Toasted perfectly and probably too much cream cheese, but no complaints! Definitely fresh. Second visit, I went with a friend and we ordered a tuna-melt to go - amazing. It is absolutely big enough to share, you will be full after one half, even if you eat a lot! It came with chips, which was a nice touch. Tuna wasn't too fishy, perfectly seasoned, and I will absolutely be back here to order it again. Third visit, I picked up a bagel (whole wheat) and salmon cream cheese to-go. Again, it was toasted and cooked perfectly, but I received about half the amount of cream cheese as I had before. There was lots of salmon, which was nice - usually that is missing at most restaurants. The salmon was very flavorful, and I definitely got my money's worth food-wise. On the weekends, there is some kind of fun musician outside and the line can get long. I went at 8am on my 1st and 3rd visit and was surprised to find that the Special of the Day, a chocolate chip bagel (both visits!), was completely sold out after only being open for an hour. Must be a good bagel!
(4)
Lindsay H.
I love a bagels. I long for the days of picking up a dozens bagels on the weekend and indulging. Sadly, America realized that they aren't great for you and ever since, the bagel shop business has slowly gone down hill and then I read about Spread. Spread is a bagel place through and through and it's more than that. Their bagels are "Montreal" style. What the heck is that? Well, there's made in a brick over...aka super crusty on the outside and chewy/deliciousness on the inside. Awesome. I absolutely recommend checking this place out. Expect to wait a little since it's a tiny place and one of the only delicious bagel places left in town!
(5)
Catherine L.
Nearly there, but not quite. As a Montreal gal, born and raised, I was thrilled, overjoyed at the prospect of having a Montreal Bagel place right here in Philly. First poutine, now bagels... what's next? Montreal style smoked meat? One could only hope. Anyhoo. A true Montreal Style bagel is traditionally served with sesame seed (or poppy) so when I ordered a Montreal bagel I was told "They all were". Mistake #1. Next came the official tasting - the bagels were almost on point, the slight sweetness, and the consistency, almost there - but still the bagels themselves proved to be a bit too thick and the shape of the actual bagels not right . In all, the total flavor profile? It fell a bit short. Not bad, but not what I missed from the old country. Lastly, the price tag! Sweet mary and joseph- is this place expensive! For two sandwiches and drinks - the total is nearly $30? A wee bit too rich for my blood. Place is tiny, not much room to eat in, and no ice is offered with the bevvies, what gives? Service is pleasant, but not entirely helpful. All and all: a nice detour from the regular world of bagels, good stop for brunch, and a nice little insight (albeit a little inaccurate) into what Montreal bagels have got to offer.
(3)
Bernie B.
I have wanted to try this place for a long time. I made it there today and even though the wait is annoying, it is part of the charm. I have been thinking about the bagel and whitefish salad I had. The whitefish was very good, but the bagel was just fair. I am not sure why the bagel was not a winner for me. It was good, but the pop up bagel shop in my neighborhood has much better bagels. Also, the iced coffee was so weak from the melting ice it was lousy. I am not sure I will come back here.
(3)
ana m.
Good.... but not sure it's entirely worth the long lines and high prices. I ordered a bagel sandwich and the turkey was quite dry. The bagels themselves are good, but be prepared to wait...... My iced latte was very good, but I finished it by the time my sandwich was ready to pick up. :/
(3)
Lizette H.
The first time I went here I had an amazing experience; I had large bagels stuffed with cream cheese, check out the picture! I had a plain bagel with the veggie spread and another plain with the berry spread. Both were equally delicious. The bagels were crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. The next time we came, we had the same thing plus a bagel sandwich with lox and another plain with green onion spread. Boy, they're not joking with the green onion, a little strong for me. I also tried their half bagel with the tomato slice and cheese on top, not worth it- lacked flavor. So we enjoyed ourselves so much, we ordered some bagels to go...except when we got home, we had scrawny rings. Pitiful rings. These were *not* the same thing. I was disappointed and felt ripped off. I'm hoping it was just a bad batch because I will go again....I just hope they are as glorious as the before. I gave it 4 stars because of the scrawny to-go bagels and the fact that they cook their turkey and pork on the same tiny grill and when asked if they would mind making an exception by cleaning a tiny section to make something follow religious guidelines (for me) they were hesitant. So be it, it's their business, I just won't be ordering anything that needs to be grilled. I will be back for the veggie and berry spread though!
(4)
G C.
Good bagels, doughy and a bit sweet. Had the everything but would try for the sandwiches next time. Still prefer the huge ny style bagels though.
(3)
Anne K.
I had a plain bagel with fresh farm butter and Amish jam. It was good - but to be quite frank, I think most bagels are good. There is something pretty special about a bagel right out of the oven though - a wood-fired brick oven, in this case.
(3)
Julie N.
Spread's Montreal-style bagels are in a league of their own in Philly. Upon coming into the small shop, you are immediately enveloped in the warmth and smell of the wood oven, and it smells delicious. We both had bagelwiches: lox for him and egg and sausage for me. They come with a few slices of cucumber which was a nice touch. My belly was happy. I had an iced coffee - which I immediately regretted... Spread unfortunately just pours hot coffee into a cup of ice, which made for a lukewarm, diluted coffee. Never again - getting OJ next time. Breakfast for two was about $20. A little pricey for bagels but a nice change from our spot on South Street.
Use to come here to get the delicious pastrami they were shipping from NY. The bagels are good also. Lack of parking in area is a bit of a downer. The bagels are not cheap but they are worth it.
(4)
Lilli C.
I usually don't care about bagels, but these were so good I came 2 days in a row. The bagels are sweet with a hint brick oven smokiness. LOVED the lox with whitefish bagel sandwich on a whole wheat everything bagel. Staff was friendly and it didn't seem too expensive. When I came on Sunday at 10AM the line was out the door...while on Sat at 1PM there was no line.
(5)
Andrea T.
My darling friend brings me back Montreal-style bagels every time she goes to Canada. They are delightful. These aren't real/true Montreal-bagels. They are close, but they are no cigar. I've been here twice now. The first time was before an Ikea-run. I waited on a sunday in a line almost to the nail salon. It really wasn't worth it. Avoid this place on the weekends. It's allure has died down a little, but there is still the hectic frenetic feel. Although this past saturday they did have a bluegrass 2-man band outside. If you want to soak up the tunes and not be trampled on, grab your bagels and go across the street and sit or perch near the cheetah on the side of Arcadia boutique. Today I made some killer egg salad at home and I was like JCC SUMMER CAMP LUNCH MUST NEED BAGEL. If it was friday I'd go to Maxx's for bagels. Every friday Maxx's has challah and bagels from Rollings in Elkins Park ( kosher btw). So, I strolled in and was actually pleasantly greeted! They close at 4, and at 2 I was impressed they still had a bunch of different flavors of bagels. With my punchy egg salad at home, I wanted to keep it simple. Two bagels costs 4 bucks. Two bagels, one plain nothing on it bagel costs 2 bucks. I just don't get it. I'm sorry. I'll easily spend 4 bucks on a lousy crappy bagel if it's room service, because I didn't have to leave my house and it's served on a platter, literally. I can't justify spending that. I seriously can't. Not saying I won't do it every now and again, but I could not come here every day. They do however have level-up, so I suppose, I will get some cash back after a few trips, but still. The whole less than half a block home I was like 4 dollars. 4 dollars. For 5 I could have gotten a bag of rollings bagels on friday!
(3)
Amy W.
My go to place when I miss my NY bagels. Yeah, so these are Montreal style, but the bagel aficionado in me can understand a well done, fresh bagel. Prices are a bit high, but the ingredients are fresh. The spreads are varied - with lox, whitefish and other seafaring creatures. The brunch bagels with some creamcheese, tomato and omelet are an especial delight on weekends. Wait times can be long at the neighborhood fav, so bring your iPad whilst you wait!
(4)
Valerio S.
Lovely bagels, good quality, I had the one with salmon and scallion and onion cheese cream. The place looks great, in the spring time you can also sit outside and enjoy your meal.
(5)
Adam L.
I really like Spread Bagelry. I had The Frittata Sandwich this morning. What an inventive, amazing breakfast. Putting a sweet jam on a by-the-number egg meat and cheese sandwich makes a world of difference. Love it. As for the bagels, what can I say? Yes, theyre different. Either you will like them, or you wont. Me- I like them. No, I wouldnt prefer them, but you can tell they are made very well and have a place in the bagel world. I'll tell you this much- there are a ton of places that make shittier bagels than here, and take way less heat. I love the environment, love the food, and tho the prices are slightly high, I also think it is exactly in line with the quality items that are served. Worth every penny. I highly recommend Spread as a quick breakfast spot.
(4)
Joanna H.
I used to live three blocks away and thought it was normal plain bakery. Little did I know, Spread makes awesome bagel sandwiches. Many of my friends have been actually enjoying this place for quite a while and I found out about this after I moved away from the neighborhood. From the outside Spread doesn't look fancy or anything. But one you step inside, it's cute and gives a nice wooden cozy cafe vibe. The prices aren't expensive but I do think they could be even $1 cheaper depending on what you get. The bagels are fresh, not too soft, not too chewy but not too doughy. Perfectly salted with generours topping ingredients. It's great to get breakfast and lunch sandwiches from Spread and I strongly encourage you to check it out. Don't get there too late or else you'll have to wait in line. Not a huge line,, but you know.. when you're hungry you want your toasty fresh bagel fast :)
(5)
Christopher D.
Finally got to try the Montreal style bagels. While I didnt detect much smoke in the bread itself, the crisp crust of the bagel is unlike any bagel I have had before. I would be hesitant to toast these as they may in fact get too hard. Had a lox sandwich ... which was pretty standard with tomato onon and cream cheese. Lox portion was sufficient but not big. Flavor over all was good. Space is not that big, and lines can get long. Definite plus for philadelphia.
(3)
Vee V.
This place is overpriced and as it happens, doesn't actually make bagels, at least by a New Yorker's definition. We went here today out of curiosity and because we were missing our Sunday morning bagel and coffee tradition, which has gone by the wayside since we moved here. We each ordered a breakfast sandwich on a bagel and two iced coffees. The bagel was umm, not good. It was crumbly and dry and didn't have the weight and texture of a real bagel. Then, there was this sad fried egg, with a sprinkle of cheese and slice of tomato. Really? $7.50 for that? These are the days I miss being a block away from a delicious bagel spot that is serving up a longer list of delicious breakfast sandwiches, for half the price, with a smile. And the thing of it is, I am willing to pay $$ if the food is good but that is not the case here... Just don't call it a bagel, because it 'aint.
(1)
Cindy C.
A nice selection of bagels, spreads, and breakfast sandwiches. I love that coffee refills are free. It's on the pricey side, but it's probably the closest thing to a good bagel in Center City.
(4)
Greg M.
Great little spot with a very nice atmosphere, friendly staff and a tasty but limited menu (they do bagels and a few breakfast and lunch sandwiches - which are all very nice). I'd go the full five stars, but it's a tad pricey.
(4)
Dean M.
Although these bagels are not bad, it is very misleading to call them Montreal bagels. The consistency is all wrong and most obviously they look nothing like the real thing. True Montreal bagels are uneven and no two are alike, but at Spread they look like they came straight from Sysco's freezers and simply boiling them in honey water won't make up for that. Worst of all, Montreal bagels are dirt cheap, but at Spread they are très chers. The firm 4:00 PM closing is really inconvenient.
(2)
Brian C.
I stopped in today as I love myself a good bagel, and the bagels here certainly are delicious and unique. The bagel (Montreal style) itself is not as dense as a New York bagel, and the bread itself is a bit springy and chewy. The wood fired flavor also comes through in the bagel with a bit of a smoky flavor, which is very good. I had the onion bagel sandwich with egg white, spinach, turkey bacon, and truffled mushrooms. This was very good. I also had some of an everything bagel sandwich with egg frittata, bacon, and jam. I was a bit apprehensive about the jam, but the sweet/savory combination works quite well. Both of these came with a slice of fresh cucumber on the side. The service was nice, and though it was very crowded in the store, we were able to find a small table next to the door. The interior was clean, with subway tiled walls, a retro Coke refrigerator, and bottomless La Colombe coffee (awesome!). I also appreciate the huge rack of magazines on the wall, but given the popularity of the place I don't see myself hanging out and reading a magazine for a long time. All in all, I had a delightfully pleasant lunch, and I will be back.
(4)
L K.
The problem with this place is the inconsistency. When the bagels are baked well they are delicious- soft and chewy in the best way possible. But about 30% of the time they are burnt and thin. I've started keeping an eye on the bagels they are making up for you so I can stop them if it's a burnt one, but I feel like I shouldn't have to do that. Also with the cream cheese- sometimes Its like an inch thick, other times it's so thin you can't even taste it. For the insane prices they charge it should be perfect every time. Hopefully they can take these couple of points into consideration! Once they do I have no probably changing my review to a 5.
(3)
Meredith B.
Philadelphia has needed a non-chain bagel place for years. I've said it myself and thought of how I could open one. I'm so glad you are here! Welcome! Excellent bagel, great menu selection, a little pricey. Tip: Get your bagels in the morning - the times I've been there later in the day (3pm) the bagel freshness doesn't seem to last as well as it should.
(4)
Carmine M.
Spread makes a great bagel, not by New York standards but still good. One suggestion, uses a separate knife for the onion bagels than you use for the rest of the bagels. The disgusting taste of the onion bagels ruins the flavor of anything it, or the knife used to cut it touches.
(2)
Clark M.
Very cool place, good food and a nice spot to grab a breakfast sandwich. Owner seems to be engaged and always around (which is great, love when owners take pride in a small business)- but figure it out man, ALWAYS a 20 minute wait in line to order then another 10-15 to get your food. Waiting and waiting and waiting EVERY... SINGLE... visit makes me never want to come back and I'm sure others feel the same. Get a game plan together on how to take orders quicker and tell the patrons where to stand (out of the way) until they get their food. Love the place, love the food but always an aggravating experience.
(2)
Jenni I.
I was in Philadelphia for 48 hours and went here twice. This place is awesome! Very small with limited seating, so I recommend taking out -- which is actually perfect due to proximity and the beautiful weather Philly is having. All the bagels are made on-site in what appears to be a pizza oven. One of my friends remarked that they're denser than you're typical bagel. I agree, and that's part of what makes them so delicious. I ordered the Turkey Club twice. It's fresh pulled turkey meat (not cold cuts!), like you'd have as left overs from Thanksgiving, along with cheddar cheese, granny smith apple and some type of mustard dijon sauce. I had mine on a toasted whole wheat bagel. Delicious! Also comes with a bag of chips. Believe it's around $9 -- as are most lunch sandwiches here. Breakfast sandwiches and bagels run cheaper. Iced coffee is pretty delicious, too. Great place for a quick breakfast or lunch. Definitely recommend picking up some sandwiches and going out for a picnic.
(4)
Richard B.
I love this cafe. Free refills on the coffee, excellent ambiance and can i say the restroon is outstandng. Byob and u can make bloody mary`s with their BM mix they sell. Outdoor seating is stellar, make sure you check out the cheetah statue across the way.
(4)
Kristy L.
I'm no foodie. I don't have a refined palate. It takes a lot to disappoint me but Spread managed to do so. The bagel I got was hard and dry but what really bothered me was all that butter. So much butter. The greasy mess overpowered any flavor it was supposed to convey. Can't believe I waited in line for that.
(1)
Abbie D.
My previous review is below, but I felt it necessary to post another and give the full 5 stars.... Spread Bagelry is by far my most favorite place to get a bagel in Philadelphia. They have an amazing way of boiling the bagels in a slightly honeyed water then firing them off to perfection in their wood oven. The honey water definitely gives the bagel a oh so perfect sweetness to the delicious dough. I am in LOVE! I bring my little 23 month old friend and he almost finishes a plain bagel with butter every time! He too has great taste! Tuna salad is good too! PREVIOUS: Awesome wood fired bagels! Had the everything with cream cheese and tomato very very tasty.. Another time I ordered the asiago bread bagel - melted cheese on the bagel with a slice of tomato YUM!
(5)
Matt M.
Love this place for breakfast. Coffee couldnt be better and the bagels are chewy and have great flavor.
(4)
Eric M.
Service gets worse every time I go there. The staff always behaves as if they're recovering from a sophomore-year-grade evening of binge drinking and are just barely able to manage orders as they come.
(2)
Avneet S.
Okay, I know I know. I should stop complaining about the pricing at the businesses in the area. But that really is the only *major* disadvantage of Spread. The prices make it one of those things I can't justify more than once a week. The bagels are so good. The spreads are so good. The fresh squeezed orange juice is always nice to grab and go, and the iced coffee is cold brewed - yum. Food-wise, my only complaints are that the peanut butter goo that they pass off as actual peanut butter should totally be passed up, and that they don't ever have vegetarian sandwiches/sandwich specials. But, it's worth the wait in line for a simple honey-kissed whole wheat bagel - toasted with just some butter - and a tall cold class of iced coffee before you start your Saturday or Sunday in the city.
(3)
August T.
From just a bagel perspective the place gets a B+. With high rent and very limited nearby competition, the bagels are priced at $2 each. That's pretty darn high. They offer just 6 or so flavors a day, also probably justified economically. So bagels become a luxury item.
(3)
Zack L.
Solid.
(5)
Cam M.
....
(1)
Sarah F.
YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting "the classic" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.
(4)
Casey R.
I stopped by Spread on Sunday while running errands and was somewhat under whelmed. It was definitely the wrong time to try the place as the line was out the door but I was craving a bagel so I waited. The line did move quickly which was nice. I also picked up a magazine to leaf through from their full rack where the line was. I ordered an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, tomato and onion. At $5 it was far from a steal. I also got a bottomless coffee. Perhaps it is because it was so busy but my sandwich did not come with the onion on it, which it took me a while to realize, so I guess that is my bad. I found the bagel hard to eat and thought the cream cheese was not at all flavor full. I was able to find a small open table next to the bathroom to sit down and relax while I waited for my bagel to be brought. As I was leaving I realized I was at the only table that didn't have condiments on it. Perhaps some salt and pepper and hot sauce would have made my lunch more enjoyable but I much prefer the bagels I by at the co-op and make at home. The coffee however, was great, especially since they offer simple syrup and soy milk.
(3)
Steve M.
Absolutely delicious bagels. Crispity crunchity on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle, hot and fresh. There is just nothing about these rings of doughy heaven not to love! Their cream cheese selection is terrific (the berry was shockingly good), and I cannot wait to get back and try a fresh breakfast sandwich. So delicious, and the line moves quickly enough not to drive you crazy! Worth driving all the way across town for... but wow would I kill to have this place in Northern Liberties. I also happen to love the accordion player sitting outside, but I am betting that if I lived upstairs the novelty of that would wear off quickly!
(5)
Daniel T.
Lox bagel sandwich on a sesame bagel and the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on an everything bagel are my faves. Order, walk over to Rittenhouse, find yourself a nice bench and enjoy. On weekends it can get busy, but def worth the wait.
(4)
Brittany Y.
Brittany's secret slow morning routine: Head over to Spread Bagelry (the earlier you go the more accomplished you'll feel later on) and order the Frittata Scramble with that crazy good Amish jam on whole wheat everything bagel. Then, skip the espresso at Spread, since, well, they aren't as hot with coffee as they are with replicating Montreal's finest, and walk over to La Colombe and grab a latte. Sit and eat your gooey ungodly-but-glorious mess of a breakfast sandwich while the Center City hipster elite drool with envy and wonder, "Where the hell'd she get that?"
(4)
Sara M.
Insanely overpriced. My sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich cost over $7!!! If I'm paying $7 for a breakfast sandwich, it better knock my socks off. I thought the sandwich was very underwhelming. The eggs lacked flavor and the bagel was hard and tasted too much like burnt garlic. You can get a much better breakfast sandwich (for $4 cheaper) down the street at Palm Tree Gourmet. In college I worked right next door to a deli that (in my opinion) served the greatest bagels/breakfast sandwiches ever, so I may be holding this place to unfairly high standards. Regardless, I can't justify paying that much money for a mediocre sandwich. Not to mention this place is tiny and always so crowded. I probably won't return.
(2)
Alex M.
i go here quite often and i do think the bagels are pretty good (love the club). but honestly, its the slowest bagel shop EVER. 20 minutes for a bagel is unheard of and is so infuriating every time i'm waiting in line. it could easily be fixed by having more than 1 person making the orders. literally every other bagel place i've been to runs more efficiently than this one. i imagine most of their success is due to the lack of bagel shops in this city, but if another one opens up that doesn't have long waits then i assume they will lose customers.
(3)
raquel s.
"It tastes stale. On purpose," was the perfect response to "Do you like it?" Montreal-style bagels are horrible. They are so horrible that they need to come with the warning that "Montreal Style" before the word bagel serves. I wish I would have realized that. I wish I could have my Sunday breakfast to do over. They were unfortunately crumbly. The onion and whole wheat everything's flavors seemed off to me as well. They just kind of started disintegrating in my mouth upon first bite. I honestly thought that they were disgusting. Now, I remember why I never came back after I grabbed one to go last year. Where was the cream cheese? Oh. That's right. It's not cream cheese, it's spread. And was applied as such. I still can't believe the price of the bagel. There was absolutely nothing to it that would justify the $11 price of a bagel with a swipe of spread, a tomato slice, and single thin shaving of lox. My boyfriend didn't even eat the bagel or tomato. He picked the single piece of Lox off of it and ate that. I really wanted to ask if I happened to get an off batch or something--but judging by the line- apparently it was just me. I decided I would do the polite thing--just not go back--but I couldn't help but write this review. I had egg whites, turkey bacon etc. To their credit the egg whites were cooked very light and fluffy...but the bagel couldn't hold up to it. It really could not hold my sandwich together. I really wanted to love this place. Especially since they have La Columbe. I hope they make better use of the wood oven with a pizza place.
(1)
Samantha B.
Spread is a great bagel place in an area lacking any other bagel places. Their bagels are very unique and doughier than normal. They also bake them in house in a huge fire burning oven, which gives the bagels a bit of a smoky taste. It's a great lunch place. Bagel melts are cheap and pretty good once re-toasted. Their bagels and sandwiches are definitely on the pricey side, but very good, with many fresh, house made ingredients. I can't speak for the line on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but I've heard it can get pretty long. Call ahead to order before picking up. I've picked up a couple bagels on Saturday for Sunday morning, and they just don't retain their great Spread-y quality. Overall, good neighborhood bagel spot.
(3)
Krista P.
I stopped by with Michael G. for a quick lunch and came out full and happy. We both ordered the club sandwich. I asked for mine served toasted, and the girl happily obliged. The bagels come with chips (ruffles-esque), and when I ordered a soda I was nostalgically surprised when it showed up in a glass bottle (nostalgic enough to outweigh my disappointment in the lack of free refills). They had good music playing, and I'll definitely be back to grab a bagel and hang out for a bit.
(4)
Danielle R.
Wonderful! Service was friendly and fast. The young lady offered great suggestions for our first visit and the free coffee refills were awesome! I had a whole wheat bagel with scallion cream cheese and a plump juicy tomato on top.. Couldn't be happier with this neighborhood gem!
(5)
Audra H.
these bagels are like no other..pure heaven..had to leave NY to find the perfect bagel! :)
(5)
Tia T.
This is my first yelp review, and the things I'm about to write comes from a girl who loves any bagel and used to love Spread. Yes, I USED TO love this place for its quantity and quality, BUT it's changed!!! The size of their bagels decreased immensely!! I could have bought a larger bagel from Superfresh, it was the smallest bagel I've ever seen ANY restaurant serve, let alone a montreal style bagel place. Today I ordered a plain jam n butter on a bagel (assuming that no matter what I ordered it would be good) but the amount of jam that was on my bagel was embarrassing, I thought I somehow offended the cute counter boy or something it was SADD!! Just like residue of what could be jam... barely any chunks. IM UPSET ABOUT THIS! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BAGEL SANDWICHES THAT MADE ME FULL AND HAPPY TO BE EATING AT SPREAD!! ALL AROUND A HEARTBREAKING DAY!!!
(1)
Andrew R.
Here opening day as well. Was looking forward to this opening for months, only to be disappointed. Don't get me wrong - I think the "Montreal-style" sesame bagel may have been one of the best bagels I've ever had - just as those in the know of Montreal bagels have suggested - good flavor, great texture, small, and just somehow better than the traditional NY bagel. BUT - Prices are OUTRAGEOUS. Woman ringing me up said $7 something, and I said, no that's not right, I just got a bagel and a coffee, and she said nope - that's right - $2 for a bagel, $3 ADDITIONAL for the butter/jam, and $2 for the coffee + tax. So truly over $7 for a bagel + coffee. With cream-cheese, would have been a dollar or two more! Breakfast sandwiches are $8 (each, not for a pair). Whitefish and other "lunch" sandwiches are $11-$13. So - crazy prices overall, and sadly, after waiting for months, I'm not in a position to frequent a place for a $7 bagel + coffee. Finally (and this may just be opening day issues) - but the counter person (possibly wife of owner? or other family member) - was just not getting it -- looking back at the menu to check prices on each order she rung up (creating a line out the door) + also a little bit rude. This I'll cough up to opening day jitters (you'd hope on opening day, people would be friendly than usual, but not in this case). The guy making the bagels (owner), did seem friendly and overworked -- hopefully he'll be the front-man in the future. In any case - great bagel, crazy prices. Rating reflects food, service, and in this case - the disappointingly and ridiculously expensive prices.
(2)
Aaliyah P.
Ok so i knew it would be pricey but delish per all the reviews however i just can't get on board with spending over 8.00 for a bagel with cream cheese and a toddler size oj. I was impressed with this state side version of a Montreal style bagel. I chose the whole wheat everything with veggie cream cheese, the bagel was normal in size and was overflowing with CC , overflowing to the point where i needed to scrape. Having just eaten my fair share of Montreal style bagels this past June while visiting Montreal I can attest to Spread being a legit baglery but the rapeage my wallet suffered left me feeling used and abused. i def won't rush back.
(3)
Aruna A.
So after months of anticipation, reading the sadly poor reviews, and the terrible fire, I finally found myself in the neighborhood of Spread, with a chance to actually go in. I was excited when I realized this, and made a beeline for their storefront. First of all, I think it's a pretty adorable establishment. They have outdoor tables (just a few) a few small tables in front, and a few smaller tables in the back. It's also just adorably decorated, and set up. The counter where you order has a great view of the oven where they are firing up bagels, or toasting other orders. Near the cash register they have specially available bagels. When I went today - there was a tomato and Gruyere (which was VERY tempting) and a bacon and cheese (I forget which cheese) and a pizza bagel (which was VERY VERY VERY TEMPTING - those looked great and were only $3). These were all halves and priced at $3. I decided to go for a simple regular poppy seed bagel with veggie cream cheese, just to get a taste of what this was all about. They also have a number of breakfast sandwiches and specials that seemed really exciting. I was so hungry that while sitting at the subway stop, I was tempted to have a bite. And it was DELICIOUS. I came home and devoured it. Best $4 I ever spent. It was expensive, but it was def worth it. I can't wait to go back and try the pizza bagel and other options So exciting. One disclaimer: I've never been to Montreal and had a Montreal bagel. I don't know if these are special Montreal bagels. But they are certainly good bagels.
(4)
R. M.
I have been coming to Spread since they opened. I would describe it as somewhat Montreal Style bagels with a lack of Montreal style service. Whenever I come in here, they are always out of a specific type of bagel. I can come in at 7:30 a.m. after my jog and I will be given a list of what they do and do not have. This happens on the weekend and weekdays as well. I have also been told to call ahead to place a bagel on hold...seriously. It's almost as if whomever is running this establishment wants to make the exact number of bagels that could be possibly sold for the day. No more. No less. Which goes against the Montreal style way of bagel making where bagels are easy to come by. And do you know what these places do with their left over bagels? They wrap them in cellophane bags and sell them to customers who want to grab and go. Genius. And, how about some labels on the bread basket so the cashiers don't have to look over to see what is left. I can do that myself. Lastly, this place needs a good cleaning. If you're not rushing out with your bagel or just sit and look around for a bit, you'll see what I mean.
(3)
Irma I.
Never had a Montreal style bagel so I can't say its authentic, but I can say that it was delicious- if I'd live in the city I would be a regular. My husband had a breakfast sandwich (the standard?). I had cinnamon raisin bagel w/pumpkin cream cheese that was perfect. The coffee is strong & the staff very friendly. Tiny place makes full use of its space & busy with lots of locals.
(5)
Monali P.
Marvin Gaye is belting out one of my all time faves at Spread - Any place that plays motown has already won my heart. I heard through the grapevine this place had memorable bagels. So here I am, just in town visiting. Savoring the smooth, fresh salmon (and generous servings at that- justifies the price), cream cheese bagel with tomato and onions. No capers. Just how I like it. Side cucumber salad cleansing my palate. Iced coffee is so good it definitely rivals if not surpasses my favorite haunts in Seattle. Outlets near every table (key for the computer addicts of the world). And I'm just about to lose my mind. What an adorable little bagelry.
(4)
Barrett L.
Probably one of the few decent bagel shops in Philly, this small but cozy bagel shop just off Rittenhouse serves up Montreal-style bagels and delicious coffee to a young and friendly clientele. Aside from serving the usuals (bagels with cream cheese, bagels with lox), they also offer a terrific array of bagel sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. I recently had the Nova Scramble (smoked salmon cream cheese, scrambled eggs, tomato, onion) on an Everything Bagel which was out of this world. And, they play fun music too. My one complaint is that it's probably a tad pricey for bagels ($2 for a bagel?), but I suppose that's what you get for going to such a kick-ass bagel shop. Overall, great neighborhood gem and I'm excited to become a regular customer.
(4)
Rich B.
Overpriced and overrated. Nothing special to warrant a $2 price tag for one bagel. You gotta be kidding me.
(1)
Levon U.
The bagels are some of the best I've had in the city, though a bit on the pricey side as other reviewers have said. Just adding plain cream cheese to a bagel is an extra $1. Anything more and the prices really start to climb. Better to grab a dozen for home and add your toppings there. Service at the counter is good, but be prepared to wait even when it's not crowded. I've never been out of there without having to wait at least 15 minutes for an order for one.
(3)
Jen H.
Disclaimer- this is my first time eating a "Montreal" style wood fired bagel so I really have nothing to compare with. With that said, i really enjoyed my bagel sandwich. The bagel is slightly bigger than most- be prepared for that. I ordered the Roasted Chicken BLT sandwich on a wheat everything bagel. Bagel was very yummy- very chewy. I also appreciated the fact that the wheat everything bagel did not have salt on it. The roasted chicken was a very good solid choice. My boyfriend ordered the egg white sandwich- I took a bite out of it and I have to say it was pretty yummy. It had egg whites, turkey bacon, spinach, and truffled mushrooms. Pretty amazing stuff. The price is a bit steep (as mentioned in the other reviews) but I figure they are using pretty quality ingredients so I can't complain too much. Would definitely come back when I visit Philly! Wish they had a wood fired bagel place in Baltimore!
(4)
Noheli T.
I've heard great things about Spread and the line outside on a Saturday is always a great sign but I honestly wasn't blown away. I ordered the standard sandwich, which was good but nothing to rejoice over. The place was packed but my friend and I were able to find seating in the back but that was a big mistake! There were flies everywhere! We tried to eat as quickly as possible and then left. Maybe next time I'll just order to go.
(3)
Abby B.
This place is better than your typical Dunkin' Donuts or Manhattan Bagel, but I was kind of expecting a bit more. After several days of walking by Spread, I decided to endure the line that was out the door. I ordered an everything bagel with veggie garlic cream cheese. First of all, the bagels here are huge; I had to take half of it home and this coming from a gal whose family nicknamed her "Bottomless Pit." Typically, bagel shops either put too much or too little cream cheese on the bagel, but Spread does it juuuussst riiight, in my opinion. Bonus: you get a strawberry with your bagel if you eat-in. I don't know why this is a bonus, but it is. They also serve brunch and for $8 you can get some bloody mary mix if you BYO vodka. If these are bottomless bloody's, then that's awesome; if not, I'd rather go to a more restauranty place for brunch. The staff was very nice, the place is cute and quaint and I'll probably be back to try one of their sandwiches. However, I'll have to wait until my next payday - this place ain't cheap.
(3)
Christine F.
*3.5 stars overall* I stopped by this place 3 mornings during my finals week. Always gotten the "everything" bagel (i.e. a bit ofsesame, poppy, onion), toasted, with various spread. I was blown away the peanut butter and amish jam combo, but wasn't as impressed by the scallion cream cheese spread, which I was expecting to be more flavorful. They also serve la colombe coffee with free refill, which is another plus.
(4)
Jason B.
Loved this place. Atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The wood burning brick oven smells amazing. The bagels are boiled and baked in the brick oven right in the front of the house. The spreads look incredible. I ordered an everything bagel with egg whites, spinach, muchrooms, and turkey bacon, and it was extremely delicious and satisfying. I would eat here all the time if I lived closer.
(5)
Fred G.
The only place in the world that one can get a fresh Montreal rye bagel with Katz's Deli (of NYC) pastrami. This is the kind of sandwich that death row names would have for their last meal. Seriously luscious. Dude, do NOT miss this
(4)
Alie A.
Fresh bagel selection and very fast service. Pricey but enjoyable. The owner's a nice guy committed to keeping his customers happy. We need more places like this in Philly.
(3)
Deborah G.
The best part of this bagel shop is the atmosphere. It is in Rittenhouse Square and it's definitely a quaint Philly neighborhood. The shop is very small and we saw a line coming out of the door and we almost left. The owner popped out and told us to wait because service is very fast. I told him we were from B'more and he said he was going to give us a treat. In a flash he came out with a steaming hot everything bagel in a piece of white tissue paper. This hot and holy roll was too hot to handle and when I broke it open steam came out. I tasted it and it was very good because it was fresh out of the wood fired oven. However, I thought it tasted more like a seeded bagel than an everything bagel. We made it to the counter where we were asked what we wanted to drink and first ordered our beverages. One of my party took two tables that were open - by the window and in back of the door. This is what I call tight space. The whole place has three tables for two up front, six larger tables in the back and five tables outside where people with dogs were eating brunch. Next we ordered our bagelwiches. There were two turkeys and one hot brisket sandwich on various bagels (onion, plain and poppy). To Spread's credit , the turkey was homemade and so was the brisket. However, the portion controller must have a strict limit on the amount of protein that is placed on each bagel. I ran out of turkey as I was on the second half of my bagel and discarded the bread as it was just bagel and no protein. The brisket was very tasty and warm but the fat was not trimmed and it too was a very skimpy portion. The three bagelwiches with beverages, tax and a tip were $40. I could not believe this - even in NYC - you get huge portions not an air bagel with chips in a wicker basket for $$$. I decided to buy six bagels to take home to B'more. I've eaten the cinnamon raisin bagel toasted as well as reheated in the oven. The oven is better as these bagels are somewhat doughy and the toaster does not heat them properly. Six bagels were $7. I think I will let them air dry and string them on a necklace as they are too expensive to eat. They are also too heavy to wear. So I guess I'll end up eating them slowly to enjoy the most expensive bagels on the east coast. Would I return? Yes but I would order a bagel with a specialty cream cheese and a coffee. The portions are do not match the hefty prices they charge. Stick to the bagel basics.
(3)
Lauren Z.
I love this place. They have great bagel spreads and real close to Rittenhouse square. The bagels are delicious and worth the sometimes longer than wanted wait. The coffee is just okay, nothing to brag about but it's not bad (La Colombe). The atmosphere is cool, if you have a small party and are able to find a table.
(4)
Christine B.
That pink paper is back up behind the window, and the door is closed because they had a mechanical failure. Maybe the prices will be lower when they fix the fire problem?
(3)
Maureen F.
Never a big wait. Easy in, easy out. Bagels are great- love an everything with veggie cream cheese or a BLT. Wanna try that pastrami special Coffee is great. Prices are very rittenhouse...but quality is there. good soundtrack playing all the time. Friendly staff. Wanna try the BYO vodka for brunch sometime....
(4)
Anna Marie C.
now that i've been to montreal (and fairmount bagels) and feel like i can weigh in the the authenticity of the bagel, i'll give it a 'meh-plus'. on the issue of authenticity, i'll give a albany... or maybe a burlington. it's almost there, but not quite. i love the fact that montreal style bagels are a bit sweeter and less dough-y than new york style ones, and these fall somewhere in between. the cream cheese/spreads/sandwiches are not too shabby, but the pricing is new york-style. other little things.. the space is cramped. it's not that small but feels that way. on occasion, there appears to be too many staff in the area yet nothing seems to be going on. and just because i can see you coming off of break, please wash your hands before you get back to work. thanks.
(3)
Christine C.
I've eaten here several times, and yes the bagels are good, but expensive. The service always seems to be a bit scattered and confusing, especially when it's crowded. Today I ordered a sandwich to go, and after waiting about 5 minutes, found out they gave it away to someone else, whose name begins with the same letter as mine. "Oh don't worry, we'll make you another." Which they did, while I waited. I wasn't offered a thing like a coffee or lemonade as a courtesy. Disappointing for a neighborhood place.
(2)
Elizabeth M.
There is always a line spilling out of this place on weekends, so finally I bit the bullet and waited in it. I really liked it. It's a super cute shop, friendly people working there, interesting yet simple menu combinations. I found these bagels flavorful and loved that they don't taste like all the other bagels out there. The breakfast sandwiches could be $1-2 less, but it's Rittenhouse, what do you expect!
(4)
Kevin C.
As prior reviewers have noted, Spread Bagelry is a bit on the pricey side, but from my experience the quality is on par with the price point. My usual order is the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on a poppy seed bagel with a hot tea, and I have yet to be anything but pleased. The service is fast and friendly and they have never had an issue accommodating my somewhat (read: extremely) picky orders. A lot of the times there isn't enough inside seating to accommodate every customer, but the seating outside is a perfect place to people watch and there always seems to be an open table. When you are lucky enough to sit inside the waitstaff is super attentive and they are constantly checking to make sure everything is ok (but not to the point of being pushy), which is always a plus. Overall it's one of the better places in the city to grab a quick and delicious breakfast but due to it's high price point it definitely isn't a place I (or many) can afford to eat at on a regular basis.
(3)
Howie A.
You might have had bagels from NY or around Philly, but the Montreal-style bagel served at Spread Bagelry far surpasses in taste ! I had a chocolate chip bagel with scallion cream cheese today and savored every bite. I learned there is a chance next year a matzah recipe will be created for Passover consumers.
The food is really good. Montreal style bagels FYI, NYC snobs. Look; I lived in New York and grew up on H&H. These bagels are differently made. Get over it. That's the good news. You'll notice the two stars which indicates that something is horribly wrong with a place if the food is good. I'm not as hung up on the price as others are here. You can go down the street and buy a three-day old piece of bread with a block of cream cheese on it for $2.50 if you really want. It's the wait. Wow do these guys need a systems design manager to come in and figure out a way to let the customers flow through. Increase counter size for making more sandwiches at one time, to start. Yikes is it slow, and no one should have to wait 20 minutes to get a bagel with cc. They've had their heads up their tuchus for a while with this, so I wouldn't expect it to change anytime soon.
(2)
Laura C.
I love a good bagel on Sunday mornings, so I was excited to see Spread Bagelry open up in my neighborhood. The bagels are very fresh and flavorful. (Although I think NY bagels are better). They run an excellent business and the atmosphere is vibrant and energizing. Only drawback: the prices are a bit steep for bagels.
(4)
Jenn V.
we went on a Saturday morning and the line wasn't too bad- we ordered The Club and The Classic (with Smoked Nova Salmon) - unfortunately they were out of Rye bagels at the time, so I had to 'settle' for a whole wheat bagel. It took about 10 minutes for our to go order to come out, we paid, and left to go eat it. This place is not cheap- the total of our meal, without drinks, was about $22 dollars... kind of excessive for 2 bagel sandwiches. The sandwiches themselves were very good- The Smoked Salmon was fresh, which isn't always easy to find and had the right combination of cream cheese, tomato and onions. The Club was different from what I was expecting- I usually do not have apples on my sandwiches, but it was a very pleasant surprise. Neither sandwich was particularly over stuffed- which for the price I expected more meat on both. In addition, both sandwiches state they come with a side (The Classic says it comes with a cucumber salad and The Club says it comes with a bag of chips)- neither of which were included in our to go bag. I would've given this place 3.5 stars without the price and the fact the side dishes of our sandwiches were no where to be found- so I rounded down.
(3)
Jon D.
I purposely came when I knew it wouldn't be busy. To be honest, I don't really understand the hype. The staff were very friendly and nice though. I got the wood oven tuna melt with gruyere and tomato. It was pretty good, but nothing special. Just your average tuna with no distinct taste or unique ingredients. Flavor was decent but tuna has much more potential. I also got the pizza bagels that were sitting out (just some bagels with sauce and cheese slabbed on them). I ended up taking one bite, didn't like it, and threw the rest out.
(3)
Flora T.
Overall, I prefer South Street Bagel for their bagels. I like my bagels chewier- these were denser. I got a breakfast sandwich and the flavors were uninspiring. The prices are comparable to South Street but you have a lot more flavors to pick from at South Street.
(3)
Mike C.
Just OK. Overpriced for what it is.
(3)
Madi C.
The bagel with peanut butter and jam is so good it's unfair. So are the breakfast sandwiches. And they have endless coffee refills of La Colombe. I would give it 5 stars but it's super smoky in there and you have to change clothes when you get home cause you smell like you've been cooking breakfast sandwiches for weeks in the same outfit.
(4)
Amy J.
I just tried this place for the first time with friends in town visiting, and we ended up going twice! The line is usually really long, but the bagels are good and I really enjoyed the nova salmon cream cheese which has bits of salmon in it!
(4)
Jason C.
After this place seemed to open and close a few times, I finally got to try it out and see what the fuss as all about. I had never had a Montreal style bagel before, and I don't think they're quite as good as a real New York bagel, but it's definitely worth the trip when you compare it to anything you have in your freezer, or Dunkin Donuts bagels, for that matter. The bagels are soft, fresh, and a little doughy tasting. Like everyone else, they do over-do the cream cheese in my opinion, so I always ask for it on the side. The cream cheese itself is fluffy, and a little addictive. The coffee is La Colombe, and it's delicious. It goes really well with an everything bagel and cream cheese. Maybe I'm just partial. The place was packed and the line was out the door on a Sunday morning, but the owner was still friendly, and chatted with me briefly as he brushed busily by, asking how the coffee was (I sipped it while I waited for my toasted everything...with cream cheese...mmm). I haven't tried much here yet, but so far, so good. I can't say there was a go-to bagel shop anywhere near me before this place opened, so I guess this is my go-to now, so that says a lot.
(4)
Marie D.
I usually skip breakfast and not because I don't like it. But once I had a taste of the oven-baked bagels at Spread Bagelry, passing up my first meal of the day has become a lot more difficult. An everything bagel with scallion cream cheese spread topped a followup visit's nova lox spread on sesame. The bagels themselves are flawless, crunchy and chewy. The seating, a long wooden banquette and a few bistro tables, in the back is rustic and inviting, but often very hot due to the large oven in the center of the store. Prices are gouging - $13 for coffee, bagel and juice; $28 for two dozen takeaway bagels - but I've never been one to complain about spending good dough on good dough.
(4)
Julia N.
I was all set to grump when I first tried this place: the bagels cost like TWICE or THRICE as much as the ones at the corner deli! What's so magical about these fancypants artisanal CANADIAN bagels anyway?? And so forth and so on. The thing is, these bagels are totally 100% way better than your typical bagel from a bag with a frosty white slab of Philadelphia cream cheese. These bagels are fluffy and chewy and light and vaguely sweet, kind of like pizza crust in a round breakfasty form. The Amish cream cheese tastes fresh and full of flavor; I'm partial to the garlicky veggie one. The setup in here is less than ideal - when it's busy, you'll end up huddled in a narrow space right next to the woodburning oven with a bunch of other people waiting. But they have fresh juice and little Cokes and La Colombe. They take LevelUp, which makes life a little cheaper and easier. All in all, I would spend the $4 here rather than $2 on the corner any day.
(4)
Jenna M.
Philadelphia FINALLY has decent bagels. Hellooooo Spread! My new favorite weekday morning treat: 1. Go to Spread. Order breakfast sandwich (egg white, spinach, mushrooms, & cheese - 4 food groups!) plus bottomless cup of coffee. 2. While waiting for sandwich, fill up travel mug with coffee. Drink. Repeat. 3. Pick up sandwich. Top up coffee. 4. Start the day well-fed and caffeinated. Yay!
(5)
Perry A.
The build up was more than I could stand. After reading ad nauseum about the superiority of Montreal Bagels over New York's, I just had to find a way to get to Mile End in Brooklyn to see what the fuss was about. But family life being what it is, a trip to King's county for doughnut shaped bread wasn't going to happen any time soon. So imagine my excitement when word about Spread Bagelry started to, well, spread. It grew even more frantic when the fire closed the store for months the day after it opened. Now finally re-opened, I was ready to have my bagel lust sated. Except it tasted like burnt ordinary rolls. Mind you I gave it every chance that I could afford. At $2 per bagel and about $10 for a sandwich it would be easy to break the bank. I got the classic, a bagel of your choice with amish cream cheese, red onions, a thick slice of heirloom tomato and smoked salmon. The Amish cream cheese was delish (nicely tart and so velvety), but it was no smear. More a overpowering than a contrast to make the smoked nova salmon shine. Even the lovely heirlooms and red onions could not hold back the out of balance flavor of the cheese. But the real star should have been the everything bagel that enveloped it. It was overly burnt and dry. Nothing like the dense and chewy dough and lightly crisp crust of H&H and Ess-A-Bagel in Manhatten. With the exception of the smoky taste and slightly sweetened crust from the honey water, these bagels were not exceptional. But for a real baseline, I also tried a raisin bagel, plain. It too was overly burnt and dry. I finished it, feeling guilty for spending $2 for a piece of bread. The cup of La Colombe was lovely. I will try again, if only for my optimism. I love artisanal concepts. But you still have to execute.
(2)
Christine K.
The bagels are the best in the city! The coffee is La Colombe- again the best in the city. Beware of the long lines on the weekend, be prepared to wait. Only negative is not much of a beverage selection.
(4)
Meg G.
Spread is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to eat in the city. The other people who reviewed Spread negatively may have just experienced the growing pains of a newly established business. These flaws are to be expected with a new business -- but the spread staff is really overcoming these growing pains and creating one of best places to visit in the city. Here's my take on some of the negatives mentioned: Do not let the long line deter you from waiting - It moves quickly and the bagels are worth the wait. The staff is extremely friendly and will always go out of their way to make you feel welcomed and make sure you're satisfied. If you're not, talk to them about it. Their menu may be a bit more expensive than their competitors, but the food is worth it!!! The food is fresh and the LaColombe coffee is bottomless. The environment is warm and welcoming. They offer free Internet, a good selection of music, outdoor entertainment, and there are always available seats to dine. If you had a negative first experience, give it a second chance!
(5)
Emilio M.
Fantastic bagels. they are worth going out of the way to get. the sandwiches are very creative and delicious as well.
(4)
Sarah H.
These bagels are fantastic. They're baked in a wood-fired oven, and thus infused with feel-good-campfire-cozy-morning-sunrise kinds of flavors. I swear. Other reviewers have mentioned a line, but every time I've been here I've been first or second to order and there have been plenty of free seats. I just love this place. It smells great, they play awesome music, the staff seems kind and fun-loving, they brew la colombe coffee to perfection, and the little seats by the window provide the perfect amount of sunlight and people watching for your afternoon snack.
(5)
audrey p.
These bagels are very good -- softer than New York bagels, and a bit sweeter. The staff is also friendly. On the down side, though, the bagels are quite expensive ($2 each, extra for toppings), the space is cramped, and the selection is meager -- just a few flavors available. Also, the last time I bought several bagels I got a couple plain and an onion, and they were all bagged together. Really? If I wanted them all to taste like onion, I'd have ordered all onion!
(3)
A P.
I'm not sure what all the rave is about. I ordered a couple of bagels with the blueberry cream cheese and garlic vegetable, and the nova bagel sandwich. The cream cheese spreads were good and generously slabbed on. The freshness of the eggs and bacon on the nova was questionable, and quite messy to eat. In terms of service, I went at 8am on Saturday and though it was not crowded by any means, the lady messed up my order. She gave me the wrong type of bagel which I didn't find out until later since it was a to-go order. Overall, I was a bit disappointed and I'm not sure if it's worth another visit.
(3)
Rob W.
Pricey is the only gripe I have. Other than that this place is off the chain! I get the standard with Lox, cream cheese, tomato, and onion are all on one of the most amazing bagels you'll ever have. They have a brick oven that's dedicated to not only the bagels but also roasting brisket!
(4)
Robin C.
Best bagels I've ever had. And the lox was so good! It doesn't get better than this. I can't wait to go back! The space was small, but very open with a lot of light. Very comfortable and laid back. The service was quick and they got both of our orders right. Overall, great experience!
(5)
Erica E.
Spread is sooooo delicious I admit their loose bagels are expensive at $2 each and probably not worth it but the sandwiches are reasonably priced for what they are. My favorite is the egg white sandwich...comes with swiss cheese, spinach, truffled mushrooms, and turkey bacon. It is soo tasty I actually crave this sandwich. I think everyone should definitely try spread but it's hard to make it an all-the-time place because of the price
(4)
Claire B.
Okay, Spread. Here's the thing. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I visited during the initial opening and was surprised, as many of the other reviews go on to detail, to find slim pickins and a less-than-friendly staff. Seriously, we were shelling out close to $25 for two bagel sandwiches and were treated like a nuisance. Went again today after the grand reopening. Prices were lowered, which was nice to see, and everyone was so FRIENDLY. Smiling! Engaging! Asking people if they liked their food! Perhaps the owners have Yelp accounts? The menu's changed a little bit, too. The nova cream cheese sandwich has been upgraded to a nova AND cream cheese sandwich. Bagels with cream cheese are now $3 as opposed to $2 for the bagel and $2 for the spread. My nova sandwich had a TON of salmon on it, but... it still wasn't the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. The tuna melt was much yummier, and the halves were melted & wrapped separately, which maximized said yumminess. The wait for the sandwiches was the straw that broke this camel's back. I've been to bagel joints with less staff and a GIANT menu that delivered quality results at a fraction of the time. They were also out of everything except everything bagels in the middle of a Saturday afternoon. Maybe we were tailing the rush? Maybe they were playing catch-up? Either way, two times is enough for me and Spread. I appreciate the work that's been put into improvements during the downtime, but it seems like Spread isn't my cup of tea.
(2)
Stephen S.
Show some love for Spread! This is definitely a place that adds value to the Philadelphia food scene. I had the whole wheat bagel with PB & Amish Jam, I agree with other reviews, the bagel was sweet, but it was a perfect pairing for the runny peanut butter and thick amish jam. Absolutely delicious. My fellow Bagelar had an egg white sandwich of her own design on a whole wheat everything. Her bagel was much saltier with a hint of garlic and was no where near as sweet as mine. The perfect pairing for her choice as well. My only complaint about this place is that it's a little spendy. So I wouldn't come here every day or every week but I was definitely a fan of what they're going up in their wood oven. And it's still cheaper than taking the Bolt Bus to NYC to scratch that bagel itch.
(4)
Caitlin V.
I'm a big fan of my bagels, so when I heard a new bagel joint was opening up, I immediately put it on my to-do list. On a recent lunch break, it was oddly warm and beautiful out for winter so I made way over to Spread to grab a bagel sandwich. I had been waiting all day for it The idea of their fresh made bagels danced around in my head. The plan was to get in and get out and bring it back to my work to eat, but when I got there I immediately changed plans when I saw their adorable window seating that no one was taking advantage of. What? Who doesn't want to sit in a nook by the window eating a bagel and people watching in one of my favorite neighborhoods of Philadelphia? Don't mind if I do... I got their egg white/swiss/spinach/mushroom on everything bagel sandwich. It was whipped up fast, tasted so delicious. They even brought it to me and I paid after I ate real restaurant style. Great little cafe.
(4)
Emmaleigh A.
$1 extra for a slice of tomato? I still love you, but that's a little much!
(4)
Holly T.
I've been really curious about this place ever since moving to the neighborhood, as I'd only had Montreal-style bagels once, but really enjoyed them. I've now been a couple times, and so far, I really enjoy the food. People aren't kidding when they complain about the price tag (probably 2x the cost of a typical bagel place), but the bagels sure are delicious. I like seeing the bagels come out of the brick oven, the slight taste of char on the bagels themselves, and the pile of wood stacked up near the oven. Each time I've been, I've gotten the same order, which is a "frittata scramble" on an everything bagel. I never would have thought to combine jam with eggs, bacon, cheese, and tomato, but it's a great flavor and the amish jam they use is very tasty. The more I think about it, the more I feel like the price is justified, as these are really good ingredients. What I really don't like is the space and ambiance (or lack thereof). It's just too narrow, cramped, and unwelcoming. When it's not crowded, it's still not really a comfortable place to hang out (too bad, since they have bottomless La Colombe), and when it is crowded, there is no place to wait for your order. It's not a regular thing for me, but I can certainly see coming back to try some of their other bagel sandwiches; their club and pastrami sandwiches both sound really interesting, and they always have different daily specials.
(4)
Ryan B.
Like the other reviewers I was anxiously awaiting the opening a new bagel place near where I live. Unfortunately, after going once I will never be back. I walked in on opening day and was met with an air of annoyance and ambivalence. After studying the menu for 90 seconds, seemingly bothering the counter person in the process (there was no one else waiting to order), I ordered a plain bagel and a coffee. The woman seemed slightly shocked I would order a plain bagel, but after seeing that it was going to cost $2, there was no way I was going to add anything to it. The bagel itself was fine, certainly better than something from Dunkin' Donuts, but no better than a bagel from a place like Panera, and in no way worth $2. I really think the proprietors of this place have no idea how much food costs at other restaurants. In the end a combination of meh service, average food, and insanely high prices make this place a major disappointment. Here's hoping they change in the coming months, or are replaced by a better bagel store.
(1)
E T.
C'mon,you could be a little more friendly- you just opened off Rittenhouse Square after many months of a sign in an empty store front. We were waiting for you!! Instead, y'all seem a little grumpy. $2 bagel with $4 spread. I need a little more lox to justify the $4 charge. My friend ordered an $8 breakfast specialty sandwich. When did bagels become haute cuisine?
(2)
Steve W.
Had a delicious onion bagel with lox, egg, onion and tomato yesterday, followed by a chocolate chip bagel for dessert! Everyone in my party enjoyed their food. Highly recommended.
(5)
Kristin S.
I wanted to love Spread so badly. As an expat New Yorker, I've been on a 10-year quest to find good bagels in the Philadelphia area, and when I heard that Spread was opening around the block from my apartment, it seemed like a small miracle. My friends joked that it would be dangerous for me to live so close to a bagel shop, because I would end up eating there every day. While the bagels are delicious (sweeter and denser than NY bagels), and I enjoy the smell of the wood-burning stove on 20th street, I can't in good faith give this place more than 3 stars, because the prices are outrageous. With the cost of a bagel and coffee coming to more than $5, my bagel-induced happiness is always muted by the sinking feeling that I'm throwing my money away; I can't pull out my wallet without remembering that at my favorite bagel shop in Brooklyn, a larger bagel and a larger coffee cost only $2. I still stop by occasionally (let's face it; I'm a bagel junkie), but I'd probably be here twice per week if the prices were reasonable. Other minor complaints - the staff's attempts at conversation often leave me feeling awkward (I once witnessed the owner ask a woman holding a baby, "Is he yours?"), and the coffee situation is a less than ideal. The coffee, creamer, sweeteners, napkins, and pitchers of water are all crammed together on a small table, so that in order to grab a packet of sugar, you have to reach an entire arm's-length over everything else on the table. That's fine if you're young, spry, and not carrying anything - but if you're holding a purse (or backpack, or child that may or may not belong to you), or even just have short arms, I don't see how you could possibly sweeten your coffee without knocking something over in the process.
(3)
A. M.
UPDATED: Like a Phoenix.... Spread Bagelry is back after a short hiatus and re-tooling. Very happy that the prices are slightly smaller and bagels are slightly larger. Love the new attitude of the staff too. Great way to start the morning. In the week that it has been open I've stopped by three times. Great bagel and coffee to go. $6 is a little more than I would normally pay at an alternate Dunkin or Saxby stop - but you can't argue that the bagel and coffee quality are 10x better. Wireless access and afternoon turkey club sandwich were exactly what I needed the other day - although I would have been more happy with a can of diet coke... I don't get the appeal of 8oz of soda is a glass bottle. Wished I could have found a spot on Sunday - but they were PACKED. As much as I would have loved to enjoy my brunch there with the new Vanity Fair - I actually felt guilty wanting to take up a whole table to myself. Looking forward to this becoming another neighborhood routine.
(4)
y r.
"We use local Amish farm cream cheese, jams and fresh fruits & vegetables to make our homemade seasonal spreads" -- but no vegan options other than jam. I guess chickpeas and olive oil aren't local enough. Vegans beware.
(1)
Leah G.
I too have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Spread. I am THRILLED to finally have a solution to the problem that is the overwhelming dearth of quick breakfast food options in center city. I love the interior. It is also a lovely place to sit an enjoy your breakfast, not just take something to go. I got an everything bagel with cream cheese. I thought it was delicious. I will say, the coffee was not my favorite, this has some room for improvement. Contrary to the other reviews, I thought the staff was lovely. (I also don't think the pricing is outrageous; when I go to manhattan bagel I spend the same amount, and lets be honest, who really wants to go to manhattan bagel). I will definitely be returning!
(4)
Benjamin E.
I was conflicted. My girlfriend's parents from Montreal were in town and I thought I should take them to Spread - get them a taste of home. I then thought, wait a minute, if I was in Montreal, I would have no interest in getting a cheesesteak. A friend from work had the opposite opinion - "I'd want to see what Canadians did to a cheesesteak." I've been to Montreal many times and have had many Montreal bagels. Spread's bagels seemed to be a hybrid of Montreal and NY style bagels (a little puffier than the typical very thin sweet Montreal bagels), but this is by no means a negative. For me it was a great combination of the two - I think Montreal bagels are too thin and NY bagels too puffy. The Montrealers agreed. They did ask the owner about the thickness of the bagels and he claimed that due to the heat and humidity they couldn't prevent the yeast from doing its thing. I will have no problem if this issue persists. We all got bagel sandwiches with lox or whitefish. They were big sandwiches with very good fish. I will be returning.
(4)
Erin W.
I was so excited to finally eat here after walking past it for months and falling more and more in love with the decor. Exposed brick, subway tile, marble counters, sweet little wooden window bench. It's all beautifully done, and it should be, as it took them long enough. The obvious downside is that they have to recoup that money somehow, so my wallet was raped for almost $6 with tax for a bagel with chive cream cheese. The menu said bagels were $2, and then it listed "local farm fresh cream cheeses" for about $2-$4 each. I erred on the side of naivete and expected to pay $3 TOTAL, not $3 ON TOP OF the price of the bagel. FYI, you guys are next to an abandoned hardware store and a nail salon. You might share the block with D'Angelo's and Audrey Claire, but let's not pretend you get to indulge in the snooty Rittenhouse attitudes and matching prices. You serve bagels. Maybe my palate isn't as refined, but I'd much prefer the classic tang of good old Philadelphia cream cheese, especially if it will cost me less. Also, I waited roughly 3 minutes before anyone noticed I was at the counter and took my order. I fear for these guys on a busy Saturday morning. But you know who I feel worse for? The elderly man I was in line behind who was surprised that his order cost $14 (FOURTEEN), and was counting $1s from his wallet to try and pay for it. I gave it 3 stars because admittedly my bagel was pretty delicious, and because I don't want to see this place tank after the eternal construction process.
(3)
Jes S.
I wanted to review this place when I went on the 2nd (of May), but the yelp page wasn't set up yet... Things I loved: - Got the club breakfast sammich and it was SUPER Duper tasty. The insides were great and the texture/flavor/style of the bagel was perfect for such an endeavor. -Super sweet and cute interior, very comfy! Things I Didn't Love: - Said over and over again by other reviewers... The people/service was just awful. The lady behind the counter looked frazzled and confused, and they didn't seem to know what to do with a business. Someone offered to help her, one of the servers, and got snapped at. A new customer joined our long line and asked if everyone had gotten served and got semi-yelled at to wait? - The price? I got a sandwich and that was a reasonable price for the amount of stuff packed on it, but the bagels themselves were $2 each. If it's too expensive are ppl going to keep going? And a soda was $2, but it was not a very big soda... and yes, glass bottle coke, very nice, but I would like more coke please. 4 stars for deliciousness, minus one star for service . :(
(3)
Kristin G.
I've been to Spread twice now... First I got the tuna melt, it was good - not great considering it was about 10 dollars. Second time I got a cinnamon raisin bagel, which was delicious. You won't find bagels in philadelphia as good as the ones they sell here, seriously delish... But I must say, 2 dollars for a small bagel is a little steep, even if it's really delicious. If Spread started making their bang for buck a little better I would definitely give them another star and visit them far more often. It seems like I'm not the only one singing the song of their prices, I wouldn't mind paying 1.50 for the size bagel they have, or 2 dollars for a larger bagel. Anyway, regardless of the price Spread Bagelry is worth at least one visit, it's just not a place I would visit more than maybe once every, or every other, month.
(3)
Lauren F.
Oh Spread. You tempted me for 10 months with the promise of a bagel place moving in around the corner. Every few weeks I would stop by, hoping that I could get a Montreal style bagel for the first time. Alas, you waited too long and opened literally days before I moved. Days. I wish I was kidding. And it lived up to the hype. Those bagels, the cream cheese, everything was delicious, if a big expensive. Before I left I think we visited two or three times, one of which was the morning of our move. I had a sesame, which is my favorite regardless of the fact that it is the traditional topping of Montreal style bagels. Just a bagel and cream cheese, but it was delicious. I could taste the bit of honey that they boil the bagels in, definitely. So, my conclusion is, well, it's delicious. But I was promised bagels around the corner! Now I won't be able to appreciate the delicious new bagel place...
(4)
Bobby P.
Nice bagels and friendly service. I thought I remembered Montreal style bagels being chewier, but I actually prefer these. Love that they offer whole wheat everything bagels (phenomenal with the lox cream cheese spread). Why should you have to choose between whole wheat and everything? Most bagel shops seam to think its ok, but to hell with most bagel shops! All that being said, what is the deal with the egg and cheese sandwich with jelly? That was definitely a mistake on my part to order it, but it never should have been on the menu to pique my curiosity. Also, offering ham as an option on the breakfast sandwiches would be nice...
(3)
Jennifer T.
Every day for the past many months, I've sat on my front steps with my dog and stared longingly at Spread Bagelry and the slooooooooow construction process. Today it finally opened!! Typical "spread" of Montreal-style bagels, homemade cream cheeses, bagel sandwiches, La Columbe coffee, and the like. They have bagel melts of the day - today was tomato and gruyere, which it looked good but I opted for a whole wheat bagel with veggie cream cheese and a coffee to go. The slightly sweet bagel was a touch crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy inside. Homemade veggie cream cheese had celery, onions, tomatoes and maybe some other unidentifiable veggies mixed in. Mmmm so good! The only issue I have with Spread is that it's expensive, even for Rittenhouse. $5 for a bagel with cream cheese?? Give me a break. At least the coffee is decently priced at $2. The boyfriend got 8 bagels for his office, and apparently they don't have tub-sized cream cheeses yet... so he had to pay PER cream cheese. $39 later, he was NOT happy. I will be back, but only if I'm feeling spendy!
(3)
Danan R.
The bagels are pretty good: slightly dense, soft, with just a hint of sweetness. I had a plain with cream cheese and it was very satisfying. I also stole a bite of the pastrami sandwich on rye and that was delicious. I'll be back to get my own next time. For those of you who love coffee, they have endless La Colombe, which was one of my original reasons for coming here. It was very busy but the service was friendly and efficient. Prices are slightly high but the bagels (and coffee!) are worth it.
(4)
Elizabeth F.
I've got to say it, this is not a bagel. Perhaps this is a bagel in Canada in the same way that a boot is a trunk in England. But here in America a boot is a shoe and the baked good sold at Spread is bread with a hole in the middle. With that rant out of the way, I will say that it is a pretty good piece of bread. My everything Canadian bagel was warm and had a nice crunch to it. I had the vegetable cream cheese, which had nice big chunks of carrot and celery in it. It was a nice afternoon snack, but set me back $5. This is about a $2 too much to pay for what I got. As for the bagels being "handcrafted"--whatever that means--the things is still just some flour and yeast. But I must add, the place has a very cute storefront and a great seating area.
(3)
Kendrah R.
Stupid amount of money. $25 for two bagel sandwiches and then you skimp on the lox? That is just bad business. I won't be back.
(2)
Daniel P.
Loved it! And a cool ambiance to boot.
(5)
Ben M.
I flew into Philadelphia on a red eye, and on my way out of town I decided to stop for breakfast. As a devout fan of hipsteresque eateries I decided I would have to give this wood fired bagel shop a go. The service took a little while for ordering 3 bagels, I get the impression they're relatively new. They were friendly and everything worked out fine. I had an everything bagel. I liked the wood fired crunchiness and taste. It did cut the roof of my mouth. Tried "The Classic" and their melt of the day. Both were quite tasty. I see a lot of complaints about price. I was excited at how cheap the lox and bagel was, but maybe that's just coming from California.
(4)
Alison P.
I personally am a huge fan of Spread, but you have to go in knowing that this is not your typical bagel. These bagels are made in a brick oven and I love them-- they are light and crisp, and my favorite point about Spread might be that their seeded bagels have seeds on both sides, not just the top. Why doesn't every bagel place do that, huh? If you are splurging, go for the brisket and provolone, which is indulgent but worth it. I love the egg white sandwich with truffled mushrooms, and all of the spreads and farmer's jam are fresh and delicious.
(4)
Jose A.
The good: The bagels are actually pretty good. There is bottomless coffee The bad: You have to wait awhile to get them. You have to pay a lot to get them. If you're looking for a nice neighboorhood bagel shop, like south street bagels, you aren't going to find it here. This is trendy, upscale, overpriced, but still pretty good bagels. If you're looking for that definitely go here. It's just that I'm not.
(2)
Lissa C.
Honestly, for as expensive as the bagels are, I expected better. I've had two different bagels here both just toasted with butter. The bagels don't have much flavor- especially the everything bagel which is normally salty, oniony, etc. All I could taste was flour. South Street Philly Bagels is much better.
(2)
Melissa M.
5 stars because when I think of going out for bagels on a Sun morning, this is where I think of going first. Their creations are dough-y and chewy, have a very different character than a perfect NY bagel (the exterior has a little smoky crustiness rather than that thickness of well-boiled chew), and are wonderful in their own way. The onion bits, and sesame and poppy seeds are flavorful. Love that they have great whitefish salad and that the salmon cream cheese actually tastes like salmon. The coffee is terrific. The few lunch sandwiches I've tried (I'm so glad to see the whitefish, the selections in Philly being what they are, that I rarely try anything else) had just the right amount of really fresh veggies. Service is friendly and the folks who work there look like they like their jobs. Be prepared that bagels are $2/ea, and sandwiches approach $10. But you'll notice the two or three folks working the oven, and appreciate the effort it takes to make these fresh.
(5)
Duncan I.
Been a few times there now and pretty consistently have the same opinion. Place is cute. Ingredients are fresh and tasty. I love a crunchy toasted bagel and I understand it's designed to simply be a vessel to carry the food but it doesn't quite carry it, in fact my everything bagel was quite bland. Service was great. Their choice of coffee is questionable. Location is screaming for some good food joints and certainly needs something like this. Price is def a little on the higher side but so is rent so I can appreciate the need to elevate the rates.
(3)
Isaac T.
Delicious breakfast bagel
(4)
Sari S.
I stopped into Spread today after hearing about it from friends. I'm a proud Canadian new to Philly so I was excited to try their "Montreal" style bagels. Well needless to say, these are not Authentic Montreal style bagels. They were way too big, too mushy, and not hard the way I was expecting. One normally has to eat one right away because they get stale immediately. And honestly, these were way overpriced. However...They did taste good though! But $2 bucks for one bagel is ridonkulous.
(3)
A J.
ugh. dont waste your money on the coffee. I've been here three times and it's weak, watery, boiled Buffett style in a huge banquet urn. secondly, plan on leaving smelling like you've been working at a diner for a week. no exhaust where they cook. ew :( bagels are good. expensive.
(1)
Lizzie S.
Spread is my go-to lazy weekend breakfast spot. Strong coffee with free refills, bagels fresh from the wood-burning oven served with some classic R&B tunes, and only a block from Rittenhouse Square (ideal for picnicking). The line is often long but it moves quickly, and the local ingredients are worth the extra dollar or two. True, Montreal bagels are not the same as New York bagels, but can't I make room in my belly for both?
(4)
Ali E.
I have no idea what a Montreal style bagel is but the everything bagel with cream cheese is absolutely incredible. That's all I get but recommend that everyone try it. It's delicious. I agree with others that it's pricey. Bagel + coffee/tea ends up being $5. Which is more than i'd like to pay for a neighborhood place. I wish they had a frequent buyer card and gave discounts for bringing your own coffee mug. Originally gave this place 4 stars but reduced it to 3 because three times now I keep asking for an everything bagel but end up with whole wheat everything- huge difference and not in a good way.
(3)
Sam T.
Effing awesome. Good coffee, best bagels in the city by a wide margin. Maybe best avoided if you have a hipster allergy, and it would be nice if the line moved faster, but the sheer brilliance of the bagels more than compensates. Prices are competitive. Not the cheapest, but not extortionate, either
(5)
Jennifer M.
Really delicious bagels!!!! I like how they taste a bit sweeter than a New York style bagel. I would say these are the best bagels in Philly. Philly has a weak bagel scene. Don't listen to the haters on here!!!! Good job spread!
(4)
Rob F.
I'm not sure these are much more authentically Montreral than other bagels are authentically New York. It's been a while since I had a Montreal bagel. However, whatever they are, they are quite good. Slightly sweet, with a slightly cakelike crumble instead of a doughy texture. Really nice crust.
(4)
Matt K.
For me there's no better way to have breakfast than with a bagel sandwich. For years, there's been on spot in the city that was my go to place for bagels. Then after seeing their "Best of Philly" win this year and a few tasty pictures from friends, I decided to give it a try yesterday. Location wise Spread located on one of the nicer blocks in the Rittenhouse Square/Center City West area. Seating is limited and it's not the biggest store so I'm not surprised to read that there can be lines running out the door. Luckily my "morning" started late enough that I was able to avoid any waiting. I got two bagels with my order; a turkey bacon, eggs and Gruyere sandwich on an onion bagel and a plain bagel with their 4 berry cream cheese. Both were toasted. Service was quick, I waited no longer than 5 minuets after placing my order. The bagels were bigger and thicker than what I'm used to. And despite being toasted, they were still slightly soft and chewy (and I mean that in a good way). The eggs came with thick slices of local Lancaster turkey bacon and topped with the perfect amount of cheese. Overall just a great sandwich. However, the plain bagel with 4 berry cream cheese stole the show. Again, the bagel was soft and chewy, but not doughy. The spread was made from local Amish cream cheese and not only had a great flavor from the berries, but had chunks of berries in it! It's easily one of the best spread's I've tried. Overall I loved my bagel experience at Spread. Yeah it was a bit pricey, but it was well worth the money. Would I go here every morning? No because I would be broke. But whenever I'm looking to get a bagel that's top notch I'm coming back. And I'm calling it now; I bet they're going to make one hell of a pumpkin cream cheese once we get closer to Fall.
(4)
Patty G.
I had breakfast at Spread today for the first time. I went with 3 co-workers at the recommendation of one in attendance. One of my co-works had a stroller which, due to a combination of the high step at the entrance way and the narrow shop, she couldn't get in so she waited outside while we all ordered. Four bagels with cream cheese and four coffees (which were self serve and La Colombe-- yum!) took 20 minutes. They weren't even toasted! They cost $3 each which, even for center city, is a bit high. The young lady at the counter was unpleasant at best and the owner, who I spent a few minutes speaking with, admonished his staff for not making bagels quick enough. As a customer, that made me uncomfortable to hear. On the bright side, the bagels were delicious. I've never been to Montreal or have had a Montreal-style bagel to compare this to but it tasted good to me. I would most likely not go there for breakfast again but would consider picking up a dozen bagels for a special occasion brunch at my house.
(2)
Walter C.
They are the best bagels I've had. Hands down. They taste like no other bagels I've ever had. Chewy, moist, sweet. Perfect.
(3)
Jen S.
I really want to like this place because it is only a few blocks from my apartment and I have great memories of bagels in Montreal. Unfortunately, our experience here wasn't great. Prices were high as others said, the service seemed indifferent, and they ran out of coffee and were a little disorganized when it came to brewing more (this was Sunday am). The most important part, our bagels were not crispy - very doughy. Also, I should have specified toasted, but forgot and got a cold bagel with too much cream cheese just plopped on the middle of the bagel. The bagels were sweet, but I liked that. I also liked the doughiness, however they needed a crispy outside to balance that out. Ambiance/interior design was great - very cute shop. Maybe they will get it together as they go. I would like to try them again, but I don't know if I will because of the prices. Likely I will stick with Metropolitan bagels, which are much cheaper and, in my opinion, tastier.
(2)
Ken G.
Really wanted to love this place but thought it was just ok. Poppy bagel had a nice char and the wood burning fire looked great. Bagel was a step above ordinary but not as dense as I remember a Montreal bagel to be. Cream cheese was fresh and creamy but needed a tad more flavor (maybe I should have tried a spread). Girl working the counter was more interested in singing a really bad version of Prince than waiting on customers. I will give it another shot because the wood fire and char do add a whole new dimension to the bagel, and my Lear jet timeshare only allows me to get to Montreal once a month LOL
(3)
Ken L.
Ok, I waited a few weeks. Lines out the door. But again tried to get some bagels. How can you be out of bagels and make people wait 30 min. limited menu, very disorganized, Bagels are good not great and as everyone said pricey but it is in Rittenhouse neighborhood but this place needs some management bigger space. Will prob just get my bagels at Le Bus or Capagiro (H and H from NY)
(1)
Scott B.
I love the Bagel Club sandwich. It makes an amazing lunch or brunch. Combine that with their La Colombe coffee and I'm in heaven. I'm sorry, but I don't care which genre of bagel you classify it as: Montreal or New York or Podunk. If it tastes good it is good, and Spread's are good!
(5)
MC E.
Read about this place and wanted to check it out. Went in this morning and there was no wait and plenty of bagels (most still warm). The place is super-cute and the people working there were very pleasant. Now that I have been there, I probably won't be rushing back as I got 6 bagels and a container of cream cheese and lox for $16!!!!!!! I am not cheap by any means, but that is ridiculous. They are delicous and I know my husband will like them as well - just very pricey. A special treat, if you will.
(3)
Jessica M.
Craziness ensues even at an off time on a Saturday afternoon. But then again I suppose there is no "off time" on a lovely, brisk Saturday in January. For as crowded as it was in there, the staff kept their cool (not easy when standing right by a hot oven - hardy har har!). I went in determined to get a "lunch" sandwich but ended up getting a breakfast sandwich instead after watching a cook prepare eggs on the griddle. I took it to go since there wasn't much room to sit and in my 5 block walk home, it was still hot when I arrived ready to eat. My only complaint was that it needed salt and pepper. This is pretty standard for a breakfast of eggs and cheese but I was surprised that it wasn't even a tad seasoned. I guess they have to cater to those who don't care for it and leave the seasoning to the individual. I will definitely go back to get a lunch sammy and also to pick up a dozen the next time I am headed out to the family....it will be nice to introduce them to something other than their standard DD bagels. Again - props to the staff who were friendly and accommodating and made you not care about a little bit of a wait!
(3)
Eric C.
Delicious. By far the BEST bagel sandwich I have ever had. I ordered the Egg White with Truffled Mushrooms, Spinach, Lite Swiss and Turkey Bacon on a Whole Wheat and did this sandwich send my senses whirling this morning! It was decadent. The flavors blended together amazingly. Wow, I wish I could wake up to this every morning. The prices are slightly on the higher side, but definitely justified by the HIGH QUALITY product. I recommend everyone to put it on their list.
(4)
James G.
Would you like some flies with that? My main concern about this place was the amount of flies. My girlfriend and I sat on the upper level and there were swarms of flies. They were all over the wall. That's bad enough however, the owner was walking around cleaning tables where the flies were. It was IMPOSSIBLE for him not to notice the flies but we could see no fly trap or fly paper or anything. That can only lead me to assume he didnt care that his customers had to swat away flies while eating. Great customer service. My other concern I paid nearly $25 for 2 bagels. Thats a ridiculous price! Plus the coffee was crap and I had 1 slice of bacon on my Blt. Not one slice for each side but one slice, cut in half, with half placed on each side. Pathetic for a 10 bagel!! In summary the amount of flies ruined any chance of me enjoying this place. Dirty, expensive and flimsy with the bacon!! Won't be back!
(1)
Adina R.
I'm a New York bagel fan so I have to say I was skeptical about the idea of sweet Monteal bagels but I'd been wanting to try Spread since I'd heard great things. And besides Philly lacks great NY bagels so I might as well try something different. Spread was ok. The nova and cream cheese was great and the bagel was fine. It was a Sunday morning so I'm sure the bagel was fresh baked, but it just didn't taste that way. Instead it tasted like a few days old cold bagel. Maybe I'll give it another try without the everything bagel and lox to get the pure essence of a Montreal bagel, but after my first try, it didn't seem like anything special.
(3)
Suki R.
This is officially my very FIRST yelp review. What could've prompted this? Was it the satisfaction I received from my bagel, or could it be my excellent mood? Probably a mingling of the two. I'm going to Montreal next month, and because this place claims to serve "Montreal style" bagels, I thought I'd educate myself in my favorite way - nom nom nom. After a night of Halloween mayhem, a large amount of carbohydrates conveniently located down the block was just what my roommate & I needed. We both selected the whole wheat everything, and it was perfection with it's toasty outside, softer insides and a nice touch of sweetness. I'm coming from a few years in NYC, so I am used to a cold attitude with places this adorable. Everyone here was friendly and in positive spirits. They even, un-prompted, let me try the Peanut Butter Jam I was curious about (it tastes like melted Snickers, far too dangerous to actually keep in my apartment). Now, I've noticed some people complaining about the prices - but you get what you pay for. To start with the basics, you are not getting any old coffee, they're serving La Colombe! Personally, bad coffee is one of my biggest pet peeves. While their prices could easily be much lower, they choose to try to select locally sourced, quality ingredients - and I think we all know this is not the cheapest way to do things, but better for yours and mines bodies as well as area farmers. No, this is not your corner deli (which I agree, can have cheap, delicious bagels & coffee), but that isn't what Spread is trying to be. Appreciate it for what it is, get your pre-conceived notions of a bagel place out of your head, dish out the cash, and enjoy - your taste buds will thank you.
(5)
Cam A.
Yes the prices are a bit high, but unlike many previous reviewers, I have the ability to read, so I read the menu and knew that before i ordered. The food is very good, the staff is among the most friendly in philly, and the renovation looks great. The very long weekend lines highlight two points: 1. the place is good 2. There's a big lack of places like it in the neighborhood. A great addition to rittenhouse west. - also an expat New Yorker
(5)
Lauren H.
That was not a bagel. That was a lovely wood burning oven baked circular loaf of bread. But not a bagel. Sorry.
(2)
Bernard L.
Complete waste of money. Staff talked the whole time. Breakfast sandwich was small and cost 7 bucks. Never again.
(1)
Kristen H.
This is a great neighborhood bagel place. I avoid it like the plague on weekends when the line is out the door, but it's usually pretty empty early week day mornings. The staff has always been pleasant and my bagel is ready quickly. I'm a creature of habit, so I usually stick to the cinnamon raisin bagel toasted with cream cheese.
(4)
Dave L.
Even the birds turned their beaks up at these bagels. What a dissapointment. Overated and way overpriced. Bagels taste like stale irish soda bread. Hoped that they would taste better toasted. Not a chance. Bought a half dozen anticipating they would be great bagels. Line out the door. I wish them well. They said they can't keep up with the demand. No way would I go back. I would rather starve than eat one of these again.
(1)
Beth M.
I've been here too many times. It does not compare to real Montreal bagels, but that's ok - I keep my expectations reasonable. Two stars because if you can actually get a fresh bagel, it's good. My low rating is for other reasons. First of all, this place is really expensive - plain bagel with no cream cheese is $2, cream cheese adds another $1, a slice of tomato is yet another $1, etc. You'll pay $8 or so for a bagel breakfast sandwich with bacon, eggs, and cheese. Add coffee or juice and you're talking $25 for two people. The second downside is the service. I was disappointed on my last trip here. Granted it was during the weekend breakfast mad rush, but they didn't ask my name when I ordered, and I hung around near the front of the store in the crowd for 20 minutes waiting for my to-go order. After finally asking where my order was, they retrieved a bag of bagels and I had to wait another 10 minutes while they hunted down a tub of plain cream cheese (there was none in the refrigerator). The bagels had been toasted and were really dry, since they had been sitting around for 30 minutes. Threw most of them away. What a waste of $. My last gripe is that I have asked for pastrami on 4 different visits, and they have ALWAYS said that they're out of it. I have no idea why it's on the menu.
(2)
Ann S.
This place is great. I went for the first time a week ago and they gave me a free bagel for being a new customer. Went back today and really enjoyed it! Very nice people great service. the bagels are FABULOUS! Not NY bagels the only difference is Ny bagels have a thicker skin. But these don't claim to be that. I'm glad philly has something just as good but different. THe only reason i didn't give 5 stars is $2 for a bagel. no matter how good it is that;s too much, so it won't be a daily stop but I will go back. In fact i plan to go back for lunch with a friend they have to try these!
(4)
Kristen S.
I came here for the first time about a month ago with a friend who had been raving about the Montreal style bagels that Spread bakes fresh daily. I was super excited because, to me, there is nothing better than a good bagel sandwich--especially a breakfast sandwich on the weekends after a night of working or drinking; something to fill the void or soak up the toxins! I ordered the egg white sandwich on a toasted whole wheat everything bagel and fell in love with it. I've been back every weekend since and have rotated between the egg white sandwich or simply just a toasted bagel with one of their delicious cream cheese spreads (the onion scallion is by far my favorite). The bagels are doughy, oblong, unique, and fresh every time. The staff is very friendly and diligent in addition to the delicious bagels. There isn't anything that I want to complain about other than the small interior which leaves little space for seating.
(4)
Mike C.
Spread is like a pretty blonde. They have an attractive product and pretty assests so you overlook the obvious flaws. The bagels are pretty good, the idea of woodfiring them isnt new but it is to philadelphia. The thing is they have about 15 people work there on weekend mornings and yet they still cant keep up with the flow. Twice I have waited 20-25 minutes for a bagel to go, nothing special just some cream cheese. There were only 6 people in front of me. That is obscene. And who pays a dollar for jam, and a dollar for butter. 4 dollars for a bagel with the bare essentials? The owner hangs out and makes small talk which can be nice but its just a bagel. I mean if youre vetri or garces fine, come talk to us. And if you want to elicit feedback on how the operation is going and if your costumers are satisfied even better. But I dont want to hear how Philly needed a bagel place so bad and it was so obvious to set this up. This isnt delivering medicine to the third world. There is potential, but as it stands this place is not taking feedback seriously
(2)
Sally R.
I'm not a huge fan of Montreal style bagels, but I love coming into Spread and seeing soon to be consumed bagels baking away in the oven. They have a down home vibe and a menu of rustic sandwiches. I really quite enjoy places that are new but make you feel like they've maybe been there all along and you just happened to notice it out of the corner of your eye. Once inside, the atmosphere is cozy, even on a busy busy Sunday morning, the crowd feels more like a gathering of hungry friends than a feeding frenzy. They sell lovely homeade jams and I always appreciate places that offer you the dine in option of using mugs instead of disposable paper cups. Perhaps, on a bit of a pricier side of bagels, but still reasonable compared to other eating-out options, you've got to tell yourself. I also dug the friendly service at the counter and the festive sounds of Huey and the Banjo playing outside, welcoming everyone in for their morning coffee.
(3)
Stef A.
2.5 stars because of the darn price. I've been anxiously awaiting for Spread to open. Decor is very awesome - seems like a good place to hang out and have your bagel and coffee but $12 for lox, cream cheese and tomato??? I can go to Bacchus and get it for half the price (although granted, the bagel is not as big). I also thought the sesame bagel I ordered was rather chewy. I"m going to give it another shot and just try ordering a bagel with veggie cream cheese but I will not be paying 12 bucks for the bagel with lox again.
(3)
K P.
We walked in and were greeted by a messy dissheveled cashier who after giving us the up and down look, bluntly asked if we were ready to order. We ordered "the standard" with egg whites, light cheese and turkey bacon on toasted bagels. The bagels were dry, and by dry I mean flour coating your lips as you took a bite. Not what i'd expect from any bagel. The bread was very doughy definitely a difference between a regular bagel. If you want a dry, doughy piece of bread with Trader Joe's turkey bacon, make it at home with Thomas' and you're guaranteed a better experience. And this wasn't a cheap breakfast either. For two bagel sandwiches and drinks we paid close to $20. Personally, I prefer breakfast with a lot less attitude. I have no intention of returning and will be sure to SPREAD the word.
(2)
Naz B.
Went to Spread yesterday, opening day, after months of wondering when this place would open. I'm from New York and have lived in Rittenhouse for 5+ years, and I've always wondered why there was no bagel place in the neighborhood, so I was excited to see this place open, despite the "Montreal-style" bagels. After the long wait, I'm pretty disappointed and can't see myself going back again. The space is nice - cozy and cute, an ideal place to sit and read the paper. However, the employees (maybe owners too?) are less than ideal. My boyfriend and I walked in, and as the only customers took a minute to read the menu and look around. There were quite a few employees there, and no one offered any sort of explanation as to the type of bagels or their "handcrafted" spreads or really much of a welcome at all. The lady at the register (dark brown hair) was a little snarky and seemed visibly annoyed that my bf ordered a bagel sans expensive spread. You would think her attitude would have a been a little better after just a few hours of being open. All that aside, the bagel was meh at best. I had an everything bagel with farm-fresh butter (or something like that), and my bf had a poppyseed bagel with nothing on it. I understand the difference in style between NY and Montreal-style, and it just wasn't special. It is a little sweet, denser and much smaller than a typical bagel. Maybe it's that I'm a NY bagel snob, but I'm just not impressed. Maybe the "handcrafted" spreads are something special, but spending $5-$6 (unless it has lox and cream cheese, which is $11 at Spread btw) on a bagel just doesn't seem reasonable to me. It's about double the price of the best bagel places in Manhattan with the most delicious "handcrafted" spreads available. Rittenhouse is just not that special and "high-class" to warrant the price. Since when are Rittenhouse prices higher than the UES? As for the size of the bagel, it is denser than a typical bagel, but it truly is the size of a lenders bagel from the frozen food section. That would be fine, maybe even a preferable size bagel in my opinion, but I'm not going to pay double for it. Oh well Spread and Philadelphia, I guess I"ll just eat bagels when I go to NY.
(2)
scott d.
$12.00 for a sandwich is one thing, but it needs to be the sandwich you at least ordered! Poor at best.....will never go back or recommend
(1)
Justin S.
Spread makes a great bagel. Get there early on the weekends to avoid the lines. It is really neat how they boil the bagels right in front of you and then bake them in that big wood fired oven in the center of the store. It is a fun experience. Definitely not cheap, but I wouldn't expect a low price from an artisan baker. I am looking forward to the opening of their bakery across the street.
(4)
Gretchen K.
Well, after a few weeks of continuous patronage, despire my previous review, I am happy to report improvement at Spread. Still some bumps in the road, but overall a great neighborhood place. Everyone is friendlier and things happen at a speed I can deal with.
(3)
Zack B.
Wow. First of all, we did not know this was their opening day, but now that we know, it totally makes sense. Docked a star for a ridiculous wait. They were sooo slow. Waited fifteen minutes for just a sliced bagel, which was cold, even though we asked for it toasted, but believed the register lady when she said " are you sure you want it toasted, they are fresh from the oven?" They were not. They were pulling bagels fresh from the oven, but those were not used for our order. Another docked star for that and other semi rude remarks we witnessed from that same girl. When we did get the bagel, it was pretty good. Though, not nearly as good as the ones we have tried in Montreal at one third the price. Here, a bagel with scallion cream cheese is 5 bucks! Overall they were VERY disorganized and should have trained their employees better. I think we saw the owner ther, and he didn't seem very concerned with the lack of customer service skills his employees were demonstrating. If executed better at half cost would be 4 stars. Oh, and Cates review is obviously fake. Yelp will probably filter it
(1)
Laura S.
I came in expecting to be underwhelmed based on others' reviews, but it's around the corner and I love breakfast food so figured I should at least give it a shot. The caption tells me 3 stars means "A-OK" - and Spread solidly earns their 3 stars. I'm not in love, but it was an all-around good experience. The offerings were definitely a step up from Dunkin Donuts/Manhattan Bagel. The bagels were sweet, chewy and flavorful. I ordered the everything bagel with plain cream cheese and my sister had a plain bagel. I like the texture and flavor of the Montreal-style bagels, although if you are more of a savory breakfast person the sweetness might not be your thing. I am actually a fan of the smaller size, too - I do not need a 6" monstrosity for breakfast! The more adventurous offerings for spreads looked good, but I really, really wish they had a low-fat cream cheese option. Really, really wish. Please, guys? My sister had a side of bacon with her bagel and pronounced it "very good" - this was her 3rd bacon experience in 24 hours so I consider her an authority. The OJ tasted fresh-squeezed (I'm pretty sure it was), mmm. Prices are a bit on the high side, but I accept that's the price you pay if you want to support local, homemade, small businesses instead of giant conglomerates. Service seemed a little scattered, but friendly. My guess is that this is one of the first weekends they've been open (possibly the first, given their inauspicious beginnings) so I'm sure they're still learning the ropes. A man that I assume was the owner was very friendly. The smoked meat sandwich is not back on the menu yet but he told me to look for it in September - I'll be back here at least once to try that, since my friends from Montreal tell me that authentic smoked meat is not to be missed. The space is cute - it's a bit small, which could become problematic if they get really popular. For now, though, there were no problems with seating. You shouldn't come in expecting cheap, fast service a la the big chains, but if you've got some time to linger over your coffee and a few extra dollars to put toward your breakfast, you'll leave here happy and full.
(3)
Rennie J.
Delicious bagels, light and fresh tasting cream cheese. $15 for a 1/2 dozen bagels and spread is a little expensive, but for me, not prohibitively so. I experienced none of the indifference that other reviewers mention. I will definitely return. A delicious alternative to South Street Bagels.
(5)
Jon C.
The bagels are good -- they have crunch and also chew and a sweetness from the honey -- too much sweetness for me, and also too much sweet aftertaste, but your mileage may vary. On the downside, they seemed shocked and baffled by the idea that I would walk in and get a bagel. The relentless (bordering on brusque and rude) upselling is hard to take from a bagel store, and $2 is a lot to pay for a bagel. Larger issue is that they need to figure out if they want to brand/define themselves as a neighborhood bagel place or a neighborhood restaurant/hangout/coffee shop/brunch place. Why is there a woman outside handing out "menus" when they're basically a bagel store?? The branding and identity are confusing.
(3)
Brianne J.
Eh, I'm torn. Not really what I want in a bagel (who doesn't want crispy outside, chewy inside goodness??) - this place is baked so it's closer to a pretzel than a good, boiled bagel, but the flavors were good. I got the whole wheat everything, which is always an exciting find for me since not enough places have more than just the plain whole wheat bagels. Little pricey. Maybe I'll go back (it's pretty convenient for me) but HELL NO will I wait in a line for this place.
(3)
C.J. C.
I came here on their grand opening, and it was a huge disappointment. First of all the lady with the short brown hair working the counter was incredibly rude and unfriendly. Secondly, the wait for a bagel with ubberly overpriced cream cheese ($5) was close to 20min! Must I add that the same worker gave us a hard time when we asked to have the bagel toasted, and questioned our request, insisting that they would be "fresh from the oven." FYI, having a fresh bagel come out of the oven and having it sliced and toasted are not the same thing. If you're charging $5 a bagel, the least you could do is toast it without giving your customers attitude. And btw, the bagel was completely cold by the time we got it. So unless you have plenty of time, enjoy getting ripped off, and like your morning coffee with a dose of attitude, then I highly suggest you stay clear of this place. The only thing it has going for them is their decor. It was unclear whether they have free wifi, as the ladies at the counter were arguing about whether customers could use it or not.
(1)
Marie J.
I completely agree with the other reviewers on cost. I spent $10 on a breakfast bagel sandwich and coffee. However, the bagels are very tasty and based on how quickly I got my food, the staff appear to be very efficient ( and very friendly). Bottom line, it's definitely got quality, but it's not a place that I can frequent very often.
(3)
Alyssa M.
For months I've been watching this storefront develop and this morning I finally stopped in. It was surprisingly crowded for a very rainy Sunday. I have to echo what other reviewers have said -- it's over-priced and the service was slow, unfriendly, and poorly-trained. After waiting in line several minutes I placed my order (bagel & cream cheese plus coffee). This modest order cost $6.50!!! The woman took my order but didn't give any further comments or instruction -- I had to ask about the coffee and assume, based on the group of people lingering by the door, that my order would be up in a few minutes. I got the self-serve coffee (tasty Corsica from La Colombe), grabbed a copy of the Sunday paper, and sat down at the small table in the back. Several minutes later one of their waitstaff brought out my bagel. The food was tasty and the coffee was good, but I can't get over the service or the price. Perhaps the price reflects the huge number of staff on their payroll -- there were 5 or 6 people working in the small area behind the counter this morning. And this might contribute to the poor service as well as too many people are working in a cramped space and (based on my observation while waiting in line) they don't seem to have a good work flow. I think the bagelry is a great idea, but Spread has a few things to work out if the business is going to succeed.
(2)
Esther G.
Seriously, I have no problem waiting for these incredible bagels and food...and I'm not alone! This isnt fast food, it's made to order and delicious!...what a cool place...
(4)
Moe W.
I was walking past the new bagelry yesterday. I normally get my bagels in the burbs at a FANTASTIC New York style bagel store. I thought I'd give this new local place a chance. Walked in and ordered 1/2 dozen bagels to go. I was SHOCKED by the price!!!! $10 for 6 bagels?!?!?!? Are they nuts??? I bought them because I was embarrassed (now I ask myself why I was embarrassed). They are very good - but come, on..... I get a DOZEN for less than $10 elsewhere (and that's considered expensive). Unless the price decreases, I won't be back.
(3)
Jake A.
This is a cute place with great bagels nice staff and a very comfortable environment.
(4)
Shawn K.
The owners of Spread really missed an golden opportunity here. There's no question a serious need for a decent bagel place in Rittenhouse existed, but not for "Montreal-style" ones. They're super thin, so there's not much bagel to the bagel, and any type of distinctive taste is sorely lacking. The space itself is entirely too small for the crowds they attract-I've seen lines out the door on weekends-and their system of placing an order & then having you wait in a random spot while it's being prepared is totally haphazard. If you're lucky enough to get the attention of whoever's working behind the counter, you give that person your order and name, and then just...wait. Wherever. Since the physical space itself is so tiny, if there are more than two or three people also waiting for their orders, the wait can include a certain degree of awkwardness (akin to riding in a packed elevator), and I've attempted to make small talk with my fellow wait-ee(?)'s, usually to no avail. And forget it if you're in a rush--the place is always busy. There's nowhere to sit while waiting, as the few available tables are occupied, and the staff preparing your order are clearly in no hurry. Prices are high, even for Rittenhouse, for what, as described above, is basically a thin bagel with little substance (and/or sustenance). Customer service is hit-or-miss; again, the overall lack of organization in the ordering process is bound to cause confusion, and it does. More space and focus would do wonders in improving what has the potential to be a much better "bagelry".
(2)
Mona M.
Service is vastly improved since this place opened. The bagels are delish -- dense and a little sweet. I would give Spread five stars except that I find the prices a bit steep. I keep going back nonetheless!
(4)
Mark W.
Montreal style? Baked in a small wood oven after boiling the dough, true, but missing that wonderful chewiness of a hot Fairmount bagel. Still, better than the stale NY style bagel so common around here. Crowded, kinda pricey, but nice staff and more convenient than the 8 hour drive to la belle province. Good cappuccino.
(3)
Billy Y.
I'm really suprised this place isn't reviewed better. First, this is by far the best bagel place I have been to in Philadelphia, and I spent four years there for school. New Yorkers alwasy claim to have the best bagels, but this place gives NY a run for it's money. The service was quick and the setting was fitting for the food they had. I would recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Thomas G.
After what seemed like the longest opening in history (I must have celebrated two birthdays while "coming soon" signs were up ), I predict a fairly quick closing (less than one more birthday for this consumer). The whole notion of wood-fired ovens for bagels is a gimmick that does not produce a better-tasting bagel, just a slightly charred one. Their bagels tend to be smashed and, frankly, on the smallish side. My whole wheat bagel was too sweet as well. All of this might be pardoned since tastes do vary, but the price of one of these puny numbers is $2 per. I was stunned that a plain, untoasted bagel could be so expensive these days, especially with plenty of competition in the area from Maxx's, Metropolitan, Manhattan, Le Bus and literally dozens of cafes and convenience stores selling as good if not better product a lower prices. One visit did it for me and I would imagine the lack of repeat visits by other customers will be their death knell. Overpriced and underwhelming. Follow-up. Don't buy a lottery ticket on my say-so. This place has them lined up out the door on weekends which only goes to show I don't know much about what people want but I do know they are willing to overpay for it!!!!!!
(1)
David S.
great service good bagels
(4)
Anne D.
Probably the best bagel I've had in Philly, and I've had a lot of bagels. Not a huge menu- but personally, I'd rather have someone make a few things well than a lot of things poorly. The atmosphere is great but it does get pretty crowded on weekends. The staff was friendly. Great shop!
(5)
Diana S.
very expensive and the bagels are not even that good.
(2)
Ferd B.
This is missing that distinctive outer crust of a good New York bagel (guess life's softer in Montreal!), and overall it struck me as undistinguished except for the hype surrounding it. But my real problem with it is price: $3.24 for a bagel and butter? Seriously? Let's keep things in perspective: It's a small chunk of bread and 2 1/2 tbsp of grease. Not worth it at half the price, so taking a pass in future.
(2)
Maya L.
okay, i'll admit it. this place is expensive. but DELICIOUS! i love their sesame bagel with garlic veggie spread, you can tell the spread is made with fresh veggies, and is sooo good. the service is also top-notch, really nice. beware: the line might go out of the window in the morning, but as said before, it's totally worth it :D you should definitely stop by when you're in the area.
(4)
Amanda G.
I absolutely agree with most of these reviews. I very much anticipated the opening of Spread because I love a good, quick, cheap breakfast and bagels usually fill that need. Not spread, it may be good but it's not cheap and it sure isn't quick. The bagels are pretty good. I like that they taste different then most bagels you find and being a bit smaller isn't that big of a deal to me. The price however is. I had that same confusion when I ordered a bagel with olive oil and garlic cream cheese from a local farm. I thought it would be $3, but it was $2 for the bagel + $3 for the spread. Then I ordered orange juice which was another $3 and watched them take a gallon of Tropicana and pour it into a cup. It made me wonder about how their cream cheese. Is it really even from a local farm? At least try to fool me and have cups prepared before you open. There were maybe 4 tickets in front of mine and it took somewhere around 10 minutes to receive mine. And its true, they aren't friendly. I'm really hoping that they lower their prices, speed up and learn how to smile and treat their customers like guests because if not their going to close real quick.
(2)
a r.
Everything that I've had has been delicious. I would rather wait longer and pay more for good food. That's my personal opinion. That being said today I waited half an hour for my delicious bagel sandwich in a painfully slow line with unhurried staff slowly churning out baskets of tasty combinations only to find the bacon that I asked to have cooked well done turn out floppy. I also discovered a large chunk of fatty turkey that had no business being on my sandwich. Once picked off the sandwich was delightful and bagel toasty, soft, and chewy. Ingredients are fresh, tasty, and of good quality. However, at $10 I don't want to have to be modifying my sandwich myself especially when it wasn't even made in a rush. Never the less I will probably be back for breakfast tomorrow on my way to class, but I am a bagel addict. Unless you share these feelings this place probably isn't for you. As a coffee lover as well I also appreciate the fresh brewed la colombe!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Karl B.
I have now been to Spread about 8-9 times before writing this review. Mostly because it's the only bagel place nearby and I want so badly for it to be good! Unfortunately, they just cannot live up to expectations. To start, the bagels are fine (the only reason they're getting 2-stars over 1). Nothing special, certain not H&H caliber, but infinitely better than Manhattan Bagel. If you're just looking for a plain, uncut, into aster bagel, Spread will usually do you right. So as I said, I have been to Spread nearly a dozen times, and the one thing that sticks out more than anything is the incompetence of the staff. The person on the counter is often only half there. High, hungover, sleep deprived, socially inept, whatever it may be, the counter person is, more often than not, rude, short, and barely there. I've had to repeat my order numerous times, and am treated like a fly buzzing around their head. My second big issue is the product itself. Not one time have I ordered one of the specialty sandwiches and found it properly made. I am either given the wrong type of bagel, missing ingredients, cold food, soggy bread, twice I was even given the completely wrong order. There is nothing worse then walking home dreaming of juicy brisket and horseradish on a poppy seed bagel, only to open up the bag and find a tuna melt on a whole wheat bagel. The quicker way to ruin a Sunday morning. Finally, my last issue with Spread is their selection. Now I have worked in the restaurant industry for almost a decade and I come rely understand how smaller establishments stock product and are apt to run out of things at times, but I have never once been to Spread when they haven't been out of half the menu. At a certain point you have to realize that business is growing and start increasing your production. When you run out of brisket, tuna, everything/poppy/sesame bagels every single day at eleven AM, a smart manager would start the day making more brisket/tuna/bagels. Every successful business owner knows that every time a customer leaves your establishment with any negative feelings, they are twice as likely to never come back. Long story short, Spread Bagelry is an average bagel shop operated by a bunch of below average workers. Maybe one day we'll get ourselves an H&H or Einsteins here in Philly, but until then, we're pretty much out of luck when it comes to a good bagel.
(2)David A.
Went here Sunday to try out the Montreal bagels that have gotten some good press. I had an everything bagel with nova and scallion cream cheese, along with tomato and onion. I don't treat myself to bagels very often. This was a fantastic product. Bagel had incredible texture. It was chewy and delicious. Lox was good, not great but no complaints! They served this with a small cup of cucumber salad that was dressed perfectly and nice and crunchy. They also serve La Columbe coffee. Sat outside and enjoyed the bagel and the great weather. Nice (but tight) space inside with indoor seating. Owner and staff were friendly. Egg sandwiches as well which I will try next time. A good spot!
(4)Brian S.
I had to add a star for their wheat and wheat everything bagels as well as their Saturday entertainment (usually an accordian player). It makes waiting in the line a lot more bearable. Also the owner is really cool and he will sometimes hand out hot, steamy, airy bagels free straight from the oven. That helps a lot too!
(4)Jessica W.
Why do people line up here for bagels every weekend morning? No seriously, why?!? There is nothing notable about Spread, except for their outrageous prices. It's worth the trek down to Old City to go to South Street Bagels instead.
(2)Sean M.
This past weekend, I ordered 2 bagels with cream cheese on the side. The cashier said, "$11 even," with a straight face. I simply said "No" and waited for her to re-calculate. She said "Oh yeah, that's for full tubs of cream cheese. $8.50." I said, "that's still crazy, but OK." Due to being very hungry, and having waited for the normal 20 minutes, I sucked it up and paid. The odd thing is that last week, I got the same thing and paid under $7. The prices are always crazy, but now they are inconsistent, and coupled with the wait, I will not be returning.
(2)Alex P.
Nice cozy place to have a coffee and a bagel out of the wood fired oven... A bit pricey but you're certainly not going to get a better bagel in Philly
(4)A B.
Fantastic bagels! I've been to Spread three times - twice for breakfast and once for lunch. It's a cozy place to eat and you can watch the bagels and sandwiches cook in the brick oven while you wait. The employees are wonderful - friendly, efficient, and helpful. First visit, I picked up two bagels (everything, cinnamon raisin) with plain cream cheese. Doesn't sound very exciting, but both were awesome. Toasted perfectly and probably too much cream cheese, but no complaints! Definitely fresh. Second visit, I went with a friend and we ordered a tuna-melt to go - amazing. It is absolutely big enough to share, you will be full after one half, even if you eat a lot! It came with chips, which was a nice touch. Tuna wasn't too fishy, perfectly seasoned, and I will absolutely be back here to order it again. Third visit, I picked up a bagel (whole wheat) and salmon cream cheese to-go. Again, it was toasted and cooked perfectly, but I received about half the amount of cream cheese as I had before. There was lots of salmon, which was nice - usually that is missing at most restaurants. The salmon was very flavorful, and I definitely got my money's worth food-wise. On the weekends, there is some kind of fun musician outside and the line can get long. I went at 8am on my 1st and 3rd visit and was surprised to find that the Special of the Day, a chocolate chip bagel (both visits!), was completely sold out after only being open for an hour. Must be a good bagel!
(4)Lindsay H.
I love a bagels. I long for the days of picking up a dozens bagels on the weekend and indulging. Sadly, America realized that they aren't great for you and ever since, the bagel shop business has slowly gone down hill and then I read about Spread. Spread is a bagel place through and through and it's more than that. Their bagels are "Montreal" style. What the heck is that? Well, there's made in a brick over...aka super crusty on the outside and chewy/deliciousness on the inside. Awesome. I absolutely recommend checking this place out. Expect to wait a little since it's a tiny place and one of the only delicious bagel places left in town!
(5)Catherine L.
Nearly there, but not quite. As a Montreal gal, born and raised, I was thrilled, overjoyed at the prospect of having a Montreal Bagel place right here in Philly. First poutine, now bagels... what's next? Montreal style smoked meat? One could only hope. Anyhoo. A true Montreal Style bagel is traditionally served with sesame seed (or poppy) so when I ordered a Montreal bagel I was told "They all were". Mistake #1. Next came the official tasting - the bagels were almost on point, the slight sweetness, and the consistency, almost there - but still the bagels themselves proved to be a bit too thick and the shape of the actual bagels not right . In all, the total flavor profile? It fell a bit short. Not bad, but not what I missed from the old country. Lastly, the price tag! Sweet mary and joseph- is this place expensive! For two sandwiches and drinks - the total is nearly $30? A wee bit too rich for my blood. Place is tiny, not much room to eat in, and no ice is offered with the bevvies, what gives? Service is pleasant, but not entirely helpful. All and all: a nice detour from the regular world of bagels, good stop for brunch, and a nice little insight (albeit a little inaccurate) into what Montreal bagels have got to offer.
(3)Bernie B.
I have wanted to try this place for a long time. I made it there today and even though the wait is annoying, it is part of the charm. I have been thinking about the bagel and whitefish salad I had. The whitefish was very good, but the bagel was just fair. I am not sure why the bagel was not a winner for me. It was good, but the pop up bagel shop in my neighborhood has much better bagels. Also, the iced coffee was so weak from the melting ice it was lousy. I am not sure I will come back here.
(3)ana m.
Good.... but not sure it's entirely worth the long lines and high prices. I ordered a bagel sandwich and the turkey was quite dry. The bagels themselves are good, but be prepared to wait...... My iced latte was very good, but I finished it by the time my sandwich was ready to pick up. :/
(3)Lizette H.
The first time I went here I had an amazing experience; I had large bagels stuffed with cream cheese, check out the picture! I had a plain bagel with the veggie spread and another plain with the berry spread. Both were equally delicious. The bagels were crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. The next time we came, we had the same thing plus a bagel sandwich with lox and another plain with green onion spread. Boy, they're not joking with the green onion, a little strong for me. I also tried their half bagel with the tomato slice and cheese on top, not worth it- lacked flavor. So we enjoyed ourselves so much, we ordered some bagels to go...except when we got home, we had scrawny rings. Pitiful rings. These were *not* the same thing. I was disappointed and felt ripped off. I'm hoping it was just a bad batch because I will go again....I just hope they are as glorious as the before. I gave it 4 stars because of the scrawny to-go bagels and the fact that they cook their turkey and pork on the same tiny grill and when asked if they would mind making an exception by cleaning a tiny section to make something follow religious guidelines (for me) they were hesitant. So be it, it's their business, I just won't be ordering anything that needs to be grilled. I will be back for the veggie and berry spread though!
(4)G C.
Good bagels, doughy and a bit sweet. Had the everything but would try for the sandwiches next time. Still prefer the huge ny style bagels though.
(3)Anne K.
I had a plain bagel with fresh farm butter and Amish jam. It was good - but to be quite frank, I think most bagels are good. There is something pretty special about a bagel right out of the oven though - a wood-fired brick oven, in this case.
(3)Julie N.
Spread's Montreal-style bagels are in a league of their own in Philly. Upon coming into the small shop, you are immediately enveloped in the warmth and smell of the wood oven, and it smells delicious. We both had bagelwiches: lox for him and egg and sausage for me. They come with a few slices of cucumber which was a nice touch. My belly was happy. I had an iced coffee - which I immediately regretted... Spread unfortunately just pours hot coffee into a cup of ice, which made for a lukewarm, diluted coffee. Never again - getting OJ next time. Breakfast for two was about $20. A little pricey for bagels but a nice change from our spot on South Street.
(4)Stephen R.
These are *not* Montréal style bagels. I just moved to Philadelphia from Montréal, and ate St. Viateur bagels almost every day. I excited that Spread would be just a block from my new place in Philadelphia. I could tell before going to Spread for a bagel looking at photos online that their product is not similar to a Montréal style bagel. Even if you have not eaten a Montréal style bagel, you can tell from a quick Google image search that Spread's product is basically just a wood fired New York Style bagel. Still, I thought I'd check out Spread just because I do love a google bagel and I thought hey, they're definitely not St. Viateur bagels, but maybe they'll be a different kind of addictive goodness? And, they're just a block away, so why not? Unfortunately, the bagels are good but not nearly worth the price they charge: $2 a pop. (They're almost a 1/3 of that price in Montréal). I understand that it's expensive to operate a wood fire oven/they're paying for prime retail space/working on a small scale, etc. But, charging $2 for a bagel is a little ridiculous considering that what Spread makes is nothing to write home about.
(2)Ashley C.
Use to come here to get the delicious pastrami they were shipping from NY. The bagels are good also. Lack of parking in area is a bit of a downer. The bagels are not cheap but they are worth it.
(4)Lilli C.
I usually don't care about bagels, but these were so good I came 2 days in a row. The bagels are sweet with a hint brick oven smokiness. LOVED the lox with whitefish bagel sandwich on a whole wheat everything bagel. Staff was friendly and it didn't seem too expensive. When I came on Sunday at 10AM the line was out the door...while on Sat at 1PM there was no line.
(5)Andrea T.
My darling friend brings me back Montreal-style bagels every time she goes to Canada. They are delightful. These aren't real/true Montreal-bagels. They are close, but they are no cigar. I've been here twice now. The first time was before an Ikea-run. I waited on a sunday in a line almost to the nail salon. It really wasn't worth it. Avoid this place on the weekends. It's allure has died down a little, but there is still the hectic frenetic feel. Although this past saturday they did have a bluegrass 2-man band outside. If you want to soak up the tunes and not be trampled on, grab your bagels and go across the street and sit or perch near the cheetah on the side of Arcadia boutique. Today I made some killer egg salad at home and I was like JCC SUMMER CAMP LUNCH MUST NEED BAGEL. If it was friday I'd go to Maxx's for bagels. Every friday Maxx's has challah and bagels from Rollings in Elkins Park ( kosher btw). So, I strolled in and was actually pleasantly greeted! They close at 4, and at 2 I was impressed they still had a bunch of different flavors of bagels. With my punchy egg salad at home, I wanted to keep it simple. Two bagels costs 4 bucks. Two bagels, one plain nothing on it bagel costs 2 bucks. I just don't get it. I'm sorry. I'll easily spend 4 bucks on a lousy crappy bagel if it's room service, because I didn't have to leave my house and it's served on a platter, literally. I can't justify spending that. I seriously can't. Not saying I won't do it every now and again, but I could not come here every day. They do however have level-up, so I suppose, I will get some cash back after a few trips, but still. The whole less than half a block home I was like 4 dollars. 4 dollars. For 5 I could have gotten a bag of rollings bagels on friday!
(3)Amy W.
My go to place when I miss my NY bagels. Yeah, so these are Montreal style, but the bagel aficionado in me can understand a well done, fresh bagel. Prices are a bit high, but the ingredients are fresh. The spreads are varied - with lox, whitefish and other seafaring creatures. The brunch bagels with some creamcheese, tomato and omelet are an especial delight on weekends. Wait times can be long at the neighborhood fav, so bring your iPad whilst you wait!
(4)Valerio S.
Lovely bagels, good quality, I had the one with salmon and scallion and onion cheese cream. The place looks great, in the spring time you can also sit outside and enjoy your meal.
(5)Adam L.
I really like Spread Bagelry. I had The Frittata Sandwich this morning. What an inventive, amazing breakfast. Putting a sweet jam on a by-the-number egg meat and cheese sandwich makes a world of difference. Love it. As for the bagels, what can I say? Yes, theyre different. Either you will like them, or you wont. Me- I like them. No, I wouldnt prefer them, but you can tell they are made very well and have a place in the bagel world. I'll tell you this much- there are a ton of places that make shittier bagels than here, and take way less heat. I love the environment, love the food, and tho the prices are slightly high, I also think it is exactly in line with the quality items that are served. Worth every penny. I highly recommend Spread as a quick breakfast spot.
(4)Joanna H.
I used to live three blocks away and thought it was normal plain bakery. Little did I know, Spread makes awesome bagel sandwiches. Many of my friends have been actually enjoying this place for quite a while and I found out about this after I moved away from the neighborhood. From the outside Spread doesn't look fancy or anything. But one you step inside, it's cute and gives a nice wooden cozy cafe vibe. The prices aren't expensive but I do think they could be even $1 cheaper depending on what you get. The bagels are fresh, not too soft, not too chewy but not too doughy. Perfectly salted with generours topping ingredients. It's great to get breakfast and lunch sandwiches from Spread and I strongly encourage you to check it out. Don't get there too late or else you'll have to wait in line. Not a huge line,, but you know.. when you're hungry you want your toasty fresh bagel fast :)
(5)Christopher D.
Finally got to try the Montreal style bagels. While I didnt detect much smoke in the bread itself, the crisp crust of the bagel is unlike any bagel I have had before. I would be hesitant to toast these as they may in fact get too hard. Had a lox sandwich ... which was pretty standard with tomato onon and cream cheese. Lox portion was sufficient but not big. Flavor over all was good. Space is not that big, and lines can get long. Definite plus for philadelphia.
(3)Vee V.
This place is overpriced and as it happens, doesn't actually make bagels, at least by a New Yorker's definition. We went here today out of curiosity and because we were missing our Sunday morning bagel and coffee tradition, which has gone by the wayside since we moved here. We each ordered a breakfast sandwich on a bagel and two iced coffees. The bagel was umm, not good. It was crumbly and dry and didn't have the weight and texture of a real bagel. Then, there was this sad fried egg, with a sprinkle of cheese and slice of tomato. Really? $7.50 for that? These are the days I miss being a block away from a delicious bagel spot that is serving up a longer list of delicious breakfast sandwiches, for half the price, with a smile. And the thing of it is, I am willing to pay $$ if the food is good but that is not the case here... Just don't call it a bagel, because it 'aint.
(1)Cindy C.
A nice selection of bagels, spreads, and breakfast sandwiches. I love that coffee refills are free. It's on the pricey side, but it's probably the closest thing to a good bagel in Center City.
(4)Greg M.
Great little spot with a very nice atmosphere, friendly staff and a tasty but limited menu (they do bagels and a few breakfast and lunch sandwiches - which are all very nice). I'd go the full five stars, but it's a tad pricey.
(4)Dean M.
Although these bagels are not bad, it is very misleading to call them Montreal bagels. The consistency is all wrong and most obviously they look nothing like the real thing. True Montreal bagels are uneven and no two are alike, but at Spread they look like they came straight from Sysco's freezers and simply boiling them in honey water won't make up for that. Worst of all, Montreal bagels are dirt cheap, but at Spread they are très chers. The firm 4:00 PM closing is really inconvenient.
(2)Brian C.
I stopped in today as I love myself a good bagel, and the bagels here certainly are delicious and unique. The bagel (Montreal style) itself is not as dense as a New York bagel, and the bread itself is a bit springy and chewy. The wood fired flavor also comes through in the bagel with a bit of a smoky flavor, which is very good. I had the onion bagel sandwich with egg white, spinach, turkey bacon, and truffled mushrooms. This was very good. I also had some of an everything bagel sandwich with egg frittata, bacon, and jam. I was a bit apprehensive about the jam, but the sweet/savory combination works quite well. Both of these came with a slice of fresh cucumber on the side. The service was nice, and though it was very crowded in the store, we were able to find a small table next to the door. The interior was clean, with subway tiled walls, a retro Coke refrigerator, and bottomless La Colombe coffee (awesome!). I also appreciate the huge rack of magazines on the wall, but given the popularity of the place I don't see myself hanging out and reading a magazine for a long time. All in all, I had a delightfully pleasant lunch, and I will be back.
(4)L K.
The problem with this place is the inconsistency. When the bagels are baked well they are delicious- soft and chewy in the best way possible. But about 30% of the time they are burnt and thin. I've started keeping an eye on the bagels they are making up for you so I can stop them if it's a burnt one, but I feel like I shouldn't have to do that. Also with the cream cheese- sometimes Its like an inch thick, other times it's so thin you can't even taste it. For the insane prices they charge it should be perfect every time. Hopefully they can take these couple of points into consideration! Once they do I have no probably changing my review to a 5.
(3)Meredith B.
Philadelphia has needed a non-chain bagel place for years. I've said it myself and thought of how I could open one. I'm so glad you are here! Welcome! Excellent bagel, great menu selection, a little pricey. Tip: Get your bagels in the morning - the times I've been there later in the day (3pm) the bagel freshness doesn't seem to last as well as it should.
(4)Carmine M.
Spread makes a great bagel, not by New York standards but still good. One suggestion, uses a separate knife for the onion bagels than you use for the rest of the bagels. The disgusting taste of the onion bagels ruins the flavor of anything it, or the knife used to cut it touches.
(2)Clark M.
Very cool place, good food and a nice spot to grab a breakfast sandwich. Owner seems to be engaged and always around (which is great, love when owners take pride in a small business)- but figure it out man, ALWAYS a 20 minute wait in line to order then another 10-15 to get your food. Waiting and waiting and waiting EVERY... SINGLE... visit makes me never want to come back and I'm sure others feel the same. Get a game plan together on how to take orders quicker and tell the patrons where to stand (out of the way) until they get their food. Love the place, love the food but always an aggravating experience.
(2)Jenni I.
I was in Philadelphia for 48 hours and went here twice. This place is awesome! Very small with limited seating, so I recommend taking out -- which is actually perfect due to proximity and the beautiful weather Philly is having. All the bagels are made on-site in what appears to be a pizza oven. One of my friends remarked that they're denser than you're typical bagel. I agree, and that's part of what makes them so delicious. I ordered the Turkey Club twice. It's fresh pulled turkey meat (not cold cuts!), like you'd have as left overs from Thanksgiving, along with cheddar cheese, granny smith apple and some type of mustard dijon sauce. I had mine on a toasted whole wheat bagel. Delicious! Also comes with a bag of chips. Believe it's around $9 -- as are most lunch sandwiches here. Breakfast sandwiches and bagels run cheaper. Iced coffee is pretty delicious, too. Great place for a quick breakfast or lunch. Definitely recommend picking up some sandwiches and going out for a picnic.
(4)Richard B.
I love this cafe. Free refills on the coffee, excellent ambiance and can i say the restroon is outstandng. Byob and u can make bloody mary`s with their BM mix they sell. Outdoor seating is stellar, make sure you check out the cheetah statue across the way.
(4)Kristy L.
I'm no foodie. I don't have a refined palate. It takes a lot to disappoint me but Spread managed to do so. The bagel I got was hard and dry but what really bothered me was all that butter. So much butter. The greasy mess overpowered any flavor it was supposed to convey. Can't believe I waited in line for that.
(1)Abbie D.
My previous review is below, but I felt it necessary to post another and give the full 5 stars.... Spread Bagelry is by far my most favorite place to get a bagel in Philadelphia. They have an amazing way of boiling the bagels in a slightly honeyed water then firing them off to perfection in their wood oven. The honey water definitely gives the bagel a oh so perfect sweetness to the delicious dough. I am in LOVE! I bring my little 23 month old friend and he almost finishes a plain bagel with butter every time! He too has great taste! Tuna salad is good too! PREVIOUS: Awesome wood fired bagels! Had the everything with cream cheese and tomato very very tasty.. Another time I ordered the asiago bread bagel - melted cheese on the bagel with a slice of tomato YUM!
(5)Matt M.
Love this place for breakfast. Coffee couldnt be better and the bagels are chewy and have great flavor.
(4)Eric M.
Service gets worse every time I go there. The staff always behaves as if they're recovering from a sophomore-year-grade evening of binge drinking and are just barely able to manage orders as they come.
(2)Avneet S.
Okay, I know I know. I should stop complaining about the pricing at the businesses in the area. But that really is the only *major* disadvantage of Spread. The prices make it one of those things I can't justify more than once a week. The bagels are so good. The spreads are so good. The fresh squeezed orange juice is always nice to grab and go, and the iced coffee is cold brewed - yum. Food-wise, my only complaints are that the peanut butter goo that they pass off as actual peanut butter should totally be passed up, and that they don't ever have vegetarian sandwiches/sandwich specials. But, it's worth the wait in line for a simple honey-kissed whole wheat bagel - toasted with just some butter - and a tall cold class of iced coffee before you start your Saturday or Sunday in the city.
(3)August T.
From just a bagel perspective the place gets a B+. With high rent and very limited nearby competition, the bagels are priced at $2 each. That's pretty darn high. They offer just 6 or so flavors a day, also probably justified economically. So bagels become a luxury item.
(3)Zack L.
Solid.
(5)Cam M.
....
(1)Sarah F.
YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting "the classic" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.
(4)Casey R.
I stopped by Spread on Sunday while running errands and was somewhat under whelmed. It was definitely the wrong time to try the place as the line was out the door but I was craving a bagel so I waited. The line did move quickly which was nice. I also picked up a magazine to leaf through from their full rack where the line was. I ordered an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, tomato and onion. At $5 it was far from a steal. I also got a bottomless coffee. Perhaps it is because it was so busy but my sandwich did not come with the onion on it, which it took me a while to realize, so I guess that is my bad. I found the bagel hard to eat and thought the cream cheese was not at all flavor full. I was able to find a small open table next to the bathroom to sit down and relax while I waited for my bagel to be brought. As I was leaving I realized I was at the only table that didn't have condiments on it. Perhaps some salt and pepper and hot sauce would have made my lunch more enjoyable but I much prefer the bagels I by at the co-op and make at home. The coffee however, was great, especially since they offer simple syrup and soy milk.
(3)Steve M.
Absolutely delicious bagels. Crispity crunchity on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle, hot and fresh. There is just nothing about these rings of doughy heaven not to love! Their cream cheese selection is terrific (the berry was shockingly good), and I cannot wait to get back and try a fresh breakfast sandwich. So delicious, and the line moves quickly enough not to drive you crazy! Worth driving all the way across town for... but wow would I kill to have this place in Northern Liberties. I also happen to love the accordion player sitting outside, but I am betting that if I lived upstairs the novelty of that would wear off quickly!
(5)Daniel T.
Lox bagel sandwich on a sesame bagel and the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on an everything bagel are my faves. Order, walk over to Rittenhouse, find yourself a nice bench and enjoy. On weekends it can get busy, but def worth the wait.
(4)Jen S.
I really want to like this place because it is only a few blocks from my apartment and I have great memories of bagels in Montreal. Unfortunately, our experience here wasn't great. Prices were high as others said, the service seemed indifferent, and they ran out of coffee and were a little disorganized when it came to brewing more (this was Sunday am). The most important part, our bagels were not crispy - very doughy. Also, I should have specified toasted, but forgot and got a cold bagel with too much cream cheese just plopped on the middle of the bagel. The bagels were sweet, but I liked that. I also liked the doughiness, however they needed a crispy outside to balance that out. Ambiance/interior design was great - very cute shop. Maybe they will get it together as they go. I would like to try them again, but I don't know if I will because of the prices. Likely I will stick with Metropolitan bagels, which are much cheaper and, in my opinion, tastier.
(2)Ken G.
Really wanted to love this place but thought it was just ok. Poppy bagel had a nice char and the wood burning fire looked great. Bagel was a step above ordinary but not as dense as I remember a Montreal bagel to be. Cream cheese was fresh and creamy but needed a tad more flavor (maybe I should have tried a spread). Girl working the counter was more interested in singing a really bad version of Prince than waiting on customers. I will give it another shot because the wood fire and char do add a whole new dimension to the bagel, and my Lear jet timeshare only allows me to get to Montreal once a month LOL
(3)Ken L.
Ok, I waited a few weeks. Lines out the door. But again tried to get some bagels. How can you be out of bagels and make people wait 30 min. limited menu, very disorganized, Bagels are good not great and as everyone said pricey but it is in Rittenhouse neighborhood but this place needs some management bigger space. Will prob just get my bagels at Le Bus or Capagiro (H and H from NY)
(1)Scott B.
I love the Bagel Club sandwich. It makes an amazing lunch or brunch. Combine that with their La Colombe coffee and I'm in heaven. I'm sorry, but I don't care which genre of bagel you classify it as: Montreal or New York or Podunk. If it tastes good it is good, and Spread's are good!
(5)MC E.
Read about this place and wanted to check it out. Went in this morning and there was no wait and plenty of bagels (most still warm). The place is super-cute and the people working there were very pleasant. Now that I have been there, I probably won't be rushing back as I got 6 bagels and a container of cream cheese and lox for $16!!!!!!! I am not cheap by any means, but that is ridiculous. They are delicous and I know my husband will like them as well - just very pricey. A special treat, if you will.
(3)Jessica M.
Craziness ensues even at an off time on a Saturday afternoon. But then again I suppose there is no "off time" on a lovely, brisk Saturday in January. For as crowded as it was in there, the staff kept their cool (not easy when standing right by a hot oven - hardy har har!). I went in determined to get a "lunch" sandwich but ended up getting a breakfast sandwich instead after watching a cook prepare eggs on the griddle. I took it to go since there wasn't much room to sit and in my 5 block walk home, it was still hot when I arrived ready to eat. My only complaint was that it needed salt and pepper. This is pretty standard for a breakfast of eggs and cheese but I was surprised that it wasn't even a tad seasoned. I guess they have to cater to those who don't care for it and leave the seasoning to the individual. I will definitely go back to get a lunch sammy and also to pick up a dozen the next time I am headed out to the family....it will be nice to introduce them to something other than their standard DD bagels. Again - props to the staff who were friendly and accommodating and made you not care about a little bit of a wait!
(3)Eric C.
Delicious. By far the BEST bagel sandwich I have ever had. I ordered the Egg White with Truffled Mushrooms, Spinach, Lite Swiss and Turkey Bacon on a Whole Wheat and did this sandwich send my senses whirling this morning! It was decadent. The flavors blended together amazingly. Wow, I wish I could wake up to this every morning. The prices are slightly on the higher side, but definitely justified by the HIGH QUALITY product. I recommend everyone to put it on their list.
(4)James G.
Would you like some flies with that? My main concern about this place was the amount of flies. My girlfriend and I sat on the upper level and there were swarms of flies. They were all over the wall. That's bad enough however, the owner was walking around cleaning tables where the flies were. It was IMPOSSIBLE for him not to notice the flies but we could see no fly trap or fly paper or anything. That can only lead me to assume he didnt care that his customers had to swat away flies while eating. Great customer service. My other concern I paid nearly $25 for 2 bagels. Thats a ridiculous price! Plus the coffee was crap and I had 1 slice of bacon on my Blt. Not one slice for each side but one slice, cut in half, with half placed on each side. Pathetic for a 10 bagel!! In summary the amount of flies ruined any chance of me enjoying this place. Dirty, expensive and flimsy with the bacon!! Won't be back!
(1)Rob F.
I'm not sure these are much more authentically Montreral than other bagels are authentically New York. It's been a while since I had a Montreal bagel. However, whatever they are, they are quite good. Slightly sweet, with a slightly cakelike crumble instead of a doughy texture. Really nice crust.
(4)Brittany Y.
Brittany's secret slow morning routine: Head over to Spread Bagelry (the earlier you go the more accomplished you'll feel later on) and order the Frittata Scramble with that crazy good Amish jam on whole wheat everything bagel. Then, skip the espresso at Spread, since, well, they aren't as hot with coffee as they are with replicating Montreal's finest, and walk over to La Colombe and grab a latte. Sit and eat your gooey ungodly-but-glorious mess of a breakfast sandwich while the Center City hipster elite drool with envy and wonder, "Where the hell'd she get that?"
(4)Sara M.
Insanely overpriced. My sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich cost over $7!!! If I'm paying $7 for a breakfast sandwich, it better knock my socks off. I thought the sandwich was very underwhelming. The eggs lacked flavor and the bagel was hard and tasted too much like burnt garlic. You can get a much better breakfast sandwich (for $4 cheaper) down the street at Palm Tree Gourmet. In college I worked right next door to a deli that (in my opinion) served the greatest bagels/breakfast sandwiches ever, so I may be holding this place to unfairly high standards. Regardless, I can't justify paying that much money for a mediocre sandwich. Not to mention this place is tiny and always so crowded. I probably won't return.
(2)Alex M.
i go here quite often and i do think the bagels are pretty good (love the club). but honestly, its the slowest bagel shop EVER. 20 minutes for a bagel is unheard of and is so infuriating every time i'm waiting in line. it could easily be fixed by having more than 1 person making the orders. literally every other bagel place i've been to runs more efficiently than this one. i imagine most of their success is due to the lack of bagel shops in this city, but if another one opens up that doesn't have long waits then i assume they will lose customers.
(3)raquel s.
"It tastes stale. On purpose," was the perfect response to "Do you like it?" Montreal-style bagels are horrible. They are so horrible that they need to come with the warning that "Montreal Style" before the word bagel serves. I wish I would have realized that. I wish I could have my Sunday breakfast to do over. They were unfortunately crumbly. The onion and whole wheat everything's flavors seemed off to me as well. They just kind of started disintegrating in my mouth upon first bite. I honestly thought that they were disgusting. Now, I remember why I never came back after I grabbed one to go last year. Where was the cream cheese? Oh. That's right. It's not cream cheese, it's spread. And was applied as such. I still can't believe the price of the bagel. There was absolutely nothing to it that would justify the $11 price of a bagel with a swipe of spread, a tomato slice, and single thin shaving of lox. My boyfriend didn't even eat the bagel or tomato. He picked the single piece of Lox off of it and ate that. I really wanted to ask if I happened to get an off batch or something--but judging by the line- apparently it was just me. I decided I would do the polite thing--just not go back--but I couldn't help but write this review. I had egg whites, turkey bacon etc. To their credit the egg whites were cooked very light and fluffy...but the bagel couldn't hold up to it. It really could not hold my sandwich together. I really wanted to love this place. Especially since they have La Columbe. I hope they make better use of the wood oven with a pizza place.
(1)Samantha B.
Spread is a great bagel place in an area lacking any other bagel places. Their bagels are very unique and doughier than normal. They also bake them in house in a huge fire burning oven, which gives the bagels a bit of a smoky taste. It's a great lunch place. Bagel melts are cheap and pretty good once re-toasted. Their bagels and sandwiches are definitely on the pricey side, but very good, with many fresh, house made ingredients. I can't speak for the line on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but I've heard it can get pretty long. Call ahead to order before picking up. I've picked up a couple bagels on Saturday for Sunday morning, and they just don't retain their great Spread-y quality. Overall, good neighborhood bagel spot.
(3)Krista P.
I stopped by with Michael G. for a quick lunch and came out full and happy. We both ordered the club sandwich. I asked for mine served toasted, and the girl happily obliged. The bagels come with chips (ruffles-esque), and when I ordered a soda I was nostalgically surprised when it showed up in a glass bottle (nostalgic enough to outweigh my disappointment in the lack of free refills). They had good music playing, and I'll definitely be back to grab a bagel and hang out for a bit.
(4)Danielle R.
Wonderful! Service was friendly and fast. The young lady offered great suggestions for our first visit and the free coffee refills were awesome! I had a whole wheat bagel with scallion cream cheese and a plump juicy tomato on top.. Couldn't be happier with this neighborhood gem!
(5)Audra H.
these bagels are like no other..pure heaven..had to leave NY to find the perfect bagel! :)
(5)Tia T.
This is my first yelp review, and the things I'm about to write comes from a girl who loves any bagel and used to love Spread. Yes, I USED TO love this place for its quantity and quality, BUT it's changed!!! The size of their bagels decreased immensely!! I could have bought a larger bagel from Superfresh, it was the smallest bagel I've ever seen ANY restaurant serve, let alone a montreal style bagel place. Today I ordered a plain jam n butter on a bagel (assuming that no matter what I ordered it would be good) but the amount of jam that was on my bagel was embarrassing, I thought I somehow offended the cute counter boy or something it was SADD!! Just like residue of what could be jam... barely any chunks. IM UPSET ABOUT THIS! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BAGEL SANDWICHES THAT MADE ME FULL AND HAPPY TO BE EATING AT SPREAD!! ALL AROUND A HEARTBREAKING DAY!!!
(1)Andrew R.
Here opening day as well. Was looking forward to this opening for months, only to be disappointed. Don't get me wrong - I think the "Montreal-style" sesame bagel may have been one of the best bagels I've ever had - just as those in the know of Montreal bagels have suggested - good flavor, great texture, small, and just somehow better than the traditional NY bagel. BUT - Prices are OUTRAGEOUS. Woman ringing me up said $7 something, and I said, no that's not right, I just got a bagel and a coffee, and she said nope - that's right - $2 for a bagel, $3 ADDITIONAL for the butter/jam, and $2 for the coffee + tax. So truly over $7 for a bagel + coffee. With cream-cheese, would have been a dollar or two more! Breakfast sandwiches are $8 (each, not for a pair). Whitefish and other "lunch" sandwiches are $11-$13. So - crazy prices overall, and sadly, after waiting for months, I'm not in a position to frequent a place for a $7 bagel + coffee. Finally (and this may just be opening day issues) - but the counter person (possibly wife of owner? or other family member) - was just not getting it -- looking back at the menu to check prices on each order she rung up (creating a line out the door) + also a little bit rude. This I'll cough up to opening day jitters (you'd hope on opening day, people would be friendly than usual, but not in this case). The guy making the bagels (owner), did seem friendly and overworked -- hopefully he'll be the front-man in the future. In any case - great bagel, crazy prices. Rating reflects food, service, and in this case - the disappointingly and ridiculously expensive prices.
(2)Aaliyah P.
Ok so i knew it would be pricey but delish per all the reviews however i just can't get on board with spending over 8.00 for a bagel with cream cheese and a toddler size oj. I was impressed with this state side version of a Montreal style bagel. I chose the whole wheat everything with veggie cream cheese, the bagel was normal in size and was overflowing with CC , overflowing to the point where i needed to scrape. Having just eaten my fair share of Montreal style bagels this past June while visiting Montreal I can attest to Spread being a legit baglery but the rapeage my wallet suffered left me feeling used and abused. i def won't rush back.
(3)Aruna A.
So after months of anticipation, reading the sadly poor reviews, and the terrible fire, I finally found myself in the neighborhood of Spread, with a chance to actually go in. I was excited when I realized this, and made a beeline for their storefront. First of all, I think it's a pretty adorable establishment. They have outdoor tables (just a few) a few small tables in front, and a few smaller tables in the back. It's also just adorably decorated, and set up. The counter where you order has a great view of the oven where they are firing up bagels, or toasting other orders. Near the cash register they have specially available bagels. When I went today - there was a tomato and Gruyere (which was VERY tempting) and a bacon and cheese (I forget which cheese) and a pizza bagel (which was VERY VERY VERY TEMPTING - those looked great and were only $3). These were all halves and priced at $3. I decided to go for a simple regular poppy seed bagel with veggie cream cheese, just to get a taste of what this was all about. They also have a number of breakfast sandwiches and specials that seemed really exciting. I was so hungry that while sitting at the subway stop, I was tempted to have a bite. And it was DELICIOUS. I came home and devoured it. Best $4 I ever spent. It was expensive, but it was def worth it. I can't wait to go back and try the pizza bagel and other options So exciting. One disclaimer: I've never been to Montreal and had a Montreal bagel. I don't know if these are special Montreal bagels. But they are certainly good bagels.
(4)R. M.
I have been coming to Spread since they opened. I would describe it as somewhat Montreal Style bagels with a lack of Montreal style service. Whenever I come in here, they are always out of a specific type of bagel. I can come in at 7:30 a.m. after my jog and I will be given a list of what they do and do not have. This happens on the weekend and weekdays as well. I have also been told to call ahead to place a bagel on hold...seriously. It's almost as if whomever is running this establishment wants to make the exact number of bagels that could be possibly sold for the day. No more. No less. Which goes against the Montreal style way of bagel making where bagels are easy to come by. And do you know what these places do with their left over bagels? They wrap them in cellophane bags and sell them to customers who want to grab and go. Genius. And, how about some labels on the bread basket so the cashiers don't have to look over to see what is left. I can do that myself. Lastly, this place needs a good cleaning. If you're not rushing out with your bagel or just sit and look around for a bit, you'll see what I mean.
(3)Irma I.
Never had a Montreal style bagel so I can't say its authentic, but I can say that it was delicious- if I'd live in the city I would be a regular. My husband had a breakfast sandwich (the standard?). I had cinnamon raisin bagel w/pumpkin cream cheese that was perfect. The coffee is strong & the staff very friendly. Tiny place makes full use of its space & busy with lots of locals.
(5)Monali P.
Marvin Gaye is belting out one of my all time faves at Spread - Any place that plays motown has already won my heart. I heard through the grapevine this place had memorable bagels. So here I am, just in town visiting. Savoring the smooth, fresh salmon (and generous servings at that- justifies the price), cream cheese bagel with tomato and onions. No capers. Just how I like it. Side cucumber salad cleansing my palate. Iced coffee is so good it definitely rivals if not surpasses my favorite haunts in Seattle. Outlets near every table (key for the computer addicts of the world). And I'm just about to lose my mind. What an adorable little bagelry.
(4)Barrett L.
Probably one of the few decent bagel shops in Philly, this small but cozy bagel shop just off Rittenhouse serves up Montreal-style bagels and delicious coffee to a young and friendly clientele. Aside from serving the usuals (bagels with cream cheese, bagels with lox), they also offer a terrific array of bagel sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. I recently had the Nova Scramble (smoked salmon cream cheese, scrambled eggs, tomato, onion) on an Everything Bagel which was out of this world. And, they play fun music too. My one complaint is that it's probably a tad pricey for bagels ($2 for a bagel?), but I suppose that's what you get for going to such a kick-ass bagel shop. Overall, great neighborhood gem and I'm excited to become a regular customer.
(4)Rich B.
Overpriced and overrated. Nothing special to warrant a $2 price tag for one bagel. You gotta be kidding me.
(1)Levon U.
The bagels are some of the best I've had in the city, though a bit on the pricey side as other reviewers have said. Just adding plain cream cheese to a bagel is an extra $1. Anything more and the prices really start to climb. Better to grab a dozen for home and add your toppings there. Service at the counter is good, but be prepared to wait even when it's not crowded. I've never been out of there without having to wait at least 15 minutes for an order for one.
(3)Jen H.
Disclaimer- this is my first time eating a "Montreal" style wood fired bagel so I really have nothing to compare with. With that said, i really enjoyed my bagel sandwich. The bagel is slightly bigger than most- be prepared for that. I ordered the Roasted Chicken BLT sandwich on a wheat everything bagel. Bagel was very yummy- very chewy. I also appreciated the fact that the wheat everything bagel did not have salt on it. The roasted chicken was a very good solid choice. My boyfriend ordered the egg white sandwich- I took a bite out of it and I have to say it was pretty yummy. It had egg whites, turkey bacon, spinach, and truffled mushrooms. Pretty amazing stuff. The price is a bit steep (as mentioned in the other reviews) but I figure they are using pretty quality ingredients so I can't complain too much. Would definitely come back when I visit Philly! Wish they had a wood fired bagel place in Baltimore!
(4)Noheli T.
I've heard great things about Spread and the line outside on a Saturday is always a great sign but I honestly wasn't blown away. I ordered the standard sandwich, which was good but nothing to rejoice over. The place was packed but my friend and I were able to find seating in the back but that was a big mistake! There were flies everywhere! We tried to eat as quickly as possible and then left. Maybe next time I'll just order to go.
(3)Abby B.
This place is better than your typical Dunkin' Donuts or Manhattan Bagel, but I was kind of expecting a bit more. After several days of walking by Spread, I decided to endure the line that was out the door. I ordered an everything bagel with veggie garlic cream cheese. First of all, the bagels here are huge; I had to take half of it home and this coming from a gal whose family nicknamed her "Bottomless Pit." Typically, bagel shops either put too much or too little cream cheese on the bagel, but Spread does it juuuussst riiight, in my opinion. Bonus: you get a strawberry with your bagel if you eat-in. I don't know why this is a bonus, but it is. They also serve brunch and for $8 you can get some bloody mary mix if you BYO vodka. If these are bottomless bloody's, then that's awesome; if not, I'd rather go to a more restauranty place for brunch. The staff was very nice, the place is cute and quaint and I'll probably be back to try one of their sandwiches. However, I'll have to wait until my next payday - this place ain't cheap.
(3)Christine F.
*3.5 stars overall* I stopped by this place 3 mornings during my finals week. Always gotten the "everything" bagel (i.e. a bit ofsesame, poppy, onion), toasted, with various spread. I was blown away the peanut butter and amish jam combo, but wasn't as impressed by the scallion cream cheese spread, which I was expecting to be more flavorful. They also serve la colombe coffee with free refill, which is another plus.
(4)Jason B.
Loved this place. Atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The wood burning brick oven smells amazing. The bagels are boiled and baked in the brick oven right in the front of the house. The spreads look incredible. I ordered an everything bagel with egg whites, spinach, muchrooms, and turkey bacon, and it was extremely delicious and satisfying. I would eat here all the time if I lived closer.
(5)Fred G.
The only place in the world that one can get a fresh Montreal rye bagel with Katz's Deli (of NYC) pastrami. This is the kind of sandwich that death row names would have for their last meal. Seriously luscious. Dude, do NOT miss this
(4)Alie A.
Fresh bagel selection and very fast service. Pricey but enjoyable. The owner's a nice guy committed to keeping his customers happy. We need more places like this in Philly.
(3)Deborah G.
The best part of this bagel shop is the atmosphere. It is in Rittenhouse Square and it's definitely a quaint Philly neighborhood. The shop is very small and we saw a line coming out of the door and we almost left. The owner popped out and told us to wait because service is very fast. I told him we were from B'more and he said he was going to give us a treat. In a flash he came out with a steaming hot everything bagel in a piece of white tissue paper. This hot and holy roll was too hot to handle and when I broke it open steam came out. I tasted it and it was very good because it was fresh out of the wood fired oven. However, I thought it tasted more like a seeded bagel than an everything bagel. We made it to the counter where we were asked what we wanted to drink and first ordered our beverages. One of my party took two tables that were open - by the window and in back of the door. This is what I call tight space. The whole place has three tables for two up front, six larger tables in the back and five tables outside where people with dogs were eating brunch. Next we ordered our bagelwiches. There were two turkeys and one hot brisket sandwich on various bagels (onion, plain and poppy). To Spread's credit , the turkey was homemade and so was the brisket. However, the portion controller must have a strict limit on the amount of protein that is placed on each bagel. I ran out of turkey as I was on the second half of my bagel and discarded the bread as it was just bagel and no protein. The brisket was very tasty and warm but the fat was not trimmed and it too was a very skimpy portion. The three bagelwiches with beverages, tax and a tip were $40. I could not believe this - even in NYC - you get huge portions not an air bagel with chips in a wicker basket for $$$. I decided to buy six bagels to take home to B'more. I've eaten the cinnamon raisin bagel toasted as well as reheated in the oven. The oven is better as these bagels are somewhat doughy and the toaster does not heat them properly. Six bagels were $7. I think I will let them air dry and string them on a necklace as they are too expensive to eat. They are also too heavy to wear. So I guess I'll end up eating them slowly to enjoy the most expensive bagels on the east coast. Would I return? Yes but I would order a bagel with a specialty cream cheese and a coffee. The portions are do not match the hefty prices they charge. Stick to the bagel basics.
(3)Lauren Z.
I love this place. They have great bagel spreads and real close to Rittenhouse square. The bagels are delicious and worth the sometimes longer than wanted wait. The coffee is just okay, nothing to brag about but it's not bad (La Colombe). The atmosphere is cool, if you have a small party and are able to find a table.
(4)Christine B.
That pink paper is back up behind the window, and the door is closed because they had a mechanical failure. Maybe the prices will be lower when they fix the fire problem?
(3)Maureen F.
Never a big wait. Easy in, easy out. Bagels are great- love an everything with veggie cream cheese or a BLT. Wanna try that pastrami special Coffee is great. Prices are very rittenhouse...but quality is there. good soundtrack playing all the time. Friendly staff. Wanna try the BYO vodka for brunch sometime....
(4)Anna Marie C.
now that i've been to montreal (and fairmount bagels) and feel like i can weigh in the the authenticity of the bagel, i'll give it a 'meh-plus'. on the issue of authenticity, i'll give a albany... or maybe a burlington. it's almost there, but not quite. i love the fact that montreal style bagels are a bit sweeter and less dough-y than new york style ones, and these fall somewhere in between. the cream cheese/spreads/sandwiches are not too shabby, but the pricing is new york-style. other little things.. the space is cramped. it's not that small but feels that way. on occasion, there appears to be too many staff in the area yet nothing seems to be going on. and just because i can see you coming off of break, please wash your hands before you get back to work. thanks.
(3)Christine C.
I've eaten here several times, and yes the bagels are good, but expensive. The service always seems to be a bit scattered and confusing, especially when it's crowded. Today I ordered a sandwich to go, and after waiting about 5 minutes, found out they gave it away to someone else, whose name begins with the same letter as mine. "Oh don't worry, we'll make you another." Which they did, while I waited. I wasn't offered a thing like a coffee or lemonade as a courtesy. Disappointing for a neighborhood place.
(2)Elizabeth M.
There is always a line spilling out of this place on weekends, so finally I bit the bullet and waited in it. I really liked it. It's a super cute shop, friendly people working there, interesting yet simple menu combinations. I found these bagels flavorful and loved that they don't taste like all the other bagels out there. The breakfast sandwiches could be $1-2 less, but it's Rittenhouse, what do you expect!
(4)Kevin C.
As prior reviewers have noted, Spread Bagelry is a bit on the pricey side, but from my experience the quality is on par with the price point. My usual order is the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on a poppy seed bagel with a hot tea, and I have yet to be anything but pleased. The service is fast and friendly and they have never had an issue accommodating my somewhat (read: extremely) picky orders. A lot of the times there isn't enough inside seating to accommodate every customer, but the seating outside is a perfect place to people watch and there always seems to be an open table. When you are lucky enough to sit inside the waitstaff is super attentive and they are constantly checking to make sure everything is ok (but not to the point of being pushy), which is always a plus. Overall it's one of the better places in the city to grab a quick and delicious breakfast but due to it's high price point it definitely isn't a place I (or many) can afford to eat at on a regular basis.
(3)Howie A.
You might have had bagels from NY or around Philly, but the Montreal-style bagel served at Spread Bagelry far surpasses in taste ! I had a chocolate chip bagel with scallion cream cheese today and savored every bite. I learned there is a chance next year a matzah recipe will be created for Passover consumers.
(5)Michelle L.
Since relocating here for school, it's been a pleasant surprise to discover that Philly is quite the food city - not a "foodie" city, I'll let you ponder that one - but a fairly solid food city. Its Achilles heel, though, is definitely BAGELS! Even though I am your good ol' garden variety California gurl, I love me a good New York bagel from time to time. My proverbial no-carb-diet is begrudgingly thankful, though, because nothing in Philly hits the spot in that department... Granted, Spread does not proclaim to have New York-style bagels - cos pardon-moi, they exclusively serve "Montréal-style bagels." So maybe I shouldn't be critiquing Spread; maybe I just don't like Montréal-style bagels. But hey I can still judge them for choosing that motif! These bagels taste as if the baker forgot to add salt. Wait a second, Montréal-style bagels aren't supposed to have salt anyway. Hm, not sure how I feel about that philosophy. The bagels here also taste very light, mildly sweet, and bread-like, almost like a baguette that had an identity crisis and curled itself into a donut. I'll give Spread a consolation star, for its attempt to be an individual and appeal to a niche market. But in a city like Philly where bagels are so hard to come by anyway, was that really necessary? My friend and I each got a Frittata Scramble, in which an egg, cheddar cheese, tomato, bacon, and jam are sandwiched between two bagel slices. Despite that mouthful of ingredients, we STILL thought it lacked flavor due to the lifeless, saltless bagel, and proceeded to douse it with the yummy local hot sauce they have on the tables. That is perhaps the bagellian equivalent of ruining frites with ketchup. I guess we just don't know how to appreciate subtlety... Tant pis :)
(3)David T.
The food is really good. Montreal style bagels FYI, NYC snobs. Look; I lived in New York and grew up on H&H. These bagels are differently made. Get over it. That's the good news. You'll notice the two stars which indicates that something is horribly wrong with a place if the food is good. I'm not as hung up on the price as others are here. You can go down the street and buy a three-day old piece of bread with a block of cream cheese on it for $2.50 if you really want. It's the wait. Wow do these guys need a systems design manager to come in and figure out a way to let the customers flow through. Increase counter size for making more sandwiches at one time, to start. Yikes is it slow, and no one should have to wait 20 minutes to get a bagel with cc. They've had their heads up their tuchus for a while with this, so I wouldn't expect it to change anytime soon.
(2)Laura C.
I love a good bagel on Sunday mornings, so I was excited to see Spread Bagelry open up in my neighborhood. The bagels are very fresh and flavorful. (Although I think NY bagels are better). They run an excellent business and the atmosphere is vibrant and energizing. Only drawback: the prices are a bit steep for bagels.
(4)Jenn V.
we went on a Saturday morning and the line wasn't too bad- we ordered The Club and The Classic (with Smoked Nova Salmon) - unfortunately they were out of Rye bagels at the time, so I had to 'settle' for a whole wheat bagel. It took about 10 minutes for our to go order to come out, we paid, and left to go eat it. This place is not cheap- the total of our meal, without drinks, was about $22 dollars... kind of excessive for 2 bagel sandwiches. The sandwiches themselves were very good- The Smoked Salmon was fresh, which isn't always easy to find and had the right combination of cream cheese, tomato and onions. The Club was different from what I was expecting- I usually do not have apples on my sandwiches, but it was a very pleasant surprise. Neither sandwich was particularly over stuffed- which for the price I expected more meat on both. In addition, both sandwiches state they come with a side (The Classic says it comes with a cucumber salad and The Club says it comes with a bag of chips)- neither of which were included in our to go bag. I would've given this place 3.5 stars without the price and the fact the side dishes of our sandwiches were no where to be found- so I rounded down.
(3)Jon D.
I purposely came when I knew it wouldn't be busy. To be honest, I don't really understand the hype. The staff were very friendly and nice though. I got the wood oven tuna melt with gruyere and tomato. It was pretty good, but nothing special. Just your average tuna with no distinct taste or unique ingredients. Flavor was decent but tuna has much more potential. I also got the pizza bagels that were sitting out (just some bagels with sauce and cheese slabbed on them). I ended up taking one bite, didn't like it, and threw the rest out.
(3)Flora T.
Overall, I prefer South Street Bagel for their bagels. I like my bagels chewier- these were denser. I got a breakfast sandwich and the flavors were uninspiring. The prices are comparable to South Street but you have a lot more flavors to pick from at South Street.
(3)Mike C.
Just OK. Overpriced for what it is.
(3)Madi C.
The bagel with peanut butter and jam is so good it's unfair. So are the breakfast sandwiches. And they have endless coffee refills of La Colombe. I would give it 5 stars but it's super smoky in there and you have to change clothes when you get home cause you smell like you've been cooking breakfast sandwiches for weeks in the same outfit.
(4)Amy J.
I just tried this place for the first time with friends in town visiting, and we ended up going twice! The line is usually really long, but the bagels are good and I really enjoyed the nova salmon cream cheese which has bits of salmon in it!
(4)Jason C.
After this place seemed to open and close a few times, I finally got to try it out and see what the fuss as all about. I had never had a Montreal style bagel before, and I don't think they're quite as good as a real New York bagel, but it's definitely worth the trip when you compare it to anything you have in your freezer, or Dunkin Donuts bagels, for that matter. The bagels are soft, fresh, and a little doughy tasting. Like everyone else, they do over-do the cream cheese in my opinion, so I always ask for it on the side. The cream cheese itself is fluffy, and a little addictive. The coffee is La Colombe, and it's delicious. It goes really well with an everything bagel and cream cheese. Maybe I'm just partial. The place was packed and the line was out the door on a Sunday morning, but the owner was still friendly, and chatted with me briefly as he brushed busily by, asking how the coffee was (I sipped it while I waited for my toasted everything...with cream cheese...mmm). I haven't tried much here yet, but so far, so good. I can't say there was a go-to bagel shop anywhere near me before this place opened, so I guess this is my go-to now, so that says a lot.
(4)Marie D.
I usually skip breakfast and not because I don't like it. But once I had a taste of the oven-baked bagels at Spread Bagelry, passing up my first meal of the day has become a lot more difficult. An everything bagel with scallion cream cheese spread topped a followup visit's nova lox spread on sesame. The bagels themselves are flawless, crunchy and chewy. The seating, a long wooden banquette and a few bistro tables, in the back is rustic and inviting, but often very hot due to the large oven in the center of the store. Prices are gouging - $13 for coffee, bagel and juice; $28 for two dozen takeaway bagels - but I've never been one to complain about spending good dough on good dough.
(4)Julia N.
I was all set to grump when I first tried this place: the bagels cost like TWICE or THRICE as much as the ones at the corner deli! What's so magical about these fancypants artisanal CANADIAN bagels anyway?? And so forth and so on. The thing is, these bagels are totally 100% way better than your typical bagel from a bag with a frosty white slab of Philadelphia cream cheese. These bagels are fluffy and chewy and light and vaguely sweet, kind of like pizza crust in a round breakfasty form. The Amish cream cheese tastes fresh and full of flavor; I'm partial to the garlicky veggie one. The setup in here is less than ideal - when it's busy, you'll end up huddled in a narrow space right next to the woodburning oven with a bunch of other people waiting. But they have fresh juice and little Cokes and La Colombe. They take LevelUp, which makes life a little cheaper and easier. All in all, I would spend the $4 here rather than $2 on the corner any day.
(4)Jenna M.
Philadelphia FINALLY has decent bagels. Hellooooo Spread! My new favorite weekday morning treat: 1. Go to Spread. Order breakfast sandwich (egg white, spinach, mushrooms, & cheese - 4 food groups!) plus bottomless cup of coffee. 2. While waiting for sandwich, fill up travel mug with coffee. Drink. Repeat. 3. Pick up sandwich. Top up coffee. 4. Start the day well-fed and caffeinated. Yay!
(5)Perry A.
The build up was more than I could stand. After reading ad nauseum about the superiority of Montreal Bagels over New York's, I just had to find a way to get to Mile End in Brooklyn to see what the fuss was about. But family life being what it is, a trip to King's county for doughnut shaped bread wasn't going to happen any time soon. So imagine my excitement when word about Spread Bagelry started to, well, spread. It grew even more frantic when the fire closed the store for months the day after it opened. Now finally re-opened, I was ready to have my bagel lust sated. Except it tasted like burnt ordinary rolls. Mind you I gave it every chance that I could afford. At $2 per bagel and about $10 for a sandwich it would be easy to break the bank. I got the classic, a bagel of your choice with amish cream cheese, red onions, a thick slice of heirloom tomato and smoked salmon. The Amish cream cheese was delish (nicely tart and so velvety), but it was no smear. More a overpowering than a contrast to make the smoked nova salmon shine. Even the lovely heirlooms and red onions could not hold back the out of balance flavor of the cheese. But the real star should have been the everything bagel that enveloped it. It was overly burnt and dry. Nothing like the dense and chewy dough and lightly crisp crust of H&H and Ess-A-Bagel in Manhatten. With the exception of the smoky taste and slightly sweetened crust from the honey water, these bagels were not exceptional. But for a real baseline, I also tried a raisin bagel, plain. It too was overly burnt and dry. I finished it, feeling guilty for spending $2 for a piece of bread. The cup of La Colombe was lovely. I will try again, if only for my optimism. I love artisanal concepts. But you still have to execute.
(2)Christine K.
The bagels are the best in the city! The coffee is La Colombe- again the best in the city. Beware of the long lines on the weekend, be prepared to wait. Only negative is not much of a beverage selection.
(4)Robert S.
I want to start off by saying yes, Spread is not cheap. I came here today for breakfast with three other people. We each ordered a bagel with either eggs and cheese or lox and cream cheese, as well as 4 coffees. $42 later, we were stuffed. Now, on to the review. I've been to Montreal more times than I can count on my fingers, and I must say that this is the best bagel I've had - excluding Montreal's (If you are ever in Montreal you MUST try a St. Viateur Bagel). The bagels, if toasted, are crispy on the outside and airy and soft on the inside. My go-to bagel is an everything with cream cheese or an everything breakfast sandwich. PS: Make sure you call ahead if you plan on ordering 8 or more bagels to-go.
(5)Kevin P.
I was excited to see another bagel place open up in Philly, but I was really disappointed in the experience. The staff member that opens in the morning is not pleasant. I don't want a bunch of small talk, just smile and look like you want to be there. At least say "good morning" when a customer arrives. It blows my mind that an owner would have someone that rude running a relatively new establishment. My GF and each got a bagel sandwich and a coffee. We were the only ones in there and they got our orders wrong. We got our order to go, so by the time we found out the order was wrong, we were already halfway to work. I'm sure the bagels are true to the Montreal style, but I'm not a fan. They're too sweet for me and I like my bagels more crunchy on the outside. Can someone please open a NY style bagel place in Philly and do it right? Kermit's on Washington makes a damn good bagel, but they're only available on weekends. Knead is pretty good as well, but I'm not into all the new flavor combinations.
(1)Helen L.
Coming from NYC, it's been pretty rough trying to find a bagel shop we like. These Montreal style bagels were not to my liking. They looked really good, but then you bite into it and it has this sweetness I didn't expect because I didn't know the style. Okay fine that is my palette, but this is not the reason why we gave it a 2. The service is horrible and the prices are pretty high for a breakfast sandwich. We even gave it a second shot and it sucked. The second and last time we got to the shop about 5 mins before they were going to open, so we hung outside by the tables. When 7 am rolled around, the girl just stared at me, unlocked the door and walked away. I looked at my BF and just assumed ok I guess we can go in. I'm sorry, but when you see people at your door and you are opening, open the door and say good morning. Be welcoming. It's called customer service. We walk in and order our food. Some one was new and was being coached, which was fine, but she was the only nice person in there. We got our over priced food ($25 for 2 sandwiches and coffee!) walked out, got into the car, drove off to work. We looked at our food to figure out who had what, to come to find out our food order was wrong! Seriously, we were the only people in there and I knew for a fact the girl writing my order down wrote it correctly, the short order cook didn't care to bother to read what she wrote. We rather go to Kermit's on Washington Ave. I didn't expect much, but really good. Sadly they only have bagels on the weekend.
(2)Andrea J.
This was exactly what I was in the mood for after a night of celebrating my cousins wedding! I kinda made my own creation, which they were happy to do. Egg whites, turkey bacon, spinach, and cream cheese on a whole wheat everything bagel. I've never seen a wholewheat everything bagel but it was good!! I love the open fire where you can see them baking the bagels. The place is small and cute. I would return definitely return. My only complaint is it's a little pricey ($20 after tip for 2 bagel sandwiches and a lemonade) but when you have made to order with fresh ingredients and in a city, you are going to pay a premium.
(4)Trina T.
Line was waaaay out the door but got in and out within 20 minutes. Bagels are super fresh.
(4)J O.
Scrambled frittata w/ Amish jam on wholewheat everything - AMAZING Already contemplating coming back for lunch
(5)Juliana K.
I enjoyed Spread Bagelry, but it didn't wow me. I had a bagel sandwich with egg and brisket. It didn't wow me. Also, the brisket was all on one side and not spread evenly throughout. It was like $9 which is a lil on the pricier side so I expected more brisket and more in general. The bagel alone was very good.
(3)MA S.
We use to live down the street and when we didn't want to make breakfast this is where we went. Now we make it a point to stop in when we are in town.
(5)Suki R.
This is officially my very FIRST yelp review. What could've prompted this? Was it the satisfaction I received from my bagel, or could it be my excellent mood? Probably a mingling of the two. I'm going to Montreal next month, and because this place claims to serve "Montreal style" bagels, I thought I'd educate myself in my favorite way - nom nom nom. After a night of Halloween mayhem, a large amount of carbohydrates conveniently located down the block was just what my roommate & I needed. We both selected the whole wheat everything, and it was perfection with it's toasty outside, softer insides and a nice touch of sweetness. I'm coming from a few years in NYC, so I am used to a cold attitude with places this adorable. Everyone here was friendly and in positive spirits. They even, un-prompted, let me try the Peanut Butter Jam I was curious about (it tastes like melted Snickers, far too dangerous to actually keep in my apartment). Now, I've noticed some people complaining about the prices - but you get what you pay for. To start with the basics, you are not getting any old coffee, they're serving La Colombe! Personally, bad coffee is one of my biggest pet peeves. While their prices could easily be much lower, they choose to try to select locally sourced, quality ingredients - and I think we all know this is not the cheapest way to do things, but better for yours and mines bodies as well as area farmers. No, this is not your corner deli (which I agree, can have cheap, delicious bagels & coffee), but that isn't what Spread is trying to be. Appreciate it for what it is, get your pre-conceived notions of a bagel place out of your head, dish out the cash, and enjoy - your taste buds will thank you.
(5)Cam A.
Yes the prices are a bit high, but unlike many previous reviewers, I have the ability to read, so I read the menu and knew that before i ordered. The food is very good, the staff is among the most friendly in philly, and the renovation looks great. The very long weekend lines highlight two points: 1. the place is good 2. There's a big lack of places like it in the neighborhood. A great addition to rittenhouse west. - also an expat New Yorker
(5)Lauren H.
That was not a bagel. That was a lovely wood burning oven baked circular loaf of bread. But not a bagel. Sorry.
(2)Bernard L.
Complete waste of money. Staff talked the whole time. Breakfast sandwich was small and cost 7 bucks. Never again.
(1)Kristen H.
This is a great neighborhood bagel place. I avoid it like the plague on weekends when the line is out the door, but it's usually pretty empty early week day mornings. The staff has always been pleasant and my bagel is ready quickly. I'm a creature of habit, so I usually stick to the cinnamon raisin bagel toasted with cream cheese.
(4)Dave L.
Even the birds turned their beaks up at these bagels. What a dissapointment. Overated and way overpriced. Bagels taste like stale irish soda bread. Hoped that they would taste better toasted. Not a chance. Bought a half dozen anticipating they would be great bagels. Line out the door. I wish them well. They said they can't keep up with the demand. No way would I go back. I would rather starve than eat one of these again.
(1)Beth M.
I've been here too many times. It does not compare to real Montreal bagels, but that's ok - I keep my expectations reasonable. Two stars because if you can actually get a fresh bagel, it's good. My low rating is for other reasons. First of all, this place is really expensive - plain bagel with no cream cheese is $2, cream cheese adds another $1, a slice of tomato is yet another $1, etc. You'll pay $8 or so for a bagel breakfast sandwich with bacon, eggs, and cheese. Add coffee or juice and you're talking $25 for two people. The second downside is the service. I was disappointed on my last trip here. Granted it was during the weekend breakfast mad rush, but they didn't ask my name when I ordered, and I hung around near the front of the store in the crowd for 20 minutes waiting for my to-go order. After finally asking where my order was, they retrieved a bag of bagels and I had to wait another 10 minutes while they hunted down a tub of plain cream cheese (there was none in the refrigerator). The bagels had been toasted and were really dry, since they had been sitting around for 30 minutes. Threw most of them away. What a waste of $. My last gripe is that I have asked for pastrami on 4 different visits, and they have ALWAYS said that they're out of it. I have no idea why it's on the menu.
(2)Ann S.
This place is great. I went for the first time a week ago and they gave me a free bagel for being a new customer. Went back today and really enjoyed it! Very nice people great service. the bagels are FABULOUS! Not NY bagels the only difference is Ny bagels have a thicker skin. But these don't claim to be that. I'm glad philly has something just as good but different. THe only reason i didn't give 5 stars is $2 for a bagel. no matter how good it is that;s too much, so it won't be a daily stop but I will go back. In fact i plan to go back for lunch with a friend they have to try these!
(4)Kristen S.
I came here for the first time about a month ago with a friend who had been raving about the Montreal style bagels that Spread bakes fresh daily. I was super excited because, to me, there is nothing better than a good bagel sandwich--especially a breakfast sandwich on the weekends after a night of working or drinking; something to fill the void or soak up the toxins! I ordered the egg white sandwich on a toasted whole wheat everything bagel and fell in love with it. I've been back every weekend since and have rotated between the egg white sandwich or simply just a toasted bagel with one of their delicious cream cheese spreads (the onion scallion is by far my favorite). The bagels are doughy, oblong, unique, and fresh every time. The staff is very friendly and diligent in addition to the delicious bagels. There isn't anything that I want to complain about other than the small interior which leaves little space for seating.
(4)Mike C.
Spread is like a pretty blonde. They have an attractive product and pretty assests so you overlook the obvious flaws. The bagels are pretty good, the idea of woodfiring them isnt new but it is to philadelphia. The thing is they have about 15 people work there on weekend mornings and yet they still cant keep up with the flow. Twice I have waited 20-25 minutes for a bagel to go, nothing special just some cream cheese. There were only 6 people in front of me. That is obscene. And who pays a dollar for jam, and a dollar for butter. 4 dollars for a bagel with the bare essentials? The owner hangs out and makes small talk which can be nice but its just a bagel. I mean if youre vetri or garces fine, come talk to us. And if you want to elicit feedback on how the operation is going and if your costumers are satisfied even better. But I dont want to hear how Philly needed a bagel place so bad and it was so obvious to set this up. This isnt delivering medicine to the third world. There is potential, but as it stands this place is not taking feedback seriously
(2)Sally R.
I'm not a huge fan of Montreal style bagels, but I love coming into Spread and seeing soon to be consumed bagels baking away in the oven. They have a down home vibe and a menu of rustic sandwiches. I really quite enjoy places that are new but make you feel like they've maybe been there all along and you just happened to notice it out of the corner of your eye. Once inside, the atmosphere is cozy, even on a busy busy Sunday morning, the crowd feels more like a gathering of hungry friends than a feeding frenzy. They sell lovely homeade jams and I always appreciate places that offer you the dine in option of using mugs instead of disposable paper cups. Perhaps, on a bit of a pricier side of bagels, but still reasonable compared to other eating-out options, you've got to tell yourself. I also dug the friendly service at the counter and the festive sounds of Huey and the Banjo playing outside, welcoming everyone in for their morning coffee.
(3)Stef A.
2.5 stars because of the darn price. I've been anxiously awaiting for Spread to open. Decor is very awesome - seems like a good place to hang out and have your bagel and coffee but $12 for lox, cream cheese and tomato??? I can go to Bacchus and get it for half the price (although granted, the bagel is not as big). I also thought the sesame bagel I ordered was rather chewy. I"m going to give it another shot and just try ordering a bagel with veggie cream cheese but I will not be paying 12 bucks for the bagel with lox again.
(3)K P.
We walked in and were greeted by a messy dissheveled cashier who after giving us the up and down look, bluntly asked if we were ready to order. We ordered "the standard" with egg whites, light cheese and turkey bacon on toasted bagels. The bagels were dry, and by dry I mean flour coating your lips as you took a bite. Not what i'd expect from any bagel. The bread was very doughy definitely a difference between a regular bagel. If you want a dry, doughy piece of bread with Trader Joe's turkey bacon, make it at home with Thomas' and you're guaranteed a better experience. And this wasn't a cheap breakfast either. For two bagel sandwiches and drinks we paid close to $20. Personally, I prefer breakfast with a lot less attitude. I have no intention of returning and will be sure to SPREAD the word.
(2)Naz B.
Went to Spread yesterday, opening day, after months of wondering when this place would open. I'm from New York and have lived in Rittenhouse for 5+ years, and I've always wondered why there was no bagel place in the neighborhood, so I was excited to see this place open, despite the "Montreal-style" bagels. After the long wait, I'm pretty disappointed and can't see myself going back again. The space is nice - cozy and cute, an ideal place to sit and read the paper. However, the employees (maybe owners too?) are less than ideal. My boyfriend and I walked in, and as the only customers took a minute to read the menu and look around. There were quite a few employees there, and no one offered any sort of explanation as to the type of bagels or their "handcrafted" spreads or really much of a welcome at all. The lady at the register (dark brown hair) was a little snarky and seemed visibly annoyed that my bf ordered a bagel sans expensive spread. You would think her attitude would have a been a little better after just a few hours of being open. All that aside, the bagel was meh at best. I had an everything bagel with farm-fresh butter (or something like that), and my bf had a poppyseed bagel with nothing on it. I understand the difference in style between NY and Montreal-style, and it just wasn't special. It is a little sweet, denser and much smaller than a typical bagel. Maybe it's that I'm a NY bagel snob, but I'm just not impressed. Maybe the "handcrafted" spreads are something special, but spending $5-$6 (unless it has lox and cream cheese, which is $11 at Spread btw) on a bagel just doesn't seem reasonable to me. It's about double the price of the best bagel places in Manhattan with the most delicious "handcrafted" spreads available. Rittenhouse is just not that special and "high-class" to warrant the price. Since when are Rittenhouse prices higher than the UES? As for the size of the bagel, it is denser than a typical bagel, but it truly is the size of a lenders bagel from the frozen food section. That would be fine, maybe even a preferable size bagel in my opinion, but I'm not going to pay double for it. Oh well Spread and Philadelphia, I guess I"ll just eat bagels when I go to NY.
(2)scott d.
$12.00 for a sandwich is one thing, but it needs to be the sandwich you at least ordered! Poor at best.....will never go back or recommend
(1)Justin S.
Spread makes a great bagel. Get there early on the weekends to avoid the lines. It is really neat how they boil the bagels right in front of you and then bake them in that big wood fired oven in the center of the store. It is a fun experience. Definitely not cheap, but I wouldn't expect a low price from an artisan baker. I am looking forward to the opening of their bakery across the street.
(4)Gretchen K.
Well, after a few weeks of continuous patronage, despire my previous review, I am happy to report improvement at Spread. Still some bumps in the road, but overall a great neighborhood place. Everyone is friendlier and things happen at a speed I can deal with.
(3)Zack B.
Wow. First of all, we did not know this was their opening day, but now that we know, it totally makes sense. Docked a star for a ridiculous wait. They were sooo slow. Waited fifteen minutes for just a sliced bagel, which was cold, even though we asked for it toasted, but believed the register lady when she said " are you sure you want it toasted, they are fresh from the oven?" They were not. They were pulling bagels fresh from the oven, but those were not used for our order. Another docked star for that and other semi rude remarks we witnessed from that same girl. When we did get the bagel, it was pretty good. Though, not nearly as good as the ones we have tried in Montreal at one third the price. Here, a bagel with scallion cream cheese is 5 bucks! Overall they were VERY disorganized and should have trained their employees better. I think we saw the owner ther, and he didn't seem very concerned with the lack of customer service skills his employees were demonstrating. If executed better at half cost would be 4 stars. Oh, and Cates review is obviously fake. Yelp will probably filter it
(1)Laura S.
I came in expecting to be underwhelmed based on others' reviews, but it's around the corner and I love breakfast food so figured I should at least give it a shot. The caption tells me 3 stars means "A-OK" - and Spread solidly earns their 3 stars. I'm not in love, but it was an all-around good experience. The offerings were definitely a step up from Dunkin Donuts/Manhattan Bagel. The bagels were sweet, chewy and flavorful. I ordered the everything bagel with plain cream cheese and my sister had a plain bagel. I like the texture and flavor of the Montreal-style bagels, although if you are more of a savory breakfast person the sweetness might not be your thing. I am actually a fan of the smaller size, too - I do not need a 6" monstrosity for breakfast! The more adventurous offerings for spreads looked good, but I really, really wish they had a low-fat cream cheese option. Really, really wish. Please, guys? My sister had a side of bacon with her bagel and pronounced it "very good" - this was her 3rd bacon experience in 24 hours so I consider her an authority. The OJ tasted fresh-squeezed (I'm pretty sure it was), mmm. Prices are a bit on the high side, but I accept that's the price you pay if you want to support local, homemade, small businesses instead of giant conglomerates. Service seemed a little scattered, but friendly. My guess is that this is one of the first weekends they've been open (possibly the first, given their inauspicious beginnings) so I'm sure they're still learning the ropes. A man that I assume was the owner was very friendly. The smoked meat sandwich is not back on the menu yet but he told me to look for it in September - I'll be back here at least once to try that, since my friends from Montreal tell me that authentic smoked meat is not to be missed. The space is cute - it's a bit small, which could become problematic if they get really popular. For now, though, there were no problems with seating. You shouldn't come in expecting cheap, fast service a la the big chains, but if you've got some time to linger over your coffee and a few extra dollars to put toward your breakfast, you'll leave here happy and full.
(3)Meg G.
Spread is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to eat in the city. The other people who reviewed Spread negatively may have just experienced the growing pains of a newly established business. These flaws are to be expected with a new business -- but the spread staff is really overcoming these growing pains and creating one of best places to visit in the city. Here's my take on some of the negatives mentioned: Do not let the long line deter you from waiting - It moves quickly and the bagels are worth the wait. The staff is extremely friendly and will always go out of their way to make you feel welcomed and make sure you're satisfied. If you're not, talk to them about it. Their menu may be a bit more expensive than their competitors, but the food is worth it!!! The food is fresh and the LaColombe coffee is bottomless. The environment is warm and welcoming. They offer free Internet, a good selection of music, outdoor entertainment, and there are always available seats to dine. If you had a negative first experience, give it a second chance!
(5)Emilio M.
Fantastic bagels. they are worth going out of the way to get. the sandwiches are very creative and delicious as well.
(4)Sarah H.
These bagels are fantastic. They're baked in a wood-fired oven, and thus infused with feel-good-campfire-cozy-morning-sunrise kinds of flavors. I swear. Other reviewers have mentioned a line, but every time I've been here I've been first or second to order and there have been plenty of free seats. I just love this place. It smells great, they play awesome music, the staff seems kind and fun-loving, they brew la colombe coffee to perfection, and the little seats by the window provide the perfect amount of sunlight and people watching for your afternoon snack.
(5)audrey p.
These bagels are very good -- softer than New York bagels, and a bit sweeter. The staff is also friendly. On the down side, though, the bagels are quite expensive ($2 each, extra for toppings), the space is cramped, and the selection is meager -- just a few flavors available. Also, the last time I bought several bagels I got a couple plain and an onion, and they were all bagged together. Really? If I wanted them all to taste like onion, I'd have ordered all onion!
(3)A P.
I'm not sure what all the rave is about. I ordered a couple of bagels with the blueberry cream cheese and garlic vegetable, and the nova bagel sandwich. The cream cheese spreads were good and generously slabbed on. The freshness of the eggs and bacon on the nova was questionable, and quite messy to eat. In terms of service, I went at 8am on Saturday and though it was not crowded by any means, the lady messed up my order. She gave me the wrong type of bagel which I didn't find out until later since it was a to-go order. Overall, I was a bit disappointed and I'm not sure if it's worth another visit.
(3)Rob W.
Pricey is the only gripe I have. Other than that this place is off the chain! I get the standard with Lox, cream cheese, tomato, and onion are all on one of the most amazing bagels you'll ever have. They have a brick oven that's dedicated to not only the bagels but also roasting brisket!
(4)Erica E.
Spread is sooooo delicious I admit their loose bagels are expensive at $2 each and probably not worth it but the sandwiches are reasonably priced for what they are. My favorite is the egg white sandwich...comes with swiss cheese, spinach, truffled mushrooms, and turkey bacon. It is soo tasty I actually crave this sandwich. I think everyone should definitely try spread but it's hard to make it an all-the-time place because of the price
(4)Steve W.
Had a delicious onion bagel with lox, egg, onion and tomato yesterday, followed by a chocolate chip bagel for dessert! Everyone in my party enjoyed their food. Highly recommended.
(5)Claire B.
Okay, Spread. Here's the thing. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I visited during the initial opening and was surprised, as many of the other reviews go on to detail, to find slim pickins and a less-than-friendly staff. Seriously, we were shelling out close to $25 for two bagel sandwiches and were treated like a nuisance. Went again today after the grand reopening. Prices were lowered, which was nice to see, and everyone was so FRIENDLY. Smiling! Engaging! Asking people if they liked their food! Perhaps the owners have Yelp accounts? The menu's changed a little bit, too. The nova cream cheese sandwich has been upgraded to a nova AND cream cheese sandwich. Bagels with cream cheese are now $3 as opposed to $2 for the bagel and $2 for the spread. My nova sandwich had a TON of salmon on it, but... it still wasn't the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. The tuna melt was much yummier, and the halves were melted & wrapped separately, which maximized said yumminess. The wait for the sandwiches was the straw that broke this camel's back. I've been to bagel joints with less staff and a GIANT menu that delivered quality results at a fraction of the time. They were also out of everything except everything bagels in the middle of a Saturday afternoon. Maybe we were tailing the rush? Maybe they were playing catch-up? Either way, two times is enough for me and Spread. I appreciate the work that's been put into improvements during the downtime, but it seems like Spread isn't my cup of tea.
(2)Stephen S.
Show some love for Spread! This is definitely a place that adds value to the Philadelphia food scene. I had the whole wheat bagel with PB & Amish Jam, I agree with other reviews, the bagel was sweet, but it was a perfect pairing for the runny peanut butter and thick amish jam. Absolutely delicious. My fellow Bagelar had an egg white sandwich of her own design on a whole wheat everything. Her bagel was much saltier with a hint of garlic and was no where near as sweet as mine. The perfect pairing for her choice as well. My only complaint about this place is that it's a little spendy. So I wouldn't come here every day or every week but I was definitely a fan of what they're going up in their wood oven. And it's still cheaper than taking the Bolt Bus to NYC to scratch that bagel itch.
(4)Caitlin V.
I'm a big fan of my bagels, so when I heard a new bagel joint was opening up, I immediately put it on my to-do list. On a recent lunch break, it was oddly warm and beautiful out for winter so I made way over to Spread to grab a bagel sandwich. I had been waiting all day for it The idea of their fresh made bagels danced around in my head. The plan was to get in and get out and bring it back to my work to eat, but when I got there I immediately changed plans when I saw their adorable window seating that no one was taking advantage of. What? Who doesn't want to sit in a nook by the window eating a bagel and people watching in one of my favorite neighborhoods of Philadelphia? Don't mind if I do... I got their egg white/swiss/spinach/mushroom on everything bagel sandwich. It was whipped up fast, tasted so delicious. They even brought it to me and I paid after I ate real restaurant style. Great little cafe.
(4)Emmaleigh A.
$1 extra for a slice of tomato? I still love you, but that's a little much!
(4)Holly T.
I've been really curious about this place ever since moving to the neighborhood, as I'd only had Montreal-style bagels once, but really enjoyed them. I've now been a couple times, and so far, I really enjoy the food. People aren't kidding when they complain about the price tag (probably 2x the cost of a typical bagel place), but the bagels sure are delicious. I like seeing the bagels come out of the brick oven, the slight taste of char on the bagels themselves, and the pile of wood stacked up near the oven. Each time I've been, I've gotten the same order, which is a "frittata scramble" on an everything bagel. I never would have thought to combine jam with eggs, bacon, cheese, and tomato, but it's a great flavor and the amish jam they use is very tasty. The more I think about it, the more I feel like the price is justified, as these are really good ingredients. What I really don't like is the space and ambiance (or lack thereof). It's just too narrow, cramped, and unwelcoming. When it's not crowded, it's still not really a comfortable place to hang out (too bad, since they have bottomless La Colombe), and when it is crowded, there is no place to wait for your order. It's not a regular thing for me, but I can certainly see coming back to try some of their other bagel sandwiches; their club and pastrami sandwiches both sound really interesting, and they always have different daily specials.
(4)Ryan B.
Like the other reviewers I was anxiously awaiting the opening a new bagel place near where I live. Unfortunately, after going once I will never be back. I walked in on opening day and was met with an air of annoyance and ambivalence. After studying the menu for 90 seconds, seemingly bothering the counter person in the process (there was no one else waiting to order), I ordered a plain bagel and a coffee. The woman seemed slightly shocked I would order a plain bagel, but after seeing that it was going to cost $2, there was no way I was going to add anything to it. The bagel itself was fine, certainly better than something from Dunkin' Donuts, but no better than a bagel from a place like Panera, and in no way worth $2. I really think the proprietors of this place have no idea how much food costs at other restaurants. In the end a combination of meh service, average food, and insanely high prices make this place a major disappointment. Here's hoping they change in the coming months, or are replaced by a better bagel store.
(1)E T.
C'mon,you could be a little more friendly- you just opened off Rittenhouse Square after many months of a sign in an empty store front. We were waiting for you!! Instead, y'all seem a little grumpy. $2 bagel with $4 spread. I need a little more lox to justify the $4 charge. My friend ordered an $8 breakfast specialty sandwich. When did bagels become haute cuisine?
(2)Robin C.
Best bagels I've ever had. And the lox was so good! It doesn't get better than this. I can't wait to go back! The space was small, but very open with a lot of light. Very comfortable and laid back. The service was quick and they got both of our orders right. Overall, great experience!
(5)Kristin S.
I wanted to love Spread so badly. As an expat New Yorker, I've been on a 10-year quest to find good bagels in the Philadelphia area, and when I heard that Spread was opening around the block from my apartment, it seemed like a small miracle. My friends joked that it would be dangerous for me to live so close to a bagel shop, because I would end up eating there every day. While the bagels are delicious (sweeter and denser than NY bagels), and I enjoy the smell of the wood-burning stove on 20th street, I can't in good faith give this place more than 3 stars, because the prices are outrageous. With the cost of a bagel and coffee coming to more than $5, my bagel-induced happiness is always muted by the sinking feeling that I'm throwing my money away; I can't pull out my wallet without remembering that at my favorite bagel shop in Brooklyn, a larger bagel and a larger coffee cost only $2. I still stop by occasionally (let's face it; I'm a bagel junkie), but I'd probably be here twice per week if the prices were reasonable. Other minor complaints - the staff's attempts at conversation often leave me feeling awkward (I once witnessed the owner ask a woman holding a baby, "Is he yours?"), and the coffee situation is a less than ideal. The coffee, creamer, sweeteners, napkins, and pitchers of water are all crammed together on a small table, so that in order to grab a packet of sugar, you have to reach an entire arm's-length over everything else on the table. That's fine if you're young, spry, and not carrying anything - but if you're holding a purse (or backpack, or child that may or may not belong to you), or even just have short arms, I don't see how you could possibly sweeten your coffee without knocking something over in the process.
(3)A. M.
UPDATED: Like a Phoenix.... Spread Bagelry is back after a short hiatus and re-tooling. Very happy that the prices are slightly smaller and bagels are slightly larger. Love the new attitude of the staff too. Great way to start the morning. In the week that it has been open I've stopped by three times. Great bagel and coffee to go. $6 is a little more than I would normally pay at an alternate Dunkin or Saxby stop - but you can't argue that the bagel and coffee quality are 10x better. Wireless access and afternoon turkey club sandwich were exactly what I needed the other day - although I would have been more happy with a can of diet coke... I don't get the appeal of 8oz of soda is a glass bottle. Wished I could have found a spot on Sunday - but they were PACKED. As much as I would have loved to enjoy my brunch there with the new Vanity Fair - I actually felt guilty wanting to take up a whole table to myself. Looking forward to this becoming another neighborhood routine.
(4)y r.
"We use local Amish farm cream cheese, jams and fresh fruits & vegetables to make our homemade seasonal spreads" -- but no vegan options other than jam. I guess chickpeas and olive oil aren't local enough. Vegans beware.
(1)Leah G.
I too have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Spread. I am THRILLED to finally have a solution to the problem that is the overwhelming dearth of quick breakfast food options in center city. I love the interior. It is also a lovely place to sit an enjoy your breakfast, not just take something to go. I got an everything bagel with cream cheese. I thought it was delicious. I will say, the coffee was not my favorite, this has some room for improvement. Contrary to the other reviews, I thought the staff was lovely. (I also don't think the pricing is outrageous; when I go to manhattan bagel I spend the same amount, and lets be honest, who really wants to go to manhattan bagel). I will definitely be returning!
(4)Benjamin E.
I was conflicted. My girlfriend's parents from Montreal were in town and I thought I should take them to Spread - get them a taste of home. I then thought, wait a minute, if I was in Montreal, I would have no interest in getting a cheesesteak. A friend from work had the opposite opinion - "I'd want to see what Canadians did to a cheesesteak." I've been to Montreal many times and have had many Montreal bagels. Spread's bagels seemed to be a hybrid of Montreal and NY style bagels (a little puffier than the typical very thin sweet Montreal bagels), but this is by no means a negative. For me it was a great combination of the two - I think Montreal bagels are too thin and NY bagels too puffy. The Montrealers agreed. They did ask the owner about the thickness of the bagels and he claimed that due to the heat and humidity they couldn't prevent the yeast from doing its thing. I will have no problem if this issue persists. We all got bagel sandwiches with lox or whitefish. They were big sandwiches with very good fish. I will be returning.
(4)Erin W.
I was so excited to finally eat here after walking past it for months and falling more and more in love with the decor. Exposed brick, subway tile, marble counters, sweet little wooden window bench. It's all beautifully done, and it should be, as it took them long enough. The obvious downside is that they have to recoup that money somehow, so my wallet was raped for almost $6 with tax for a bagel with chive cream cheese. The menu said bagels were $2, and then it listed "local farm fresh cream cheeses" for about $2-$4 each. I erred on the side of naivete and expected to pay $3 TOTAL, not $3 ON TOP OF the price of the bagel. FYI, you guys are next to an abandoned hardware store and a nail salon. You might share the block with D'Angelo's and Audrey Claire, but let's not pretend you get to indulge in the snooty Rittenhouse attitudes and matching prices. You serve bagels. Maybe my palate isn't as refined, but I'd much prefer the classic tang of good old Philadelphia cream cheese, especially if it will cost me less. Also, I waited roughly 3 minutes before anyone noticed I was at the counter and took my order. I fear for these guys on a busy Saturday morning. But you know who I feel worse for? The elderly man I was in line behind who was surprised that his order cost $14 (FOURTEEN), and was counting $1s from his wallet to try and pay for it. I gave it 3 stars because admittedly my bagel was pretty delicious, and because I don't want to see this place tank after the eternal construction process.
(3)Jes S.
I wanted to review this place when I went on the 2nd (of May), but the yelp page wasn't set up yet... Things I loved: - Got the club breakfast sammich and it was SUPER Duper tasty. The insides were great and the texture/flavor/style of the bagel was perfect for such an endeavor. -Super sweet and cute interior, very comfy! Things I Didn't Love: - Said over and over again by other reviewers... The people/service was just awful. The lady behind the counter looked frazzled and confused, and they didn't seem to know what to do with a business. Someone offered to help her, one of the servers, and got snapped at. A new customer joined our long line and asked if everyone had gotten served and got semi-yelled at to wait? - The price? I got a sandwich and that was a reasonable price for the amount of stuff packed on it, but the bagels themselves were $2 each. If it's too expensive are ppl going to keep going? And a soda was $2, but it was not a very big soda... and yes, glass bottle coke, very nice, but I would like more coke please. 4 stars for deliciousness, minus one star for service . :(
(3)Kristin G.
I've been to Spread twice now... First I got the tuna melt, it was good - not great considering it was about 10 dollars. Second time I got a cinnamon raisin bagel, which was delicious. You won't find bagels in philadelphia as good as the ones they sell here, seriously delish... But I must say, 2 dollars for a small bagel is a little steep, even if it's really delicious. If Spread started making their bang for buck a little better I would definitely give them another star and visit them far more often. It seems like I'm not the only one singing the song of their prices, I wouldn't mind paying 1.50 for the size bagel they have, or 2 dollars for a larger bagel. Anyway, regardless of the price Spread Bagelry is worth at least one visit, it's just not a place I would visit more than maybe once every, or every other, month.
(3)Lauren F.
Oh Spread. You tempted me for 10 months with the promise of a bagel place moving in around the corner. Every few weeks I would stop by, hoping that I could get a Montreal style bagel for the first time. Alas, you waited too long and opened literally days before I moved. Days. I wish I was kidding. And it lived up to the hype. Those bagels, the cream cheese, everything was delicious, if a big expensive. Before I left I think we visited two or three times, one of which was the morning of our move. I had a sesame, which is my favorite regardless of the fact that it is the traditional topping of Montreal style bagels. Just a bagel and cream cheese, but it was delicious. I could taste the bit of honey that they boil the bagels in, definitely. So, my conclusion is, well, it's delicious. But I was promised bagels around the corner! Now I won't be able to appreciate the delicious new bagel place...
(4)Bobby P.
Nice bagels and friendly service. I thought I remembered Montreal style bagels being chewier, but I actually prefer these. Love that they offer whole wheat everything bagels (phenomenal with the lox cream cheese spread). Why should you have to choose between whole wheat and everything? Most bagel shops seam to think its ok, but to hell with most bagel shops! All that being said, what is the deal with the egg and cheese sandwich with jelly? That was definitely a mistake on my part to order it, but it never should have been on the menu to pique my curiosity. Also, offering ham as an option on the breakfast sandwiches would be nice...
(3)Jennifer T.
Every day for the past many months, I've sat on my front steps with my dog and stared longingly at Spread Bagelry and the slooooooooow construction process. Today it finally opened!! Typical "spread" of Montreal-style bagels, homemade cream cheeses, bagel sandwiches, La Columbe coffee, and the like. They have bagel melts of the day - today was tomato and gruyere, which it looked good but I opted for a whole wheat bagel with veggie cream cheese and a coffee to go. The slightly sweet bagel was a touch crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy inside. Homemade veggie cream cheese had celery, onions, tomatoes and maybe some other unidentifiable veggies mixed in. Mmmm so good! The only issue I have with Spread is that it's expensive, even for Rittenhouse. $5 for a bagel with cream cheese?? Give me a break. At least the coffee is decently priced at $2. The boyfriend got 8 bagels for his office, and apparently they don't have tub-sized cream cheeses yet... so he had to pay PER cream cheese. $39 later, he was NOT happy. I will be back, but only if I'm feeling spendy!
(3)Danan R.
The bagels are pretty good: slightly dense, soft, with just a hint of sweetness. I had a plain with cream cheese and it was very satisfying. I also stole a bite of the pastrami sandwich on rye and that was delicious. I'll be back to get my own next time. For those of you who love coffee, they have endless La Colombe, which was one of my original reasons for coming here. It was very busy but the service was friendly and efficient. Prices are slightly high but the bagels (and coffee!) are worth it.
(4)Elizabeth F.
I've got to say it, this is not a bagel. Perhaps this is a bagel in Canada in the same way that a boot is a trunk in England. But here in America a boot is a shoe and the baked good sold at Spread is bread with a hole in the middle. With that rant out of the way, I will say that it is a pretty good piece of bread. My everything Canadian bagel was warm and had a nice crunch to it. I had the vegetable cream cheese, which had nice big chunks of carrot and celery in it. It was a nice afternoon snack, but set me back $5. This is about a $2 too much to pay for what I got. As for the bagels being "handcrafted"--whatever that means--the things is still just some flour and yeast. But I must add, the place has a very cute storefront and a great seating area.
(3)Kendrah R.
Stupid amount of money. $25 for two bagel sandwiches and then you skimp on the lox? That is just bad business. I won't be back.
(2)Daniel P.
Loved it! And a cool ambiance to boot.
(5)Ben M.
I flew into Philadelphia on a red eye, and on my way out of town I decided to stop for breakfast. As a devout fan of hipsteresque eateries I decided I would have to give this wood fired bagel shop a go. The service took a little while for ordering 3 bagels, I get the impression they're relatively new. They were friendly and everything worked out fine. I had an everything bagel. I liked the wood fired crunchiness and taste. It did cut the roof of my mouth. Tried "The Classic" and their melt of the day. Both were quite tasty. I see a lot of complaints about price. I was excited at how cheap the lox and bagel was, but maybe that's just coming from California.
(4)Alison P.
I personally am a huge fan of Spread, but you have to go in knowing that this is not your typical bagel. These bagels are made in a brick oven and I love them-- they are light and crisp, and my favorite point about Spread might be that their seeded bagels have seeds on both sides, not just the top. Why doesn't every bagel place do that, huh? If you are splurging, go for the brisket and provolone, which is indulgent but worth it. I love the egg white sandwich with truffled mushrooms, and all of the spreads and farmer's jam are fresh and delicious.
(4)Jose A.
The good: The bagels are actually pretty good. There is bottomless coffee The bad: You have to wait awhile to get them. You have to pay a lot to get them. If you're looking for a nice neighboorhood bagel shop, like south street bagels, you aren't going to find it here. This is trendy, upscale, overpriced, but still pretty good bagels. If you're looking for that definitely go here. It's just that I'm not.
(2)Lissa C.
Honestly, for as expensive as the bagels are, I expected better. I've had two different bagels here both just toasted with butter. The bagels don't have much flavor- especially the everything bagel which is normally salty, oniony, etc. All I could taste was flour. South Street Philly Bagels is much better.
(2)Melissa M.
5 stars because when I think of going out for bagels on a Sun morning, this is where I think of going first. Their creations are dough-y and chewy, have a very different character than a perfect NY bagel (the exterior has a little smoky crustiness rather than that thickness of well-boiled chew), and are wonderful in their own way. The onion bits, and sesame and poppy seeds are flavorful. Love that they have great whitefish salad and that the salmon cream cheese actually tastes like salmon. The coffee is terrific. The few lunch sandwiches I've tried (I'm so glad to see the whitefish, the selections in Philly being what they are, that I rarely try anything else) had just the right amount of really fresh veggies. Service is friendly and the folks who work there look like they like their jobs. Be prepared that bagels are $2/ea, and sandwiches approach $10. But you'll notice the two or three folks working the oven, and appreciate the effort it takes to make these fresh.
(5)Duncan I.
Been a few times there now and pretty consistently have the same opinion. Place is cute. Ingredients are fresh and tasty. I love a crunchy toasted bagel and I understand it's designed to simply be a vessel to carry the food but it doesn't quite carry it, in fact my everything bagel was quite bland. Service was great. Their choice of coffee is questionable. Location is screaming for some good food joints and certainly needs something like this. Price is def a little on the higher side but so is rent so I can appreciate the need to elevate the rates.
(3)Isaac T.
Delicious breakfast bagel
(4)Sari S.
I stopped into Spread today after hearing about it from friends. I'm a proud Canadian new to Philly so I was excited to try their "Montreal" style bagels. Well needless to say, these are not Authentic Montreal style bagels. They were way too big, too mushy, and not hard the way I was expecting. One normally has to eat one right away because they get stale immediately. And honestly, these were way overpriced. However...They did taste good though! But $2 bucks for one bagel is ridonkulous.
(3)A J.
ugh. dont waste your money on the coffee. I've been here three times and it's weak, watery, boiled Buffett style in a huge banquet urn. secondly, plan on leaving smelling like you've been working at a diner for a week. no exhaust where they cook. ew :( bagels are good. expensive.
(1)Lizzie S.
Spread is my go-to lazy weekend breakfast spot. Strong coffee with free refills, bagels fresh from the wood-burning oven served with some classic R&B tunes, and only a block from Rittenhouse Square (ideal for picnicking). The line is often long but it moves quickly, and the local ingredients are worth the extra dollar or two. True, Montreal bagels are not the same as New York bagels, but can't I make room in my belly for both?
(4)Ali E.
I have no idea what a Montreal style bagel is but the everything bagel with cream cheese is absolutely incredible. That's all I get but recommend that everyone try it. It's delicious. I agree with others that it's pricey. Bagel + coffee/tea ends up being $5. Which is more than i'd like to pay for a neighborhood place. I wish they had a frequent buyer card and gave discounts for bringing your own coffee mug. Originally gave this place 4 stars but reduced it to 3 because three times now I keep asking for an everything bagel but end up with whole wheat everything- huge difference and not in a good way.
(3)Sam T.
Effing awesome. Good coffee, best bagels in the city by a wide margin. Maybe best avoided if you have a hipster allergy, and it would be nice if the line moved faster, but the sheer brilliance of the bagels more than compensates. Prices are competitive. Not the cheapest, but not extortionate, either
(5)Jennifer M.
Really delicious bagels!!!! I like how they taste a bit sweeter than a New York style bagel. I would say these are the best bagels in Philly. Philly has a weak bagel scene. Don't listen to the haters on here!!!! Good job spread!
(4)Adina R.
I'm a New York bagel fan so I have to say I was skeptical about the idea of sweet Monteal bagels but I'd been wanting to try Spread since I'd heard great things. And besides Philly lacks great NY bagels so I might as well try something different. Spread was ok. The nova and cream cheese was great and the bagel was fine. It was a Sunday morning so I'm sure the bagel was fresh baked, but it just didn't taste that way. Instead it tasted like a few days old cold bagel. Maybe I'll give it another try without the everything bagel and lox to get the pure essence of a Montreal bagel, but after my first try, it didn't seem like anything special.
(3)Matt K.
For me there's no better way to have breakfast than with a bagel sandwich. For years, there's been on spot in the city that was my go to place for bagels. Then after seeing their "Best of Philly" win this year and a few tasty pictures from friends, I decided to give it a try yesterday. Location wise Spread located on one of the nicer blocks in the Rittenhouse Square/Center City West area. Seating is limited and it's not the biggest store so I'm not surprised to read that there can be lines running out the door. Luckily my "morning" started late enough that I was able to avoid any waiting. I got two bagels with my order; a turkey bacon, eggs and Gruyere sandwich on an onion bagel and a plain bagel with their 4 berry cream cheese. Both were toasted. Service was quick, I waited no longer than 5 minuets after placing my order. The bagels were bigger and thicker than what I'm used to. And despite being toasted, they were still slightly soft and chewy (and I mean that in a good way). The eggs came with thick slices of local Lancaster turkey bacon and topped with the perfect amount of cheese. Overall just a great sandwich. However, the plain bagel with 4 berry cream cheese stole the show. Again, the bagel was soft and chewy, but not doughy. The spread was made from local Amish cream cheese and not only had a great flavor from the berries, but had chunks of berries in it! It's easily one of the best spread's I've tried. Overall I loved my bagel experience at Spread. Yeah it was a bit pricey, but it was well worth the money. Would I go here every morning? No because I would be broke. But whenever I'm looking to get a bagel that's top notch I'm coming back. And I'm calling it now; I bet they're going to make one hell of a pumpkin cream cheese once we get closer to Fall.
(4)Patty G.
I had breakfast at Spread today for the first time. I went with 3 co-workers at the recommendation of one in attendance. One of my co-works had a stroller which, due to a combination of the high step at the entrance way and the narrow shop, she couldn't get in so she waited outside while we all ordered. Four bagels with cream cheese and four coffees (which were self serve and La Colombe-- yum!) took 20 minutes. They weren't even toasted! They cost $3 each which, even for center city, is a bit high. The young lady at the counter was unpleasant at best and the owner, who I spent a few minutes speaking with, admonished his staff for not making bagels quick enough. As a customer, that made me uncomfortable to hear. On the bright side, the bagels were delicious. I've never been to Montreal or have had a Montreal-style bagel to compare this to but it tasted good to me. I would most likely not go there for breakfast again but would consider picking up a dozen bagels for a special occasion brunch at my house.
(2)Walter C.
They are the best bagels I've had. Hands down. They taste like no other bagels I've ever had. Chewy, moist, sweet. Perfect.
(3)Mike K.
50 dollar bagel; I went to Spread at 11am in order to miss the morning rush. I parked up the street from Spread to check it out for the first time and put in money for 45 minutes (thinking this would be plenty of time to get a bagel). Standing in line took about 15 minutes - fair enough. I ordered a bagel with lox cream cheese and a coffee. There was no where to stand to wait for your order. I had steaming hot coffee spilled down my arm by another guest while waiting because the place is too packed. Fair enough, accidents happen. It ended up taking exactly 32 minutes for Spread to give me a bagel with cream cheese. I got back to my car to find a 42 dollar ticket. So the 8 dollar bagel+coffee and my 42 dollar ticket...50 dollar bagel. The experience alone was so horrible I'd give it a 1/5, but really these bagels and spreads are also overrated (see picture). Get it together.
(1)Grace H.
I went back to spread today for breakfast and was a little disappointed. I ordered an iced coffee and the egg white sandwich (again), but 1) there were no egg whites and 2) they only had sesame, everything, and plain bagels. It was still a decent meal, but if you advertise something on your menu, you should have those ingredients available!
(3)Taylor C.
Best bagels I have ever had! So doughy and soft.. Definitely going to come back sometime soon
(5)Hhh G.
Not sure how this place has only 3 stars. I got a plain bagel with Amish cream cheese AND Amish jam. UNREAL!!! One of the most delicious things I've ever tasted.
(5)Ian B.
These Bagels are the best I've had in Philly. Wood oven baked, fresh, soft, and tasty! I went with the everything bagel, toasted with cream cheese. It was so good that my brains fell out.
(5)Stephanie S.
I'm surprised Spread has a low 3 stars. I guess only because the prices are so expensive. But seriously some of the best bagels I've ever eaten. Not sure if it's a special recipe in the dough, or that they wood-fire the bagels which is pretty unique, but holy hell the bagels are delicious. My salmon scramble (nova lox, cream cheese, egg, salmon, tomatoes, onion) was so tasty both times I've ordered it. A little light on the salmon second time around, but plenty of cream cheese. I've tried a few other of their sandwiches, one had a delicious jam spread on it with egg and Canadian bacon. Very unique and good! Love this place, but $8-9 for a bagel sandwich is definitely hefty, and avoid on weekends after 11am cause the line is out the door down the sidewalk. Damn good bagels though!
(4)Casey B.
Whole wheat everything?! The bagel gods have answered my prayers. My go-to is the frittata scramble sammy on a whole wheat everything bagel. Eggs, chedda, bacon, tomato and amish jam~ salty and sweet for the win. I always order a side of plain cream cheese and reserve half of the bagel for dipping purposes. Best of both worlds. This sandwich is amazeballs BUT the bacon is never as satisfyingly crispy as I hope, even when I've requested this specifically. Oh well, still delish. They also do these fun half-bagel melts for a couple bucks. I've had the french toast melt and the gruyere/tomato melt. All da yumz. These are by no means the cheapest bagels to be found in the city, but they are damn good. Lil babe of a place so it does get kinda crazy crowded. For this reason, I prefer to call ahead and take my sammy to go.
(4)Colleen M.
Being from NJ, it's been so hard to find an acceptable bagel place in Philadelphia. I don't know what it is but the bagels in this city stink! Spread, however, is the exception to this rule! The bagels here are just so yummy. I'm a huge fan of the toasted everything bagel with cream cheese and a fresh squeezed juice. To avoid the outrageous line wrapped outside on the weekends, try calling ahead to pick up an order to go! Or... Go in around 2 PM :) My only gripe is that a bagel is like $5. Really? Meh.
(4)Sabrina H.
We've done take-out breakfast sandwiches several times from Spread and each time we haven't been disappointed. The flavor of these bagels is just perfect. Crunchy on the outside and light and airy on the inside. The bacon is always crisp on the bacon, egg, and cheese (I hate floppy bacon) and this is a major plus (imho)! Bagels with butter are also amazing and everything ever tried has been super yummy. The place is a bit small and the line can get bananas with pretty extreme wait times which was the only thing that detracted from the experience. Each time, we've waited a LONG time for our orders (the sandwiches of course) and this can be slightly problematic with the parking situation/space of the place because there can be literally no place to wait. Nonetheless, the bagels themselves are just delicious and worth the wait!
(4)Billy S.
Spread has some big positives, and a few really frustrating negatives. The main positive is that the bagels are great. They are a little sweeter than most other bagels, but I don't find this to be a negative, and I had never had Montreal style before but I think it's awesome. The other main positive is that the cream cheeses are amazing. Even the plain is noticeably better than most cream cheeses. The sandwiches are pretty good too but not quite as special. The downsides to spread are that they're always out of everything and it's expensive. I've probably been 6 or 7 times now and I'm not even consistent on when I go. I've been weekday mornings, weekend mornings, and weekends in the middle of the day. Regardless of the time they seem to be out of at least half of the bagels on the menu and at least one and sometimes all of the fruit cream cheeses. This is pretty inexcusable in my book and I considered 3 stars but ultimately the bagels are so good that I went with 4 stars. As for the price, I got 4 bagels with cream cheese the other day and it was just over $20. I think 3 had special cream cheeses, but that's still pretty rough. Good bagels in NYC can be found for half of that. Same for my favorite place in DC. With a little more effort Spread would be really great! Also note the line can be pretty long on weekends starting around 9:30 or 10am.
(4)Heather S.
I love pretty much any carb I meet, but I am very particular about my bagels. First time I've tried Montreal style, and I am definitely a fan! This is a cozy little spot in the Rittenhouse Square area. We were in town for a weekend, and went here for breakfast both days. We were fortunate enough to visit when it wasn't super crowded but I could see how it could fill up quickly! I had the sesame seed bagel with cream cheese both days because that's my staple. My husband got the standard on the second day, and he was definitely happy with it. Bacon and eggs made fresh right behind the counter while bagels are being baked in the brick oven. They nada small selection of juices/beverages and $2 for endless coffee which was decent (not great but good enough). Like I said, we didn't even look around for another spot to try breakfast, so I would definitely recommend this spot and we will certainly go back!
(5)Tu-van L.
Montreal-style bagels? I am now a convert! Just as chewy as its New York cousin but the crust is more crunchy (think Pizza Hut crust crunchy not baguette crunchy). There's something about that crunch yet easier to tear open with your teeth quality that makes it excellent. Love it! The everything bagel I had was so freshly toasted that the bagel and garlic topping got charred. Not too into char but it did add a flavor characteristic I love. Still makes for a good bagel and schmear breakkie.
(5)Sarah K.
This place is good but not the best bagel in the world or even philly ( that goes to chestnut / south street bagels) but they do make a good sandwich. The pastrami is the reason to come. It's made in house and soo flavorful with the eggs they make fresh! Skip the food carts and spend a few bucks and make this your next hungover breakfast sandwich. For that, it's unbeatable.
(4)Kaeti F.
This place is NOT VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY. I ordered an egg sandwich on a rye bagel. The kitchen is open, so I was able to see exactly how he made it. They do not separate their meat and eggs on the grill, nor do they use separate utensils when flipping, moving or cutting the food that is being prepared. The result? My sandwich was covered in bacon grease. I was so grossed out that I left without picking up my 10 dollar sandwich and went to Kermits instead. I'm sure this place is great for meat-eaters, but if you're a vegetarian, just stick with the coffee.
(1)Ilana Y.
best bagels ever but I have never experienced terrible service like this before. Service is always slow even when it is not busy. 4/10 times that I've been to this bagel place they've gotten my order wrong, missed something that was supposed to be on the bagel, and not apologized. This last time I went, they ran out of turkey so decided to put chicken on my bagel instead without telling me. When I got home, I realized I had chicken instead of turkey. I called them to tell them and the lady said "we ran out of turkey but the chicken is really similar to the turkey."
(1)Lindsay W.
If heaven was a bagel... All I wanted was a simple everything bagel with cream cheese. Shortly after, I'm walking on cloud nine with this fresh, just out of the wood fire oven, fluffy cream cheese squished rings, bagel delight. When it's time to try something a little different, keep it simple and float into happiness.
(5)Elaine M.
I have walked by Spead a number of times in recent months and been drawn to the deliciously warm smell of fresh bagel sandwiches. I have been so jealous of all of the people dining al fresco. While walking to the Philly Marathon finish line the other week, we were in search of a quick stop to eat and I remembered how wonderful Spread smelled so I threw the suggestion out to my crew, and they were right on board. There was a quick moving, but consistently lengthy line out to the front stoop. Every table was taken, and there was a crowd waiting for their take-out orders up front. We decided take-out was the best option so we could get moving to our final destination. I ordered the Frittata Scramble on a whole-wheat everything bagel. I was drawn to this selection because of the Amish Jam mixed with hearty breakfast classics. And boy am I glad I made that choice! My sandwich was everything mixed into one. The warm and savory bacon, cheese and eggs, topped with the sweet jam was a fabulous treat! This is the first time I can remember having a'Montreal Style Wood Oven Bagel', which I found to be a little bit lighter than a standard bagel. This was a good thing, because some NY style bagels can be too heavy and leave me feeling bloated by the time I am finished. My bagel from Spread was the perfect portion size! Spread is definitely a REPEAT. Next time I hope to snag a table in the back so I can relax while enjoying my delicious sandwich!
(4)Sam R.
I came here over the weekend and was totally excited to check out Spread Bagelry. I was expecting a really great bagel and coffee. What I received however, was a lackluster bagel and I honestly could have done better at a Dunkin Donut's. I came in the afternoon on Sunday and most of the bagels were gone and my order took quite a while to come out. There were a few bugs flying around and the place def looked like it needed to be cleaned and wiped down. I left feeling disappointed, I really expected so much more...
(2)Erika B.
The bagels are okay but the service needs improvement. As other yelpers have noted, the wait for bagels and sandwiches is exceptionally long. They could easily do what many take out places do and use iPads to take orders when the line piles up. I like the fresh baked brick oven bagel concept and there are so few bagel places in the city but this one is not worth the wait.
(2)JW A.
I ordered a half dozen whole wheat to go about a month ago. Came home and toasted one of wheat bagel and about after 3 bites, chewed on something strange... Spit it out and it was a cardboard piece! Really?? I called them as this was alarming and informed them what happened. The woman/ lady who answered said first, that they never had this happened and later told me they will give me a free bagle if I come and inform them about it when I come back next time. No thanks! No more cardboard bagel! I ate a lot of bagels in my life but this was first.
(1)Steph S.
These are probably the closest bagels you will find to real Montreal bagels in the area. But could probably be sold for $1 instead of $2!
(3)L R.
With their great bagels and sandwiches, I want to really like Spread. But their customer service is awful. I've been to Spread about 5 times now and every time, I've gotten lots of attitude from whoever is behind the counter. Example: Me: "how's your special?" (The one posted on the "SPECIAL" sign as soon as you walk in.) Girl: "uh we have lots of specials." Then I said in the same order I wanted coffee. This was discussed with the other peach of a twenty-something counter girl. Original said, "you didn't say you wanted coffee." Anonymous man behind me in line: "She said she wanted coffee." And this has gone on, and on, and on. And, scene.
(2)Victoria R.
$10 for a bagel and orange juice?! Pros: -the inside is super cool in that there are staff members hustling to get the bagels freshly made in this huge clay oven (?) -everything there seems to be made fresh and exclusively to this place like the spreads as well. -they are generous about how much spread they put (I end up scraping a lot off so I could have some bagel with my spread) Cons: -this place is always PACKED so to expect to wait in line -there is seating in the back but the flies were a pest -the prices for a bagel just seemed a little too much even if they were made in front of me.
(3)Melissa S.
I normally only post reviews when I have awesome things to say about a place. Not so much this time.... I wanted to like this place more due to it's concept. Philly needs a good bagel place. But Spread disappoints. After reading about long lines and painful wait times on weekends, I decided to give it a try during the week. Even at 1:30pm on a Tuesday the other patrons and I had to wait way too long for our food. I just don't get the hype!
(2)Dima M.
Spread is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Philadelphia. That's saying a lot as Philly has many great breakfast spots. I usually go for the egg white sandwich or a toasted everything bagel with smoked salmon spread. Recently I mixed it up and went with the frittata scramble sandwich, and it was amazing - scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, and... wait for it... amish jam! Quite possibly the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had. The bagels are hearty and flavorful. They're always fresh (which is why they run out sometimes). In the summer you can sit outside and there's a band on the weekends.
(5)John H.
Every weekend there is a long line coming out of this place....and I always wonder, are the bagels and fixins' really THAT good???? So having a day off from work allowed me to check out this bagel joint to see what all the noise is about without that dreaded line.....which is a major pet peeve for me! So how are these wood oven baked bagels??....pretty damn delicious!! I ordered an everything bagel with a schmeer of lox cream cheese spread....very very tasty! The bagels have a bit of that smoked flavor from the wood fired oven and the lox spread is plentiful with the chunks of fish! No pink food coloring here....just the real deal! This place is tiny hence the weekend lines, but bar none the best bagel in the city! Personally, I'd never wait in line for a bagel, but if I was that hard pressed...I'd go here! The total was $5.65 for my order...definitely a little pricey, but for a high quality lox and bagel experience....completely worth it!
(4)Danielle L.
You will not find bagels this fresh and tasty anywhere in the city, trust me I've tried. The wood fire oven cooking gives the bagels a great texture and naturally the bagels aren't super doughy so the outcome is one hell of a bagel. Breakfast sandwiches come with thick bacon- not the cheap stuff you get from the likes of a Manhattan bagel or chain place. Only down side is you have to get here early, like 8:30 or before or else you can expect to wait in line and for a little while for your bagel to be made.
(4)Jaz S.
So I went to spread for the first time today, and mind you I have already been to knead bagel, so my expectations were high. I expected spread to at least match the quality and taste of knead. Unfortunately the bagel I got (egg white bagel sandwich) was just off. The eggs not properly seasoned because it tasted incredibly bland and there was an odd fishy taste to the bagel which is odd since there was no seafood on it. I am not one to toss away food (especially a bagel I just spent 9 dollars on) but I really did not want to finish it and ended up tossing more than half because I found it to overall terrible. The reason this review is a three star over a two is because the coffee was good and the people are nice. Bottom line, if you want an excellent bagel sandwich, walk 12 blocks east to knead bagel
(3)Rachel S.
What I Love about Spread: 1. Banjo music on summer weekends 2. Tasty bagels, just with cream cheese or as sammys 3. Can order takeout and picnic in Rittenhouse Park 4. Unique woodfire bagels 5. Adorable atmosphere with friendly staff What I Don't Love about Spread: 1. The line can get insane! 2. A little pricey for a sandwich/drink 3. Really small space for eat-in groups Bonus: My friend from Cincinnati has to visit this spot every time she comes through Philly. It's on her must-eat list.
(4)Jillian H.
FARMED SALMON. So sad. We love Spread! It goes without saying that the bagels are the best! But. Get with the times, Spread!
(3)Jeff H.
Do you like Montreal style bagels more than New York style bagels? I def do and if you do as well, you're in luck in Philadelphia because of Spread Bagelry. This very attractive café is justifiably building up a following for its Montreal bagels. Montreal bagels are smaller, sweeter, and def less doughy than New York bagels. They are always baked in a wood burning oven. Of course there are other items offered up here for those wanting breakfast, lunch, or brunch. But the reason that Spread Bagelry is a destination beyond its immediate neighborhood is because of their tasty Montreal bagels. Try them!
(4)Jacqueline O.
These are Canadian style bagels. Meaning they are cooked in a brick oven. They have a chargrilled taste to them that some people love but truly I'm more traditional. People that do love this style love the sandwiches. Especially the spinach and egg white.
(3)J S.
I'm so glad I ignored the star rating on this place. I was in philly for 24hours and knew I had to have a bagel somehow. I ran over to Spread before catching a cab and was rewarded with a delicious freshly baked bagel and high quality lox. So worth it .
(5)Paul K.
Yea, I hate to wait in line too but this place serves an authentic wood-oven Montreal style bagel and that is something special.
(5)Kristen M.
I love bagels just as much as the next gal and with Spread being approximately 147 steps from my front door, I was excited that I'd be able to frequent it with little effort. The line is almost always out the door on a Saturday and Sunday morning, enough for the owners to hire live music to keep crowd entertained. In my opinion the bagels are good- but not that good. They are smaller than the usual bagels you might find at the chain places and they are more expensive. I get that the wood-fired oven takes more time and they are special, but they are just ok. My go-to is the everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, dining buddy usually gets the lox. Whenever we stop by it's for convenience rather than taste.
(3)Fabio A.
Lines for ordering and picking up our confusing. Young and inpatient attendants make it an unpleasant experience.
(1)Adam L.
I have been coming here for a while now and absolutely love this place. They make Montreal style bagels all by hand and in a wood fire oven right there behind the register. I always like places that let you watch the people cook. Everything is really fresh obviously since they bake right there. The bagels really are top notch here and I am not sure you can get better in the city. Just be prepared to pay for them because Spread is a bit pricy. I have ordered most of the menu and my favorite is breakfast sandwich with the Amish jam. It's the absolute best. Spread itself is a small place a block west of Rittenhouse. When I say small it really only sits about 20 people and there isn't a lot of standing room either. It is a very nice little shop. Whatever they are doing right over there, keep doing it. I've been there plenty of time and will keep going back.
(4)Sam W.
So good! Only negative is that their salmon is really a cream cheese/salmon spread and not sliced fish.
(5)Dave M.
Not sure why this place is so popular. Yes, it's a cool concept, I'll give them that. But other than that- it's all wrong. The bagels taste horrible. The amount of time it takes to order is unreal, it took over 30 minutes for me to order. There were only about 7 people ahead of me. Lastly, the prices are just out of control. Extremely overpriced for a bagel. I want to reiterate that their bagels don't even taste good.
(1)Cat H.
We went here early on a Sat morning and enjoyed tasty bagel, egg and cheese sandwiches and turkey bacon with fresh squeezed orange juice while sitting at a shaded little table out front and enjoying the slightly cool breeze before the early August day heats up. I'm glad we picked this vibrant little place for breakfast and would recommend it, especially if you can beat the crowds. The bagels are a little different than your average bagels - Montreal wood oven style? interesting - and they make a great egg sandwich.
(4)David R.
Really cool place with fresh bagels made in a clay oven. Service is very slow- took them 20 minutes to make 2 bagels. Food was good but very expensive! Nothing to write home about.
(2)M N.
Uh. The first time I got a bagel here, it was SO difficult to get a bite. I thought that I bad luck and was given a stale bagel. I gave the place a second change but again it was stale. I guess that's what a Montreal bagel tastes like?? I'm from NYC so I guess my bagel standards are high but still...stale is stale.
(1)Paige O.
AWESOME, amazing bagels! Great breakfast sandwiches as well, and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and very laid back.
(5)Bernie Z.
Some of the best bagels around Rittenhouse, but UNBELIEVABLY slow. My first time here was two weeks ago on a Tuesday morning; I ordered a bacon egg and cheese on an everything - and even though there was no line - it still took like 10-15 to prepare. This morning (Sunday) we stopped by for the same, and had to wait 45 minutes from time of ordering for a breakfast sandwich (after waiting in line for 20 minutes). In the course of waiting, more than a dozen who came in after us got their orders. It makes no sense that a bagel place can't handle a Sunday brunch rush. The servers were friendly and the food good, but they are woefully disorganized from a production standpoint. And expensive on top of that! ($17 for two iced coffees and egg sandwiches - that's more than Manhattan!) I won't be back for awhile, but next time I am I sincerely hope they've improved their service and production.
(1)Samuel L.
Good bagel but very expensive. It was a good treat but I can't afford it on a daily basis.
(4)Tom M.
Know that Spread is expensive going in. Also know that the quality justifies the cost. If you order a bagel with a spread, you are going to pay a healthy price. So don't do that. Just order the bagels ($2 each, $18 for a dozen which at this level of quality I contend is worth it) take them home and apply Earth Balance or vegan cream cheese yourself. The reason I am so high on Spread is the quality. They boil the bagels (the only correct way to do it) and then they bake them in a wood fired brick oven. Our wonderful community manager Michelle C remarked that it smells like a campfire in Spread. I did not quite get the camp fire scent but the quality is in the product. I have had the onion and the whole wheat thus far. I love the bagels' irregular shape. And know that when I walk in the door with an onion bagel it takes seconds for my wife to insist we toast that bad boy and devour it. As I buy just bagels the cost is not a huge issue for me. A bigger issue for me is the lack of flavor varieties. Their bagel line-up is pretty simple. Then again, by doing so few flavors they focus on quality and that is borne out by the taste.
(4)Jaclyn K.
Can I give this place zero stars? I just returned with my nova special bagel ordered specifically without egg with egg on it. I watched the young lady at the counter write down my order without egg on the slip. I also ordered an iced coffee, total came to $10.80. As I was waiting, close to about 20/25 minutes, I observed numerous people after me, get their bagels, observed 3 gentlemen in the kitchen standing around doing nothing, and sipped on my extremely watered down iced coffee. Normally, I get that a place like this is busy on a Saturday brunch time. However, when I notice orders just being slopped up on the line in no particular order, I get upset. I know how a kitchen runs, I know in what order orders get taken. Twenty minutes for a bagel is insane. Fast forward to me now, my bagel with egg on it, no nova salmon spread, 3 measly slices of onion and a horrible looking tomato, I have a $8 bagel I can't eat. Thanks Spread, I'll never be back, and I'm starving.
(1)Larissa G.
I can understand why this place does well, and I really appreciate its existence. It's super cute and so I was lured in for my second visit last weekend. The inside is bustling and smoky on the weekends, but the subway tiles and chalkboard menus are very charming. I tried to snag an empty seat while my boyfriend ordered, but was rudely told by a man working there that it was taken, when no one (nor coat, purse, etc) was in sight. I was put off a bit, but we found seating in the back. The fritatta bagel is pretty good. It has jam on it, with the egg and turkey bacon, which I thought would be better. I know this is Montreal-style, and I'm open to new flavors, but it was more "okay" than "wow". Also, I know the bagels are wood fired, but ours were about half black, and looked like ones that possibly should not have been served. The eggs were cooked amazing though, and I kept finding bits of yellow yolk reminders on my fingers throughout the day. The sidewalk area is cute, though it was too cold to sit for long. There were a couple people playing live music outside and children dancing, which was endearing. Inside, a woman had her small dog at the table and it kept barking loudly. Mind you, I absolutely love dogs, but I would never bring mine inside a bagel restaurant to sit at my table, especially if it was loud. I feel like someone should have said something, but oh well.
(3)Katie D.
Tried this for the first time during the day Monday. They are definitely not New York style bagels, it's important to know that going in. The homemade cream cheese was so delicious. Honestly I was considering getting some extra on the side to bring back to my apartment. The price point was high, but worth the treat. Both my friend and I felt as though the service was a tad slow. Everything was chaotic enough that they seemed to need an additional server.
(4)Lea T.
My favorite bagel spot in Philly! Although these Montreal style bagels are a little smaller and sweeter than NY style bagels I enjoy them just the same. The owner is very friendly and seems to keep an eye on the place very often. Prices are a tad higher than most places but here they offer gourmet toppings such as truffled mushrooms, turkey bacon, and egg whites. Be sure to go early or at off hours because this small spot gets very crowded very often. Excited to see they're also opening a bakery across the street!
(4)Andrew T.
In terms of bagels in Philly this is probably the closest thing your going to find to a decent bagel in Center City. And by closest I mean they aren't traditional bagels. they're more like high end bread in the shape of a ring. They're just baked sans boiling so no hard dreamy exterior to bite into. If your office does breakfast Fridays and you want to show everyone what's up I suggest coming here. The bagels are pulled straight from a wood fired oven and are soft and deliciously fresh. I was a bit shocked when I was told my egg and cheese sandwich would be roughly $7 when at no point living in manhattan did I ever pay more that $5 for such a sandwich. A note on their coffee it is La Colombe so that's a plus but they don't brew it as strong and rich as La Colombe so that's not a plus. Daily bagel ritual probably not; it's more of a treat yourself to a boutique bagel once it a while, sure why not.
(4)Kimberly Y.
I've had Spread twice now -- once catered but cold (not their fault, we just ordered early) for a breakfast event for an organization I'm part of, and again in store. Both times were great -- the bagels were so soft, fresh, and fluffy! Probably the best bagels I've ever had! but not that much more remarkable than Bruegger's or anything else. The time I went in, I didn't have an issue at all with the service, as they were quick and actually gave us more bagel than we had asked for! I also like that it's set up as a coffee shop so there's seating.
(5)Vladislav V.
Amazing place for breakfast or just having a coffee with any style of bagels. Love it!
(5)William B.
What, you might be asking, is a Montreal-style bagel? It is a bagel that is baked in a wood-fired oven after the standard boiling, and it is delicious! The lox sandwich has thick, fresh-tasting salmon and all of the other toppings are spot-on. It is expensive (~12 dollars) but worth it. The less-than-four-star reviews can only be explained by the proximity to Manhattan.
(4)Kathleen M.
The bagel was OK, not worth the price, but the coffee was not hot and the workers are rude and unfriendly! The cashier was texting and inattentive. At least say Good Morning!
(2)Veronica V.
I've been searching for a good bagel in Philly. This place is not it. I stopped in this morning to grab a breakfast sandwich on a bagel. When they directly me to the baskets holding about 5 different varieties, I was dismayed to see that they were all burnt. I was assured that they could give me a "lighter one", so I ordered the sandwich. The eggs were nicely cooked...fluffy and flavorful, and the bacon was nice and crispy. However, the "light" bagel was still burnt. When I bit into it, it even had that dark brown ring inside the black outside that you get when you keep something too long next to the flame. I can imagine that with a little finesse, this cooking method could make some really interesting bagels, but whoever is doing the cooking does not know how to do it, resulting in a sandwich that tastes like charcoal. Also, there were a couple of bites reminiscent of fish, which makes me think that the salmon must come into contact with the grill and that the grill doesn't get cleaned very well between orders. Plus, they DO NOT recycle!!!! I finished my orange juice before my order was done and asked where the recycle bin was. I was told there wasn't one and to just throw it in the trash can. Isn't recycling the law in Philly these days??
(1)Kliner M.
I've been here three times over the past year, always getting a bagel with some sort of cream cheese. I'm from New York and the bagels here rival most I've had there. Fresh, soft, and chewy. My only complaint about the quality is that it's not entirely consistent-- split two bagels during my last visit and one was slightly overbaked. Slightly pricey and fairly slow service (because of the number of customers) but well worth it.
(4)Vivian T.
As soon as you enter, you feel how warm it is from the brick oven used for the bagels and then you look up and you're overwhelmed w. the menu board... yikes. I love the old school and quint feel of Spread and the overall customer service was quick. The bagels are super yummy and I love the flour they have on the outside, brings a rustic taste to the bagel. I do think a wheat bagel w/ scallion cream cheese for $4 is expensive considering I can go to the supermkt and get 5 bagels for $3 bucks. But of course those supermkt bagels won't taste anywhere as fresh and yummy as Spread. Bonus they offer la calombe which is my ideal coffee. Dear Spread.... can you guys implement a reward program for every $50 spent here you get a free begal and coffee or something?.. Com' on lets reward the patrons of Spread. TIP - Buy 6 bagels for $10 ...bang for the buck. I am def coming back for this.
(4)Sara A.
Only come here if you have nowhere to be. The wait is at least 30 minutes for a bagel sandwich. The bagels are good, but not worth the wait. The sandwiches are overpriced and not particularly anything you couldn't do at home. My recommendation is to buy a bag of bagels to go, go to a deli and buy eggs and bacon, and make the sandwiches at home. You'll be done faster.
(2)Lilly S.
A must when in Philly. Coffee, onion, bagel, and all the wonderful smells of the shop!
(5)Allison K.
Cozy spot, good sandwich options, decent bagels, but nothing mind-blowing. Frankly, I prefer South Street Philly Bagels.
(3)Roopa S.
Tasty bagels and spreads, but kind of on the expensive side. Paid around $4 for an onion bagel with roasted vegetable spread-- enjoyed the meal thoroughly but wish the bagel was bigger and wish it was slightly cheaper. Definitely tasty though!
(3)Joel G.
Best bagels , best coffee, and the best atmosphere in Philly! Wish we had one here in LA.
(5)Brittany B.
Cute trendy bagel spot. It was really crowded when I walked in but everything smelled amazing. They were out of most of their bagels but I was already here so I decided to make the best of it. Bagel sandwiches were delicious! And definitely worth the walk! If you are picky about your bagel flavor I would recommend going early. I got the bagel and lox sandwich and it was very good!
(4)S L.
I think the people who work here are on sedatives. They couldn't move slower if they tried. Bagels are still good, but it's painful to wait 10 minutes for a bagel with some cream cheese.
(2)Joanna L.
Montreal bagels, eh? Wasn't initially sure what the difference was, but now I understand. The bagels made at Spread are a thinner and a little sweeter than your average bagel, but cooked in a wood fired oven, and made fresh daily! The staff is friendly and helpful, working behind the counter in a very small space, but seem to have locked down a casual production routine. Every time I'm in there, no matter how many people are waiting, the staff doesn't seem overwhelmed or phased by the rush. This isn't a bad thing, I'm simply stating that I admire how they seem to visually enjoy their jobs, working together as a team and providing customers excellent bagels. Each time I've visited Spread, there has been a line out the door. Typically I am an impatient gal, but I've always found the time to wait because it's just too good to pass up. I love bagels, but often feel that many places make them too thick and doughy for my liking. Spread has got the bagel game perfected though! The smell of the bagels rising in the oven fills my nose and excites me when I wait in line each visit. So far, I have only tried three different kinds of bagel sandwiches. I've had veggie cream cheese on a whole wheat everything, toasted, with cucumbers and tomato (a classic Wawa offering I fell in love with years ago, but Spread does it WAY better). I've also tried the Nova Scramble, which has eggs, scottish salmon cream cheese, onion and tomato -- very yummy. And the last one I tried is a simple turkey bacon, egg white and cheese on whole wheat. I look forward to eating my way through their menu! See you again soon, Spread!
(4)Caprice C.
Food is OK. Service awful. They forget who is in line, they let people skip. They see a line yet 3 ppl cannot take more than one persons order. Inefficient. Will never come back.
(1)Alina L.
Okay, long line doesn't necessarily mean the place is good, but long line EVERYDAY (well, usually on the weekends) definitely means the place is good! Let's just say Spread is my weekend to-go place, their bagel is just the perfect size with the best texture. FYI, if you order anything with egg in it, good luck waiting forever! I just realized that two weeks ago and have been ordering chicken sandwiches instead, so much faster (insider's secret) :) Waiting in line can be annoying, but at spread they sometimes have musicians playing right out the shop while you are standing in line. And even if you can't find a table to sit, you can always take your bagel to go and eat it in the park across the street :D
(4)Tina D.
Ok, the bagels were good but it was a mad house. Don't bother ordering a breakfast sandwich or you will wait for an hour. The grill help is unfriendly and were taking their sweet time with everything despite the fact that the line was out the door. When we opened our sandwiches they were a mess! Just thrown together which made me not want to eat it. The egg whites were runny too. I had to take it off my sandwich. Big disappointment.
(2)Lili W.
I used to LOVE spread. Don't get me wrong, the bagels are delicious, but the customer service/staff is lacking. Everyone that works here is high on something and are super slowww and unattentive. Several times, I've ordered a toasted bagel and when I got home my bagel was not toasted. Spread is not cheap and I don't think it's too much to ask for my order to be prepared correctly.
(2)T L.
In a word, a clusterf-ck. At least last Sunday around 1pm. No line to order, paid, and then waited 30 MINUTES!!! - I kid you not for two to go sandwiches. The bottleneck was clearly with the cooks who seemed as if they were not experienced or efficient at all. To make matters worse, they started serving ppl who walked in 20 min after most of us waiting (1 sandwich as opposed to 2!), which is flat out UNACCEPTABLE. (Mgmt was basically non-existent which is also really bizarre.) Oh and truly lame was the fact that after I finally spoke up (we were all being way too polite), one of the cooks turned around and got an attitude with me - WHAT?! Dude, I do not sympathize with overly successful businesses. Get your act together! Figure out how to handle demand or notify customers in advance.
(2)Chris P.
Wood fires bagels? Yes PLEASE!!! Best bagels in Philly. Period. Nice employees working there as well. Stellar!
(5)Randall C.
I'm not mad about the long lines on the weekend. I'm not mad about the tiny space. I'm not mad about the staff's disregard for folks who choose to eat here, as though we're lucky to even be in the same room. I'm mad because the hot bagel sandwich that I was served was inedible-- smeared with unidentifiable goop inside AND outside, plopped in front of me, a weird mixture of beef fat and mayonnaise and grease from the grill. Absolutely disgusting. If you want to wait in line, get your bagel plain and add your own spread. The kitchen staff don't give a dm about the folks who have to eat the food they serve. And it shows.
(1)Sam C.
I love spread! It's one of my favorite places in the city. All of their bagel sandwiches (I've had each at least once) is delicious. I only had issue with the lox, it's layered pretty thick to the point that I had to pull some out. But that's hardly a thing to complain about. The service and experience is always exceptional and the seating options are great. On clear days you can sit outside in the sidewalk, but inside there is also seating in the front or a quieter more private area in the back.
(5)Jeffrey B.
Everything is fresh and taste good. But 30-45 min wait for a bagel is nuts. They need a more efficient process to justify ever going there.
(2)Reid W.
Expect a wait, especially on the weekends. When I arrived, around 11AM on a Sunday morning, the line was out the door. I got an everything bagel with smoked salmon cream cheese, and it was delicious. I really enjoyed the montreal style, brick-oven toasted, bagels. It maintained the appropriate combination of crispiness and fluffiness. The smoked salmon spread, while a little light on the smoked salmon, was fine. Bagels were completed only a minute after ordering. I'm assuming the breakfast sandwiches take significantly longer to make. My only relevant complaints regard the size and price of the bagels. Bagels definitely aren't NYC-style behemoths, but they definitely include a price premium. I bought two bagels with cream cheeses and two OJs, and the total was $17 bucks... definitely not your typical neighborhood price point.
(3)Geet M.
If there was no line, and I wasn't hungry...I would go back, maybe? Cute idea for a place, Montreal wood oven bagel concept= genius. I was hungry, (really really hungry) when I stopped here on a Sunday around noon and the line was out the door. The line was moving but I soon realized it just meant that you paid quickly, then waited in the back. They ran out of all types of bagels except sesame and poppy seed (a bit surprising for a place that always seems to have a line). My recommendation (if I could only give you one): don't come here hungry...I was ready to gnaw my arm after waiting 20+ mins for 4 bagels. We ordered to go and unfortunately found out at the park that 2 out of the 4 weren't exactly what we ordered...we were given something else in place of the egg white bagel: our replacement came with cream cheese, tomato, and normal eggs...definitely not what we ordered. Such a shame since the chicken bagel was quite tasty (mmm turkey bacon)... our experience lacked here too though... we did not get the side (chips)...such a disappointment for a $10 bagel. Well, $9.95 but you know what I mean. It would have helped greatly if the bagels were labeled as we all had to guess who's bagel matched their order The one other thing I would note is that the freshly squeezed orange juice is a gallon bottle bought from a company that manufactures "freshly squeezed orange juice" (it does say this on the label). It does not taste like the ideal fresh squeezed you get when its done in house...and for $3.5 for a small glass, the price doesnt justify it.
(2)TD S.
I've waited in some decent lines for bagels (H&H, Murray's, Tal) on Saturday mornings, but never have I waited SO long for a mediocre bagel - 30 mins. I partly think the long line is due to the lack of supply of bagels in this town, but perhaps it was because there was only one person preparing all the orders (aggressive). HOWEVER, there is a bright spot for Spread. I anticipate the line will be significantly shorter once Chestnut Street Philly Bagels opens in a few months. As for the bagel itself, yawn. Small, not crispy, not-so-montreal.
(1)Rachel C.
Spread. It just sounds dirty, doesn't it?? But I love the idea of wood fired bagels. I kinda consider everything to be better when they're wood fired. Everything off the menu sounded scrumptious. I went with the Nova Scramble so I could get all the good stuff: eggs, tomato, salmon and salmon cream cheese (!!). It was tasty, but I think it could have had a tad more flavor. I didn't taste the wood fired part of the bagel enough. I have no clue what that would take to make it more "wood fired" but it tasted more toasted than anything else. Which is maybe just what that does...?? I loved the fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and the whole ambiance - live music outside on a lovely Sunday morning. The line was long (for a Sunday am) but moved very quickly. I'd absolutely come back, as I think it's quality breakfast fare that's fast and easy!
(3)Susan C.
I tried the bagels from Spread on my way home from Philly, and I don't see what's so great about their bagels. It just tasted like a regular run-of-the-mill bagel to me, not particular awesome or memorable, but definitely overpriced. Also, the orange juice here tasted a bit from concentrate-y rather than fresh squeezed.
(2)Amy B.
This is a cute, homey little bagel shop. They have chocolate chip bagels which are very good, they're hard to find! I had one toasted with cream cheese which was good but I think it should have been warmer and more toasted. I think $5 and change for a regular sized bottle of Poland Spring and a toasted bagel with cream cheese is fair but the bottle of water could be a little bigger. Still, I will come back. They're next to Lee's Hardware and just off of the square.
(4)Anne D.
Worst Bagel experience of my life!!! We ordered 4 things. 3 bacon egg and cheese sandwiches and a bagel with cream cheese. One "sandwich" has nothing on it. Just a bagel in tin foil. The other 2 sandwiches do not have cheese and the bacon is way undercooked. The only thing you got right was the bagel with cream cheese. These sandwiches are dry and nasty. We just moved a block away and you could have been our go to for bagels. Not a chance now. Gross!
(1)Jordan P.
After checking my credit on LevelUp and seeing how close I lived to this Best of Philly bagelry, I stopped in for a particularly decadent brunch for one. I scoped the menu for a bit before finally deciding on The Standard on a whole wheat everything bagel, toasted. This included eggs (or egg whites, but I went for it with the yolks and all), bacon, and cheese. The sammy was ready much faster than I expected, but it was the middle of the weekday, so I'm not too surprised. I ordered it to-go so I could enjoy this breakfast in-bed (or at least, on-couch) right across the street at my apartment. It smelled intoxicating when I opened the bag and unwrapped my prize, and I couldn't resist taking a bite almost instantly. The "innards" of the sammy were phenomenal, the cheese well-melted, the bacon smokey and crisp, and the eggs were not too bad, either. A little over-done (I opened the sammy at one point to add some hot sauce). The bagel itself... well I can tell it was well-made, and beautiful as far as bagels go, but they toasted the HELL out of that thing. Toasted in this case seems to have translated to nearly-blackened, and it left the bagel kind of dry without much in the way of flavor other than burnt. It's especially tough for me to get my head around this considering the cost of this sammy. $7 is a lot for a bagel sandwich, considering you can get a bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel at many places for less than $4-5. I respect they rock the wood-fired brick oven thing, but I'd rather not eat a wood-fired bagel sandwich.
(3)Di P.
Usually when I say "I'm from North Jersey" Philadelphians stop listening to me-- but people, I'm from New Jersey and am good at two food related things due to growing up there: identifying a good bagel and knowing where in North Jersey smells like rotten eggs. I got the Nova Spread (smoked salmon) on a whole wheat everything for $5. FIVE BUCKS for like two tablespoons of schmear. Which, I guess in one way it's good because usually places give you waaaaay too much cream cheese. But I'd rather have a lot, take out the excess than be left feeling ... dry. There was a pretty long line to get through the door in a small place, but surprisingly they moved the line pretty fast and we even got a seat. Also our bagels came out fast. People who got egg sandwiches were definitely waiting longer (naturally). I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if I lived around the corner I would be totally fine grabbing a fast breakfast. No chai tea latte. Booooo.
(3)Ann M.
No matter how good the food is, if the service is bad- it totally spoils everything. Unfortunately, like many other reviewers pointed out with spread bagel ray, their service is seriously lacking! My husband went their twice without me and said he would never go back unless I went..well, I thought he was just being impatient. Wow, waited 25 minutes for 2 bagels with cream cheese on the side and when they forgot the cream cheese on the side- I waited another 15 minutes for them to fill a small tub for me. There is no sense of urgency whatsoever and a man in front of me said " never coming back here,!" . Agreed.
(1)Katelyn I.
Delicious bagels! Will definitely be back soon!
(5)Michael B.
A little pricey when you add coffee, but great bagel sandwiches. The bagels are toasted in a real wood fire oven! This place is kind of off the beaten path, but worth the walk!
(4)Tyler L.
Spread. Such a popular spot. I will give them this, this is not a typical bagel spot. They have friendly service, have musicians out front on weekends, and they do an upscale bagel. That all being said, it is certainly not worth the price of admission. Two specialty bagels, two coffees...$24. Now I don't mind spending a little and the food is definitely better than Starbucks...but really? That being said, they have a line out the door almost constantly and they sell out of their bagels. So it must be priced right. Bagels are dense...maybe it is the brick oven that condenses them...anyways if you in the mood for something light and fluffy...not your place. Overall I like the atmosphere and I guess they are able to charge a premium because they have created something new and different. Just be warned, it is an expensive (asi-asi) bagel.
(3)Jordan S.
Caveat: proud, Jewish Long Islander reviewing bagels of Philly. The atmosphere when you walk in says you are about to have an awesome bagel experience but it really falls short. The portions are pathetic for the price. Bagels at a place like this should be stacked. The selection is great as far as the specialty sandwiches but they sound a lot more interesting than they fare. The bagel/creamcheese/lox was really sad. I can never go back here willingly.
(2)S S.
Meh. It's NO NY Bagel, that's for sure. Not at all impressed. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because I feel like 1 star should be for supermarket bagels. I order the everything bagel, toasted, with nova salmon cc spread, tomatoes, cucumbers & onions. The bagel was barely toasted. The onions were tiny & white, not the classic red onion. The tomatoes, or should I say one tomato slice (cut into 2 halves, one on each side) Both of the tomato halves were the "butt" of the tomato. The salmon cream cheese had barely any salmon, and tasted like regular plain cc. The cucumbers were so big that they wouldn't stay on the sandwich so I just ended up eating them separately. AND I found a tiny sliver of FOIL in my sandwich, so GROSS! I paid $7 and left hungry, and I don't even have that much of an appetite. (Went around the corner to Metropolitan Bakery & bought a fennel pretzel which was Amazing!)
(2)Brendan L.
The bagels are quite good, and there's some decent variety offered, esp among cream cheeses. But Smear utterly and completely fails on the customer service front. We ordered a bagel w cream cheese (not toasted) and a bagel w egg and an iced coffee and it took 20 (!) minutes for them to serve it. Really. Two separate employees were on their cell phones during that time. One employee looked bored. Another walked in and out of the back area. No one seemed sure of what they were doing, so we waited and waited and waited. The bagels were good, but we will not be back. It's not worth the wait.
(1)Robert M.
I had the Standard on a sesame bagel. I've never had a Montreal-style bagel so I can't comment on how it measures up, but I didn't enjoy the bagel as much as I have NY style ones. I was surprised by how sweet the bagel was. Overall it didn't blow me away but was pretty good. Bacon was overcooked IMO, and I was surprised by how little eggs/cheese/bacon there was on the sandwich..a "minimalist" approach I guess. The bagel itself was also quite a bit smaller than what I'm used to getting in NY. For $7, I felt kind of ripped off. I think the feeling that you're getting ripped off is really the best way to describe Spread. The bagels aren't like the ones I get in NY, and they aren't supposed to be, but they seem pretty good - although if I go again I'll just get a bagel and not the sandwich. But the prices can't be justified by the quality or the portions. The portions are smaller than in a NYC bagel shop and IMO the quality is inferior. If you go to Absolute Bagel or Ess-A-Bagel in NYC, bagels cost $1/$1.15 respectively versus $2 here at Spread. The sandwiches at Spread are similarly marked up. Judging by the line on the weekend they are doing OK at the current price point. But that says more about the lack of quality bagels in Philadelphia than it does about Spread.
(3)Moira N.
I decided to come back and give this place another try. Unlike my last visit, the young woman at the register was upbeat and really helpful. There was an older (and very fashionable) woman also working and overseeing things. I knew not to expect any menu options that I would like and so I asked if they could give me a toasted everything with peanut butter and the young woman was very happy to oblige. Service was quick. The iced coffee was delicious. My bagel was good and the peanut butter was natural. Overall a much more pleasant experience. My boyfriend is still a fan but now just stocks up on many bagels at a time and makes his own sandwiches with them at home. I'm not a huge fan but won't keep avoiding this place either.
(3)Kelsey T.
I'd love to be able to give Spread 4 stars, because the sandwiches are good and everything bagel is very delicious, but it takes forever... It's frustrating when you are only 4th in line and have to wait more than 20 minutes for a sandwich. Arrive when they open to avoid a long line!
(3)Michael H.
This place makes INCREDIBLE breakfast sandwiches. My favorite is the tuna melt on an everything bagel! The best and worst thing though about Spread is that everything is made to order. This is great if you get here before 8am, but arrive much later, you'll be hanging out in a very long, slow moving line. Luckily, musicians frequently hang outside and play on the weekend provide, albeit limited, distraction.
(4)T B.
Went for bagels on Sunday morning. Service is SO SO SLOW. I also don' t think my bagel tasted that fresh. The line takes forever and I was kind of grossed out at the flies in the back. I think they just need to make sure that they are focused on the bagels and not everything else on the menu. They service la columbe coffee which is a nice touch. I think the cream cheese needs to have more flavor .
(3)Nicole H.
I'm a huge bagel snob. The bagels I had every Sunday growing up are simply nowhere to be found in Philly, and I've come to terms with that. But when I heard that Spread was serving Montreal-style, which apparently are like the deep-dish of the pizza world (similar, yet not comparable to the traditional choice), I figured I'd give it a try. Listen - the food was good. I found the bagel to be a little strange, but it certainly was tasty. The spread (I got the lox cream cheese) was delicious, and the egg was perfectly cooked. So why 3 stars? Well, the service was a 5 star experience. I ordered to go, and the speed was beyond fast. And they take LevelUp, which gave them some points in my book. But the price is insane. I can't believe I spent $12 on a bagel with cream cheese (not actual lox!) and an iced coffee. Cannot believe it. I'd say the food is 3.5 stars, the service is 5, the tiny checkout space is a 2 and the prices are a 1. If you're not concerned about price than definitely stop by and try these Canadian bagel things. But if you're trying to save your money I'd head somewhere else.
(3)John S.
Been here twice now and the bagels are pretty good...nothing to write home about. The biggest issue is the service. Both times I've been here it's taken atleast 20min to get my order. Additionally, you stand in an enclosed, crowded and uncomfortable area and constantly are in peoples' way. The bagels are nothing special and you can find a better bagel without the ridiculous waiting...I will not be going back. Maybe get some cooks who have a bit more pep in their step. Also, the prices are egregious...$20 for two sandwiches and two waters..
(2)Leo Y.
A solid bagel and good bagel sandwich. The egg white sandwiches with turkey bacon are great and they certainly don't skimp on the toppings (including the lox). With that said, the price for bagels is extraordinarily high.
(4)Frank T.
Very good bagels, okay line and okay wait time. But when I left this place, all I can remember are the flies in the back seating area and the cashier that really hate her job and incoming people (customers). Can't enjoy any good meal when there are flies around you.
(2)Chelsey M.
If the line out the door starting at 9 on weekends doesn't tell you how great this place is, then continue reading! I love bagels. I especially love these bagels. the montreal style bagel is slightly different than usual bagels, but I prefer them. The cream cheese is fresh and amazing. The owner is great. Sometimes they are slow and not very effecient, but I don't ever go here when I am in a rush.
(5)Lolly G.
This is my experience with spread. Walked in on Monday morning to a girl behind the counter who saw us, turned her back towards us and aimlessly looked for cream cheese. She went on a stunning amount of time pulling bagels out of the toaster and asking a guy who came out there things were. I wanted to leave but we went through so much trouble parking, we were screwed into staying. There were about 2 people waiting for sandwiches. We then ordered there breakfast sandwiches (all without meat) and 2 iced teas. The total was 33 dollars. Unreal pricing. I thought it could be a mistake but after waiting that long we just wanted to go. The sandwiches were just ok, nothing special. I have never witnessed customer service like this and after being ripped off, I won't return. There's SO many good spots in the city for bagels it would be a shame to go here. They no doubt continue to have business based on their prime location, nothing else.
(1)Michelle C.
I'm bumping up to four stars as a result of friendlier service, pitchers of water and bottomless coffee. Today I met a friend for lunch and ordered a whole wheat everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, tomato and bacon, plus a cup of coffee. The total was around ten bucks, which is still pretty expensive, but since it was lunch and not breakfast I didn't mind. There are now pitchers of ice water with lemon, which I'm happy to drink over paying for a bottle of water. My bagel sammie was absolutely delicious, and it came with slices of fresh cucumber on the side, which I then stuffed inside to add a little more crunch and flavor. Again, this isn't an every day type of place, but for a really tasty bagel and a cute place to have lunch, it's solid. Also, the wood burning oven smells like a campfire. Who doesn't love that?
(4)Herbie H.
I had heard raves about Spread from a number of friends, and I finally was able to try it over the weekend. The line wasn't too long when I got there at about 10:45, and moved fairly quickly. I ordered the Frittata Scramble, per the suggestion of a friend. Surprisingly, the egg, bacon, tomato, and jam all worked extremely well together to create well-balanced flavor. I wanted to get an everything bagel, but had to settle on a sesame. The bagel sandwich was delicious, the coffee was decent. Yes, the $11 price tag for those two items was a bit much, but for a breakfast treat, it was worth it.
(5)Jessica O.
The place is very cute and would be a nice place to sit down and eat if you had all the time in the world. My friend and I went for Sunday breakfast and surprisingly there was no wait to order but took about 15 minutes to get our breakfast which seemed to be a bit longer than necessary. The staff was very friendly. I think for a grab and go kinda place the prices are a little high with 8+ for an egg sandwich. Based on the method of cooking the bagels both our bagels were a little burnt. I probably would try something else for breakfast next time I'm in town.
(3)Jessica S.
Though I'm a little bit confused as to why we got a legit Montreal style bagel place in Center City before a "traditional" or New York style bagel place, I can't entirely complain. I do love the bagels here! This was actually a first for me: never had a Montreal style bagel before. Being from North Jersey with a plethora of amazing New York style bagel place to choose from, I was certainly enthralled by the idea of a different style of bagel, and was really happy with the product. A little sweet, a little more bready, less "crisp" on the outside, this version of the Montreal bagel is really delicious. I prefer to get it with one of their spreads, just warm out of the oven, no toasting necessary. Their sandwiches are good, but they consistently just fall apart when I am trying to eat them, so I tend to opt for the simpler option. As noted, they are a little pricey for a bagel shop, but if you stick to the plain bagel and cream cheese option, you won't go too far into your pockets. +1 for friendly service, bottomless la colombe, and a cute atmosphere. Can be quite a bit of a wait on a busy weekend morning, but generally not too bad.
(4)Melissa P.
Having lived in Montreal almost half my life, Montreal Style Bagels are definitely something that I missed when I moved to Philly, so I was super excited when I found out Spread was opening. They're not exactly like the Montreal Bagels I miss, but they're pretty close, so I'll take it! Also this place is just really cute and has great breakfast sandwiches and spreads! A bit pricey, but worth it.
(4)George R.
Good service and very nice choice of bagels. Friendly people. A bit on the expensive side, but so much that I wouldn't go again.
(4)Fei P.
Yumminess!!! The sandwiches are made to order, fresh ingredients. Only thing is that the sandwich itself is way to big to fit in my mouth and falls apart when biting into it. But sometimes the messiness adds to the flavor I guess. Definitely recommended :-)
(4)Katie R.
YUM! You have to start with commenting on the bagels - they are absolutely delicious. However they cook them, it's fantastic. Love Love Love the bagels. I also love the variety of toppings/spreads/sandwich combinations you can get to go with the bagels. I'm your basic egg-on-a-bagel kind of girls, but they have all the standards (salmon, etc) as well as some interesting combinations. I hadn't been before the bottomless coffee bar, water pitchers, etc, but I am certainly appreciative. My friend and I had a morning meeting there and sat at our table for an hour, and it was nice to be able to refill when we needed without any hassle. What I don't love: waiting 20 minutes in line to order. I can't really complain about this as it just shows the place's popularity, but it's probably a good idea to go with someone so they can hold a table for you while you wait in line to order. Can't rate it 5 stars because it's definitely too expensive for a bagel shop (my bagel/egg/bacon sandwich was a solid $10), but this is definitely a place I would return to for breakfast.
(4)Rennie J.
Delicious bagels, light and fresh tasting cream cheese. $15 for a 1/2 dozen bagels and spread is a little expensive, but for me, not prohibitively so. I experienced none of the indifference that other reviewers mention. I will definitely return. A delicious alternative to South Street Bagels.
(5)Jon C.
The bagels are good -- they have crunch and also chew and a sweetness from the honey -- too much sweetness for me, and also too much sweet aftertaste, but your mileage may vary. On the downside, they seemed shocked and baffled by the idea that I would walk in and get a bagel. The relentless (bordering on brusque and rude) upselling is hard to take from a bagel store, and $2 is a lot to pay for a bagel. Larger issue is that they need to figure out if they want to brand/define themselves as a neighborhood bagel place or a neighborhood restaurant/hangout/coffee shop/brunch place. Why is there a woman outside handing out "menus" when they're basically a bagel store?? The branding and identity are confusing.
(3)Brianne J.
Eh, I'm torn. Not really what I want in a bagel (who doesn't want crispy outside, chewy inside goodness??) - this place is baked so it's closer to a pretzel than a good, boiled bagel, but the flavors were good. I got the whole wheat everything, which is always an exciting find for me since not enough places have more than just the plain whole wheat bagels. Little pricey. Maybe I'll go back (it's pretty convenient for me) but HELL NO will I wait in a line for this place.
(3)C.J. C.
I came here on their grand opening, and it was a huge disappointment. First of all the lady with the short brown hair working the counter was incredibly rude and unfriendly. Secondly, the wait for a bagel with ubberly overpriced cream cheese ($5) was close to 20min! Must I add that the same worker gave us a hard time when we asked to have the bagel toasted, and questioned our request, insisting that they would be "fresh from the oven." FYI, having a fresh bagel come out of the oven and having it sliced and toasted are not the same thing. If you're charging $5 a bagel, the least you could do is toast it without giving your customers attitude. And btw, the bagel was completely cold by the time we got it. So unless you have plenty of time, enjoy getting ripped off, and like your morning coffee with a dose of attitude, then I highly suggest you stay clear of this place. The only thing it has going for them is their decor. It was unclear whether they have free wifi, as the ladies at the counter were arguing about whether customers could use it or not.
(1)Marie J.
I completely agree with the other reviewers on cost. I spent $10 on a breakfast bagel sandwich and coffee. However, the bagels are very tasty and based on how quickly I got my food, the staff appear to be very efficient ( and very friendly). Bottom line, it's definitely got quality, but it's not a place that I can frequent very often.
(3)Alyssa M.
For months I've been watching this storefront develop and this morning I finally stopped in. It was surprisingly crowded for a very rainy Sunday. I have to echo what other reviewers have said -- it's over-priced and the service was slow, unfriendly, and poorly-trained. After waiting in line several minutes I placed my order (bagel & cream cheese plus coffee). This modest order cost $6.50!!! The woman took my order but didn't give any further comments or instruction -- I had to ask about the coffee and assume, based on the group of people lingering by the door, that my order would be up in a few minutes. I got the self-serve coffee (tasty Corsica from La Colombe), grabbed a copy of the Sunday paper, and sat down at the small table in the back. Several minutes later one of their waitstaff brought out my bagel. The food was tasty and the coffee was good, but I can't get over the service or the price. Perhaps the price reflects the huge number of staff on their payroll -- there were 5 or 6 people working in the small area behind the counter this morning. And this might contribute to the poor service as well as too many people are working in a cramped space and (based on my observation while waiting in line) they don't seem to have a good work flow. I think the bagelry is a great idea, but Spread has a few things to work out if the business is going to succeed.
(2)Esther G.
Seriously, I have no problem waiting for these incredible bagels and food...and I'm not alone! This isnt fast food, it's made to order and delicious!...what a cool place...
(4)Moe W.
I was walking past the new bagelry yesterday. I normally get my bagels in the burbs at a FANTASTIC New York style bagel store. I thought I'd give this new local place a chance. Walked in and ordered 1/2 dozen bagels to go. I was SHOCKED by the price!!!! $10 for 6 bagels?!?!?!? Are they nuts??? I bought them because I was embarrassed (now I ask myself why I was embarrassed). They are very good - but come, on..... I get a DOZEN for less than $10 elsewhere (and that's considered expensive). Unless the price decreases, I won't be back.
(3)Jake A.
This is a cute place with great bagels nice staff and a very comfortable environment.
(4)Shawn K.
The owners of Spread really missed an golden opportunity here. There's no question a serious need for a decent bagel place in Rittenhouse existed, but not for "Montreal-style" ones. They're super thin, so there's not much bagel to the bagel, and any type of distinctive taste is sorely lacking. The space itself is entirely too small for the crowds they attract-I've seen lines out the door on weekends-and their system of placing an order & then having you wait in a random spot while it's being prepared is totally haphazard. If you're lucky enough to get the attention of whoever's working behind the counter, you give that person your order and name, and then just...wait. Wherever. Since the physical space itself is so tiny, if there are more than two or three people also waiting for their orders, the wait can include a certain degree of awkwardness (akin to riding in a packed elevator), and I've attempted to make small talk with my fellow wait-ee(?)'s, usually to no avail. And forget it if you're in a rush--the place is always busy. There's nowhere to sit while waiting, as the few available tables are occupied, and the staff preparing your order are clearly in no hurry. Prices are high, even for Rittenhouse, for what, as described above, is basically a thin bagel with little substance (and/or sustenance). Customer service is hit-or-miss; again, the overall lack of organization in the ordering process is bound to cause confusion, and it does. More space and focus would do wonders in improving what has the potential to be a much better "bagelry".
(2)Mona M.
Service is vastly improved since this place opened. The bagels are delish -- dense and a little sweet. I would give Spread five stars except that I find the prices a bit steep. I keep going back nonetheless!
(4)Mark W.
Montreal style? Baked in a small wood oven after boiling the dough, true, but missing that wonderful chewiness of a hot Fairmount bagel. Still, better than the stale NY style bagel so common around here. Crowded, kinda pricey, but nice staff and more convenient than the 8 hour drive to la belle province. Good cappuccino.
(3)Billy Y.
I'm really suprised this place isn't reviewed better. First, this is by far the best bagel place I have been to in Philadelphia, and I spent four years there for school. New Yorkers alwasy claim to have the best bagels, but this place gives NY a run for it's money. The service was quick and the setting was fitting for the food they had. I would recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Thomas G.
After what seemed like the longest opening in history (I must have celebrated two birthdays while "coming soon" signs were up ), I predict a fairly quick closing (less than one more birthday for this consumer). The whole notion of wood-fired ovens for bagels is a gimmick that does not produce a better-tasting bagel, just a slightly charred one. Their bagels tend to be smashed and, frankly, on the smallish side. My whole wheat bagel was too sweet as well. All of this might be pardoned since tastes do vary, but the price of one of these puny numbers is $2 per. I was stunned that a plain, untoasted bagel could be so expensive these days, especially with plenty of competition in the area from Maxx's, Metropolitan, Manhattan, Le Bus and literally dozens of cafes and convenience stores selling as good if not better product a lower prices. One visit did it for me and I would imagine the lack of repeat visits by other customers will be their death knell. Overpriced and underwhelming. Follow-up. Don't buy a lottery ticket on my say-so. This place has them lined up out the door on weekends which only goes to show I don't know much about what people want but I do know they are willing to overpay for it!!!!!!
(1)David S.
great service good bagels
(4)Anne D.
Probably the best bagel I've had in Philly, and I've had a lot of bagels. Not a huge menu- but personally, I'd rather have someone make a few things well than a lot of things poorly. The atmosphere is great but it does get pretty crowded on weekends. The staff was friendly. Great shop!
(5)Diana S.
very expensive and the bagels are not even that good.
(2)Ferd B.
This is missing that distinctive outer crust of a good New York bagel (guess life's softer in Montreal!), and overall it struck me as undistinguished except for the hype surrounding it. But my real problem with it is price: $3.24 for a bagel and butter? Seriously? Let's keep things in perspective: It's a small chunk of bread and 2 1/2 tbsp of grease. Not worth it at half the price, so taking a pass in future.
(2)Maya L.
okay, i'll admit it. this place is expensive. but DELICIOUS! i love their sesame bagel with garlic veggie spread, you can tell the spread is made with fresh veggies, and is sooo good. the service is also top-notch, really nice. beware: the line might go out of the window in the morning, but as said before, it's totally worth it :D you should definitely stop by when you're in the area.
(4)Amanda G.
I absolutely agree with most of these reviews. I very much anticipated the opening of Spread because I love a good, quick, cheap breakfast and bagels usually fill that need. Not spread, it may be good but it's not cheap and it sure isn't quick. The bagels are pretty good. I like that they taste different then most bagels you find and being a bit smaller isn't that big of a deal to me. The price however is. I had that same confusion when I ordered a bagel with olive oil and garlic cream cheese from a local farm. I thought it would be $3, but it was $2 for the bagel + $3 for the spread. Then I ordered orange juice which was another $3 and watched them take a gallon of Tropicana and pour it into a cup. It made me wonder about how their cream cheese. Is it really even from a local farm? At least try to fool me and have cups prepared before you open. There were maybe 4 tickets in front of mine and it took somewhere around 10 minutes to receive mine. And its true, they aren't friendly. I'm really hoping that they lower their prices, speed up and learn how to smile and treat their customers like guests because if not their going to close real quick.
(2)a r.
Everything that I've had has been delicious. I would rather wait longer and pay more for good food. That's my personal opinion. That being said today I waited half an hour for my delicious bagel sandwich in a painfully slow line with unhurried staff slowly churning out baskets of tasty combinations only to find the bacon that I asked to have cooked well done turn out floppy. I also discovered a large chunk of fatty turkey that had no business being on my sandwich. Once picked off the sandwich was delightful and bagel toasty, soft, and chewy. Ingredients are fresh, tasty, and of good quality. However, at $10 I don't want to have to be modifying my sandwich myself especially when it wasn't even made in a rush. Never the less I will probably be back for breakfast tomorrow on my way to class, but I am a bagel addict. Unless you share these feelings this place probably isn't for you. As a coffee lover as well I also appreciate the fresh brewed la colombe!
(3)Robert S.
I want to start off by saying yes, Spread is not cheap. I came here today for breakfast with three other people. We each ordered a bagel with either eggs and cheese or lox and cream cheese, as well as 4 coffees. $42 later, we were stuffed. Now, on to the review. I've been to Montreal more times than I can count on my fingers, and I must say that this is the best bagel I've had - excluding Montreal's (If you are ever in Montreal you MUST try a St. Viateur Bagel). The bagels, if toasted, are crispy on the outside and airy and soft on the inside. My go-to bagel is an everything with cream cheese or an everything breakfast sandwich. PS: Make sure you call ahead if you plan on ordering 8 or more bagels to-go.
(5)Kevin P.
I was excited to see another bagel place open up in Philly, but I was really disappointed in the experience. The staff member that opens in the morning is not pleasant. I don't want a bunch of small talk, just smile and look like you want to be there. At least say "good morning" when a customer arrives. It blows my mind that an owner would have someone that rude running a relatively new establishment. My GF and each got a bagel sandwich and a coffee. We were the only ones in there and they got our orders wrong. We got our order to go, so by the time we found out the order was wrong, we were already halfway to work. I'm sure the bagels are true to the Montreal style, but I'm not a fan. They're too sweet for me and I like my bagels more crunchy on the outside. Can someone please open a NY style bagel place in Philly and do it right? Kermit's on Washington makes a damn good bagel, but they're only available on weekends. Knead is pretty good as well, but I'm not into all the new flavor combinations.
(1)Helen L.
Coming from NYC, it's been pretty rough trying to find a bagel shop we like. These Montreal style bagels were not to my liking. They looked really good, but then you bite into it and it has this sweetness I didn't expect because I didn't know the style. Okay fine that is my palette, but this is not the reason why we gave it a 2. The service is horrible and the prices are pretty high for a breakfast sandwich. We even gave it a second shot and it sucked. The second and last time we got to the shop about 5 mins before they were going to open, so we hung outside by the tables. When 7 am rolled around, the girl just stared at me, unlocked the door and walked away. I looked at my BF and just assumed ok I guess we can go in. I'm sorry, but when you see people at your door and you are opening, open the door and say good morning. Be welcoming. It's called customer service. We walk in and order our food. Some one was new and was being coached, which was fine, but she was the only nice person in there. We got our over priced food ($25 for 2 sandwiches and coffee!) walked out, got into the car, drove off to work. We looked at our food to figure out who had what, to come to find out our food order was wrong! Seriously, we were the only people in there and I knew for a fact the girl writing my order down wrote it correctly, the short order cook didn't care to bother to read what she wrote. We rather go to Kermit's on Washington Ave. I didn't expect much, but really good. Sadly they only have bagels on the weekend.
(2)Andrea J.
This was exactly what I was in the mood for after a night of celebrating my cousins wedding! I kinda made my own creation, which they were happy to do. Egg whites, turkey bacon, spinach, and cream cheese on a whole wheat everything bagel. I've never seen a wholewheat everything bagel but it was good!! I love the open fire where you can see them baking the bagels. The place is small and cute. I would return definitely return. My only complaint is it's a little pricey ($20 after tip for 2 bagel sandwiches and a lemonade) but when you have made to order with fresh ingredients and in a city, you are going to pay a premium.
(4)Trina T.
Line was waaaay out the door but got in and out within 20 minutes. Bagels are super fresh.
(4)J O.
Scrambled frittata w/ Amish jam on wholewheat everything - AMAZING Already contemplating coming back for lunch
(5)Juliana K.
I enjoyed Spread Bagelry, but it didn't wow me. I had a bagel sandwich with egg and brisket. It didn't wow me. Also, the brisket was all on one side and not spread evenly throughout. It was like $9 which is a lil on the pricier side so I expected more brisket and more in general. The bagel alone was very good.
(3)MA S.
We use to live down the street and when we didn't want to make breakfast this is where we went. Now we make it a point to stop in when we are in town.
(5)Mike K.
50 dollar bagel; I went to Spread at 11am in order to miss the morning rush. I parked up the street from Spread to check it out for the first time and put in money for 45 minutes (thinking this would be plenty of time to get a bagel). Standing in line took about 15 minutes - fair enough. I ordered a bagel with lox cream cheese and a coffee. There was no where to stand to wait for your order. I had steaming hot coffee spilled down my arm by another guest while waiting because the place is too packed. Fair enough, accidents happen. It ended up taking exactly 32 minutes for Spread to give me a bagel with cream cheese. I got back to my car to find a 42 dollar ticket. So the 8 dollar bagel+coffee and my 42 dollar ticket...50 dollar bagel. The experience alone was so horrible I'd give it a 1/5, but really these bagels and spreads are also overrated (see picture). Get it together.
(1)Grace H.
I went back to spread today for breakfast and was a little disappointed. I ordered an iced coffee and the egg white sandwich (again), but 1) there were no egg whites and 2) they only had sesame, everything, and plain bagels. It was still a decent meal, but if you advertise something on your menu, you should have those ingredients available!
(3)Taylor C.
Best bagels I have ever had! So doughy and soft.. Definitely going to come back sometime soon
(5)Hhh G.
Not sure how this place has only 3 stars. I got a plain bagel with Amish cream cheese AND Amish jam. UNREAL!!! One of the most delicious things I've ever tasted.
(5)Ian B.
These Bagels are the best I've had in Philly. Wood oven baked, fresh, soft, and tasty! I went with the everything bagel, toasted with cream cheese. It was so good that my brains fell out.
(5)Stephanie S.
I'm surprised Spread has a low 3 stars. I guess only because the prices are so expensive. But seriously some of the best bagels I've ever eaten. Not sure if it's a special recipe in the dough, or that they wood-fire the bagels which is pretty unique, but holy hell the bagels are delicious. My salmon scramble (nova lox, cream cheese, egg, salmon, tomatoes, onion) was so tasty both times I've ordered it. A little light on the salmon second time around, but plenty of cream cheese. I've tried a few other of their sandwiches, one had a delicious jam spread on it with egg and Canadian bacon. Very unique and good! Love this place, but $8-9 for a bagel sandwich is definitely hefty, and avoid on weekends after 11am cause the line is out the door down the sidewalk. Damn good bagels though!
(4)Casey B.
Whole wheat everything?! The bagel gods have answered my prayers. My go-to is the frittata scramble sammy on a whole wheat everything bagel. Eggs, chedda, bacon, tomato and amish jam~ salty and sweet for the win. I always order a side of plain cream cheese and reserve half of the bagel for dipping purposes. Best of both worlds. This sandwich is amazeballs BUT the bacon is never as satisfyingly crispy as I hope, even when I've requested this specifically. Oh well, still delish. They also do these fun half-bagel melts for a couple bucks. I've had the french toast melt and the gruyere/tomato melt. All da yumz. These are by no means the cheapest bagels to be found in the city, but they are damn good. Lil babe of a place so it does get kinda crazy crowded. For this reason, I prefer to call ahead and take my sammy to go.
(4)Colleen M.
Being from NJ, it's been so hard to find an acceptable bagel place in Philadelphia. I don't know what it is but the bagels in this city stink! Spread, however, is the exception to this rule! The bagels here are just so yummy. I'm a huge fan of the toasted everything bagel with cream cheese and a fresh squeezed juice. To avoid the outrageous line wrapped outside on the weekends, try calling ahead to pick up an order to go! Or... Go in around 2 PM :) My only gripe is that a bagel is like $5. Really? Meh.
(4)Sabrina H.
We've done take-out breakfast sandwiches several times from Spread and each time we haven't been disappointed. The flavor of these bagels is just perfect. Crunchy on the outside and light and airy on the inside. The bacon is always crisp on the bacon, egg, and cheese (I hate floppy bacon) and this is a major plus (imho)! Bagels with butter are also amazing and everything ever tried has been super yummy. The place is a bit small and the line can get bananas with pretty extreme wait times which was the only thing that detracted from the experience. Each time, we've waited a LONG time for our orders (the sandwiches of course) and this can be slightly problematic with the parking situation/space of the place because there can be literally no place to wait. Nonetheless, the bagels themselves are just delicious and worth the wait!
(4)Billy S.
Spread has some big positives, and a few really frustrating negatives. The main positive is that the bagels are great. They are a little sweeter than most other bagels, but I don't find this to be a negative, and I had never had Montreal style before but I think it's awesome. The other main positive is that the cream cheeses are amazing. Even the plain is noticeably better than most cream cheeses. The sandwiches are pretty good too but not quite as special. The downsides to spread are that they're always out of everything and it's expensive. I've probably been 6 or 7 times now and I'm not even consistent on when I go. I've been weekday mornings, weekend mornings, and weekends in the middle of the day. Regardless of the time they seem to be out of at least half of the bagels on the menu and at least one and sometimes all of the fruit cream cheeses. This is pretty inexcusable in my book and I considered 3 stars but ultimately the bagels are so good that I went with 4 stars. As for the price, I got 4 bagels with cream cheese the other day and it was just over $20. I think 3 had special cream cheeses, but that's still pretty rough. Good bagels in NYC can be found for half of that. Same for my favorite place in DC. With a little more effort Spread would be really great! Also note the line can be pretty long on weekends starting around 9:30 or 10am.
(4)Heather S.
I love pretty much any carb I meet, but I am very particular about my bagels. First time I've tried Montreal style, and I am definitely a fan! This is a cozy little spot in the Rittenhouse Square area. We were in town for a weekend, and went here for breakfast both days. We were fortunate enough to visit when it wasn't super crowded but I could see how it could fill up quickly! I had the sesame seed bagel with cream cheese both days because that's my staple. My husband got the standard on the second day, and he was definitely happy with it. Bacon and eggs made fresh right behind the counter while bagels are being baked in the brick oven. They nada small selection of juices/beverages and $2 for endless coffee which was decent (not great but good enough). Like I said, we didn't even look around for another spot to try breakfast, so I would definitely recommend this spot and we will certainly go back!
(5)Tu-van L.
Montreal-style bagels? I am now a convert! Just as chewy as its New York cousin but the crust is more crunchy (think Pizza Hut crust crunchy not baguette crunchy). There's something about that crunch yet easier to tear open with your teeth quality that makes it excellent. Love it! The everything bagel I had was so freshly toasted that the bagel and garlic topping got charred. Not too into char but it did add a flavor characteristic I love. Still makes for a good bagel and schmear breakkie.
(5)Sarah K.
This place is good but not the best bagel in the world or even philly ( that goes to chestnut / south street bagels) but they do make a good sandwich. The pastrami is the reason to come. It's made in house and soo flavorful with the eggs they make fresh! Skip the food carts and spend a few bucks and make this your next hungover breakfast sandwich. For that, it's unbeatable.
(4)Kaeti F.
This place is NOT VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY. I ordered an egg sandwich on a rye bagel. The kitchen is open, so I was able to see exactly how he made it. They do not separate their meat and eggs on the grill, nor do they use separate utensils when flipping, moving or cutting the food that is being prepared. The result? My sandwich was covered in bacon grease. I was so grossed out that I left without picking up my 10 dollar sandwich and went to Kermits instead. I'm sure this place is great for meat-eaters, but if you're a vegetarian, just stick with the coffee.
(1)Ilana Y.
best bagels ever but I have never experienced terrible service like this before. Service is always slow even when it is not busy. 4/10 times that I've been to this bagel place they've gotten my order wrong, missed something that was supposed to be on the bagel, and not apologized. This last time I went, they ran out of turkey so decided to put chicken on my bagel instead without telling me. When I got home, I realized I had chicken instead of turkey. I called them to tell them and the lady said "we ran out of turkey but the chicken is really similar to the turkey."
(1)Lindsay W.
If heaven was a bagel... All I wanted was a simple everything bagel with cream cheese. Shortly after, I'm walking on cloud nine with this fresh, just out of the wood fire oven, fluffy cream cheese squished rings, bagel delight. When it's time to try something a little different, keep it simple and float into happiness.
(5)Elaine M.
I have walked by Spead a number of times in recent months and been drawn to the deliciously warm smell of fresh bagel sandwiches. I have been so jealous of all of the people dining al fresco. While walking to the Philly Marathon finish line the other week, we were in search of a quick stop to eat and I remembered how wonderful Spread smelled so I threw the suggestion out to my crew, and they were right on board. There was a quick moving, but consistently lengthy line out to the front stoop. Every table was taken, and there was a crowd waiting for their take-out orders up front. We decided take-out was the best option so we could get moving to our final destination. I ordered the Frittata Scramble on a whole-wheat everything bagel. I was drawn to this selection because of the Amish Jam mixed with hearty breakfast classics. And boy am I glad I made that choice! My sandwich was everything mixed into one. The warm and savory bacon, cheese and eggs, topped with the sweet jam was a fabulous treat! This is the first time I can remember having a'Montreal Style Wood Oven Bagel', which I found to be a little bit lighter than a standard bagel. This was a good thing, because some NY style bagels can be too heavy and leave me feeling bloated by the time I am finished. My bagel from Spread was the perfect portion size! Spread is definitely a REPEAT. Next time I hope to snag a table in the back so I can relax while enjoying my delicious sandwich!
(4)Sam R.
I came here over the weekend and was totally excited to check out Spread Bagelry. I was expecting a really great bagel and coffee. What I received however, was a lackluster bagel and I honestly could have done better at a Dunkin Donut's. I came in the afternoon on Sunday and most of the bagels were gone and my order took quite a while to come out. There were a few bugs flying around and the place def looked like it needed to be cleaned and wiped down. I left feeling disappointed, I really expected so much more...
(2)Erika B.
The bagels are okay but the service needs improvement. As other yelpers have noted, the wait for bagels and sandwiches is exceptionally long. They could easily do what many take out places do and use iPads to take orders when the line piles up. I like the fresh baked brick oven bagel concept and there are so few bagel places in the city but this one is not worth the wait.
(2)JW A.
I ordered a half dozen whole wheat to go about a month ago. Came home and toasted one of wheat bagel and about after 3 bites, chewed on something strange... Spit it out and it was a cardboard piece! Really?? I called them as this was alarming and informed them what happened. The woman/ lady who answered said first, that they never had this happened and later told me they will give me a free bagle if I come and inform them about it when I come back next time. No thanks! No more cardboard bagel! I ate a lot of bagels in my life but this was first.
(1)Steph S.
These are probably the closest bagels you will find to real Montreal bagels in the area. But could probably be sold for $1 instead of $2!
(3)L R.
With their great bagels and sandwiches, I want to really like Spread. But their customer service is awful. I've been to Spread about 5 times now and every time, I've gotten lots of attitude from whoever is behind the counter. Example: Me: "how's your special?" (The one posted on the "SPECIAL" sign as soon as you walk in.) Girl: "uh we have lots of specials." Then I said in the same order I wanted coffee. This was discussed with the other peach of a twenty-something counter girl. Original said, "you didn't say you wanted coffee." Anonymous man behind me in line: "She said she wanted coffee." And this has gone on, and on, and on. And, scene.
(2)Victoria R.
$10 for a bagel and orange juice?! Pros: -the inside is super cool in that there are staff members hustling to get the bagels freshly made in this huge clay oven (?) -everything there seems to be made fresh and exclusively to this place like the spreads as well. -they are generous about how much spread they put (I end up scraping a lot off so I could have some bagel with my spread) Cons: -this place is always PACKED so to expect to wait in line -there is seating in the back but the flies were a pest -the prices for a bagel just seemed a little too much even if they were made in front of me.
(3)Melissa S.
I normally only post reviews when I have awesome things to say about a place. Not so much this time.... I wanted to like this place more due to it's concept. Philly needs a good bagel place. But Spread disappoints. After reading about long lines and painful wait times on weekends, I decided to give it a try during the week. Even at 1:30pm on a Tuesday the other patrons and I had to wait way too long for our food. I just don't get the hype!
(2)Dima M.
Spread is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Philadelphia. That's saying a lot as Philly has many great breakfast spots. I usually go for the egg white sandwich or a toasted everything bagel with smoked salmon spread. Recently I mixed it up and went with the frittata scramble sandwich, and it was amazing - scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, and... wait for it... amish jam! Quite possibly the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had. The bagels are hearty and flavorful. They're always fresh (which is why they run out sometimes). In the summer you can sit outside and there's a band on the weekends.
(5)John H.
Every weekend there is a long line coming out of this place....and I always wonder, are the bagels and fixins' really THAT good???? So having a day off from work allowed me to check out this bagel joint to see what all the noise is about without that dreaded line.....which is a major pet peeve for me! So how are these wood oven baked bagels??....pretty damn delicious!! I ordered an everything bagel with a schmeer of lox cream cheese spread....very very tasty! The bagels have a bit of that smoked flavor from the wood fired oven and the lox spread is plentiful with the chunks of fish! No pink food coloring here....just the real deal! This place is tiny hence the weekend lines, but bar none the best bagel in the city! Personally, I'd never wait in line for a bagel, but if I was that hard pressed...I'd go here! The total was $5.65 for my order...definitely a little pricey, but for a high quality lox and bagel experience....completely worth it!
(4)Danielle L.
You will not find bagels this fresh and tasty anywhere in the city, trust me I've tried. The wood fire oven cooking gives the bagels a great texture and naturally the bagels aren't super doughy so the outcome is one hell of a bagel. Breakfast sandwiches come with thick bacon- not the cheap stuff you get from the likes of a Manhattan bagel or chain place. Only down side is you have to get here early, like 8:30 or before or else you can expect to wait in line and for a little while for your bagel to be made.
(4)Jaz S.
So I went to spread for the first time today, and mind you I have already been to knead bagel, so my expectations were high. I expected spread to at least match the quality and taste of knead. Unfortunately the bagel I got (egg white bagel sandwich) was just off. The eggs not properly seasoned because it tasted incredibly bland and there was an odd fishy taste to the bagel which is odd since there was no seafood on it. I am not one to toss away food (especially a bagel I just spent 9 dollars on) but I really did not want to finish it and ended up tossing more than half because I found it to overall terrible. The reason this review is a three star over a two is because the coffee was good and the people are nice. Bottom line, if you want an excellent bagel sandwich, walk 12 blocks east to knead bagel
(3)Rachel S.
What I Love about Spread: 1. Banjo music on summer weekends 2. Tasty bagels, just with cream cheese or as sammys 3. Can order takeout and picnic in Rittenhouse Park 4. Unique woodfire bagels 5. Adorable atmosphere with friendly staff What I Don't Love about Spread: 1. The line can get insane! 2. A little pricey for a sandwich/drink 3. Really small space for eat-in groups Bonus: My friend from Cincinnati has to visit this spot every time she comes through Philly. It's on her must-eat list.
(4)Jillian H.
FARMED SALMON. So sad. We love Spread! It goes without saying that the bagels are the best! But. Get with the times, Spread!
(3)Jeff H.
Do you like Montreal style bagels more than New York style bagels? I def do and if you do as well, you're in luck in Philadelphia because of Spread Bagelry. This very attractive café is justifiably building up a following for its Montreal bagels. Montreal bagels are smaller, sweeter, and def less doughy than New York bagels. They are always baked in a wood burning oven. Of course there are other items offered up here for those wanting breakfast, lunch, or brunch. But the reason that Spread Bagelry is a destination beyond its immediate neighborhood is because of their tasty Montreal bagels. Try them!
(4)Jacqueline O.
These are Canadian style bagels. Meaning they are cooked in a brick oven. They have a chargrilled taste to them that some people love but truly I'm more traditional. People that do love this style love the sandwiches. Especially the spinach and egg white.
(3)J S.
I'm so glad I ignored the star rating on this place. I was in philly for 24hours and knew I had to have a bagel somehow. I ran over to Spread before catching a cab and was rewarded with a delicious freshly baked bagel and high quality lox. So worth it .
(5)Paul K.
Yea, I hate to wait in line too but this place serves an authentic wood-oven Montreal style bagel and that is something special.
(5)Kristen M.
I love bagels just as much as the next gal and with Spread being approximately 147 steps from my front door, I was excited that I'd be able to frequent it with little effort. The line is almost always out the door on a Saturday and Sunday morning, enough for the owners to hire live music to keep crowd entertained. In my opinion the bagels are good- but not that good. They are smaller than the usual bagels you might find at the chain places and they are more expensive. I get that the wood-fired oven takes more time and they are special, but they are just ok. My go-to is the everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, dining buddy usually gets the lox. Whenever we stop by it's for convenience rather than taste.
(3)Fabio A.
Lines for ordering and picking up our confusing. Young and inpatient attendants make it an unpleasant experience.
(1)Adam L.
I have been coming here for a while now and absolutely love this place. They make Montreal style bagels all by hand and in a wood fire oven right there behind the register. I always like places that let you watch the people cook. Everything is really fresh obviously since they bake right there. The bagels really are top notch here and I am not sure you can get better in the city. Just be prepared to pay for them because Spread is a bit pricy. I have ordered most of the menu and my favorite is breakfast sandwich with the Amish jam. It's the absolute best. Spread itself is a small place a block west of Rittenhouse. When I say small it really only sits about 20 people and there isn't a lot of standing room either. It is a very nice little shop. Whatever they are doing right over there, keep doing it. I've been there plenty of time and will keep going back.
(4)Sam W.
So good! Only negative is that their salmon is really a cream cheese/salmon spread and not sliced fish.
(5)Dave M.
Not sure why this place is so popular. Yes, it's a cool concept, I'll give them that. But other than that- it's all wrong. The bagels taste horrible. The amount of time it takes to order is unreal, it took over 30 minutes for me to order. There were only about 7 people ahead of me. Lastly, the prices are just out of control. Extremely overpriced for a bagel. I want to reiterate that their bagels don't even taste good.
(1)Cat H.
We went here early on a Sat morning and enjoyed tasty bagel, egg and cheese sandwiches and turkey bacon with fresh squeezed orange juice while sitting at a shaded little table out front and enjoying the slightly cool breeze before the early August day heats up. I'm glad we picked this vibrant little place for breakfast and would recommend it, especially if you can beat the crowds. The bagels are a little different than your average bagels - Montreal wood oven style? interesting - and they make a great egg sandwich.
(4)David R.
Really cool place with fresh bagels made in a clay oven. Service is very slow- took them 20 minutes to make 2 bagels. Food was good but very expensive! Nothing to write home about.
(2)M N.
Uh. The first time I got a bagel here, it was SO difficult to get a bite. I thought that I bad luck and was given a stale bagel. I gave the place a second change but again it was stale. I guess that's what a Montreal bagel tastes like?? I'm from NYC so I guess my bagel standards are high but still...stale is stale.
(1)Paige O.
AWESOME, amazing bagels! Great breakfast sandwiches as well, and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and very laid back.
(5)Bernie Z.
Some of the best bagels around Rittenhouse, but UNBELIEVABLY slow. My first time here was two weeks ago on a Tuesday morning; I ordered a bacon egg and cheese on an everything - and even though there was no line - it still took like 10-15 to prepare. This morning (Sunday) we stopped by for the same, and had to wait 45 minutes from time of ordering for a breakfast sandwich (after waiting in line for 20 minutes). In the course of waiting, more than a dozen who came in after us got their orders. It makes no sense that a bagel place can't handle a Sunday brunch rush. The servers were friendly and the food good, but they are woefully disorganized from a production standpoint. And expensive on top of that! ($17 for two iced coffees and egg sandwiches - that's more than Manhattan!) I won't be back for awhile, but next time I am I sincerely hope they've improved their service and production.
(1)Samuel L.
Good bagel but very expensive. It was a good treat but I can't afford it on a daily basis.
(4)Tom M.
Know that Spread is expensive going in. Also know that the quality justifies the cost. If you order a bagel with a spread, you are going to pay a healthy price. So don't do that. Just order the bagels ($2 each, $18 for a dozen which at this level of quality I contend is worth it) take them home and apply Earth Balance or vegan cream cheese yourself. The reason I am so high on Spread is the quality. They boil the bagels (the only correct way to do it) and then they bake them in a wood fired brick oven. Our wonderful community manager Michelle C remarked that it smells like a campfire in Spread. I did not quite get the camp fire scent but the quality is in the product. I have had the onion and the whole wheat thus far. I love the bagels' irregular shape. And know that when I walk in the door with an onion bagel it takes seconds for my wife to insist we toast that bad boy and devour it. As I buy just bagels the cost is not a huge issue for me. A bigger issue for me is the lack of flavor varieties. Their bagel line-up is pretty simple. Then again, by doing so few flavors they focus on quality and that is borne out by the taste.
(4)Jaclyn K.
Can I give this place zero stars? I just returned with my nova special bagel ordered specifically without egg with egg on it. I watched the young lady at the counter write down my order without egg on the slip. I also ordered an iced coffee, total came to $10.80. As I was waiting, close to about 20/25 minutes, I observed numerous people after me, get their bagels, observed 3 gentlemen in the kitchen standing around doing nothing, and sipped on my extremely watered down iced coffee. Normally, I get that a place like this is busy on a Saturday brunch time. However, when I notice orders just being slopped up on the line in no particular order, I get upset. I know how a kitchen runs, I know in what order orders get taken. Twenty minutes for a bagel is insane. Fast forward to me now, my bagel with egg on it, no nova salmon spread, 3 measly slices of onion and a horrible looking tomato, I have a $8 bagel I can't eat. Thanks Spread, I'll never be back, and I'm starving.
(1)Larissa G.
I can understand why this place does well, and I really appreciate its existence. It's super cute and so I was lured in for my second visit last weekend. The inside is bustling and smoky on the weekends, but the subway tiles and chalkboard menus are very charming. I tried to snag an empty seat while my boyfriend ordered, but was rudely told by a man working there that it was taken, when no one (nor coat, purse, etc) was in sight. I was put off a bit, but we found seating in the back. The fritatta bagel is pretty good. It has jam on it, with the egg and turkey bacon, which I thought would be better. I know this is Montreal-style, and I'm open to new flavors, but it was more "okay" than "wow". Also, I know the bagels are wood fired, but ours were about half black, and looked like ones that possibly should not have been served. The eggs were cooked amazing though, and I kept finding bits of yellow yolk reminders on my fingers throughout the day. The sidewalk area is cute, though it was too cold to sit for long. There were a couple people playing live music outside and children dancing, which was endearing. Inside, a woman had her small dog at the table and it kept barking loudly. Mind you, I absolutely love dogs, but I would never bring mine inside a bagel restaurant to sit at my table, especially if it was loud. I feel like someone should have said something, but oh well.
(3)Katie D.
Tried this for the first time during the day Monday. They are definitely not New York style bagels, it's important to know that going in. The homemade cream cheese was so delicious. Honestly I was considering getting some extra on the side to bring back to my apartment. The price point was high, but worth the treat. Both my friend and I felt as though the service was a tad slow. Everything was chaotic enough that they seemed to need an additional server.
(4)Lea T.
My favorite bagel spot in Philly! Although these Montreal style bagels are a little smaller and sweeter than NY style bagels I enjoy them just the same. The owner is very friendly and seems to keep an eye on the place very often. Prices are a tad higher than most places but here they offer gourmet toppings such as truffled mushrooms, turkey bacon, and egg whites. Be sure to go early or at off hours because this small spot gets very crowded very often. Excited to see they're also opening a bakery across the street!
(4)Andrew T.
In terms of bagels in Philly this is probably the closest thing your going to find to a decent bagel in Center City. And by closest I mean they aren't traditional bagels. they're more like high end bread in the shape of a ring. They're just baked sans boiling so no hard dreamy exterior to bite into. If your office does breakfast Fridays and you want to show everyone what's up I suggest coming here. The bagels are pulled straight from a wood fired oven and are soft and deliciously fresh. I was a bit shocked when I was told my egg and cheese sandwich would be roughly $7 when at no point living in manhattan did I ever pay more that $5 for such a sandwich. A note on their coffee it is La Colombe so that's a plus but they don't brew it as strong and rich as La Colombe so that's not a plus. Daily bagel ritual probably not; it's more of a treat yourself to a boutique bagel once it a while, sure why not.
(4)Kimberly Y.
I've had Spread twice now -- once catered but cold (not their fault, we just ordered early) for a breakfast event for an organization I'm part of, and again in store. Both times were great -- the bagels were so soft, fresh, and fluffy! Probably the best bagels I've ever had! but not that much more remarkable than Bruegger's or anything else. The time I went in, I didn't have an issue at all with the service, as they were quick and actually gave us more bagel than we had asked for! I also like that it's set up as a coffee shop so there's seating.
(5)Vladislav V.
Amazing place for breakfast or just having a coffee with any style of bagels. Love it!
(5)William B.
What, you might be asking, is a Montreal-style bagel? It is a bagel that is baked in a wood-fired oven after the standard boiling, and it is delicious! The lox sandwich has thick, fresh-tasting salmon and all of the other toppings are spot-on. It is expensive (~12 dollars) but worth it. The less-than-four-star reviews can only be explained by the proximity to Manhattan.
(4)Kathleen M.
The bagel was OK, not worth the price, but the coffee was not hot and the workers are rude and unfriendly! The cashier was texting and inattentive. At least say Good Morning!
(2)Veronica V.
I've been searching for a good bagel in Philly. This place is not it. I stopped in this morning to grab a breakfast sandwich on a bagel. When they directly me to the baskets holding about 5 different varieties, I was dismayed to see that they were all burnt. I was assured that they could give me a "lighter one", so I ordered the sandwich. The eggs were nicely cooked...fluffy and flavorful, and the bacon was nice and crispy. However, the "light" bagel was still burnt. When I bit into it, it even had that dark brown ring inside the black outside that you get when you keep something too long next to the flame. I can imagine that with a little finesse, this cooking method could make some really interesting bagels, but whoever is doing the cooking does not know how to do it, resulting in a sandwich that tastes like charcoal. Also, there were a couple of bites reminiscent of fish, which makes me think that the salmon must come into contact with the grill and that the grill doesn't get cleaned very well between orders. Plus, they DO NOT recycle!!!! I finished my orange juice before my order was done and asked where the recycle bin was. I was told there wasn't one and to just throw it in the trash can. Isn't recycling the law in Philly these days??
(1)Kliner M.
I've been here three times over the past year, always getting a bagel with some sort of cream cheese. I'm from New York and the bagels here rival most I've had there. Fresh, soft, and chewy. My only complaint about the quality is that it's not entirely consistent-- split two bagels during my last visit and one was slightly overbaked. Slightly pricey and fairly slow service (because of the number of customers) but well worth it.
(4)Vivian T.
As soon as you enter, you feel how warm it is from the brick oven used for the bagels and then you look up and you're overwhelmed w. the menu board... yikes. I love the old school and quint feel of Spread and the overall customer service was quick. The bagels are super yummy and I love the flour they have on the outside, brings a rustic taste to the bagel. I do think a wheat bagel w/ scallion cream cheese for $4 is expensive considering I can go to the supermkt and get 5 bagels for $3 bucks. But of course those supermkt bagels won't taste anywhere as fresh and yummy as Spread. Bonus they offer la calombe which is my ideal coffee. Dear Spread.... can you guys implement a reward program for every $50 spent here you get a free begal and coffee or something?.. Com' on lets reward the patrons of Spread. TIP - Buy 6 bagels for $10 ...bang for the buck. I am def coming back for this.
(4)Sara A.
Only come here if you have nowhere to be. The wait is at least 30 minutes for a bagel sandwich. The bagels are good, but not worth the wait. The sandwiches are overpriced and not particularly anything you couldn't do at home. My recommendation is to buy a bag of bagels to go, go to a deli and buy eggs and bacon, and make the sandwiches at home. You'll be done faster.
(2)Lilly S.
A must when in Philly. Coffee, onion, bagel, and all the wonderful smells of the shop!
(5)Allison K.
Cozy spot, good sandwich options, decent bagels, but nothing mind-blowing. Frankly, I prefer South Street Philly Bagels.
(3)Roopa S.
Tasty bagels and spreads, but kind of on the expensive side. Paid around $4 for an onion bagel with roasted vegetable spread-- enjoyed the meal thoroughly but wish the bagel was bigger and wish it was slightly cheaper. Definitely tasty though!
(3)Joel G.
Best bagels , best coffee, and the best atmosphere in Philly! Wish we had one here in LA.
(5)Brittany B.
Cute trendy bagel spot. It was really crowded when I walked in but everything smelled amazing. They were out of most of their bagels but I was already here so I decided to make the best of it. Bagel sandwiches were delicious! And definitely worth the walk! If you are picky about your bagel flavor I would recommend going early. I got the bagel and lox sandwich and it was very good!
(4)S L.
I think the people who work here are on sedatives. They couldn't move slower if they tried. Bagels are still good, but it's painful to wait 10 minutes for a bagel with some cream cheese.
(2)Joanna L.
Montreal bagels, eh? Wasn't initially sure what the difference was, but now I understand. The bagels made at Spread are a thinner and a little sweeter than your average bagel, but cooked in a wood fired oven, and made fresh daily! The staff is friendly and helpful, working behind the counter in a very small space, but seem to have locked down a casual production routine. Every time I'm in there, no matter how many people are waiting, the staff doesn't seem overwhelmed or phased by the rush. This isn't a bad thing, I'm simply stating that I admire how they seem to visually enjoy their jobs, working together as a team and providing customers excellent bagels. Each time I've visited Spread, there has been a line out the door. Typically I am an impatient gal, but I've always found the time to wait because it's just too good to pass up. I love bagels, but often feel that many places make them too thick and doughy for my liking. Spread has got the bagel game perfected though! The smell of the bagels rising in the oven fills my nose and excites me when I wait in line each visit. So far, I have only tried three different kinds of bagel sandwiches. I've had veggie cream cheese on a whole wheat everything, toasted, with cucumbers and tomato (a classic Wawa offering I fell in love with years ago, but Spread does it WAY better). I've also tried the Nova Scramble, which has eggs, scottish salmon cream cheese, onion and tomato -- very yummy. And the last one I tried is a simple turkey bacon, egg white and cheese on whole wheat. I look forward to eating my way through their menu! See you again soon, Spread!
(4)Caprice C.
Food is OK. Service awful. They forget who is in line, they let people skip. They see a line yet 3 ppl cannot take more than one persons order. Inefficient. Will never come back.
(1)Alina L.
Okay, long line doesn't necessarily mean the place is good, but long line EVERYDAY (well, usually on the weekends) definitely means the place is good! Let's just say Spread is my weekend to-go place, their bagel is just the perfect size with the best texture. FYI, if you order anything with egg in it, good luck waiting forever! I just realized that two weeks ago and have been ordering chicken sandwiches instead, so much faster (insider's secret) :) Waiting in line can be annoying, but at spread they sometimes have musicians playing right out the shop while you are standing in line. And even if you can't find a table to sit, you can always take your bagel to go and eat it in the park across the street :D
(4)Tina D.
Ok, the bagels were good but it was a mad house. Don't bother ordering a breakfast sandwich or you will wait for an hour. The grill help is unfriendly and were taking their sweet time with everything despite the fact that the line was out the door. When we opened our sandwiches they were a mess! Just thrown together which made me not want to eat it. The egg whites were runny too. I had to take it off my sandwich. Big disappointment.
(2)Lili W.
I used to LOVE spread. Don't get me wrong, the bagels are delicious, but the customer service/staff is lacking. Everyone that works here is high on something and are super slowww and unattentive. Several times, I've ordered a toasted bagel and when I got home my bagel was not toasted. Spread is not cheap and I don't think it's too much to ask for my order to be prepared correctly.
(2)T L.
In a word, a clusterf-ck. At least last Sunday around 1pm. No line to order, paid, and then waited 30 MINUTES!!! - I kid you not for two to go sandwiches. The bottleneck was clearly with the cooks who seemed as if they were not experienced or efficient at all. To make matters worse, they started serving ppl who walked in 20 min after most of us waiting (1 sandwich as opposed to 2!), which is flat out UNACCEPTABLE. (Mgmt was basically non-existent which is also really bizarre.) Oh and truly lame was the fact that after I finally spoke up (we were all being way too polite), one of the cooks turned around and got an attitude with me - WHAT?! Dude, I do not sympathize with overly successful businesses. Get your act together! Figure out how to handle demand or notify customers in advance.
(2)Chris P.
Wood fires bagels? Yes PLEASE!!! Best bagels in Philly. Period. Nice employees working there as well. Stellar!
(5)Randall C.
I'm not mad about the long lines on the weekend. I'm not mad about the tiny space. I'm not mad about the staff's disregard for folks who choose to eat here, as though we're lucky to even be in the same room. I'm mad because the hot bagel sandwich that I was served was inedible-- smeared with unidentifiable goop inside AND outside, plopped in front of me, a weird mixture of beef fat and mayonnaise and grease from the grill. Absolutely disgusting. If you want to wait in line, get your bagel plain and add your own spread. The kitchen staff don't give a dm about the folks who have to eat the food they serve. And it shows.
(1)Sam C.
I love spread! It's one of my favorite places in the city. All of their bagel sandwiches (I've had each at least once) is delicious. I only had issue with the lox, it's layered pretty thick to the point that I had to pull some out. But that's hardly a thing to complain about. The service and experience is always exceptional and the seating options are great. On clear days you can sit outside in the sidewalk, but inside there is also seating in the front or a quieter more private area in the back.
(5)Jeffrey B.
Everything is fresh and taste good. But 30-45 min wait for a bagel is nuts. They need a more efficient process to justify ever going there.
(2)Reid W.
Expect a wait, especially on the weekends. When I arrived, around 11AM on a Sunday morning, the line was out the door. I got an everything bagel with smoked salmon cream cheese, and it was delicious. I really enjoyed the montreal style, brick-oven toasted, bagels. It maintained the appropriate combination of crispiness and fluffiness. The smoked salmon spread, while a little light on the smoked salmon, was fine. Bagels were completed only a minute after ordering. I'm assuming the breakfast sandwiches take significantly longer to make. My only relevant complaints regard the size and price of the bagels. Bagels definitely aren't NYC-style behemoths, but they definitely include a price premium. I bought two bagels with cream cheeses and two OJs, and the total was $17 bucks... definitely not your typical neighborhood price point.
(3)Geet M.
If there was no line, and I wasn't hungry...I would go back, maybe? Cute idea for a place, Montreal wood oven bagel concept= genius. I was hungry, (really really hungry) when I stopped here on a Sunday around noon and the line was out the door. The line was moving but I soon realized it just meant that you paid quickly, then waited in the back. They ran out of all types of bagels except sesame and poppy seed (a bit surprising for a place that always seems to have a line). My recommendation (if I could only give you one): don't come here hungry...I was ready to gnaw my arm after waiting 20+ mins for 4 bagels. We ordered to go and unfortunately found out at the park that 2 out of the 4 weren't exactly what we ordered...we were given something else in place of the egg white bagel: our replacement came with cream cheese, tomato, and normal eggs...definitely not what we ordered. Such a shame since the chicken bagel was quite tasty (mmm turkey bacon)... our experience lacked here too though... we did not get the side (chips)...such a disappointment for a $10 bagel. Well, $9.95 but you know what I mean. It would have helped greatly if the bagels were labeled as we all had to guess who's bagel matched their order The one other thing I would note is that the freshly squeezed orange juice is a gallon bottle bought from a company that manufactures "freshly squeezed orange juice" (it does say this on the label). It does not taste like the ideal fresh squeezed you get when its done in house...and for $3.5 for a small glass, the price doesnt justify it.
(2)TD S.
I've waited in some decent lines for bagels (H&H, Murray's, Tal) on Saturday mornings, but never have I waited SO long for a mediocre bagel - 30 mins. I partly think the long line is due to the lack of supply of bagels in this town, but perhaps it was because there was only one person preparing all the orders (aggressive). HOWEVER, there is a bright spot for Spread. I anticipate the line will be significantly shorter once Chestnut Street Philly Bagels opens in a few months. As for the bagel itself, yawn. Small, not crispy, not-so-montreal.
(1)Rachel C.
Spread. It just sounds dirty, doesn't it?? But I love the idea of wood fired bagels. I kinda consider everything to be better when they're wood fired. Everything off the menu sounded scrumptious. I went with the Nova Scramble so I could get all the good stuff: eggs, tomato, salmon and salmon cream cheese (!!). It was tasty, but I think it could have had a tad more flavor. I didn't taste the wood fired part of the bagel enough. I have no clue what that would take to make it more "wood fired" but it tasted more toasted than anything else. Which is maybe just what that does...?? I loved the fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and the whole ambiance - live music outside on a lovely Sunday morning. The line was long (for a Sunday am) but moved very quickly. I'd absolutely come back, as I think it's quality breakfast fare that's fast and easy!
(3)Susan C.
I tried the bagels from Spread on my way home from Philly, and I don't see what's so great about their bagels. It just tasted like a regular run-of-the-mill bagel to me, not particular awesome or memorable, but definitely overpriced. Also, the orange juice here tasted a bit from concentrate-y rather than fresh squeezed.
(2)Amy B.
This is a cute, homey little bagel shop. They have chocolate chip bagels which are very good, they're hard to find! I had one toasted with cream cheese which was good but I think it should have been warmer and more toasted. I think $5 and change for a regular sized bottle of Poland Spring and a toasted bagel with cream cheese is fair but the bottle of water could be a little bigger. Still, I will come back. They're next to Lee's Hardware and just off of the square.
(4)Anne D.
Worst Bagel experience of my life!!! We ordered 4 things. 3 bacon egg and cheese sandwiches and a bagel with cream cheese. One "sandwich" has nothing on it. Just a bagel in tin foil. The other 2 sandwiches do not have cheese and the bacon is way undercooked. The only thing you got right was the bagel with cream cheese. These sandwiches are dry and nasty. We just moved a block away and you could have been our go to for bagels. Not a chance now. Gross!
(1)Jordan P.
After checking my credit on LevelUp and seeing how close I lived to this Best of Philly bagelry, I stopped in for a particularly decadent brunch for one. I scoped the menu for a bit before finally deciding on The Standard on a whole wheat everything bagel, toasted. This included eggs (or egg whites, but I went for it with the yolks and all), bacon, and cheese. The sammy was ready much faster than I expected, but it was the middle of the weekday, so I'm not too surprised. I ordered it to-go so I could enjoy this breakfast in-bed (or at least, on-couch) right across the street at my apartment. It smelled intoxicating when I opened the bag and unwrapped my prize, and I couldn't resist taking a bite almost instantly. The "innards" of the sammy were phenomenal, the cheese well-melted, the bacon smokey and crisp, and the eggs were not too bad, either. A little over-done (I opened the sammy at one point to add some hot sauce). The bagel itself... well I can tell it was well-made, and beautiful as far as bagels go, but they toasted the HELL out of that thing. Toasted in this case seems to have translated to nearly-blackened, and it left the bagel kind of dry without much in the way of flavor other than burnt. It's especially tough for me to get my head around this considering the cost of this sammy. $7 is a lot for a bagel sandwich, considering you can get a bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel at many places for less than $4-5. I respect they rock the wood-fired brick oven thing, but I'd rather not eat a wood-fired bagel sandwich.
(3)Di P.
Usually when I say "I'm from North Jersey" Philadelphians stop listening to me-- but people, I'm from New Jersey and am good at two food related things due to growing up there: identifying a good bagel and knowing where in North Jersey smells like rotten eggs. I got the Nova Spread (smoked salmon) on a whole wheat everything for $5. FIVE BUCKS for like two tablespoons of schmear. Which, I guess in one way it's good because usually places give you waaaaay too much cream cheese. But I'd rather have a lot, take out the excess than be left feeling ... dry. There was a pretty long line to get through the door in a small place, but surprisingly they moved the line pretty fast and we even got a seat. Also our bagels came out fast. People who got egg sandwiches were definitely waiting longer (naturally). I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if I lived around the corner I would be totally fine grabbing a fast breakfast. No chai tea latte. Booooo.
(3)Ann M.
No matter how good the food is, if the service is bad- it totally spoils everything. Unfortunately, like many other reviewers pointed out with spread bagel ray, their service is seriously lacking! My husband went their twice without me and said he would never go back unless I went..well, I thought he was just being impatient. Wow, waited 25 minutes for 2 bagels with cream cheese on the side and when they forgot the cream cheese on the side- I waited another 15 minutes for them to fill a small tub for me. There is no sense of urgency whatsoever and a man in front of me said " never coming back here,!" . Agreed.
(1)Katelyn I.
Delicious bagels! Will definitely be back soon!
(5)Michael B.
A little pricey when you add coffee, but great bagel sandwiches. The bagels are toasted in a real wood fire oven! This place is kind of off the beaten path, but worth the walk!
(4)Tyler L.
Spread. Such a popular spot. I will give them this, this is not a typical bagel spot. They have friendly service, have musicians out front on weekends, and they do an upscale bagel. That all being said, it is certainly not worth the price of admission. Two specialty bagels, two coffees...$24. Now I don't mind spending a little and the food is definitely better than Starbucks...but really? That being said, they have a line out the door almost constantly and they sell out of their bagels. So it must be priced right. Bagels are dense...maybe it is the brick oven that condenses them...anyways if you in the mood for something light and fluffy...not your place. Overall I like the atmosphere and I guess they are able to charge a premium because they have created something new and different. Just be warned, it is an expensive (asi-asi) bagel.
(3)Jordan S.
Caveat: proud, Jewish Long Islander reviewing bagels of Philly. The atmosphere when you walk in says you are about to have an awesome bagel experience but it really falls short. The portions are pathetic for the price. Bagels at a place like this should be stacked. The selection is great as far as the specialty sandwiches but they sound a lot more interesting than they fare. The bagel/creamcheese/lox was really sad. I can never go back here willingly.
(2)S S.
Meh. It's NO NY Bagel, that's for sure. Not at all impressed. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because I feel like 1 star should be for supermarket bagels. I order the everything bagel, toasted, with nova salmon cc spread, tomatoes, cucumbers & onions. The bagel was barely toasted. The onions were tiny & white, not the classic red onion. The tomatoes, or should I say one tomato slice (cut into 2 halves, one on each side) Both of the tomato halves were the "butt" of the tomato. The salmon cream cheese had barely any salmon, and tasted like regular plain cc. The cucumbers were so big that they wouldn't stay on the sandwich so I just ended up eating them separately. AND I found a tiny sliver of FOIL in my sandwich, so GROSS! I paid $7 and left hungry, and I don't even have that much of an appetite. (Went around the corner to Metropolitan Bakery & bought a fennel pretzel which was Amazing!)
(2)Brendan L.
The bagels are quite good, and there's some decent variety offered, esp among cream cheeses. But Smear utterly and completely fails on the customer service front. We ordered a bagel w cream cheese (not toasted) and a bagel w egg and an iced coffee and it took 20 (!) minutes for them to serve it. Really. Two separate employees were on their cell phones during that time. One employee looked bored. Another walked in and out of the back area. No one seemed sure of what they were doing, so we waited and waited and waited. The bagels were good, but we will not be back. It's not worth the wait.
(1)Robert M.
I had the Standard on a sesame bagel. I've never had a Montreal-style bagel so I can't comment on how it measures up, but I didn't enjoy the bagel as much as I have NY style ones. I was surprised by how sweet the bagel was. Overall it didn't blow me away but was pretty good. Bacon was overcooked IMO, and I was surprised by how little eggs/cheese/bacon there was on the sandwich..a "minimalist" approach I guess. The bagel itself was also quite a bit smaller than what I'm used to getting in NY. For $7, I felt kind of ripped off. I think the feeling that you're getting ripped off is really the best way to describe Spread. The bagels aren't like the ones I get in NY, and they aren't supposed to be, but they seem pretty good - although if I go again I'll just get a bagel and not the sandwich. But the prices can't be justified by the quality or the portions. The portions are smaller than in a NYC bagel shop and IMO the quality is inferior. If you go to Absolute Bagel or Ess-A-Bagel in NYC, bagels cost $1/$1.15 respectively versus $2 here at Spread. The sandwiches at Spread are similarly marked up. Judging by the line on the weekend they are doing OK at the current price point. But that says more about the lack of quality bagels in Philadelphia than it does about Spread.
(3)Moira N.
I decided to come back and give this place another try. Unlike my last visit, the young woman at the register was upbeat and really helpful. There was an older (and very fashionable) woman also working and overseeing things. I knew not to expect any menu options that I would like and so I asked if they could give me a toasted everything with peanut butter and the young woman was very happy to oblige. Service was quick. The iced coffee was delicious. My bagel was good and the peanut butter was natural. Overall a much more pleasant experience. My boyfriend is still a fan but now just stocks up on many bagels at a time and makes his own sandwiches with them at home. I'm not a huge fan but won't keep avoiding this place either.
(3)Kelsey T.
I'd love to be able to give Spread 4 stars, because the sandwiches are good and everything bagel is very delicious, but it takes forever... It's frustrating when you are only 4th in line and have to wait more than 20 minutes for a sandwich. Arrive when they open to avoid a long line!
(3)Michael H.
This place makes INCREDIBLE breakfast sandwiches. My favorite is the tuna melt on an everything bagel! The best and worst thing though about Spread is that everything is made to order. This is great if you get here before 8am, but arrive much later, you'll be hanging out in a very long, slow moving line. Luckily, musicians frequently hang outside and play on the weekend provide, albeit limited, distraction.
(4)T B.
Went for bagels on Sunday morning. Service is SO SO SLOW. I also don' t think my bagel tasted that fresh. The line takes forever and I was kind of grossed out at the flies in the back. I think they just need to make sure that they are focused on the bagels and not everything else on the menu. They service la columbe coffee which is a nice touch. I think the cream cheese needs to have more flavor .
(3)Nicole H.
I'm a huge bagel snob. The bagels I had every Sunday growing up are simply nowhere to be found in Philly, and I've come to terms with that. But when I heard that Spread was serving Montreal-style, which apparently are like the deep-dish of the pizza world (similar, yet not comparable to the traditional choice), I figured I'd give it a try. Listen - the food was good. I found the bagel to be a little strange, but it certainly was tasty. The spread (I got the lox cream cheese) was delicious, and the egg was perfectly cooked. So why 3 stars? Well, the service was a 5 star experience. I ordered to go, and the speed was beyond fast. And they take LevelUp, which gave them some points in my book. But the price is insane. I can't believe I spent $12 on a bagel with cream cheese (not actual lox!) and an iced coffee. Cannot believe it. I'd say the food is 3.5 stars, the service is 5, the tiny checkout space is a 2 and the prices are a 1. If you're not concerned about price than definitely stop by and try these Canadian bagel things. But if you're trying to save your money I'd head somewhere else.
(3)John S.
Been here twice now and the bagels are pretty good...nothing to write home about. The biggest issue is the service. Both times I've been here it's taken atleast 20min to get my order. Additionally, you stand in an enclosed, crowded and uncomfortable area and constantly are in peoples' way. The bagels are nothing special and you can find a better bagel without the ridiculous waiting...I will not be going back. Maybe get some cooks who have a bit more pep in their step. Also, the prices are egregious...$20 for two sandwiches and two waters..
(2)Leo Y.
A solid bagel and good bagel sandwich. The egg white sandwiches with turkey bacon are great and they certainly don't skimp on the toppings (including the lox). With that said, the price for bagels is extraordinarily high.
(4)Frank T.
Very good bagels, okay line and okay wait time. But when I left this place, all I can remember are the flies in the back seating area and the cashier that really hate her job and incoming people (customers). Can't enjoy any good meal when there are flies around you.
(2)Chelsey M.
If the line out the door starting at 9 on weekends doesn't tell you how great this place is, then continue reading! I love bagels. I especially love these bagels. the montreal style bagel is slightly different than usual bagels, but I prefer them. The cream cheese is fresh and amazing. The owner is great. Sometimes they are slow and not very effecient, but I don't ever go here when I am in a rush.
(5)Lolly G.
This is my experience with spread. Walked in on Monday morning to a girl behind the counter who saw us, turned her back towards us and aimlessly looked for cream cheese. She went on a stunning amount of time pulling bagels out of the toaster and asking a guy who came out there things were. I wanted to leave but we went through so much trouble parking, we were screwed into staying. There were about 2 people waiting for sandwiches. We then ordered there breakfast sandwiches (all without meat) and 2 iced teas. The total was 33 dollars. Unreal pricing. I thought it could be a mistake but after waiting that long we just wanted to go. The sandwiches were just ok, nothing special. I have never witnessed customer service like this and after being ripped off, I won't return. There's SO many good spots in the city for bagels it would be a shame to go here. They no doubt continue to have business based on their prime location, nothing else.
(1)Michelle C.
I'm bumping up to four stars as a result of friendlier service, pitchers of water and bottomless coffee. Today I met a friend for lunch and ordered a whole wheat everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, tomato and bacon, plus a cup of coffee. The total was around ten bucks, which is still pretty expensive, but since it was lunch and not breakfast I didn't mind. There are now pitchers of ice water with lemon, which I'm happy to drink over paying for a bottle of water. My bagel sammie was absolutely delicious, and it came with slices of fresh cucumber on the side, which I then stuffed inside to add a little more crunch and flavor. Again, this isn't an every day type of place, but for a really tasty bagel and a cute place to have lunch, it's solid. Also, the wood burning oven smells like a campfire. Who doesn't love that?
(4)Herbie H.
I had heard raves about Spread from a number of friends, and I finally was able to try it over the weekend. The line wasn't too long when I got there at about 10:45, and moved fairly quickly. I ordered the Frittata Scramble, per the suggestion of a friend. Surprisingly, the egg, bacon, tomato, and jam all worked extremely well together to create well-balanced flavor. I wanted to get an everything bagel, but had to settle on a sesame. The bagel sandwich was delicious, the coffee was decent. Yes, the $11 price tag for those two items was a bit much, but for a breakfast treat, it was worth it.
(5)Jessica O.
The place is very cute and would be a nice place to sit down and eat if you had all the time in the world. My friend and I went for Sunday breakfast and surprisingly there was no wait to order but took about 15 minutes to get our breakfast which seemed to be a bit longer than necessary. The staff was very friendly. I think for a grab and go kinda place the prices are a little high with 8+ for an egg sandwich. Based on the method of cooking the bagels both our bagels were a little burnt. I probably would try something else for breakfast next time I'm in town.
(3)Jessica S.
Though I'm a little bit confused as to why we got a legit Montreal style bagel place in Center City before a "traditional" or New York style bagel place, I can't entirely complain. I do love the bagels here! This was actually a first for me: never had a Montreal style bagel before. Being from North Jersey with a plethora of amazing New York style bagel place to choose from, I was certainly enthralled by the idea of a different style of bagel, and was really happy with the product. A little sweet, a little more bready, less "crisp" on the outside, this version of the Montreal bagel is really delicious. I prefer to get it with one of their spreads, just warm out of the oven, no toasting necessary. Their sandwiches are good, but they consistently just fall apart when I am trying to eat them, so I tend to opt for the simpler option. As noted, they are a little pricey for a bagel shop, but if you stick to the plain bagel and cream cheese option, you won't go too far into your pockets. +1 for friendly service, bottomless la colombe, and a cute atmosphere. Can be quite a bit of a wait on a busy weekend morning, but generally not too bad.
(4)Melissa P.
Having lived in Montreal almost half my life, Montreal Style Bagels are definitely something that I missed when I moved to Philly, so I was super excited when I found out Spread was opening. They're not exactly like the Montreal Bagels I miss, but they're pretty close, so I'll take it! Also this place is just really cute and has great breakfast sandwiches and spreads! A bit pricey, but worth it.
(4)George R.
Good service and very nice choice of bagels. Friendly people. A bit on the expensive side, but so much that I wouldn't go again.
(4)Fei P.
Yumminess!!! The sandwiches are made to order, fresh ingredients. Only thing is that the sandwich itself is way to big to fit in my mouth and falls apart when biting into it. But sometimes the messiness adds to the flavor I guess. Definitely recommended :-)
(4)Katie R.
YUM! You have to start with commenting on the bagels - they are absolutely delicious. However they cook them, it's fantastic. Love Love Love the bagels. I also love the variety of toppings/spreads/sandwich combinations you can get to go with the bagels. I'm your basic egg-on-a-bagel kind of girls, but they have all the standards (salmon, etc) as well as some interesting combinations. I hadn't been before the bottomless coffee bar, water pitchers, etc, but I am certainly appreciative. My friend and I had a morning meeting there and sat at our table for an hour, and it was nice to be able to refill when we needed without any hassle. What I don't love: waiting 20 minutes in line to order. I can't really complain about this as it just shows the place's popularity, but it's probably a good idea to go with someone so they can hold a table for you while you wait in line to order. Can't rate it 5 stars because it's definitely too expensive for a bagel shop (my bagel/egg/bacon sandwich was a solid $10), but this is definitely a place I would return to for breakfast.
(4)Karl B.
I have now been to Spread about 8-9 times before writing this review. Mostly because it's the only bagel place nearby and I want so badly for it to be good! Unfortunately, they just cannot live up to expectations. To start, the bagels are fine (the only reason they're getting 2-stars over 1). Nothing special, certain not H&H caliber, but infinitely better than Manhattan Bagel. If you're just looking for a plain, uncut, into aster bagel, Spread will usually do you right. So as I said, I have been to Spread nearly a dozen times, and the one thing that sticks out more than anything is the incompetence of the staff. The person on the counter is often only half there. High, hungover, sleep deprived, socially inept, whatever it may be, the counter person is, more often than not, rude, short, and barely there. I've had to repeat my order numerous times, and am treated like a fly buzzing around their head. My second big issue is the product itself. Not one time have I ordered one of the specialty sandwiches and found it properly made. I am either given the wrong type of bagel, missing ingredients, cold food, soggy bread, twice I was even given the completely wrong order. There is nothing worse then walking home dreaming of juicy brisket and horseradish on a poppy seed bagel, only to open up the bag and find a tuna melt on a whole wheat bagel. The quicker way to ruin a Sunday morning. Finally, my last issue with Spread is their selection. Now I have worked in the restaurant industry for almost a decade and I come rely understand how smaller establishments stock product and are apt to run out of things at times, but I have never once been to Spread when they haven't been out of half the menu. At a certain point you have to realize that business is growing and start increasing your production. When you run out of brisket, tuna, everything/poppy/sesame bagels every single day at eleven AM, a smart manager would start the day making more brisket/tuna/bagels. Every successful business owner knows that every time a customer leaves your establishment with any negative feelings, they are twice as likely to never come back. Long story short, Spread Bagelry is an average bagel shop operated by a bunch of below average workers. Maybe one day we'll get ourselves an H&H or Einsteins here in Philly, but until then, we're pretty much out of luck when it comes to a good bagel.
(2)David A.
Went here Sunday to try out the Montreal bagels that have gotten some good press. I had an everything bagel with nova and scallion cream cheese, along with tomato and onion. I don't treat myself to bagels very often. This was a fantastic product. Bagel had incredible texture. It was chewy and delicious. Lox was good, not great but no complaints! They served this with a small cup of cucumber salad that was dressed perfectly and nice and crunchy. They also serve La Columbe coffee. Sat outside and enjoyed the bagel and the great weather. Nice (but tight) space inside with indoor seating. Owner and staff were friendly. Egg sandwiches as well which I will try next time. A good spot!
(4)Brian S.
I had to add a star for their wheat and wheat everything bagels as well as their Saturday entertainment (usually an accordian player). It makes waiting in the line a lot more bearable. Also the owner is really cool and he will sometimes hand out hot, steamy, airy bagels free straight from the oven. That helps a lot too!
(4)Jessica W.
Why do people line up here for bagels every weekend morning? No seriously, why?!? There is nothing notable about Spread, except for their outrageous prices. It's worth the trek down to Old City to go to South Street Bagels instead.
(2)Sean M.
This past weekend, I ordered 2 bagels with cream cheese on the side. The cashier said, "$11 even," with a straight face. I simply said "No" and waited for her to re-calculate. She said "Oh yeah, that's for full tubs of cream cheese. $8.50." I said, "that's still crazy, but OK." Due to being very hungry, and having waited for the normal 20 minutes, I sucked it up and paid. The odd thing is that last week, I got the same thing and paid under $7. The prices are always crazy, but now they are inconsistent, and coupled with the wait, I will not be returning.
(2)Alex P.
Nice cozy place to have a coffee and a bagel out of the wood fired oven... A bit pricey but you're certainly not going to get a better bagel in Philly
(4)A B.
Fantastic bagels! I've been to Spread three times - twice for breakfast and once for lunch. It's a cozy place to eat and you can watch the bagels and sandwiches cook in the brick oven while you wait. The employees are wonderful - friendly, efficient, and helpful. First visit, I picked up two bagels (everything, cinnamon raisin) with plain cream cheese. Doesn't sound very exciting, but both were awesome. Toasted perfectly and probably too much cream cheese, but no complaints! Definitely fresh. Second visit, I went with a friend and we ordered a tuna-melt to go - amazing. It is absolutely big enough to share, you will be full after one half, even if you eat a lot! It came with chips, which was a nice touch. Tuna wasn't too fishy, perfectly seasoned, and I will absolutely be back here to order it again. Third visit, I picked up a bagel (whole wheat) and salmon cream cheese to-go. Again, it was toasted and cooked perfectly, but I received about half the amount of cream cheese as I had before. There was lots of salmon, which was nice - usually that is missing at most restaurants. The salmon was very flavorful, and I definitely got my money's worth food-wise. On the weekends, there is some kind of fun musician outside and the line can get long. I went at 8am on my 1st and 3rd visit and was surprised to find that the Special of the Day, a chocolate chip bagel (both visits!), was completely sold out after only being open for an hour. Must be a good bagel!
(4)Lindsay H.
I love a bagels. I long for the days of picking up a dozens bagels on the weekend and indulging. Sadly, America realized that they aren't great for you and ever since, the bagel shop business has slowly gone down hill and then I read about Spread. Spread is a bagel place through and through and it's more than that. Their bagels are "Montreal" style. What the heck is that? Well, there's made in a brick over...aka super crusty on the outside and chewy/deliciousness on the inside. Awesome. I absolutely recommend checking this place out. Expect to wait a little since it's a tiny place and one of the only delicious bagel places left in town!
(5)Catherine L.
Nearly there, but not quite. As a Montreal gal, born and raised, I was thrilled, overjoyed at the prospect of having a Montreal Bagel place right here in Philly. First poutine, now bagels... what's next? Montreal style smoked meat? One could only hope. Anyhoo. A true Montreal Style bagel is traditionally served with sesame seed (or poppy) so when I ordered a Montreal bagel I was told "They all were". Mistake #1. Next came the official tasting - the bagels were almost on point, the slight sweetness, and the consistency, almost there - but still the bagels themselves proved to be a bit too thick and the shape of the actual bagels not right . In all, the total flavor profile? It fell a bit short. Not bad, but not what I missed from the old country. Lastly, the price tag! Sweet mary and joseph- is this place expensive! For two sandwiches and drinks - the total is nearly $30? A wee bit too rich for my blood. Place is tiny, not much room to eat in, and no ice is offered with the bevvies, what gives? Service is pleasant, but not entirely helpful. All and all: a nice detour from the regular world of bagels, good stop for brunch, and a nice little insight (albeit a little inaccurate) into what Montreal bagels have got to offer.
(3)Bernie B.
I have wanted to try this place for a long time. I made it there today and even though the wait is annoying, it is part of the charm. I have been thinking about the bagel and whitefish salad I had. The whitefish was very good, but the bagel was just fair. I am not sure why the bagel was not a winner for me. It was good, but the pop up bagel shop in my neighborhood has much better bagels. Also, the iced coffee was so weak from the melting ice it was lousy. I am not sure I will come back here.
(3)ana m.
Good.... but not sure it's entirely worth the long lines and high prices. I ordered a bagel sandwich and the turkey was quite dry. The bagels themselves are good, but be prepared to wait...... My iced latte was very good, but I finished it by the time my sandwich was ready to pick up. :/
(3)Lizette H.
The first time I went here I had an amazing experience; I had large bagels stuffed with cream cheese, check out the picture! I had a plain bagel with the veggie spread and another plain with the berry spread. Both were equally delicious. The bagels were crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. The next time we came, we had the same thing plus a bagel sandwich with lox and another plain with green onion spread. Boy, they're not joking with the green onion, a little strong for me. I also tried their half bagel with the tomato slice and cheese on top, not worth it- lacked flavor. So we enjoyed ourselves so much, we ordered some bagels to go...except when we got home, we had scrawny rings. Pitiful rings. These were *not* the same thing. I was disappointed and felt ripped off. I'm hoping it was just a bad batch because I will go again....I just hope they are as glorious as the before. I gave it 4 stars because of the scrawny to-go bagels and the fact that they cook their turkey and pork on the same tiny grill and when asked if they would mind making an exception by cleaning a tiny section to make something follow religious guidelines (for me) they were hesitant. So be it, it's their business, I just won't be ordering anything that needs to be grilled. I will be back for the veggie and berry spread though!
(4)G C.
Good bagels, doughy and a bit sweet. Had the everything but would try for the sandwiches next time. Still prefer the huge ny style bagels though.
(3)Anne K.
I had a plain bagel with fresh farm butter and Amish jam. It was good - but to be quite frank, I think most bagels are good. There is something pretty special about a bagel right out of the oven though - a wood-fired brick oven, in this case.
(3)Julie N.
Spread's Montreal-style bagels are in a league of their own in Philly. Upon coming into the small shop, you are immediately enveloped in the warmth and smell of the wood oven, and it smells delicious. We both had bagelwiches: lox for him and egg and sausage for me. They come with a few slices of cucumber which was a nice touch. My belly was happy. I had an iced coffee - which I immediately regretted... Spread unfortunately just pours hot coffee into a cup of ice, which made for a lukewarm, diluted coffee. Never again - getting OJ next time. Breakfast for two was about $20. A little pricey for bagels but a nice change from our spot on South Street.
(4)Stephen R.
These are *not* Montréal style bagels. I just moved to Philadelphia from Montréal, and ate St. Viateur bagels almost every day. I excited that Spread would be just a block from my new place in Philadelphia. I could tell before going to Spread for a bagel looking at photos online that their product is not similar to a Montréal style bagel. Even if you have not eaten a Montréal style bagel, you can tell from a quick Google image search that Spread's product is basically just a wood fired New York Style bagel. Still, I thought I'd check out Spread just because I do love a google bagel and I thought hey, they're definitely not St. Viateur bagels, but maybe they'll be a different kind of addictive goodness? And, they're just a block away, so why not? Unfortunately, the bagels are good but not nearly worth the price they charge: $2 a pop. (They're almost a 1/3 of that price in Montréal). I understand that it's expensive to operate a wood fire oven/they're paying for prime retail space/working on a small scale, etc. But, charging $2 for a bagel is a little ridiculous considering that what Spread makes is nothing to write home about.
(2)Ashley C.
Use to come here to get the delicious pastrami they were shipping from NY. The bagels are good also. Lack of parking in area is a bit of a downer. The bagels are not cheap but they are worth it.
(4)Lilli C.
I usually don't care about bagels, but these were so good I came 2 days in a row. The bagels are sweet with a hint brick oven smokiness. LOVED the lox with whitefish bagel sandwich on a whole wheat everything bagel. Staff was friendly and it didn't seem too expensive. When I came on Sunday at 10AM the line was out the door...while on Sat at 1PM there was no line.
(5)Andrea T.
My darling friend brings me back Montreal-style bagels every time she goes to Canada. They are delightful. These aren't real/true Montreal-bagels. They are close, but they are no cigar. I've been here twice now. The first time was before an Ikea-run. I waited on a sunday in a line almost to the nail salon. It really wasn't worth it. Avoid this place on the weekends. It's allure has died down a little, but there is still the hectic frenetic feel. Although this past saturday they did have a bluegrass 2-man band outside. If you want to soak up the tunes and not be trampled on, grab your bagels and go across the street and sit or perch near the cheetah on the side of Arcadia boutique. Today I made some killer egg salad at home and I was like JCC SUMMER CAMP LUNCH MUST NEED BAGEL. If it was friday I'd go to Maxx's for bagels. Every friday Maxx's has challah and bagels from Rollings in Elkins Park ( kosher btw). So, I strolled in and was actually pleasantly greeted! They close at 4, and at 2 I was impressed they still had a bunch of different flavors of bagels. With my punchy egg salad at home, I wanted to keep it simple. Two bagels costs 4 bucks. Two bagels, one plain nothing on it bagel costs 2 bucks. I just don't get it. I'm sorry. I'll easily spend 4 bucks on a lousy crappy bagel if it's room service, because I didn't have to leave my house and it's served on a platter, literally. I can't justify spending that. I seriously can't. Not saying I won't do it every now and again, but I could not come here every day. They do however have level-up, so I suppose, I will get some cash back after a few trips, but still. The whole less than half a block home I was like 4 dollars. 4 dollars. For 5 I could have gotten a bag of rollings bagels on friday!
(3)Amy W.
My go to place when I miss my NY bagels. Yeah, so these are Montreal style, but the bagel aficionado in me can understand a well done, fresh bagel. Prices are a bit high, but the ingredients are fresh. The spreads are varied - with lox, whitefish and other seafaring creatures. The brunch bagels with some creamcheese, tomato and omelet are an especial delight on weekends. Wait times can be long at the neighborhood fav, so bring your iPad whilst you wait!
(4)Valerio S.
Lovely bagels, good quality, I had the one with salmon and scallion and onion cheese cream. The place looks great, in the spring time you can also sit outside and enjoy your meal.
(5)Adam L.
I really like Spread Bagelry. I had The Frittata Sandwich this morning. What an inventive, amazing breakfast. Putting a sweet jam on a by-the-number egg meat and cheese sandwich makes a world of difference. Love it. As for the bagels, what can I say? Yes, theyre different. Either you will like them, or you wont. Me- I like them. No, I wouldnt prefer them, but you can tell they are made very well and have a place in the bagel world. I'll tell you this much- there are a ton of places that make shittier bagels than here, and take way less heat. I love the environment, love the food, and tho the prices are slightly high, I also think it is exactly in line with the quality items that are served. Worth every penny. I highly recommend Spread as a quick breakfast spot.
(4)Joanna H.
I used to live three blocks away and thought it was normal plain bakery. Little did I know, Spread makes awesome bagel sandwiches. Many of my friends have been actually enjoying this place for quite a while and I found out about this after I moved away from the neighborhood. From the outside Spread doesn't look fancy or anything. But one you step inside, it's cute and gives a nice wooden cozy cafe vibe. The prices aren't expensive but I do think they could be even $1 cheaper depending on what you get. The bagels are fresh, not too soft, not too chewy but not too doughy. Perfectly salted with generours topping ingredients. It's great to get breakfast and lunch sandwiches from Spread and I strongly encourage you to check it out. Don't get there too late or else you'll have to wait in line. Not a huge line,, but you know.. when you're hungry you want your toasty fresh bagel fast :)
(5)Christopher D.
Finally got to try the Montreal style bagels. While I didnt detect much smoke in the bread itself, the crisp crust of the bagel is unlike any bagel I have had before. I would be hesitant to toast these as they may in fact get too hard. Had a lox sandwich ... which was pretty standard with tomato onon and cream cheese. Lox portion was sufficient but not big. Flavor over all was good. Space is not that big, and lines can get long. Definite plus for philadelphia.
(3)Vee V.
This place is overpriced and as it happens, doesn't actually make bagels, at least by a New Yorker's definition. We went here today out of curiosity and because we were missing our Sunday morning bagel and coffee tradition, which has gone by the wayside since we moved here. We each ordered a breakfast sandwich on a bagel and two iced coffees. The bagel was umm, not good. It was crumbly and dry and didn't have the weight and texture of a real bagel. Then, there was this sad fried egg, with a sprinkle of cheese and slice of tomato. Really? $7.50 for that? These are the days I miss being a block away from a delicious bagel spot that is serving up a longer list of delicious breakfast sandwiches, for half the price, with a smile. And the thing of it is, I am willing to pay $$ if the food is good but that is not the case here... Just don't call it a bagel, because it 'aint.
(1)Cindy C.
A nice selection of bagels, spreads, and breakfast sandwiches. I love that coffee refills are free. It's on the pricey side, but it's probably the closest thing to a good bagel in Center City.
(4)Greg M.
Great little spot with a very nice atmosphere, friendly staff and a tasty but limited menu (they do bagels and a few breakfast and lunch sandwiches - which are all very nice). I'd go the full five stars, but it's a tad pricey.
(4)Dean M.
Although these bagels are not bad, it is very misleading to call them Montreal bagels. The consistency is all wrong and most obviously they look nothing like the real thing. True Montreal bagels are uneven and no two are alike, but at Spread they look like they came straight from Sysco's freezers and simply boiling them in honey water won't make up for that. Worst of all, Montreal bagels are dirt cheap, but at Spread they are très chers. The firm 4:00 PM closing is really inconvenient.
(2)Brian C.
I stopped in today as I love myself a good bagel, and the bagels here certainly are delicious and unique. The bagel (Montreal style) itself is not as dense as a New York bagel, and the bread itself is a bit springy and chewy. The wood fired flavor also comes through in the bagel with a bit of a smoky flavor, which is very good. I had the onion bagel sandwich with egg white, spinach, turkey bacon, and truffled mushrooms. This was very good. I also had some of an everything bagel sandwich with egg frittata, bacon, and jam. I was a bit apprehensive about the jam, but the sweet/savory combination works quite well. Both of these came with a slice of fresh cucumber on the side. The service was nice, and though it was very crowded in the store, we were able to find a small table next to the door. The interior was clean, with subway tiled walls, a retro Coke refrigerator, and bottomless La Colombe coffee (awesome!). I also appreciate the huge rack of magazines on the wall, but given the popularity of the place I don't see myself hanging out and reading a magazine for a long time. All in all, I had a delightfully pleasant lunch, and I will be back.
(4)L K.
The problem with this place is the inconsistency. When the bagels are baked well they are delicious- soft and chewy in the best way possible. But about 30% of the time they are burnt and thin. I've started keeping an eye on the bagels they are making up for you so I can stop them if it's a burnt one, but I feel like I shouldn't have to do that. Also with the cream cheese- sometimes Its like an inch thick, other times it's so thin you can't even taste it. For the insane prices they charge it should be perfect every time. Hopefully they can take these couple of points into consideration! Once they do I have no probably changing my review to a 5.
(3)Meredith B.
Philadelphia has needed a non-chain bagel place for years. I've said it myself and thought of how I could open one. I'm so glad you are here! Welcome! Excellent bagel, great menu selection, a little pricey. Tip: Get your bagels in the morning - the times I've been there later in the day (3pm) the bagel freshness doesn't seem to last as well as it should.
(4)Carmine M.
Spread makes a great bagel, not by New York standards but still good. One suggestion, uses a separate knife for the onion bagels than you use for the rest of the bagels. The disgusting taste of the onion bagels ruins the flavor of anything it, or the knife used to cut it touches.
(2)Clark M.
Very cool place, good food and a nice spot to grab a breakfast sandwich. Owner seems to be engaged and always around (which is great, love when owners take pride in a small business)- but figure it out man, ALWAYS a 20 minute wait in line to order then another 10-15 to get your food. Waiting and waiting and waiting EVERY... SINGLE... visit makes me never want to come back and I'm sure others feel the same. Get a game plan together on how to take orders quicker and tell the patrons where to stand (out of the way) until they get their food. Love the place, love the food but always an aggravating experience.
(2)Jenni I.
I was in Philadelphia for 48 hours and went here twice. This place is awesome! Very small with limited seating, so I recommend taking out -- which is actually perfect due to proximity and the beautiful weather Philly is having. All the bagels are made on-site in what appears to be a pizza oven. One of my friends remarked that they're denser than you're typical bagel. I agree, and that's part of what makes them so delicious. I ordered the Turkey Club twice. It's fresh pulled turkey meat (not cold cuts!), like you'd have as left overs from Thanksgiving, along with cheddar cheese, granny smith apple and some type of mustard dijon sauce. I had mine on a toasted whole wheat bagel. Delicious! Also comes with a bag of chips. Believe it's around $9 -- as are most lunch sandwiches here. Breakfast sandwiches and bagels run cheaper. Iced coffee is pretty delicious, too. Great place for a quick breakfast or lunch. Definitely recommend picking up some sandwiches and going out for a picnic.
(4)Richard B.
I love this cafe. Free refills on the coffee, excellent ambiance and can i say the restroon is outstandng. Byob and u can make bloody mary`s with their BM mix they sell. Outdoor seating is stellar, make sure you check out the cheetah statue across the way.
(4)Kristy L.
I'm no foodie. I don't have a refined palate. It takes a lot to disappoint me but Spread managed to do so. The bagel I got was hard and dry but what really bothered me was all that butter. So much butter. The greasy mess overpowered any flavor it was supposed to convey. Can't believe I waited in line for that.
(1)Abbie D.
My previous review is below, but I felt it necessary to post another and give the full 5 stars.... Spread Bagelry is by far my most favorite place to get a bagel in Philadelphia. They have an amazing way of boiling the bagels in a slightly honeyed water then firing them off to perfection in their wood oven. The honey water definitely gives the bagel a oh so perfect sweetness to the delicious dough. I am in LOVE! I bring my little 23 month old friend and he almost finishes a plain bagel with butter every time! He too has great taste! Tuna salad is good too! PREVIOUS: Awesome wood fired bagels! Had the everything with cream cheese and tomato very very tasty.. Another time I ordered the asiago bread bagel - melted cheese on the bagel with a slice of tomato YUM!
(5)Matt M.
Love this place for breakfast. Coffee couldnt be better and the bagels are chewy and have great flavor.
(4)Eric M.
Service gets worse every time I go there. The staff always behaves as if they're recovering from a sophomore-year-grade evening of binge drinking and are just barely able to manage orders as they come.
(2)Avneet S.
Okay, I know I know. I should stop complaining about the pricing at the businesses in the area. But that really is the only *major* disadvantage of Spread. The prices make it one of those things I can't justify more than once a week. The bagels are so good. The spreads are so good. The fresh squeezed orange juice is always nice to grab and go, and the iced coffee is cold brewed - yum. Food-wise, my only complaints are that the peanut butter goo that they pass off as actual peanut butter should totally be passed up, and that they don't ever have vegetarian sandwiches/sandwich specials. But, it's worth the wait in line for a simple honey-kissed whole wheat bagel - toasted with just some butter - and a tall cold class of iced coffee before you start your Saturday or Sunday in the city.
(3)August T.
From just a bagel perspective the place gets a B+. With high rent and very limited nearby competition, the bagels are priced at $2 each. That's pretty darn high. They offer just 6 or so flavors a day, also probably justified economically. So bagels become a luxury item.
(3)Zack L.
Solid.
(5)Cam M.
....
(1)Sarah F.
YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting "the classic" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.
(4)Casey R.
I stopped by Spread on Sunday while running errands and was somewhat under whelmed. It was definitely the wrong time to try the place as the line was out the door but I was craving a bagel so I waited. The line did move quickly which was nice. I also picked up a magazine to leaf through from their full rack where the line was. I ordered an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, tomato and onion. At $5 it was far from a steal. I also got a bottomless coffee. Perhaps it is because it was so busy but my sandwich did not come with the onion on it, which it took me a while to realize, so I guess that is my bad. I found the bagel hard to eat and thought the cream cheese was not at all flavor full. I was able to find a small open table next to the bathroom to sit down and relax while I waited for my bagel to be brought. As I was leaving I realized I was at the only table that didn't have condiments on it. Perhaps some salt and pepper and hot sauce would have made my lunch more enjoyable but I much prefer the bagels I by at the co-op and make at home. The coffee however, was great, especially since they offer simple syrup and soy milk.
(3)Steve M.
Absolutely delicious bagels. Crispity crunchity on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle, hot and fresh. There is just nothing about these rings of doughy heaven not to love! Their cream cheese selection is terrific (the berry was shockingly good), and I cannot wait to get back and try a fresh breakfast sandwich. So delicious, and the line moves quickly enough not to drive you crazy! Worth driving all the way across town for... but wow would I kill to have this place in Northern Liberties. I also happen to love the accordion player sitting outside, but I am betting that if I lived upstairs the novelty of that would wear off quickly!
(5)Daniel T.
Lox bagel sandwich on a sesame bagel and the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on an everything bagel are my faves. Order, walk over to Rittenhouse, find yourself a nice bench and enjoy. On weekends it can get busy, but def worth the wait.
(4)Brittany Y.
Brittany's secret slow morning routine: Head over to Spread Bagelry (the earlier you go the more accomplished you'll feel later on) and order the Frittata Scramble with that crazy good Amish jam on whole wheat everything bagel. Then, skip the espresso at Spread, since, well, they aren't as hot with coffee as they are with replicating Montreal's finest, and walk over to La Colombe and grab a latte. Sit and eat your gooey ungodly-but-glorious mess of a breakfast sandwich while the Center City hipster elite drool with envy and wonder, "Where the hell'd she get that?"
(4)Sara M.
Insanely overpriced. My sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich cost over $7!!! If I'm paying $7 for a breakfast sandwich, it better knock my socks off. I thought the sandwich was very underwhelming. The eggs lacked flavor and the bagel was hard and tasted too much like burnt garlic. You can get a much better breakfast sandwich (for $4 cheaper) down the street at Palm Tree Gourmet. In college I worked right next door to a deli that (in my opinion) served the greatest bagels/breakfast sandwiches ever, so I may be holding this place to unfairly high standards. Regardless, I can't justify paying that much money for a mediocre sandwich. Not to mention this place is tiny and always so crowded. I probably won't return.
(2)Alex M.
i go here quite often and i do think the bagels are pretty good (love the club). but honestly, its the slowest bagel shop EVER. 20 minutes for a bagel is unheard of and is so infuriating every time i'm waiting in line. it could easily be fixed by having more than 1 person making the orders. literally every other bagel place i've been to runs more efficiently than this one. i imagine most of their success is due to the lack of bagel shops in this city, but if another one opens up that doesn't have long waits then i assume they will lose customers.
(3)raquel s.
"It tastes stale. On purpose," was the perfect response to "Do you like it?" Montreal-style bagels are horrible. They are so horrible that they need to come with the warning that "Montreal Style" before the word bagel serves. I wish I would have realized that. I wish I could have my Sunday breakfast to do over. They were unfortunately crumbly. The onion and whole wheat everything's flavors seemed off to me as well. They just kind of started disintegrating in my mouth upon first bite. I honestly thought that they were disgusting. Now, I remember why I never came back after I grabbed one to go last year. Where was the cream cheese? Oh. That's right. It's not cream cheese, it's spread. And was applied as such. I still can't believe the price of the bagel. There was absolutely nothing to it that would justify the $11 price of a bagel with a swipe of spread, a tomato slice, and single thin shaving of lox. My boyfriend didn't even eat the bagel or tomato. He picked the single piece of Lox off of it and ate that. I really wanted to ask if I happened to get an off batch or something--but judging by the line- apparently it was just me. I decided I would do the polite thing--just not go back--but I couldn't help but write this review. I had egg whites, turkey bacon etc. To their credit the egg whites were cooked very light and fluffy...but the bagel couldn't hold up to it. It really could not hold my sandwich together. I really wanted to love this place. Especially since they have La Columbe. I hope they make better use of the wood oven with a pizza place.
(1)Samantha B.
Spread is a great bagel place in an area lacking any other bagel places. Their bagels are very unique and doughier than normal. They also bake them in house in a huge fire burning oven, which gives the bagels a bit of a smoky taste. It's a great lunch place. Bagel melts are cheap and pretty good once re-toasted. Their bagels and sandwiches are definitely on the pricey side, but very good, with many fresh, house made ingredients. I can't speak for the line on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but I've heard it can get pretty long. Call ahead to order before picking up. I've picked up a couple bagels on Saturday for Sunday morning, and they just don't retain their great Spread-y quality. Overall, good neighborhood bagel spot.
(3)Krista P.
I stopped by with Michael G. for a quick lunch and came out full and happy. We both ordered the club sandwich. I asked for mine served toasted, and the girl happily obliged. The bagels come with chips (ruffles-esque), and when I ordered a soda I was nostalgically surprised when it showed up in a glass bottle (nostalgic enough to outweigh my disappointment in the lack of free refills). They had good music playing, and I'll definitely be back to grab a bagel and hang out for a bit.
(4)Danielle R.
Wonderful! Service was friendly and fast. The young lady offered great suggestions for our first visit and the free coffee refills were awesome! I had a whole wheat bagel with scallion cream cheese and a plump juicy tomato on top.. Couldn't be happier with this neighborhood gem!
(5)Audra H.
these bagels are like no other..pure heaven..had to leave NY to find the perfect bagel! :)
(5)Tia T.
This is my first yelp review, and the things I'm about to write comes from a girl who loves any bagel and used to love Spread. Yes, I USED TO love this place for its quantity and quality, BUT it's changed!!! The size of their bagels decreased immensely!! I could have bought a larger bagel from Superfresh, it was the smallest bagel I've ever seen ANY restaurant serve, let alone a montreal style bagel place. Today I ordered a plain jam n butter on a bagel (assuming that no matter what I ordered it would be good) but the amount of jam that was on my bagel was embarrassing, I thought I somehow offended the cute counter boy or something it was SADD!! Just like residue of what could be jam... barely any chunks. IM UPSET ABOUT THIS! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BAGEL SANDWICHES THAT MADE ME FULL AND HAPPY TO BE EATING AT SPREAD!! ALL AROUND A HEARTBREAKING DAY!!!
(1)Andrew R.
Here opening day as well. Was looking forward to this opening for months, only to be disappointed. Don't get me wrong - I think the "Montreal-style" sesame bagel may have been one of the best bagels I've ever had - just as those in the know of Montreal bagels have suggested - good flavor, great texture, small, and just somehow better than the traditional NY bagel. BUT - Prices are OUTRAGEOUS. Woman ringing me up said $7 something, and I said, no that's not right, I just got a bagel and a coffee, and she said nope - that's right - $2 for a bagel, $3 ADDITIONAL for the butter/jam, and $2 for the coffee + tax. So truly over $7 for a bagel + coffee. With cream-cheese, would have been a dollar or two more! Breakfast sandwiches are $8 (each, not for a pair). Whitefish and other "lunch" sandwiches are $11-$13. So - crazy prices overall, and sadly, after waiting for months, I'm not in a position to frequent a place for a $7 bagel + coffee. Finally (and this may just be opening day issues) - but the counter person (possibly wife of owner? or other family member) - was just not getting it -- looking back at the menu to check prices on each order she rung up (creating a line out the door) + also a little bit rude. This I'll cough up to opening day jitters (you'd hope on opening day, people would be friendly than usual, but not in this case). The guy making the bagels (owner), did seem friendly and overworked -- hopefully he'll be the front-man in the future. In any case - great bagel, crazy prices. Rating reflects food, service, and in this case - the disappointingly and ridiculously expensive prices.
(2)Aaliyah P.
Ok so i knew it would be pricey but delish per all the reviews however i just can't get on board with spending over 8.00 for a bagel with cream cheese and a toddler size oj. I was impressed with this state side version of a Montreal style bagel. I chose the whole wheat everything with veggie cream cheese, the bagel was normal in size and was overflowing with CC , overflowing to the point where i needed to scrape. Having just eaten my fair share of Montreal style bagels this past June while visiting Montreal I can attest to Spread being a legit baglery but the rapeage my wallet suffered left me feeling used and abused. i def won't rush back.
(3)Aruna A.
So after months of anticipation, reading the sadly poor reviews, and the terrible fire, I finally found myself in the neighborhood of Spread, with a chance to actually go in. I was excited when I realized this, and made a beeline for their storefront. First of all, I think it's a pretty adorable establishment. They have outdoor tables (just a few) a few small tables in front, and a few smaller tables in the back. It's also just adorably decorated, and set up. The counter where you order has a great view of the oven where they are firing up bagels, or toasting other orders. Near the cash register they have specially available bagels. When I went today - there was a tomato and Gruyere (which was VERY tempting) and a bacon and cheese (I forget which cheese) and a pizza bagel (which was VERY VERY VERY TEMPTING - those looked great and were only $3). These were all halves and priced at $3. I decided to go for a simple regular poppy seed bagel with veggie cream cheese, just to get a taste of what this was all about. They also have a number of breakfast sandwiches and specials that seemed really exciting. I was so hungry that while sitting at the subway stop, I was tempted to have a bite. And it was DELICIOUS. I came home and devoured it. Best $4 I ever spent. It was expensive, but it was def worth it. I can't wait to go back and try the pizza bagel and other options So exciting. One disclaimer: I've never been to Montreal and had a Montreal bagel. I don't know if these are special Montreal bagels. But they are certainly good bagels.
(4)R. M.
I have been coming to Spread since they opened. I would describe it as somewhat Montreal Style bagels with a lack of Montreal style service. Whenever I come in here, they are always out of a specific type of bagel. I can come in at 7:30 a.m. after my jog and I will be given a list of what they do and do not have. This happens on the weekend and weekdays as well. I have also been told to call ahead to place a bagel on hold...seriously. It's almost as if whomever is running this establishment wants to make the exact number of bagels that could be possibly sold for the day. No more. No less. Which goes against the Montreal style way of bagel making where bagels are easy to come by. And do you know what these places do with their left over bagels? They wrap them in cellophane bags and sell them to customers who want to grab and go. Genius. And, how about some labels on the bread basket so the cashiers don't have to look over to see what is left. I can do that myself. Lastly, this place needs a good cleaning. If you're not rushing out with your bagel or just sit and look around for a bit, you'll see what I mean.
(3)Irma I.
Never had a Montreal style bagel so I can't say its authentic, but I can say that it was delicious- if I'd live in the city I would be a regular. My husband had a breakfast sandwich (the standard?). I had cinnamon raisin bagel w/pumpkin cream cheese that was perfect. The coffee is strong & the staff very friendly. Tiny place makes full use of its space & busy with lots of locals.
(5)Monali P.
Marvin Gaye is belting out one of my all time faves at Spread - Any place that plays motown has already won my heart. I heard through the grapevine this place had memorable bagels. So here I am, just in town visiting. Savoring the smooth, fresh salmon (and generous servings at that- justifies the price), cream cheese bagel with tomato and onions. No capers. Just how I like it. Side cucumber salad cleansing my palate. Iced coffee is so good it definitely rivals if not surpasses my favorite haunts in Seattle. Outlets near every table (key for the computer addicts of the world). And I'm just about to lose my mind. What an adorable little bagelry.
(4)Barrett L.
Probably one of the few decent bagel shops in Philly, this small but cozy bagel shop just off Rittenhouse serves up Montreal-style bagels and delicious coffee to a young and friendly clientele. Aside from serving the usuals (bagels with cream cheese, bagels with lox), they also offer a terrific array of bagel sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. I recently had the Nova Scramble (smoked salmon cream cheese, scrambled eggs, tomato, onion) on an Everything Bagel which was out of this world. And, they play fun music too. My one complaint is that it's probably a tad pricey for bagels ($2 for a bagel?), but I suppose that's what you get for going to such a kick-ass bagel shop. Overall, great neighborhood gem and I'm excited to become a regular customer.
(4)Rich B.
Overpriced and overrated. Nothing special to warrant a $2 price tag for one bagel. You gotta be kidding me.
(1)Levon U.
The bagels are some of the best I've had in the city, though a bit on the pricey side as other reviewers have said. Just adding plain cream cheese to a bagel is an extra $1. Anything more and the prices really start to climb. Better to grab a dozen for home and add your toppings there. Service at the counter is good, but be prepared to wait even when it's not crowded. I've never been out of there without having to wait at least 15 minutes for an order for one.
(3)Jen H.
Disclaimer- this is my first time eating a "Montreal" style wood fired bagel so I really have nothing to compare with. With that said, i really enjoyed my bagel sandwich. The bagel is slightly bigger than most- be prepared for that. I ordered the Roasted Chicken BLT sandwich on a wheat everything bagel. Bagel was very yummy- very chewy. I also appreciated the fact that the wheat everything bagel did not have salt on it. The roasted chicken was a very good solid choice. My boyfriend ordered the egg white sandwich- I took a bite out of it and I have to say it was pretty yummy. It had egg whites, turkey bacon, spinach, and truffled mushrooms. Pretty amazing stuff. The price is a bit steep (as mentioned in the other reviews) but I figure they are using pretty quality ingredients so I can't complain too much. Would definitely come back when I visit Philly! Wish they had a wood fired bagel place in Baltimore!
(4)Noheli T.
I've heard great things about Spread and the line outside on a Saturday is always a great sign but I honestly wasn't blown away. I ordered the standard sandwich, which was good but nothing to rejoice over. The place was packed but my friend and I were able to find seating in the back but that was a big mistake! There were flies everywhere! We tried to eat as quickly as possible and then left. Maybe next time I'll just order to go.
(3)Abby B.
This place is better than your typical Dunkin' Donuts or Manhattan Bagel, but I was kind of expecting a bit more. After several days of walking by Spread, I decided to endure the line that was out the door. I ordered an everything bagel with veggie garlic cream cheese. First of all, the bagels here are huge; I had to take half of it home and this coming from a gal whose family nicknamed her "Bottomless Pit." Typically, bagel shops either put too much or too little cream cheese on the bagel, but Spread does it juuuussst riiight, in my opinion. Bonus: you get a strawberry with your bagel if you eat-in. I don't know why this is a bonus, but it is. They also serve brunch and for $8 you can get some bloody mary mix if you BYO vodka. If these are bottomless bloody's, then that's awesome; if not, I'd rather go to a more restauranty place for brunch. The staff was very nice, the place is cute and quaint and I'll probably be back to try one of their sandwiches. However, I'll have to wait until my next payday - this place ain't cheap.
(3)Christine F.
*3.5 stars overall* I stopped by this place 3 mornings during my finals week. Always gotten the "everything" bagel (i.e. a bit ofsesame, poppy, onion), toasted, with various spread. I was blown away the peanut butter and amish jam combo, but wasn't as impressed by the scallion cream cheese spread, which I was expecting to be more flavorful. They also serve la colombe coffee with free refill, which is another plus.
(4)Jason B.
Loved this place. Atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The wood burning brick oven smells amazing. The bagels are boiled and baked in the brick oven right in the front of the house. The spreads look incredible. I ordered an everything bagel with egg whites, spinach, muchrooms, and turkey bacon, and it was extremely delicious and satisfying. I would eat here all the time if I lived closer.
(5)Fred G.
The only place in the world that one can get a fresh Montreal rye bagel with Katz's Deli (of NYC) pastrami. This is the kind of sandwich that death row names would have for their last meal. Seriously luscious. Dude, do NOT miss this
(4)Alie A.
Fresh bagel selection and very fast service. Pricey but enjoyable. The owner's a nice guy committed to keeping his customers happy. We need more places like this in Philly.
(3)Deborah G.
The best part of this bagel shop is the atmosphere. It is in Rittenhouse Square and it's definitely a quaint Philly neighborhood. The shop is very small and we saw a line coming out of the door and we almost left. The owner popped out and told us to wait because service is very fast. I told him we were from B'more and he said he was going to give us a treat. In a flash he came out with a steaming hot everything bagel in a piece of white tissue paper. This hot and holy roll was too hot to handle and when I broke it open steam came out. I tasted it and it was very good because it was fresh out of the wood fired oven. However, I thought it tasted more like a seeded bagel than an everything bagel. We made it to the counter where we were asked what we wanted to drink and first ordered our beverages. One of my party took two tables that were open - by the window and in back of the door. This is what I call tight space. The whole place has three tables for two up front, six larger tables in the back and five tables outside where people with dogs were eating brunch. Next we ordered our bagelwiches. There were two turkeys and one hot brisket sandwich on various bagels (onion, plain and poppy). To Spread's credit , the turkey was homemade and so was the brisket. However, the portion controller must have a strict limit on the amount of protein that is placed on each bagel. I ran out of turkey as I was on the second half of my bagel and discarded the bread as it was just bagel and no protein. The brisket was very tasty and warm but the fat was not trimmed and it too was a very skimpy portion. The three bagelwiches with beverages, tax and a tip were $40. I could not believe this - even in NYC - you get huge portions not an air bagel with chips in a wicker basket for $$$. I decided to buy six bagels to take home to B'more. I've eaten the cinnamon raisin bagel toasted as well as reheated in the oven. The oven is better as these bagels are somewhat doughy and the toaster does not heat them properly. Six bagels were $7. I think I will let them air dry and string them on a necklace as they are too expensive to eat. They are also too heavy to wear. So I guess I'll end up eating them slowly to enjoy the most expensive bagels on the east coast. Would I return? Yes but I would order a bagel with a specialty cream cheese and a coffee. The portions are do not match the hefty prices they charge. Stick to the bagel basics.
(3)Lauren Z.
I love this place. They have great bagel spreads and real close to Rittenhouse square. The bagels are delicious and worth the sometimes longer than wanted wait. The coffee is just okay, nothing to brag about but it's not bad (La Colombe). The atmosphere is cool, if you have a small party and are able to find a table.
(4)Christine B.
That pink paper is back up behind the window, and the door is closed because they had a mechanical failure. Maybe the prices will be lower when they fix the fire problem?
(3)Maureen F.
Never a big wait. Easy in, easy out. Bagels are great- love an everything with veggie cream cheese or a BLT. Wanna try that pastrami special Coffee is great. Prices are very rittenhouse...but quality is there. good soundtrack playing all the time. Friendly staff. Wanna try the BYO vodka for brunch sometime....
(4)Anna Marie C.
now that i've been to montreal (and fairmount bagels) and feel like i can weigh in the the authenticity of the bagel, i'll give it a 'meh-plus'. on the issue of authenticity, i'll give a albany... or maybe a burlington. it's almost there, but not quite. i love the fact that montreal style bagels are a bit sweeter and less dough-y than new york style ones, and these fall somewhere in between. the cream cheese/spreads/sandwiches are not too shabby, but the pricing is new york-style. other little things.. the space is cramped. it's not that small but feels that way. on occasion, there appears to be too many staff in the area yet nothing seems to be going on. and just because i can see you coming off of break, please wash your hands before you get back to work. thanks.
(3)Christine C.
I've eaten here several times, and yes the bagels are good, but expensive. The service always seems to be a bit scattered and confusing, especially when it's crowded. Today I ordered a sandwich to go, and after waiting about 5 minutes, found out they gave it away to someone else, whose name begins with the same letter as mine. "Oh don't worry, we'll make you another." Which they did, while I waited. I wasn't offered a thing like a coffee or lemonade as a courtesy. Disappointing for a neighborhood place.
(2)Elizabeth M.
There is always a line spilling out of this place on weekends, so finally I bit the bullet and waited in it. I really liked it. It's a super cute shop, friendly people working there, interesting yet simple menu combinations. I found these bagels flavorful and loved that they don't taste like all the other bagels out there. The breakfast sandwiches could be $1-2 less, but it's Rittenhouse, what do you expect!
(4)Kevin C.
As prior reviewers have noted, Spread Bagelry is a bit on the pricey side, but from my experience the quality is on par with the price point. My usual order is the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on a poppy seed bagel with a hot tea, and I have yet to be anything but pleased. The service is fast and friendly and they have never had an issue accommodating my somewhat (read: extremely) picky orders. A lot of the times there isn't enough inside seating to accommodate every customer, but the seating outside is a perfect place to people watch and there always seems to be an open table. When you are lucky enough to sit inside the waitstaff is super attentive and they are constantly checking to make sure everything is ok (but not to the point of being pushy), which is always a plus. Overall it's one of the better places in the city to grab a quick and delicious breakfast but due to it's high price point it definitely isn't a place I (or many) can afford to eat at on a regular basis.
(3)Howie A.
You might have had bagels from NY or around Philly, but the Montreal-style bagel served at Spread Bagelry far surpasses in taste ! I had a chocolate chip bagel with scallion cream cheese today and savored every bite. I learned there is a chance next year a matzah recipe will be created for Passover consumers.
(5)Michelle L.
Since relocating here for school, it's been a pleasant surprise to discover that Philly is quite the food city - not a "foodie" city, I'll let you ponder that one - but a fairly solid food city. Its Achilles heel, though, is definitely BAGELS! Even though I am your good ol' garden variety California gurl, I love me a good New York bagel from time to time. My proverbial no-carb-diet is begrudgingly thankful, though, because nothing in Philly hits the spot in that department... Granted, Spread does not proclaim to have New York-style bagels - cos pardon-moi, they exclusively serve "Montréal-style bagels." So maybe I shouldn't be critiquing Spread; maybe I just don't like Montréal-style bagels. But hey I can still judge them for choosing that motif! These bagels taste as if the baker forgot to add salt. Wait a second, Montréal-style bagels aren't supposed to have salt anyway. Hm, not sure how I feel about that philosophy. The bagels here also taste very light, mildly sweet, and bread-like, almost like a baguette that had an identity crisis and curled itself into a donut. I'll give Spread a consolation star, for its attempt to be an individual and appeal to a niche market. But in a city like Philly where bagels are so hard to come by anyway, was that really necessary? My friend and I each got a Frittata Scramble, in which an egg, cheddar cheese, tomato, bacon, and jam are sandwiched between two bagel slices. Despite that mouthful of ingredients, we STILL thought it lacked flavor due to the lifeless, saltless bagel, and proceeded to douse it with the yummy local hot sauce they have on the tables. That is perhaps the bagellian equivalent of ruining frites with ketchup. I guess we just don't know how to appreciate subtlety... Tant pis :)
(3)David T.
The food is really good. Montreal style bagels FYI, NYC snobs. Look; I lived in New York and grew up on H&H. These bagels are differently made. Get over it. That's the good news. You'll notice the two stars which indicates that something is horribly wrong with a place if the food is good. I'm not as hung up on the price as others are here. You can go down the street and buy a three-day old piece of bread with a block of cream cheese on it for $2.50 if you really want. It's the wait. Wow do these guys need a systems design manager to come in and figure out a way to let the customers flow through. Increase counter size for making more sandwiches at one time, to start. Yikes is it slow, and no one should have to wait 20 minutes to get a bagel with cc. They've had their heads up their tuchus for a while with this, so I wouldn't expect it to change anytime soon.
(2)Laura C.
I love a good bagel on Sunday mornings, so I was excited to see Spread Bagelry open up in my neighborhood. The bagels are very fresh and flavorful. (Although I think NY bagels are better). They run an excellent business and the atmosphere is vibrant and energizing. Only drawback: the prices are a bit steep for bagels.
(4)Jenn V.
we went on a Saturday morning and the line wasn't too bad- we ordered The Club and The Classic (with Smoked Nova Salmon) - unfortunately they were out of Rye bagels at the time, so I had to 'settle' for a whole wheat bagel. It took about 10 minutes for our to go order to come out, we paid, and left to go eat it. This place is not cheap- the total of our meal, without drinks, was about $22 dollars... kind of excessive for 2 bagel sandwiches. The sandwiches themselves were very good- The Smoked Salmon was fresh, which isn't always easy to find and had the right combination of cream cheese, tomato and onions. The Club was different from what I was expecting- I usually do not have apples on my sandwiches, but it was a very pleasant surprise. Neither sandwich was particularly over stuffed- which for the price I expected more meat on both. In addition, both sandwiches state they come with a side (The Classic says it comes with a cucumber salad and The Club says it comes with a bag of chips)- neither of which were included in our to go bag. I would've given this place 3.5 stars without the price and the fact the side dishes of our sandwiches were no where to be found- so I rounded down.
(3)Jon D.
I purposely came when I knew it wouldn't be busy. To be honest, I don't really understand the hype. The staff were very friendly and nice though. I got the wood oven tuna melt with gruyere and tomato. It was pretty good, but nothing special. Just your average tuna with no distinct taste or unique ingredients. Flavor was decent but tuna has much more potential. I also got the pizza bagels that were sitting out (just some bagels with sauce and cheese slabbed on them). I ended up taking one bite, didn't like it, and threw the rest out.
(3)Flora T.
Overall, I prefer South Street Bagel for their bagels. I like my bagels chewier- these were denser. I got a breakfast sandwich and the flavors were uninspiring. The prices are comparable to South Street but you have a lot more flavors to pick from at South Street.
(3)Mike C.
Just OK. Overpriced for what it is.
(3)Madi C.
The bagel with peanut butter and jam is so good it's unfair. So are the breakfast sandwiches. And they have endless coffee refills of La Colombe. I would give it 5 stars but it's super smoky in there and you have to change clothes when you get home cause you smell like you've been cooking breakfast sandwiches for weeks in the same outfit.
(4)Amy J.
I just tried this place for the first time with friends in town visiting, and we ended up going twice! The line is usually really long, but the bagels are good and I really enjoyed the nova salmon cream cheese which has bits of salmon in it!
(4)Jason C.
After this place seemed to open and close a few times, I finally got to try it out and see what the fuss as all about. I had never had a Montreal style bagel before, and I don't think they're quite as good as a real New York bagel, but it's definitely worth the trip when you compare it to anything you have in your freezer, or Dunkin Donuts bagels, for that matter. The bagels are soft, fresh, and a little doughy tasting. Like everyone else, they do over-do the cream cheese in my opinion, so I always ask for it on the side. The cream cheese itself is fluffy, and a little addictive. The coffee is La Colombe, and it's delicious. It goes really well with an everything bagel and cream cheese. Maybe I'm just partial. The place was packed and the line was out the door on a Sunday morning, but the owner was still friendly, and chatted with me briefly as he brushed busily by, asking how the coffee was (I sipped it while I waited for my toasted everything...with cream cheese...mmm). I haven't tried much here yet, but so far, so good. I can't say there was a go-to bagel shop anywhere near me before this place opened, so I guess this is my go-to now, so that says a lot.
(4)Marie D.
I usually skip breakfast and not because I don't like it. But once I had a taste of the oven-baked bagels at Spread Bagelry, passing up my first meal of the day has become a lot more difficult. An everything bagel with scallion cream cheese spread topped a followup visit's nova lox spread on sesame. The bagels themselves are flawless, crunchy and chewy. The seating, a long wooden banquette and a few bistro tables, in the back is rustic and inviting, but often very hot due to the large oven in the center of the store. Prices are gouging - $13 for coffee, bagel and juice; $28 for two dozen takeaway bagels - but I've never been one to complain about spending good dough on good dough.
(4)Julia N.
I was all set to grump when I first tried this place: the bagels cost like TWICE or THRICE as much as the ones at the corner deli! What's so magical about these fancypants artisanal CANADIAN bagels anyway?? And so forth and so on. The thing is, these bagels are totally 100% way better than your typical bagel from a bag with a frosty white slab of Philadelphia cream cheese. These bagels are fluffy and chewy and light and vaguely sweet, kind of like pizza crust in a round breakfasty form. The Amish cream cheese tastes fresh and full of flavor; I'm partial to the garlicky veggie one. The setup in here is less than ideal - when it's busy, you'll end up huddled in a narrow space right next to the woodburning oven with a bunch of other people waiting. But they have fresh juice and little Cokes and La Colombe. They take LevelUp, which makes life a little cheaper and easier. All in all, I would spend the $4 here rather than $2 on the corner any day.
(4)Jenna M.
Philadelphia FINALLY has decent bagels. Hellooooo Spread! My new favorite weekday morning treat: 1. Go to Spread. Order breakfast sandwich (egg white, spinach, mushrooms, & cheese - 4 food groups!) plus bottomless cup of coffee. 2. While waiting for sandwich, fill up travel mug with coffee. Drink. Repeat. 3. Pick up sandwich. Top up coffee. 4. Start the day well-fed and caffeinated. Yay!
(5)Perry A.
The build up was more than I could stand. After reading ad nauseum about the superiority of Montreal Bagels over New York's, I just had to find a way to get to Mile End in Brooklyn to see what the fuss was about. But family life being what it is, a trip to King's county for doughnut shaped bread wasn't going to happen any time soon. So imagine my excitement when word about Spread Bagelry started to, well, spread. It grew even more frantic when the fire closed the store for months the day after it opened. Now finally re-opened, I was ready to have my bagel lust sated. Except it tasted like burnt ordinary rolls. Mind you I gave it every chance that I could afford. At $2 per bagel and about $10 for a sandwich it would be easy to break the bank. I got the classic, a bagel of your choice with amish cream cheese, red onions, a thick slice of heirloom tomato and smoked salmon. The Amish cream cheese was delish (nicely tart and so velvety), but it was no smear. More a overpowering than a contrast to make the smoked nova salmon shine. Even the lovely heirlooms and red onions could not hold back the out of balance flavor of the cheese. But the real star should have been the everything bagel that enveloped it. It was overly burnt and dry. Nothing like the dense and chewy dough and lightly crisp crust of H&H and Ess-A-Bagel in Manhatten. With the exception of the smoky taste and slightly sweetened crust from the honey water, these bagels were not exceptional. But for a real baseline, I also tried a raisin bagel, plain. It too was overly burnt and dry. I finished it, feeling guilty for spending $2 for a piece of bread. The cup of La Colombe was lovely. I will try again, if only for my optimism. I love artisanal concepts. But you still have to execute.
(2)Christine K.
The bagels are the best in the city! The coffee is La Colombe- again the best in the city. Beware of the long lines on the weekend, be prepared to wait. Only negative is not much of a beverage selection.
(4)Meg G.
Spread is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to eat in the city. The other people who reviewed Spread negatively may have just experienced the growing pains of a newly established business. These flaws are to be expected with a new business -- but the spread staff is really overcoming these growing pains and creating one of best places to visit in the city. Here's my take on some of the negatives mentioned: Do not let the long line deter you from waiting - It moves quickly and the bagels are worth the wait. The staff is extremely friendly and will always go out of their way to make you feel welcomed and make sure you're satisfied. If you're not, talk to them about it. Their menu may be a bit more expensive than their competitors, but the food is worth it!!! The food is fresh and the LaColombe coffee is bottomless. The environment is warm and welcoming. They offer free Internet, a good selection of music, outdoor entertainment, and there are always available seats to dine. If you had a negative first experience, give it a second chance!
(5)Emilio M.
Fantastic bagels. they are worth going out of the way to get. the sandwiches are very creative and delicious as well.
(4)Sarah H.
These bagels are fantastic. They're baked in a wood-fired oven, and thus infused with feel-good-campfire-cozy-morning-sunrise kinds of flavors. I swear. Other reviewers have mentioned a line, but every time I've been here I've been first or second to order and there have been plenty of free seats. I just love this place. It smells great, they play awesome music, the staff seems kind and fun-loving, they brew la colombe coffee to perfection, and the little seats by the window provide the perfect amount of sunlight and people watching for your afternoon snack.
(5)audrey p.
These bagels are very good -- softer than New York bagels, and a bit sweeter. The staff is also friendly. On the down side, though, the bagels are quite expensive ($2 each, extra for toppings), the space is cramped, and the selection is meager -- just a few flavors available. Also, the last time I bought several bagels I got a couple plain and an onion, and they were all bagged together. Really? If I wanted them all to taste like onion, I'd have ordered all onion!
(3)A P.
I'm not sure what all the rave is about. I ordered a couple of bagels with the blueberry cream cheese and garlic vegetable, and the nova bagel sandwich. The cream cheese spreads were good and generously slabbed on. The freshness of the eggs and bacon on the nova was questionable, and quite messy to eat. In terms of service, I went at 8am on Saturday and though it was not crowded by any means, the lady messed up my order. She gave me the wrong type of bagel which I didn't find out until later since it was a to-go order. Overall, I was a bit disappointed and I'm not sure if it's worth another visit.
(3)Rob W.
Pricey is the only gripe I have. Other than that this place is off the chain! I get the standard with Lox, cream cheese, tomato, and onion are all on one of the most amazing bagels you'll ever have. They have a brick oven that's dedicated to not only the bagels but also roasting brisket!
(4)Robin C.
Best bagels I've ever had. And the lox was so good! It doesn't get better than this. I can't wait to go back! The space was small, but very open with a lot of light. Very comfortable and laid back. The service was quick and they got both of our orders right. Overall, great experience!
(5)Erica E.
Spread is sooooo delicious I admit their loose bagels are expensive at $2 each and probably not worth it but the sandwiches are reasonably priced for what they are. My favorite is the egg white sandwich...comes with swiss cheese, spinach, truffled mushrooms, and turkey bacon. It is soo tasty I actually crave this sandwich. I think everyone should definitely try spread but it's hard to make it an all-the-time place because of the price
(4)Claire B.
Okay, Spread. Here's the thing. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I visited during the initial opening and was surprised, as many of the other reviews go on to detail, to find slim pickins and a less-than-friendly staff. Seriously, we were shelling out close to $25 for two bagel sandwiches and were treated like a nuisance. Went again today after the grand reopening. Prices were lowered, which was nice to see, and everyone was so FRIENDLY. Smiling! Engaging! Asking people if they liked their food! Perhaps the owners have Yelp accounts? The menu's changed a little bit, too. The nova cream cheese sandwich has been upgraded to a nova AND cream cheese sandwich. Bagels with cream cheese are now $3 as opposed to $2 for the bagel and $2 for the spread. My nova sandwich had a TON of salmon on it, but... it still wasn't the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. The tuna melt was much yummier, and the halves were melted & wrapped separately, which maximized said yumminess. The wait for the sandwiches was the straw that broke this camel's back. I've been to bagel joints with less staff and a GIANT menu that delivered quality results at a fraction of the time. They were also out of everything except everything bagels in the middle of a Saturday afternoon. Maybe we were tailing the rush? Maybe they were playing catch-up? Either way, two times is enough for me and Spread. I appreciate the work that's been put into improvements during the downtime, but it seems like Spread isn't my cup of tea.
(2)Stephen S.
Show some love for Spread! This is definitely a place that adds value to the Philadelphia food scene. I had the whole wheat bagel with PB & Amish Jam, I agree with other reviews, the bagel was sweet, but it was a perfect pairing for the runny peanut butter and thick amish jam. Absolutely delicious. My fellow Bagelar had an egg white sandwich of her own design on a whole wheat everything. Her bagel was much saltier with a hint of garlic and was no where near as sweet as mine. The perfect pairing for her choice as well. My only complaint about this place is that it's a little spendy. So I wouldn't come here every day or every week but I was definitely a fan of what they're going up in their wood oven. And it's still cheaper than taking the Bolt Bus to NYC to scratch that bagel itch.
(4)Caitlin V.
I'm a big fan of my bagels, so when I heard a new bagel joint was opening up, I immediately put it on my to-do list. On a recent lunch break, it was oddly warm and beautiful out for winter so I made way over to Spread to grab a bagel sandwich. I had been waiting all day for it The idea of their fresh made bagels danced around in my head. The plan was to get in and get out and bring it back to my work to eat, but when I got there I immediately changed plans when I saw their adorable window seating that no one was taking advantage of. What? Who doesn't want to sit in a nook by the window eating a bagel and people watching in one of my favorite neighborhoods of Philadelphia? Don't mind if I do... I got their egg white/swiss/spinach/mushroom on everything bagel sandwich. It was whipped up fast, tasted so delicious. They even brought it to me and I paid after I ate real restaurant style. Great little cafe.
(4)Emmaleigh A.
$1 extra for a slice of tomato? I still love you, but that's a little much!
(4)Holly T.
I've been really curious about this place ever since moving to the neighborhood, as I'd only had Montreal-style bagels once, but really enjoyed them. I've now been a couple times, and so far, I really enjoy the food. People aren't kidding when they complain about the price tag (probably 2x the cost of a typical bagel place), but the bagels sure are delicious. I like seeing the bagels come out of the brick oven, the slight taste of char on the bagels themselves, and the pile of wood stacked up near the oven. Each time I've been, I've gotten the same order, which is a "frittata scramble" on an everything bagel. I never would have thought to combine jam with eggs, bacon, cheese, and tomato, but it's a great flavor and the amish jam they use is very tasty. The more I think about it, the more I feel like the price is justified, as these are really good ingredients. What I really don't like is the space and ambiance (or lack thereof). It's just too narrow, cramped, and unwelcoming. When it's not crowded, it's still not really a comfortable place to hang out (too bad, since they have bottomless La Colombe), and when it is crowded, there is no place to wait for your order. It's not a regular thing for me, but I can certainly see coming back to try some of their other bagel sandwiches; their club and pastrami sandwiches both sound really interesting, and they always have different daily specials.
(4)Ryan B.
Like the other reviewers I was anxiously awaiting the opening a new bagel place near where I live. Unfortunately, after going once I will never be back. I walked in on opening day and was met with an air of annoyance and ambivalence. After studying the menu for 90 seconds, seemingly bothering the counter person in the process (there was no one else waiting to order), I ordered a plain bagel and a coffee. The woman seemed slightly shocked I would order a plain bagel, but after seeing that it was going to cost $2, there was no way I was going to add anything to it. The bagel itself was fine, certainly better than something from Dunkin' Donuts, but no better than a bagel from a place like Panera, and in no way worth $2. I really think the proprietors of this place have no idea how much food costs at other restaurants. In the end a combination of meh service, average food, and insanely high prices make this place a major disappointment. Here's hoping they change in the coming months, or are replaced by a better bagel store.
(1)E T.
C'mon,you could be a little more friendly- you just opened off Rittenhouse Square after many months of a sign in an empty store front. We were waiting for you!! Instead, y'all seem a little grumpy. $2 bagel with $4 spread. I need a little more lox to justify the $4 charge. My friend ordered an $8 breakfast specialty sandwich. When did bagels become haute cuisine?
(2)Steve W.
Had a delicious onion bagel with lox, egg, onion and tomato yesterday, followed by a chocolate chip bagel for dessert! Everyone in my party enjoyed their food. Highly recommended.
(5)Kristin S.
I wanted to love Spread so badly. As an expat New Yorker, I've been on a 10-year quest to find good bagels in the Philadelphia area, and when I heard that Spread was opening around the block from my apartment, it seemed like a small miracle. My friends joked that it would be dangerous for me to live so close to a bagel shop, because I would end up eating there every day. While the bagels are delicious (sweeter and denser than NY bagels), and I enjoy the smell of the wood-burning stove on 20th street, I can't in good faith give this place more than 3 stars, because the prices are outrageous. With the cost of a bagel and coffee coming to more than $5, my bagel-induced happiness is always muted by the sinking feeling that I'm throwing my money away; I can't pull out my wallet without remembering that at my favorite bagel shop in Brooklyn, a larger bagel and a larger coffee cost only $2. I still stop by occasionally (let's face it; I'm a bagel junkie), but I'd probably be here twice per week if the prices were reasonable. Other minor complaints - the staff's attempts at conversation often leave me feeling awkward (I once witnessed the owner ask a woman holding a baby, "Is he yours?"), and the coffee situation is a less than ideal. The coffee, creamer, sweeteners, napkins, and pitchers of water are all crammed together on a small table, so that in order to grab a packet of sugar, you have to reach an entire arm's-length over everything else on the table. That's fine if you're young, spry, and not carrying anything - but if you're holding a purse (or backpack, or child that may or may not belong to you), or even just have short arms, I don't see how you could possibly sweeten your coffee without knocking something over in the process.
(3)A. M.
UPDATED: Like a Phoenix.... Spread Bagelry is back after a short hiatus and re-tooling. Very happy that the prices are slightly smaller and bagels are slightly larger. Love the new attitude of the staff too. Great way to start the morning. In the week that it has been open I've stopped by three times. Great bagel and coffee to go. $6 is a little more than I would normally pay at an alternate Dunkin or Saxby stop - but you can't argue that the bagel and coffee quality are 10x better. Wireless access and afternoon turkey club sandwich were exactly what I needed the other day - although I would have been more happy with a can of diet coke... I don't get the appeal of 8oz of soda is a glass bottle. Wished I could have found a spot on Sunday - but they were PACKED. As much as I would have loved to enjoy my brunch there with the new Vanity Fair - I actually felt guilty wanting to take up a whole table to myself. Looking forward to this becoming another neighborhood routine.
(4)y r.
"We use local Amish farm cream cheese, jams and fresh fruits & vegetables to make our homemade seasonal spreads" -- but no vegan options other than jam. I guess chickpeas and olive oil aren't local enough. Vegans beware.
(1)Leah G.
I too have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Spread. I am THRILLED to finally have a solution to the problem that is the overwhelming dearth of quick breakfast food options in center city. I love the interior. It is also a lovely place to sit an enjoy your breakfast, not just take something to go. I got an everything bagel with cream cheese. I thought it was delicious. I will say, the coffee was not my favorite, this has some room for improvement. Contrary to the other reviews, I thought the staff was lovely. (I also don't think the pricing is outrageous; when I go to manhattan bagel I spend the same amount, and lets be honest, who really wants to go to manhattan bagel). I will definitely be returning!
(4)Benjamin E.
I was conflicted. My girlfriend's parents from Montreal were in town and I thought I should take them to Spread - get them a taste of home. I then thought, wait a minute, if I was in Montreal, I would have no interest in getting a cheesesteak. A friend from work had the opposite opinion - "I'd want to see what Canadians did to a cheesesteak." I've been to Montreal many times and have had many Montreal bagels. Spread's bagels seemed to be a hybrid of Montreal and NY style bagels (a little puffier than the typical very thin sweet Montreal bagels), but this is by no means a negative. For me it was a great combination of the two - I think Montreal bagels are too thin and NY bagels too puffy. The Montrealers agreed. They did ask the owner about the thickness of the bagels and he claimed that due to the heat and humidity they couldn't prevent the yeast from doing its thing. I will have no problem if this issue persists. We all got bagel sandwiches with lox or whitefish. They were big sandwiches with very good fish. I will be returning.
(4)Erin W.
I was so excited to finally eat here after walking past it for months and falling more and more in love with the decor. Exposed brick, subway tile, marble counters, sweet little wooden window bench. It's all beautifully done, and it should be, as it took them long enough. The obvious downside is that they have to recoup that money somehow, so my wallet was raped for almost $6 with tax for a bagel with chive cream cheese. The menu said bagels were $2, and then it listed "local farm fresh cream cheeses" for about $2-$4 each. I erred on the side of naivete and expected to pay $3 TOTAL, not $3 ON TOP OF the price of the bagel. FYI, you guys are next to an abandoned hardware store and a nail salon. You might share the block with D'Angelo's and Audrey Claire, but let's not pretend you get to indulge in the snooty Rittenhouse attitudes and matching prices. You serve bagels. Maybe my palate isn't as refined, but I'd much prefer the classic tang of good old Philadelphia cream cheese, especially if it will cost me less. Also, I waited roughly 3 minutes before anyone noticed I was at the counter and took my order. I fear for these guys on a busy Saturday morning. But you know who I feel worse for? The elderly man I was in line behind who was surprised that his order cost $14 (FOURTEEN), and was counting $1s from his wallet to try and pay for it. I gave it 3 stars because admittedly my bagel was pretty delicious, and because I don't want to see this place tank after the eternal construction process.
(3)Jes S.
I wanted to review this place when I went on the 2nd (of May), but the yelp page wasn't set up yet... Things I loved: - Got the club breakfast sammich and it was SUPER Duper tasty. The insides were great and the texture/flavor/style of the bagel was perfect for such an endeavor. -Super sweet and cute interior, very comfy! Things I Didn't Love: - Said over and over again by other reviewers... The people/service was just awful. The lady behind the counter looked frazzled and confused, and they didn't seem to know what to do with a business. Someone offered to help her, one of the servers, and got snapped at. A new customer joined our long line and asked if everyone had gotten served and got semi-yelled at to wait? - The price? I got a sandwich and that was a reasonable price for the amount of stuff packed on it, but the bagels themselves were $2 each. If it's too expensive are ppl going to keep going? And a soda was $2, but it was not a very big soda... and yes, glass bottle coke, very nice, but I would like more coke please. 4 stars for deliciousness, minus one star for service . :(
(3)Kristin G.
I've been to Spread twice now... First I got the tuna melt, it was good - not great considering it was about 10 dollars. Second time I got a cinnamon raisin bagel, which was delicious. You won't find bagels in philadelphia as good as the ones they sell here, seriously delish... But I must say, 2 dollars for a small bagel is a little steep, even if it's really delicious. If Spread started making their bang for buck a little better I would definitely give them another star and visit them far more often. It seems like I'm not the only one singing the song of their prices, I wouldn't mind paying 1.50 for the size bagel they have, or 2 dollars for a larger bagel. Anyway, regardless of the price Spread Bagelry is worth at least one visit, it's just not a place I would visit more than maybe once every, or every other, month.
(3)Lauren F.
Oh Spread. You tempted me for 10 months with the promise of a bagel place moving in around the corner. Every few weeks I would stop by, hoping that I could get a Montreal style bagel for the first time. Alas, you waited too long and opened literally days before I moved. Days. I wish I was kidding. And it lived up to the hype. Those bagels, the cream cheese, everything was delicious, if a big expensive. Before I left I think we visited two or three times, one of which was the morning of our move. I had a sesame, which is my favorite regardless of the fact that it is the traditional topping of Montreal style bagels. Just a bagel and cream cheese, but it was delicious. I could taste the bit of honey that they boil the bagels in, definitely. So, my conclusion is, well, it's delicious. But I was promised bagels around the corner! Now I won't be able to appreciate the delicious new bagel place...
(4)Bobby P.
Nice bagels and friendly service. I thought I remembered Montreal style bagels being chewier, but I actually prefer these. Love that they offer whole wheat everything bagels (phenomenal with the lox cream cheese spread). Why should you have to choose between whole wheat and everything? Most bagel shops seam to think its ok, but to hell with most bagel shops! All that being said, what is the deal with the egg and cheese sandwich with jelly? That was definitely a mistake on my part to order it, but it never should have been on the menu to pique my curiosity. Also, offering ham as an option on the breakfast sandwiches would be nice...
(3)Jennifer T.
Every day for the past many months, I've sat on my front steps with my dog and stared longingly at Spread Bagelry and the slooooooooow construction process. Today it finally opened!! Typical "spread" of Montreal-style bagels, homemade cream cheeses, bagel sandwiches, La Columbe coffee, and the like. They have bagel melts of the day - today was tomato and gruyere, which it looked good but I opted for a whole wheat bagel with veggie cream cheese and a coffee to go. The slightly sweet bagel was a touch crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy inside. Homemade veggie cream cheese had celery, onions, tomatoes and maybe some other unidentifiable veggies mixed in. Mmmm so good! The only issue I have with Spread is that it's expensive, even for Rittenhouse. $5 for a bagel with cream cheese?? Give me a break. At least the coffee is decently priced at $2. The boyfriend got 8 bagels for his office, and apparently they don't have tub-sized cream cheeses yet... so he had to pay PER cream cheese. $39 later, he was NOT happy. I will be back, but only if I'm feeling spendy!
(3)Danan R.
The bagels are pretty good: slightly dense, soft, with just a hint of sweetness. I had a plain with cream cheese and it was very satisfying. I also stole a bite of the pastrami sandwich on rye and that was delicious. I'll be back to get my own next time. For those of you who love coffee, they have endless La Colombe, which was one of my original reasons for coming here. It was very busy but the service was friendly and efficient. Prices are slightly high but the bagels (and coffee!) are worth it.
(4)Elizabeth F.
I've got to say it, this is not a bagel. Perhaps this is a bagel in Canada in the same way that a boot is a trunk in England. But here in America a boot is a shoe and the baked good sold at Spread is bread with a hole in the middle. With that rant out of the way, I will say that it is a pretty good piece of bread. My everything Canadian bagel was warm and had a nice crunch to it. I had the vegetable cream cheese, which had nice big chunks of carrot and celery in it. It was a nice afternoon snack, but set me back $5. This is about a $2 too much to pay for what I got. As for the bagels being "handcrafted"--whatever that means--the things is still just some flour and yeast. But I must add, the place has a very cute storefront and a great seating area.
(3)Kendrah R.
Stupid amount of money. $25 for two bagel sandwiches and then you skimp on the lox? That is just bad business. I won't be back.
(2)Daniel P.
Loved it! And a cool ambiance to boot.
(5)Ben M.
I flew into Philadelphia on a red eye, and on my way out of town I decided to stop for breakfast. As a devout fan of hipsteresque eateries I decided I would have to give this wood fired bagel shop a go. The service took a little while for ordering 3 bagels, I get the impression they're relatively new. They were friendly and everything worked out fine. I had an everything bagel. I liked the wood fired crunchiness and taste. It did cut the roof of my mouth. Tried "The Classic" and their melt of the day. Both were quite tasty. I see a lot of complaints about price. I was excited at how cheap the lox and bagel was, but maybe that's just coming from California.
(4)Alison P.
I personally am a huge fan of Spread, but you have to go in knowing that this is not your typical bagel. These bagels are made in a brick oven and I love them-- they are light and crisp, and my favorite point about Spread might be that their seeded bagels have seeds on both sides, not just the top. Why doesn't every bagel place do that, huh? If you are splurging, go for the brisket and provolone, which is indulgent but worth it. I love the egg white sandwich with truffled mushrooms, and all of the spreads and farmer's jam are fresh and delicious.
(4)Jose A.
The good: The bagels are actually pretty good. There is bottomless coffee The bad: You have to wait awhile to get them. You have to pay a lot to get them. If you're looking for a nice neighboorhood bagel shop, like south street bagels, you aren't going to find it here. This is trendy, upscale, overpriced, but still pretty good bagels. If you're looking for that definitely go here. It's just that I'm not.
(2)Lissa C.
Honestly, for as expensive as the bagels are, I expected better. I've had two different bagels here both just toasted with butter. The bagels don't have much flavor- especially the everything bagel which is normally salty, oniony, etc. All I could taste was flour. South Street Philly Bagels is much better.
(2)Melissa M.
5 stars because when I think of going out for bagels on a Sun morning, this is where I think of going first. Their creations are dough-y and chewy, have a very different character than a perfect NY bagel (the exterior has a little smoky crustiness rather than that thickness of well-boiled chew), and are wonderful in their own way. The onion bits, and sesame and poppy seeds are flavorful. Love that they have great whitefish salad and that the salmon cream cheese actually tastes like salmon. The coffee is terrific. The few lunch sandwiches I've tried (I'm so glad to see the whitefish, the selections in Philly being what they are, that I rarely try anything else) had just the right amount of really fresh veggies. Service is friendly and the folks who work there look like they like their jobs. Be prepared that bagels are $2/ea, and sandwiches approach $10. But you'll notice the two or three folks working the oven, and appreciate the effort it takes to make these fresh.
(5)Duncan I.
Been a few times there now and pretty consistently have the same opinion. Place is cute. Ingredients are fresh and tasty. I love a crunchy toasted bagel and I understand it's designed to simply be a vessel to carry the food but it doesn't quite carry it, in fact my everything bagel was quite bland. Service was great. Their choice of coffee is questionable. Location is screaming for some good food joints and certainly needs something like this. Price is def a little on the higher side but so is rent so I can appreciate the need to elevate the rates.
(3)Isaac T.
Delicious breakfast bagel
(4)Sari S.
I stopped into Spread today after hearing about it from friends. I'm a proud Canadian new to Philly so I was excited to try their "Montreal" style bagels. Well needless to say, these are not Authentic Montreal style bagels. They were way too big, too mushy, and not hard the way I was expecting. One normally has to eat one right away because they get stale immediately. And honestly, these were way overpriced. However...They did taste good though! But $2 bucks for one bagel is ridonkulous.
(3)A J.
ugh. dont waste your money on the coffee. I've been here three times and it's weak, watery, boiled Buffett style in a huge banquet urn. secondly, plan on leaving smelling like you've been working at a diner for a week. no exhaust where they cook. ew :( bagels are good. expensive.
(1)Lizzie S.
Spread is my go-to lazy weekend breakfast spot. Strong coffee with free refills, bagels fresh from the wood-burning oven served with some classic R&B tunes, and only a block from Rittenhouse Square (ideal for picnicking). The line is often long but it moves quickly, and the local ingredients are worth the extra dollar or two. True, Montreal bagels are not the same as New York bagels, but can't I make room in my belly for both?
(4)Ali E.
I have no idea what a Montreal style bagel is but the everything bagel with cream cheese is absolutely incredible. That's all I get but recommend that everyone try it. It's delicious. I agree with others that it's pricey. Bagel + coffee/tea ends up being $5. Which is more than i'd like to pay for a neighborhood place. I wish they had a frequent buyer card and gave discounts for bringing your own coffee mug. Originally gave this place 4 stars but reduced it to 3 because three times now I keep asking for an everything bagel but end up with whole wheat everything- huge difference and not in a good way.
(3)Sam T.
Effing awesome. Good coffee, best bagels in the city by a wide margin. Maybe best avoided if you have a hipster allergy, and it would be nice if the line moved faster, but the sheer brilliance of the bagels more than compensates. Prices are competitive. Not the cheapest, but not extortionate, either
(5)Jennifer M.
Really delicious bagels!!!! I like how they taste a bit sweeter than a New York style bagel. I would say these are the best bagels in Philly. Philly has a weak bagel scene. Don't listen to the haters on here!!!! Good job spread!
(4)Rob F.
I'm not sure these are much more authentically Montreral than other bagels are authentically New York. It's been a while since I had a Montreal bagel. However, whatever they are, they are quite good. Slightly sweet, with a slightly cakelike crumble instead of a doughy texture. Really nice crust.
(4)Matt K.
For me there's no better way to have breakfast than with a bagel sandwich. For years, there's been on spot in the city that was my go to place for bagels. Then after seeing their "Best of Philly" win this year and a few tasty pictures from friends, I decided to give it a try yesterday. Location wise Spread located on one of the nicer blocks in the Rittenhouse Square/Center City West area. Seating is limited and it's not the biggest store so I'm not surprised to read that there can be lines running out the door. Luckily my "morning" started late enough that I was able to avoid any waiting. I got two bagels with my order; a turkey bacon, eggs and Gruyere sandwich on an onion bagel and a plain bagel with their 4 berry cream cheese. Both were toasted. Service was quick, I waited no longer than 5 minuets after placing my order. The bagels were bigger and thicker than what I'm used to. And despite being toasted, they were still slightly soft and chewy (and I mean that in a good way). The eggs came with thick slices of local Lancaster turkey bacon and topped with the perfect amount of cheese. Overall just a great sandwich. However, the plain bagel with 4 berry cream cheese stole the show. Again, the bagel was soft and chewy, but not doughy. The spread was made from local Amish cream cheese and not only had a great flavor from the berries, but had chunks of berries in it! It's easily one of the best spread's I've tried. Overall I loved my bagel experience at Spread. Yeah it was a bit pricey, but it was well worth the money. Would I go here every morning? No because I would be broke. But whenever I'm looking to get a bagel that's top notch I'm coming back. And I'm calling it now; I bet they're going to make one hell of a pumpkin cream cheese once we get closer to Fall.
(4)Patty G.
I had breakfast at Spread today for the first time. I went with 3 co-workers at the recommendation of one in attendance. One of my co-works had a stroller which, due to a combination of the high step at the entrance way and the narrow shop, she couldn't get in so she waited outside while we all ordered. Four bagels with cream cheese and four coffees (which were self serve and La Colombe-- yum!) took 20 minutes. They weren't even toasted! They cost $3 each which, even for center city, is a bit high. The young lady at the counter was unpleasant at best and the owner, who I spent a few minutes speaking with, admonished his staff for not making bagels quick enough. As a customer, that made me uncomfortable to hear. On the bright side, the bagels were delicious. I've never been to Montreal or have had a Montreal-style bagel to compare this to but it tasted good to me. I would most likely not go there for breakfast again but would consider picking up a dozen bagels for a special occasion brunch at my house.
(2)Walter C.
They are the best bagels I've had. Hands down. They taste like no other bagels I've ever had. Chewy, moist, sweet. Perfect.
(3)Jen S.
I really want to like this place because it is only a few blocks from my apartment and I have great memories of bagels in Montreal. Unfortunately, our experience here wasn't great. Prices were high as others said, the service seemed indifferent, and they ran out of coffee and were a little disorganized when it came to brewing more (this was Sunday am). The most important part, our bagels were not crispy - very doughy. Also, I should have specified toasted, but forgot and got a cold bagel with too much cream cheese just plopped on the middle of the bagel. The bagels were sweet, but I liked that. I also liked the doughiness, however they needed a crispy outside to balance that out. Ambiance/interior design was great - very cute shop. Maybe they will get it together as they go. I would like to try them again, but I don't know if I will because of the prices. Likely I will stick with Metropolitan bagels, which are much cheaper and, in my opinion, tastier.
(2)Ken G.
Really wanted to love this place but thought it was just ok. Poppy bagel had a nice char and the wood burning fire looked great. Bagel was a step above ordinary but not as dense as I remember a Montreal bagel to be. Cream cheese was fresh and creamy but needed a tad more flavor (maybe I should have tried a spread). Girl working the counter was more interested in singing a really bad version of Prince than waiting on customers. I will give it another shot because the wood fire and char do add a whole new dimension to the bagel, and my Lear jet timeshare only allows me to get to Montreal once a month LOL
(3)Ken L.
Ok, I waited a few weeks. Lines out the door. But again tried to get some bagels. How can you be out of bagels and make people wait 30 min. limited menu, very disorganized, Bagels are good not great and as everyone said pricey but it is in Rittenhouse neighborhood but this place needs some management bigger space. Will prob just get my bagels at Le Bus or Capagiro (H and H from NY)
(1)Scott B.
I love the Bagel Club sandwich. It makes an amazing lunch or brunch. Combine that with their La Colombe coffee and I'm in heaven. I'm sorry, but I don't care which genre of bagel you classify it as: Montreal or New York or Podunk. If it tastes good it is good, and Spread's are good!
(5)MC E.
Read about this place and wanted to check it out. Went in this morning and there was no wait and plenty of bagels (most still warm). The place is super-cute and the people working there were very pleasant. Now that I have been there, I probably won't be rushing back as I got 6 bagels and a container of cream cheese and lox for $16!!!!!!! I am not cheap by any means, but that is ridiculous. They are delicous and I know my husband will like them as well - just very pricey. A special treat, if you will.
(3)Jessica M.
Craziness ensues even at an off time on a Saturday afternoon. But then again I suppose there is no "off time" on a lovely, brisk Saturday in January. For as crowded as it was in there, the staff kept their cool (not easy when standing right by a hot oven - hardy har har!). I went in determined to get a "lunch" sandwich but ended up getting a breakfast sandwich instead after watching a cook prepare eggs on the griddle. I took it to go since there wasn't much room to sit and in my 5 block walk home, it was still hot when I arrived ready to eat. My only complaint was that it needed salt and pepper. This is pretty standard for a breakfast of eggs and cheese but I was surprised that it wasn't even a tad seasoned. I guess they have to cater to those who don't care for it and leave the seasoning to the individual. I will definitely go back to get a lunch sammy and also to pick up a dozen the next time I am headed out to the family....it will be nice to introduce them to something other than their standard DD bagels. Again - props to the staff who were friendly and accommodating and made you not care about a little bit of a wait!
(3)Eric C.
Delicious. By far the BEST bagel sandwich I have ever had. I ordered the Egg White with Truffled Mushrooms, Spinach, Lite Swiss and Turkey Bacon on a Whole Wheat and did this sandwich send my senses whirling this morning! It was decadent. The flavors blended together amazingly. Wow, I wish I could wake up to this every morning. The prices are slightly on the higher side, but definitely justified by the HIGH QUALITY product. I recommend everyone to put it on their list.
(4)James G.
Would you like some flies with that? My main concern about this place was the amount of flies. My girlfriend and I sat on the upper level and there were swarms of flies. They were all over the wall. That's bad enough however, the owner was walking around cleaning tables where the flies were. It was IMPOSSIBLE for him not to notice the flies but we could see no fly trap or fly paper or anything. That can only lead me to assume he didnt care that his customers had to swat away flies while eating. Great customer service. My other concern I paid nearly $25 for 2 bagels. Thats a ridiculous price! Plus the coffee was crap and I had 1 slice of bacon on my Blt. Not one slice for each side but one slice, cut in half, with half placed on each side. Pathetic for a 10 bagel!! In summary the amount of flies ruined any chance of me enjoying this place. Dirty, expensive and flimsy with the bacon!! Won't be back!
(1)Adina R.
I'm a New York bagel fan so I have to say I was skeptical about the idea of sweet Monteal bagels but I'd been wanting to try Spread since I'd heard great things. And besides Philly lacks great NY bagels so I might as well try something different. Spread was ok. The nova and cream cheese was great and the bagel was fine. It was a Sunday morning so I'm sure the bagel was fresh baked, but it just didn't taste that way. Instead it tasted like a few days old cold bagel. Maybe I'll give it another try without the everything bagel and lox to get the pure essence of a Montreal bagel, but after my first try, it didn't seem like anything special.
(3)Suki R.
This is officially my very FIRST yelp review. What could've prompted this? Was it the satisfaction I received from my bagel, or could it be my excellent mood? Probably a mingling of the two. I'm going to Montreal next month, and because this place claims to serve "Montreal style" bagels, I thought I'd educate myself in my favorite way - nom nom nom. After a night of Halloween mayhem, a large amount of carbohydrates conveniently located down the block was just what my roommate & I needed. We both selected the whole wheat everything, and it was perfection with it's toasty outside, softer insides and a nice touch of sweetness. I'm coming from a few years in NYC, so I am used to a cold attitude with places this adorable. Everyone here was friendly and in positive spirits. They even, un-prompted, let me try the Peanut Butter Jam I was curious about (it tastes like melted Snickers, far too dangerous to actually keep in my apartment). Now, I've noticed some people complaining about the prices - but you get what you pay for. To start with the basics, you are not getting any old coffee, they're serving La Colombe! Personally, bad coffee is one of my biggest pet peeves. While their prices could easily be much lower, they choose to try to select locally sourced, quality ingredients - and I think we all know this is not the cheapest way to do things, but better for yours and mines bodies as well as area farmers. No, this is not your corner deli (which I agree, can have cheap, delicious bagels & coffee), but that isn't what Spread is trying to be. Appreciate it for what it is, get your pre-conceived notions of a bagel place out of your head, dish out the cash, and enjoy - your taste buds will thank you.
(5)Cam A.
Yes the prices are a bit high, but unlike many previous reviewers, I have the ability to read, so I read the menu and knew that before i ordered. The food is very good, the staff is among the most friendly in philly, and the renovation looks great. The very long weekend lines highlight two points: 1. the place is good 2. There's a big lack of places like it in the neighborhood. A great addition to rittenhouse west. - also an expat New Yorker
(5)Lauren H.
That was not a bagel. That was a lovely wood burning oven baked circular loaf of bread. But not a bagel. Sorry.
(2)Bernard L.
Complete waste of money. Staff talked the whole time. Breakfast sandwich was small and cost 7 bucks. Never again.
(1)Kristen H.
This is a great neighborhood bagel place. I avoid it like the plague on weekends when the line is out the door, but it's usually pretty empty early week day mornings. The staff has always been pleasant and my bagel is ready quickly. I'm a creature of habit, so I usually stick to the cinnamon raisin bagel toasted with cream cheese.
(4)Dave L.
Even the birds turned their beaks up at these bagels. What a dissapointment. Overated and way overpriced. Bagels taste like stale irish soda bread. Hoped that they would taste better toasted. Not a chance. Bought a half dozen anticipating they would be great bagels. Line out the door. I wish them well. They said they can't keep up with the demand. No way would I go back. I would rather starve than eat one of these again.
(1)Beth M.
I've been here too many times. It does not compare to real Montreal bagels, but that's ok - I keep my expectations reasonable. Two stars because if you can actually get a fresh bagel, it's good. My low rating is for other reasons. First of all, this place is really expensive - plain bagel with no cream cheese is $2, cream cheese adds another $1, a slice of tomato is yet another $1, etc. You'll pay $8 or so for a bagel breakfast sandwich with bacon, eggs, and cheese. Add coffee or juice and you're talking $25 for two people. The second downside is the service. I was disappointed on my last trip here. Granted it was during the weekend breakfast mad rush, but they didn't ask my name when I ordered, and I hung around near the front of the store in the crowd for 20 minutes waiting for my to-go order. After finally asking where my order was, they retrieved a bag of bagels and I had to wait another 10 minutes while they hunted down a tub of plain cream cheese (there was none in the refrigerator). The bagels had been toasted and were really dry, since they had been sitting around for 30 minutes. Threw most of them away. What a waste of $. My last gripe is that I have asked for pastrami on 4 different visits, and they have ALWAYS said that they're out of it. I have no idea why it's on the menu.
(2)Ann S.
This place is great. I went for the first time a week ago and they gave me a free bagel for being a new customer. Went back today and really enjoyed it! Very nice people great service. the bagels are FABULOUS! Not NY bagels the only difference is Ny bagels have a thicker skin. But these don't claim to be that. I'm glad philly has something just as good but different. THe only reason i didn't give 5 stars is $2 for a bagel. no matter how good it is that;s too much, so it won't be a daily stop but I will go back. In fact i plan to go back for lunch with a friend they have to try these!
(4)Kristen S.
I came here for the first time about a month ago with a friend who had been raving about the Montreal style bagels that Spread bakes fresh daily. I was super excited because, to me, there is nothing better than a good bagel sandwich--especially a breakfast sandwich on the weekends after a night of working or drinking; something to fill the void or soak up the toxins! I ordered the egg white sandwich on a toasted whole wheat everything bagel and fell in love with it. I've been back every weekend since and have rotated between the egg white sandwich or simply just a toasted bagel with one of their delicious cream cheese spreads (the onion scallion is by far my favorite). The bagels are doughy, oblong, unique, and fresh every time. The staff is very friendly and diligent in addition to the delicious bagels. There isn't anything that I want to complain about other than the small interior which leaves little space for seating.
(4)Mike C.
Spread is like a pretty blonde. They have an attractive product and pretty assests so you overlook the obvious flaws. The bagels are pretty good, the idea of woodfiring them isnt new but it is to philadelphia. The thing is they have about 15 people work there on weekend mornings and yet they still cant keep up with the flow. Twice I have waited 20-25 minutes for a bagel to go, nothing special just some cream cheese. There were only 6 people in front of me. That is obscene. And who pays a dollar for jam, and a dollar for butter. 4 dollars for a bagel with the bare essentials? The owner hangs out and makes small talk which can be nice but its just a bagel. I mean if youre vetri or garces fine, come talk to us. And if you want to elicit feedback on how the operation is going and if your costumers are satisfied even better. But I dont want to hear how Philly needed a bagel place so bad and it was so obvious to set this up. This isnt delivering medicine to the third world. There is potential, but as it stands this place is not taking feedback seriously
(2)Sally R.
I'm not a huge fan of Montreal style bagels, but I love coming into Spread and seeing soon to be consumed bagels baking away in the oven. They have a down home vibe and a menu of rustic sandwiches. I really quite enjoy places that are new but make you feel like they've maybe been there all along and you just happened to notice it out of the corner of your eye. Once inside, the atmosphere is cozy, even on a busy busy Sunday morning, the crowd feels more like a gathering of hungry friends than a feeding frenzy. They sell lovely homeade jams and I always appreciate places that offer you the dine in option of using mugs instead of disposable paper cups. Perhaps, on a bit of a pricier side of bagels, but still reasonable compared to other eating-out options, you've got to tell yourself. I also dug the friendly service at the counter and the festive sounds of Huey and the Banjo playing outside, welcoming everyone in for their morning coffee.
(3)Stef A.
2.5 stars because of the darn price. I've been anxiously awaiting for Spread to open. Decor is very awesome - seems like a good place to hang out and have your bagel and coffee but $12 for lox, cream cheese and tomato??? I can go to Bacchus and get it for half the price (although granted, the bagel is not as big). I also thought the sesame bagel I ordered was rather chewy. I"m going to give it another shot and just try ordering a bagel with veggie cream cheese but I will not be paying 12 bucks for the bagel with lox again.
(3)K P.
We walked in and were greeted by a messy dissheveled cashier who after giving us the up and down look, bluntly asked if we were ready to order. We ordered "the standard" with egg whites, light cheese and turkey bacon on toasted bagels. The bagels were dry, and by dry I mean flour coating your lips as you took a bite. Not what i'd expect from any bagel. The bread was very doughy definitely a difference between a regular bagel. If you want a dry, doughy piece of bread with Trader Joe's turkey bacon, make it at home with Thomas' and you're guaranteed a better experience. And this wasn't a cheap breakfast either. For two bagel sandwiches and drinks we paid close to $20. Personally, I prefer breakfast with a lot less attitude. I have no intention of returning and will be sure to SPREAD the word.
(2)Naz B.
Went to Spread yesterday, opening day, after months of wondering when this place would open. I'm from New York and have lived in Rittenhouse for 5+ years, and I've always wondered why there was no bagel place in the neighborhood, so I was excited to see this place open, despite the "Montreal-style" bagels. After the long wait, I'm pretty disappointed and can't see myself going back again. The space is nice - cozy and cute, an ideal place to sit and read the paper. However, the employees (maybe owners too?) are less than ideal. My boyfriend and I walked in, and as the only customers took a minute to read the menu and look around. There were quite a few employees there, and no one offered any sort of explanation as to the type of bagels or their "handcrafted" spreads or really much of a welcome at all. The lady at the register (dark brown hair) was a little snarky and seemed visibly annoyed that my bf ordered a bagel sans expensive spread. You would think her attitude would have a been a little better after just a few hours of being open. All that aside, the bagel was meh at best. I had an everything bagel with farm-fresh butter (or something like that), and my bf had a poppyseed bagel with nothing on it. I understand the difference in style between NY and Montreal-style, and it just wasn't special. It is a little sweet, denser and much smaller than a typical bagel. Maybe it's that I'm a NY bagel snob, but I'm just not impressed. Maybe the "handcrafted" spreads are something special, but spending $5-$6 (unless it has lox and cream cheese, which is $11 at Spread btw) on a bagel just doesn't seem reasonable to me. It's about double the price of the best bagel places in Manhattan with the most delicious "handcrafted" spreads available. Rittenhouse is just not that special and "high-class" to warrant the price. Since when are Rittenhouse prices higher than the UES? As for the size of the bagel, it is denser than a typical bagel, but it truly is the size of a lenders bagel from the frozen food section. That would be fine, maybe even a preferable size bagel in my opinion, but I'm not going to pay double for it. Oh well Spread and Philadelphia, I guess I"ll just eat bagels when I go to NY.
(2)scott d.
$12.00 for a sandwich is one thing, but it needs to be the sandwich you at least ordered! Poor at best.....will never go back or recommend
(1)Justin S.
Spread makes a great bagel. Get there early on the weekends to avoid the lines. It is really neat how they boil the bagels right in front of you and then bake them in that big wood fired oven in the center of the store. It is a fun experience. Definitely not cheap, but I wouldn't expect a low price from an artisan baker. I am looking forward to the opening of their bakery across the street.
(4)Gretchen K.
Well, after a few weeks of continuous patronage, despire my previous review, I am happy to report improvement at Spread. Still some bumps in the road, but overall a great neighborhood place. Everyone is friendlier and things happen at a speed I can deal with.
(3)Zack B.
Wow. First of all, we did not know this was their opening day, but now that we know, it totally makes sense. Docked a star for a ridiculous wait. They were sooo slow. Waited fifteen minutes for just a sliced bagel, which was cold, even though we asked for it toasted, but believed the register lady when she said " are you sure you want it toasted, they are fresh from the oven?" They were not. They were pulling bagels fresh from the oven, but those were not used for our order. Another docked star for that and other semi rude remarks we witnessed from that same girl. When we did get the bagel, it was pretty good. Though, not nearly as good as the ones we have tried in Montreal at one third the price. Here, a bagel with scallion cream cheese is 5 bucks! Overall they were VERY disorganized and should have trained their employees better. I think we saw the owner ther, and he didn't seem very concerned with the lack of customer service skills his employees were demonstrating. If executed better at half cost would be 4 stars. Oh, and Cates review is obviously fake. Yelp will probably filter it
(1)Laura S.
I came in expecting to be underwhelmed based on others' reviews, but it's around the corner and I love breakfast food so figured I should at least give it a shot. The caption tells me 3 stars means "A-OK" - and Spread solidly earns their 3 stars. I'm not in love, but it was an all-around good experience. The offerings were definitely a step up from Dunkin Donuts/Manhattan Bagel. The bagels were sweet, chewy and flavorful. I ordered the everything bagel with plain cream cheese and my sister had a plain bagel. I like the texture and flavor of the Montreal-style bagels, although if you are more of a savory breakfast person the sweetness might not be your thing. I am actually a fan of the smaller size, too - I do not need a 6" monstrosity for breakfast! The more adventurous offerings for spreads looked good, but I really, really wish they had a low-fat cream cheese option. Really, really wish. Please, guys? My sister had a side of bacon with her bagel and pronounced it "very good" - this was her 3rd bacon experience in 24 hours so I consider her an authority. The OJ tasted fresh-squeezed (I'm pretty sure it was), mmm. Prices are a bit on the high side, but I accept that's the price you pay if you want to support local, homemade, small businesses instead of giant conglomerates. Service seemed a little scattered, but friendly. My guess is that this is one of the first weekends they've been open (possibly the first, given their inauspicious beginnings) so I'm sure they're still learning the ropes. A man that I assume was the owner was very friendly. The smoked meat sandwich is not back on the menu yet but he told me to look for it in September - I'll be back here at least once to try that, since my friends from Montreal tell me that authentic smoked meat is not to be missed. The space is cute - it's a bit small, which could become problematic if they get really popular. For now, though, there were no problems with seating. You shouldn't come in expecting cheap, fast service a la the big chains, but if you've got some time to linger over your coffee and a few extra dollars to put toward your breakfast, you'll leave here happy and full.
(3)Rennie J.
Delicious bagels, light and fresh tasting cream cheese. $15 for a 1/2 dozen bagels and spread is a little expensive, but for me, not prohibitively so. I experienced none of the indifference that other reviewers mention. I will definitely return. A delicious alternative to South Street Bagels.
(5)Jon C.
The bagels are good -- they have crunch and also chew and a sweetness from the honey -- too much sweetness for me, and also too much sweet aftertaste, but your mileage may vary. On the downside, they seemed shocked and baffled by the idea that I would walk in and get a bagel. The relentless (bordering on brusque and rude) upselling is hard to take from a bagel store, and $2 is a lot to pay for a bagel. Larger issue is that they need to figure out if they want to brand/define themselves as a neighborhood bagel place or a neighborhood restaurant/hangout/coffee shop/brunch place. Why is there a woman outside handing out "menus" when they're basically a bagel store?? The branding and identity are confusing.
(3)Brianne J.
Eh, I'm torn. Not really what I want in a bagel (who doesn't want crispy outside, chewy inside goodness??) - this place is baked so it's closer to a pretzel than a good, boiled bagel, but the flavors were good. I got the whole wheat everything, which is always an exciting find for me since not enough places have more than just the plain whole wheat bagels. Little pricey. Maybe I'll go back (it's pretty convenient for me) but HELL NO will I wait in a line for this place.
(3)C.J. C.
I came here on their grand opening, and it was a huge disappointment. First of all the lady with the short brown hair working the counter was incredibly rude and unfriendly. Secondly, the wait for a bagel with ubberly overpriced cream cheese ($5) was close to 20min! Must I add that the same worker gave us a hard time when we asked to have the bagel toasted, and questioned our request, insisting that they would be "fresh from the oven." FYI, having a fresh bagel come out of the oven and having it sliced and toasted are not the same thing. If you're charging $5 a bagel, the least you could do is toast it without giving your customers attitude. And btw, the bagel was completely cold by the time we got it. So unless you have plenty of time, enjoy getting ripped off, and like your morning coffee with a dose of attitude, then I highly suggest you stay clear of this place. The only thing it has going for them is their decor. It was unclear whether they have free wifi, as the ladies at the counter were arguing about whether customers could use it or not.
(1)Marie J.
I completely agree with the other reviewers on cost. I spent $10 on a breakfast bagel sandwich and coffee. However, the bagels are very tasty and based on how quickly I got my food, the staff appear to be very efficient ( and very friendly). Bottom line, it's definitely got quality, but it's not a place that I can frequent very often.
(3)Alyssa M.
For months I've been watching this storefront develop and this morning I finally stopped in. It was surprisingly crowded for a very rainy Sunday. I have to echo what other reviewers have said -- it's over-priced and the service was slow, unfriendly, and poorly-trained. After waiting in line several minutes I placed my order (bagel & cream cheese plus coffee). This modest order cost $6.50!!! The woman took my order but didn't give any further comments or instruction -- I had to ask about the coffee and assume, based on the group of people lingering by the door, that my order would be up in a few minutes. I got the self-serve coffee (tasty Corsica from La Colombe), grabbed a copy of the Sunday paper, and sat down at the small table in the back. Several minutes later one of their waitstaff brought out my bagel. The food was tasty and the coffee was good, but I can't get over the service or the price. Perhaps the price reflects the huge number of staff on their payroll -- there were 5 or 6 people working in the small area behind the counter this morning. And this might contribute to the poor service as well as too many people are working in a cramped space and (based on my observation while waiting in line) they don't seem to have a good work flow. I think the bagelry is a great idea, but Spread has a few things to work out if the business is going to succeed.
(2)Esther G.
Seriously, I have no problem waiting for these incredible bagels and food...and I'm not alone! This isnt fast food, it's made to order and delicious!...what a cool place...
(4)Moe W.
I was walking past the new bagelry yesterday. I normally get my bagels in the burbs at a FANTASTIC New York style bagel store. I thought I'd give this new local place a chance. Walked in and ordered 1/2 dozen bagels to go. I was SHOCKED by the price!!!! $10 for 6 bagels?!?!?!? Are they nuts??? I bought them because I was embarrassed (now I ask myself why I was embarrassed). They are very good - but come, on..... I get a DOZEN for less than $10 elsewhere (and that's considered expensive). Unless the price decreases, I won't be back.
(3)Jake A.
This is a cute place with great bagels nice staff and a very comfortable environment.
(4)Shawn K.
The owners of Spread really missed an golden opportunity here. There's no question a serious need for a decent bagel place in Rittenhouse existed, but not for "Montreal-style" ones. They're super thin, so there's not much bagel to the bagel, and any type of distinctive taste is sorely lacking. The space itself is entirely too small for the crowds they attract-I've seen lines out the door on weekends-and their system of placing an order & then having you wait in a random spot while it's being prepared is totally haphazard. If you're lucky enough to get the attention of whoever's working behind the counter, you give that person your order and name, and then just...wait. Wherever. Since the physical space itself is so tiny, if there are more than two or three people also waiting for their orders, the wait can include a certain degree of awkwardness (akin to riding in a packed elevator), and I've attempted to make small talk with my fellow wait-ee(?)'s, usually to no avail. And forget it if you're in a rush--the place is always busy. There's nowhere to sit while waiting, as the few available tables are occupied, and the staff preparing your order are clearly in no hurry. Prices are high, even for Rittenhouse, for what, as described above, is basically a thin bagel with little substance (and/or sustenance). Customer service is hit-or-miss; again, the overall lack of organization in the ordering process is bound to cause confusion, and it does. More space and focus would do wonders in improving what has the potential to be a much better "bagelry".
(2)Mona M.
Service is vastly improved since this place opened. The bagels are delish -- dense and a little sweet. I would give Spread five stars except that I find the prices a bit steep. I keep going back nonetheless!
(4)Mark W.
Montreal style? Baked in a small wood oven after boiling the dough, true, but missing that wonderful chewiness of a hot Fairmount bagel. Still, better than the stale NY style bagel so common around here. Crowded, kinda pricey, but nice staff and more convenient than the 8 hour drive to la belle province. Good cappuccino.
(3)Billy Y.
I'm really suprised this place isn't reviewed better. First, this is by far the best bagel place I have been to in Philadelphia, and I spent four years there for school. New Yorkers alwasy claim to have the best bagels, but this place gives NY a run for it's money. The service was quick and the setting was fitting for the food they had. I would recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Thomas G.
After what seemed like the longest opening in history (I must have celebrated two birthdays while "coming soon" signs were up ), I predict a fairly quick closing (less than one more birthday for this consumer). The whole notion of wood-fired ovens for bagels is a gimmick that does not produce a better-tasting bagel, just a slightly charred one. Their bagels tend to be smashed and, frankly, on the smallish side. My whole wheat bagel was too sweet as well. All of this might be pardoned since tastes do vary, but the price of one of these puny numbers is $2 per. I was stunned that a plain, untoasted bagel could be so expensive these days, especially with plenty of competition in the area from Maxx's, Metropolitan, Manhattan, Le Bus and literally dozens of cafes and convenience stores selling as good if not better product a lower prices. One visit did it for me and I would imagine the lack of repeat visits by other customers will be their death knell. Overpriced and underwhelming. Follow-up. Don't buy a lottery ticket on my say-so. This place has them lined up out the door on weekends which only goes to show I don't know much about what people want but I do know they are willing to overpay for it!!!!!!
(1)David S.
great service good bagels
(4)Anne D.
Probably the best bagel I've had in Philly, and I've had a lot of bagels. Not a huge menu- but personally, I'd rather have someone make a few things well than a lot of things poorly. The atmosphere is great but it does get pretty crowded on weekends. The staff was friendly. Great shop!
(5)Diana S.
very expensive and the bagels are not even that good.
(2)Ferd B.
This is missing that distinctive outer crust of a good New York bagel (guess life's softer in Montreal!), and overall it struck me as undistinguished except for the hype surrounding it. But my real problem with it is price: $3.24 for a bagel and butter? Seriously? Let's keep things in perspective: It's a small chunk of bread and 2 1/2 tbsp of grease. Not worth it at half the price, so taking a pass in future.
(2)Maya L.
okay, i'll admit it. this place is expensive. but DELICIOUS! i love their sesame bagel with garlic veggie spread, you can tell the spread is made with fresh veggies, and is sooo good. the service is also top-notch, really nice. beware: the line might go out of the window in the morning, but as said before, it's totally worth it :D you should definitely stop by when you're in the area.
(4)Amanda G.
I absolutely agree with most of these reviews. I very much anticipated the opening of Spread because I love a good, quick, cheap breakfast and bagels usually fill that need. Not spread, it may be good but it's not cheap and it sure isn't quick. The bagels are pretty good. I like that they taste different then most bagels you find and being a bit smaller isn't that big of a deal to me. The price however is. I had that same confusion when I ordered a bagel with olive oil and garlic cream cheese from a local farm. I thought it would be $3, but it was $2 for the bagel + $3 for the spread. Then I ordered orange juice which was another $3 and watched them take a gallon of Tropicana and pour it into a cup. It made me wonder about how their cream cheese. Is it really even from a local farm? At least try to fool me and have cups prepared before you open. There were maybe 4 tickets in front of mine and it took somewhere around 10 minutes to receive mine. And its true, they aren't friendly. I'm really hoping that they lower their prices, speed up and learn how to smile and treat their customers like guests because if not their going to close real quick.
(2)a r.
Everything that I've had has been delicious. I would rather wait longer and pay more for good food. That's my personal opinion. That being said today I waited half an hour for my delicious bagel sandwich in a painfully slow line with unhurried staff slowly churning out baskets of tasty combinations only to find the bacon that I asked to have cooked well done turn out floppy. I also discovered a large chunk of fatty turkey that had no business being on my sandwich. Once picked off the sandwich was delightful and bagel toasty, soft, and chewy. Ingredients are fresh, tasty, and of good quality. However, at $10 I don't want to have to be modifying my sandwich myself especially when it wasn't even made in a rush. Never the less I will probably be back for breakfast tomorrow on my way to class, but I am a bagel addict. Unless you share these feelings this place probably isn't for you. As a coffee lover as well I also appreciate the fresh brewed la colombe!
(3)