Food was good Service was kind They keep the line moving and were able to help my Gluten Free Vegan sister try some bagels after a very long time. read more

I visited Balsam Bagels on July 14 while visiting a friend who recently moved to the area. There was plenty of parking, the shop was clean, and the staff were very friendly. I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel with jalapeño cream cheese. Honestly, it was one of the best bagels I've ever had. The bagel was incredibly soft with a perfectly crisp toasted exterior. It was so good that I bought a dozen bagels and a container of the jalapeño cream cheese to bring home. Unfortunately, the next morning I woke up with what appeared to be food poisoning and was sick for my entire flight home. I had frozen the cream cheese overnight so it would stay cold during my trip and refrigerated it again as soon as I got home. On July 17, my partner had an everything bagel with the same cream cheese, and they became sick the following day as well. Meanwhile, my mother-in-law ate one of the plain bagels and did not experience any illness. Because of that, I suspect the cream cheese may have been the source, although I can't say for certain. I'm giving 3 stars because of the apparent foodborne illness. The customer service, cleanliness, and the taste of the food were all excellent, and I genuinely loved the bagels. I hope this was just an isolated incident, but I wanted to share my experience so the business can investigate if needed. read more

Balsam Bagels - Bacon egg and cheese on everything bagel - Bagels Near Me - Rochester, New York

Amazing as always see my previous 5 star for more detail .... the only thing I would add to my previous review is that their "hot sauce" is not it's a sweet/smokey wing sauce read more

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Painful. waited almost an hour for an egg sandwich only to find it was made using a burnt bagel. Saturday morning, I know, but the line did not move AT ALL for almost 30 minutes. Another 20 minutes once inside. Employees moving painfully, slow, paying more attention to their conversation conversations with each other, than making the food. That's not good business. Customers notice. They KNOW THE WAIT TIME is an issue. Geeeez... solve the problem!!! And quit burning the bagels! I was pretty grossed out when I found out about their massive mouse problem a few years back. I've been trying to give them a second chance, but there's nothing worse than waiting almost an hour for something only to open the bag back home and find it's burnt. Not worth the investment. read more

I went here the other day and got a half dozen bagels. I ordered 2 everything, 2 plain, cinnamon raisin, and a chocolate chip. The bagels were okay, but not as fresh as I was expecting. I am used to eating NJ and NY bagels frequently and these ones weren't up to par with what I've had elsewhere. The chocolate chip was the best of the ones we ordered. read more

Awesome bagels! Had a toasted everything Montreal bagel with 1/2 scoop jalapeno cream cheese and it was perfect. The French toast bagel with butter was a hit with the picky eater in the crowd and a knish worked well for the kiddo who didn't want a bagel. The staff were super friendly and the line went quick. Enough seating for everyone to sit inside and also seating outside. Love that they have vegan options! read more

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I am so glad I found this bagel place on Yelp. They had "Montreal" bagels....they have a bit of honey and were soft and fluffy and but still had that crusty chew. The bacon scallion cream cheese was very good, but I would have enjoyed a little more scallion flavor. They also have muffins and scones and some sweetbreads. You can get breakfast or lunch sandwiches. Service was great and the employees were all very helpful and nice. Nothing fancy inside but several tables to sit and enjoy your bagels. read more

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This place has two speeds: slow and slower. My son was home from serving in the IDF and we came here for breakfast. There are 20 employees running around but it took over an hour to wait in a line of about 7 people. I hope the new owners start running the place like its the navy. read more

Really great bagels and cream cheese. They offer so many different flavors and even have vegan options so everyone will be able to find something they like! I would recommend the egg sandwiches for breakfast. They are able to customize with different meats and cheeses, so the possibilities are endless. I did get veggie cream cheese on the side but it didn't have much flavor. I preferred the bacon cream cheese which was really flavorful! Overall, make sure you bring an appetite! There's a lot to try in this place. There is a bit of a wait because they are really popular but the service was great! read more

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Best bagel spot since Manhattan Bagel closed! The bagels come out fresh and warm- no need to even be toasted. The staff is always friendly and recognizes their regular customers. The service is quick, even though the line can be daunting. They have some nice bakery items too!! read more

Balsam Bagels - Cheddar scallion breakfast sandwich- egg bacon 1/2 scoop cc - Bagels Near Me - Rochester, New York

I loved that you can watch them make the bagels while you wait and you definitely wait because there was a long line on a Sunday morning! It seemed to take a while to get a breakfast sandwich so I think they may be limited with cooking the eggs or heating up the meat... the choices of bagels and cream cheese is crazy! I got a side of the chipotle cream cheese and thought it had great flavor but I also tried the spicy veggie and it was really lacking any flavor. I went with the egg bagel and it had a flavor that was throwing me off and I couldn't place it but would not get it again but there's so many others that I would try. If I'm in the area, I would return but I would try to place an order online so I don't have to wait so long. Oh and bonus that all the staff if very friendly! read more

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Excellent bagels! A large variety, thought they do run out of some throughout the day. I appreciated all the vegan cream cheese options as well. I ordered an egg and cheese on wheat everything and the bagel itself was delicious. As a sandwich though it was very dry, something I've never noticed with other egg and cheese bagel sandwiches I've had. I would return for the bagels but skip the sandwich. There is also a cash discount, though my total ended up being more than what is listed on the menu (I'm assuming due to tax) so just keep in mind the menu prices might be cash prices. read more

I'm from the tri-state area originally (Connecticut)....so good bagel shoppes are basically a dime a dozen (there's a bit of a pun in that). When I travel out here for work, Brownstein's used to be my go-to. Since they have gone into the annals of history, I go to Balsam (which used to be my joint if I had to stay in the city). If you want some NYC cred...get a nice toasted stinky onion or garlic bagel, plain/chive cream cheese, lox, capers, purple onion, and a tiny bit of cracked pepper. They have very good strong coffee as well. Grab a New York Times (yes paper version... ) and enjoy your morning..... read more

One of the only places I'm a regular at, Balsalm Bagels is an all around favorite! Super kind and helpful staff, delicious products, and very comfortable ambiance! I love that they have good vegan options- I always get their vegan lox sandwhich, which is so delicious! read more

I was waiting in a long line when I witnessed the guy making the dough use the bathroom and returned without washing his hands, continued touching the dough. I've heard rumors he also sneezes in the dough and I believe it now. I left and went home without an appetite. I'm horrified I've ever eaten here and I'm sick to my stomach that all the nasty rumors are absolutely true. There's giant windows everywhere, how could you be so gross without a care in the world. Never ever going back and telling everyone I know what I witnessed. read more

Every single time I've been in balsam bagels, except for one where I actually waited, I have walked out before ordering because of the anemic, cringey way that the five or six people working have figured out how to make each order look like a slow boat from China. The quiet classical music playing over the sound system there is perfect for a bagel place where the employees would rather giggle, chat and make funny eyes at each other than take care of the next customer. It's like, "we've got one order. That's enough for now." I mean, if this place was in New York City they wouldn't last through the morning. And I'm not looking for New York City speed. But it's not even as fast as a nursing home. They avoid the line of customers by not looking at them. And not calling for the next person in line until it is so painfully obvious that they're going to have to eventually call on the next person that someone who was just examining their fingernails or something finally remembers that they are at work and says oh, come on up I guess read more

Best bagels in Rochester, hands down. Whenever I'm in town for a visit, this is one of the first stops I make. They offer one of the widest varieties of bagels and cream cheese and I've yet to have something I didn't enjoy. We got a breakfast sandwich on a Montreal Everything and a toasted Bagel Dog with cheese, but the real treat is buying a dozen to fly back home with. Amazing, fresh bagels for a great price and great service! read more

Balsam Bagels - Bagel dog with cheese, toasted - Bagels Near Me - Rochester, New York

Ordered bagels 2hrs before pickup and they didn't have my bagels ready. Had to wait another 30 minutes and still didn't have my order. After 2.5 hours of waiting I left with half my order....... read more

Dare I say, a Rochester staple...?? Balsam's has great bagels, friendly staff and a welcoming place to start your day off right with a bagel. Which parking completely sucks, it's worth giving it a try and sometimes there is parking available on the street or parking lot across the street. read more

Love coming here for bagel dates during the week with my wife! The staff is so sweet and they move the lines quickly! A sugar cookie can be breakfast too right? Lovelovelove read more

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Being from Rochester, I went to Balsams for the first time last week. Located in a beautiful part of Rochester I was really impressed. The atmosphere was nice (outside seating available), the staff were extremely friendly and the Bagels were the best I have ever had. Mine was very fresh and tasty. I went back today. I am definitely going to make this my new weekly stop. You won't be disappointed. Ps- Bills Fans: WHEN the Bills make the playoffs, they make Red and Blue bagels. read more

Delicious post-market brunch! We enjoyed an rosemary olive oil bagel with garlic & herb cream cheese, I added spinach, red onion, cucumber and it was delicious!! Perfect amount of everything, no toppings were spilling out while eating it. The lox and cream cheese was also pretty great! Intrigued by all of their different flavors and vegan options. We waited in line for a little bit and it was a longer wait than what we've experienced in NYC bagel shops and a bruggers bagels, but nothing too crazy. They had some patio tables and chairs outside under an awning which was so nice on the 80 something degree day, enjoyed in the fresh air! Only thing we would've enjoyed would be some overhead music, it was pretty silent! read more

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In Rochester for a fall foliage trip and happened on to Balsam Bagels and I was very happy I did! These are classic bagels with really good flavor options. I went with an everything bagel with jalapeño cream cheese, a French toast bagel with maple bacon cream cheese, and blueberry bagel with plain cream cheese (for the wife who doesn't like to get too crazy with flavors). You can't go wrong at Balsam's. The line was pretty long, but they work quick and get you in and out. Plenty of seating out front and the weather was perfect so that was very nice as well. Definitely worth a try! I'm on Instagram so come give me a follow and let's talk food! @CheatDay_SA read more

Balsam Bagels - Follow me on Instagram for more food adventures @CheatDay_SA - Bagels Near Me - Rochester, New York

Great Bagels, friendly staff and service. New York's bagels are the best... it's the water. Would highly recommend this store. I transported half dozen sesame bagels home only regret, i couldn't fit more. read more

I love Balsam bagels! Their bagels are always delicious and fresh and I love that they have vegan options. Their food and drink selection is outstanding. The staff is always friendly and polite. They have a cute outdoor seating area too. read more

Balsam Bagels - I already ate half the bagel before I got to writing this review! Delicious - Bagels Near Me - Rochester, New York

Well, this place USED to be great, but somewhere along the way they either got entitled and just lazy. In the last few years they have had fewer and fewer of the 'traditional' flavors ( like onion, salt, poppyseed, etc.) and more of the fruity and sugary styles. God forbid if you get there later than 8:00 on a Saturday; all that will be left are berry-flavored types popular with young girls from the 'burbs... So, I more or less stopped going, because the choices offered were mostly kid-stuff crap. Still, it WAS a local option, but now that the health inspector shut them down for MASSIVE amounts of muse droppings (and even mouse carcasses..) on pretty much everything in the place (counters, ovens, even the bagel slicer!), well, I just can't trust them to make a safe bagel anymore. Oh, I'm sure they'll keep the place squeaky-clean for a while, but.......well, who knows when they'll drop back into ignoring the filth again? read more

Great crunchy bagels -Sundried Raisin is my go-to. Easy access for a quick morning breakfast read more

This place is worth the drive from Virginia. I love bagels, but most places (save the few expats from NY) don't have a clue how to make them. This place has the breadline feel, and the NY service to match :) If you have been going to Breuggers, it's time to switch, this place has what they forgot about the very good they built their business on. Will be back (maybe even before heading back to VA). read more

Balsam Bagels - Egg Sandwich on Everything - Bagels Near Me - Rochester, New York

Simply the best bagels in the county, with expertise better matched to Manhattan than to Blossom Road. Creative and flavorful bagel varieties, cream cheeses, and quick breakfast eats. A class act. read more

I don't know how I've been living in Beechwood for over a year, but I haven't been to Balsam Bagel until just recently! Balsam Bagel is now my go-to bagel spot. The bagels have been super fresh every time I've been here. It can get fairly crowded so I like to get there early. There's a huge wall of incredible and unique bagel flavors. I've tried so many flavors here that I haven't had before like jalapeno salsa, cranberry walnut, chocolate chip, etc. Get yourself a ROC Vegan Savings card because you'll get a discount if you buy from them on weekdays! Most of the bagels are vegan; there were a couple like the Montreal bagels that aren't. They also have a variety of vegan cream cheeses. They also sell Tofutti brand cream cheeses in store. I didn't even know that Tofutti made cream cheese before this so that's very exciting! Normally, with bagels, I usually just buy a fresh bagel and eat it plain. But Balsam Bagels has SO many vegan breakfast sandwich options. They really know how to spoil a girl. The vegan egg and cheese sandwich is my go-to. But the vegan Lox, omg it's out of this world! It's carrot I'm pretty sure but also how? It tasted great and it's super filling. I highly recommend it. Balsam Bagel also has a huge variety of vegan sweet breakfast items, like muffins, chocolate chip cookies, etc. It's great that they're labeled vegan too. The staff is super friendly. I didn't feel rushed even when it was my first time there and I needed recommendations and such. They have an outdoor seating area and a parking lot. So overall, great location and amazing bagels. read more

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Absolutely love balsam! It's local, so i can walk to it with my family. I love to get the egg and cheese bagel with a strawberry smoothie, it's very appetizing. However, since the whole "mice poop" situation i haven't been going as much. The service is good, a little bit slow. However workers there provide kindness and support. The ambiance was pleasant. Not much areas to sit, regarding all of the people that usually come in. During the summer however, there's a nice outside area perfect for your furry friends or just to soak up some sun. Love to see how the bagels are made through the little window in there, very creative! Overall, food is very good. However because of the uncleanliness, i haven't really been going regularly. The service is very good, and so is the ambiance. Good place! read more

Balsam Bagels - Great bagels! One on the left, my dad's and right is mine! - Bagels Near Me - Rochester, New York

Service and customer support have deteriorated significantly in the past year. Regular customers have been treated as a nuisance when notifying management of errors in multiple orders. It is the prerogative of ANY company to take the attitude of "my way or the highway" however when such companies refuse to accept responsibility for errors they will not be receiving my business. read more

I am sorry, but after the whole health department shut down fiasco " and they closed for cleaning and then reopened" you should not have to be closed down. A dirty person is a dirty person. There is no way I will eat there again after that. Also, the food's always been subpar. I really like Bagel land 12 corners in Brighton. read more

When it comes to bagels, there are really two contenders in Rochester area: Balsam Bagels and Bagel Land. I go either one as convenient, but if it is weekend, I will definitely go to Balsam because during weekends, they have their Montreal bagels, which are delightfully different and more substantial. Today, on a Saturday morning around 11:30, we are standing in the longest line I have ever experienced in Balsam. It looks like everyone agrees that Balsam is the place to come for bagels on weekends. They have a very variety of bagels and cream cheese flavors (cream cheeses are sourced from the same place that Bagel Land sources theirs). Their quality is amazingly consistent regardless of who you see behind the glass making bagels. Their prices are reasonable for the quality. You can get ahead of the line if you just want to buy bagels and go - you just pick up a stick that says Bagels in a Bag and skip to the front of the line. Otherwise, you stand in line for made to order bagels, toasted or not, with just cream cheese or eggs or other goodies. They also have a variety of other things like muffins, and drinks. Enjoy! read more

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Went in for a bagel. Dirty inside. Pretty sure I saw the three blind mice having a picnic at the counter.

When I visit Rochester, I love to go to businesses that we simply just don't have here in Buffalo, and I have to say our bagel scene is seriously lacking. When my friend suggested getting Balsam Bagels for breakfast, I couldn't resist! We preordered online since she mentioned it tends to get really busy on weekend mornings. She ordered a French toast bagel, I got a blueberry bagel toasted with butter, and I ordered a salt bagel to take home for my boyfriend. My bagel was so good! It was thick and had a nice chew to it. The blueberry flavor was really prominent, which isn't always the case with blueberry bagels. I tried a bite of my friend's french toast bagel and it was delicious as well! They had a tent outside so we sat and enjoyed our bagels there. It was a great way to soak up the last few nice days of summer. The three bagels ended up being less than $5 in total. The value is amazing and I really wish I lived near here so I can get my bagel fix. I would highly recommend Balsam Bagels to anyone. Incredible value and even better bagels, you really can't go wrong! read more

Balsam Bagels - Blueberry Bagel with Butter - Bagels Near Me - Rochester, New York

I was a regular patron of Balsam Bagels but will never return to their location again after the business was temporarily shut down for health violations. The Monroe County's Health Department said that the shutdown was due to a "mouse infestation." A health inspector reported finding "large quantities of mouse droppings throughout the entire facility," including in prep kitchens, service areas, basement storage, on storage shelves, on a bagel rolling machine, on a bagel toaster, and on a bagel slicer. Three dead mice were found in a variety of traps inside the restaurant. read more

I'll say it - some of the best anywhere and way ahead of whatever other places I've tried in Rochester. A decade ago, Wegmans used to have decent bagels, but stopped making onion bagels and garlic bagels. I've tried a few other places in Rochester, which I won't name, some because they're obviously not the best places for bagels, others because I only tried them once or twice. . Balsam bagels is not just good bagels -- it's great bagels. Perfect texture, just the right amount of hardness on the outside and softness on the inside -- not too hard on the outside, not too soft on the inside. Not too overwhelmed by the garlic taste of the garlic bagels but enough to hit you; the sesame bagels a good blend of sesame taste and bagel taste. I haven't eaten bagels in NYC since the 1980s so I can't compare the real thing now (-the knishes at Balsem looked like they added more flourishes than the knishes I had on the lower-east side in the 1980s). But Balsam bagels are as good as I get in more foody places like San Francisco or Berkeley or Paris. I'll be back often. Generous parking lot in back, a nice outside place to eat; I might try other things next time read more

Balsam is a nice bagel shop, as well as a sit down place to eat. They have a nice menu for breakfast eaters and lunch. They have a wide variety of bagels as well as other pastries they offer. I was on the east side today and swung by for a pastry to snack on. The place was busy, and I had to wait a little longer than I thought I should of. But I didn't mind, their pastries are good. If you're a bagel lover, better go to Balsam. :) read more

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This was my favorite bagel joint for the last 15 years. And to be fair, the bagels are still some of the best you'll find in town. But when they got shut down by the Monroe County Department of Public Health for numerous violations, including mouse feces found on food prep surfaces, bagel toasters, and bagel slicers, what did they do? They put a giant chalkboard sign outside the door that wrote "Closed for plumbing issues", which drew attention away from the much smaller notice of closure posted on the door by the health department, and they posted only a vague "closed for unforeseen circumstances" message on social media that they didn't change until people started calling them out on the real reason for the sudden shuttering. They completely lost my trust with how they handled this. Every restaurant has to deal with pests, that's not some big secret. If they'd just come right out of the gate and said "this is what happened, this is what we're doing to correct it, and we're sorry we even let it get this bad in the first place", I might have been willing to give them another look. But even then, knowing that there was literally mouse crap on the instrument they slice bagels with and it went completely unnoticed? I simply don't trust them anymore. read more

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