I was excited to find a bagel shop that reminded me of living on the East Coast back in New Jersey. My experience at Big Apple Bagel was not of any bagel shop I remember from back home. I ordered a half dozen bagels, a 8 oz cream cheese and a side of cream cheese for curbside pickup. After my order was brought to my car, I checked it to make sure everything was correct. The side of cream cheese was in a container that you would normally get in a togo order for a side sauce. It may hold an ounce of cream cheese. Mind you, it was $2.40 where the 8 oz. was $6.00. I went in to talk to the person at the counter and they told me that the side of cream cheese comes in that small container. I asked to return it and then I would just buy the larger 8 oz. container instead. They said that was not allowed because it already left the store. Being in customer service, it would have made sense to just give me the credit for the small side of cream cheese to purchase the $6.00 8 oz. container. If anyone wants good bagels and cream cheese, go downtown to Rise Bagels. That is where I would typically go for bagels but I thought I would try Big Apple Bagels due to it being closer. This was my first and last time ever trying Big Apple Bagels and I will keep going to Rise Bagels instead. Mind you, the cream cheese was not even good. We got the very strawberry and it didn't have a lot of strawberry flavor. Also the garden veggie tasted not as good as the store bought Philadelphia version. read more

Big Apple Bagels - Size difference 8 ounce ($6.00) versus side of cream cheese ($2.40) - Bagels Near Me - Forest Lake, Minnesota

Service was fast and friendly, the shop itself was packed and there's only a few tables for dine in, definitely felt like more of a grab and go type of joint which is perfect because it's connected to the floral and gift shop which was awesome! The bagel itself was bland and I was a little disappointed they use Kraft cheese instead of real cheese Wah Wah. The chai latte though! Whatever magic they're doing for that was top notch delicious. read more

Wish I lived closer. Only get here a few times a year. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich late in the day. They were out but said they would make some fresh if I could wait an extra minute. Extremely friendly service going out i their way for the customer. It was very tasty and the bagels are the best around. Being from NY I know a little about bagels. Lol. read more

Big Apple Bagels - 9/10. - Bagels Near Me - Forest Lake, Minnesota

I stopped yesterday for the first time. I frequent the big apple bagels in superior wi. This was a huge disappointment compared to the one I'm used to. I asked the girl working a few questions and she was super crabby. They have a much smaller selection than what I was used to. The bagels did not taste the same either. Sorry I upset the teenage girl who had to bag 6 bagels for me and cash me out she was really put out by that. Not impressed. read more

Great food, friendly/helpful staff. I talked with a staff member and the owner for awhile. They're great people making really good food. I highly recommend! read more

Despite the long drive, we love going to BAB's for the best breakfast sandwiches and muffins around. Today's two breakfast sandwiches and muffins did not disappoint. The service is hit or miss depending on who is working, but the employees are always nice. The ambiance varies by the day of the week, which was actually the busiest I've ever seen this restaurant in all the times I've been there (late morning on a Tuesday). Well worth the 50 minute trip and wayyyyyyy better quality than other bagel chains in all of Minnesota. read more

When I worked in Forest Lake, Big Apple Bagels was a go-to favorite for my colleagues and myself. The staff was always kind, helpful, and quick to prepare our delicious lunches. The variety is great; everyone could find a menu item to suit their tastes. Additionally, the owners are passionate about being involved in the community and supporting the local school district. B.A.B. is a gem! read more

Big Apple Bagels has gone downhill over the years since Alex Bulmer sold years ago. Today, it's never been worse. Our last and final visit found dirty floors, overflowing garbage containers, dirty tables and an almost empty chip rack not to mention, empty bagel racks. We ordered breakfast sandwiches on toasted whole wheat bread with American cheese and sausage patties. We overlook the fact that they're served on tiny paper plates, barely large enough to hold the sandwich. We waited half an hour only to receive our sandwiches on slightly warmed white bread, white (unmelted) cold cheese, cold egg and cold sausage patties. We furiously returned them for our $18 refund. We've always given them the benefit of the doubt, but no more. Adios. Would love to hear from others who've had similar experiences. read more

Overpriced, over staffed & untrained staff. Honestly this place is just straight up disappointing. $12-$13 for a bagel sandwich with no chips and maybe a pickle if they don't forget to add it in the basket. I can go next door to Jersey Mikes and pay for the same type of item with a pop and chips and more sandwich. The staff is loud, chatty and distracted. I understand it's important to have fun at work but belting out songs and screaming is too much. The past couple of times I've been in I end up with the wrong item and a register clerk that doesn't know how to type in the correct order. Big bummer because it's nice to get a bagel sandwich once in a while but it's subpar and overpriced. Won't be back. read more

Was not impressed. Overpriced and didn't even fill my drink to the top. My drink was gritty so I had them make a new one which took a long time. Still tasted gross. Too many people working and standing around. Go clean a table or something. You got time lean, you got time to clean!!!! read more

Grew up in Forest Lake and always loved ordering the breakfast sandwich with the cheesy bagel bread. Man- that always hit so well! It's been ages since I've been there, but I just remembered it so thought I'd give it a review in honor of my childhood in the area. The service here was so nice. People were kind for the most part. Over the years some people would come and go. Yet this place has so many special memories for me being that it was such a big part of my childhood coming here on breaks with family and friends. If I remember correctly there used to be a flower store on one half of the building while the bagel place was one half of it as well. Not sure if that stayed the same, but that store always had some cute items on display. The interior of the place also felt very New Yorkian in a way. It was one of those places that just felt like you were a main character of a book sitting in a coffee shop. Honestly haven't had a bagel as good as this place's bagels in a long time. Wonder how this place is doing now. I hope it's still as good as I remember it to be. read more

As I walked in I heard this very energetic voice boom from behind the counter. This woman was energetic and passionate about being there. I asked what she recommended, she didn't steer me wrong. Come to find out she was the owner. My parents have always purchased their bagels here and I now know why. Not only the bagels are delicious but I got to try their lunch menu. This is a great busy little place that is loaded with tastiness. read more

Service was amazing. Food was an issue. I'm from California and maybe I'm used to a different standard. I ordered the southern tradition and the chocolate cheesecake muffin. The eggs were microwaved and the sausage wasn't cooked. Tasted like it was from the freezer. The cheesecake in the muffin was curdled. Super chunky cheesecake read more

Big Apple Bagels - a chocolate cupcake with a bite taken out of it - Bagels Near Me - Forest Lake, Minnesota

Twice employees have been rude while I ordered bagels...1 time is too many. 1st time, an employee rolled her eyes, sighed, and used an exasperated tone when she had to get a bigger bag for my order. 2nd, an employee gave me my receipt and said, "Have a good day," meaning you can leave now even though she didn't give me the muffins I ordered. After I asked for them, she paused and snapped, "I know, I'm getting them." So loved the smirk on her face as she handed them to me. Your prices aren't cheap. I'll happily pay for your quality products, unless I don't get basic respect while being a considerate customer. read more

three of us ordered an 8 dollar cold brew with sweet cream. all of them tasted incredible gross and nothing like coffee. the concentration was super watered down. I went up to tell them and they offered to give me a drip coffee aka a black coffee in replacement. Very disappointing and bad customer service. read more

We ordered Big Apple Bagels for my wedding party and friends to enjoy during our wedding weekend and they were a huge hit! We ordered a variety of muffins, bagels, cream cheese and sandwiches. I LOVE bagels and have tasted them in New York, San Francisco, etc. The bagels were definitely up to my standards when it comes to the right chew, size and flavor. They even delivered them to our location on-time and were very patient when finding our drop-off. Putting in our order over the phone was very easy, and the team at this location was so kind. Great people to work with! read more

Breakfast bagel deal: bagel, cream cheese & a coffee for $4.49 plus tax & tip. For a busy Saturday morning, it was pretty good service. The longer I'm sitting here drinking my coffee, the longer the line to order becomes. Glad I got here early read more

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Very delicious bagels and super friendly staff. I love this place and keep coming again and again. For me this is the type of place I crave and have never had a bad bagel or experience. read more

Nice alternative if you don't want to wait at Keys or the other after church breakfast places. This place had a little wait in line to order, but nothing too long. Bagels are pretty good. I ordered the garlic parmesan with the chicken salad. The bagel was good. Nice and chewy. The chicken salad, I wasn't that much of a fan. It was really sweet and had like a sweet relish taste to it. Not my cup of tea. My mom ordered the southwestern with bacon on the same kind of bagel as me. She said hers was good. Dad ordered just a wheat bagel with cream cheese which he said was good. Cute little space attached to the flower shop. read more

This is an $8 "specialty sandwich"? It looks like something I would get at a gas station. read more

Big Apple Bagels - Kick-N-Roast Beef - Bagels Near Me - Forest Lake, Minnesota

Stopped in this morning to pick up two breakfast boxes on the spur of the moment. Extremely helpful staff! I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. What a pleasant customer service experience! read more

Hot bagels fresh from the oven. House made cream cheese. Very hospitable staff. Probably the best bagels I've ever had.

What a welcoming place with top notch food! Today was my first of I'm sure many future visits. I had a most delightful interaction with one of the owners and fell in love with the apple pie bagel. I can't wait to come back, but right now I'm stuffed. read more

This is the worst place to go!!!!! I ordered 6 bagel breakfast sandwiches and everyone was wrong!!!! I called to complain and they said they would send me a gift card 2 weeks later I called back as I had not received it I talked to one of the owners and she apologized and said she would handle it well its another 2 weeks and no gift card my bill that day was over $40.00 I can't believe they are still open with such terrible customer service read more

Always amazing food! The staff is super friendly and helpful. I love that they take their time making the sandwiches instead of throwing it together in a big mess. I recomend the cafe chicken melt! Its the best ever! read more

I visit and eat here often and I also have many meetings at this location! WIFI is fast and handles my video calls as well as my YouTube downloading/uploading. The friendly servuce and delivery to the tables is excellent, quality is exceptional and the price is very reasonable! I look forward to many more meetings and cups of coffee here at Big Apple. Ps they were able to set me up with wonderful muffins and specialty bars for my Friday morning client as well!!! Yummy! read more

The bagels are great! The service is excellent. The owners have gone out of their way to hire personable and efficient staff. Excellent coffee. We've been regulars for 5+ years and travel 36 miles round trip every Saturday because they are such a class act, both food and service. read more

ok ok. of course the bagels are gonna be good- they are bagels! my question is why does it take SO long to make a not toasted bagel with cream cheese? i shouldn't have to wait more than 2 minutes for one when i'm first in line and there are 4 teenagers in the back. also i feel like it is very un sanitary. i got my bagel with strawberry cream cheese and it was literally green from cross contamination from an avocado. there is no excuse for this, sorry. disgusting. and i know the worker saw it when she cut my bagel in half because it was so green. when i went to pour a water it came out with a green tint and tasted like dust and also had a small black chip of something alongside other debris. please do better big apple, and get some faster employees. read more

I stop for bagels here often. Food and coffee is great. The adult staff is friendly. I don't recommend paying for any items before you are sure they are prepared. The majority of the staff is an every rotating cycle of high school students who don't know where anything is or how to make anything. Very disappointed to order a regular cup of coffee only to find out none has been brewed. No one knows how to brew the coffee or get a refund for you for a simple cup of coffee when none is available. A+ on product C on service. read more

Well run fast casual restaurant. My wife and I enjoyed veggie bagels - everything crisp with very good cream cheese and an excellent everything bagel. A good choice in Forest Lake. read more

This place has surprisingly good espresso. The jalapeño bagel is tasty. The bagels are chewy but a bit airy for a new york style bagel. They have salads and sandwiches, and smoothies. They have quite an array of muffins and mini muffins along with some donuts and fresh baked breads. This place is very casual dining but worth a stop. Especially for the espresso. There's an adorable plant and gift store connected to it on the inside that is fun to check out when it is open. Did I mention the espresso? read more

This place is a joke. Overpriced, SLOW, and severely lacking in customer service. First I am standing in line while the register person chit chats with someone they seem to know. Then she comes over as if I'm the one causing the delay and says "I'll take your order when you are ready." Well I have been ready. I've been standing here waiting for you to be ready and for you to finish your conversation. I am amazed how you have two people on the bagel making section and yet every time I have come here, the past three times, it takes at least 5 minutes to get a not toasted bagel with cream cheese. On top of it all, the cream cheese is so lacking and hardly apparent. I am quite shocked that they charge an extra $1 for the smallest amount of cream cheese on the planet. Such a terrible taste this place has left in my mouth. So unfortunate because I would have loved to patronize often but 3 times in a row of being quite disappointed is more than enough. read more

Decent bagels, although not really authentic New York Bagels.

Great lunch spot, or grab and go breakfast. Watch the papers, as there are always coupons. Always delicious and a great selection of bagels, cream cheeses, and muffins. read more

I never thought I would enjoy bagel food as much as I do here. A little expensive however it's fresh ingredients and a higher price is probably warranted. I always use their 50% off coupons read more

Oh my gosh is this place delicious - the breakfast ranchero is made from scratch, healthy, and delicious (and has just a little spicy kick). And the staff is super friendly. Go to Big Apple Bagel. Go there now! read more

I can only speak for the food, because I have never ordered any of their drinks. The food is very average, but also has the downside of being expensive. I will say that the food is never downright bad, so you should give this place a try and decide for yourself. read more

Great breakfast or lunch sandwiches. They also sell some great breads now also. Management does a good job training staff and keeping the place clean. read more

I agree with the one reviewer. Service is definitely spotty ... Good some days, poor other days. They tend to have the registers run by young folks that they give little to no training. Also have had trouble with order accuracy, including wrong toppings, etc... Unfortunately, options in forest lake are limited, so I will probably be back to try again. I can say I enjoy the breakfast "southern tradition" sandwich, and their breakfast blend coffee. read more

My concern is with the prices listed on the board as they are NOT the prices they ring up. My purchase is listed as $3.39 and they ring up $4.89. I believe this is illegal and it has been that way for months! The cashier said " there is nothing we can do about it", well there is something I can do, stop visiting!! read more