i remembered my mom used to take me here all the time for lunch. it used to be sooo good. the taste is still there, but sizing of bagels have gone down. they don't even cover the whole bagel halves in cheese completely for their pizza bagel. they cheap out of the amount of cheese, sauce and pepperoni they put on it now. it's disappointing. also, they even cheap out of giving pickles with the bagel. that's one of the best parts. and last but not least, their customer service sucks. thanks read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE THE BAGELS HERE. I've been here on several occasions as the location is extremely close to work . I have noticed some staff members are better than others . But never less I have not had a good experience each time . read more

The service here is horrible at Einstein Bros. Bagels in Santee. I went there this morning, there were like four people behind the counter, no one said we'll be right with you or asked if I needed help. Then I'm waiting in line, another customer walks through the door and the lady asks her if she would like to be helped. WTF. I said, no one has helped me, she just looked and proceeded to help the customer that just walked in. Very poor attitude and customer service. I wish I would have read the tons of other reviews about the poor service before going here. I will not return to this place. Spend your money elsewhere, and the management should really read these horrible reviews about the service. You don't want to help people, then don't work in the service industry. I also assist customers for a living and I would be more considerate to my customers and grateful that they picked my establishment instead of the other places they could bring their business. I would not have a job without my customers. read more

Terrible customer service. Today, I ordered a cheddar jalapeno double toasted with cream cheese. When I got home, i realized it wasn't even toasted. They also never asked what size of drink I wanted and I ended up with a small cup of ice ate when I wanted a large. The worst part was when she told me my balance was $6.07. I had a $20 bill and just because I only gave her the 6 cents instead of 7 cents. She broke it off the $20 bill and ended up giving me a ton of change. Most places are nice enough to let you slide with a penny but not her. Not happy with the customer service! read more

This place is bizarre! I've eaten about 6 times over the space of a year or two and each time the employees are bumbling around like it's their first day on the job. I thought it was a fluke the first couple times. Additionally, it seems a homeless guy or two tends to take up residence in a corner out of sight of the counter. Twice I've been greeted with an angry stare from a disturbed looking fellow upon entering. Eeek. That being said, the food is standard Einstein and does seem fresh and clean. So drop by if you can take the staff and diners inside... read more

Was going into Jamba Juice to grab a mango mantra w/ soy protein, but instead decided to splurge, so I went to Einstein's instead. Walked in, staff was ok, they've been nicer before but this time I ordered and instead of taking my name or asking me to go to the register they (2 of them) just stared at me...weirdos! Then as I am paying, the store manager hurries over to the coffee area and started telling some woman that she better not come back, can't do this anymore, she can call the cops, etc...turns out she was stealing coffee without buying anything...and had been. I thought that was pretty funny! she was a meth face...just saying! Go grab a bagel, they are consistently good, I like mine double toasted! read more

Yummy bagels, even if they aren't like the best traditional bagels. I always get some kind of bagel (like cheese) with the garlic and herb cream cheese. So good for a breakfast treat. My favorite coffee there is their cinnamon, but for regular times I love the vanilla hazelnut. This place is clean, friendly, and a great spot to grab a quick breakfast. read more

Reading the reviews already here...I'm puzzled. I've had nothing but great experiences here. Maybe that is because those reviews are from 2008? Regardless, I love this establishment. The bagels are always fresh, toasted to perfection. The staff is incredibly friendly and I've never had to wait very long for my food to be ready. Their coffee is great as well! I am not much of a coffee drinker but their brews are delicious. And you just can't beat their prices. My bagel is $0.99! It's wonderful. read more

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE customer service. I went in this morning to grab a bagel with cream cheese. I asked the lady at the register if they had the vegan cream cheese because I cannot have dairy. Never see. her before. She gave me a dirty look and sharply said "No, we don't!" I said okay and asked when they would get it in and she VERY RUDELY snapped and me and said, "I don't know, we probably won't" again rolled her eyes. I had mentioned they had it in several other locations and again she RUDELY snapped again and said "I DONT KNOW." I replied with an okay thank you and to have a good day, she rudely, sarcastically said it back. Not okay, I probably won't be coming back if she's working. You just lost business and I will tell family and friends to no longer frequent this location. That's not who you want to see or hear first thing in the morning. Fix your employees attitudes or fire them if they can't provide good customer service especially in the mornings. read more

I was in today, stopped for just a quick cup of coffee. A custom was ahead of me in line and she was confined to a wheelchair. You're staff was the most courteous and polite group of gentlemen that I have seen in a long time I would like to give special acknowledgement to a staff member named Joaquin, he truly made an impact on me, and I will surely return to this location because of his actions.. read more

The bagels speak for themselves, they are fresh and the wait in line goes by quick. Easy to get to, parking is plentiful and there is indoor and outdoor seating available. Friendly staff and quick. read more

I love this place, they always get my order right and never really any problems: only thing I really hate is cutting front of people to grab my order it just feels rude an they give u that look like you just stole their food lol read more

I can't even tell you what exceptional service I received this morning I had gone through the catering website and ordered for today and when I got there they didn't have a record of it for some reason catering put it on for tomorrow even though I had proof of today or they whipped out my big order in a matter of minutes I am so overwhelmed and help me carry out to the car thank you all there you guys were so kind this morning thank you thank you read more

We usually go big at breakfast and get the works but a couple weeks ago my DH and I just wanted something small. So decided on Einstein's. We get in line and there are two people in front of us. The girl taking the orders was not the brightest and took the whole order and then called the guy back and told him they were out of sausage (she did this with the second guy as well...why not tell them when they order??) So we each ordered a breakfast sandwich bagel (minus the sausage...DH was very sad) as well as an extra 2 toasted bagels with butter. This was a feat since the girl taking the order was dumb as a doorknob. We go to pay and the manager is running the register. She apparently doesn't know how to do this since it took a good 5 minutes to pay. We then wait....and wait....and wait...and wait...you get the idea. It wasn't even that crowded. We finally get called and my DH gets the food. He brings it back to the table and the toasted bagels are COLD with the butter not really melted. So he took them back and asked for them to be done again. What do they do....THEY MICROWAVE the bagel!!!! Are you kidding me! My DH asks the manager to do them over again and she said she didn't see what was wrong with them...they were hot. She he tells her to keep them and to refund him the money back. She agrees but apparently can't figure out how to do that on the register. It takes her a good 10 minutes to figure this out. Everyone in the place was frustrated - taking forever, out of stuff, coffee pots empty and wrong orders! It wasn't just us!! If you want to go to Einstein go to the one on Navajo by Albertsons. I would give that one about 3.5 stars. read more

Went this morning, although the bagels are always delicious... they were definitely not prepared for the Labor Day crowd! Waited 25 minutes just to order! They were out of many kinds of bagels and the employees were moving as if it wasn't even busy! The only reason I give 3 stars is because the guy at the register was so nice and thanked everyone for being patient! I understand it was under staffed but it was a holiday they should've been prepared to be busy. read more

best bagels since I was in NY Delicious, good variety, fresh cream cheese for a schemer read more

I am a high-maintenance orderer and this Einstein handles me just fine. My only complaint is no matter what bagel or sandwich I order, the last bite tastes like onion! Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Although I will say the staff here look like they should be at the Living Room, not a corporate chain like Einstein. Interesting... read more

Wow! I went here today, and took my mom with me and I was really disappointed! I go to the one over by Zion and I love that place. This one in Santee was super dirty, has tweekers working there and they let the homeless just hang out, taking showers in the bathrooms and begging my mom for money. As I was sitting there trying to enjoy my food, the workers were gossiping about other people that worked there, so unprofessional! On the plus side, my food was really good! But I'm all about customer service and watching someone on a good one (meth) was not what I wanted to see while I was eating! Also, clean your floors!!!! Food everywhere! I will never go back! read more

Good coffee and the bagels are yummy, Six Cheese bagel with egg, bacon and cheese yum yum!! It's great to sit outside on a beautiful sunny Californian day and drink your coffee eat your bagel and people watch, gotta love Santee :) read more

Einstein Bros. Bagels - Café Mocha and 6 Cheese bagel with egg, bacon and cheese, yummo!! - Bagels Near Me - Santee, California

I usually don't have a problem with this place, I don't go that often but TWICE now I've gone around 10:30-11am still early right? (mind you they close at 4pm) and they're slim pickings with bagels. The employee said "oh there's no more bagels coming out we close at 4, and i said "okay you close at 4 how do you not have more being made its 11am!!!" and she said "our baker left for the day already" what the heck is that? Crappy just crappy. read more

They were Out of everything bagels at 8:30 in the morning come on really. After waiting in line thing how much I was going to enjoy my everything bagel !!! read more

Walking into the establishment, you see groups of people eating and enjoying their newspapers. Their employees are friendly and as a regular, they remember my order. The bagels are freshly made and their orange juice is freshly squeezed to perfection. I bought a doggie bagel for my furry friend, and she loved it. Overall, a good establishment and friendly employees. read more

We come here for breakfast on the weekends and they are always friendly and quick- new decor is updated and nice our favorite is the manager Joaquin he remembers us, always greets people, and is overall super nice - thank you read more

Einstein Bros. Bagels - Bagels Near Me - Santee, California

Terry helped me today and she was so helpful and full of energy. She went above and beyond with service. The food and coffee was excellent as well thanks to her great recommendations. read more

Came here today to pick up some bagels. Usually I have no issues here and come regularly. Today when I came in I noticed that there was a gentleman in his Einstein uniform smoking pot on his break out in the open. I understand that there is legalized pot however it's not something that I want to smell or see going in to get breakfast. After a few minutes he went inside back to work as normal. Not okay. read more

The bagels are great at Einstein Brothers. The service is friendly and prompt. Brittney was very helpful with her recommendations. The Santa Fe breakfast bagel sandwich is delicious. The French Toast bagel sandwich my husband had looked amazing and he had nothing but good things to say about it as well. I had a Nova Lox to go and I just snuck a bite. It's everything I hoped for and more. It's packed with well blended flavor and none of the ingredients overpower the other. We will be visiting again really soon. I love this place! read more

Einstein Bros. Bagels - Loving the Lox! - Bagels Near Me - Santee, California

Like most Einstein Bagels locations, this one is quite busy during morning hours, especially on weekends. But in my experience, the staff remain pleasant and work quickly, and the store remains clean and stocked. The location and clientele are suburban and polite the reason for 5 stars is in large part due to the longtime employee, Joaquin. I assume he's a manager. He doesn't sit back, but is actively engaged with the customers, offering suggestions to save money (e.g., but a half dozen rather than just 5 bagels, as it's cheaper), and you can tell he keeps the trains running on time. As someone who used to work in retail, I can say he's the type of employee that spoke rise in the company (and no, I'm not related to him, lol). read more

Great customer service! I visit this location 3 or 4 times a week. The only downside is because I often visit later in the day my favorite bagels might be out. The employees are efficient and friendly. Quick to fix any mistakes. read more

I'm a little disappointed today. I ordered spicy shmear on a challah bagel and the challah bagel is half the size and is raw in the middle. Really dude?? Not cool. The only reason it's not 1 star is because my husband and daughter's meals were fine. read more

So after coming here for like the umpteenth time I finally had to do this review. HOW MANY TIMES ARE YOU GOING TO FORGET MY ORDER ? Every time I come it's always something. You forget the onions, the cheese, the next time you forget to toast it. I'm sorry but how do you screw up a bagel ? I just payed $9.74 and it was all Wrong!! Seems like the only thing you won't screw up is a damn bagel with cream cheese !! You guys need to correct this , very unsatisfied! read more

The last few times we have been there, I have mobile ordered, and my order was wrong and took forever! The food is not bad, but the service is terrible. The people that work there are NOT friendly! Especially a lady that has been there for a long time, I believe she's the manager. read more

Big improvement since their remodel. The food and the service is so much better. We had stopped going but in the last few months have been several times and each time was a good experience. The girl who took our order last weekend was efficient and seemed genuinely happy to be working there. If I owned a food place, I would recruit her! read more

I came here for the first time the other day. I ordered the turkey bacon avocado on the potato roll, a side of potato salad, and a strawberry lemonade. It was all very good, loved their potato salad and the sandwich with potato bread was great. The girls working here were very nice too. I like how the inside looks it's a cute place. I will definitely be back soon. read more

Einstein Bros. Bagels - Turkey bacon avocado on a potato roll, mmm good! - Bagels Near Me - Santee, California

I give this place 2 stars because of their lack of consideration of other customers. I went to Einstein this morning 11/20 @ 9:30 am. A young man was ringing me out when some lady literally cut in front of everyone to buy coffee. He didn't say ANYTHING. He just let her cut. And when I asked him if you didn't have to wait in line when buying coffee, he just chuckled. This is so disrespectful, people are in a hurry, and I personally was late for work. Instead of being considerate of the people ALREADY WAITING, he just let that lady do what she wanted. I will not be returning to this location. I only gave it 2 stars because their food is good. read more

Went this morning just after 7 am. 1 person ahead of me already being helped 2 employees and a woman who appeared to be the manager. I stood there for over 5 minutes with no acknowledgement or anything. The manager even looked at me and looked away without a word. The pace was clearly not one of employees interested in there customers. I've been in management for over 25 years and this kind of service is never acceptable. Might explain why there was only one person in line ahead of me at 7 am. Hmmmmm read more

Why is it that Einstein hires the worst of the worst when it comes to customer service? I walked into this Einstein at 12:02pm Friday August 19th. There was not a single customer except me. I walked to the counter but one male employee was using the counter to set restocking for the drinks....ok, fine (but again, no words said to me). The two behind the counter glanced toward me but clearly did not feel like acknowledging my presence to even say, "someone will be with you in a minute".....so I wait, the employee stocking leaves the counter area so I walk closer to the counter. The two guys are still just walking around behind the counter making food. The woman who was there was running around on the other side of the store with to go orders. So now I have stood there for more than 5 minutes with not one of the 4 employees saying anything to me. So, I turn and start to walk out of the store....one guy says, "oh, mam, hey" I turn around, lift my arms in the air in a shrug and said, "seems there is no customer service in this store"....the guy just stares at me...I walk closer to the counter and say, "I have been standing here for 5 mins without any of you saying a thing." He continues to stare at me with a, "yeah, so" look in his eyes and rather than apologize or say anything that would rectify the situation he says after a 7 second stare down, "Well, I can help you now" To which I simply turned around and walked out of the store and got in my car at 12:09. Train your employees to give common courtesy!!! Had he said, "I am so sorry for the delay, what can I get for you" would have at least made me stay and buy the bagels I came for. But he needs an attitude check as no employee should ever behave the way these 3 males (millennials) did....and the one who did finally make an effort blew it and was super rude. So check to see who was on staff that day as it was a smallish white guy with a baseball hat...super sad I did not get his name. Seems this is a common issue with this location although in general, customer service is pretty bad at the Mission Valley location as well. Boo! read more

Went here today. Got myself a jalepeno and cheese bagel w a ton of cream cheese. Delicious!

Setting is nice. Great outdoor patio (dog friendly) fresh begals, ok coffee ...and dreadful management and employees. If there are any more than 2 people in line, expect a delay. These bumbling Idiots are slower and ditzier than one could imagine. Especially at the register. Your food will be up (chilling) whilst you wait for the guy at the register to struggle through his ONE customer ahead of you. read more

I was really craving a bagel so I came here pretty excited for something yummy . I ordered a jalapeño cheese bagel toasted with butter , lox, capers, and avocado. After dealing with some really unhappy seeming employees who made me feel like I was ruining their day by ordering my food I received a cold bagel with butter lox avocado but no capers . I went up to ask for capers and they begrudgingly gave me some . I decided to just live with the cold bagel because I didn't want the toppings to go to waste. As I was eating I realized I got a plain bagel not even the bagel I had ordered and that the avocado was not ripe. I didn't care to deal with the rude employees again so I just ate the salmon off my incorrect bagel and left sad my craving was unsatified. read more

Can be noisy, sometimes long lines, kinda slow to clean up the tables. It's too bad there's not many other coffee houses in Santee. Lots of parking in the AM. Mediocre coffee. read more