Every now and then, it happens. One of your childhood favorite places starts subtly losing its…read moreinitial appeal as you become older. You notice the staff are not quite the same after the "originals" have either transitioned out or passed on. Maybe a place alters the way one of your favorite meals is prepared, to the point where you no longer enjoy it quite as much as the first time you tasted it.
Or maybe I'm just becoming too old and bitter for this.
In any case, I must retract a star from what is STILL one of my favorite breakfast spots to dine in. Before carefully explaining why, I want to say upfront that I still adore the hell out of Brooklyn Bagel. The hash and eggs continues to remain a staple dish as my personal favorite breakfast plate. Coffee is still on point....if and whenever the dark roast gets refilled again, that is.
Over the last couple years however, I noticed something. Two things, in fact.
1.) The recipes aren't quite as consistent as years past, execution wise.
2.) Their attempts at updating their payment and rewards system is....a bit incomplete, IMHO.
First point: depending on who the cook is in back, I guess, sometimes I might end up with overcooked homefries....or homefries that are cooked just well enough to still be considered edible. Sometimes I'll get the right amount of cream cheese on my bagel. Other times I may get so much that I could spread some onto a second bagel entirely.
Whatever's happening back there, it's like wildcards. I never know what I may end up with. But since the majority of my breakfast always tastes good, I can't say it ruins the meal or anything. It'd just be nice if they could consistently cook homefries without torching them to the point of being hollowed of all their starchy innards.
Second point: did you know BBH recently implemented a rewards program? It's pretty cool, I guess. Just scan the QR code by the cash register to sign up. Then...enter your phone number during check out to receive rewards. Pretty high speed, right?
Ya know what would be nice though? If they accepted digital tips as opposed to cash only. See, I really want to tip these folks every time I come here. I can tell they work hard to make breakfast incredibly delectable on a rustic level. Unfortunately, you STILL...as of 2025...cannot tip the restaurant on any digital purchase. You can only leave them cash in the jar. This is annoying for SO many reasons. I'm gonna list two of them.
First of all before anyone asks, YES - I always carry some amount of cash on me. Thing is, it's usually to the tune of around $40 or (most times) less. And even that is mainly for situations where, for whatever reason, cash is the only accepted payment at the time. Not to mention, I rarely have any bills smaller than a 20, 10, or a 5. Which brings me to the second problem..
I'd have to either have small bills on me before entry OR....painstakingly ask the cashier to break a 10, 20, or whatever larger bill I happen to have on me. I don't wanna do this because imagine if every other customer did this. The cashier would eventually run out of smaller bills they still need for change.
I dunno. It's just weird that they accept debit/credit cards, NFC payments, and have a whole rewards program....but cannot, for the love of humanity, accept digital tips. Someone. Please. Make it make sense.
Modernization rants aside, however, I still really do love this place. My review comes from no hate whatsoever; only mild frustration, at worst. And as of now anyway, I'm giving Brooklyn Bagel House in Derry 4 toasty bagels with just the right amount of cream cheese out of 5.
