Back East Bagels in Tempe is hands‑down the best bagel shop around! Their New York–style bagels are always fresh, perfectly chewy, and flavorful straight out of the oven. My favorites are the everything and jalapeño bagels, they're bold, delicious, and hit the spot every time. The shop has a warm, old‑school vibe, and the staff are great. It’s the kind of place you drive for, worth every mile. Highly recommend if you love real bagels!
Tod Persellin
I was at the Goodwill next door, and saw this place. I know bagels from back east are revered, so thought I would try to see if I could notice any difference.
I really didn't. I ordered a sesame toasted with a side of cream cheese and a coffee (yes, very hot day in PHX, but I always like my breakfast foods with a hot black coffee).
The place was cool enough. Very cozy inside, tables needed attention but I found a counter. I've decided a bagel is a bagel - I honestly haven't found one that is just all that much better than another.
Service was friendly, the gals behind the counter handled my small order well enough.
I may pop in the next time I'm at Goodwill again. The coffee was pretty decent!
Israel Trejo
I've been coming here since I was a kid. I've always had a great experience, and great food. The service is excellent and the august breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel is fire! 🔥🔥🔥
Marcanthony Trejo
What really stood out was the freshness. You can tell they make their bagels in-house daily. Plus, the variety is awesome; they've got everything from plain to cinnamon , and even some unique flavors like jalapeño cheddar. The bagel selection is very impressive, with a lot of savory options. The staff was super friendly and the service was quick, even during the morning rush. If you’re looking for a top-notch bagel, this is the place to go!
The Papopa
This is my go to place!! They have the best bagels sandwiches ever! The western egg is a must try especially with a chai tea! The restaurant has a great atmosphere and I would recommend this place to anyone!
Raelyn Staub
I can’t say enough good things about this place—it’s a true gem! From the moment you walk in, the warm, inviting smell of fresh-baked bagels lets you know you’re in for something special. The staff is incredibly friendly, always greeting you with a smile and happy to make recommendations if you’re unsure what to try. 10/10
Caleb Joyner (Caleb Joyner)
Not much effort put into this place. Bagels are unimpressive and the spread is not good. Coffee is also plain, and you have to serve it yourself. Kind of a dump.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Claudia Schwartz
9 am on a Saturday and these people do NOT know how to handle a rush. You're better off going to Einstein's.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Eddie March
I contacted numerous bagel shops to find a bagel shop where I could get one dozen bagels that are toasted. This shop said they could toast all 12 bagels but it would cost me $5. I went out of my way to come to this shop on the way to work to get my TOASTED bagels for my birthday to bring the _@&#&$ work. Of course I'm not that stupid I checked those bagels in the bag in the car. Were they toasted? No they were not toasted AT ALL some of them were warmed, some not even. Not one of them was actually toasted! I go back in and take a bagel out and ask them if that looks toasted? The lady tells me that's what their toaster does it doesn't really toast it doesn't get that hot. Would you like me to run them through for you again? I am already giving myself just enough time to get these bagels and get to work. And now I'm pretty pissed off that they charge me $5 and didn't even tell me that the bagels wouldn't really be toasted at all even though they knew that the bagels wouldn't really be toasted at all!! @#&#&#&. And want to charge me $5 for that. So what, I have you running back through you NOT TOASTER so they can be warmed again???? Unbelievable absolutely unbelievable. I think this company needs to figure out who I am and refund the money on my credit card cuz this is a crock of pooh
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Will Taylor
Ok….. First of all……. The BAGELS ARE AMAZING!!, the breakfast sandwiches while good in variety and options haven’t found my combo yet; but will be back to try. Overall love the atmosphere, pet friendly, cleanliness level was good, SUPER!!! price friendly and would encourage you make a visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Garlic Bagel, Onion Bagel, Plain Bagel, Daniel’S Traditional Lox, Dozen Bagels, Jalapeño Cheddar Bagel with Jalapeño Cream Cheese
My retired parents visit from England twice per year, and they won’t miss walking to Back East Bagels to enjoy a fresh, filling breakfast as part of their vacation. They’re greeted like old friends, and are made to feel not just welcome but loved. 🥰
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Toni L (T)
Place is a very cool experience with license plates on the walls and good music. The bagels are so amazing they sell out in certain flavors. My favorite are: everything bagel, onion bagel, garlic bagel, and sesame seed. I would totally recommend coming here!
They're over hyped. The bagels are mediocre at best. Their communal hot sauces bottles are disgusting. They're 100% counter serve and It's a pain in the ass to get a hold of someone for anything other than the self serve napkins or the two crusty bottles of hot sauce.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sarah Robins
My first choice bagel spot years running. Pillowy and satisfying product with delicious cream cheese and lots of interesting sandwich options. To those complaining about diminishing stock as the morning progresses: that is how a real bakery works when they are serving fresh product. That is a GOOD thing. Over 5 years of patronage later, their simple lox bagel is still uncontested in the valley, and my order has never been wrong. If Back East Bagels has zero fans I am dead 🫡
Devin
pretty decent for a standard bagel with cream cheese (if you get there early)
I wouldn’t order an egg sandwich or any sandwich here because I think they microwave their eggs and I don’t think they have a grill. Also, sometimes they skimp on the cream cheese where the outer edges of bagel are completely dry. They also constantly run out of bagels and close early which is very inconvenient. I only go here super early now maybe 2-5 times a year.
Back East Bagels in Tempe is hands‑down the best bagel shop around! Their New York–style bagels are always fresh, perfectly chewy, and flavorful straight out of the oven. My favorites are the everything and jalapeño bagels, they're bold, delicious, and hit the spot every time. The shop has a warm, old‑school vibe, and the staff are great. It’s the kind of place you drive for, worth every mile. Highly recommend if you love real bagels!
I was at the Goodwill next door, and saw this place. I know bagels from back east are revered, so thought I would try to see if I could notice any difference.
I really didn't. I ordered a sesame toasted with a side of cream cheese and a coffee (yes, very hot day in PHX, but I always like my breakfast foods with a hot black coffee).
The place was cool enough. Very cozy inside, tables needed attention but I found a counter. I've decided a bagel is a bagel - I honestly haven't found one that is just all that much better than another.
Service was friendly, the gals behind the counter handled my small order well enough.
I may pop in the next time I'm at Goodwill again. The coffee was pretty decent!
I've been coming here since I was a kid. I've always had a great experience, and great food. The service is excellent and the august breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel is fire! 🔥🔥🔥
What really stood out was the freshness. You can tell they make their bagels in-house daily. Plus, the variety is awesome; they've got everything from plain to cinnamon , and even some unique flavors like jalapeño cheddar. The bagel selection is very impressive, with a lot of savory options. The staff was super friendly and the service was quick, even during the morning rush. If you’re looking for a top-notch bagel, this is the place to go!
This is my go to place!! They have the best bagels sandwiches ever! The western egg is a must try especially with a chai tea! The restaurant has a great atmosphere and I would recommend this place to anyone!
I can’t say enough good things about this place—it’s a true gem! From the moment you walk in, the warm, inviting smell of fresh-baked bagels lets you know you’re in for something special. The staff is incredibly friendly, always greeting you with a smile and happy to make recommendations if you’re unsure what to try. 10/10
Not much effort put into this place. Bagels are unimpressive and the spread is not good. Coffee is also plain, and you have to serve it yourself. Kind of a dump.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
9 am on a Saturday and these people do NOT know how to handle a rush. You're better off going to Einstein's.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I contacted numerous bagel shops to find a bagel shop where I could get one dozen bagels that are toasted.
This shop said they could toast all 12 bagels but it would cost me $5.
I went out of my way to come to this shop on the way to work to get my TOASTED bagels for my birthday to bring the _@&#&$ work.
Of course I'm not that stupid I checked those bagels in the bag in the car. Were they toasted? No they were not toasted AT ALL some of them were warmed, some not even. Not one of them was actually toasted!
I go back in and take a bagel out and ask them if that looks toasted? The lady tells me that's what their toaster does it doesn't really toast it doesn't get that hot. Would you like me to run them through for you again? I am already giving myself just enough time to get these bagels and get to work.
And now I'm pretty pissed off that they charge me $5 and didn't even tell me that the bagels wouldn't really be toasted at all even though they knew that the bagels wouldn't really be toasted at all!! @#&#&#&. And want to charge me $5 for that.
So what, I have you running back through you NOT TOASTER so they can be warmed again????
Unbelievable absolutely unbelievable.
I think this company needs to figure out who I am and refund the money on my credit card cuz this is a crock of pooh
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ok….. First of all……. The BAGELS ARE AMAZING!!, the breakfast sandwiches while good in variety and options haven’t found my combo yet; but will be back to try. Overall love the atmosphere, pet friendly, cleanliness level was good, SUPER!!! price friendly and would encourage you make a visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Garlic Bagel, Onion Bagel, Plain Bagel, Daniel’S Traditional Lox, Dozen Bagels, Jalapeño Cheddar Bagel with Jalapeño Cream Cheese
Restaurantji Recommends
My retired parents visit from England twice per year, and they won’t miss walking to Back East Bagels to enjoy a fresh, filling breakfast as part of their vacation. They’re greeted like old friends, and are made to feel not just welcome but loved. 🥰
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Place is a very cool experience with license plates on the walls and good music. The bagels are so amazing they sell out in certain flavors. My favorite are: everything bagel, onion bagel, garlic bagel, and sesame seed. I would totally recommend coming here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Bagel, Onion Bagel, Sesame Bagel, Bacon Egg Cheese Everything Bagel
They're over hyped. The bagels are mediocre at best. Their communal hot sauces bottles are disgusting. They're 100% counter serve and It's a pain in the ass to get a hold of someone for anything other than the self serve napkins or the two crusty bottles of hot sauce.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
My first choice bagel spot years running. Pillowy and satisfying product with delicious cream cheese and lots of interesting sandwich options. To those complaining about diminishing stock as the morning progresses: that is how a real bakery works when they are serving fresh product. That is a GOOD thing. Over 5 years of patronage later, their simple lox bagel is still uncontested in the valley, and my order has never been wrong. If Back East Bagels has zero fans I am dead 🫡
pretty decent for a standard bagel with cream cheese (if you get there early)
I wouldn’t order an egg sandwich or any sandwich here because I think they microwave their eggs and I don’t think they have a grill. Also, sometimes they skimp on the cream cheese where the outer edges of bagel are completely dry. They also constantly run out of bagels and close early which is very inconvenient. I only go here super early now maybe 2-5 times a year.
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