House of Bagels - Palo Alto

My mom and I went in today to get a quick coffee and bagel. I asked for a water, and the cashier didn’t charge me for a water bottle, so I asked for a cup of water after she gave us the coffee and bagel. She went to do that and was sent back by her manager who was standing behind her with his arms crossed. She shared she couldn’t give me a cup of water, even though we had just bought a bagel with cream cheese and coffee. What kind of cheap establishment doesn’t give customers a cup of water, especially after a purchase? I had to spend almost $3 for a $1 bottle of water, which wasn’t the cashier’s fault. The manager just stood there staring. Customer service was bad, in fact, he was rude, and the food was mediocre. Would support any other bagel place besides this one!

Service: 1

Disappointed in this spot. The staff wasn’t all that friendly (nothing bad happened, but just not all that friendly overall)
The bagel was very disappointing too

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

Got a Cali BLT with perfect thick bacon and my boyfriend got a salmon schmear bagel with avo and bacon(had to try he liked it so much) 2 weeks later still thinking about it 🤤
Thanks for the quick and friendly service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The owner absolutely sucks. Idgaf
I work in the plaza and regularly order the same thing: meat, egg, and cheese on a bagel. It’s always been $11—until the owner rings me up.

Today, he told me that just meat and cheese on a bagel is $17. Seriously? But an egg and cheese bagel is $8? The math makes no sense.

It’s only the owner who does this. Every other employee charges the same, fair price every time. Now, if I see the owner behind the counter, I just walk out and come back later when someone else is working. Feels like he’s scamming people on purpose.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 1

Went today and I was carrying my Pomeranian puppy ( tiny dog). My plan was to order a sandwich and eat outside. They refused yo take my order because I was carrying my puppy. They told me I needed to live him outside so I just left.
Terrible costumer service!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Pretty solid sausage egg and cheese

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Breakfast Sandwich

Updated review - March 2025: They don’t get tips here, so they don’t hide their disdain for people ordering. Regardless of how polite or patient or with a smile you approach them. They’re all grumpy af. Would it kill you to smile? No one is being rude or causing an issue. They’re all waiting patiently in line, yet, your attitudes are disgusting. I have noticed that certain folks gets a slightly better experience based on their language and they don’t try to hide it. 0/5 for service.

Old Review: Fresh bagels! Soft to bite into and pretty good tasting as well. Highly recommended! Pricing is also reasonable. But there’s a catch!

My main issue with this store though is the lack of efficiency when there’s 3-4 people in line. They take the order, pick the bagel, make it, then bill them, while the other people are waiting. So an order can take 5-7 minutes easily, for one person. There are usually 3-4 people working the counter and also making sandwiches, but only have counter space for 2. So why not have a dedicated person at the register? They’ve been in business for how long now and refuse to adapt?

Looking back at reviews, it looks like it had stellar reviews back 5 years ago but past couple of months it’s been going downhill. Maybe the employees or owners should smile a little more.

On the upside, no tipping here.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 5

Service: 1

bagels are always really good, but definitely read the reviews because everything about that one worker is true. he is rude, arrogant, and downright disrespectful. he needs to be fired, i’ve been going to this place for years and not one has he ever smiled or given good service. i fully got into a screaming match with him because he was upset my friend brought vegan cream cheese for his bagel and put it on on the tables outside. he said since they don’t sell it there we can’t bring it or use it… the bagels are good but this man makes them soooo bad please someone do something. ALSO YEA HE DOES ARGUE IF HE MESSES AN ORDER UP. multiple times it’s happened. fire him pls.

Food: 4

Service: 1

Unbelievably good bagels. Had the lox and it was so fresh and damn tasty

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Many great options and Jain-friendly spreads (no onion or garlic), such as the Sun Dried Tomato & Basil, Jalapeño, Strawberry, and Raisin & Walnut.

Food: 5

Delicious bagels and friendly staff!
We had pumpernickel, blueberry, everything and cheddar. Some with salmon lox and avocado. They were fresh and simply perfect!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My go-to place for when I need morning carbs to fuel the daily hustle.

Fresh tasty bagels of all kinds - never saw a stale bagel here. Coffee is great and the service is matter-of-fact.

As opposed to cloyingly mechanized fake happy served up by Starbucks, this is a place where you get some honest to goodness fix.

Try their parfaits, fresh OJ, and some light salad for lunch. The patio is nice for warmer days.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I’m not recommending at all this place, the service is just horrible and the guy is really rude. I just asked him a recommendation about what to put in the bagel he looked behind me and said : “I don’t have time to tell you” there is a line.
This place is just a joke and the bagel are not even good. Just make your own bagel at home it’s gonna be much better and much cheaper !

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Bagel dog selection is on point

Food is super good but it could be a bit more ambient inside, ngl.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Breakfast Sandwich