hands down the best bagels in the twin cities, and my personal favorites in the country. on a recent trip to new york city, i found myself wishing for asa’s over all the “best” bagel shops i tried. the seasonal cream cheeses are incredible, always made with farm fresh veggies. i dream about the sweet corn cream cheese all year. no indoor dining so set expectations accordingly. there are bistro tables outside, and the neighborhood is lovely for walking while you eat. as a bonus, stop by crema next door for delicious lattes and affogato.
Elizabeth
Food was good, employees were friendly. The only complaint I have is the mask policy. The pandemic is over– let people make their own choices about whether or not they want to mask. It’s as if they’re still living in the past and it really takes away from the community and people connecting.
Adam Johnson
Best bagels in twin cities by very far, hands down.
Justin Hingst
Pandemic ended years ago. Still requires mask. What a sad liberal place. Do not deserve anyone's business.
Diana S-G
Asa provides an essential service for the community/world by making the best dang bagels. Dare I say they’re better than a classic NJ/NYC bagel? I am so grateful for all that this lil bakery does, from their incredible lox to masking up. Ask for extra schmear, it’s worth the $1. The Cinnamon rugelach is perfect. Don’t sleep on Asa’s!
Dietary restrictions: No pork
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lox Sandwhich on Bagel or Bialy with Choice of Cream Cheese, Everything Bagel
Hans Harlane
Best bagels!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bagel or Bialy with Dill Scallion Creamcheese or Seasonal Creamcheese, Everything Bagel
Bethany Burzynski
Still masking
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bagel or Bialy with Vegan Cream Cheese, Lox Sandwhich Choice Of, Everything Bagel
Rachel Quast
This is my fave bagel shop hands down. But seriously, the last few months have been bleak with the amount of cream cheese you get. If it’s an extra $1, and the bagel is already expensive, it just doesn’t seem worth it anymore.
Pavz Tomek
Bread & bagel good, people bad, atmosphere bad. Young woman who took my order was very unwelcoming, like pretend to smile or be nice. First time and last time in this place. I asked about their mask policy and why. It’s almost 2025, there is no more pandemic. Can’t eat tables inside cause of “Covid 19”. I give them props for still being in business though.
I have been to Asa's twice, and as much as it pains me to say this, today was my last time.
The good: Asa's bagels are coated well and have great flavor. I've had several, but by far the everything bagel is the best because it is generously coated and well balanced between the garlic, poppyseed, etc. Also, the cream cheeses are great! Fresh and mixed in house. Staff is nice.
The bad: Closed dining room. Like many people, I have taken covid precautions very seriously over the last few years. Vaccines, masks, social distancing, and all the rest. BUT, let's be real folks...It's 2024.. The public health authority says that masks are no longer needed in the Twin Cities. So, I do find it a bit inconvenient that they require masks, do not have good seating space, or any sit down service. That kind of leads me into another gripe; Why the tipping screen? During covid times when restaurants transitioned to take-out only, many kept their tip options to help pay staff. Which I totally understood such temporary measures. However, it has been 4 years guys; Autotipping should not be expected for counter service, which your restaurant now falls into. Please pay your employees a fair wage and charge the customers accordingly.
Now, the UGLY: All of what I've written above I would ordinarily dismiss as not a big deal. I would not even consider any of these aforementioned problems if not for this one issue... This restaurant does not use enough cream cheese in their bagels. Simply, not enough cheese. FOLKS, look at my photo and judge for yourself.
It is 8:30 pm and I sit here, hours later, reeling internally at the bagel I got this morning. What could have been an absolute masterpiece of a bagel, capable of rivaling NYC, was resigned to just another sad attempt at gourmet. Asa's bakery, why are you going to invest so much effort into your bagels, your flavors, your staff, etc. but to skimp on something so basic? Laughable. I've read other people's reviews, and your lack of cream cheese seems to be an ongoing issue.
Please for the love of God, respect the schmear! I've been told the owner is from NYC, but apparently they forgot how to apply cream cheese.
Some will say this review is too brutal, but many will say your respect for the schmear is absent. ($8 for this bagel)
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Everything Bagel
Abigail Riggle
I moved recently from San Antonio, TX (which is not one of the big bagel capitals of the US, but we had a lovely local bagel shop that I went to often). It's so nice to have Asa's in the neighborhood! I ordered a bialy with cream cheese, a plain bagel for my partner, a cold brew coffee, and a loaf of everyday sourdough. I'm especially excited about the sourdough. Both of the staff members I interacted with were friendly and helpful. I've noticed a lot of bakeries tend to have bad coffee, so it was awesome that the coffee here was good, and they have a self serve coffee station with creamers, including oat milk, and syrup to doctor your drink up yourself. They also have a vegan veggie cream cheese at the moment, which I thought was thoughtful. I really appreciate that Asa's cares about the safety of our community, and I am always happy to mask, and I will note that they also have masks at the shop for anyone who needs one. :)
Recommended dishes: Bagel or Bialy with Plain Cream Cheese or Butter, Bagel or Bialy with Dill Scallion Creamcheese or Seasonal Creamcheese
M C
Extremely rude staff.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Addy Free
Bagel? Best in the Twin Cities.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Malone
Best bagels and bread in the area, by far.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Deli Pumpernickel, Smoked Whitefish Salad Sandwich on Bagel or Bialy, Everything Bagel
hands down the best bagels in the twin cities, and my personal favorites in the country. on a recent trip to new york city, i found myself wishing for asa’s over all the “best” bagel shops i tried. the seasonal cream cheeses are incredible, always made with farm fresh veggies. i dream about the sweet corn cream cheese all year. no indoor dining so set expectations accordingly. there are bistro tables outside, and the neighborhood is lovely for walking while you eat. as a bonus, stop by crema next door for delicious lattes and affogato.
Food was good, employees were friendly. The only complaint I have is the mask policy. The pandemic is over– let people make their own choices about whether or not they want to mask. It’s as if they’re still living in the past and it really takes away from the community and people connecting.
Best bagels in twin cities by very far, hands down.
Pandemic ended years ago. Still requires mask. What a sad liberal place. Do not deserve anyone's business.
Asa provides an essential service for the community/world by making the best dang bagels. Dare I say they’re better than a classic NJ/NYC bagel? I am so grateful for all that this lil bakery does, from their incredible lox to masking up. Ask for extra schmear, it’s worth the $1. The Cinnamon rugelach is perfect. Don’t sleep on Asa’s!
Dietary restrictions: No pork
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lox Sandwhich on Bagel or Bialy with Choice of Cream Cheese, Everything Bagel
Best bagels!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bagel or Bialy with Dill Scallion Creamcheese or Seasonal Creamcheese, Everything Bagel
Still masking
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bagel or Bialy with Vegan Cream Cheese, Lox Sandwhich Choice Of, Everything Bagel
This is my fave bagel shop hands down. But seriously, the last few months have been bleak with the amount of cream cheese you get. If it’s an extra $1, and the bagel is already expensive, it just doesn’t seem worth it anymore.
Bread & bagel good, people bad, atmosphere bad. Young woman who took my order was very unwelcoming, like pretend to smile or be nice. First time and last time in this place. I asked about their mask policy and why. It’s almost 2025, there is no more pandemic. Can’t eat tables inside cause of “Covid 19”. I give them props for still being in business though.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Great bagels
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I have been to Asa's twice, and as much as it pains me to say this, today was my last time.
The good: Asa's bagels are coated well and have great flavor. I've had several, but by far the everything bagel is the best because it is generously coated and well balanced between the garlic, poppyseed, etc. Also, the cream cheeses are great! Fresh and mixed in house. Staff is nice.
The bad: Closed dining room. Like many people, I have taken covid precautions very seriously over the last few years. Vaccines, masks, social distancing, and all the rest. BUT, let's be real folks...It's 2024.. The public health authority says that masks are no longer needed in the Twin Cities. So, I do find it a bit inconvenient that they require masks, do not have good seating space, or any sit down service. That kind of leads me into another gripe; Why the tipping screen? During covid times when restaurants transitioned to take-out only, many kept their tip options to help pay staff. Which I totally understood such temporary measures. However, it has been 4 years guys; Autotipping should not be expected for counter service, which your restaurant now falls into. Please pay your employees a fair wage and charge the customers accordingly.
Now, the UGLY: All of what I've written above I would ordinarily dismiss as not a big deal. I would not even consider any of these aforementioned problems if not for this one issue... This restaurant does not use enough cream cheese in their bagels. Simply, not enough cheese. FOLKS, look at my photo and judge for yourself.
It is 8:30 pm and I sit here, hours later, reeling internally at the bagel I got this morning. What could have been an absolute masterpiece of a bagel, capable of rivaling NYC, was resigned to just another sad attempt at gourmet. Asa's bakery, why are you going to invest so much effort into your bagels, your flavors, your staff, etc. but to skimp on something so basic? Laughable. I've read other people's reviews, and your lack of cream cheese seems to be an ongoing issue.
Please for the love of God, respect the schmear! I've been told the owner is from NYC, but apparently they forgot how to apply cream cheese.
Some will say this review is too brutal, but many will say your respect for the schmear is absent. ($8 for this bagel)
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Everything Bagel
I moved recently from San Antonio, TX (which is not one of the big bagel capitals of the US, but we had a lovely local bagel shop that I went to often). It's so nice to have Asa's in the neighborhood! I ordered a bialy with cream cheese, a plain bagel for my partner, a cold brew coffee, and a loaf of everyday sourdough. I'm especially excited about the sourdough. Both of the staff members I interacted with were friendly and helpful. I've noticed a lot of bakeries tend to have bad coffee, so it was awesome that the coffee here was good, and they have a self serve coffee station with creamers, including oat milk, and syrup to doctor your drink up yourself. They also have a vegan veggie cream cheese at the moment, which I thought was thoughtful. I really appreciate that Asa's cares about the safety of our community, and I am always happy to mask, and I will note that they also have masks at the shop for anyone who needs one. :)
Recommended dishes: Bagel or Bialy with Plain Cream Cheese or Butter, Bagel or Bialy with Dill Scallion Creamcheese or Seasonal Creamcheese
Extremely rude staff.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Bagel? Best in the Twin Cities.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best bagels and bread in the area, by far.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Deli Pumpernickel, Smoked Whitefish Salad Sandwich on Bagel or Bialy, Everything Bagel
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