Bagel Stores in Menlo Park: Hear My Orders!

The following events took place over the course of a few weeks time of experiments but I have consolidated it down to what it looks like today for continuity purposes:

On some days, I like to walk to work, grab my bagel, hit Starbucks and be on my way. Doesn't seem that hard of a challenge really, but a challenge it became!

My first stop: The Posh Bagel on Santa Cruz: Sometimes you're opened at 6 like your sign says, sometimes you're not! That's OK, I could adjust my walk time a little. But when your customer asks for their bagel to be toasted, the correct answer would be "yes". Not, "But it's good the way it is."

Yes, you heard right.

That's a fine attitude to have in this economy. I know if I had insisted, I would have gotten what I wanted, but it was curious enough for me to take note and move on. They just lost a confirmed weekly customer.

You can see the reviews they have received over on Yelp.com.
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Next down the street on Santa Cruz was Bagel Street Cafe.

I've seen the great reviews on the place and admittedly, it's open on time every day, at 6 AM like it says it is. That's nice. It seems that the non-bagel fare is what draws people to this establishment.

Maybe it's the way I order a bagel. When I asked for a toasted bagel here, the response was "It does not need to be toasted."

With a raised eyebrow, and already a shortened patience meter, I took my cue and moved onward.

You can see their reviews over at Yelp.com also.

Where, oh where could I find a bagel to have with my coffee?
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Finally, I thought I'd try the bagels at Starbucks. The Asiago Cheese Bagel. It's the only one they offer at my store and when I ask for it to be toasted, they ask back: "And would you like cream cheese with that after we toast it?"

Wha..!?

You mean I can have my bagel toasted, and not be questioned about it? Weird, I was getting used to being told no.
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So there you have it. A quick walk down Santa Cruz Blvd on any given morning and all the hard work to get a toasted bagel has finally been achieved in the simplest fashion: With a yes.

Thank you Starbucks.
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