Beans & Bagels

Okay, they've hired a French pastry chef and the stuff he makes is AMAZING.

On the downside, they don't let you use the bathroom anymore. That is super annoying.

I was running errands when I was bagels and had to stop to try them. I got the everything bagel with cream cheese and blueberry jam. I was wondering why the blueberry jam was on the side and I had to spread it but I am assuming it's because it is already pre-proportioned. I didn't kind and the bagels were good. I'm glad I stopped by and super happy that the staff was friendly and answered any questions I had. This is a to go ordering places so everything happens at a window.

After multiple visits and orders, the coffee just doesn't improve. On my most recent and final visit I ordered a vanilla latte with oat milk and it was terrible. Served in a small paper cup for almost $6 the coffee was hot, bitter and flavorless. Poured the coffee out but recycled the cup for germinating seeds so at least I got that.

I asked my husband to grab me an oat milk latte from a nearby coffee shop while he was out and he stopped at Beans & Bagels because they always have a long line and seem to be popular. He let me know the barista warned him the oat milk was unsweetened, but I'm not one for sweet coffee. Boy was I surprised when I took a sip of lukewarm drip coffee or maybe an americano with a splash of oat milk in it. This was a $5 drink but in no world can this be called a latte. This was watery and weak and completely lacking the presence of any milk. I would take a second look at the products your using and the education you provide to your baristas in how they talk about the coffee they are serving so people are not misled.

In moving to the neighborhood, I was excited to hear that there was a local coffee spot. It is a walk up spot and close to the Brown line. Seems to be quite popular given the regular line of people. I've tried it twice now, both times ordering a latte. Each time I have been greatly disappointed. The taste is awful. Others for whom I've made try it agree. The donuts and other to-go food items look good however.

There are a number of independent coffee shops In Lincoln Squire. This is a good one, but not a great one.

First the negatives. One, their coffee is so just so. When my wife and I recently came here, and she ordered a small latte and I ordered a cold brew My cold brew was good and had a strong caffeine content. However, its hard to mess up cold brew. I tried my wife's latte, but it wasn't good. It was a bit tasteless. Two, the the food we tried was good, but with room for improvement. My wife got a donut that was from Do-rite Donuts. Kudos to them for stocking a good local donut brand, but obviously you can't give them credit on how good the donut was. I got one their house made croissants, the Jalapeño cream cheese croissant. The croissant itself was good, but I wish it had more jalapeño flavor and was spicer. Third, they expensive. For one (very) small latte, a cold brew, a donut and croissant the total was just under $20.00.

Now the positives. One, I enjoyed my cold brew and it had a lot of caffeine. Iced coffee and cold brew are my favorite morning drinks, and they make a good one. Two. I like their environmental commitment. My cold crew was served in a reusable aluminum cup, and if you bring the cup back (or your own cup) they will offer you $.50 off your drink. Also the straw was biodegradable, reusable and sturdy. Three, I love the atmosphere. It's on a corner of a prototypical Lincoln Square tree lined street. Also, along the sidewalk outside the coffee shop there were many wooden benches, some even built around some lovely trees. I enjoyed sitting on them eating my croissant and drinking my cold brew.

In sum, this a good coffee shop, not a great one. I wouldn't make this your first or only destination for coffee, but just one of them.

Had fun reading the negative reviews about this place and I gotta say, the majority of them are consistent with my own experience. I live in the neighborhood and sometimes I walk by on my way to train, I am forced to get coffee. Definitely a woke place operated by a bunch of entitled hipsters. Very slow and they always have a line that seems to form only when I am about to get to their window. Missed too many trains to work because of their slow service. When I weaken and buy donuts, they often place the chocolate side facing the bottom of the bag creating a messy situation in the train later. Then they have the nerves to ask for tip. Sigh.
Then there is the bring your own mug or be content with a small ass paper cup bullshit...I am constantly walking around downtown with a mug because of those guys... ok, that is mild first world problem but very unnecessary.

They are usually polite. I wasn't a fan of their coffee in the past, but they recently changed their brew and for now, I am a fan of the fruity note, does not taste very strong though.

Hope they stay in business and hope they sort out their issues.... Stop being weird .

Chocolate hazelnut croissants are amazing! This morning (and once before) I had the serendipitous timing of arriving when these had just been made. Light, flaky pastry topped with hazelnuts and filled with chocolate. Heaven. Grab a napkin!

My daughter and I have enjoyed the iced maple lattes. It might be seasonal; I'm not sure. Friendly staff.

As of Sept 2022, it's still a walk up to the outside and order situation. Not open inside yet. Beans & Bagels seems to be a popular neighborhood coffee shop which operates its business model in accordance with their values of sustainability, which is admirable. If you order an iced drink, save the cup and bring it back for next time!

Ignore the bad reviews and treat yourself to a delicious bagel from a neighborhood entrepreneur working hard to nourish the community with food and spirit.

It's a bagel shop. It's not that serious y'all.

The bagels are divine, the cream cheese is creamy and the staff are precious.

We plan to make this a weekly stop.

I ordered a tree hugger sandwich and got a ham one instead. I can't eat it either cause I'm a vegetarian and i can't find a number to call and ask for a refund

I will say that I really liked how they used compostable packaging. Just v disappointed cause I was really excited

Update: they felt bad about what happened and gave me a refund! I'll still be sure to check my order next time before leaving

Love this fun bagel shop on Rockwell. They have some great murals on their outdoor walls that kids enjoy.

Their bagels are delicious, the staff friendly, and cream cheese is ample. Give this off the beaten track a visit.