Teetering on 4 stars, Einstein far surpasses Panera Bread's dense bagels but isn't quite as good as mom 'n pop bagel shops. The coffee's hot and the vanilla hazelnut's a favorite. The clever thin Bagel Thins are worth checking out with cream cheese or various toppings, as a less carby way to enjoy breakfast. I love the everything bagel thin. Einstein's Riverside location is key - big windows overlooking Memorial Park and part of 5 Points and Riverside? I love stopping in after a run or meeting friends on the weekend and sitting outside (it's dog-friendly outside). Tip: Friday morning the line for coffee or breakfast is often lengthy due to people picking up dozens of bagels (literally) to share with their bagel-loving office/co-workers.
(3)
Community C.
Always get the lox bagel when we come here! Noms! Super cool people behind the counter, and Andrew bakes the best cheese bagels! Clean store and fast friendly service. We got a free bagel and smear for signing up for their birthday club online. Love the freebies!
(5)
Bill K.
They finally started making onion bagels ... I have been back almost every morning since Jan/1/2012 when i was informed that they now had onion bagels. The people there are exceedingfly friendly, know what you like after a few visits and even remember your name. Now I highly recommend Einsteins to all my bagel luving friends.
(5)
Don R.
Since this last visit I was contacted by a representative at the corporate office and subsequently by the manager of the store. The issue was something they were not aware of and had continued to be labeled incorrectly as the employee I spoke to didn't report the issue to her manager. As a result of my experience and review, the issue has been corrected and the store offered me some bagel which I shared with my coworkers as I would normally. I am very pleased with their response and am actually impressed that they woudl go out of theit way to contact me and correct the situation. Again...I am a fan! I have to tell you that I am generally a big fan of Einstein Bros and have frequented locations across the US. Unfortunately, this location has finally earned the right to be on my "Now Dead to Me" list. Besides being incredibly selfish with the amount of cream cheese they put on bagels, and the incredibly slow service, I have frequented this location and purchased group quantities of bagels almost every other week for years. Recently I stopped here before work to buy the bagels again. Mind you that I I am a frequent customer and do know the requirements of ordering bagels by the bunch. So, I selected by quantity of different bagels choosing from bagels clearly labeled as either "classic" or "signature". One of the flavors clearly labeled as such were a new offering, jalapeno bagels. When I went to pay the cashier asked if I was okay with their being an up-charge for the jalapeno bagels, to which I replied no. I communicated with her that it was clearly marked as a bagel that was included in the quantity purchase. She just shrugged her shoulders and ended up removing the bagels and replacing them with others. Perhaps you can tell how aggravated I was and disappointed at the true lack of customer service at this horrible location. My advice, go somewhere else because they clearly do not value their regular volume customers!
(4)
Ira G.
I was first introduced to Einstein bagels by my dad back when I was still in Virginia. When I came back to Jax, little did I know there's an Einstein Bros Bagels at Riverside all along!!! How could I not know of this?! (Probably cause I didn't Yelp that much then, haha) Einstein has various freshly baked bagels- whole wheat, sesame seed, chocolate chip, pumpkin, asiago cheese, potato, garlic, and so much more! They also have gourmet bagels such as spinach florentine, six cheese, and jalapeño. They have a lot of spreads as well besides the traditional cream cheese. My fave spread is the garlic herb. Great coffee and smoothies as well! I'm a bagel type of person so I always enjoy my time eating at Einstein. I go here sometimes really early for breakfast and I would love to see some more energy and smiles from the staff because some people, like me, are not morning persons... But overall, great place! Great for children too :)
(4)
Arwyn W.
I really didn't care for the restaurant and I could be being bias because I'm not a bagel person. I tried the spinach florentine bagel and it wasn't bad but the spread choices in my opinion was limited. The coffee seemed pricy but it smelled amazing. I enjoyed the wifi and the family atmosphere.
(1)
Leah A.
Came here for the first time and I tried the NEW Bavarian Chicken Sandwich & their seasonal Pumpkin Spiced Latte. This place is fantastic! I walked in and was greeted immediately by the staff. The restaurant is super clean and the menu choices are plentiful! I came in to grab a quick lunch and coffee to go and was offered a free sample of the Pumpkin muffin with cream cheese icing while I waited. Very cool & YUM! Natasha, who is also their catering specialist, helped me choose a delicious sandwich and meticulously made my Pumpkin Latte (cold) as I was checking out all of their offerings on their menu board. She also let me know that if I took the survey on the bottom of my receipt, I can come in next time for a FREE coffee! I like free.... Overall, I had an awesome experience. The food portions are nice, everything is made fresh, the atmosphere is inviting, the customer service is 5 STAR, the prices are just right and the choices are endless! My sandwich was just $7.49 including a side (I chose the red potato salad) and it was amazing! Will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Rachel H.
I always enjoy the Nova Lox sandwich on a honey wheat bagel with chive and onion cream cheese. Delicious! The gourmet bagels baked with cheese on top are my second favorite. They have a new honey lox sandwich that I haven't tried yet. This is a chain place and I used to also go to one in Chicago. Coffee is usually pretty decent, I especially love the Autumn/spiced flavored coffee offerings. I usually take my bagel to go but they have very cute outdoor seating here in 5 points.
(4)
Ava L.
Yummy! Fast friendly service with fresh food! I wanted something fast and fresh so they did not disappoint. Their strawberry cream cheese is so good! I'll definitely return to try out different items on their menu.
(5)
Staci C.
We love this Einstein bagels My 5 yr old always gets cranberry My 9 yr old lives chocolate chip Perfect after school snack thanks Einstein
(5)
Jenny S.
I LOVE this place...probably due to the staff, the food and the location. Oh wait! That's everything! The fresh bagels and coffee are a wonderful way to start the day. I enjoy the fact I can watch my diet by eating the clever "bagel thins" and still get my bagel fix. The nova salmon is excellent quality, and is a personal favorite. To be able to have an egg, cheese, asparagus on a bagel thin for under 300 calories is awesome! The coffee is superb, I make it a point to bring a bag of beans home to enjoy. Looking over Memorial Park while you enjoy your breakfast is wonderful., and dog lovers bring their pets to savor breakfast alfresco. It's a great place that I will return to regularly!
(4)
David F.
Microwaved bagel sandwiches are not my preferred way of having them, but it was ok. Sorry, maybe I am a sandwich snob because I had worked at a bagel shop in college. Oops. An everything bagel with honey almond spread is $2.60. The bagel was decent, but the spread was great. This was a bit over-priced, in my opinion. A Bacon, cheddar, egg sandwich on asiago
(3)
Chris P.
Each time I go seems to have less and less quality and the younger employees are not attentive. Make sure your bagel is cooked and not raw dough in the center as it ruined my twentieth visit and might be my last. Did not notice until on the road and too late to go back in the morning. What a pity as a few times we have taken $40 worth to the office for work breakfast.
(2)
A C.
Always great real bagels.
(4)
Ronny K.
Great Bagels, great Sandwiches and they're pretty quick. I eat there at least once a week. I work around the corner an usually have a very limited time frame. They fit the bill perfectly. I like the wraps, and the reubens and pizza bagels are good too. Also the sugar cookie with sprinkles are the devil!
(4)
Andy L.
Good bagels and good coffee...and on a consistent basis. You've probably been to an Einstein's already, so I'll keep this short and sweet. It's just like all the other Einstein's, so nothing shocking. But in Jacksonville, this place is gold.
(3)
Jamie C.
My office catered this company for breakfast this morning. I ONLY drink Starbuck's coffee. Well today that has changed. I have found another coffee that I actually enjoy as much as Starbucks. After years and years of searching, the "Darn Good Coffee" is actually damn good!! Not to mention the Pumpkin muffin I had with it was spectacular! Thanks!!
(5)
Kerry C.
Had an errand to run in the 'hood and thought I'd drop by to try their bagels. Thank goodness I did. I like bagels very much and rarely find any that I LOVE. Well, I LOVE these bagels. Not too heavy, not too light. Not too bready, not too airy. Just the right toughness outside and soft enough inside. Perfect amount of toppings on the onion and the asiago bagels that I tried. Oh heck, just call me Goldilocks because these bagels were JUST RIGHT. The cream cheese ("schmear") was pretty tasty too. The location is wonderful. Right on the corner of Margaret and Riverside, with a lovely fenced in area outside to sit with just enough shade. (I noticed a lot of people got their coffee from Starbucks across the street and then crossed over for the bagels. LOL) Inside was roomy, bright and clean. The two ladies that helped me (one took the order and the other rang me up) were super cheerful, but not in a fake kind of way. They seemed like they really like their job. Panera's used to be my go-to place for great bagels - no more. Einstein Bros. is not only closer but definitely have better quality, in my opinion. TIP: You know those RedPlum ads that get stuffed into your mailbox? Always go through them before dropping into the recycling bin - there is often great Einstein Bros. coupons inserted within.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Caron S.
Teetering on 4 stars, Einstein far surpasses Panera Bread's dense bagels but isn't quite as good as mom 'n pop bagel shops. The coffee's hot and the vanilla hazelnut's a favorite. The clever thin Bagel Thins are worth checking out with cream cheese or various toppings, as a less carby way to enjoy breakfast. I love the everything bagel thin. Einstein's Riverside location is key - big windows overlooking Memorial Park and part of 5 Points and Riverside? I love stopping in after a run or meeting friends on the weekend and sitting outside (it's dog-friendly outside). Tip: Friday morning the line for coffee or breakfast is often lengthy due to people picking up dozens of bagels (literally) to share with their bagel-loving office/co-workers.
(3)Community C.
Always get the lox bagel when we come here! Noms! Super cool people behind the counter, and Andrew bakes the best cheese bagels! Clean store and fast friendly service. We got a free bagel and smear for signing up for their birthday club online. Love the freebies!
(5)Bill K.
They finally started making onion bagels ... I have been back almost every morning since Jan/1/2012 when i was informed that they now had onion bagels. The people there are exceedingfly friendly, know what you like after a few visits and even remember your name. Now I highly recommend Einsteins to all my bagel luving friends.
(5)Don R.
Since this last visit I was contacted by a representative at the corporate office and subsequently by the manager of the store. The issue was something they were not aware of and had continued to be labeled incorrectly as the employee I spoke to didn't report the issue to her manager. As a result of my experience and review, the issue has been corrected and the store offered me some bagel which I shared with my coworkers as I would normally. I am very pleased with their response and am actually impressed that they woudl go out of theit way to contact me and correct the situation. Again...I am a fan! I have to tell you that I am generally a big fan of Einstein Bros and have frequented locations across the US. Unfortunately, this location has finally earned the right to be on my "Now Dead to Me" list. Besides being incredibly selfish with the amount of cream cheese they put on bagels, and the incredibly slow service, I have frequented this location and purchased group quantities of bagels almost every other week for years. Recently I stopped here before work to buy the bagels again. Mind you that I I am a frequent customer and do know the requirements of ordering bagels by the bunch. So, I selected by quantity of different bagels choosing from bagels clearly labeled as either "classic" or "signature". One of the flavors clearly labeled as such were a new offering, jalapeno bagels. When I went to pay the cashier asked if I was okay with their being an up-charge for the jalapeno bagels, to which I replied no. I communicated with her that it was clearly marked as a bagel that was included in the quantity purchase. She just shrugged her shoulders and ended up removing the bagels and replacing them with others. Perhaps you can tell how aggravated I was and disappointed at the true lack of customer service at this horrible location. My advice, go somewhere else because they clearly do not value their regular volume customers!
(4)Ira G.
I was first introduced to Einstein bagels by my dad back when I was still in Virginia. When I came back to Jax, little did I know there's an Einstein Bros Bagels at Riverside all along!!! How could I not know of this?! (Probably cause I didn't Yelp that much then, haha) Einstein has various freshly baked bagels- whole wheat, sesame seed, chocolate chip, pumpkin, asiago cheese, potato, garlic, and so much more! They also have gourmet bagels such as spinach florentine, six cheese, and jalapeño. They have a lot of spreads as well besides the traditional cream cheese. My fave spread is the garlic herb. Great coffee and smoothies as well! I'm a bagel type of person so I always enjoy my time eating at Einstein. I go here sometimes really early for breakfast and I would love to see some more energy and smiles from the staff because some people, like me, are not morning persons... But overall, great place! Great for children too :)
(4)Arwyn W.
I really didn't care for the restaurant and I could be being bias because I'm not a bagel person. I tried the spinach florentine bagel and it wasn't bad but the spread choices in my opinion was limited. The coffee seemed pricy but it smelled amazing. I enjoyed the wifi and the family atmosphere.
(1)Leah A.
Came here for the first time and I tried the NEW Bavarian Chicken Sandwich & their seasonal Pumpkin Spiced Latte. This place is fantastic! I walked in and was greeted immediately by the staff. The restaurant is super clean and the menu choices are plentiful! I came in to grab a quick lunch and coffee to go and was offered a free sample of the Pumpkin muffin with cream cheese icing while I waited. Very cool & YUM! Natasha, who is also their catering specialist, helped me choose a delicious sandwich and meticulously made my Pumpkin Latte (cold) as I was checking out all of their offerings on their menu board. She also let me know that if I took the survey on the bottom of my receipt, I can come in next time for a FREE coffee! I like free.... Overall, I had an awesome experience. The food portions are nice, everything is made fresh, the atmosphere is inviting, the customer service is 5 STAR, the prices are just right and the choices are endless! My sandwich was just $7.49 including a side (I chose the red potato salad) and it was amazing! Will definitely be back soon!
(5)Rachel H.
I always enjoy the Nova Lox sandwich on a honey wheat bagel with chive and onion cream cheese. Delicious! The gourmet bagels baked with cheese on top are my second favorite. They have a new honey lox sandwich that I haven't tried yet. This is a chain place and I used to also go to one in Chicago. Coffee is usually pretty decent, I especially love the Autumn/spiced flavored coffee offerings. I usually take my bagel to go but they have very cute outdoor seating here in 5 points.
(4)Ava L.
Yummy! Fast friendly service with fresh food! I wanted something fast and fresh so they did not disappoint. Their strawberry cream cheese is so good! I'll definitely return to try out different items on their menu.
(5)Staci C.
We love this Einstein bagels My 5 yr old always gets cranberry My 9 yr old lives chocolate chip Perfect after school snack thanks Einstein
(5)Jenny S.
I LOVE this place...probably due to the staff, the food and the location. Oh wait! That's everything! The fresh bagels and coffee are a wonderful way to start the day. I enjoy the fact I can watch my diet by eating the clever "bagel thins" and still get my bagel fix. The nova salmon is excellent quality, and is a personal favorite. To be able to have an egg, cheese, asparagus on a bagel thin for under 300 calories is awesome! The coffee is superb, I make it a point to bring a bag of beans home to enjoy. Looking over Memorial Park while you enjoy your breakfast is wonderful., and dog lovers bring their pets to savor breakfast alfresco. It's a great place that I will return to regularly!
(4)David F.
Microwaved bagel sandwiches are not my preferred way of having them, but it was ok. Sorry, maybe I am a sandwich snob because I had worked at a bagel shop in college. Oops. An everything bagel with honey almond spread is $2.60. The bagel was decent, but the spread was great. This was a bit over-priced, in my opinion. A Bacon, cheddar, egg sandwich on asiago
(3)Chris P.
Each time I go seems to have less and less quality and the younger employees are not attentive. Make sure your bagel is cooked and not raw dough in the center as it ruined my twentieth visit and might be my last. Did not notice until on the road and too late to go back in the morning. What a pity as a few times we have taken $40 worth to the office for work breakfast.
(2)A C.
Always great real bagels.
(4)Ronny K.
Great Bagels, great Sandwiches and they're pretty quick. I eat there at least once a week. I work around the corner an usually have a very limited time frame. They fit the bill perfectly. I like the wraps, and the reubens and pizza bagels are good too. Also the sugar cookie with sprinkles are the devil!
(4)Andy L.
Good bagels and good coffee...and on a consistent basis. You've probably been to an Einstein's already, so I'll keep this short and sweet. It's just like all the other Einstein's, so nothing shocking. But in Jacksonville, this place is gold.
(3)Jamie C.
My office catered this company for breakfast this morning. I ONLY drink Starbuck's coffee. Well today that has changed. I have found another coffee that I actually enjoy as much as Starbucks. After years and years of searching, the "Darn Good Coffee" is actually damn good!! Not to mention the Pumpkin muffin I had with it was spectacular! Thanks!!
(5)Kerry C.
Had an errand to run in the 'hood and thought I'd drop by to try their bagels. Thank goodness I did. I like bagels very much and rarely find any that I LOVE. Well, I LOVE these bagels. Not too heavy, not too light. Not too bready, not too airy. Just the right toughness outside and soft enough inside. Perfect amount of toppings on the onion and the asiago bagels that I tried. Oh heck, just call me Goldilocks because these bagels were JUST RIGHT. The cream cheese ("schmear") was pretty tasty too. The location is wonderful. Right on the corner of Margaret and Riverside, with a lovely fenced in area outside to sit with just enough shade. (I noticed a lot of people got their coffee from Starbucks across the street and then crossed over for the bagels. LOL) Inside was roomy, bright and clean. The two ladies that helped me (one took the order and the other rang me up) were super cheerful, but not in a fake kind of way. They seemed like they really like their job. Panera's used to be my go-to place for great bagels - no more. Einstein Bros. is not only closer but definitely have better quality, in my opinion. TIP: You know those RedPlum ads that get stuffed into your mailbox? Always go through them before dropping into the recycling bin - there is often great Einstein Bros. coupons inserted within.
(4)