Thinking about submitting this to our local paper
First, thanks to everybody for their sweet feedback here. Keep in mind, as you read the next piece, I now live in a rinky-dink little country town, currently without a critic. We all know how my last crash and burn went with the Raleigh paper. Of course they have the esteemed Greg Cox (current critic) and Andrea Weigl (contributes regularly to food) on staff, so I don't think they are in need of a no-journalism degree gal to freelance for them *miserable laugh*. Feedback and constructive criticism is appreciated. Mainly concerned about my broken sentences, as I tend to write with the same speech patterns that I have in casual conversation. Yes, I need to go back and hyphenate a few things. And punctuation is probably screwy. And how in the heck do you spell shmear? I know it's slang, but is there a proper spelling? Would submit this along with another one or two reviews. Be brutal. I can handle it. *cowers in corner, whimpering*
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There are those who would argue that chain restaurants are indifferent, that the dining experience is a corporate farce, and that little merit can come from writing a franchise review. And normally, I might agree. There are exceptions, though, and the bagels at Bruegger's are proudly among them.
Yes, I realize this review may be hotly contested by some our New York friends reading it. After all, there are many that would happily give me a dissertation on the definitive bagel, but the truth is, the friendly folks behind the counter here at the Cary location do a great job. The bagels themselves are chewy, dense, and kettle boiled, just as a proper bagel should be.
Upon arrival, you'll have to wait with a throng of regulars, many of them greeted warmly and addressed by name by the staff, but it will be well worth it. Among the usual selection are bagels laced with cinnamon raisin, dotted with blueberries, showered with poppy or sesame seeds, paved with Asiago-Parmesan or infused with fragrant rosemary. There are also sensibly plain bagels along with a honey-grain, whole wheat, egg and pumpernickel. A number of flavored cream cheeses can be had or you can choose to have a breakfast sandwich assembled instead.
Also at Breuggers is Fair Trade Certified coffee, tossed salads, signature soups and a small selection of baked goods. My personal favorite is the Leonardo da Veggie on an everything bagel. Slather it thick with garlic herb cream cheese, layer it with Muenster, roasted red peppers, red onion, crisp lettuce and ripe tomato and you have a mammoth of a good lunch.
Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
122 Southwest Maynard Road, Cary, NC
(919) 467-5228
(multiple locations in the Triangle area)
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There are those who would argue that chain restaurants are indifferent, that the dining experience is a corporate farce, and that little merit can come from writing a franchise review. And normally, I might agree. There are exceptions, though, and the bagels at Bruegger's are proudly among them.
Yes, I realize this review may be hotly contested by some our New York friends reading it. After all, there are many that would happily give me a dissertation on the definitive bagel, but the truth is, the friendly folks behind the counter here at the Cary location do a great job. The bagels themselves are chewy, dense, and kettle boiled, just as a proper bagel should be.
Upon arrival, you'll have to wait with a throng of regulars, many of them greeted warmly and addressed by name by the staff, but it will be well worth it. Among the usual selection are bagels laced with cinnamon raisin, dotted with blueberries, showered with poppy or sesame seeds, paved with Asiago-Parmesan or infused with fragrant rosemary. There are also sensibly plain bagels along with a honey-grain, whole wheat, egg and pumpernickel. A number of flavored cream cheeses can be had or you can choose to have a breakfast sandwich assembled instead.
Also at Breuggers is Fair Trade Certified coffee, tossed salads, signature soups and a small selection of baked goods. My personal favorite is the Leonardo da Veggie on an everything bagel. Slather it thick with garlic herb cream cheese, layer it with Muenster, roasted red peppers, red onion, crisp lettuce and ripe tomato and you have a mammoth of a good lunch.
Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
122 Southwest Maynard Road, Cary, NC
(919) 467-5228
(multiple locations in the Triangle area)