Bruegger's Bagels: Bagels and So Much More

In light of recent bad press that gluten has gotten, the once beloved bagel is now much maligned. When I was in high school, fat was the enemy and carbs were ok.

Then came the Atkins diet and all of a sudden, fat was ok and carbs were the enemy. Today protein and vegetables are king and everything else from carbs to sugar and dairy are verboten. What's a girl to do with all this information? I say everything in moderation is fine so go ahead and grab a bagel.

Brueger's Bagels in Haverford has wonderful bagels to be topped with almost anything you can imagine. Bagels comes in asiago parmesan, blueberry, cinnamon raisin, cinnamon sugar, everything, garlic, honey grain, onion, plain, poppy, pumpernickel, rosemary olive oil, sesame and whole wheat flavors.

A dozen bagels are available at a discounted price of $5.99 on Wednesdays. You can choose from cream cheese, butter, jelly, honey, peanut butter, PB & J or hummus ($2.29 for any bagel with any one of these toppings). I had a toasted sesame bagel with smoked salmon, capers, onions and cream cheese ($6.99) which was quite delicious.

Other breakfast sandwiches include the breakfast bagel with egg and cheese ($2.99) or with egg, cheese and ham, sausage or bacon ($3.99), the spinach and cheddar omelet on a bagel ($3.39) or the rio grande wrap (two eggs, jalapeno cream cheese, roasted red peppers & bacon, ham or sausage in a warm wrap, $4.59).

For lunch, signature sandwiches like tarragon chicken salad (diced chicken, almonds, red onions, cranberries, lemon tarragon mayo, tomatoes & lettuce on hearty white, $6.19) and roma roast beef (roast beef, Asiago cheese, provolone, tomatoes, green peppers, sundried tomato mayo & balsamic vinagrette on hearty white, $6.99) and classics like herby turkey (roast turkey, light herb garlic cream cheese, sundried tomato spread, lettuce & red onions on a sesame bagel, $5.99) sound tasty.

There is always a variety of soups available. The butternut squash soup ($2.99/cup and $4.29/bowl) was hot, flavorful and would be good with the herby turkey sandwich.

Five types of hot panini offer something for everyone from fancy four cheese and tomato (cheddar, provolone, Swiss & asiago with tomatoes, $5.69) to primo pesto chicken (chicken breast, basil pesto, roasted red peppers & provolone on hearty white, $6.79).

If you feel like ordering off the menu, sandwiches can also be created using any of their meats, cheeses, spreads and vegetables in any combination you'd like.

The signature salads (chicken caesar, $6.99; sesame chicken, $6.99; mandarin medley, $6.99) are all tossed with field greens. Unleash your inner chef by building your own salad (choose 3 veggies, 1 meat, 1 cheese, 1 topping & salad dressing).

A bagel and coffee is a natural pairing--Bruegger's had 6 types of coffee when I went in (house blend, house decaf, hazelnut, french vanilla, french roast and french toast. Prices vary depending on blend ($1.69-$1.99 for small) although the eco-conscious mug refill option is only $1.29. Sodas (coke, diet coke and sprite), juices (Nantucket nectars), iced tea (Honest tea) and both bottled and Vitamin water are also available. 

The service was friendly, prompt and efficient. Bruegger's offers a quick and affordable lunch option for people on the go. Parking could turn into a slight issue as the intersection where they are located is busy and the spots are few.

My advice is to avoid peak times (breakfast or lunch rush) but not to avoid carbs. They do a good bagel there.