Store: Classic bagel store curb appeal, from the bagel mascot awning to the giant bagel photos in the window. Moderate to large drink selection, decent pastry offerings. Bagels are attractively displayed but uniformly stacked, which can be a red flag for quality and turnover. Shania Twain's "You're Still The One" plays on the radio. Fast, efficient staff interaction. 3.75

Bagel: A large bagel, doughy, with strong topping density on one side. Toppings are standard for everything, with a heavy garlic/onion ratio. Salt is present visually in good amount but limited in taste presence. Reasonably fresh on consumption but nothing to report as a virtue. Probably better toasted, which is to say not doing anything exceptional on its own. 3.25

Cream Cheese: Served neutral temperature. A clean whip, dairy neutral, applied evenly and at a decent amount. Scallion is chunky cut and incorporated at a somewhat low ratio. The flavor comes through but the texture contribution is not always there. 3.5