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| - Back in September, we tried a week of 'Buy Fresh/Buy Local,' with a goal of having 75% of our meals for the week locally-sourced. I can't say it was easy or cheap, but it was a great experience that left me with a lot of lasting decisions.
One of those decisions? Buying my bagels freshly-made from the Bagel Factory instead of in a plastic bag from the grocery store.
I like the Squirrel Hill location because it's convenient to my house, and although there is metered street parking in the front, there is also a (pay) parking lot behind the building if you have to go during a busy time of day.
They have a ton of different house-made cream cheeses (the lox and chive ones are my favorites, although they have a variety of plain and sweet-flavored cream cheeses as well). The bagels are stored behind a glass partition so you can see which of their dozen-plus flavors are available when you go in. I'm partial to the cracked wheat and grain bagels, but there are blueberry, garlic, honey oat, plain, and everything bagels (to name just a few). All of them are super-fresh and filling but light.
And best of all - at the Squirrel Hill location, if you go on a Tuesday to pick up your bagels, buy six bagels and get six bagels for free!! Free bagels! You can't argue with that!
The staff is always really friendly and helpful. They helped me learn how to freeze bagels without sacrificing quality (so that I could take advantage of that six-free-bagels deal). And any time there's a sale or a special, they will tell you right away when you go in.
The only negative part of my whole Bagel Factory experience is that the stairs leading from the shop to the parking lot out back are metal, and no matter what shoes I am wearing, I sound like an elephant entering and exiting the building. Sorry, Bagel Factory employees! I wish I didn't sound like a stompasaurus every time I go in!
This shop also has a huge chalkboard menu of sandwiches (although I have only gone for bagels, so I can't comment on the sandwiches), and they sell fresh bread loaves, cookies, and other baked goods as well.
So, be ready to say goodbye to Thomas' bagels at Giant Eagle. Once you get your fresh breakfast bagels from the Bagel Factory, you won't be able to go back!
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