I had the wrong impression of the place. I expected a bagel sandwich place. It was simply a bakery. As a bakery that just makes bagels, five stars. The sesame bagel that came out of the wood fired oven was sweet, soft, and toasty. Nothing like the dense New York bagels which I also like.
As a tourist coming here through the wind and the cold, wanting a nice toasted bagel layered with whatever tasty cream cheese they make, I was kinda mad to see that it was just selling bagels and a fridge stacked with philadelphia cream cheese (I do like them but I was hoping to be treated with home made ones). I had to buy a whole jar and later find out that they also sold in small cups.
This place is not a whole package. It's just about the bread (which is not to be undermined). But I'm so about cream cheese. In that perspective, no, it's missing half the ingredient to be the best bagel place. This goes for both this place and Fairmount.
Pretty good place for locals but really not ideal or convenient for tourists and for anyone who is not going home right after.
I am going to rate this place as a bagel bakery, nothing more, which is a five although it really makes me mad. But can't blame this place not being a deli.