Bagels a la Cramer's Bagels/495 El Camino Real across the street from SCU's main entrance
After the vodka showdown I had a rude awakening when my alarm went off for work the next morning. Jetsetter and I didn't call it a night 'til after midnight and I went to bed spinning from one too many Vodka Sprites. Consequently, I woke up feeling a little... off. Fortunately, downing one of these scrumptious carb bombs laden with cream cheese followed by a glass of water did the trick.
Cramers Bagels is located in the plaza across El Camino from the main entrance of SCU. I've been devouring their bagels since I was a freshman. Actually, before. My dad and I flew down to check the school out in January of 2002 and ate at Cramer's for breakfast each morning. Now, at work we have Bagel Mondays and I stop and pick up bagels for everyone. Before me, they'd just go up the street to the local Noah's. After I started, however, they got spoiled and everyone told me just how much better Cramer's is than Noah's. I have to agree! They are hands-down the best bagels I've ever come across. Their bagels are pure awesomeness and you must try them for yourself.
Service
Cramer's is family owned and run, which I love supporting. They get in at 3 am every morning to make fresh bagels for us each day. (Unfortunately, this means they close early. I think around 3 each day but I would need to double-check that.)
I've always found their service to be top-notch and friendly. However, I've heard first-hand from friends and coworkers and read online that the family is unfriendly. Honestly, I think it's a cultural thing. I'm not very good at identifying ethnicity, but I think they are Filipino or Vietnamese and I know that when I first started to going to some of the Korean and Pho places around here I got the same gruff service these customers are complaining about. Trust me, it's an entirely different story once you become a regular and engage them in conversation. I've been going there for 7+ years and each time I go they welcome me with a huge smile and ask where I've been even if I was just there last week. When I'm not with Shrek they ask me, "Where you husband?" even though Shrek and I are not married. Shrek started this, though. He went in awhile ago without me and when they asked "Where you wife?" he didn't bother correcting them. He just said I was off doing something and then held up the line conversing with them about what a "good girl" I am. :D
Selection
Their bagel assortment is impressive as is their selection of flavored cream cheeses and smoothies. I recommend the Asiago and Swiss Gourmet Bagels (seen in the above photo along with a whole wheat bagel). For cream cheese I recommend chive or garlic parmesan. Their Lox Bagel sandwich is reason enough alone to go. I ask for mine without capers but with chive cream cheese.
Price
Not only are these LARGER and more delectable than Noah's, but cost less per bagel!
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