Stephen H.
Yelp
Highly disappointed with the new H&H in Santa Monica. I too used to go to the old H&H in NY on 81st St. This new iteration is nothing like it.
1. Service, while friendly, was terribly slow. I walked in on Tuesday afternoon and all of the employees looked like they were in slow motion. The line was about 4-5 customers deep (not busy) and the guy working the counter and the girl working the grill were going at half speed. Again, they were friendly, but looked confused like they didn't know where things were, what they were doing, etc. Maybe they were new? I know the place just opened, but food service should be "chop chop". Especially a sandwich type line. Took way too long to get an order placed.
2. The Bagels- I don't know what these are, but they're not NY style bagels. Very bready, and just BLAND. I had an everything bagel toasted with cream cheese. It was barely warm, and both the bagel itself and the "everything" toppings on the outside were flavorless! I couldn't quite tell what their "everything" is, but it looks like there are grains, or oats on them? The outside should have a sharp garlicky, salty, oniony kick. Not these. My friend had a sesame and same thing- no flavor. What are you guys putting on your Everything Bagels? Lose the oats, add more seeds, onion, garlic, and some salt! We both took a couple bites and looked at each other and shook our heads. They weren't worth the calories. We tossed them and left.
I was very excited for H&H to open. I won't be going back. It seems the emphasis here is on their sandwiches. I've never seen bagels as sandwich bread. I suppose if you stuff a bunch of eggs, cheese, meats, lettuce, etc in between one of these, then you don't miss the actual bagel flavor.
There's a bagel renaissance going on in LA right now with solid NY style bakeries and numerous high-end indie spots. I'm sad to say H&H, in this iteration, is like something you'd get in an airport or a hotel food counter.