Located in Joliet and founded in 1986, Great American Bagel provides a wide selection of breakfast and lunch options. With over 50 locations today, the fast food restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 6am to 4pm.
The restaurant not only serves bagels, but bagel sandwiches, paninis, wraps, soups, and salads. To wash down the entrees, they also have a variety of coffee, latte, and cappuccino options to choose from along with Coca-Cola products.
While at first glance, the menu looks overwhelming, after the initial visit, it’s easy to develop a favorite item. Since they are closed on the weekends, some look forward to days off school so they can pay a visit. With so many items on the menu, it’s exciting to try a new one each time.
Upon ordering, the restaurant seems expensive, but after seeing the amount of packed cream cheese in a bagel and tasting the quality of the food, the prices are reasonable. The staff was very friendly, and had great patience with customers that were indecisive regarding what to order.
The restaurant itself has a very cozy feel with colorful decorations, many plants, and faint folk music playing in the background. With indoor and outdoor seating, the restaurant is prepared for any occasion. Many customers enter with assignments that need to be completed. Great American Bagel is the perfect place when one requires total focus towards a task due to its predominantly quiet environment.
I would recommend Great American Bagel to bagel lovers and anyone looking for a new go-to breakfast and brunch spot. I will certainly be visiting again soon.