After yesterday’s poor show at Subway, a review which did not go down well with my sister and niece, both of whom swear that the very sandwich I tried is a sure fire winner (though apparently the Subway in Stockbridge is the best place to sample it), I thought I’d let the world of hot sandwich chains have another swing.
Exterior
Accordingly, between meetings, I stopped at the Bagel Factory, on the main concourse at Waverley Station.
I used to very regularly clickety-clack my way around the country, so not infrequently stopped for a quick bite on the go, at this place. I’ve found it hit and miss in the past, but couldn’t, today, quite remember which were the hits and which were the misses. Looking at a menu with fresh eyes is no bad thing, though.
There are a range of fillings on offer, and a number of bagel types to be filled. With hot fillings, it tends to be a quick blast in the microwave, which can lead to some volcanically hot items being placed in your mouth (they do helpfully warm you of this). I settled upon a salt beef melt on onion bagel.
In short order, my filling was heated, placed on the freshly toasted bagel, mustard applied at my request, and the obligatory warning against ingesting lava relayed. I took the short walk back to my office, which proved quite sufficient to take the injurious edge off the bagel’s heat.
Bagel!
Once seated and ready, I began to consume my offering. The bagel very closely resembled a good bagel, the mustard (French’s) was good, the pickle had flavour, and the beef had some signs (although not lots) of meaty goodness. The cheese was lost as merely the faintest whisper of melty texture. But overall, it was really pretty good. It certainly put Subway to shame.
So, as an occasional in-transit hunger-chaser, the Bagel Factory is pretty decent. From their little police-box style counter, they quickly serve-up items that offer just enough flavour to make for a satisfying experience. MJ does love her Upper Crust baguettes (we really should review that, some time soon), but I’m often quite pleased with a quick train station bagel, and today was no exception.
Scores
Blythe scores the Bagel Factory
3/5 for food
3/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for service
3/5 for setting
giving an overall 12.5/20
Today’s quester was: Blythe
I ate: salt beef melt bagel
I drank: nowt
I wore: brogues
Total bill: £3.95
Waverley Station