Tampa's bagel scene has been pretty lackluster since the glory days of the 1980s — besides the doughy buns of Einstein's, at least — but maybe another chain can change things a bit: A Bruegger's Bakery-Cafe (501 E. Kennedy Blvd., 813-402-2989 or brueggers.com) franchise has opened in the M&I Bank building on Kennedy. Word has it that the bagels here are a bit more authentic than those from some of the other chains — although even they have silly items like a trail mix bagel and strawberry yogurt cream cheese spread.
Let us know what you think.
This article appears in Apr 28 – May 4, 2010.