Well it’s happened. There’s a new restaurant chain in Tyler Texas that I’m excited to have here. I realize that for years I’ve complained that we need more local eateries and less corporate food. As a general rule I remain devoted to this idea, however unlike the Chile’s, Applebee’s, TGI Friday’s genre, the new establishment will fill an otherwise empty niche. The new restaurant is Einstein Bros Bagels.

            Einstein took over the ailing Blockbuster video location in the French Quarter, A building that had become something of an eye sore inspite of its prime real estate.  While I enjoy bagels, I’ve not had a really good one since moving home from St. Paul, Minnesota. Einstein offers a tremendous menu of breakfast and lunch time sandwiches, as well as plain bagels that are anything but. They also serve great coffee.

            Admittedly the prices are a little high, (I’d say a bit higher than what you’d spend on a Whataburger breakfast), but they are not unreasonable. Look for Einstein to quickly become the favorite hangout of Tyler yuppies and Starbucks moms. I must confess I felt a bit like just another member of the local herd heading for the newest culinary curiosity, but at least this one is unique in Tyler.

            The surprising thing to me is that it’s taken this long for a good bagel place to open here.  Considering the quality of the food and the central location on South Broadway, expect the new establishment to do well. Einstein is more than worth checking out. For more information on Einstein Bros Bagels, see their website at www.einsteinbros.com, or walk into the new location. They can be found at 4500 South Broadway in Tyler.