Einstein Bros. Bagels opened Friday (12/23/11) in the former Mrs. Field’s Cookies location at 32 N. Tejon St., offering free coffee.

The Lakewood-based chain already operates bagel shops at 4235 Centennial Blvd., 1706 E. Woodmen Road, 2848 N. Powers Blvd. and the Air Force Academy.

The new cafe at Kiowa and Tejon is nearly 3,000 square feet — a clean, sophisticated space similar to Panera Bread.

I just picked up a box of 14 bagels with two tubs of cream cheese for the office (just under $15,) and here’s what people said:

– The bagels are clearly better than grocery store varieties.

– The cornmeal on the bottom was praised and panned.

– The doughy, chewy consistency is nothing like a classic New York bagel. (The closest thing to that residing down the block at Bruegger’s.)

– There’s a tremendous consistency to the bagel. They’re never stale.

– The service is tremendously high.

– The atmosphere is fun and welcomed spot downtown.

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