Big Apple Bagels in Holland opens at 5 a.m. on weekdays, serving freshly baked bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee before most breakfast spots get started.
The menu goes beyond plain bagels and cream cheese. You’ll find options like jalapeño cheddar bagels, turkey and havarti sandwiches, and a variety of spreads.
It’s a convenient stop for breakfast, lunch, or a dozen bagels to take home.
There’s also something you might not expect inside a counter-service bagel shop: a fireplace with seating nearby. That gives customers another reason to stay and enjoy their breakfast instead of taking everything to go.
Located at 15 S. Waverly Road, this Holland shop combines early hours, a substantial sandwich menu, and a comfortable place to sit.
An Early Riser on Waverly Road
Long before many coffee shops unlock their doors, Big Apple Bagels is already serving. The shop sits at 15 S Waverly Rd in Holland, Michigan, on the city’s east side.
Weekday hours start at 5 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. Saturday opens at 6 a.m., and Sunday starts a little later at 8 a.m., which seems fair for a weekend.
Big Apple Bagels is a counter-serve chain with locations in several states. The Holland shop follows the same basic idea: bagels, spreads, coffee, and sandwiches built on bagels.
That early start matters if you work a morning shift. Factory workers, nurses, and teachers can grab something warm before the commute instead of settling for a gas station snack.
I like how simple the concept is. You walk up, order at the counter, and leave with breakfast, or you sit down if you have a few minutes to spare.
The 2 p.m. closing time is worth remembering, though. This is a morning and lunch spot, so a late afternoon craving will need to wait until tomorrow.
And since the bagels are the base for almost everything here, they deserve a closer look first.
Jalapeño Cheddar and Other Bold Rounds
Spice fans have a clear target here: the jalapeño cheddar bagel. It brings some heat to a breakfast that is usually pretty mild.
The lineup goes in many directions. Everything, onion, garlic, asiago, and chocolate chip bagels have all shown up behind the counter, giving both savory and sweet eaters a pick.
Everything bagels seem to be a regular go-to for a lot of people. They carry that classic mix of seeds and seasonings that works with almost any spread.
Here is a useful tip. Selection can thin out later in the day, so the full variety is easiest to find in the morning hours.
If you are buying for a group, a mixed dozen solves arguments before they start. Toss in a few plain ones for picky kids and something bold for the adventurous coworker.
I would start with jalapeño cheddar just to see how much kick it has. A sweeter chocolate chip bagel could come home for later as an afternoon snack.
Of course, a bagel is only half the story. What goes on top can change the whole experience.
Cream Cheese Gets Its Own Spotlight
Scallion cream cheese comes up again and again when people talk about this shop. It is a savory, green-flecked spread that pairs naturally with an everything or onion bagel.
Several flavors are available. Chive, jalapeño, salsa, strawberry, and cinnamon apple have all been part of the lineup, along with plain for the purists.
Jalapeño cream cheese on an everything bagel is a combo some folks order every single time. It adds a little warmth without needing a full sandwich.
Sweet options exist too. Strawberry and cinnamon apple give the morning a fruitier direction, although tastes vary on how sweet they come across.
You can also buy tubs to take home. That is handy for weekend brunch, when nobody wants to run back out for spreads.
My strategy would be to mix and match. One half with scallion and the other with something sweet lets you try two flavors without committing to either.
Spreads are great, but this shop really earns its reputation when the bagel becomes bread for something heartier.
Where Breakfast Meets the Sandwich Board
Bagel sandwiches are the heart of this place, and they get mentioned more than almost anything else. The idea is simple: take a fresh bagel and turn it into a full meal.
Breakfast sandwiches are a big part of the menu. They are built for people who want something more filling than a bagel and spread before work.
Picking your bagel is half the fun. A breakfast sandwich on jalapeño cheddar feels very different from one on plain or asiago.
This is where the shop’s title promise really shows. You get breakfast bagels and sandwiches in one order, without choosing between two stops.
Many people say a single bagel feels like a whole meal. Add egg and cheese, and you are set until lunch.
A small piece of advice: check your order before leaving. Busy mornings can lead to mix-ups, and a quick glance saves a trip back.
I can understand the appeal of a breakfast that fits in one hand. It works in the car, at a desk, or on a bench.
Once lunchtime rolls around, the sandwich menu shifts toward deli classics.
Turkey, Havarti, and the Lunch Crowd
Turkey and havarti on a bagel is one of the sandwiches people bring up by name. Havarti is a soft, mild cheese, and it plays well with sliced turkey.
The lunch side of the menu includes other deli favorites. A BLT on a bagel and a turkey club both appear among the options.
Bagels make these sandwiches sturdier than ordinary sliced bread. They hold fillings well and travel better if you are eating on the go.
With a 2 p.m. closing time, lunch here works best earlier in the afternoon. Think of it as a late-morning or noon stop.
Families might like this part. Kids can grab a plain bagel with cream cheese while adults order a full sandwich.
I would make time for the turkey and havarti on an everything bagel. The seasoning should add flavor that a plain roll could not.
A quick tip for picky eaters: ask about condiments when ordering. That way the sandwich comes out the way you like it.
Of course, no sandwich run is complete without something to sip, and the drink menu covers more than plain coffee.
Coffee, Lattes, and an Iced White Mocha
Coffee is part of the core identity here, right next to the bagels. Brewed coffee comes in different types, so you are not stuck with one roast.
Espresso drinks are on hand as well. Lattes show up on the menu, and an iced white mocha has picked up praise from at least one happy customer.
For warm mornings, iced drinks make a lot of sense. West Michigan summers can get humid, and a cold coffee feels right with a toasted bagel.
Fountain drinks and bottled options are around too. That helps if someone in your group does not drink coffee at all.
Pairing matters more than people think. A strong coffee balances a rich cream cheese, while a sweet latte goes nicely with a plain bagel.
I like the idea of grabbing a coffee and a bagel to go before a walk downtown. It is an easy, low-cost way to start the day.
And if you are staying a while, the seating area gives you a reason to slow down.
A Fireplace Inside a Bagel Shop
Few counter-service spots have a fireplace, but this one does. It gets mentioned often enough that it has become part of the shop’s personality.
Picture-perfect or not, that detail matters in Holland. Michigan winters bring lake-effect snow, and a warm spot to eat breakfast feels like a small luxury.
The space has been called clean and comfortable. That makes it a reasonable place to sit with a sandwich instead of eating in the car.
Tables give room for a quick meeting, a study session, or a family breakfast. It is casual, so nobody expects you to dress up.
I find the fireplace particularly interesting for a chain bagel shop. It nudges a quick stop toward something more relaxed.
Seating up front also lets you keep an eye on the counter. That helps when you are waiting for an order to come out.
Restrooms are available, which matters on longer drives. Families with kids will appreciate that.
Speaking of waiting, timing your visit can make a big difference in how smooth it goes.
Timing Your Visit Like a Pro
Wait times are a real topic at this shop. Sometimes the line moves fast, and other times orders take longer than expected.
Early weekday mornings bring a steady stream of commuters. If you have a tight schedule, arriving right at opening can help.
Bagel sandwiches take longer to make than a plain bagel with spread. Keep that in mind if you are in a hurry.
Larger orders, like a dozen bagels plus sandwiches, may also need extra time. Calling ahead or planning a few spare minutes is smart.
Later in the day, the line may shrink, but the bagel choices can shrink too. It is a trade-off between speed and selection.
Saturday opens at 6 a.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m. Weekend mornings tend to be family time, so expect company.
My plan would be a weekday visit just after 5 a.m. Fresh selection and fewer people seems like the best combination.
Patience pays off, and the staff behind the counter shape much of how a visit feels.
Friendly Faces Behind the Counter
Courteous staff come up often when people describe this place. One visitor even called it some of the friendliest service in the city.
Asking for help is encouraged. If you are new, staff can point you toward popular picks, like everything bagels or scallion cream cheese.
Toasting is part of the routine. You can ask for your bagel lightly toasted or done a bit more, depending on your taste.
Like any busy food counter, experiences can vary. Some days run smoothly, and some days bring slower service or order mistakes.
A friendly attitude from customers helps too. Clear orders and a little patience make things easier on a crew working early hours.
I like that people feel comfortable asking questions here. It makes the menu less overwhelming for first-timers.
Do not be shy about speaking up if something is off. Most problems, like a missing ingredient, are easy to fix on the spot.
Beyond the people and the food, there is one more reason this shop stays on Holland’s breakfast map.
Why Holland Keeps a Bagel Habit
Some people have been coming here since childhood. That kind of long-running habit says a lot about a neighborhood bagel stop.
Value is a big part of the draw. A bagel with spread or a sandwich makes a filling meal without a big bill.
Buying in bulk is popular for good reason. A dozen bagels and a tub of cream cheese can cover a whole family breakfast or office meeting.
Holland is known for tulips, Dutch heritage, and Lake Michigan beaches. A quick bagel stop fits easily into a day spent exploring those spots.
The shop is also close to main roads on the east side. That makes it easy to reach before heading downtown or to the lakeshore.
For visitors, it is a dependable option. You know what you are getting: bagels, spreads, coffee, and sandwiches done in a familiar style.
I would grab extra bagels for the next morning. Toasted at home, they make a second breakfast with zero effort.
In a town that loves tradition, a morning bagel routine feels right at home.
Share this story
