6 a.m. fliers hit this Concourse A bagel counter first
In Terminal A at ELP, Einstein Bros. Bagels is the go-to dedicated breakfast spot before early departures, with reviewers calling it “clutch for a breakfast bagel at 6 a.m.” It sits airside in Concourse A, so you’re fine once you clear security. Think quick grab-and-go more than sit-down meal, and prices stay in the low tier: drip coffee around a few dollars, bagel sandwiches typically under $10.
The menu runs through the usual Einstein lineup: plain, everything, and sesame bagels, egg and cheese sandwiches, plus sweeter options like cinnamon raisin and schmears. Coffee, lattes, and bottled drinks cover the basics. One Google reviewer notes the line “moved pretty quick compared to Starbucks down the hall,” which matters if your boarding time is 30–40 minutes out. Expect early-morning rushes from about 5:30–7:30 a.m.
What regulars do: order an egg sandwich, grab napkins, and carry it onto the plane instead of hovering for one of the few nearby seats. If you’re hungry, stack it with bacon or sausage and a second coffee for later in the flight. For something simpler, a toasted everything bagel with plain cream cheese usually lands faster than the built sandwiches.
Watch out for late-morning stock issues: several reviews mention popular flavors, especially everything bagels, running out by around 9–10 a.m. There are also comments about some sandwiches being pre-made and then reheated, so if texture matters to you, ask what’s being made fresh at that moment. If the line at Starbucks in A is 15+ deep, this counter often still turns people in under 10 minutes.
Tip: If you care about bagel choice, swing by Einstein Bros. as soon as you reach Terminal A, even if your flight from gate A isn’t for another hour.