Parmesan Herb Bagels ≈ a fail?

So I’ve been dabbling at bagel making! Today I think I successfully achieved the quality of bagel I want. Yummy golden brown, perfectly done with crispy cheese on top. I think perfection. These are Parmesan Herb topped bagels. 

Fresh from the oven. Parmesan Herb Bagels!

Taste test tonight with AK and a couple friends. They all seemed to like them but said they weren’t like any other bagel they have had before. Not very good feedback, and I am unsure on how to make think different. I’ve tried multiple recipes and watch tutorials, a d seem to follow them to a T, but still fail. Anyone have any bagel advice.