[6] Steely Dan FAQ author Anthony Robustelli describes "Pretzel Logic" as a bluesy shuffle about time travel.

[10] Billboard described "Pretzel Logic" as a "bluesy rock hit" and praised the vocals, production, and the "catchy instrumental refrain.

'"[12] Record World called it "a blues construction trimmed with hall-filling harmonies" and said that "The group's ability to meander and yet keep to a hooky home base once again proves their mastery of rock thought processes.

"[13] Rolling Stone critic Bud Scoppa describes "Pretzel Logic" as one of the album's most conventional songs, calling it a "modified blues.

[14] Scoppa credited Jeff Baxter for this, although according to Steely Dan biographer Brian Sweet, Walter Becker played the guitar solo.

[7] Eduardo Rivadavia cites "Pretzel Logic" as one of several songs on the album on which Steely Dan hones their trademark sound, "as sweetly infectious as it was deceptively intricate, dark and witty.