National Bagel Day is Jan. 15. Here's where to find deals at the Jersey Shore

Sarah Griesemer and Tamara Walker, Asbury Park Press
·3 min read

Ask anyone who has moved out of New Jersey what they miss most, and they likely will say three things: the beach, good pizza and good bagels.

The bagels here are something special. Some say it's the water, which makes them fluffy inside. Others say it's the process of boiling before baking, which crisps the outside.

We say we love them, whatever the reason.

National Bagel Day is Monday, Jan. 15, and some local shops are offering deals celebrating the hole-some treat. Check back for updates as we'll be adding to this list.

Bagel Oven, Red Bank

Poppy seed, salt and everything bagels at Bagel Oven in Red Bank.
Poppy seed, salt and everything bagels at Bagel Oven in Red Bank.

Half-price regular bagels with the purchase of coffee or tea; 72 Monmouth St.; 848-878-1011.

Belmar Bagels, Belmar

Buy a dozen of bagels with a smear and get $5 off. 703 Belmar Plaza; 732-681-2019, facebook.com/belmar.bagels.

Chamo's Bagels & Grill, Neptune City

Get a free bagel for every dozen purchased. 1516 Route 33; 732-361-8940, chamosbagelandgrill.com.

Hot Bagel Bakery, Ocean Township

Buy a dozen bagels for $12 instead of $16.50.; 65 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst section; 732-870-6262, hotbagelbakery.com.

Hot Bagels, Lakewood

The bagel shop will feature its giant pizza bagels, which serve 20 people for a whole and 10 people for a half ($75 whole, $40 half). 232 2nd St., 732-772-3444; 75 East Kennedy Blvd., 732-772-3444; 681 River Ave., 732-772-3444; hotbagelslakewood.com.

More: Try shakshuka at Hot Bagels in Lakewood

New York Water Bagel Company, Toms River

Receive $4 off a dozen bagels. 542 Fischer Blvd.; 732-279-6846, facebook.com/nywbc.

Bagel shops offering deals on National Bagel Day should email Trending Reporter Tamara Walker at twalker@gannett.com.

More: From unemployed to bagel baron in Point Pleasant and Brick

Favorite bagel spots and orders

According to GrubHub, the most popular bagel flavors in the United States are blueberry, cinnamon raisin, everything, Asiago and rainbow. The most popular bagel sandwiches are bacon, egg and cheese; steak, egg and cheese; avocado and egg; tofu cream cheese; and lox.

We asked bagel fans for their favorite shop and go-to order. Here's what they said:

Bagel International, Bradley Beach

"This was the first bagel shop I went to when I moved to the Shore, so it holds a special place in my heart. Go-to order: egg and cheese on an egg bagel."

— Jenna Calderon, reporter

Bagel Talk, Neptune

"The bagels are big and tasty and always fresh. The best is the everything bagel with salmon spread. They also make a mean crumb cake and veggie spread."

— Joe Strupp, reporter

Bagels & Beyond, Ocean County

Pork roll, egg and cheese from Bagels & Beyond in Beach Haven West.
Pork roll, egg and cheese from Bagels & Beyond in Beach Haven West.

"This is my favorite bagel shop because they have locations all around the Long Beach Island area, and their fresh bagels seem to always be warm. Some of my core childhood memories are of Bagels & Beyond trucks hauling their loads around the area and smelling that bakery-fresh aroma wafting out the back. My go-to order is a pork roll, egg and extra cheese with ketchup on an egg everything bagel."

— Gabriela L. Laracca, food writer

More: This unusual shop in Brick makes old-style bagels

Hot Bagel Bakery, Ocean Township

Years ago, we asked readers for their favorite bagel shop. Hot Bagel Bakery won by a landslide — one customer even said they had been eating their bagels for nearly 40 years. I visited early one morning to meet the owners and see the bagels being made, and after one bite, I was hooked. Do yourself a favor and get there early for a warm one.

— Sarah Griesemer, food writer

Terrace Bagels, Freehold Township

"I’ll usually pick up two dozen for my family, and we eat breakfast like kings for a week or two afterward. I’m the one who brings them home and slices them up before putting them in the fridge, and the scent of all those fresh bagels in our kitchen as I’m doing so is heavenly. I’m pretty ordinary with my tastes, so I love poppy and sesame, but the more adventurous eaters in my family love the blueberry varieties and the everything bagels."

— Dennis Carmody, editor

Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com, follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: National Bagel Day 2024:Jersey Shore spots offer deals