Learning the restaurant landscape of Cincinnati — as many of you know — is an engaging adventure. One of my personal quests, unrelated to this column, was to find truly good bagels. Of course, it’s not like it was thirty years ago, when many people were just discovering what bagels were. These days, you can find them almost anywhere. Bagels have gone mainstream — an American staple — which unfortunately means there are plenty of mediocre ones masquerading as the real deal.
After a few disappointing experiences, I was directed to Marx Hot Bagels, and I knew immediately that I’d found what I’d been searching for. Later, learning about the company’s long history only confirmed it — my bagel hunt was over.
The story begins in 1961, when Hal and Audrey Block moved from New York to Columbus. Like me, they longed for the bagels they’d left behind but couldn’t find any to their liking. So they did what enterprising people often do: they opened their own bakery, Hot Bagels. A second location followed in Cincinnati’s Roselawn neighborhood on Reading Road. The early years were difficult, until an employee, John “Bagelman” Marx, bought the business and renamed it Marx Hot Bagels.
I’ll leave the colorful details for you to discover on their website, but it’s a classic Cincinnati success story — one we can appreciate almost as much as the bagels themselves. In many ways, Marx Hot Bagels served as a bridge from the early New York bagel culture to a distinctly Cincinnati institution.
In 2019, John sold the company to YY and Rena Davis, both Orthodox Jews, who have upheld the quality and consistency that have defined the Marx brand for decades.
Today, Marx Hot Bagels offers more than 30 varieties of bagels, plus pastries and a full breakfast and lunch menu.
For my visit, I kept it simple: an everything bagel sandwich with scrambled eggs and coffee. It was a straightforward, satisfying breakfast — the bagel was spot-on, the eggs perfectly soft and the atmosphere was bright and welcoming.
Of course, I couldn’t leave without taking home a half-dozen bagels for the weekend. There’s something perfect about a warm, toasted Marx bagel on a sunny morning. For those who’ve enjoyed Marx Hot Bagels for years, you may think I’m overstating things — but live for a few years in a place without good bagels, and you’ll understand why this Cincinnati favorite feels like a crown jewel.
Beyond the bagels, Marx offers an impressive selection of flavored cream cheeses — from Lite Vegetable and Honey Walnut to the indulgent Peanut Butter & Chocolate. You can also buy them in larger containers to enjoy at home.
Then there’s the sandwich lineup, which ranges from Tuna and Egg Salad to Whitefish and Baked Salmon Salad, plus several varieties of Lox and more adventurous options. Add fresh breads, soups and salads, and there’s truly something for everyone.
And don’t overlook the pastry case. Even for someone without much of a sweet tooth, it’s a beautiful sight — Cinnamon Buns, Chocolate Horseshoes, cookies and muffins, all looking like they belong on a dessert lover’s wish list.
Marx Hot Bagels is a Cincinnati tradition that’s been going strong for over fifty years. It’s a place where quality endures, community gathers and the last taste lingers long after it’s gone.
