Winter in the Midwest. We’ve all lived this scene more times than we can count. A looming snowstorm fills the forecast. You’re not sure whether you’ll be able to drive to work the next day. You top off the gas tank and make contingencies for being snowed in.
Then what do we midwesterners do next? You know. We go to the grocery and buy milk and bread, of course, along with anything else we may need over the next few weeks. Just in case…
Last Friday brought one of those moments. But this time, I changed my routine. For one thing, the storm was considerate enough to arrive on a weekend, so work wasn’t an issue. I pictured my wife and me snowed in, eating breakfast while watching the flakes pile up outside the window. And what did I imagine we were eating? Definitely not milk and bread. I saw bagels — and I knew exactly where I needed to go.
Tuna Salad on Poppy Seed
Instead of heading to the supermarket, I went straight to Marx Hot Bagels and stocked up.
As always, Marx was ready. Even though it was after lunch, the bright, bustling bagel shop was filled with diners, and it quickly became clear I wasn’t the only one with a bagel bailout plan. A steady stream of customers exited carrying bulging to-go sacks.
I joined the line, got to the front quickly, and ordered a generous assortment to get us through the storm. With more than 30 different kinds of bagels — some familiar, others intriguing — it’s not easy to limit yourself. I’m a traditionalist, though, so I chose the classics: an egg bagel, an everything bagel, a whole wheat bagel (which I’ve always meant to try) and my personal favorite, the classic onion.
For you cream cheese lovers, keep in mind that Marx also offers a wide array of flavored cream cheese, including Green Olive, Vegetable, Jalapeño, Horseradish & Black Olive, Honey Walnut, even Peanut Butter & Chocolate, along with many others.
Marx Bagels — like any good bagel maker — is not a fancy place. They are all about the business of serving kosher offerings and making the best bagels in the city. Regardless, they know how to put together a pretty plate of food, as the photo makes plain.
Not only was my lunch attractive, the tuna salad was light and satisfying, a nice, quick lunch which left me plenty of time to get home with my stash of bagels.
Bagelman
The storm turned out to be a bit worse than predicted, so getting out of the house over the weekend was not advisable. Still, I’m happy to report that being snowed in with Marx bagels is now my favorite winter pastime.
We don’t get storms like this very often, and bagels are a four-season food anyway — so go to Marx anytime, or all the time. But the next time winter delivers a real wallop, skip the milk and bread. Get bagels. Because Marx Hot Bagels is a place where the last taste lingers long after it’s gone.
