Hot Bagel Bakery

Introduction / Overview

For decades, New Jersey residents have understood that the secret to a truly great bagel lies in time-honored techniques, and in Monmouth County, Hot Bagel Bakery in Oakhurst stands as a proud standard-bearer of this tradition. More than just a simple breakfast stop, this establishment has earned a strong reputation as a dedicated bagel shop and a significant wholesale bakery, serving both individual customers and other local businesses.

Opened in 1979 by brothers Dan and John Grimes, Hot Bagel Bakery is celebrated for using an old-fashioned, meticulous process that ensures every bagel has the perfect texture: a chewy crust, a dense, soft interior, and a true boiled-and-baked flavor. Their commitment to authenticity is reflected in the hand-rolling process and the use of a traditional revolving oven, differentiating their product from the mass-produced alternatives. This dedication to craft has secured the bakery a devoted following, who consistently praise the quality and freshness of the product, often describing the bagels as "fresh-made warm and wonderful."

While the business model is centered on a quick-visit, takeout experience—ideal for the busy New Jersey commuter or family morning routine—Hot Bagel Bakery offers a comprehensive breakfast menu that extends well beyond the basic bagel and cream cheese. From a wide array of classic and inventive bagel flavors to specialty spreads like the highly-rated Jalapeno Cream Cheese, this Oakhurst institution provides a truly satisfying start to the day. The establishment also operates under the supervision of the Jersey Shore Orthodox Rabbinate, providing a sense of community trust and adherence to high standards.

Location and Accessibility

Hot Bagel Bakery is centrally located in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, making it an accessible breakfast destination for residents and visitors throughout the Monmouth County area.

The shop’s address is:

67 Monmouth Rd # 2, Oakhurst, NJ 07755, USA

The location on Monmouth Road is designed for high accessibility, a key factor for a popular morning destination. The shop provides essential access features for all customers, ensuring convenience for every member of the community.

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The premises include a wheelchair accessible entrance, facilitating entry for customers with mobility needs.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Convenient wheelchair accessible parking is available on-site, minimizing the distance customers must travel from their vehicle to the counter.

Given the typical high-volume nature of a top-rated New Jersey bagel shop, the emphasis on quick service and easy access allows customers to get in and out efficiently, whether they are grabbing a dozen bagels for the office or a quick, fresh breakfast sandwich for themselves.

Services Offered

As a combined Bagel shop and Wholesale bakery, Hot Bagel Bakery provides a dual set of services that cater to both the individual consumer and the broader regional food industry.

• Fresh Takeout Service: The primary service model is focused on Takeout, catering to customers who are on the go. This model aligns with the desire for a Quick visit during the busy breakfast hours.
• Onsite Services: Customers can utilize the Onsite services, though it is important to note that the venue primarily focuses on takeout service and does not offer dedicated seating for dining in.
• Wholesale Operations: The designation as a Wholesale bakery indicates that Hot Bagel Bakery supplies its renowned bagels to other businesses, likely including local delis, coffee shops, and corporate clients throughout New Jersey, showcasing the scalability and recognized quality of their product.
• Breakfast Menu: The core menu is built around the Breakfast dining option, featuring a wide range of hand-rolled bagels, spreads (including unique options like Jalapeño Cream Cheese), and likely various egg and breakfast sandwich preparations.
• Coffee Service: The bakery offers Coffee, including House Blend, French Roast, French Vanilla, Decaf, and Iced Coffee options, providing a complete morning experience alongside their freshly baked goods.
• Advance Ordering: To avoid lines during peak times, customers can call ahead to place orders for pick-up, a crucial feature for bulk purchases or a seamless morning routine.

Features / Highlights

The true draw of Hot Bagel Bakery lies in its commitment to the authentic, artisan preparation of the New Jersey staple.

• Artisan Bagel Craftsmanship: The bakery uses a century-old process, hand-rolling every single bagel. This dedication to the hand-roll technique is what creates the superior crust and signature dense-yet-chewy texture that sets their product apart.
• Extensive Bagel and Spread Variety: The menu boasts a vast array of both classic and specialty bagels (including Everything, Egg, Pumpernickel/Rye, and Cinnamon Raisin) and diverse cream cheeses. The Jalapeno Cream Cheese is a particular customer favorite, praised for its rich taste and satisfying heat.
• Decades of Local Expertise: Founded in 1979 and operated by the Grimes brothers, the bakery carries over four decades of local experience, maintaining the same tools and recipes to ensure a consistent, high-quality product. They are true experts in their craft, even tweaking the recipe daily based on environmental factors like humidity.
• Kosher Certified: The business operates under the supervision of the Jersey Shore Orthodox Rabbinate (JSOR), providing assurance of adherence to Kosher standards for a large segment of the local community.
• High Customer Demand: Customer feedback confirms that the bagels are consistently fresh and warm, "hitting the spot" on chilly mornings and frequently being lauded as the best in the area, leading to high-volume sales—a testament to their quality.
• Comprehensive Menu Offerings: Beyond bagels, the bakery offers baked goods like muffins and challahs, as well as a full range of breakfast sandwiches and specialty coffee drinks.

Contact Information

For orders, inquiries about the wholesale bakery service, or to simply check their operating hours before a visit, New Jersey customers can use the following contact details.

Address:

67 Monmouth Rd # 2, Oakhurst, NJ 07755, USA

Phone:

(732) 870-6262

Mobile Phone:

+1 732-870-6262

The bakery encourages customers to call ahead to place all orders, especially for large quantities, to ensure freshness and reduce waiting time.

What is Worth Choosing

For residents of Monmouth County and beyond, Hot Bagel Bakery is worth choosing primarily because of its uncompromising commitment to the authentic, artisan bagel. This is not a franchise or a chain; it is a true bakery where the dough is mixed in a barrel mixer, hand-rolled, proofed for days, boiled, and finally baked on burlap-wrapped wood boards—a process that takes three to four times as long as most competitors but results in a vastly superior bagel.

The Everything and Egg Everything bagels, along with the highly recommended specialty cream cheeses such as the Jalapeno, represent the pinnacle of their offerings. The texture, characterized by a desirable crunch on the crust and a dense, flavorful interior, is what true bagel enthusiasts seek. Furthermore, the ability to serve individual customers seeking a quick, delicious breakfast while simultaneously operating as a large-scale Wholesale bakery underscores their capability to consistently deliver quality at volume.

It is important for customers to be aware of the shop’s Cash-only payment policy and the emphasis on takeout to ensure a smooth, quick visit. Despite occasional public concerns about early closures and pricing—which are not uncommon in small, high-demand operations—the overwhelming consensus among local users is that the exceptional quality and traditional craftsmanship of the Hot Bagel Bakery product make it a truly essential New Jersey bagel experience, solidifying its status as a local treasure for breakfast and beyond.

Hot Bagel Bakery

67 Monmouth Rd # 2, Oakhurst, NJ 07755, USA