Bagel Oven

These are the kind of bagels that allow this area to brag about its bagels. They are made in-​house and are the quintessential NJ bagel. Crispy outside, chewy inside. The service is always prompt and friendly and the prices reasonable. I’m officially addicted.

Good bagels, nice servers, and some local favorites (ie, pork roll and flat bagels). Prices were on point and a welcome relief from city prices (between $ 2 – 4, depending on your bagel). They’ll let you know if a new batch is coming out of the oven so you can get the bagel you want hot. It was, however, bothersome that some of the employees were handling cash at the register and then handling bagels, both times with bare hands and no sanitizing in between.

I am actually speechless that people gave Bagel Oven 5 stars. Do you people cook in filth? I wish Bagel Oven took the time to clean and care for the appearance of their store because their food is actually pretty good. Their store is absolutely disgustingly dirty — like there is literal DIRT on the floor, in the creases of their drink refrigerators, grease on the walls… I am scared to break out from just standing there waiting for my bagel. I’m actually not sure how they pass sanitation inspections. Why wouldn’t they take the time to clean? Hire a cleaning crew! Not to mention their staff generally looks sweaty, hair in their face, and they handle food without any gloves. I would go here more often if they took the one day it would take to clean the store. Get it together and have some pride & dignity in your business Bagel Oven! I hope they take the time to read these reviews, and make the changes they need to

These are by far the best bagels in the area. Gems is much closer to me but I happily drive the extra ten minutes to Red Bank to get these delicious bagels. This place has these perfectly crisp and chewy bagels while other places just have glorified bread circles. This place rocks and their egg bagels are especially good (which is very important to me because they are my absolute FAVE) Definitely recommend

This bagel joint is very old school. Their bagels are delicious and fresh out of the oven. Even more their prices are appropriate. We went with a bagel board add butter. Crunchy, chewy, yummy bagel.
Why two stars?
The staff at this location was handling bagels and money at the same time.
This is utterly disgusting.
I really hope that someone from this location takes heed to this review, and starts following food safety standards. Until then, until more more Unilocalers review this location, and update me on a change in food safety standards, I have no reason to go back.

I ordered 24 bagels. When I got home there were only 21. When I called, the saleswoman said to come in and she would give me 3 free. After I drove back the manager did not believe me. She insisted on knowing what type of bagels were missing. She refused the 3 free that was previously ordered. I will not go in again.

This tiny shop has the best bagels in this area. I always eat bagels and have been to a lot of places in red bank and Middletown and no one has better bagels than bagel oven. They are amazing!!!

Best bagels in red bank. Made fresh every day and the staff really care about their food. Highly recommend the lox there.

I get bagels from here every week or two.
Dingy store but the sheer excellence of his bagels overcomes this and propels Bagel Oven into 5 star status. Superior bagels with a crisp exterior and chewy interior. The Everything egg bagels rule.
Forget any other bagel: Bagel Masters? NO. Eli’s? Weak. Dunkin Donuts? A crime against bagels. I hope this guy stays in business forever because there is NO WHERE ELSE around here to get bagels like this.
DUDE YOUR BAGEL OVEN STORE ROCKS!

Understaffed so you will wait if it’s peak hours. They might forget minor details if too busy filling orders. My bagels weren’t toasted. Everything tasted good though. Trying bagel masters next time

This is a quintessential, no-​frills bagel shop. Its tucked away on a quieter part of downtown, and it is easy to miss. However, the bagels are out of this world. They have the perfect amount of salt and the best consistency. The employees are patient and helpful, though still efficient and get people in and out of the store quickly. It is cash only, but they do have an ATM inside. The pork roll, egg, and cheese on a toasted everything bagel will make you feel things you’ve never felt.

This place is wonderful! And the people are so nice. Legit bagels, black and white cookies, the make their own spread, and they have a variety of beverages. You have to go here! We had a horrible experience at station bagel. Don’t go there. Staff is extremely rude and their bagels are crap.

Best bagels in the region
The End
Some unfortunate reviewers complain about appearances and obviously have no idea what it’s like to run a business. Bagel Oven can not possibly gross all that much. Their space is cramped, the location isn’t ideal, and there is on street parking. How can anyone move that much product under these conditions? This type of business has high overhead including many workers and perishable low profit margin products which need to be managed. Red Bank rents? Under those circumstances, how can you expect marble countertops?
Look at Bagel Masters in Shrewsbury. Why does he get so much business? His location is high visibility, is very convenient, and he has good parking. His bagels are gross and over-​proofed (yeast activated too long creating massive air pockets which make the bagels took large. Terrible bagels but he wins due to convenience.
Back to the Bagel Oven. He has been around since the 1970s and has survived thanks to a vastly superior product.

This place is the real deal in bagels. You should try the «boards» a little over priced @ $ 1.50 each. Their bagels are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. If you get the poppy, salt, everything, etc., sometimes they skimp on the toppings. As some of the reviews state, the place looks dingy. If you look in the kitchen of most restaurants they probably looks no different than bagel oven. They still have the best bagels in the area, including Bagel Master in Shrewsbury. Would have given 5 star if there was better consistency in their bagels and if the place was cleaner looking.

Listen Folks! These are, by and far the best bagels. In fact, having grown up in the area, I no longer eat bagels unless I am visiting.
Also people of central NJ: Who cares what a restaurant looks like? Have you never endearingly claimed a «hole in the wall» as your own? Do you not know food?
Well, here’s the deal. Unless you’re eating at a Michelin-​starred restaurant, appearance has nothing to do with quality. Almost all the reviews in this area focus on the two most worthless criteria of food: establishment appearance and service. Frankly, I think Unilocal should be banned in the black-​hole of culture that is Monmouth County. Please people, grow up, get out, and — most importantly — eat some God-​damned good bagels.

Very good bagel place. A baker’s dozen as well, which is nice. They now carry egg Everything which we like a lot. Like others said these are more of a well done, crunchy outside bagel. Very good selection, nothing wacky, and occasionally we spring for some of the esoteric ones like Spinach etc. Don’t go for the 1973 décor, get your bagels and move on.

My regular stop before my train stop.
You’re looking for a good bagel before you’re work day. You’re in a hurry because you’re about to work. You are going to work, right? So all that matter is that you get a great bagel fast and cheap. This place delivers.
FOOD:
If you’re looking for a better bagel than here, you’re going to have to get much closer to NY. The bagels have a great crust. Some complain this is too hard; however, the best bagels in NY, such as Leo’s, have a crust that’s similar. Hard in the outside, soft on the inside, just like a typical NJ/NY’er. Am I right? Jokes aside, the food here is good, maybe even great for what it is. I thoroughly enjoy it every time.
SERVICE:
It’s a cash only bagel stop with the appropriate size of a NY bagel shop. With that said, don’t expect Starbucks level of customer service and you’ll be fine. You’re in a rush, right? So service doesn’t matter so much because you’re looking to get your good and GO.
VALUE:
$ 1 per bagel. About $ 3 – 4 for a bagel breakfast sandwich. If you’re bagel shop offers Pork Roll and cheese, I can’t say no. I have to order. This place doesn’t disappoint. Good pork roll. Good cheese. Solid value. Super affordable.
OVERALL:
If you meet the requirements, looking for good food on the go, then while it’s not McDonalds fast, you will get in and get out without memorable service but with good affordable food. That’s what I’m looking for and this place shows me what I’m looking for. Highly recommended.

These are the best bagels around! I like a bagel that is crispy on the outside, not soft like a roll. I’ve been coming here since I was little, and that’s probably the last time the place was cleaned. It’s dirty! As in, quickly order, don’t look around, don’t get anything prepared, just get your bagels and go dirty. One star off for that. I’m a stickler for cleanliness. But the bagels are so good, I don’t care!

Don’t go expecting to see a fancy, brightly lit and sparkling bakery or something. This place is literally a «hole-​in-​the-​wall». But I love it.
Service is always good. Their bagels are the best — perfect size, crunch on the outside and soft on the inside. Come here for your porkroll egg n cheese, or to pick up your bag of real bagels.
(Cash/​local checks only. There’s an ATM.)

Great bagels, it is our go to place, we have tried the others in town and ALWAYS come back to Bagel Oven… Its a great place with super staff