Andy R.

Every time I come into town, I eat 1 - 2 pints of tuna. I have a healthy appetite. Besides the bagels being wonderful and the restaurant feels like another home, I want to thank John Marx for his contribution to society. This man supports a community. And we appreciate you. Thank you. clevelandjewishnews.com/…

Kennie G.

Best. Bagels. Ever. Marx is a kosher deli with a very, let's say "kitchy" diner feel. I love being smacked in the face with the smell of fresh baked bagels and bread when I walk in. And the bagels... they probably have about 30 different types to choose from! They might change from day to day or season to season, but there are always sooo many! If I still lived nearby, I'd be here a lot more often. I'll have to start making it a point to stop by when I'm in the area because these bagels freeze well.

Michael K.

I heard about Marx by looking up the best lox bagels in Cincinnati and the place definitely did not disappoint. I ordered the Nova Lox Bagel, which came with lettuce, tomato, and red onion. I asked for light cream cheese only on one side since I don't like it to overload the taste. To start with, the combo (everything) bagel was one of the best I've ever had in my life. It was perfectly hard and crunchy on the outside with a dense, soft inside. They did not hold back on the everything part of the bagel, which gave it amazing flavor. I wouldn't recommend getting this bagel if you plan on talking to too many people before you can brush your teeth. The nova lox were incredible. They weren't too salty and I was given a fair portion. Overall the sandwich was excellent and the service was very quick. I'm excited to go back and try a few other items on the menu. The only downside was that it was almost $12, which I feel is a little expensive for a bagel sandwich. Aside from that, it was very quick service and a great experience.

Bari H.

I am so disappointed! I have loved Marx bagels for decades. I live in Bellevue and rarely make it to Kenwood so anytime I do I stop in and get some bagels to take home. Such was the case this week, I couldn't wait to get home and toast one up...it was awful! Stale, tasteless, gummy texture, almost impossible to chew. I tried a couple more and all were the same, inedible. What has happened to Marx hot bagels?!

Wadim S.

One of the best bagels I have ever tried!! lox is great! the ambiance is also amazing. Old school place run by the owner himself ( I think) Le' CHaim!!

Sarah C.

My knowledge, understanding, or appreciation of bagels doesn't extend beyond store-bought stack-packaged bagels in a bag like a loaf of bread, or even one tier up from that, national chain bakery bagels, such as Einsteins (which I thought were pretty good with the shmears and what not..), Given that preface, I never really cared much for bagels. Till one day, a co-worker brought bagels from Marx in for the Friday morning breakfast roundup. Man! These bagels are palm sized, thick and crunchy but chewy and just the perfect consistency. The toppings are amazing, and the combo leaves your breath smelling like garlic and onion the entire rest of the day. Their creams are hearty and delicious and their sandwiches are amazing. Craving lox and bagels? This is your place to get them. I had to go and try them for myself after I've eaten them out of the brown bag and tried to slice them with the flimsy plasticware. They've got what seems like a gazillion types of bagels of all different flavors and sandwich combinations are sizable but limited. Had a simple scrambled eggs on a combo bagel and really, the bagel outshined the eggs, but still delectable. I only wish I lived within walking distance of this place. Their bagels, like most bagels, taste better hot and toasted, and after a day, it's just not the same. I don't know if they're like "New York" style bagels or wherever else bagels are popular, and I could never tell the difference between a regular bagel and Vincent's famous bagels in Montreal, but these are damn good. I can't judge whether or not my opinion is skewed based on consistently crappy Panera bagels, but Marx has damn good bagels.

Emily Z.

Oh my goodness. So so good. Jewish establishment, so don't expect any bacon, but seriously worth the drive from anywhere. I had a banana nut bagel and it was UNREAL.

Chrissie V.

Best bagels and bagel selection in Cincinnati. If you've never had a New York bagel and you want to know what all the fuss is about...get your bagels from Marx. Or maybe you could care less about "New York bagels" and you just enjoy getting your carb fix from something fluffy on the inside with a perfectly crisp outside...get your bagels from Marx. They have what seems like a million to choose from, but what I like best is that they satisfy the traditionalists with choices like pumpernickel and sesame AND the more modern bagel lover with choices like french toast. My dad is from New York and is even pickier about his bagels than he is his delis (see my review on Carl's to hear more on that) and he is a Marx loyalist. I think he was more emotional when they closed their Roselawn location YEARS ago (down the street from the house I grew up in) than when my sisters and I moved out of the house to go to college. Bottom line...get your bagels from Marx.

Amy L.

Does it get any better than Marx? Probably not. My family has been frequenting Marx for years, and it wasn't until I moved to North Carolina that I realized how great we had it. Now it's on the must-visit list when I come to town. The bagels are always prepared to your liking, and their cream cheese is airy and delicious.

Beth G.

What a wacky little place. Slightly bossy counter attendants, politically incorrect signs, and bagels that impress the biggest bagel snobs I know. Chewy and doughy, their flagship products come in a wide variety of savory and sweet flavors (everything I've ever tried, save salt, has been great) and the cream cheeses are a necessary accompaniment. If you are going for lunch, and you've ever liked egg salad, even a little bit, get it here, as it is one of the best sandwiches in town. They also have a veggie/hummus sandwich that is wholly satisfying. The deli is certified kosher, and opens bright and early at 6 a.m., so it's easy to grab a baker's dozen for the office, or a sleeve to bring home and freeze. Coffee, waters, and organic sodas are readily available as well. Note: they accept credit cards, but really prefer cash, and no tipping allowed to the helpers. I miss you, Marx bagels!

Matthew P.

Simply put this is the best place to go in Cincinnati if you want a bagel. The bagels are always fresh and delicious! I have never had a bad experience here. I love their Tabouli and hummus bagel. The service is great, but don't expect them to always be the happy smiling friendly face, they are very friendly though. The bottom line is the place is great! Bagelman is the best!

Karen C.

tl:dr: Cincinnati 4, NYC 3. Ahhh, the elusive search for a proper NYC bagel continues. There are three criteria for what constitutes a NYC bagel: 1) a proper schmear (and a litany of different kinds of schmear to choose from) 2) a bagel that has the appropriate amount of chew and density that which straddles the fine line from having no chewiness to being so tough your jaw just had the workout of its life, and 3) the appropriate schmear:bagel ratio (aka a lot). Marx's Hot Bagels is a Kenwood neighborhood gem. It's located in a strip mall and is pretty unassuming until you walk up. Before you walk in, the windows are painted with (who I'm assuming is) Marx depicted as a superhero. It's kitschy and already made me excited for my impending experience. Once you walk in, there's a long walk up to the ordering counter behind which is the bagel factory, where the magic is made. It kind of makes for a cool industrial atmosphere, filling the air with the smell of fresh dough. Immediately behind the counter are baskets of bagels. It's a feast for the eyes; there must be about 12-15 different types to choose from. I finally settled on their version of an everything bagel (called the combo here). It gets toasted unless you specifically request for it not to be, which is okay by me! Then it gets covered in delicious delicious schmear at the schmear:bagel ratio that would make any New Yorker feel like she was at home (read: a lot) and wrapped up in butcher paper, just like at NYC bagelries. My only qualm is that Marx did not have scallion cream cheese. That seems to still be in the repertory of NYC bagelries and rarely anywhere else. There's also a case of Jewish desserts that I've never heard of, some that I have, but all looking quite delicious. Now for the review of the bagel: It's probably the closest thing to a NYC bagel in Cincinnati, but it is no NYC bagel unfortunately. It was just too dense and not chewy enough to be able to bear the moniker. Don't get me wrong; it was still delicious in its own right, but I set my expectations too high and my heart sank with every bite of the bagel. Did I keep eating it? You betcha. Did I love the lite garlic cream cheese? Of course. It was lite cream cheese and very garlicky (which is lovely for me but probably not as lovely for my boyfriend or random passersby but that's their problem). I just wanted to be transported to NYC with each bite. Guess I'll still have to book a plane ticket to NYC if I want the real thing.

Laurie W.

This place is awesome. Every bagel and every topping are excellent. I grew up in Nassau County, New York where bagels, and pizza parlors were on every corner. I have never missed the bagels in Cincinnati, but I sure do miss good pizza. Oh, and the tuna salad and the egg salad are absolutely the best. I live a mile from Jungle Jim's, which has great salads, but the tuna and egg salads there are not as good. So I venture to Blue Ash to get the best of bagels, tuna and egg salad. I wish Bagelman made pizza too.

Alissa S.

Marx Hot Bagels is my go-to spot for bagels in Cincinnati. Don't waste your time on their egg & cheese (see my review for Skip's--theirs is much better). Marx's sweet spot is their cream cheese. The chive, the veggie, the salmon...! They heap their globby goey goodness onto their bagels almost to excess and though their bagels aren't the best I've ever had, they're fairly close to an authentic NY version. The atmosphere is interesting too--lots of stuff to look at on the walls and definitely a fun deli vibe. I like it.

Cresna A.

No other place on the east coast like this. The Bagelman is a must he keeps this place down to earth with great bagels you won't find for miles. If no one can read the signs on the door before you walk in beware. A lot of reviewers have attitudes when the go inside it seems and expect a different atmosphere.

Laura S.

I have been coming here since I was a little girl. But, I went in yesterday evening because I needed some quarters to buy a bunch of Cincinnati Enquirers; my grandfather passed away and the obituary came out that day. I gave the woman a 20 dollar bill and asked if I could please have $5 in quarters and she rudely snapped "why?" I explained what happened and she just said "oh", not so much as a "sorry". She then gave me $5 in quarters after complaining about it under her breath and gave me $14 back. I told her I gave her $20 and she said that she was charging me a dollar for taking all her quarters. The only reason I went in was because everywhere else had sold out of the paper and I was planning on buying a bagel but I will never bring this woman my business again.

L F.

I came here and had a bagel that was just fine, nothing special. But then I actually overheard the owner talking to a married couple and asking the man if he was the "head of the household." This guy was smart enough not to take the bait, but then the owner proceeded to lecture the woman on how she was supposed to be subservient to the man. I was so disgusted, I just left. Please don't give your money to this horrible, backward individual.

Isabelle A.

I moved away from Cincinnati 10 years ago and have been dreaming of the tuna salad on an everything bagel ever since. On a recent trip through the city last month I went out of my way to stop by and it's still as amazing as I remember. Hands down my favorite deli ever... Oh and for the people complaining about the owner, the signs on the door say it all, he's definitely a character but that's part of what makes Marx's special. Be respectful and you'll have no issue. AND KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE

Dale H.

I love this place! I tend to order the same thing every time - a tuna melt toasted with cheddar. The tuna salad is delicious with bits of carrot and overflowing. You can ask for a bit less or more as the sign says. The choice of bagels is the largest I have seen in the city. My favs are the blueberry and sunflower seed. The servers are always friendly and efficient - yes, kind of diner-ish as another reviewer mentioned - adds to the ambience :o) I always order it to go, and they cut it in half and include a fork - a necessity to be able to eat it. And there is a pickle spear on the side. It is always warm and toasted just right- yum! I might need to go there for lunch tomorrow just thinking about it!

Peter M.

Don't listen to anyone that says these are as good as New York bagels. They are about the same as a run of the mill Einstein's chain. The only part that would be close to New York style would be the high prices and the grumpy service. I went in with my kids and one of our bagels was just fine while the other 2 felt and tasted day-old. The owner also gave me (and the two people in front of me) a hard time about paying with a credit card because of the fees he has to pay. That's fine, I'll use my credit card elsewhere whenever I'm in the mood for a stale bagel.

Stephanie N.

Bagels are authentic and out of this world. Chewy on the inside. Crisp on the outside. Presentation is fantastic-- toasted bagels with a glob of delicious cream cheese that you can spread to your liking. The venue is unpretentious and charming. Plenty of seats. The food is kosher. Don't expect bacon or sausage. The staff is warm and friendly. A must visit for anyone who loves bagels!

Elyse F.

Drinks are to the right. Make sure to grab them BEFORE ordering. Decide what you want before getting to the front of the line. Once you are there it is go time. I had egg salad on an everything bagel. It was was great. The shredded carrots gave the salad extra texture. Unlike other establishments, it was not overly salty. I saw somebody else order it with tomatoes. I will be doing that next time. My son had the french toast bagel with cream cheese, and my daughter had an apple cinnamon with cream cheese. They both enjoyed them. My son let me try his and it was good. Not as good as real french toast, but if french toast became a bagel this is it. I would order it. My daughter enjoyed hers so much, she didn't share. So many flavors to try. They have sweet, salty, and everything in between. There is even a low carb option. A number of other baked good are for sale too. They also make their own bagel chips. If I hadn't read other Yelp reviews I would have been thrown by the yelling of the "Bagel Man." Knowing about it going in, I was prepared. The other people working the counter weren't yelling, other than to yell, "I can help someone over here." Even though it is in a strip mall, Marx's has a very authentic, neighborhood, Jewish deli, feel inside. Lots of stuff to look at on the walls. The aroma upon walking in is divine. Everything we ordered was fresh.

Matthew F.

My wife and I had heard this was the best place to get a bagel in Cincinnati. We made a trip, and it was the worst restaurant experience we have ever had for two reasons: 1. First and foremost, the experience left a terrible impression on us because of the owner, DJ. Not only could we hear him verbal abusing his employees, but he also verbally assaulted the woman beside us in addition to purposefully knocking over her bottle of Coke. The reason? He verbalized it when he said it was because she was a woman asking for someone to take her order. I do not care what the culture of the restaurant is, an owner does not deserve to serve people food if he feels they are beneath him due to gender. I will not patronize nor encourage others to do so. 2. As mentioned above, we had heard this was the best bagel place in Cincinnati. The decor is awesome, but we found the food lacking. I ordered the Lox, Egg, & Onion bagel and was served a stale combo bagel with a small toping of egg, onion, and lox. Frankly, Einstein's Bagels serves a better Bagel & Lox. Lastly, for two small bagels and two small coffees, our bill was $15.

Emily H.

Best Tuna Salad in town :) I stop by once a week and always get great service. I would say the selection and quality of bagels beats any other bagel joint around. Almost wish they still had multiple locations so I could get my fix closer to home.

Cynthia S.

This place rocks! The bagels are just the right combination of chewy, crackly and yeasty. The egg and cheese on a bagel sandwich is fantastic. If you lean down and peer past all the equipment, you can even watch the bagel maker pulling the bagels out of the boiling water, sprinkling seeds on them, and baking them. And what a scene! There aren't many places in Cincinnati where all the different kinds of Jews meet up and I love being there. As for the opinionated owner, in a different era he would've been a shock jock. Don't take him seriously; he just likes to make people crazy. I don't think he even believes half of what he says. But go to Marx's for the bagels and the scene, and you will not be disappointed.

Rachel G.

If I haven't had some good begals in Las Vegas, also from a Jewish Bakery, I would have probably rated it a 5/5. I discovered in Vegas that I liked the big, fluffy, airy, with barely a hole in the middle, bagels over the norm. I was slightly disappointed in the banana nut here as well. Though might have been because I thought I was going to bite into a french toast one instead. Which is fantastic! But I am a fan of this place, and love getting salmon on the bagels for a sandwich. I only go when there are coupons because it's quite a drive. It is the only time I eat bagels. We always freeze them, which, btw, thaw out quite nicely.

Elaine W.

I had high hopes for Marx Hot Bagels. As a transplanted New Yorker living in Cincy I get awful bagel hankerings at random hours of the day. A bad one hit while shopping at Kenwood, so I decided to swing by Marx. I ordered a wheat bagel with veggie cream cheese. As usual, there was enough cream cheese slathered on to feed five hungry children--that's fine. The cream cheese itself was just ok--a blend of carrots and celery, like a tuna salad without the tuna. What really turned my smile upside down was the bagel. It was barely hot, and for a moment I thought it tasted stale. Still, this place has a charming bare-bone diner feel. I'd heard about the crazy bagel man who owns the place, and I was actually looking forward to getting yelled at (hey, it's all about the experience, right?), but my server was very sweet and helpful in pointing out the huge variety of bagels (they even have a French Toast one). As I was leaving I did hear an angry man yelling behind the counter and wondered if it was him.

Michael H.

Excellent place! I highly recommend the tuna salad on a garlic bagel... oh don't forget the knish!! Busy, noisy, and downright good food. Sit at the bar and you'll get great service. John is a great guy who has his schtick down. If it's crowded, and you're at the back of the line, if John calls, "Who's next?" and you yell "I AM!" he will bring you to the front and serve you... which is a culture shock for the typical, quiet, conservative Cincinnatian prudes who could never imagine driving on the yellow lines, let alone hollering from the back of the line when it clearly isn't your turn. John rewards those who step to the plate!!

Andrew D.

Marx Hot Bagels is more than a deli, it's an essential cornerstone of the Blue Ash Jewish community. This is because 1) it sells fantastic, hand made bagels, rugelach, knishes and assorted baked goods, 2) the seating is park-bench style, and the walls are adorned with ultra-conservative 1980s pro-Israel posters, and 3) there's an implicit permission, as set by the owner, to bitch and moan constantly about anything you want. Marx, the proprietor, isn't even Jewish. That's ok, because he makes bagels, and he'll randomly yell at you for doing anything right or wrong, and so will his staff. As an American Jew, visiting Marx is kind of like going home: you have no idea how you'll get in trouble, but you'll probably say something wrong, and before you know it you're the one to blame for something that happened before your birth. We Jews are fickle, and Marx provides excellent food that you're encouraged to complain about 'not being quite good enough.' Look, I don't know why Jews are like this, it's how we are. Behind the counter, Marx offers an extremely large variety of bagel flavors, apparently experimenting with new recipes frequently. Your bagel will come with approximately twice as much cream cheese as you wanted, so prepare to remove a majority of it but enjoy the excess. I'm told the tuna salad is divine, although I have not yet enjoyed it. One of the welcome oddities of Marx is also the beverage options: in addition to standard-fare coffee and espresso, enjoy a wide variety of authentically Jewish options (yes, you can get celery-flavored Dr. Browns soda, in Kosher-for-Passover if it's the right season). CONCLUSION + 1 Big, fresh, hand-crafted bagels. One can only hope that, during the 40 years the Jewish people wandered through the desert on their way to Sinai, the mana that fell from the heavens consisted of Marx bagels + 1 ridiculous Israeli decor, I'm pretty sure there are some Likud (right-wing party) election posters on the wall. Sign up, the Israeli army needs you! + 1 Despite snarky attitude, service is snappy and on-point. Whether you enjoy or ignore the attitude, expect to receive exactly what you ordered quickly, and toasted just the right amount + 1 Full line of Dr. Browns soda. Oy! + 1 Prices are very fair, reflecting good value for food and service. Expect to leave feeling very full, with pockets not much lighter

Melody G.

Love, love, love. After closing their buttermilk location in NKY, I now have to drive to Blue Ash. And I do. The bagels aren't bread made in a circle, they are authentic bagels. Chewy, dense, flavorful bagels. I love them and I love the egg salad too. I'm told the fish is great too but I don't like fish so take that as second hand. Great selection of bagels and cream cheese. Yum! However, as mentioned by others, you must keep in mind that the owner is ornery andI've been roasted a few times. But he also gave me a break on my purchases too for being a good sport. Just get over it and eat. And BTW, know what you want and don't waste time when you get to the counter!!! This is another bit of well headed piece of advice. Family owned has so much to offer and so I drive a few times a year to come here. :)

Jimmy M.

The best bagels and cream cheese you'll find in the Midwest. Bagel man knows how to make 'em. Their coffee is pretty good too.

Judi L.

I've been eating these bagels since I was kid growing up in Roselawn in the 70's. We're used to the jerk who owns the place, but today, was the last straw for me. I came in with my husband who always gets a bagel with hummus and a side of lox. Simple, yes? For the girl who waited on us, she was quite flustered when the owner BLEW UP at her and made her re-do his bagel until 10 minutes had gone by. ALL of the employees looked like they were ready to walk out, even his long time employees who have been taking his crap for years. Once the girl came back with our bagel and lox, she had tears in her eyes and she looked so incredibly unhappy. I don't care how long you've been in business, if your making your employees cry, you're doing it WRONG. Retire old man.

Mariana P.

I finally made it up to the middle of nowhere Blue Ash to get bagels from the famous Marx's. We were driving up to King's Island, so it's not that far off the path. It was worth it. It's been a while since I have had an edible bagel anywhere outside of Chicago, let alone a great bagel! I love the signage on the door, you can tell the owner is total character. If you are ever in the northern regions of Cincinnati, this is a must-do. My mouth is watering as I write this for a toasted onion bagel with cream cheese.....

Patricia L.

Reminiscent of my favorite bagel joint growing up, Marx's is a real gem. The bagels are great, handmade and with the right amount of bite, and there is an amazing selection of flavors. In addition, Marx's has a wide array of bagel toppings. They can simply butter it, you can add a mound of cream cheese (both plain and various flavors are available), or you could try one of their savory additions, like eggs or lox. While I am a sucker for a sweet bagel combination, my favorite with always be a plain bagel with the Marx's tuna salad. It is amazing!

Andrew A.

Been coming here for years, but lately I've found the quality of the bagels to be highly variable. Regrettably I plan to begin looking for alternatives. I do love the tuna salad though my wife thinks it smells like cat food.

Jesse M.

This is a unique Cincinnati spot with a fun atmosphere (the owner is a hoot) that also delivers on the promise of the best bagels in the area. My high rating is based on the tuna melt sandwich alone. Open faced, on a bagel, with your choice of cheese. My favorite is jalapeno bagel with cheddar cheese.

U L.

The the owner of Marx Bagels often comes off as an abrasive, loud, curmudgeon type, which offends some, but is a particular allure for others. It can make for an out-of-the-ordinary day at the bagel store, in any case. As for the food, they have what seems to me a vast array of types of bagels, and the usual bagel toppings like lox and cream cheese. They also have baked goods: challahs, cookies, etc. Last time I ate here (about a week ago) I ordered the bagel with cholov yisroel cream cheese, and I was disappointed that it did not include trimmings like lettuce and tomato, and my garlic bagel seemed a little deflated. However, Marx's makes for a unique cultural experience if you don't often get to see Orthodox Jews, because Marx Bagels is kosher, pas yisroel (and they have cholov yisroel cream cheese if you request it) so there are usually a few black-hatters in there. Would it be a good place for a shidduch date? Probably not. But lunch on occasion, yes.

Steve M.

This is a great place to grab a few bagels for the morning. They have a wide variety of flavors. Also, when the Bengals, Reds, or UC were playing, they had "Bengals Bagels" (orange and black swirled), "Reds/UC Bagels" (white and red swirled)! Plus what was really interesting is the owner....John Marx aka Bagel Man (who is in a costume every now and then). Perfect for Sunday morning breakfast and whenever you want a snack!

Jay N.

There are only a few things I have to have from Cincinnati and the Tuna Bagel from Marx is on the list. The business is Very Unique in decor and character -- I mean characters. Friendly with a bite!! They are a Kosher restaurant so you know you're getting great food -- at a Price $8.88 for a tuna bagel & large drink. Still worth it - Not a daily eatery. What would make it a 5? Tables could be cleaned more often. Prices could drop a bit. Naa... That would take away from the EXPERIENCE!

This cafe has a great atmosphere! The walls are covered with numerous artifacts of traditional Jewish humor, adding to a unique cultural experience. Eat in, or take away- they have a very large selection of different types of bagels and fillings to suit anyone! A must for people passing through Cincinnati!

C R.

The best bagel in the city, and the best egg salad I've ever had. The owner can be a real a-hole and tends to fluster and agitate new customers and the elderly. My parents gave up this place long ago, but I keep coming back because the food is so good. They'll accept credit cards, but be ready to get yelled at if you pull it out for a small order.

Jordan C.

Marx Hot Bagels in Blue Ash is much different than your "typical" Cincinnati bagel shop, whether that be Bruegger's Bagels, the soon to open Big Apple Bagels, or even a place like Panera Bread. First and foremost, the Kenwood Road location is Kosher. Marx also has a variety of bagels, 44 to be exact, which are "baked fresh daily." The bagel varieties range from your regular plain and sesame to the more "Hey, what's that?" kinds like Tropical Fruit and Garden Deluxe. Maybe most distinguishing is the presence of the Bagel Man, himself, owner John Marx. Marx has a good reputation for running the classic bagel shop, but don't get on his bad side unless you want to be embarrassed. Otherwise, Marx just might let the whole restaurant know that you were complaining or being, in his eyes, difficult. It's all in good nature though, and besides, he yells at his workers too, in order to maintain a fast-paced environment. Unlike a Chipotle, for instance, there is no assembly line out front, so the lines aren't usually all that fast after all. But the kosher foods and neighborhood atmosphere keep the regulars coming in, while it has also become a must visit for many out of town guests. The bagels can sometimes get hard and lose their freshness after a day or two if they just sit around your kitchen, but it's still worth the trip, especially if you just want to dine in. Step up and eat at the counter for a fun experience, or sit and schmooze with your close friends and family at one of the tables. A few "John Marx, Juniors" also work at the bagel shop, not limiting the customers to dealing with just one loud, funny, and sometimes obnoxious bagel shop worker. Many customers like the White Fish Salad, but your best bet may be the local favorite, Tuna Salad bagel sandwich with a pickle. Or just get a pint of Tuna Salad to go. No regrets there. Also grab one of the many assorted beverages to compliment your meal. You can't go wrong even with a simple O.J. I've had better bagels, and I've been in nicer shops, but I wouldn't recognize Blue Ash without Marx Hot Bagels, a neighborhood staple. Be sure to check it out, but make sure you don't cause a scene!

Alan R.

The first time I went here I was pleasantly surprised. One of my favorite bagel places anywhere in the country. They have an extensive collection of bagels, some seasonal. The fall brings the awesome pumpkin cream cheese. Their salads are also excellent. I love the white fish salad and their tuna is good as well. They also have a good selection of kosher baked goods and plenty beverage choices. A near must every time we are back in the Q.C.

Matthew C.

Used to be better, but still fun. I've been going here since they opened in the 90's. I think they are stuck in a rut, and need to improve. Get some better coffee guys, and put some prices on the menu board. Up your game somehow.

Ann N.

Let me start out by saying that I love these bagels. So why only 3 stars? John Marx is beyond "politically incorrect" as he proudly states on the door to his shop. He is downright nasty and inappropriately rude. I've been a customer since he opened in Roselawn back in the 1960s, so I've seen his behavior many times, but today, he crossed the line. Today, I went in there to buy a very small order...just three bagels with a small container of egg salad for lunch. When I gave John my order, I jokingly said, "can you handle it"? He chose to completely twist my words and very coldly said, "You don't think I can handle your order? If that's what you believe, you should just leave!!!" I was so shocked, I didn't know how to react. Then he went on to say that I was harrassing him and that I couldn't handle him harrassing me back. I told him that there was no need to "bite my head off". At that point, I paid for my order and left. If I hadn't been on my lunch hour and in need of something to eat, I certainly would have left without the order. Frankly, there is no reason for him to be inappropriately nasty. Goodbye Marx Bagels. You've just lost a long time customer. Good riddance. I hear that Trader Joe's has excellent bagels at half the price.

Erin E.

I am pregnant and this really hit the spot. When I want a bagel with cream cheese I always have to ask for extra c.c but not here! All bagels are made fresh in house and I drive in from the city just to satisfy my craving for my new favorite bagels! You must try the tuna salad as well! I promise you wouldn't be disappointed!

Dave A.

We got bagels from Marx's about ten miles away in Blue Ash today. Sesame, poppy seed, onion, and plain plus cream cheese and nova lox -- all wonderful. The lox are brought in from Chicago. They make their own delicious cream cheese and aways give you a LOT. Also picked p some of the good bialys. Yum!!!

Dave A.

I was told that these bagels were great by Ohio natives and they were so disappointing. They had a rubber-like texture and had a very strange aftertaste. If you are going to make thin bagels, don't boil them (a la St Viateur in Montreal)! Marx is overpriced and not good, so don't bother.

Kenneth S.

Very much enjoyed my visit today. I stop at Marx every time I visit Cincinnati. Tasty breakfast fare and very reasonably priced. Worth a trip to Blue Ash the next time you are in the Cincinnati/Tri-State area. Strictly kosher, so remember there is no meat on the menu.

Gary S.

As a Detroiter transplanted to Chicago, then Cincinnati, and now back to Chicago, I've seen a good cross section of what the midwest has to offer in terms of quality jewish deli and bagels. Marx is the best bagel in the Midwest, period. They know how to make a bagel. And their whitefish salad is amazing. I could do without the owner's attitude - some think it's a shtick. But I'll tune him out anyday to get to those bagels. One of a handful of reasons I miss the QC, check out Marx if you ever visit Cinti.

Shoshana K.

***.5!! Great bagels. The texture of them is delicious chewy and crunchy and bready. I had the tuba Reuben on garlic bagel and it was delightful. Nothing fancy, just tasty food that's simple and made right. I hear Marx makes the best challa around. I am eager to try a loaf. The poppyseed hamentachen looked very tempting! Funny staff and quick service on a Wednesday afternoon.

Carter M.

They're just done the right way. Chewy on the outside, soft on the inside. The cinnamon raisin are especially good. And all of the standard fixin's like whitefish and lox and a schmear just add further proof that Cincinnati, with HUC, Rabbi Wise and its position as the birthplace of reform practice, is the center of American Jewish culture. Umm, yeah. I'm sure that won't be challenged. Take that, New York. But that's another discussion. The bagels really are the stars. This is a really great bagel place, and easily the best in the Tristate.

Renny W.

I always enjoy my Marx experience and every time I'm close, I stop on for my favorite sandwich. Tuna salad on a toasted onion bagel. Best tuna salad I've ever had and it's always a generous portion. The owner is loud, but always friendly to me. He keeps things interesting.

Neicy M.

I Had a craving for some fresh bagels and came across this place. There was a pleasant welcoming with the smell of fresh baked dough as soon as I walked in. The decor of the place made me feel like I was in a completely different setting than in Ohio. With the many different flavors of bagels to choose from right in front of me, I will admit at one point I wanted to order 1 of each flavor. In the end I order a french toast, a strawberry, a blueberry, and one of the apple cinnamon bagels. I was looking forward to trying the mixed berry cream cheese but they stopped making this kind the owner said it didn't sell well. So I opted for the apple cinnamon cream cheese (which made a perfect match with the french toast bagel) and some of the strawberry cream cheese. I was very pleased with the freshness of everything and i was also very happy to get away from the chain restaurant taste. They make their bagels and cream cheese there and aren't imported. That was nice for a change.

Julie H.

I've been here a few times. I'm not really crazy about their bagels. They seem to have a weird taste to them no matter what kind you order. Their coffee is pretty good, staff serve you promptly, and they do have a variety of bagel selection. I'm curious as to what their baked goods taste like. I may stop by and try something again just not their bagels.

Ryne S.

This bagel shop is exceptional for this area. Cincinnati has a scarce bagel scene, and this shop stands ahead of the competition, that I've seen. Their pretzel, raisin, and everything bagels are amazing. So good, in fact, that they don't even require toasting. We grabbed a bakers dozen, at a very reasonable price, with a 1/2 pint of plain cream cheese. The plain cream cheese and bagels are all made in house. Everything tastes as fresh as I've ever had it. The service has an east coast attitude too. That is actually a welcome change from the mundane service repeated eating in the Midwest can bring.

Shannon D.

Went here early before work and was pretty impressed! Nice chewy bagel with plenty of cream cheese.

Jayne H.

Great Friday lunch toasted onion bagel with wonderful tuna salad and I bought a bag of bagel thins for later.

Allison L.

I absolutely CANNOT believe I haven't reviewed this place!! MP's family lives in the 'Nati, so every Christmas when we come home we eat here two maybe three times. The owner Mark is hilarious. If you don't know anything about him, the first 2 minutes in the place will be an experience. He's grumpy, he's loud and if you waste his time he'll tell you to leave. Plain and simple. I'm not kidding.... So I will give you a few tips to take with you.... 1. Decide what you want to order before you get in line. 2. Sit at the counter so you can watch everything going on. 3. Their bagels are made fresh daily. 4. Buy a Challah 5. Try the egg salad 6. KOSHER restaurant. 7. No tipping! There are signs everywhere. 8. BEST BAGELS I'VE EVER HAD! The walls are lined with pictures of Israel and local Sunday school kids drawings. They have old pictures of Mark learning the bagel business, celebrities who've visited...etc. I just love coming here. It's a highlight of my trip. Also, the people that work here have been there forever and are fast and efficient. MP always orders 3 bagels, toasted with plain cream cheese. They will give you PLENTY for your bagels....and its fresh too! Not those stupid little packets of Philadelphia cream cheese. Ugh. I hate when places do that. The have everything from a plain bagel to pumpernickel to egg. I just love. Probably over 30 different kinds. If you live in the 'Nati and have not been to Marx...shame on you. If you are visiting the 'Nati and want a good delicious and hot fresh bagel, you know what to do. See you next December Marx!

Amanda P.

I'm disappointed for two reasons. The second reason may not appeal to everyone, which is why I'm leaving it for last. First, the food. I went in around lunchtime to grab a bagel with cream cheese, as I'd heard from a former New Yorker that these were the closest things to NY bagels in Cincinnati. I got a half & half (pumpernickel & egg) with plain cream cheese. It came quickly, was buried in a nice, lightish (whipped?), very creamy cream cheese. The bagel was... fine. One half was cut really thin and that half was pretty bleh, the other half was more flavorful, but I really wasn't blown away. I'm no New Yorker, but I am a carb-and-cheese lover, and this was just a 'meh' on my bagel scale. It rang up at $3.14, which is not expensive, but for a meh bagel... meh. The second reason is the reason my rating is so low. Marx is covered with signs, inside and out, that proclaim that "this is not a restaurant, it's an experience," that the owner is politically incorrect, and that "everyone is entitled to MY opinion." Fine! I'm all for an unorthodox experience, and this kind of attitude does seem fitting for a NYC-style business. However, it seems that the opinion everyone is "entitled" to is intolerance. Next to the cash register is a booklet entitled "What Don't You Understand? A Dictionary of Traditional Gender Roles." Honestly, if I'd seen this before I ordered, I would have walked out - I'm not eager to give money to people whose views seek to deprive others of the right to live their lives as they personally see fit. Live and let live, I hear is the rule of thumb, but apparently not at Marx. I won't be back, and somehow I don't think anyone in this equation is going to be unhappy with that.

Sarah V.

I don't care HOW rude the staff are. These are the best bagels. You can be as rude to me as you want and I don't care because you're giving me DELICIOUS BAGEL. You may think that a bagel can't be that delicious, but you only think so because you've never eaten one from Marx.

Zack F.

I used to go here when I was a kid. Coming back, I quickly remembered what I liked about it. It seems unassuming at first as you drive up to the modest strip mall center where it resides. As you approach the door, you are greeted with promisingly quirky signs. "This is not a restaurant. This is an experience!", "Enter at your own risk. Owner not politically correct. Why be normal!" I'm not sure about the politically correct thing, but I think it's meant to be silly, not indicate the propensity to ridicule minorities. As you enter, the decor hits you like a cacophony of brass. No, the decor is not brass, I'm talking about musical instruments here. It's bright, loud, and energetic. You'll often find families and friends sitting around the many tables, engaged in open conversation across the room. Kind of like a grade school cafeteria, but with good food. They have quite the impressive menu selection. They even have a diner counter that you can sit at and get breakfast all day, every day. They have an array of vegetarian food, from a vegetarian sandwich, pizza bagels, vegetarian chili, even vegetarian chicken nuggets. I have no idea what they are like, but maybe you should stop in and try them? They have a ton of bagel varieties, some that sound quite intriguing, like tomato or french toast. They make the bagels themselves, on premises and they do it with enthusiasm. They have traditional Jewish foods like challah, knish, and bobka. But don't fight with old ladies over the last chocolate bobka. ;) They have a variety of interesting spreads such as Jalapeno, Horseradish & Black Olive, and French Onion. As a kid, my favorite thing about the place was all the comic book style art of their mascot: Bagelman! I wonder what his super power is? According to their website, they are: "The Classic Kosher Bagel Shop Serving Cincinnati Since 1969! Over 35 varieties baked fresh daily!" "Marx Hot Bagels are made from high gluten, unbleached flour & contain no preservatives or artificial ingredients. Our bagels are boiled in water & contain no butter or oil. They are high in protein and fiber!" It's certain to be an experience, and if you have a few kids you would like to entertain themselves while you all eat, this may just be the place.

Alex S.

I had a meeting that needed to be in Blue Ash and the woman suggested Starbucks. "Anything a little more local and fun," I said, trying to practice what I preach about shopping and eating local. "How about Marx Hot Bagels?" she replied. Ok, lay it on me. Mark is a one room giant eatery with a cheesy but fun diner feel. The walls have striped of blue and red neon, the chairs have fake red leather on them and it's got that atmosphere of cheap fast good food, which it did indeed. You walk to the other end of the room and order at the counter. The bagels are where it is at - homemade with that great ratio of dough to crispness. They are the way to go. I actually got a tuna salad sandwich on a bagel and the tuna salad was OK, nothing to write home about. However, the bagel it was on? Amazing. I met the owner and he was nice but I hear this was an off-day. More often than not he does his grumpy "Soup Nazi" thing where you waste his time or patience and he'll ye'll at you or just walk away. I was actually disappointed I didn't get to see it, Ah well, gives me another reason to come back I guess.

Andy D.

Marx is a fun place if you have never been. The bagels are very good, and the atmosphere is really fun, especially if Bagel Mn is there. This is a kosher establishment, so don't go in there asking for meat....they'll look at you like you're crazy!

Deborah H.

The best bagels ANYWHERE.....from sweet to savory, these bagels are by far the best Cincinnati has to offer. Along with the excellent bagels, try the tuna salad (I have mine on pumpernickel with cucumber and radishes). Don't forget to take home some mixed-berry cream cheese....this is the real stuff, not the half-flavored, pasty mixture you get at Panera.

Mike K.

This place is an authentic NY bagel place. I'll give them that. Walking through the door I felt like I was transported back to NY. Now, if this was NY it wouldnt be the best bagel place around. In fact, by NY standards, I'd probably go here once and never again. However, this isnt NY, its Cincinnati!, so its one of the best you guys got. Now whenever i'm in Blue Ash and I want an everything bagel w cream cheese & lox (tomato & onion) with a chocolate milk on the side, I will go to Marx Bagels and be happy. 1 more thing. I wish this place wasnt kosher. Id love to get a bagel with egg, bacon, cheese & ketchup but its not in the cards at this place. Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Linsey G.

There is an extremely wide variety of bagels, and I would venture to say that the lox/cream cheese, tuna, and egg salad bagels are some of the more popular fares. Personally, I usually get egg salad on a toasted onion bagel, but there are some occasions where I'm feeling frisky and prefer to get a pizza bagel--given the state of my acid reflux allows. Some take offense to the owner's harsh demeanor and loud mouth, but it's all in good fun. If you're looking for a friendly customer service experience, this isn't it. But if you want swift, quality service and delicious bagels, this is your spot.

Courtney R.

Love them, love them, love them. I wish they had a location closer to downtown, since anything north of exit 6 on I-71 requires a very, very good reason for me to go there. Marx is actually worth the trip. I miss NYC delis and Cincinnati doesn't have good bagels. Though, to be clear, this food in no way compares to Ess-A Bagel in NYC (the bagels at Ess-A are about 50 times better), this place feels like home. Love the whitefish salad. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE LOX (which makes them one of about 2 places in Cincinnati that serves lox on a bagel.) Their bagels are boiled. What a novelty in the Midwest. And within one trip in, they started calling me New York Girl (as in, they remember their customers). In short, I will happily drive up I-71 for this place. I crave it. Their veggie sandwich (hummus & veggies on a sesame bagel)...I dream about it. I order a half dozen bagels and four are gone by the time I drive the 20 minutes home. Seriously, it's that good.

Loyal C.

The boss there is CRAZY!!! Aside from being served a dry bagel, the bald older gentleman behind the counter was so offensive. He reprimanded an employee for not speaking loud enough (she was greeting another customer while taking my order.) He did so by mocking her then screaming in her face. It was incredibly awkward so I made a joke, something like don't mistake meekness for a weakness, to break the tension, smile on my face and all and he went OFF! I have a short haircut so he assumed I was a lesbian and went on a rant how I hate men and we women need to stop sticking up for each other and he's going to fire the employee. My friend said it was a joke and I left without a word feeling very physically intimidated. Apparently he continued his rant. I felt so bad for the employee. I've never seen someone fly off the handle so quickly and at a customer. This man is clearly a sexist homophobe and after telling my tale to a few Cincinnati friends I've learned I'm not the first to experience this. Don't support hate. Go somewhere else.

David G.

My grandmother lived in NYC and my dad grew up there, these are not good bagels. They aren't even fair bagels. I wouldn't even feed them to the birds. They were so tough I thought I was going to break a tooth trying to eat one. i am not basing this review on the rude owner, just his food, that being said maybe people need to consider who they are supporting and giving their money to. Just because someone is of one particular religious persuasion or another does not mean they deserve your money for bad products and service.

Brad W.

Hailing from the north suburbs of Chicago, I was disappointed when I first came to Cincinnati. For a city known for its Jewish heritage, I was hoping for a better bagel. I had lived in a number of other locations and didn't expect much from a local bagel, but Cincinnati should have changed that. Brueggers Bagels was all anybody would recommend - and a horrible recommendation it was. That all ended when I came upon Marx, aka Bagelman. Finally my deep desire for a moist, chewy bagel was cured. And finally I can now treat my family to mornings that taste like home. Cincinnati has a true gem in Marx's.

Mark T.

Great bagels and atmosphere. Reminds me of New York.

Michael B.

I am a huge fan of Marx Hot Bagels. I just wish the Crescent Springs location was still there. Driving from NKY to Kenwood just for Bagels isn't feasible. I recommend the chocolate chip bagel and the taco bagel.

Richard S.

Best bagels I have had in a long time. Huge variety, all hot and fresh, homemade cream cheese, eclectic irreverent atmosphere. A slice of NYC transported to southwest Ohio.

Matthew H.

I love this place. The egg salad so crazy good. My wife says they have the best tuna salad around. Chose your bagel and you won't be disappointed!

Ki G.

You know you're someplace special when the owner of the establishment asks where you're from and then proceeds to yell at you that a) you don't know how to place an order b) you are a hillbilly from NY c) and probably voted for Obama and to stop mucking up his line Now, the above might offend some people, but being a hillbilly from NY I was just fine with it. Something about being a hillbilly makes you more tolerant of strange behavior. Now, characters aside (the owner calls himself the Bagelman) this is the only kosher bagelry in Cincinnati (but the owner isn't Jewish strangely enough). It also has a HUGE variety of bagels, which can be served with a variety of things on it - from your standard cream cheese and lox to tuna fish. They also have challah, eggs, muffins, coffee, juice and a lot of other breakfast/lunch items. I think the most interesting, and puke-worthy combo I saw being eaten was the Strawberry Bagel and Tuna fish, which was ordered by a 4-year-old who just happened to be with the group I was with. Ranting and weird combinations aside, this place is not bad. I am a fan of the NY bagel myself, but I liked the many varieties they had (like jalapeno, garden vegetable and pumpernickel everything) and they slather on the cream cheese like there is no tomorrow. Bagels - 3 stars Atmosphere - 5 stars

Michael K.

I heard about Marx by looking up the best lox bagels in Cincinnati and the place definitely did not disappoint. I ordered the Nova Lox Bagel, which came with lettuce, tomato, and red onion. I asked for light cream cheese only on one side since I don't like it to overload the taste. To start with, the combo (everything) bagel was one of the best I've ever had in my life. It was perfectly hard and crunchy on the outside with a dense, soft inside. They did not hold back on the everything part of the bagel, which gave it amazing flavor. I wouldn't recommend getting this bagel if you plan on talking to too many people before you can brush your teeth. The nova lox were incredible. They weren't too salty and I was given a fair portion. Overall the sandwich was excellent and the service was very quick. I'm excited to go back and try a few other items on the menu. The only downside was that it was almost $12, which I feel is a little expensive for a bagel sandwich. Aside from that, it was very quick service and a great experience.

Cresna A.

No other place on the east coast like this. The Bagelman is a must he keeps this place down to earth with great bagels you won't find for miles. If no one can read the signs on the door before you walk in beware. A lot of reviewers have attitudes when the go inside it seems and expect a different atmosphere.

Stephanie N.

Bagels are authentic and out of this world. Chewy on the inside. Crisp on the outside. Presentation is fantastic-- toasted bagels with a glob of delicious cream cheese that you can spread to your liking. The venue is unpretentious and charming. Plenty of seats. The food is kosher. Don't expect bacon or sausage. The staff is warm and friendly. A must visit for anyone who loves bagels!

Karen C.

tl:dr: Cincinnati 4, NYC 3. Ahhh, the elusive search for a proper NYC bagel continues. There are three criteria for what constitutes a NYC bagel: 1) a proper schmear (and a litany of different kinds of schmear to choose from) 2) a bagel that has the appropriate amount of chew and density that which straddles the fine line from having no chewiness to being so tough your jaw just had the workout of its life, and 3) the appropriate schmear:bagel ratio (aka a lot). Marx's Hot Bagels is a Kenwood neighborhood gem. It's located in a strip mall and is pretty unassuming until you walk up. Before you walk in, the windows are painted with (who I'm assuming is) Marx depicted as a superhero. It's kitschy and already made me excited for my impending experience. Once you walk in, there's a long walk up to the ordering counter behind which is the bagel factory, where the magic is made. It kind of makes for a cool industrial atmosphere, filling the air with the smell of fresh dough. Immediately behind the counter are baskets of bagels. It's a feast for the eyes; there must be about 12-15 different types to choose from. I finally settled on their version of an everything bagel (called the combo here). It gets toasted unless you specifically request for it not to be, which is okay by me! Then it gets covered in delicious delicious schmear at the schmear:bagel ratio that would make any New Yorker feel like she was at home (read: a lot) and wrapped up in butcher paper, just like at NYC bagelries. My only qualm is that Marx did not have scallion cream cheese. That seems to still be in the repertory of NYC bagelries and rarely anywhere else. There's also a case of Jewish desserts that I've never heard of, some that I have, but all looking quite delicious. Now for the review of the bagel: It's probably the closest thing to a NYC bagel in Cincinnati, but it is no NYC bagel unfortunately. It was just too dense and not chewy enough to be able to bear the moniker. Don't get me wrong; it was still delicious in its own right, but I set my expectations too high and my heart sank with every bite of the bagel. Did I keep eating it? You betcha. Did I love the lite garlic cream cheese? Of course. It was lite cream cheese and very garlicky (which is lovely for me but probably not as lovely for my boyfriend or random passersby but that's their problem). I just wanted to be transported to NYC with each bite. Guess I'll still have to book a plane ticket to NYC if I want the real thing.

Matthew P.

Simply put this is the best place to go in Cincinnati if you want a bagel. The bagels are always fresh and delicious! I have never had a bad experience here. I love their Tabouli and hummus bagel. The service is great, but don't expect them to always be the happy smiling friendly face, they are very friendly though. The bottom line is the place is great! Bagelman is the best!

Bari H.

I am so disappointed! I have loved Marx bagels for decades. I live in Bellevue and rarely make it to Kenwood so anytime I do I stop in and get some bagels to take home. Such was the case this week, I couldn't wait to get home and toast one up...it was awful! Stale, tasteless, gummy texture, almost impossible to chew. I tried a couple more and all were the same, inedible. What has happened to Marx hot bagels?!

Wadim S.

One of the best bagels I have ever tried!! lox is great! the ambiance is also amazing. Old school place run by the owner himself ( I think) Le' CHaim!!

Sarah C.

My knowledge, understanding, or appreciation of bagels doesn't extend beyond store-bought stack-packaged bagels in a bag like a loaf of bread, or even one tier up from that, national chain bakery bagels, such as Einsteins (which I thought were pretty good with the shmears and what not..), Given that preface, I never really cared much for bagels. Till one day, a co-worker brought bagels from Marx in for the Friday morning breakfast roundup. Man! These bagels are palm sized, thick and crunchy but chewy and just the perfect consistency. The toppings are amazing, and the combo leaves your breath smelling like garlic and onion the entire rest of the day. Their creams are hearty and delicious and their sandwiches are amazing. Craving lox and bagels? This is your place to get them. I had to go and try them for myself after I've eaten them out of the brown bag and tried to slice them with the flimsy plasticware. They've got what seems like a gazillion types of bagels of all different flavors and sandwich combinations are sizable but limited. Had a simple scrambled eggs on a combo bagel and really, the bagel outshined the eggs, but still delectable. I only wish I lived within walking distance of this place. Their bagels, like most bagels, taste better hot and toasted, and after a day, it's just not the same. I don't know if they're like "New York" style bagels or wherever else bagels are popular, and I could never tell the difference between a regular bagel and Vincent's famous bagels in Montreal, but these are damn good. I can't judge whether or not my opinion is skewed based on consistently crappy Panera bagels, but Marx has damn good bagels.

Chrissie V.

Best bagels and bagel selection in Cincinnati. If you've never had a New York bagel and you want to know what all the fuss is about...get your bagels from Marx. Or maybe you could care less about "New York bagels" and you just enjoy getting your carb fix from something fluffy on the inside with a perfectly crisp outside...get your bagels from Marx. They have what seems like a million to choose from, but what I like best is that they satisfy the traditionalists with choices like pumpernickel and sesame AND the more modern bagel lover with choices like french toast. My dad is from New York and is even pickier about his bagels than he is his delis (see my review on Carl's to hear more on that) and he is a Marx loyalist. I think he was more emotional when they closed their Roselawn location YEARS ago (down the street from the house I grew up in) than when my sisters and I moved out of the house to go to college. Bottom line...get your bagels from Marx.

Amy L.

Does it get any better than Marx? Probably not. My family has been frequenting Marx for years, and it wasn't until I moved to North Carolina that I realized how great we had it. Now it's on the must-visit list when I come to town. The bagels are always prepared to your liking, and their cream cheese is airy and delicious.

Laura S.

I have been coming here since I was a little girl. But, I went in yesterday evening because I needed some quarters to buy a bunch of Cincinnati Enquirers; my grandfather passed away and the obituary came out that day. I gave the woman a 20 dollar bill and asked if I could please have $5 in quarters and she rudely snapped "why?" I explained what happened and she just said "oh", not so much as a "sorry". She then gave me $5 in quarters after complaining about it under her breath and gave me $14 back. I told her I gave her $20 and she said that she was charging me a dollar for taking all her quarters. The only reason I went in was because everywhere else had sold out of the paper and I was planning on buying a bagel but I will never bring this woman my business again.

L F.

I came here and had a bagel that was just fine, nothing special. But then I actually overheard the owner talking to a married couple and asking the man if he was the "head of the household." This guy was smart enough not to take the bait, but then the owner proceeded to lecture the woman on how she was supposed to be subservient to the man. I was so disgusted, I just left. Please don't give your money to this horrible, backward individual.

Isabelle A.

I moved away from Cincinnati 10 years ago and have been dreaming of the tuna salad on an everything bagel ever since. On a recent trip through the city last month I went out of my way to stop by and it's still as amazing as I remember. Hands down my favorite deli ever... Oh and for the people complaining about the owner, the signs on the door say it all, he's definitely a character but that's part of what makes Marx's special. Be respectful and you'll have no issue. AND KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE

Dale H.

I love this place! I tend to order the same thing every time - a tuna melt toasted with cheddar. The tuna salad is delicious with bits of carrot and overflowing. You can ask for a bit less or more as the sign says. The choice of bagels is the largest I have seen in the city. My favs are the blueberry and sunflower seed. The servers are always friendly and efficient - yes, kind of diner-ish as another reviewer mentioned - adds to the ambience :o) I always order it to go, and they cut it in half and include a fork - a necessity to be able to eat it. And there is a pickle spear on the side. It is always warm and toasted just right- yum! I might need to go there for lunch tomorrow just thinking about it!

Beth G.

What a wacky little place. Slightly bossy counter attendants, politically incorrect signs, and bagels that impress the biggest bagel snobs I know. Chewy and doughy, their flagship products come in a wide variety of savory and sweet flavors (everything I've ever tried, save salt, has been great) and the cream cheeses are a necessary accompaniment. If you are going for lunch, and you've ever liked egg salad, even a little bit, get it here, as it is one of the best sandwiches in town. They also have a veggie/hummus sandwich that is wholly satisfying. The deli is certified kosher, and opens bright and early at 6 a.m., so it's easy to grab a baker's dozen for the office, or a sleeve to bring home and freeze. Coffee, waters, and organic sodas are readily available as well. Note: they accept credit cards, but really prefer cash, and no tipping allowed to the helpers. I miss you, Marx bagels!

Elyse F.

Drinks are to the right. Make sure to grab them BEFORE ordering. Decide what you want before getting to the front of the line. Once you are there it is go time. I had egg salad on an everything bagel. It was was great. The shredded carrots gave the salad extra texture. Unlike other establishments, it was not overly salty. I saw somebody else order it with tomatoes. I will be doing that next time. My son had the french toast bagel with cream cheese, and my daughter had an apple cinnamon with cream cheese. They both enjoyed them. My son let me try his and it was good. Not as good as real french toast, but if french toast became a bagel this is it. I would order it. My daughter enjoyed hers so much, she didn't share. So many flavors to try. They have sweet, salty, and everything in between. There is even a low carb option. A number of other baked good are for sale too. They also make their own bagel chips. If I hadn't read other Yelp reviews I would have been thrown by the yelling of the "Bagel Man." Knowing about it going in, I was prepared. The other people working the counter weren't yelling, other than to yell, "I can help someone over here." Even though it is in a strip mall, Marx's has a very authentic, neighborhood, Jewish deli, feel inside. Lots of stuff to look at on the walls. The aroma upon walking in is divine. Everything we ordered was fresh.

Matthew F.

My wife and I had heard this was the best place to get a bagel in Cincinnati. We made a trip, and it was the worst restaurant experience we have ever had for two reasons: 1. First and foremost, the experience left a terrible impression on us because of the owner, DJ. Not only could we hear him verbal abusing his employees, but he also verbally assaulted the woman beside us in addition to purposefully knocking over her bottle of Coke. The reason? He verbalized it when he said it was because she was a woman asking for someone to take her order. I do not care what the culture of the restaurant is, an owner does not deserve to serve people food if he feels they are beneath him due to gender. I will not patronize nor encourage others to do so. 2. As mentioned above, we had heard this was the best bagel place in Cincinnati. The decor is awesome, but we found the food lacking. I ordered the Lox, Egg, & Onion bagel and was served a stale combo bagel with a small toping of egg, onion, and lox. Frankly, Einstein's Bagels serves a better Bagel & Lox. Lastly, for two small bagels and two small coffees, our bill was $15.

Emily Z.

Oh my goodness. So so good. Jewish establishment, so don't expect any bacon, but seriously worth the drive from anywhere. I had a banana nut bagel and it was UNREAL.

Emily H.

Best Tuna Salad in town :) I stop by once a week and always get great service. I would say the selection and quality of bagels beats any other bagel joint around. Almost wish they still had multiple locations so I could get my fix closer to home.

Laurie W.

This place is awesome. Every bagel and every topping are excellent. I grew up in Nassau County, New York where bagels, and pizza parlors were on every corner. I have never missed the bagels in Cincinnati, but I sure do miss good pizza. Oh, and the tuna salad and the egg salad are absolutely the best. I live a mile from Jungle Jim's, which has great salads, but the tuna and egg salads there are not as good. So I venture to Blue Ash to get the best of bagels, tuna and egg salad. I wish Bagelman made pizza too.

Alissa S.

Marx Hot Bagels is my go-to spot for bagels in Cincinnati. Don't waste your time on their egg & cheese (see my review for Skip's--theirs is much better). Marx's sweet spot is their cream cheese. The chive, the veggie, the salmon...! They heap their globby goey goodness onto their bagels almost to excess and though their bagels aren't the best I've ever had, they're fairly close to an authentic NY version. The atmosphere is interesting too--lots of stuff to look at on the walls and definitely a fun deli vibe. I like it.

Peter M.

Don't listen to anyone that says these are as good as New York bagels. They are about the same as a run of the mill Einstein's chain. The only part that would be close to New York style would be the high prices and the grumpy service. I went in with my kids and one of our bagels was just fine while the other 2 felt and tasted day-old. The owner also gave me (and the two people in front of me) a hard time about paying with a credit card because of the fees he has to pay. That's fine, I'll use my credit card elsewhere whenever I'm in the mood for a stale bagel.

Cynthia S.

This place rocks! The bagels are just the right combination of chewy, crackly and yeasty. The egg and cheese on a bagel sandwich is fantastic. If you lean down and peer past all the equipment, you can even watch the bagel maker pulling the bagels out of the boiling water, sprinkling seeds on them, and baking them. And what a scene! There aren't many places in Cincinnati where all the different kinds of Jews meet up and I love being there. As for the opinionated owner, in a different era he would've been a shock jock. Don't take him seriously; he just likes to make people crazy. I don't think he even believes half of what he says. But go to Marx's for the bagels and the scene, and you will not be disappointed.

Rachel G.

If I haven't had some good begals in Las Vegas, also from a Jewish Bakery, I would have probably rated it a 5/5. I discovered in Vegas that I liked the big, fluffy, airy, with barely a hole in the middle, bagels over the norm. I was slightly disappointed in the banana nut here as well. Though might have been because I thought I was going to bite into a french toast one instead. Which is fantastic! But I am a fan of this place, and love getting salmon on the bagels for a sandwich. I only go when there are coupons because it's quite a drive. It is the only time I eat bagels. We always freeze them, which, btw, thaw out quite nicely.

Elaine W.

I had high hopes for Marx Hot Bagels. As a transplanted New Yorker living in Cincy I get awful bagel hankerings at random hours of the day. A bad one hit while shopping at Kenwood, so I decided to swing by Marx. I ordered a wheat bagel with veggie cream cheese. As usual, there was enough cream cheese slathered on to feed five hungry children--that's fine. The cream cheese itself was just ok--a blend of carrots and celery, like a tuna salad without the tuna. What really turned my smile upside down was the bagel. It was barely hot, and for a moment I thought it tasted stale. Still, this place has a charming bare-bone diner feel. I'd heard about the crazy bagel man who owns the place, and I was actually looking forward to getting yelled at (hey, it's all about the experience, right?), but my server was very sweet and helpful in pointing out the huge variety of bagels (they even have a French Toast one). As I was leaving I did hear an angry man yelling behind the counter and wondered if it was him.

Renny W.

I always enjoy my Marx experience and every time I'm close, I stop on for my favorite sandwich. Tuna salad on a toasted onion bagel. Best tuna salad I've ever had and it's always a generous portion. The owner is loud, but always friendly to me. He keeps things interesting.

Shoshana K.

***.5!! Great bagels. The texture of them is delicious chewy and crunchy and bready. I had the tuba Reuben on garlic bagel and it was delightful. Nothing fancy, just tasty food that's simple and made right. I hear Marx makes the best challa around. I am eager to try a loaf. The poppyseed hamentachen looked very tempting! Funny staff and quick service on a Wednesday afternoon.

Andy R.

Every time I come into town, I eat 1 - 2 pints of tuna. I have a healthy appetite. Besides the bagels being wonderful and the restaurant feels like another home, I want to thank John Marx for his contribution to society. This man supports a community. And we appreciate you. Thank you. clevelandjewishnews.com/…

Kennie G.

Best. Bagels. Ever. Marx is a kosher deli with a very, let's say "kitchy" diner feel. I love being smacked in the face with the smell of fresh baked bagels and bread when I walk in. And the bagels... they probably have about 30 different types to choose from! They might change from day to day or season to season, but there are always sooo many! If I still lived nearby, I'd be here a lot more often. I'll have to start making it a point to stop by when I'm in the area because these bagels freeze well.

Carter M.

They're just done the right way. Chewy on the outside, soft on the inside. The cinnamon raisin are especially good. And all of the standard fixin's like whitefish and lox and a schmear just add further proof that Cincinnati, with HUC, Rabbi Wise and its position as the birthplace of reform practice, is the center of American Jewish culture. Umm, yeah. I'm sure that won't be challenged. Take that, New York. But that's another discussion. The bagels really are the stars. This is a really great bagel place, and easily the best in the Tristate.

Jordan C.

Marx Hot Bagels in Blue Ash is much different than your "typical" Cincinnati bagel shop, whether that be Bruegger's Bagels, the soon to open Big Apple Bagels, or even a place like Panera Bread. First and foremost, the Kenwood Road location is Kosher. Marx also has a variety of bagels, 44 to be exact, which are "baked fresh daily." The bagel varieties range from your regular plain and sesame to the more "Hey, what's that?" kinds like Tropical Fruit and Garden Deluxe. Maybe most distinguishing is the presence of the Bagel Man, himself, owner John Marx. Marx has a good reputation for running the classic bagel shop, but don't get on his bad side unless you want to be embarrassed. Otherwise, Marx just might let the whole restaurant know that you were complaining or being, in his eyes, difficult. It's all in good nature though, and besides, he yells at his workers too, in order to maintain a fast-paced environment. Unlike a Chipotle, for instance, there is no assembly line out front, so the lines aren't usually all that fast after all. But the kosher foods and neighborhood atmosphere keep the regulars coming in, while it has also become a must visit for many out of town guests. The bagels can sometimes get hard and lose their freshness after a day or two if they just sit around your kitchen, but it's still worth the trip, especially if you just want to dine in. Step up and eat at the counter for a fun experience, or sit and schmooze with your close friends and family at one of the tables. A few "John Marx, Juniors" also work at the bagel shop, not limiting the customers to dealing with just one loud, funny, and sometimes obnoxious bagel shop worker. Many customers like the White Fish Salad, but your best bet may be the local favorite, Tuna Salad bagel sandwich with a pickle. Or just get a pint of Tuna Salad to go. No regrets there. Also grab one of the many assorted beverages to compliment your meal. You can't go wrong even with a simple O.J. I've had better bagels, and I've been in nicer shops, but I wouldn't recognize Blue Ash without Marx Hot Bagels, a neighborhood staple. Be sure to check it out, but make sure you don't cause a scene!

Ann N.

Let me start out by saying that I love these bagels. So why only 3 stars? John Marx is beyond "politically incorrect" as he proudly states on the door to his shop. He is downright nasty and inappropriately rude. I've been a customer since he opened in Roselawn back in the 1960s, so I've seen his behavior many times, but today, he crossed the line. Today, I went in there to buy a very small order...just three bagels with a small container of egg salad for lunch. When I gave John my order, I jokingly said, "can you handle it"? He chose to completely twist my words and very coldly said, "You don't think I can handle your order? If that's what you believe, you should just leave!!!" I was so shocked, I didn't know how to react. Then he went on to say that I was harrassing him and that I couldn't handle him harrassing me back. I told him that there was no need to "bite my head off". At that point, I paid for my order and left. If I hadn't been on my lunch hour and in need of something to eat, I certainly would have left without the order. Frankly, there is no reason for him to be inappropriately nasty. Goodbye Marx Bagels. You've just lost a long time customer. Good riddance. I hear that Trader Joe's has excellent bagels at half the price.

Neicy M.

I Had a craving for some fresh bagels and came across this place. There was a pleasant welcoming with the smell of fresh baked dough as soon as I walked in. The decor of the place made me feel like I was in a completely different setting than in Ohio. With the many different flavors of bagels to choose from right in front of me, I will admit at one point I wanted to order 1 of each flavor. In the end I order a french toast, a strawberry, a blueberry, and one of the apple cinnamon bagels. I was looking forward to trying the mixed berry cream cheese but they stopped making this kind the owner said it didn't sell well. So I opted for the apple cinnamon cream cheese (which made a perfect match with the french toast bagel) and some of the strawberry cream cheese. I was very pleased with the freshness of everything and i was also very happy to get away from the chain restaurant taste. They make their bagels and cream cheese there and aren't imported. That was nice for a change.

Julie H.

I've been here a few times. I'm not really crazy about their bagels. They seem to have a weird taste to them no matter what kind you order. Their coffee is pretty good, staff serve you promptly, and they do have a variety of bagel selection. I'm curious as to what their baked goods taste like. I may stop by and try something again just not their bagels.

Ryne S.

This bagel shop is exceptional for this area. Cincinnati has a scarce bagel scene, and this shop stands ahead of the competition, that I've seen. Their pretzel, raisin, and everything bagels are amazing. So good, in fact, that they don't even require toasting. We grabbed a bakers dozen, at a very reasonable price, with a 1/2 pint of plain cream cheese. The plain cream cheese and bagels are all made in house. Everything tastes as fresh as I've ever had it. The service has an east coast attitude too. That is actually a welcome change from the mundane service repeated eating in the Midwest can bring.

Shannon D.

Went here early before work and was pretty impressed! Nice chewy bagel with plenty of cream cheese.

Jayne H.

Great Friday lunch toasted onion bagel with wonderful tuna salad and I bought a bag of bagel thins for later.

Deborah H.

The best bagels ANYWHERE.....from sweet to savory, these bagels are by far the best Cincinnati has to offer. Along with the excellent bagels, try the tuna salad (I have mine on pumpernickel with cucumber and radishes). Don't forget to take home some mixed-berry cream cheese....this is the real stuff, not the half-flavored, pasty mixture you get at Panera.

Andy D.

Marx is a fun place if you have never been. The bagels are very good, and the atmosphere is really fun, especially if Bagel Mn is there. This is a kosher establishment, so don't go in there asking for meat....they'll look at you like you're crazy!

Allison L.

I absolutely CANNOT believe I haven't reviewed this place!! MP's family lives in the 'Nati, so every Christmas when we come home we eat here two maybe three times. The owner Mark is hilarious. If you don't know anything about him, the first 2 minutes in the place will be an experience. He's grumpy, he's loud and if you waste his time he'll tell you to leave. Plain and simple. I'm not kidding.... So I will give you a few tips to take with you.... 1. Decide what you want to order before you get in line. 2. Sit at the counter so you can watch everything going on. 3. Their bagels are made fresh daily. 4. Buy a Challah 5. Try the egg salad 6. KOSHER restaurant. 7. No tipping! There are signs everywhere. 8. BEST BAGELS I'VE EVER HAD! The walls are lined with pictures of Israel and local Sunday school kids drawings. They have old pictures of Mark learning the bagel business, celebrities who've visited...etc. I just love coming here. It's a highlight of my trip. Also, the people that work here have been there forever and are fast and efficient. MP always orders 3 bagels, toasted with plain cream cheese. They will give you PLENTY for your bagels....and its fresh too! Not those stupid little packets of Philadelphia cream cheese. Ugh. I hate when places do that. The have everything from a plain bagel to pumpernickel to egg. I just love. Probably over 30 different kinds. If you live in the 'Nati and have not been to Marx...shame on you. If you are visiting the 'Nati and want a good delicious and hot fresh bagel, you know what to do. See you next December Marx!

Amanda P.

I'm disappointed for two reasons. The second reason may not appeal to everyone, which is why I'm leaving it for last. First, the food. I went in around lunchtime to grab a bagel with cream cheese, as I'd heard from a former New Yorker that these were the closest things to NY bagels in Cincinnati. I got a half & half (pumpernickel & egg) with plain cream cheese. It came quickly, was buried in a nice, lightish (whipped?), very creamy cream cheese. The bagel was... fine. One half was cut really thin and that half was pretty bleh, the other half was more flavorful, but I really wasn't blown away. I'm no New Yorker, but I am a carb-and-cheese lover, and this was just a 'meh' on my bagel scale. It rang up at $3.14, which is not expensive, but for a meh bagel... meh. The second reason is the reason my rating is so low. Marx is covered with signs, inside and out, that proclaim that "this is not a restaurant, it's an experience," that the owner is politically incorrect, and that "everyone is entitled to MY opinion." Fine! I'm all for an unorthodox experience, and this kind of attitude does seem fitting for a NYC-style business. However, it seems that the opinion everyone is "entitled" to is intolerance. Next to the cash register is a booklet entitled "What Don't You Understand? A Dictionary of Traditional Gender Roles." Honestly, if I'd seen this before I ordered, I would have walked out - I'm not eager to give money to people whose views seek to deprive others of the right to live their lives as they personally see fit. Live and let live, I hear is the rule of thumb, but apparently not at Marx. I won't be back, and somehow I don't think anyone in this equation is going to be unhappy with that.

Sarah V.

I don't care HOW rude the staff are. These are the best bagels. You can be as rude to me as you want and I don't care because you're giving me DELICIOUS BAGEL. You may think that a bagel can't be that delicious, but you only think so because you've never eaten one from Marx.

Zack F.

I used to go here when I was a kid. Coming back, I quickly remembered what I liked about it. It seems unassuming at first as you drive up to the modest strip mall center where it resides. As you approach the door, you are greeted with promisingly quirky signs. "This is not a restaurant. This is an experience!", "Enter at your own risk. Owner not politically correct. Why be normal!" I'm not sure about the politically correct thing, but I think it's meant to be silly, not indicate the propensity to ridicule minorities. As you enter, the decor hits you like a cacophony of brass. No, the decor is not brass, I'm talking about musical instruments here. It's bright, loud, and energetic. You'll often find families and friends sitting around the many tables, engaged in open conversation across the room. Kind of like a grade school cafeteria, but with good food. They have quite the impressive menu selection. They even have a diner counter that you can sit at and get breakfast all day, every day. They have an array of vegetarian food, from a vegetarian sandwich, pizza bagels, vegetarian chili, even vegetarian chicken nuggets. I have no idea what they are like, but maybe you should stop in and try them? They have a ton of bagel varieties, some that sound quite intriguing, like tomato or french toast. They make the bagels themselves, on premises and they do it with enthusiasm. They have traditional Jewish foods like challah, knish, and bobka. But don't fight with old ladies over the last chocolate bobka. ;) They have a variety of interesting spreads such as Jalapeno, Horseradish & Black Olive, and French Onion. As a kid, my favorite thing about the place was all the comic book style art of their mascot: Bagelman! I wonder what his super power is? According to their website, they are: "The Classic Kosher Bagel Shop Serving Cincinnati Since 1969! Over 35 varieties baked fresh daily!" "Marx Hot Bagels are made from high gluten, unbleached flour & contain no preservatives or artificial ingredients. Our bagels are boiled in water & contain no butter or oil. They are high in protein and fiber!" It's certain to be an experience, and if you have a few kids you would like to entertain themselves while you all eat, this may just be the place.

Alex S.

I had a meeting that needed to be in Blue Ash and the woman suggested Starbucks. "Anything a little more local and fun," I said, trying to practice what I preach about shopping and eating local. "How about Marx Hot Bagels?" she replied. Ok, lay it on me. Mark is a one room giant eatery with a cheesy but fun diner feel. The walls have striped of blue and red neon, the chairs have fake red leather on them and it's got that atmosphere of cheap fast good food, which it did indeed. You walk to the other end of the room and order at the counter. The bagels are where it is at - homemade with that great ratio of dough to crispness. They are the way to go. I actually got a tuna salad sandwich on a bagel and the tuna salad was OK, nothing to write home about. However, the bagel it was on? Amazing. I met the owner and he was nice but I hear this was an off-day. More often than not he does his grumpy "Soup Nazi" thing where you waste his time or patience and he'll ye'll at you or just walk away. I was actually disappointed I didn't get to see it, Ah well, gives me another reason to come back I guess.

Linsey G.

There is an extremely wide variety of bagels, and I would venture to say that the lox/cream cheese, tuna, and egg salad bagels are some of the more popular fares. Personally, I usually get egg salad on a toasted onion bagel, but there are some occasions where I'm feeling frisky and prefer to get a pizza bagel--given the state of my acid reflux allows. Some take offense to the owner's harsh demeanor and loud mouth, but it's all in good fun. If you're looking for a friendly customer service experience, this isn't it. But if you want swift, quality service and delicious bagels, this is your spot.

Mike K.

This place is an authentic NY bagel place. I'll give them that. Walking through the door I felt like I was transported back to NY. Now, if this was NY it wouldnt be the best bagel place around. In fact, by NY standards, I'd probably go here once and never again. However, this isnt NY, its Cincinnati!, so its one of the best you guys got. Now whenever i'm in Blue Ash and I want an everything bagel w cream cheese & lox (tomato & onion) with a chocolate milk on the side, I will go to Marx Bagels and be happy. 1 more thing. I wish this place wasnt kosher. Id love to get a bagel with egg, bacon, cheese & ketchup but its not in the cards at this place. Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Courtney R.

Love them, love them, love them. I wish they had a location closer to downtown, since anything north of exit 6 on I-71 requires a very, very good reason for me to go there. Marx is actually worth the trip. I miss NYC delis and Cincinnati doesn't have good bagels. Though, to be clear, this food in no way compares to Ess-A Bagel in NYC (the bagels at Ess-A are about 50 times better), this place feels like home. Love the whitefish salad. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE LOX (which makes them one of about 2 places in Cincinnati that serves lox on a bagel.) Their bagels are boiled. What a novelty in the Midwest. And within one trip in, they started calling me New York Girl (as in, they remember their customers). In short, I will happily drive up I-71 for this place. I crave it. Their veggie sandwich (hummus & veggies on a sesame bagel)...I dream about it. I order a half dozen bagels and four are gone by the time I drive the 20 minutes home. Seriously, it's that good.

Loyal C.

The boss there is CRAZY!!! Aside from being served a dry bagel, the bald older gentleman behind the counter was so offensive. He reprimanded an employee for not speaking loud enough (she was greeting another customer while taking my order.) He did so by mocking her then screaming in her face. It was incredibly awkward so I made a joke, something like don't mistake meekness for a weakness, to break the tension, smile on my face and all and he went OFF! I have a short haircut so he assumed I was a lesbian and went on a rant how I hate men and we women need to stop sticking up for each other and he's going to fire the employee. My friend said it was a joke and I left without a word feeling very physically intimidated. Apparently he continued his rant. I felt so bad for the employee. I've never seen someone fly off the handle so quickly and at a customer. This man is clearly a sexist homophobe and after telling my tale to a few Cincinnati friends I've learned I'm not the first to experience this. Don't support hate. Go somewhere else.

David G.

My grandmother lived in NYC and my dad grew up there, these are not good bagels. They aren't even fair bagels. I wouldn't even feed them to the birds. They were so tough I thought I was going to break a tooth trying to eat one. i am not basing this review on the rude owner, just his food, that being said maybe people need to consider who they are supporting and giving their money to. Just because someone is of one particular religious persuasion or another does not mean they deserve your money for bad products and service.

Brad W.

Hailing from the north suburbs of Chicago, I was disappointed when I first came to Cincinnati. For a city known for its Jewish heritage, I was hoping for a better bagel. I had lived in a number of other locations and didn't expect much from a local bagel, but Cincinnati should have changed that. Brueggers Bagels was all anybody would recommend - and a horrible recommendation it was. That all ended when I came upon Marx, aka Bagelman. Finally my deep desire for a moist, chewy bagel was cured. And finally I can now treat my family to mornings that taste like home. Cincinnati has a true gem in Marx's.

Mark T.

Great bagels and atmosphere. Reminds me of New York.

Michael B.

I am a huge fan of Marx Hot Bagels. I just wish the Crescent Springs location was still there. Driving from NKY to Kenwood just for Bagels isn't feasible. I recommend the chocolate chip bagel and the taco bagel.

Richard S.

Best bagels I have had in a long time. Huge variety, all hot and fresh, homemade cream cheese, eclectic irreverent atmosphere. A slice of NYC transported to southwest Ohio.

Matthew H.

I love this place. The egg salad so crazy good. My wife says they have the best tuna salad around. Chose your bagel and you won't be disappointed!

Ki G.

You know you're someplace special when the owner of the establishment asks where you're from and then proceeds to yell at you that a) you don't know how to place an order b) you are a hillbilly from NY c) and probably voted for Obama and to stop mucking up his line Now, the above might offend some people, but being a hillbilly from NY I was just fine with it. Something about being a hillbilly makes you more tolerant of strange behavior. Now, characters aside (the owner calls himself the Bagelman) this is the only kosher bagelry in Cincinnati (but the owner isn't Jewish strangely enough). It also has a HUGE variety of bagels, which can be served with a variety of things on it - from your standard cream cheese and lox to tuna fish. They also have challah, eggs, muffins, coffee, juice and a lot of other breakfast/lunch items. I think the most interesting, and puke-worthy combo I saw being eaten was the Strawberry Bagel and Tuna fish, which was ordered by a 4-year-old who just happened to be with the group I was with. Ranting and weird combinations aside, this place is not bad. I am a fan of the NY bagel myself, but I liked the many varieties they had (like jalapeno, garden vegetable and pumpernickel everything) and they slather on the cream cheese like there is no tomorrow. Bagels - 3 stars Atmosphere - 5 stars

Michael H.

Excellent place! I highly recommend the tuna salad on a garlic bagel... oh don't forget the knish!! Busy, noisy, and downright good food. Sit at the bar and you'll get great service. John is a great guy who has his schtick down. If it's crowded, and you're at the back of the line, if John calls, "Who's next?" and you yell "I AM!" he will bring you to the front and serve you... which is a culture shock for the typical, quiet, conservative Cincinnatian prudes who could never imagine driving on the yellow lines, let alone hollering from the back of the line when it clearly isn't your turn. John rewards those who step to the plate!!

Judi L.

I've been eating these bagels since I was kid growing up in Roselawn in the 70's. We're used to the jerk who owns the place, but today, was the last straw for me. I came in with my husband who always gets a bagel with hummus and a side of lox. Simple, yes? For the girl who waited on us, she was quite flustered when the owner BLEW UP at her and made her re-do his bagel until 10 minutes had gone by. ALL of the employees looked like they were ready to walk out, even his long time employees who have been taking his crap for years. Once the girl came back with our bagel and lox, she had tears in her eyes and she looked so incredibly unhappy. I don't care how long you've been in business, if your making your employees cry, you're doing it WRONG. Retire old man.

Andrew D.

Marx Hot Bagels is more than a deli, it's an essential cornerstone of the Blue Ash Jewish community. This is because 1) it sells fantastic, hand made bagels, rugelach, knishes and assorted baked goods, 2) the seating is park-bench style, and the walls are adorned with ultra-conservative 1980s pro-Israel posters, and 3) there's an implicit permission, as set by the owner, to bitch and moan constantly about anything you want. Marx, the proprietor, isn't even Jewish. That's ok, because he makes bagels, and he'll randomly yell at you for doing anything right or wrong, and so will his staff. As an American Jew, visiting Marx is kind of like going home: you have no idea how you'll get in trouble, but you'll probably say something wrong, and before you know it you're the one to blame for something that happened before your birth. We Jews are fickle, and Marx provides excellent food that you're encouraged to complain about 'not being quite good enough.' Look, I don't know why Jews are like this, it's how we are. Behind the counter, Marx offers an extremely large variety of bagel flavors, apparently experimenting with new recipes frequently. Your bagel will come with approximately twice as much cream cheese as you wanted, so prepare to remove a majority of it but enjoy the excess. I'm told the tuna salad is divine, although I have not yet enjoyed it. One of the welcome oddities of Marx is also the beverage options: in addition to standard-fare coffee and espresso, enjoy a wide variety of authentically Jewish options (yes, you can get celery-flavored Dr. Browns soda, in Kosher-for-Passover if it's the right season). CONCLUSION + 1 Big, fresh, hand-crafted bagels. One can only hope that, during the 40 years the Jewish people wandered through the desert on their way to Sinai, the mana that fell from the heavens consisted of Marx bagels + 1 ridiculous Israeli decor, I'm pretty sure there are some Likud (right-wing party) election posters on the wall. Sign up, the Israeli army needs you! + 1 Despite snarky attitude, service is snappy and on-point. Whether you enjoy or ignore the attitude, expect to receive exactly what you ordered quickly, and toasted just the right amount + 1 Full line of Dr. Browns soda. Oy! + 1 Prices are very fair, reflecting good value for food and service. Expect to leave feeling very full, with pockets not much lighter

Melody G.

Love, love, love. After closing their buttermilk location in NKY, I now have to drive to Blue Ash. And I do. The bagels aren't bread made in a circle, they are authentic bagels. Chewy, dense, flavorful bagels. I love them and I love the egg salad too. I'm told the fish is great too but I don't like fish so take that as second hand. Great selection of bagels and cream cheese. Yum! However, as mentioned by others, you must keep in mind that the owner is ornery andI've been roasted a few times. But he also gave me a break on my purchases too for being a good sport. Just get over it and eat. And BTW, know what you want and don't waste time when you get to the counter!!! This is another bit of well headed piece of advice. Family owned has so much to offer and so I drive a few times a year to come here. :)

Jimmy M.

The best bagels and cream cheese you'll find in the Midwest. Bagel man knows how to make 'em. Their coffee is pretty good too.

Mariana P.

I finally made it up to the middle of nowhere Blue Ash to get bagels from the famous Marx's. We were driving up to King's Island, so it's not that far off the path. It was worth it. It's been a while since I have had an edible bagel anywhere outside of Chicago, let alone a great bagel! I love the signage on the door, you can tell the owner is total character. If you are ever in the northern regions of Cincinnati, this is a must-do. My mouth is watering as I write this for a toasted onion bagel with cream cheese.....

Patricia L.

Reminiscent of my favorite bagel joint growing up, Marx's is a real gem. The bagels are great, handmade and with the right amount of bite, and there is an amazing selection of flavors. In addition, Marx's has a wide array of bagel toppings. They can simply butter it, you can add a mound of cream cheese (both plain and various flavors are available), or you could try one of their savory additions, like eggs or lox. While I am a sucker for a sweet bagel combination, my favorite with always be a plain bagel with the Marx's tuna salad. It is amazing!

Andrew A.

Been coming here for years, but lately I've found the quality of the bagels to be highly variable. Regrettably I plan to begin looking for alternatives. I do love the tuna salad though my wife thinks it smells like cat food.

Jesse M.

This is a unique Cincinnati spot with a fun atmosphere (the owner is a hoot) that also delivers on the promise of the best bagels in the area. My high rating is based on the tuna melt sandwich alone. Open faced, on a bagel, with your choice of cheese. My favorite is jalapeno bagel with cheddar cheese.

U L.

The the owner of Marx Bagels often comes off as an abrasive, loud, curmudgeon type, which offends some, but is a particular allure for others. It can make for an out-of-the-ordinary day at the bagel store, in any case. As for the food, they have what seems to me a vast array of types of bagels, and the usual bagel toppings like lox and cream cheese. They also have baked goods: challahs, cookies, etc. Last time I ate here (about a week ago) I ordered the bagel with cholov yisroel cream cheese, and I was disappointed that it did not include trimmings like lettuce and tomato, and my garlic bagel seemed a little deflated. However, Marx's makes for a unique cultural experience if you don't often get to see Orthodox Jews, because Marx Bagels is kosher, pas yisroel (and they have cholov yisroel cream cheese if you request it) so there are usually a few black-hatters in there. Would it be a good place for a shidduch date? Probably not. But lunch on occasion, yes.

Steve M.

This is a great place to grab a few bagels for the morning. They have a wide variety of flavors. Also, when the Bengals, Reds, or UC were playing, they had "Bengals Bagels" (orange and black swirled), "Reds/UC Bagels" (white and red swirled)! Plus what was really interesting is the owner....John Marx aka Bagel Man (who is in a costume every now and then). Perfect for Sunday morning breakfast and whenever you want a snack!

Jay N.

There are only a few things I have to have from Cincinnati and the Tuna Bagel from Marx is on the list. The business is Very Unique in decor and character -- I mean characters. Friendly with a bite!! They are a Kosher restaurant so you know you're getting great food -- at a Price $8.88 for a tuna bagel & large drink. Still worth it - Not a daily eatery. What would make it a 5? Tables could be cleaned more often. Prices could drop a bit. Naa... That would take away from the EXPERIENCE!

This cafe has a great atmosphere! The walls are covered with numerous artifacts of traditional Jewish humor, adding to a unique cultural experience. Eat in, or take away- they have a very large selection of different types of bagels and fillings to suit anyone! A must for people passing through Cincinnati!

C R.

The best bagel in the city, and the best egg salad I've ever had. The owner can be a real a-hole and tends to fluster and agitate new customers and the elderly. My parents gave up this place long ago, but I keep coming back because the food is so good. They'll accept credit cards, but be ready to get yelled at if you pull it out for a small order.

Erin E.

I am pregnant and this really hit the spot. When I want a bagel with cream cheese I always have to ask for extra c.c but not here! All bagels are made fresh in house and I drive in from the city just to satisfy my craving for my new favorite bagels! You must try the tuna salad as well! I promise you wouldn't be disappointed!

Dave A.

We got bagels from Marx's about ten miles away in Blue Ash today. Sesame, poppy seed, onion, and plain plus cream cheese and nova lox -- all wonderful. The lox are brought in from Chicago. They make their own delicious cream cheese and aways give you a LOT. Also picked p some of the good bialys. Yum!!!

Dave A.

I was told that these bagels were great by Ohio natives and they were so disappointing. They had a rubber-like texture and had a very strange aftertaste. If you are going to make thin bagels, don't boil them (a la St Viateur in Montreal)! Marx is overpriced and not good, so don't bother.

Kenneth S.

Very much enjoyed my visit today. I stop at Marx every time I visit Cincinnati. Tasty breakfast fare and very reasonably priced. Worth a trip to Blue Ash the next time you are in the Cincinnati/Tri-State area. Strictly kosher, so remember there is no meat on the menu.

Gary S.

As a Detroiter transplanted to Chicago, then Cincinnati, and now back to Chicago, I've seen a good cross section of what the midwest has to offer in terms of quality jewish deli and bagels. Marx is the best bagel in the Midwest, period. They know how to make a bagel. And their whitefish salad is amazing. I could do without the owner's attitude - some think it's a shtick. But I'll tune him out anyday to get to those bagels. One of a handful of reasons I miss the QC, check out Marx if you ever visit Cinti.

Alan R.

The first time I went here I was pleasantly surprised. One of my favorite bagel places anywhere in the country. They have an extensive collection of bagels, some seasonal. The fall brings the awesome pumpkin cream cheese. Their salads are also excellent. I love the white fish salad and their tuna is good as well. They also have a good selection of kosher baked goods and plenty beverage choices. A near must every time we are back in the Q.C.

Matthew C.

Used to be better, but still fun. I've been going here since they opened in the 90's. I think they are stuck in a rut, and need to improve. Get some better coffee guys, and put some prices on the menu board. Up your game somehow.