This Ocean Co. Bagel Shop Is NJ's Second Best, Report Says

LACEY, NJ — Bagels are an iconic part of New Jersey culture. Everyone has their own favorite bagel shop, whether you order cream cheese, pork roll or something else. NJ.com just released their ranking of the 55 best bagel shops for 2026 - and the second-best can be found here in Ocean County.

That shop is JT's Bagel Shop, located in Forked River.

"What separates them from the pack is that the bagels seem to be cooked just right — not too hard, not too soft; beautifully, perfectly chewy," NJ.com said of the shop.

JT's regularly ranks high among bagel shops, including here on Patch.

"The cinnamon raisin with cream cheese is my go-to, and the egg bagel — so difficult to find great egg bagels anywhere in New Jersey — is near-divine," NJ.com wrote.

Another popular Ocean County spot made the cut as well. Baron's Bagels in Brick comes in at number 19.

"No one piles on more cream cheese on their bagels than Baron’s Bagels," NJ.com wrote.

See the full ranking here.