our story
Who We Are
Hot Bagels & More is a family story that began in the bustling bagel shops of Brooklyn and North Jersey, where Pete Lios learned the art of authentic water bagels. Together with his wife Marina, whose food service expertise became the backbone of their operation, Pete brought this craft to South Jersey in 1996 when they opened their first location in Somers Point.
After running successful businesses, Pete and Marina recognized something missing in the South Jersey area: truly fresh, authentic bagels made the old-fashioned way. With their three children — Marianne, Markella, and Mark — by their side, they set out to fill that gap and bring New York-style bagels to their community.
Our Craft
While some say it’s the New Jersey water that makes our bagels exceptional, we know it’s our commitment to the old-fashioned process that sets us apart.
Every bagel is hand-rolled using fresh, non-artificial ingredients, free from preservatives. This traditional approach means our bagels have the authentic taste and texture that bagel lovers crave. It also means they’re best enjoyed fresh — they’ll go stale in a few days and should be frozen in plastic bags to preserve their quality for later enjoyment.
Our daily baking process ensures that when you visit any of our locations, you’re getting bagels made fresh that morning, crafted with the same techniques Pete learned decades ago.
Margate Location @ Essex
Atlantic City Location
Our Community
Nearly 30 years later, Hot Bagels & More has become a cornerstone of the South Jersey Shore community. Our journey, from a single location in Somers Point to five thriving stores throughout Absecon Island and its surrounding areas, is a testament to the incredible support we’ve received from our customers.
We’re honored to have earned the Best of the Press award every year that bagels were rated, but what means the most to us is the daily trust our customers place in us. From the regulars who know our staff by name to the families who choose our platters for special occasions, you’ve made Hot Bagels & More what it is today.
Our expansion tells the story of this support:
- Somers Point, 1996
- Margate (Essex), 1997
- Northfield, 2004
- Margate (Jefferson), 2012
- Atlantic City, 2014
Each new location represents not just our growth, but the growing community of bagel lovers who share their experiences with friends and family, and continue to choose authentic, handcrafted bagels.
Today, you can find us at all five locations seven days a week, ready to serve you fresh bagels, breakfast, lunch, daily specials, party platters, and so much more. Without your support, none of this would have been possible, and we’re grateful for every customer who walks through our doors.
Northfield Location
Margate Location @ jEFFERSON
SOMERS POINT Location
