This Indiana Bagel Shop Has a Cream Cheese Combo You’ll Want Every Morning

Indianapolis might not be the first place you think of when craving authentic New York-style bagels, but Bagel Fair has been proving skeptics wrong since 1975. Tucked into a strip mall at 1300 E 86th St, this family-run gem has built a loyal following over nearly five decades by doing one thing exceptionally well: making bagels the old-fashioned way.

Every morning, fresh bagels emerge from the ovens with that perfect combination of chewy texture and tender crumb that bagel lovers dream about.

What sets Bagel Fair apart isn’t just the quality of their bagels, though those are undeniably excellent. It’s the incredible variety of cream cheese spreads that transform a simple bagel into a breakfast you’ll crave every single day.

From classic plain to adventurous jalapeño, from luxurious lox to savory veggie, these spreads are made fresh and pair perfectly with any bagel variety.

Whether you’re a longtime Indianapolis resident or just passing through Indiana, Bagel Fair deserves a spot on your must-visit list. The lines might stretch out the door on weekend mornings, but they move quickly, and the reward is worth every minute of wait.

Here are seven compelling reasons why this unassuming bagel shop has earned its stellar reputation and keeps customers coming back morning after morning.

Authentic New York-Style Bagels in the Heart of Indiana

Finding genuine New York-style bagels outside the Northeast can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Bagel Fair breaks that mold completely, bringing authentic bagel-making traditions to Indianapolis for nearly fifty years.

Customers who grew up eating bagels in New York and New Jersey consistently rave that these are the real deal, not the soft, bread-like imposters you find at many chains.

The secret lies in the traditional preparation method that Bagel Fair has maintained since opening in 1975. Each bagel is boiled before baking, creating that distinctive chewy exterior and dense, satisfying interior that defines a true New York bagel.

The texture hits differently than ordinary bread, with a substantial bite that holds up beautifully to generous spreads of cream cheese without getting soggy or falling apart.

Transplants from the East Coast make special trips across Indianapolis just to get their bagel fix at Bagel Fair. One customer from New Jersey wrote that these are the only bagels in Indiana that can legitimately claim the New York-style title.

Another reviewer who moved to Indianapolis called discovering Bagel Fair a genuine treat, comparing the quality favorably to authentic deli-style bagels back home.

The bagels achieve that perfect medium size, substantial enough to satisfy your hunger without being overwhelmingly huge. They’re dense and chewy yet tender, never tough or overly doughy.

The flavor profile stays mild and balanced, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine through without overwhelming your taste buds. Whether you grab one for a quick breakfast or stock up on a dozen for the week, you’re getting bagels that taste like they came straight from a New York bakery, right here in the Midwest.

An Incredible Variety of Fresh Cream Cheese Spreads

Walk into Bagel Fair and you’ll immediately understand why customers become obsessed with their cream cheese combinations. The shop offers an impressive array of freshly made spreads that go far beyond basic plain cream cheese.

Each variety is crafted to complement the bagels perfectly, creating flavor combinations that customers literally describe as addictive.

The jalapeño cream cheese stands out as a particular favorite among regulars, with multiple reviewers specifically calling it out by name. Paired with a jalapeño bagel, this spicy-creamy combination delivers a flavor punch that wakes up your taste buds without overwhelming them.

The heat level hits just right, adding excitement to your breakfast without requiring a fire extinguisher nearby.

For those seeking something more luxurious, the lox cream cheese earns consistent praise as potentially the best some customers have tasted in forty years. Chunks of quality smoked salmon mixed into creamy spread create a sophisticated breakfast option that feels special enough for a weekend treat but remains affordable enough for a weekday indulgence.

The everything bagel with lox smear combination comes highly recommended by multiple customers.

Nearly Five Decades of Family-Run Excellence

Some businesses chase trends and constantly reinvent themselves, but Bagel Fair has stuck to what works since 1975. This family-run operation represents nearly fifty years of consistent quality, a remarkable achievement in the restaurant industry where most establishments don’t survive their first five years.

That longevity speaks volumes about the dedication to craft and customer satisfaction that defines this Indianapolis institution.

One longtime customer shared memories of visiting Bagel Fair as a kid with their mom shortly after it first opened. Decades later, they still make the trip, noting that while the interior has changed over the years, the food quality and friendly service remain exactly as wonderful as they remember.

That kind of consistency across generations doesn’t happen by accident; it requires unwavering commitment to maintaining standards and recipes that customers trust.

Susan and her staff earn specific mentions in customer reviews for their wonderful, kind approach to service. They take time to ensure your food is prepared with genuine care, that everything tastes great, and that your experience feels seamless and enjoyable.

The friendly energy and wonderful vibe customers describe aren’t manufactured corporate pleasantries but authentic warmth that comes from people who truly care about their work.

Family-run businesses bring something special that chains simply cannot replicate. There’s accountability, pride, and personal investment in every bagel that leaves the shop.

When the same family has been perfecting their craft for nearly half a century, you’re not just buying breakfast; you’re participating in a tradition. The simple fact that Bagel Fair has operated successfully for fifty years while maintaining quality proves they’ve been doing something remarkably right all along, creating a legacy that continues to serve the Indianapolis community morning after morning.

Unbeatable Prices and Tremendous Value

In an era where breakfast can easily cost fifteen dollars or more, Bagel Fair offers refreshingly reasonable prices that won’t drain your wallet. Coffee costs under two dollars; a price that seems almost impossible in today’s market where many coffee shops charge five dollars or more for a basic cup.

The affordability extends across the entire menu, making quality breakfast accessible rather than treating it as a luxury.

Bagels and spreads are priced affordably enough that you can buy a dozen without worrying about your budget. Multiple customers mention the excellent value they receive, with one describing it as a “terrific value” alongside delicious food.

The prices reflect the shop’s strip-mall location and no-frills approach rather than inflated costs for ambiance or elaborate service. You’re paying for quality ingredients and expert preparation, not fancy décor or trendy branding.

The new Bagel Dog sandwich demonstrates the shop’s commitment to value particularly well. Reviewers describe it as not only delicious but also a terrific value, featuring a generously sized all-beef hot dog wrapped in a bagel and served hot.

When a shop already known for having the best bagels in town also offers one of the best sandwiches at a great price, you know the owners prioritize customer satisfaction over maximum profit margins.

Breakfast sandwiches like the bagel with egg and cheese deliver on both taste and portion size, leaving you satisfied and full without requiring a second mortgage. The quality remains consistently high despite the affordable pricing, proving that reasonable prices don’t mean cutting corners on ingredients or preparation.

For anyone tired of overpriced breakfast options that leave you hungry an hour later, Bagel Fair provides a refreshing alternative where your money goes further and your stomach stays happier longer.

Specialty Bagel Varieties That Keep Things Interesting

Beyond standard plain and sesame options, Bagel Fair offers an impressive variety of bagel flavors that give you something new to try every visit. The everything bagel reigns as a perennial favorite, loaded with seeds, garlic, onion, and salt for maximum flavor in every bite.

That classic combination works beautifully with virtually any cream cheese spread, creating endless pairing possibilities that never get boring.

Jalapeño bagels earn enthusiastic praise from multiple customers, with one person admitting they might have developed an addiction after trying them. The jalapeño pieces baked right into the dough add flavor and a touch of heat throughout the bagel, not just on the surface.

Paired with jalapeño cream cheese, this combination creates what one reviewer called a fantastic match that delivers everything a bagel should be.

Salt bagels represent another specialty option that bagel purists appreciate. The coarse salt crystals on the exterior provide textural contrast and enhance the natural flavor of the dough without overwhelming it.

One New York transplant specifically recommended the salt bagel sliced but not toasted with veggie cream cheese, calling it the best combination. That kind of specific recommendation from someone who knows authentic bagels carries serious weight.

The shop even offers bialys, a lesser-known Eastern European cousin of the bagel that features a depression instead of a hole and gets filled with onions and sometimes poppy seeds. Finding bialys outside major metropolitan areas is rare, making their availability at Bagel Fair a treat for adventurous eaters.

With so many varieties available, you could visit multiple times per week and try different combinations each morning, discovering new favorites and never falling into a breakfast rut. The variety ensures that whether you prefer traditional or adventurous flavors, you’ll find something that excites your taste buds.

Freshness That Makes Every Bite Memorable

The difference between fresh-baked bagels and day-old grocery store versions is like comparing a ripe strawberry to a cardboard cutout. Bagel Fair bakes fresh bagels every morning, ensuring that when you bite into one, you’re experiencing it at peak quality.

That commitment to freshness transforms a simple breakfast into something genuinely memorable, the kind of meal that makes you understand why customers drive across town instead of settling for convenience.

Multiple reviewers emphasize the freshness as a defining characteristic of Bagel Fair. One customer who had only experienced grocery store bagels before visiting expressed amazement at discovering what fresh bagels actually taste like.

Another noted that the bagels are even better first thing in the morning, suggesting that arriving early gives you the ultimate experience when they’re still warm from the oven.

Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference not just in the bagels themselves but in the cream cheese spreads and sandwich fillings too. Everything tastes vibrant and flavorful rather than tired or past its prime.

The veggie cream cheese features crisp vegetables and bright herbs, the lox tastes properly smoky and rich, and the bagels maintain that perfect texture that only comes from expert preparation and immediate service.

That freshness explains why so many customers describe the bagels as amazing, delicious, and absolutely delightful. When you’re eating food made that morning with quality ingredients and traditional techniques, it simply tastes better than mass-produced alternatives.

The dense, chewy yet tender texture that reviewers consistently praise is only possible with fresh bagels; day-old versions lose that magical quality no matter how well they’re stored. Visiting Bagel Fair means experiencing bagels the way they’re meant to be enjoyed: fresh, flavorful, and absolutely worth getting out of bed for every single morning.