RANDOLPH, N.J.- Within the subtle valley between Dover Chester Road and Center Grove Road on Route 10 in Randolph lies a relatively unassuming building identified by their road sign as “Alfa Bagels Deli.” The parking lot is constantly full, with customers bustling in and out at all hours of the day. At the heart of it all is Jim Psaras, a Randolph resident who opened Alfa Bagel in 1999, and ever since has changed Morris County’s idea of what a good bagel is.
Jim Psaras pulls out a fresh batch of bagels from the oven. Photo: Ryan Corbett
In 1984 Psaras moved from Greece to Dover where he joined his family in the diner business, owning restaurants such as the old Court Diner of Morristown’s past. Alfa bagels was then opened in ‘99 with a friend, who soon left, and put Psaras in control of creating the perfect bagel. “I worked hard to create something different,” Psaras said, “A better recipe, a bigger bagel. I pretty much claimed that I was the first guy to ever make a big bagel.”
That bigger bagel and special recipe have been what has propelled Alfa Bagel to Randolph celebrity status. When asking County College of Morris students about their favorite spot to grab a bagel around campus, the overwhelming response was Alfa. “Hands down best bagel I’ve had.” said CCM student Alex Kenez as he hurries to his morning class.
So what makes these hand rolled bagels so good? The secret recipe was not easily given away, but Psaras admitted the recipe was self taught. “I did not learn; nobody taught me. I perfected what was out there. Through trial and error...everyone had a small bagel that didn’t taste right, so I created that recipe.”
Psaras stands at the counter ready to greet customers. Photo: Ryan Corbett
It’s that self taught recipe that brings hungry customers back every morning, but it’s not only the bagels that make Alfa Bagel a Randolph staple. Despite commercialization in the surrounding area, Alfa has remained a true mom and pop restaurant, yet Psaras welcomes this new competition. “I believe that competition is good and I believe that the more stores the more people come this way. I like that wendy's came in. I like that the diner was redone. I like that there's a new supermarket coming in. I like that because that's what brings people this way,” Psaras said.
While new businesses come and go around Alfa, one thing has remained the same since 1999 when they first opened their doors: It’s a family business. “ I live in this town,” Psaras said, “I work in this town. My kids go to school in this town. My daughter goes to CCM. Most of my customers are my friends, and it’s not just a business; it’s like a big family.” Any given morning at Alfa the cashiers greet customers like old friends, and neighbors run into neighbors in the parking lot. It’s like meeting in the center of town, yet on the side of Route 10.
When asked about whether Psaras would pass the business on to his children, he had only this to say: “I have four kids. It's a tough business. I want all my kids to go to college. After that, you know, whatever happens happens.”