It’s the birthplace of baseball and Frank Sintara, but perhaps the biggest draw to the tiny town of Hoboken, New Jersey is the community-centric vibe, epitomized by mom-and-pop businesses like Bagels on the Hudson, a family-run and oriented fixture since 1995.
One of New Jersey’s oldest and smallest landmarks, Hoboken’s iconic brownstones, hip eateries, chic shops, and riverside views of NYC radiate a modern big city vibe. A slice of Americana on the banks of the Hudson, this upscale, pedestrian, family-centered city boasts waterside walkways, a vibrant culinary scene, and picture-perfect views of Lower Manhattan. And at the center of it all sits Washington Ave., the city’s main thoroughfare, and the original location of Bagels on the Hudson.
Led by owner/founder Doug Aronson (Big Doug, as he’s known to his friends and customers) and his loyal crew, Bagels on the Hudson first opened its doors in the mid-nineties, offering 24/7 take-out and delivery, a service less-commonly offered almost 30 years ago. Together with partner, Frank Guido, the Bagels on Hudson team has become a fixture in the Hoboken community.
“When we first opened, we were a cash-only business with just a few employees that worked the counter and delivered to customers,” recalls Aronson, “But I found that to stay successful in the restaurant business, you have to remain flexible and meet customer demand. So we morphed with the times, modernized our systems, and eventually forayed into online delivery.”
A menu complete with a complement of flavors, this treasured North Jersey cafe offers a wide variety of classics plus a few favored twists including their rainbow "Jersey Swirl" bagel, offered year-round and popular with kids of all ages.
“I am big on keeping my restaurant family-friendly,” Doug added, “which is why we widened our aisles to accommodate parents with double-wide strollers and offer free mini rainbow bagels to every child that walks in.”
"We love doing these classes with the kiddos & seeing them have fun making bagels!"
Doug’s love for his littlest customers doesn’t stop there. Holding bagel-making classes for kids at the local schools, Doug gets great joy teaching the children how to make, bake, and seed the bagels, giving them hands-on experience in the art of creating the famous New York water bagel.
“In the last 5 years especially, smaller businesses have become a dying breed," Doug offered, “ I feel very fortunate that the Hoboken community continues to embrace us the way they have.”
Partnering with Sauce, the restaurant now offers delivery directly from its website as well as a full catering service, delivering trays for breaking-the-fast, birthday parties, showers, bris (brit milah) brunches, office gatherings, and special occasions.
"Welcoming @getsaucedelivery as our online delivery and pickup system," Doug offered, "it’s easy, available 24/7, and the customers love it."
Popular Dishes
Freshly-sliced smoked salmon, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, & chipotle mayo.
Extra-thick applewood smoked bacon slices with egg.
Served on a bagel, hard roll, wrap, croissant, or hero roll.
Grilled chicken, pepper jack, BLT, & ranch.
Steak & eggs with cheese, onions, hot peppers, & hash brown.
Bacon, eggs, tomato, scallion cream cheese, & avocado.
Store roasted, Salsalito, peppered, smoked, or honey roasted turkey on a bagel, hard roll, wrap, croissant, or hero.
In addition to a bevy of bagels, the eaterie offers a wide variety of pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, cheesesteaks, hot and cold specialty sandwiches, sweets, a full-service by-the-pound deli, and "care packages", perfect for Sunday brunch with the family or an office gathering.
And the Aronson family has a new venture brewing. In partnership with his sons, Massimo and Nico Aronson, Doug has begun pouring his love for the restaurant business and their beloved town into a newly loved local fan favorite.
Pour Amour Coffeehouse, a gourmet coffee shop, just steps away from Bagels on the Hudson, is the family’s latest contribution to the close-knit Hoboken culinary community.
Offering a variety of espresso drinks, lattes, hot and cold brewed coffee, tea, and pastries, customers can order directly from the bistro's online menu for quick pick-up and delivery.
When asked what the “Secret Sauce” to his success has been after three decades in the restaurant business, Doug offered this advice: "Number one, in the breakfast business, customers expect their food quickly, so it’s important not to keep them waiting.”
But most importantly, he continued, “accommodate your customers the best way you can. If they ask for a substitution or something extra, give it to them with a smile.”
“The mom ‘n pop touch is dying off, but I believe that if you treat your customers as the most important people on earth, they’ll keep coming back for more. That’s the difference between success and failure.”
Offering a small town feel with big city appeal and 24/7/365 old-fashioned customer service, Bagels on the Hudson is more than just a corner cafe, it’s a landmark within a landmark, that continues to stand the test of time.
Locations
802 Washington Street, Hoboken, New Jersey
123 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ
By Eileen Strauss
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