Paris Baguette: Could one be popping up in a neighborhood near you? If you’re in the Old Bridge area, be on the lookout as there’s one on the way.
About Paris Baguette
Paris Baguette is a bakery café franchise with more than 4,000 units across the globe. The global brand first franchised in the U.S. in 2015 and has since established nearly 150 locations in markets across the country.
The Menu
All pastries, cakes, bread, and other baked goods are baked fresh in-house daily. “Guests’ faces light up when they come in… because everything was made right behind that counter,” says Mark Mele, chief development officer of Paris Baguette.
The menu offers both sweet and savory items, but the pastries and cakes are really what shine. You can order full cakes, individual cake slices, and pastries including croissants, pain au chocolat, doughnuts, and more. And you can stop in for fresh bread, brioche, and of course, baguettes.
DIY? Yes, Please
A unique feature of Paris Baguette is its self-serve setup. When you walk into the bakery, you grab a tray, some wax paper, and walk down the aisle of pastries to choose the items that speak to you. “You self-serve and start building a pyramid of stuff — beautiful croissants that are just wonderful, the pastries, and more,” says Mele.
Beyond the Baked Goods
While about 80% of their menu is baked goods, Paris Baguette also serves Lavazza coffee (hot and iced), which you can order at the counter, as well as gourmet salads and sandwiches, for breakfast and lunch.
Paris Baguette also offers catering, and you can easily place your order online. From their website: “No matter your plans, our menu has you covered with hand-crafted pastries, baguette sandwiches, and, of course, decadent desserts because every get-together is better with cake!”
Paris Baguette in the Garden State
The company is growing both locally and nationally and Paris Baguette’s next location will be in Old Bridge, in 2024. “36 months ago I said why aren’t we in Old Bridge? Old Bridge is a great community,” says Mele.
Current New Jersey locations:
- Bound Brook
- Bridgewater
- Edison
- Fort Lee
- Hackensack
- North Brunswick
- Northvale
- Livingston
- Montgomery
- Montvale
- Palisades Park
- Paramus (opening soon)
- Ridgewood
- Red Bank
A Look Inside Paris Baguette’s Red Bank Location
Located at the corner of Broad Street and Peters Place in Red Bank (where the old Friedman’s Bakery used to stand), Paris Baguette aims to fill the void as the neighborhood bakery for this charming Monmouth County town. Upon entering, you are greeted with rows of inviting baked goods just waiting to slide onto your tray.
Owner Harsch Patel pointed out some of the fan favorites in the lineup of goodies. “The Twisted Donut is very popular, the King Cream donut is very popular, and [so is] the Bombolonis,” said Harsch.
Paris Baguette is also known for its delicious homemade cakes and cake slices. “The all-year-round most popular is the strawberry soft cream cake,” said Hersch. “Usually for every holiday, we’ll have special cakes for that day. Those tend to be big at that time,” says Harsch.
Paris Baguette is in the heart of this bustling community, located near all of the shopping, theater venues, and local schools, which is convenient for the perfect after-school snack. Once school starts, kids start coming in at the end of the day. It’s nice to see, they hang out here for a little bit,” said Harsch. Becoming an after-school hangout really is a defining trait of a neighborhood bakery cafe.
Paris Baguette in Red Bank is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with catering available as well.
The Future of Paris Baguette
The company’s leadership would like to bring that sense of community to anyone and everyone, and this niche market has been a key to their sweet and continued success.
