After Friday’s convergence of customers on Homestead Road, the city of Santa Clara, aka the Mission City, might want to add another nickname to its marketing materials:
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Doughnut Central.
That richly deserved title was earned on both sides of the street.
Hundreds of customers lined up before sunrise at the corner of Homestead and Las Palmas Drive, eager to try doughnuts from the first Northern California outpost of Randy’s Donuts, an LA legend-turned-pop culture icon.
Meanwhile, in the shopping center kitty-corner, a hundred or more loyalists stood in line to support Stan’s Donuts, a South Bay institution.
Denise and Tim Flippo, fans of Stan’s maple bar and buttermilk doughnut, respectively, stopped by “to show allegiance” to the longtime local business. Of Randy’s, she said: “I’m hoping their novelty will wear off across the street and Stan’s will live on.”
Also in line were members of the Plaha family of Santa Clara, who have been fans since son Nihal, 10, devoured a Stan’s doughnut at the age of 1, mother Kassey recounted, laughing. Daughter Dhiaan, 14, says the glazed originals offer “that perfect balance — not too sweet.” And Nihal, eyeballing the line, noted the speed of the Stan’s staff, then declared, “It’s the In-N-Out of doughnuts.”
Still, the Plahas are curious about Randy’s and eager to give that shop a chance to live up to their standards.
Steve and Janet Alfinito may be sticking with their sentimental favorite and not venturing across the street. “I’ve been supportive of Stan’s since before there was a San Tomas Expressway (nearby),” he said.
Coincidentally, both shops date back to the 1950s, and both report that the glazed, raised doughnut is their bestseller ($1.90 at Stan’s, $2.75 at Randy’s).
Stan Wittmayer, a World War II veteran, and wife Florence launched their single-location bakery in 1959, with all nine children working there at one time or another. The shop is still owned by the Wittmayer family.
Randy’s is new to most Bay Area customers, despite having recipes older than Stan’s. CEO Mark Kelegian said the Southern California-based bakery empire dates to 1952, and was family-owned for decades before changing hands and now franchising. Randy’s was named after the founder’s son.
Besides offering up to 50 flavors/varieties of doughnuts, including such specialties as Maple Bacon Long Johns and the seasonal Mango Tajin, Kelegian said the Randy’s shops round out the customer options with breakfast sandwiches and a long lineup of coffee drinks and refreshers.
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They maintain longer hours than most doughnut shops, operating until 9 or 10 p.m. every day, so they can fulfill the need for sweets late in the afternoon or after dinner.
While some customers on Friday jokingly referred to the doughnut wars, both the Randy’s and Stan’s owners downplayed that prospect.
Owner Julie Clark, a Wittmayer daughter, put the focus on the overwhelming response of her family shop’s clientele. “We appreciate everyone in this line,” she said from behind the counter. “The support is heartfelt.”
Stan’s customer Glenn Polini was critical of the city of Santa Clara for allowing Randy’s to open “100 yards from … a little family-owned business.” He said he wished the company had found another location. “Why didn’t you go out to El Camino or Stevens Creek or out by the 49ers stadium?”
Ausaf Masud of Campbell, one of three business partners who own this Randy’s franchise, understands those views and explained why this site is such a good fit. He said this corner building, formerly home to a KFC, appealed to them because of the large kitchen and the prospect of reopening the drive-thru lane, a feature not many properties offer.
He predicts a “healthy competition” for the two shops, noting that customers can go one day to Stan’s, and the next day to Randy’s. “It’s double the doughnut fun,” he said.
That’s an approach that customer Ameer Al-Gharib was already taking. He said he and a friend had divvied up the doughnut duty and each was buying at one of the shops. He was in line at Stan’s and his buddy at Randy’s.
But where would they meet to do a taste test and have a frank discussion about their views? Is there neutral ground between Randy’s and Stan’s?
Another customer, Dave Loya, pointed across the parking lot to a corner business.
“Taco Bell!” he said.
Details: Randy’s Donuts, 2595 Homestead Road, opens at 6 a.m. and serves until 9 or 10 at night. Stan’s, at 2628 Homestead Road, is open from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
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