New Organic Bagel And Sandwich Shop Near Hoboken, Lincoln Tunnel

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken residents venturing on Park Avenue north of the city's border may encounter an unexpected delight when they reach the Weehawken side — a newly opened bagel and sandwich shop.

Bagels on Park, on Weehawken's main drag of Park Avenue, held its soft opening Jan. 20.

The shop offers a full menu of sandwiches, organic bagels, salads, and coffee drinks. The proprietor even offers vegan options and hopes to add gluten free choices in the future.

While the soft opening was held already, owner Tina Iordamlis, a lifelong Weehawken resident whose parents were restauranteurs, is still working on the menu. That's why she's waiting a few weeks to schedule the grand opening.

The shop, a few blocks from the Route 495 ramp to the Lincoln Tunnel, is Iordamlis's first restaurant. She started out in the corporate sector of finance, then spent nine years in public service as the director of Montclair's Parking Utility.

After leaving public service, she decided to do something different and follow in her parents' footsteps. They used to own George's Luncheonette in West New York.

But she didn't feel experienced enough to open a large restaurant. With Bagels on Park, she can put her special touches on numerous breakfast and lunch items.

The restaurant isn't the usual bagel shop with just a few spreads. Iordamlis' menu boasts creative items including a list of specialty sandwiches with ingredients ranging from avocado and chick peas to hummus.

The shop sells chicken salad and other specialty salads, as well as Boars Head ingredients and cold cuts.

"The bagels are all natural," Iordamlis said last week. "There are no preservatives. We make them using organic flour."

Iordamlis is learning how to provide gluten free options, which will include preventing cross-contamination with the flour.

The shop has already earned rave reviews on sites like Google. "This place just opened," crowed one user. "I’m going back! And try the home made Greek apple cake... YUM!!!"

The shop's Instagram is here. It's located at 3506 Park Ave.

Watch the Hoboken area Patch for updates.

Have Hoboken-area restaurant or business news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com.