Jefferson Diner Keeps Family Tradition Amid Many Generations

LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ — Thirty-seven years after founding the Jefferson Diner, Pete Seretis still comes in each morning. The 94-year-old gets there at 7 a.m. to enjoy his coffee, read his paper and chat with friends.

"And he loves having the girls wait on him," said his son, Jimmy Seretis. "And even as an owner, he’ll tip them in the morning."

Jimmy Seretis now co-owns the restaurant with family members Nick and Donna. Employees include Jimmy's nephews and daughters. As you can see, the Jefferson Diner takes family and togetherness quite seriously.

The acclaimed eatery has been named New Jersey's top kid-friendly restaurant, according to its website. And the Daily Record readers named them the top diner in Morris County for more than a decade straight.

"It’s not a franchise. There aren’t multiple locations," Jimmy Seretis said. "We didn’t go out and buy 10 restaurants and have 10 of us run them. We stuck with one, and we focused on it."

Related article: Here's How New Jersey Became The Diner Capital Of The World

Some of the most popular dishes include the lobster bisque and moussaka, which Seretis likens to a Greek lasagna. "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" featured them both.

It doesn't come without difficulties though, especially during the pandemic. That includes difficulty retaining staff, with which the industry has recently struggled. But the Jefferson Diner still has its pillars to fall back on: acclaimed food, generous portions and a sense of family.

"Of course, food goes along with it," Seretis said. "But without a strong sense of family to fall back on, I don’t think you can achieve anything in life. And our staff feels the same way. They consider us family, and they do a great job. They put their heart and soul into the business."

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