Many towns claim the title of world’s donut capital, but last Friday, Santa Clara laid claim to the title, as L.A. donut icon Randy’s Donuts opened its first Northern California store across Homestead Road from Santa Clara’s donut icon, Stan’s Donuts.
The grand opening drew scores of donut lovers to both stores. Randy’s line peaked around 450, estimated Randy’s franchise co-owner Asaf Masud.
Camping Out With Randy’s Fans
Mark Frye was so determined to be first in line that he set up his folding chair at 10 p.m. Thursday. Frye was soon joined by another man, telling him, “Thanks for being here, because I don’t feel so crazy now.”
Justin Chen lives two blocks away and was in line at 3 a.m.
“I have heard about the controversy,” he said, “so I wanted to be able to try Randy’s this morning and then try Stan’s afterward to get that direct comparison. Stan’s is probably going to win that battle.”
Twelve-year-old Nathan and his brother Evan were up at 4:30 a.m. at their mother’s suggestion. Asked how he felt about landing third or fourth in line, Nathan just said, “Good.” His pick: a glazed donut.
Donut Lovers From Beyond Santa Clara
Martha drove from Tracy, arriving at 3:50, surprised to find she wasn’t first.
“Randy is my favorite,” she said, comparing it to Stan’s. “In the Randy-Stan’s war, I choose Randy’s always.”
Tadashi Naito made the biggest trip of anyone in line — he flew in from Osaka, Japan, on an unrelated visit and happened to be staying nearby.
“It’s the first time,” he said of Randy’s, “so I wanted to go to the Los Angeles [store] too, but I couldn’t. So I will definitely try [this one].”
Chris from Southern California is a Randy’s regular and noticed Stan’s line while parking.
“There’s a little bit of a rivalry going on,” he said.
He was sticking with Randy’s that day, but considering a Stan’s visit before heading home.
Not every out-of-towner chose Randy’s. Alexandria, on a six-month work assignment for Apple, came to Stan’s after coworkers raved about it.
“This is a local-owned business,” she said. “I’m super big on supporting locally owned businesses. I feel like that’s where our money should go in the community.”
She never considered crossing the street to Randy’s.
Devoted Stan’s Loyalists
For longtime Stan’s customers, the new arrival barely registered. Gonzalo Azevedo, a two-decade customer who grew up going to Stan’s, wasn’t worried.
“They’re not on the same level as Stan’s,” he said of Randy’s. “Stan’s is local. They built a legacy. It’s not a threat.”
He came out Friday, he said, specifically “to support local.”
Lori Taylor was picking up donuts for her family, something she does regularly, but Friday’s trip was special.
“I wanted to support [Stan’s] especially today, because of Randy’s,” she said. She didn’t rule out Randy’s. “I will definitely try it because I want to compare.”
Six-year-old Sophia waited with her mother, Tara, whose family is longtime Stan’s customers.
“Two generations of Stan fans,” Tara said, “and a little Stan fan” in Sophia, whose favorite is “sprinkles.”
Ryan waited with his son Dorian, also six, because the boy “wanted a donut. Sometimes it’s that simple,” he said.
Dorian was interested in Randy’s s’mores donuts, but said he’d probably still go with Stan’s vanilla.
Dr. Gary Chen, a Valley Medical Center nephrologist picking up donuts for his team, has been a Stan’s regular for several years. He wasn’t tempted by Randy’s.
“Maybe if the line dies down,” he said, “but I’m feeling like it won’t be nearly as good as Stan’s.”
The Nonpartisans
Zafar came specifically for Randy’s — “my wife asked me to come” — but the line was too long. So they crossed the street to Stan’s instead, marking their first time trying it. He’d “go over here rather than wait more than an hour.”
Trinity Cunningham has tried both.
“Randy’s has a lot more selection,” she said, “but Stan’s glaze is unbeatable.”
Asked what might seduce her away from Stan’s, she didn’t hesitate.
“Their apple fritter. A little warmed up with some coffee.”
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