Alfalfa: [noun] The feeling of joy through balance — at least, according to a sign in Princeton’s newest restaurant bearing the same name. Imagine crisp greens, tangy dressing, roasted chicken, and a garnish of ancho maple pepitas. You can have it tossed in a bowl or wrapped in a soft and slightly chewy tortilla. On the side, try a French pressed ginger turmeric lemonade or maybe a slice of warm and cozy carrot cake. In a modern and welcoming space, this is Alfalfa.
On Friday, Dec. 6, pop music blasted from the doors of Alfalfa at the grand opening of the chain’s Princeton location. Originating as a salad and wrap restaurant in Hoboken, N.J. in 2019, Alfalfa now has expanded to six locations. The menu features various signature salads, wraps, and breakfast burritos, a build-your-own option, a long list of drinks, and a few desserts. According to their website, they prioritize “real food that’s high quality, healthy, and accessible.”
I arrived a few minutes before their 11 a.m. opening and the line stretched down the block. The team at Alfalfa, however, was energized, keeping the whole line excited. They passed around menus, free hot chocolate, and doughnut samples of both their “fairy bread” (vanilla with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles) and apple cider flavors. I tried the apple cider doughnut and was blown away by the fluffy texture that almost melted in my mouth — I never would have known it was gluten free. The cinnamon sugar coating went perfectly with the slightly tart but still sweet flavor of the doughnut.
The first 50 customers received a free gift bag containing a Princeton Alfalfa tote bag, a water bottle, and a coupon for Alpha Fit Club Princeton, a coupon for a free intro class at Rumble Boxing Princeton, a 20 percent off Madewell coupon, and a container of Play-Doh. With these trendy, fun, and fitness-themed gifts, one can envision their target market: young, active, and health-focused. According to their Instagram, the first 100 customers also received an Alfalfa gift card.
Once I made it inside, I admired the restaurant’s chic interior. A monochromatic palette of soft pinks and reds, the space was surprisingly large compared to its relatively small storefront. I could see myself going with a group of friends for a Saturday lunch or to grab a latte after classes. The menu was large but not overwhelming, and perfect to either customize your order with the build-your-own option or trust house-made combinations with the nine different signature salad/wrap options.
It took about 50 minutes to order — a reasonable wait given the unusually large volume of people being served that day. After I ordered, I got my food only 10 minutes later, despite the size of the crowd. I ordered an “O.G. Cardini” as a wrap, their version of chicken Caesar salad. At $15.45, it was an average Princeton price and large enough to be a substantial lunch. Plus, students get a 15 percent discount.
The cross-section of the wrap was a colorful mix, a mirror of the bright and layered flavor profile. The grape tomatoes and crisp butter lettuce were fresh and a little sweet, countered by the saltiness of the parmigiano-reggiano cheese, roasted chicken, and homemade croutons, which also brought a crunch to the texture. The star ingredient was the in-house Caesar dressing — tangy, salty, and fishy, this dressing is not your average grocery store Caesar. It was slightly thinner than traditional Caesar dressing, making it ideal for mixing seamlessly into salads. The tortilla itself was just the right amount of chewy, consistent with the texture of the rest of the wrap while letting the filling shine.
Unique to the Princeton location are the gluten free chocolate chip cookie and the blueberry coconut cream smoothie, which sources Thomas Sweet ice cream. I decided to try the cookie, and I never would have guessed it was gluten free. While many gluten free cookies struggle to achieve the right texture, Alfalfa’s was an even balance between chewy and cakey, stuffed full with semi-sweet chocolate chunks, and dusted with sea salt to offset the sweetness. Compared to other popular local cookies like Small World’s miso chocolate chip, there wasn’t as much of a buttery, nutty depth to the flavor; Alfalfa’s had more of a one-note sugary taste, but it still satisfied my sweet tooth.
Overall, Alfalfa is a fresh and young addition to our Nassau restaurant line-up. Perfect for on-the-go lunch or a quick bite, the staff and service are attentive and fast. The restaurant fills a gap of affordable salads and wraps in a business district largely ruled by dinner restaurants and desserts. Perfect for anyone wanting fresh, organic, and flavorful options, Alfalfa is not a place to miss.
Lulu Pettit is a member of the Class of 2027 and a staff writer for The Prospect from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa. She can be reached at lp3153[at]princeton.edu or her Instagram @itslulupettit.
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