Gothamist: The Hungry Cabbie Eats The Outer Boroughs: Junior's

Adam B.

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 13:40:36 -0500

Happy Birthday Dave!

Brenda from Flatbush

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 05:05:54 -0500

On our occasional visits (because our church is nearby), we've found the service friendly even during Sunday-morning rush, and the food perfectly described above as "upstate Greek diner," which is to say, hot and tasty but hardly inspired--and a long way from classic Jewish deli. As for the cheesecake, the plain is superlative--I just wonder why anybody opts for the variety that comes with a lid of rock-hard strawberries embalmed in magenta mucus.

blow

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:48:36 -0500

anonymass--are you high?

anonymass

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 09:31:27 -0500

That cornbread photo is disturbing. It took me 5 minutes to realize that the light colored chunk is butter - I keep glancing at it quickly and thinking it's some kind of extracted tooth.

Miss Piggy

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 08:22:46 -0500

Interesting. I live in Fort Greene and have had so much Juniors over the years that I just sort of forget it's there. Before the big fire - might have been in 1980 or so? - they had a pretty standard NY Deli menu, along the lines of Carnegie Deli or the Second Ave. Deli. The neighborhood has changed since the founding of the restaurant though, and the menu has apparently evolved. I love the idea that fried chicken and cornbread might be s better choice at Juniors than pastrami. (Hell, fried chicken is ALWAYS a better choice than pastrami) but the idea that classic deli before-meal treats (pickled beets, onion rolls) and barbecued fried chicken followed up by pineapple cheesecake is one of the wildest gustatory combos I ever heard of. Reverand Al, is this your fault? I love New York : )

Cari

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:59:16 -0500

I like Junior's. I'm not sure that it's worth what they charge, but it's a nice splurge every once in a while if you live in the neighborhood.

otherobject

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:06:12 -0500

While I've never been there, I've heard a different tale about Juniors. Everyone I know says you need to go to the original one in Brooklyn but avoid the one in Grand Central like the plague. Definitely will try it soon after this review.

Peggy

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:59:25 -0500

I would hardly trust park slopers for opinions on juniors. when i was in college at hunter ten years ago, i lived in the LIC dorms on flatbush and lived at juniors. one cup of their coffee could keep me up all night. if you weren't a meateater though you were out of luck. for the most the food was good.

brooklynbee

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:13:17 -0500

You probably already know this, but the (roast, not fried) chicken w/ BBQ sauce at Waterfront Ale House on Atlantic Ave. is also terrific.

Phil

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:00:28 -0500

My best friends live in Ft. Greene a few blocks from Junior's, so I've been there a few times. I've never had a bad meal there. Great burgers and chicken, and I'm a fan of the cheesecake. The bathroom attendant freaked me out a little, but otherwise it's a good place to go. Good soul food can also be found at Night of the Cookers, a few blocks away on Fulton St.

amy

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:21:27 -0500

Those Park Slope fares that pointed you away from Juniors are the Park Slopies, by way of the Midwest. Real Brooklynites know that Juniors still rules.

Krista

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:17:29 -0500

Food aside, I was surprised by attendants in the bathroom. One wouldn't think to carry cash or a purse to the latrine, so I was subjected to an evil eye upon departure. It wasn't really fair since I washed my hands and skedaddled while the other women were actually using all of the drug store products on offer. Anyway, I like Junior's.

gt

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:09:45 -0500

It's not that it's bad. It's hit or miss, a lot like Sylvia's. When it's good, it's really good. When it's not, it can be average. Get a bad streak of average (depending on your tolerance), and you start to lose faith.

mateus

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:01:00 -0500

I have only eaten breakfast and their cheesecake - but very little I have consumed compares to Junior's corned beef hash with a poached egg...hmmm hmmmm cholesterolly goodness! Each precious bite taking a few minutes off my life - but well worth it.

milovoo

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:54:39 -0500

You didn't mention the service. The main reason that people treat this like a tourist venue is that the service exactly the same that one would expect to see in one of the times square theme traps. You wait and wait, and when they finally do bring the food, it's with a full helping of 'tude on the side. No thanks, there's much better diner and soul food, even just blocks away.

Sanford

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:46:08 -0500

I love Junior's! The black and white cookies are fantastic and I really dig their weekday specials. I usually get the Roast Half Chicken, which comes with soup and salad for $15! See for yourself.

edEx

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:39:57 -0500

other than their cheese cakes (they're amazing), juniors is over-priced and about as good as an upstate greek diner.

The Obstreperous Ms. J

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:26:50 -0500

I never trust a person who doesn't like Junior's Cheesecake.

Elderta

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:26:41 -0500

So ghetto? Really? I don't know exactly what you mean by 'ghetto' (yeah right), but the last time I went to Juniors, the place was filled with a bunch of people who certainly wouldn't qualify under your implied definition of ghetto.

theTulay

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:02:27 -0500

Juniors! Last weekend after a hectic trip to Brooklyn Museum to see Lebowitz and Mueck, the only think made me survive was thought of Juniors. Eventhough I took the wrong train to Manhattan, I went back to Brooklyn again for BBQ'ed fried chicken and full dill pickles. Because Time Square one doesn't have the BBQ'ed friieeeed chicken!

hr

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:01:18 -0500

so ghetto

kb

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 10:51:19 -0500

mmmm, sounds good! i had heard very bad things about Junior's food too, but I might try it the next time i have guests in town!