Good Thanks Cafe — Restaurant in New York

Food: Breakfast/Brunch - Avocado Toast Number Two w/ scrambled eggs, or “tornado eggs,” another Yelper said, or, as I like to call them, “a whipped eggs rose.” So good. Just make sure to ask for the toast part to be toasted and you're golden. And a latte. My companion ordered the green juice and daily special Carrot “Loaf.” There was a cute picture of a bunny drawn on the menu listing. It was plated with fresh, fan-cut strawberries and a spoon-shaped dollop of crème fraîche.

I love it when my food is artistically plated for my visual entertainment.

He enjoyed the Carrot Loaf—crumbly top, fresh, moist cake, but too cinnamony for my taste. I think carrot cake - er, loaf - is supposed to be cinnamony, though. Green juice—fresh, tart, tasty.

I overdid it with a warm, buttery, perfectly French croissant for “dessert.” Yes, it was served warm - that’s the ticket.

Wait time: Saturday morning early birds were already digging in at 9:15am, but plenty of spots to choose from. By the time we paid the check at 11am there was a line.

Service: Politely friendly, attentive and prompt.

Ambiance: Whitewashed, exposed brick. Minimalist, but in a good, somewhat rustic, way. Soft lighting—granted it was a bright, sunny day. Some plants. Intimate atmosphere, but roomy enough with airy space up and around to feel like my space is mine.

Well-behaved patrons - important.

Volume: Voices kind of blended in to the amplified background music - not too loud, but loud enough for me, a hard-of-hearing person, to want to find “the quietest” table…

Seating: …which was either one of the outdoor “COVID-era curbside tables,” (ha, just made that up!) or where we sat in the sweet spot window seat—a rare blend of sitting inside facing away from the speakers toward an open-wall window w/a view of the LES morning passersby. Enough seats for a decent crowd and sensibly placed tables, (except for one two-top along the entryway/servers’ main traffic path).

Price: Some may balk at the $60 tab including tip for one (1) entree and the rest. HOWEVER, I contest, you’re not just paying for the food—which was delicious and I’ll be back to try other delicious-looking things on the menu. Anyone can sling an egg on a plate. But for someone like me, who lives in a “cozy,” balcony-less, Manhattan apartment, if I’m going to propel myself out of my agoraphobic membrane and venture out into the wild urban landscape and pay someone to serve my meal, it better be a damn good spot that ticks off all the above not-food things. So, quite reasonable,...

Good Thanks is an absolute gem on Orchard Street, blending laid-back vibes with delicious, wholesome food. I stopped by for brunch and was impressed with every bite. All the dishes were very hardy but healthy and reasonably priced for the area. We went on a Saturday and the wait was about an hour but there are plenty of shops and places around to put your name down and explore the area for awhile.

The chickpea curry was a standout—perfectly spiced and hearty, with flavors that balanced warmth and freshness. The bread is delicious and adding avocado to it was the right call; as it was more than enough food to split between me and a friend.

The blue smoothie bowl was as beautiful as it was refreshing. Packed with vibrant fruits and topped with crunchy granola, it was executed well.

To drink, I had a matcha latte, which was smooth, earthy, and not overly sweet—just how I like it.

The service was friendly, the portions generous, and the atmosphere cozy yet chic. Whether you’re looking for a chill brunch spot with your girlfriends, or just a quick spot to get a hearty meal Good Thanks delivers on all fronts. I’ll...

Good Thanks has delicious and beautiful food, but the experience varies so significantly that you won't know what to expect once you arrive. I've been there a few times, and I would have rated the restaurant higher based on my first visit, but it's always good to get a sense of a place by going multiple times. On my last visit, I arrived around 9:20am on a Sunday. It wasn't too packed, but a little busy. The staff was running around like crazy though, creating a very stressful environment. They looked relieved when an additional staff member arrived - but the guy came in to start his shift, put his bag down, and didn't wash his hands before helping serve food to guests. I sat at the bar, so I was able to see what was going on from various angles. I looked around and noticed some people were getting their food before their drinks. One table complained about their coffees getting mixed up. It was just not a great experience that morning (seemingly for other people, as well). Go for the food, but keep your expectations low for everything else - that way, you won't be...