Junior's Restaurant and Bakery — Restaurant in New York

We went for an early dinner after a show and I knew it would be insane. It’s Times Square after all, which is typically why we avoid restaurants in the area but something about stopping here seemed fun. I regret it. It was insane in the tiny waiting space they doubles as a to-go area. We did online check-in via Yelp and confirmed with hostess when we got there. Waiting 25 minutes, saw our name next on the screen from where we were waiting, then got a text that we had been removed from the wait list and our name disappeared from the iPad we could see right next to us. I told the hostess and she took another group of 2 (those listed after us) and said she’d look into it when she got back. Another hostess came over and I wasn’t going to wait another 20 mins at 8 months pregnant, so I asked her. She went to a different screen and I could see our name was “removed by hostess.” Our name was never called. We were legit standing right there. Then we started getting questions like had we checked in, yes, 20 mins ago. But in the end they put us back on the list and we got a table a few mins later.

It is so noisy, chaotic, crowded. Tables every where and chairs always in the way because no one cares about being in the way. Service was okay. Took 15 minutes to get a glass of water but then only took 5 minutes to get a milkshake. Odd but fine. Food came out rather quickly too. Milkshakes are great. Club sandwich is blah. Mac and cheese is good. Fries are good. My husband loved his open faced roast beef. Way too full for dessert but the cheesecakes do look awesome. Server was trying to push dessert on us before we even finished eating. Probably trying this speed up table turnover even though the family next to us has finished eating not long after we sat down, said they were just going to sit to kill time before a show, and the dad was watching the Masters on his phone. Not sure why we were getting rushed? But again, whatever. Times Square is weird.

Bathrooms were a pain. A door was broken. No way to stand in line and someone who clearly wasn’t eating at the restaurant and just came in to use the bathroom cut me and then cried about how bad she has to go when another woman called her out (again, 8 months pregnant, I had to to go badly too).

Wouldn’t go back unless maybe a late night dessert when...

I'm a little ambivalent about this place... Let's start with the positives: Location is pretty strategic near the Times Square and not too far from Central Park South either The decor works! Somehow. I mean it's bright and some may even say a little gaudy but that's the point! It has this classic 70s or 80s diner look with bright orange bold lines and big letters, i love it. The servers were nice and accommodating Pancakes were standard but done right, they'll even give you some chocolate syrup for dipping if you ask We asked the bacon to be extra crispy, and we got it. It was done to near-death and really crispy, just the way my kids like it If you come early enough, you'll get seated right away. They're open at 7am and we got there around 8:30am and there were open seats. However by around 9am the line was starting to form so just come early

Then the negatives: Stay away from the French toast. I think maybe they were trying to be creative or 'different' by coating the bread with some form of breading but it only made the toast dry! It just did not work, at all. If you're expecting a nice and slightly gooey French toast, this is the opposite of it. while the servers were very nice, they were slow. It is a sizeable diner, so maybe they're just understaffed? Whatever the case, it's certainly slow and you'll be doing a little waiting, and it was not even peak hours when we were there there were some articles online that mentioned that Junior's had some play area for kids, i did not find this to be true, so adjist your expectations.

All in all, i think it's still worth going there. It's nice, clean, and dare i say kinda fun.

Of note, it was a Sunday morning breakfast so we did not get to try the supposedly...

As a dedicated cheesecake aficionado, the anticipation of trying the iconic Junior's Cheesecake was one of the highlights of my trip to New York. From the moment we stepped into Junior's, the cozy, classic diner ambiance set the stage for what promised to be a memorable experience.

First up was the blueberry cheesecake. Each bite was a revelation – the creamy, velvety texture melded perfectly with the tangy sweetness of the blueberries. It was an explosion of flavors that danced on my palate, making it clear why Junior's is renowned for its cheesecakes. This wasn't just any dessert; it was a culinary masterpiece that lived up to every bit of its legendary status.

Next, we tried the strawberry cheesecake. While beautifully presented and undeniably fresh, it was a tad too sweet for my liking. However, the quality was still top-notch, and I could see why it would appeal to those with a sweeter tooth. The portion sizes were incredibly generous, making it perfect for sharing or indulging over a few days.

Yes, the prices are on the higher side, especially for a Filipino couple like us used to more affordable cake slices back home. But, considering we're in the heart of New York City, the experience was worth every penny. The sheer delight of tasting such a world-famous cheesecake in its birthplace made the cost worthwhile.

In conclusion, Junior's Cheesecake was everything I had hoped for and more. The blueberry cheesecake alone is enough to make me a lifelong fan. Despite the premium prices, the quality, ambiance, and sheer indulgence make it a must-visit. We will definitely be returning to Junior's on our next trip to New York – it's a cheesecake...