Junior's Restaurant & Bakery

Great classic diner with no frills plates and all the classics you would expect on any diner menu. Obviously the bakery is the over the top draw here- and it is not just hype. Service was excellent.

There is no other place to compare Junior's too. It's old world. It's historic. It's Brooklyn. Since 1950 it's been the flagship go to neighborhood restaurant on Flatbush Avenue.<br>I've missed Junior's. I've been away from NY for 20 years. But I've sent a bit of Brooklyn to my neighbors and friends continually. This last visit...11 cheesecakes were shipped west by me.<br>But the brisket is as I remembered. The pastrami/cornedbeef combo (on an onion roll) brought tears of happiness to my dining companions. Somethings need never to be messed with. Of course not to be missed are the pickled beets, cole slaw, and pickles.<br>If you have room, or if you don't take it to go...cake slices are reduced at 3 p.m. 2 for $5. What's not to like?<br>Dieters you are on your own!<br>Thank goodness for FEDEX &UPS...Junior's travels!

I looooove Junior’s! It’s just old-school comfort to me. The classic decor with all the celebrity photos framed, the vintage red decor. I dunno why, but it feels like home. Recently, I had the Reuben sandwich with fries and it stood out as a favourite; hot, packed with meat, served with Cole slaw, pickled beets and pickles. I don’t like to leave without a slice of strawberry cheesecake. YUM! Service is always sweet!

Ate dinner at the original Junior's restaurant in Flatbush. I had the Bacon Cheeseburger. Big satisfying juicy burger cooked medium as I ordered it. The fries were not crispy enough for me and the onion rings were nice. But the star of the night was the strawberry cheesecake. Yum, Yum, Yum; creamy, not too sweet and decadent! A very nice place to have a meal!

Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery is one of those classic New York institutions that leans heavily into traditional American diner culture, with large portions, comfort driven dishes, and a menu that reflects decades of crowd pleasing staples. Originally opened in Brooklyn in 1950, Junior’s built its reputation on New York style comfort food and its iconic cheesecake, becoming a staple tied closely to the city’s diner and deli culture. It’s the kind of place where the food isn’t trying to be modern or reinvented, but rooted in familiarity, volume, and tradition.<br><br>We started with the fried mozzarella sticks, made with breaded mozzarella and served with marinara. They were one of the highlights, crispy on the outside with that stretchy, melty center. Simple, nostalgic, and exactly what you expect from a classic appetizer.<br><br>For the mains, portions were generous across the board, very much in line with traditional diner style plating. The steak burger came on a soft bun with lettuce and tomato, served with fries and onion rings. Burgers like this are rooted in early 20th century American diners, where ground beef patties became a quick, affordable staple. The patty had a nice sear, giving it that slightly charred, beefy flavor, but overall leaned more straightforward than standout. The pastrami Swiss burger, also served with fries and onion rings, was layered with sliced pastrami, Swiss cheese, lettuce, and tomato. It’s a very New York style addition rooted in deli culture. Pastrami, originally from Eastern European preservation methods using curing and smoking, became iconic in NYC Jewish delis, adding that salty, peppery depth. It worked, but could’ve used a bit more balance so one element didn’t overpower the other.<br><br>The onion rings were disappointing. The batter was thick and overly flour heavy, with barely any onion inside, so you don’t really get that sweetness or texture you’re supposed to.<br><br>The BBQ ribs and fried chicken combo came with fries and coleslaw. The ribs were glazed in barbecue sauce and tender with a decent base flavor, but they needed more sauce to fully coat and enhance the meat. Barbecue ribs are rooted in Southern American cooking, where slow cooking and sauce layering are key to building flavor. The fried chicken, dredged in seasoned flour and deep fried, had a crispy exterior but came out dry inside, which took away from what should be one of the stronger dishes. Fried chicken, also deeply tied to Southern food traditions, relies on keeping the meat juicy while maintaining a crisp crust. The coleslaw, made with shredded cabbage and dressing, added some acidity and crunch to balance the heavier items.<br><br>The brisket platter was served with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. Brisket, a tougher cut from the lower chest of the cow, is commonly used in both Jewish and Southern cuisines because it benefits from slow cooking to break down connective tissue. Here it was paired with a savory mushroom gravy that added richness. The mashed potatoes, made with butter and cream, were smooth and worked well to absorb the sauce, while the vegetables added some balance to the plate.<br><br>The open roast beef sandwich came with sliced roast beef on bread without gravy. It had that classic diner feel, but the sandwich itself was a little dry and would’ve benefited from either some sauce or a side like fries to help balance it out.<br><br>Service wise, the staff was kind and welcoming, but a bit slow. Water glasses were often left empty, and the pacing throughout the meal could’ve been better.<br><br>Junior’s is appreciated for its large portions and nostalgic New York feel, especially for classic comfort dishes, but the experience can be inconsistent. Some dishes are executed well while others fall short in seasoning or texture, and service, while friendly, can feel a bit slow during busy times. Consistency in execution and a bit more attention to detail would elevate it from good to memorable.

Came here to try their famous cheesecake. I ordered the plain one and a hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was chocolatey, not too sweet and piled with whipped cream - very good!<br><br>The cheesecake was delicious too! But I will say, I'm not sure it lived up to the hype. I liked that you could really taste the tanginess of the cream cheese, but I thought it could have been a bit creamier. The sweetness level was on point though.<br><br>The atmosphere is very classic diner so if you're looking for that kinda vibe this place has it!<br><br>Overall it was pretty good, I would recommend it if you're in the area.

5-Star Review – Junior’s Restaurant<br><br>Oh my God… let me tell you something! Junior’s has been my number one spot for almost 30 years, and they STILL hold the crown. Their pastrami Reuben sandwich? To die for. I will pick Junior’s over ANYBODY for my Reuben sorry KATZ’s! The price is always right, the portions are crazy good, and those pickles on the side and letlets not forget that SPECIAL sauce just seal the deal.<br><br>And the cheesecake? LORD. Junior’s cheesecake is unmatched. My absolute favorite is the cherry strawberry cheesecake number one in my family for years. If I’m not getting that, I’ll go for the fruity pineapple cheesecake as my alternative. Creamy, fresh, and honestly the best you’ll ever taste.<br><br>If you want a real Reuben and the best cheesecake in New York, Junior’s is the only answer. A true Brooklyn classic.

I went for a repass with my family of about 20 + people. We had a fixed menu but all of the options were great.(baked chicken, cod-broiled or fried, a beef dish and a vegetarian option. Sides were rice, mashed potatoes or French fries with a variety of vegetable options). The service is what I remembered the most. The servers were attentive and most of the food came out quickly and they handled all of those orders and people with grace. There were a few snafus(is that a word) with some orders not coming out with the right vegetables but they quickly fixed it with no issues and handled it kindly. I ordered the fried cod with mashed potatoes. It was delicious! I hardly ever eat all of my food at restaurants but I ate it all. It also came with a slice of cheesecake that was so good and creamy.<br>It was a great arrangement for us to gather and catch up to share memories and make new ones.<br>There's a parking garage close by (about a block away) but on street metered parking is available if you can find it.

I went to the original Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery in Downtown Brooklyn because I wanted to try what’s considered “real” New York cheesecake. I’ve seen it everywhere, and I even tried the mini Junior’s cheesecakes from Costco months ago which I honestly thought were pretty bad. So I figured maybe the original at the source would be better. It wasn’t. It tasted exactly the same to me. Very dense, overly rich, and just not enjoyable. I know New York style cheesecake is supposed to be thick, but this felt heavy in a way that wasn’t balanced. I genuinely don’t understand the hype around it. If this is what New Yorkers consider great cheesecake, I just don’t get it. I really wanted to like it, but it was a letdown for me.

Junior's Restaurant & Bakery is a Brooklyn institution, serving up classic American comfort food with a side of nostalgia. This iconic diner has been a favorite among locals and tourists alike since the 1950s, and it's easy to see why. The menu boasts a wide range of delicious options.<br><br>The atmosphere is lively and inviting, with a vintage decor that'll make you feel like you're stepping back in time. The service is top-notch, with friendly and attentive staff who will make sure you feel right at home.<br><br>While some reviewers have noted that the food can be a bit pricey, others argue that it's worth it for the quality and portion sizes. Either way, Junior's is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. As one reviewer put it, "If you're in NYC, make this a stop for lunch or dinner".

We visited the Brooklyn location of Junior’s Restaurant, and it was exceptional. Imani was our server, and she did an outstanding job taking care of us. We ordered the steak and eggs the steak was a fajita-style steak and definitely a five-star dish. The food was great, and the atmosphere was just as enjoyable.<br><br>Of course, you can’t leave without a slice of their famous cheesecake! We also grabbed a souvenir coffee cup, which was the perfect way to remember the visit.

We came to Junior’s Restaurant in Flatbush because my husband strongly recommended it — he said it was the best cheesecake he had ever tried. We had just gotten out of a game and stopped by since it was conveniently close.<br><br>The place is huge, and the décor has a vintage/traditional feel that creates a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere. At first, I really liked that. The bakery area at the entrance is also impressive: large, eye-catching, and very busy, with lots of people purchasing desserts. That definitely sets high expectations for the cheesecake.<br><br>However, the experience quickly went downhill.<br><br>It’s clearly a very popular spot and seems heavily visited all the time. There were multiple long tables with large groups (10–15 people), and the vibe felt more like a high-traffic tourist stop than a restaurant focused on quality.<br><br>We sat near the bar, which was quieter. They do have a full bar, but we were really there for dessert, so we ordered different cheesecakes. Unfortunately, the cheesecake itself was very underwhelming — honestly below average compared to other cheesecakes I’ve had in NYC. It was disappointing, especially considering the reputation.<br><br>Service was another issue. Our group included tourists, and the waitress showed very little patience toward them. I understand NYC service can be fast and direct, but this felt unnecessarily harsh and unwelcoming.<br><br>And the biggest problem: the bathrooms.<br><br>While the dining area itself seemed “normal” in terms of cleanliness, the restroom situation was unacceptable. The bathrooms were filthy, smelled extremely bad, and looked like they hadn’t been properly cleaned in a long time. Several stalls were out of service, there was paper everywhere, and the overall hygiene level was truly deplorable. It honestly felt like walking into a stadium restroom after a big event — and that’s not something I can overlook.<br><br>I wanted to like this place, and I understand it’s an iconic name, but between the poor service, disappointing cheesecake, and severely unhygienic bathrooms, I wouldn’t recommend it.

I've been told this is the authentic Brooklyn dinner. I got a breakfast menu, and a cheesecake slice to share. The best cheesecake I had got so far!<br><br>Service was friendly, quick and efficient. the place is perfect for friends and family.<br><br>Restrooms are upstairs, so not very accessible, but I didn't notice another on the ground floor.

The appetizers (pickles, coleslaw, & beets), and our main dishes were delicious! The pickles were unbelievably good. I had a veggie omelette w/ french fries, which was perfectly cooked. For dessert, I had the salted caramel swirl cheesecake…I’m speechless. Not to mention, the inexpensive prices and excellent customer service. Definitely dining here again soon.

This was the spot when I was growing up. High standards, great food and atmosphere. Now what I’m witnessing is the slow demise of an American icon that has been reduced in status to a run of the mill fast restaurant. The quality of food has fallen off. The BBQ chicken and French fries that I ordered was awful. The fries were hard and the chicken smelled like it was going bad. What a shame… at least the cheesecake is still good… for now.