This place is pretty special. Old school diner feel and warmth and service. But gourmet foods. I had the special, berry salad and it was super yum. I really wanted the chipotle Benedict or crab Benedict but I ate too much for Father's Day:) read more

As a new resident of the Berwyn-Paoli area and an avid bruncher, I was super happy to find an excellent brunch spot (to fill the void in my heart left by my favorite joint in our last city) on my first outing. Em J's is IT. Tucked away in a little strip mall that you'd miss if you blinked while driving down 30, she doesn't give much away from the outside, but the other excellent reviews brought me in and I'm so glad they did. First and foremost, the wait staff. Literally every member of it, from the coffee pourers, register workers, waitresses, bus boys, every one was SUPER friendly, and in a genuine way. It was me, my mom, and my two small children (4 and 1) the first time, and we were welcomed very graciously. Several people stopped by to check on us and actually engaged very pleasantly with my toddler, and they've done that every time we've been in, so it wasn't just a one-off. Also, when I bent down to clean up the mess my 1-year-old made under his high chair, the waitress literally shooed me away and said, This is your time to relax, not clean. I'm still not going to leave waffle bits on the floor, but I really thought it was sweet of her to say that and seem to really mean it. So there's that. And then there's the coffee, which gets its own shout out because it's an organic, house blend and it. is. perfect. I like my coffee as plain as can be and my mom likes it jazzy af with about six flavored creamers, so for both of us to agree on a brew is tough, but we both loved this one. And then of course, the food. Both kids got waffles that they both devoured (which is remarkable because they never finish anything), and my mom and I got pretty standard eggs-toast-potatoes orders which were perfect. We've only been back three times, and one of these times I'm going to try one of their super fancy specials, but I like that they can really knock the staple brunch stuff out of the park--get you a brunch spot that can do both. Well done Em J's! read more

Very good breakfast and service. Has full menu and great weekly breakfasts. Blueberry Ricotta pancakes and Godfather omelette were very good. read more

My girlfriend and I have been going to Em J's for almost a year now. Before we had discovered Em J's-- a hidden main line gem-- my girlfriend and I had been going to Nudy's, in Wayne. That was good but we got tired of the wait, and the main line crowd. Em J's was a godsend for us. Not only are the people great here, but the staff are very friendly and incredibly experienced. The owners are awesome people; really down to earth, and always willing to strike up a conversation. The breakfasts are quickly made and taste amazing-- something hard to find out here. Note: If you've never tried their BYOB dinner nights (Thursdays and Fridays), I can't recommend them enough! For what you pay for, the food is better AND the price is lower than Seasons 52 or White Dog. read more

Stopped by here for brunch on our way to Malvern. It appeared very clean. Staff was very friendly. We did have to wait 30 minutes from order time until the food arrived, but we weren't in a hurry so it was fine. I ordered the croissant with avocado, scrambled eggs, and cheese. It was a large sized portion and had all the ingredients I enjoy, but seemed to be missing something. I think it needed some type of sauce either salsa or hollandaise or something. I wouldn't order it again. My husband got the tropical waffles and they were delicious!! One of my daughters ordered the rainbow pancakes and she said they were really good. My other daughter got the blueberry pancakes and ate all of hers as well. I would return to this establishment, but I would choose another item on their menu to order. read more

If you're not from around here, or a "regular" to this cafe, don't bother with this establishment. It's obvious that the regular diners to this cafe get preferential treatment. Upon entering nobody greeted us or seated us to a table, so instead we just seated ourselves. I observed other people who were probably regulars that walked in and were seated immediately and warmly greeted. The prices are absurd for just a regular omelette, and while it tasted okay, it didn't justify the cold atmosphere and being treated like second class citizens just because we weren't "regulars". Come on now, this is just a small place to eat brunch, certainly not on Rodeo Drive. Next time we visit the area I'll be sure to avoid this place. read more

Their attention to providing many, many yummy gluten-free options is a huge plus! There are many places on the Western Main Line to enjoy Sunday brunch and Em J's is as good or better than most if not all. The vast gluten-free alternatives puts them head above shoulders for those who must or choose to avoid gluten. Good job Em J's!!!!! read more

Overpriced diner food. The food was just ok and the service was pretty bad for us, but the locals seemed to get better service. Will not return. read more

Had an excellent experience here Saturday morning with my wife and daughter. Our server was Courtney and she did a wonderful job. The food was great and there's nothing better than looking at a menu and being so torn on what to order. Many great options. Settled on French toast, two eggs, and sausage and added some Nutella and strawberries. Coffee is also very good, we will definitely be visiting again! read more

The food was fairly average, the waitstaff was inattentive, but quick. The "Sundae Waffle" was far from what was implied in the name and was prepared differently than the menu suggested, and did not have enough fruit. The Cinnamon Bun Pancake at first bite was delicious, but the more you eat it the more you realize it is subpar. The filling was far too sticky and the pancake far too dense. It was also overpriced for the quality of the food, roughly $30 dollars for both of us. 6.5/10 experience overall. read more

Still 5*, but staff needs to be a little bit more mindful of getting the check to the table. Could probably sit there all day and never be rushed to leave. read more

We're fortunate to be within walking distance of EmJ's. Most of the things we loved about the former Pattymacs are still there (except we miss the quirky coffee mugs that were contributed by various patrons, and the cool art prints Patty had for sale). There have also been various upgrades to the menu and decor. I have been to EmJ's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I like the breakfasts best--they have all the standard morning fare but I usually go for one of the interesting specials and enjoyed every experiment. For lunch I like their quesadillas. For dinner the prime rib is excellent (and we appreciated the complimentary glass of malbec to go with it). The new owners, Emily and John, are terrific hosts--very friendly and make everyone feel welcome. EmJ's is a gem as a great little neighborhood eatery. If you live in the area, it's definitely a place you need to check out. read more

Very warm welcome upon entry and seated right away. We placed our order and food was delivered in a timely fashion. My daughter and I enjoyed a nice brunch. Smoked salmon bagel, soup and muffin. Her breakfast bagel and salmon quite a large portion. I just have to say I'm not so sure about the service. Our particular waitress was not very friendly, lefts out cups empty (I eventually asked the nice bus girl for refills), and somehow every one of the servers black uniforms were dusted with crumbs and hand wipe marks. It was just too much. It makes you wonder what else they let go (hand washing, kitchen cleanliness etc). read more

This is a great neighborhood breakfast/lunch restaurant in Berwyn. We've always had excellent service, and the breakfast menu in particular is good. All the staples are done really well - omelettes, pancakes etc - but they have a lot of delicious specialties, too. The Chunky Monkey waffle and Cinnamon Roll pancakes are definitely worth the trip. Highly recommend if you're looking for a casual spot with great food. read more

Waited 40 minutes for our food. Others who got there after us received their food before us. But we overhead them saying their orders were wrong as well! No cheese on the omelette after specifically requested. For some reason their cream cheese is hard and bland (not spreadable and doesn't taste good). Toast wasn't toasted. Our silverware was dirty. Overall just a disaster of an experience. We spoke with the owner who made things right as far as the bill but was unapologetic in general about the wait and the food. read more

I know I'm not in the majority but I was super disappointed here for a very specific reason. Em J's boasts to be gluten-friendly, advertising that they have gluten free pancakes, waffles, breads, rolls, wraps, desserts, etc. My daughter and I are both gluten free by necessity so we were excited to go. They had two soups that day both of which were gluten free. It was a rainy day so we said "great! soup and grilled cheese!" Well, the basic grilled cheese sandwich is $8.00. A little pricey for two pieces of bread and a few slices of cheese with a smear of pesto, but okay. The kicker came when we were told that it would be an additional $3.00 per sandwich for gluten free bread. Which means we would be eating $11.00 grilled cheese. Sorry, but that's ridiculous, and if you are going to toot your horn about being gluten friendly, then don't hold your gluten free customers to highway robbery surcharges. Even our server agreed it was unfair and said "I don't know why the owner charges so much." To top it off, my "Mexican lime chicken soup" was a $5.00 cup of broth with a few threads of chicken (not shreds -- they were more like threads) and a couple chunks of onion. No black beans, no corn, no rice. I asked for maybe some cheese or avocado, but that would be another added charge. So for $10 we had a cup of tomato soup and a cup of chicken broth and weren't offered even crackers. Won't be back. read more

We love EMJ's. My kids love the personalized fruit face pancakes. The AvoOvo is awesome. So is the sweet potato hash and black bean burger. Salads are also fresh and tasty. Cannot recommend highly enough. read more

Eh. Nothing to call home about. No, wait. There was this small thing... At 8 am this morning they only had one pancake left. Seriously? An establishment that serves breakfast and lunch should really stock up on pancake mix. The food was okay, I landed on French toast, but I'd much rather stick with Dixie Picnic down the street for a less expensive and seriously delicious breakfast or even Nudy's if I want something comparable in price and decor. read more

I sometimes go here with a group. Had left last week and noticed small mice coming out under front door. Others who have been there more recently saw mouse droppings in corners under unused tables. We further noticed greasy table tops and chairs. The place should be closed until it can be cleaned up and pass health department inspection read more

Nice and clean. Ordered my eggs over medium it was not quite medium. Food was warm but not very hot. Food was okay but nothing special.

The menu appeared creative and promising, but there was litterally nothing right about the eggs benedict I ended up ordering. Broken emulsion, poached eggs were hard-boiled and had a shell in them somehow. accompanying breakfast potatoes were underdone. Service was fine. Coffee was passable. read more

Great breakfast and service. We went to a spot that was closed and locals recommended this place. They put powdered sugar on the pancakes. It was a perfect find. read more

Decent breakfast place, prices and wide selection are good. Diner atmosphere. Atmosphere of place, design of restaurant make it a 4, not 5 star. Which breakfast places don't have rye nowadays? read more

Love this place! Food is top notch and service is great. Gets pretty busy there at peak times, so I go early to beat the crowd. The owners can be frequently found there and are great people. My daughter worked there for a couple of years so I would go visit her and eat breakfast early in the morning. My daughter moved and no longer works there and I kinda miss that... so I drop in from time to time as it is a bit out of my way. The menu items always have a flare to them that I do not find elsewhere. Keep it up! read more

Awesome find! In a strip mall location. Would not have found this place without yelp. Tons of gluten free breakfast options which is very hard to find. I had the gluten free "mounds of coconut pancakes". They were amazing!! 2 large, fluffy pancakes w coconut, chocolate chips and chocolate syrup. It was super. Also had an Omelette w gruyere, sausage, caramelized onions. Also very good. read more

Em J's Cafe - Gluten free "mounds of coconut" pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Berwyn, Pennsylvania

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EM J's is the best brunch spot I've been to (that includes all the ones I've been to in LA). I think it's a small family run brunch restaurant and it gets pretty busy. Their pancakes came stacked with berries (upon request), even inbetween layers :) I had their special: the westcoast benedict served on multigrain bread, a slice of tomato, over easy egg, and sprouts served with a side of perfectly cooked potatoes - i am not a vegeterian yet I thoroughly enjoyed every last bite. All the recipes seem to be very well thought out, as it reflects in the details of their ingredients and the way the food is put together. Needless to say, I was very impressed. Will be coming back, a lot. read more

Excellent service! The food was outstanding and FRESH! Wonderful gluten free choices from pancakes to waffles to bread. We met the owner John who was a real pleasure I will definitely be back! read more

We were actually looking for Black Cat Cafe, but the Yelp directions were wrong so we ended up here. The food was good, and the staff very friendly. The reason it gets 3 stars instead of 4 is b/c breakfast for two should never cost $28, an that's b/f tip. I just can't justify that expense for breakfast. Maybe we'll give it another shot for lunch or dinner. read more

Came specifically for breakfast after reading yelp reviews. The place was jam packed, which is a great sign. We didn't wait too long but decided to sit at the counter. Service was fairly quick. I had one egg, scrapple and a pancake and a toasted bagel. The egg was done a little more than I like, the scrapple was good, hot but a bit greasy, the pancake was very good and i asked for the maple syrup which they keep refrigerated. All in all a better than average breakfast. My partner had his eggs benedict. Eggs were cooked well, the hollandaise sauce was good, the potatoes were good, although slightly reheated tasting. Again, all in all, very good. This cafe has tons of choices. If we were drinking, we would most definitely try it again in the evening when you could byob. I recommend visiting this tiny, out of the way little cafe when in the area. read more

Great first experience. The flat iron was perfectly cooked as was the salmon. Seems desserts are made onsite. Loved the rice pudding. :-). We will be trying this out for breakfast soon. read more

Cafe is really cute - but the overall experience was meh. The hostess (who I think was one of the owners) was super friendly, informative and helpful. Server was the opposite. The hostess promised the server would share specials when she came, the girl didn't even know what they were. She (the server) came over, said hello and what would you like order? I asked about the specials, she gave me a blank look. Brought our food out, didn't come back again until I flagged her down for more coffee and condiments, and when she brought those out she left the check. The food was okay, not great. And I know this is nit-picky, but I was a server for a long time and I always hated cleaning out the ketchup and hot sauce tops. But MAN was it nasty today when every sauce I picked up had a huge buildup of crust. Was hoping for better. read more

Excellent food - fresh and tasty breakfast! Good service too. Found on yelp on our way to a soccer tournament in the area, went back again the next morning too!! read more

Excellent food, quick service. The menu has some special items, but nothing too crazy. A good mix of your typical diner and a hipster brunch spot in the city. We will definitely be back! read more

We are a family of 5, kids ages 4 to 9 and we loved this place. It was clean, delicious and friendly. We ate the breakfast burrito, french toast, bacon and egg omlette with a small bowl of fruit. Everything was perfect and so yummy. Thank you for the great service! read more

Nice brunch spot for a easy Saturday or Sunday morning. It can get busy and it's a smaller place so you might need to be a little patient when waiting for a seat. The omelette was filing and good without being too greasy and heavy. read more

Food fabulous. Service excellent, ambience perfect. We will be back. Had eggs Benedict. Hollandaise sauce was great Even the potatoes were very good. read more

The food is really good. Really good. Have you ever had a large waffle with cream chipped beef? I hadn't until I saw it on the menu and ordered it. You can share it with another person. It's no joke. I really like the French toast also because it isn't that really thick bread that I just don't like. The toast is just right so it taste good. I think this place is a little gem in the area. read more

I am a big fan of locally-owned non-chain unpretentious places with quality food, and Em J's Cafe meets these criteria well. First off, you can get real maple syrup for your breakfast waffles or pancakes by asking for it -- a must if I am going to indulge in such. My husband, son and I recently tried one of their Friday dinners. It worked out great -- nice atmosphere with tiny light strings enhancing the usual daytime decor, cloth napkins, good food (I had the lobster tail entree and banana chocolate creme brulee for dessert. All desserts are homemade.) Management very responsive to feedback. I hope this local gem does well and prospers! read more

SCRAPPLE!! Very friendly staff, quick service. Perfect if you are visiting the area. Coffee filled without request though a tad thin. Whatever...place is great read more

Creamer spoiled in coffee. They brought me milk, that was spoiled as well. No apology, ignored from then on like I did something wrong. Waitress more interested in speaking to her friends. The food was so average. Go to Nudys or Classic. read more