Fort Jesse Cafe is always a great experience with outstanding food. The only thing I have to complain about is the usually long wait, but that just proves how awesome of a restaurant they are! read more

Since it opened, this has been a go-to place for us to take people when we want to show them the best Bloomington-Normal has to offer. The food has never disappointed, it's reasonably priced, and the staff is super friendly! read more

Immaculate breakfast, awesome service. It went from a treat for us to a weekly staple that we look forward to eagerly. Best eggs Benedict to be had for a while around read more

Really great food! The harsh browns were so good. Not greasy or overly buttery. Perfect! And the eggs Benedict were so good.

Fort Jesse Cafe is awesome, I tried this place a few weeks ago and have been there 3 times, first visit tried b&g, very good and I'm picky about gravy, 2nd time had French toast and bacon, 3rd Time eggs Benedict, very very good, I think next time I will try country fried steak, check this place out, you won't be disappointed. Yum read more

I've only been to this place once. I really enjoyed the service and food! I'd wish they had a better system when having a long line to be seated. read more

This restaurant has been a hit with me since the very first time I ate here 8 months ago. The food is good, reasonably price and fast read more

Fort Jesse Cafe - The grits and shrimp are to die for - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Normal, Illinois

The food is outstanding, uncommon, and very tasty. I really enjoyed the shrimp and grits. There can be a bit of wait depending upon when you go. read more

My favorite place to get chicken and waffles! So delicious. The atmosphere is clean and simple with warm feeling environment. Friendly faces from everyone! read more

Our first visit to FJC. The short wait was worth it. Food was delicious, especially the chicken and waffles.

Besides the line to be seated, and early closing hour, Excellent food, busy but on task staff. read more

Very good food, friendly staff. We finally had the chance to visit and breakfast was great will definitely be returning in the future. Plan for a wait for a table it is a small place that is typically busy, worth the wait. read more

My wife and I are here recently. The food is always good. They are busy so there tends to be a wait unless you get there early.

best. breakfast. in. town. not. kidding. 1. New owners, cooks, menu since November 2015. Ignore any reviews before that. Unrelated. 2. Walk in and if there is a table open, its yours for the taking. But be an awesome human and if there is only one or two of you, offer to share your table with strangers when it gets busy. Turn strangers into friends. Thank you to the gentleman who shared with us :-) 3. Where have chicken & waffles been my entire life?! Seriously. You want this for breakfast, or brunch or lunch. Time of day is irrelevant. Don't worry, no bones to worry about. 4. Shrimp & Grits. Sounds weird if you're not southern, I get it. Then I got it. Heavenly. And to top it all off their presentation is beautiful. You won't want to eat it, it's so pretty. 5. Order the pancake breakfast with sausage links. Best sausage links I've had in town. Not hard or dry or shriveled or weird like I've had elsewhere. And the cakes are legit from scratch not perfect circles. You know its right. And my eggs were perfect too. Someone in the kitchen knows what they are doing. 6. Drink lots of coffee. It's good. 7. Pay at the counter. They take cards. Leave big tips because you're an awesome human. 8. Come back until you've tried everything on the menu. 9. Bring friends. Introduce them to your stranger friends. Everyone becomes friends. read more

I had the cornmeal pancakes, and was initially put off by the smorgasbord of sweet and savory to adorn my cake of pan...Until I put that awesomeness in my mouth and my world exploded into a southern taste bomb. The pulled pork was dry, meaning not covered in a saccharin sauce, yet the most smoky...tender...spicy nuanced topping to ever grace a cornmeal pancake. I could go on, the green onion was the perfect taste and texture compliment to the pork, the jam was sweet and mellow. The syrup was Christmas morning. It was all I could do not to weep tears of joy while stuffing my face. The coffee mug was the perfect size to wrap my chubby paws around in between coming up for gasps for air. Eat here. You will not be disappointed unless you hate smiling. read more

Very delicious food! Not enough room/ not enough seats for the crowd they drag in. That was the only down side because it means a longer wait time. All in all though, I highly recommend this delicious and friendly place. read more

I absolutely love this place! The iced coffee is unreal! The food tastes great every single time!

This place is fantastic! Love the food, literally crave the shrimp and grits. Only suggestion would be to ask small groups if they mind sharing a table. Many 4 tops with 2 people who would not mind sharing and it could speed up the wait. One of the most popular places in town for good reason. Worth the detour off the highway if you are traveling through the area and hungry for something other than chain restaurant food. Highly recommend read more

The wait is long but worth it. Had the cornmeal pancakes and my girlfriend had the shrimp & grits. She claims they're the best grits she's ever tasted. The cornmeal pancakes were unique and delicious; the perfect balance of salty and sweet. read more

Mmm... so good! I wait in line with my twin toddlers all of the time for the yummy food!!! I have loved every meal I have eaten here! It's all fabulous!!!! My kids love eating here and the wait staff is always so kind to us! read more

I was driving down the street and noticed this place, it has never caught my eye before. They need a big sign that catches your eye instead of one small sign amongst all the small business signs in the strip buildings main sign by the corner. (That make sense?) lol. It is kind of a creole or new orleans type menu so if that is not your type of food this is not your place. I am not a big fan of creole food but i found many items on the menu i would try. I would bet half of the people in the restaurant had chicken n waffles in front of them. I love their fresh homemade lemonade and freshly brewed iced teas. All the food ordered was excellent and prepared and presented on the plate perfectly. The chefs take pride on what they serve. The menu is not large so they make sure everything they cook is done top notch! I believe i counted 18 tables in the place but 17 of them are nice big wooden 4 person tables so the building holds more than you would think. At noon the line at the door was 8 people deep! The waitresses are on the ball always asking if you need anything. Only downfall besides needing a bigger sign is the place is kind of noisey. Not a restaurant to take a group and expect a lot of talking....the most frequently asked question would be, "ahhhh what?" read more

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Excellent. We ordered the chicken & waffle and the shrimp & grits! Both were amazing!!! Will be back soon!

Best breakfast in Bloomington Normal! The food is amazing, you usually have to wait about 10-20min for a table because they don't do reservations but it is worth the wait. I've been going here since they first opened (one of the owners was my favorite bartenders) and it just keeps getting better and better. The lunch menu is amazing as well. Come hungry! read more

When I tell you I love this place!! Being from Chicago there are plenty of little spots like this with great food and I was extremely happy when I was recommended this place. The long waits are worth it!! I've had the shrimp and grits which are very flavorful and one of my favorites. Also the Cuban pork/corn cakes and breakfast brunch hamburger (I think that's the name) are items I've ordered however I've tasted the chicken and waffle, a breakfast burrito and a few other items via my kids or boyfriend's plate... lol! I will continue to go back and back until I've tired everything. The Chef is very talented and the staff is amazing!! This is indeed my favorite breakfast spot!!! read more

Best breakfast spot in town. every single thing on this menu is delicious and unique. these chefs truly are very talented. It's affordable and filling. recommend the biscuits and gravy fam. Order over the phone and pick up in person. read more

My boyfriend and I came to the Fort Jesse Cafe around 12:30pm on Sunday. We waited about 30 mins for a table but it was worth the wait. We love coffee and the coffee here was so good! I ordered the Chicken and Waffles and a side of white cheddar grits. My boyfriend got the Grandfather meal even though I told him to get something different. Both of our meals were delicious! My boyfriend kept eating the chicken and waffles from my plate. ;) We will definitely be coming back. Bloomington Normal lacks good breakfast places so this cafe is a gem. read more

Fort Jesse Cafe - Chicken and Waffles and a side of cheddar grits. Soo good! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Normal, Illinois

This was my wife and I first time here. We have been looking for a go to breakfast place . To start it was a nice atmosphere and very friendly soon as we walked in the door. My wife ordered the breakfast burrito and hash browns very generous portions to say the least and the taste was outstanding! And myself I ordered the biscuits and gravey with hash Browns. The best I have had to date. The biscuits where big and fluffy and taste fresh out of the oven. The hash browns were cooked perfect. We have found our go to place for breakfast!!! read more

Amazing food! Unique dishes that you don't find at your ordinary breakfast spot. Very reasonable prices too! My boyfriend loves the chicken and waffles, and I love the breakfast burrito. Really anything you get is bound to be delicious. Only downside is the wait, but just grab a cup of the coffee and it's no issue. read more

The cornmeal pancakes were every bit as wonderful as advertised. A wonderful and unexpected combination of flavors that make it clear that there's a real chef involved. Service was also splendid; friendly and prompt. I had a 20-ish minute wait on a Thursday morning around 9, but it was totally worth it! read more

This is the best breakfast restaurant in BloNo. The basics like biscuits & gravy, French toast etc. are done very well but where they excel is in the modern touches on classics. The shrimp & grits are amazing, the cornmeal pancakes are unlike anything else in town and to top it off the fresh ice teas made daily are always excellent. read more

Bloomington finally has a breakfast place worth making a special trip to! We loved Fort Jesse Café. I had the cornmeal pancakes, which were amazing, and actually packed quite a bit of kick. My husband had the Cajun skillet, and he really loved it. My son said it was his favorite, and he just got the Mickey pancakes. The restaurant is somewhat small, and on a Sunday morning, the wait was 30 minutes or more. I recommend calling ahead before leaving to get your name on the list if you are going on the weekend. We will be back to try lunch! read more

Been going here since I was little. It's like a family thing at this point we always meet here a couple Sunday's every month. Food is good and cheap which makes it ever better. Nice homey feeling where you're sure to see all the locals. I would definitely tell anyone to try them out for breakfast read more

Love this place. I had the Forte Buster and my wife had the chorizo burrito. Delicious. My wife's comment " we need to come back and try everything ". Highly recommended. We lucked out. No wait. Be prepared, there are wait times, but that means it's good. read more

Used to be a 5 but since they switched to the servers collecting instead of paying at the counter, it slows down the process

Great food and great service. Oh and did I mention great food! Good coffee (mo-joe) biscuits and sausage gravy I have to have with every meal! Waffles are the best and biggest in town. Will definitely fill you up cheap! read more

Great atmosphere with big family tables. I got the cornmeal pancakes. The concept was great. The components worked well together. Make sure you ask for extra maple syrup, which is smokey and not too sweet. Coffee is a fruity, toasty breakfast roast. I want to try everything on the menu. Someone put a lot of time into developing that menu. Currently, this is the best place for breakfast in BloNo. I hope they keep up the good work, so I can come back again and again and again. read more

One of our favorites. Small, simple, inventive menu. Great, affordable food. And the servers - all of them - actually seem to enjoy being there, which makes us enjoy being there all that much more. Love this place. read more

Excellent place to have lunch - food / service very good. May have to wait a few minutes if you get there at noon - but worth the wait.

I never write yelp reviews, but I can't NOT write one for Fort Jesse. This place is THE BOMB. Best breakfast in town, hands down. I could close my eyes and point to a menu item and be happy with whatever I get. You can't go wrong with ordering. The shrimp n grits is unreal, chicken and waffles are delicious, cajun and bruschetta skillets are inventive and so good. Staff is super friendly, coffee while you wait. It doesn't get better. read more

Still one of the best places for breakfast and lunch around. And now they have homemade onion rings.......DELISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!