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    Jakes Diner - Downtown

    4.1 (37 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

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    JAKES DINER - DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Pancake
    Christa F.

    Jake's never disappoints! My breakfast is always cooked the way I like, comes out hot and fresh, & the staff are always very friendly. I'm always fortunate to find a parking spot nearby and it's large enough to find seating inside no matter how busy they are. Coffee always flows and the place is kept clean. Price is decent by comparison of other breakfast spots nearby where the portions don't match the cost so this will remain one of my preferred options.

    Menu, Dec 2024
    Erik S.

    The downtown location of Jake's Diner is the latest iteration of this area-wide basic diner chain. It moved into a spot that has never really had much in it, maybe a lawyer's office or similar. Generally, it's a place you could easily miss just driving by. But they do serve the kind of food you'd expect to find in your typical American diner, breakfast all-day, simple sandwiches, burgers, etc. When the downtown location opened, I assumed they would be open late to serve some of the late night munchies crowd, but that is not the case. They are open until 8pm, even on Friday or Saturday night. We came in because we needed a downtown breakfast place, and Chez Genese across the street had a long wait, which is typical for them. This is definitely very different quality food, but we knew that, we didn't expect something amazing. We were sat right away, which was great, however our service throughout was not good. The waitress seemed overwhelmed, but the restaurant was staffed appropriately. We saw her wasting a lot of time talking, and even when she would walk by us, did not often look our way. At one point, I helped myself to my own tea refill. The food we got was basic. It all needed some kind of seasoning, and I don't think it's unfair to say that most of it was pre-prepared other than eggs and pancakes. It would be nice if there were some kind of signature item that could distinguish itself, but I don't think that's the goal here. It's simply a place to get fed. All told, there are much better options around. If we didn't need the convenience of it being downtown, we probably would go elsewhere.

    Billie E.

    I have no clue why I am the only person sitting here eating breakfast, but I am. Prices are awesome, menu is varied, my waitress is efficient and friendly and the kitchen had my breakfast out in under 5 minutes. I don't know what it's like if it's ever busy, but 5 minutes is pretty quick. So if you're ever poking around on South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro, give this place some love!!

    Brandy B.

    This was our first time to the downtown location. Typical diner feel - no bells and whistles - serving basic breakfast staples. Not sure if it's what we ordered this time but we thought the food was better here than at the one on battleground. We got omelets - the Philly steak and veggie ". We also got an order of french toast - delicious! Our service was exceptional and breakfast hit the spot. My only real gripe is there is no fresh fruit.

    Breakfast plate- with bacon and a home fries substitute
    Marie P.

    Inexpensive and tasty diner food. Jake's is a chain and this location is new to Greensboro. I think it fills a huge need because the late night bar crowd needs easy access to affordable food nearby. A downside is that the parking is extremely limited and it is paid parking. We went at 2pm on a Saturday and it was pretty dead. Service was quick and friendly. I opted for a breakfast plate with eggs, bacon, a biscuit, and home fries. The home fries were a substitution. They layout substitution surcharges very clearly on the menu. The bacon was good quality and the biscuit was flaky. The cooked my eggs perfectly, but the egg quality seemed pretty average (not farm fresh or particularly tasty). The home fries were nice! Overall, I liked my meal here. Having a Greensboro Jake's location is a welcome addition to the downtown scene in my book!

    Tomato soup and homemade chicken noodle soup
    Leah W.

    Jake's Dinner downtown was such an unexpected surprise! We were looking for a 1:30 pm late lunch and so many of our favorite brunch restaurants were closing at 2pm. We saw Jake's diner was open and gave it a try. I haven't been to any Jake's location in 10 yrs. We were so impressed by the decor! This location was super hip and updated! Not a diner vibe at all until we got to the menu. It is the classic diner menu with everything from eggs to sandwiches. My friend got the homemade chicken noodle soup and I got the tomato soup to start. The server was incredible! She was not only helpful, but she was fun, funny, and checked on us the perfect amount. She gave her honest opinions when asked about the items on the menu. She said it's all delicious! The price was very affordable! Everything was delicious. I absolutely will be back!

    We dined on a Sunday morning for brunch after visiting the area. We were immediately greeted and seated. Our server seemed a bit high strung and kept repeating our order only to get it wrong. Everyone's food arrived and the hungriest member of our party had her order placed incorrectly she received a burger instead of chicken. It was corrected but everyone else had finished eating and it was still incorrectly done. Same ting for our to go order. However the pancakes and french toast were delicious and the ambiance was quaint and reminiscent of diners. Typical diner food reasonably priced.I would return. Parking was a bit steep but rather risk being towed we paid the $10 for 2 hours.

    Nikita P.

    I got the chance to try out the new Jake's downtown location a couple weeks ago. My mom and I stopped in for a quick breakfast before running some errands. I would first like to say this location is so nice! The decor and facilities are all very neat and clean. The food was the typical breakfast diner fare. A bit greasy but overall good. The service was good and the waitresses all seem to be busy yet attentive. There was no wait the day we went in which was a major plus for us. Parking in the area can be a bit tricky but there is a pay to park area right beside the restaurant that is pretty reasonable for a couple hours. We would definitely visit this location again. They also have a lot of space in rooms right off the dining area that look to accommodate groups. So that would be great for a group breakfast.

    Bar
    Matthew K.

    Katie at the bar did a fabulous job at taking care of me. I got the breakfast platter and it did not disappoint. The gravy and the biscuit was awesome. They have mimosas and all sorts of desserts like homemade cheesecake. The bacon came out crispy just like I ordered and the friendly service was amazing. This is a family owned "chain" with multiple locations in Greensboro. The parking downtown can be challenging but if you're from here you'll figure it out. Parallel parking on the street was the way for me. The interior is clean with high vaulted ceilings and extremely welcoming. The bar has 2 big screen TVs with one channel on the news while the other had sports. Coffee hot, eggs over easy, grits were bomb and everything was wonderful. I highly recommend you go here if you're in the vicinity. Cheers

    Grilled Buffalo chicken wrap
    Kara M.

    Good food for a reasonable price, god portion sizes, & excellent service. Went on a Wednesday evening & not many people were dining in. There was only one waitress but she was attentive & personable & we didn't have to wait long for our food. The space is great! I hope this location thrives. We'll definitely return.

    Front of Jake's Diner
    Jay T.

    We enjoyed our visit to this location. I ordered the chorizo omelet, and it came with a biscuit and grits. Very tasty. The service was good. It was busy but they took care of us. I will definitely come back again in the future.

    Dining room
    Gary F.

    GREAT addition to downtown. The staff is amazing, truly. Food is comparable to other Jake's. I am a fan of diners and find that Jake's does the basics well...over medium eggs, medium bacon, and excellent hash browns. I'd also like to call out their hamburger and suggest you give it a try with hash browns as the side. On final idea, I enjoy a combination of ketchup and Texas Pete on the hash browns. Lastly, there is a paid parking lot directly next door. You should give them a try!

    Bar Seating
    Kelly S.

    Love this location especially because it's directly across the street from where I work. The inside doesn't really have a diner feel but it's cute & clean which is most important. We got our food out super quickly and our waitress was very nice. When you walk in you seat yourself wherever you'd like, there are a large amount of booths and bar seating as well. For now you can street park or there is parking on the side of the building but they did note this may be changing to paid parking soon (they do not own the lot). They also mentioned they will be getting their alcohol permit soon and serve beer and wine. The food is at a great price point and they said they would also be adding desserts soon such as cakes, brownies, banana puddings etc.

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    9 months ago

    One of our favorite food spots after floating on the Dan River! Sammi is awesome

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    2 years ago

    Blue Plate Special is usually a solid choice for lunch. Breakfast is okay, but not great.

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    2 years ago

    Awful undercooked cheap food. Slow service. Not worth it. Came alone at 1 pm and got my food at 1:37 pm. First and last time I come.

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    Boots & Bourbon

    Boots & Bourbon

    3.6(62 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Stopped by this past weekend to grab some lunch and it seemed we picked the perfect time! Not a…read morelong wait at all for seating or food! Started with the appetizer special which was a sampler of apps, and our server was nice enough to sub in some pretzel bites for us. All of the apps were good though, hot and fresh and even more importantly, tasty. We got the mozzarella sticks, pretzel bites, and bangin shrimp. For the main dish I got the spicy smash burger and added bacon. The burger was pretty tasty, both patties were juicy and overall it was the perfect spice. I will say, the burger patties themselves didn't really seem like smash style patties, they were fairly thicker and seemed to be normal grilled patties. Having two was almost too much burger to bun/topping ratio in my opinion. Fries could have been a little more seasoned and crispy as well, but that's more of a personal preference. Also got the Dark and Stormy cocktail as well. It was a nice and refreshing drink to get the meal started, two rums with lime juice, vanilla, and soda water. Overall, the meal was pretty good, and would still come back again!

    Well..... we decided to try some place new today.... We were sat pretty promptly and were given ice…read morewater. (No silverware or napkins in sight) Ordered an appetizer of chicken wings. They arrived and were coned nicely and had a great taste. (Still no silverware or napkins) we asked for napkins of course at this point because our hands are sticky. Food came. Burger was missing lettuce (easy fix) he said his steak was cooked PERFECTLY (still no silverware) I requested more mayo and more dressing (still no silverware) we realized there wasn't any silverware when he wanted to cut into the steak. So we had to request silverware. Back to the steak.... Cooked PERFECTLY..... zero seasoning. Added a little salt and requested steak sauce and the steak was demolished. My wales saw my water getting low and said she was coming with more water. I finished my water she came by and asked if we needed anything.... Water please. With a few adjustments to the obvious (having silverware at the table when seating customers, and keeping a real eye out for drinks) this place might be alright. The servers were pleasant and the place wasn't crowded at all. A total of 4 other parties were in and out during our visit.

    Photos
    Boots & Bourbon - Large selection of liqours

    Large selection of liqours

    Boots & Bourbon
    Boots & Bourbon - They have a built in place for photo ops!

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    They have a built in place for photo ops!

    Lindley Park Filling Station - Waverly Way Sandwich

    Lindley Park Filling Station

    4.3(395 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    I love this place! It's such a cute, cozy, neighborhood vibe restaurant that consistently delivers…read more All of the servers are cool and do a good job. There is both indoor and outdoor seating (although space is definitely limited) & a small bar with bar stools. There are a few TVs that always have sports --- right up my alley! I love coming here on Saturdays during cold weather for Chicken 'n Dumplings. Their weekend mimosas are a great deal (it might just be Sundays, but I think it's Saturdays, too). Their sweet tea is always on point. They have delicious sandwiches and the side salad with homemade honey mustard dressing is my favorite side!! The tater tots are good. Pasta salad isn't super flavorful but, still good, especially if you're entree needs a side that takes a back seat. You really can't go wrong. Parking is limited so you might have to find street parking and walk a bit. I hear Sunday brunch is amazing! That's next on my list to try.

    The 11 years I've lived in Greensboro I've never stopped at LPFS. Most people seem to review them…read morefor their burgers. Today I stopped in for a to go order, but next time I plan on enjoying the patio with my pup Ziggy and try one of their burgers. I ordered the Madison Avenue which is a croissant smeared with honey walnut cream cheese, smoked turkey, and granny smith apples. My side was slaw and I also ordered fries with a side of ranch. Upon walking in the place appeared clean, the customer service, not the best. But maybe someone was having a bad day, I get it. I'm so glad I did check my bag before I left because they did not give me ranch or plasticware, man I would have missed out on some amazing ranch. The young man gave me three ranches which I'm so disappointed I only grabbed one. Unfortunately I didn't get the best pictures but the food tasted great. The fries were thick cut (probably frozen) and let me tell you, I would just come back for the ranch! They have my favorite restaurant ranch. The slaw was really tasty - good ole southern sweet mayonnaise slaw, not too vinegary. The sandwich, not bad, good combo of toppings, they paired well together. I' ll be back. Anyone want to go for a patio lunch? Ciao for now

    Photos
    Lindley Park Filling Station - Inside

    Inside

    Lindley Park Filling Station - The Berkshire on Texas toast with Tater Tots

    The Berkshire on Texas toast with Tater Tots

    Lindley Park Filling Station - LPFS Pasta Salad and Englewood Sandwich

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    LPFS Pasta Salad and Englewood Sandwich

    The Sub Spot - The Classic Italian Sandwich

    The Sub Spot

    4.5(129 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    $$

    It's New Year's Eve, and my last review of 2025 will be an update for one of the all-time greats,…read moreThe Sub Spot in Greensboro. Pretty much everything I said in my last review still totally stands. I don't get to come here as much as I used to, but it's still a place I probably go once a month. My favorite thing here is still their classic reuben. While I wouldn't call it a traditional reuben, I love the way they prepare it. Chopping together the meat and kraut on the hot flat top grill, as well as the buttered and grilled rye bread and russian dressing, it's just such a tasty sandwich all combined like that. The other thing I love here is to build my own salad, especially with their pesto grilled chicken. It's always tender, and matches great with their balsamic vinaigrette. You get your choice of any toppings on the sub table, and it really makes for a filling and healthy meal packed with protein. You can't go wrong here though, and the owners are some of the nicest people in Greensboro. I always have, and always will be, a Sub Spot customer!

    Getting a sandwich here when Giacomo's is a few hundred feet away seems blasphemous, but hey, at…read moreleast they have indoor seating. All jokes aside, Sub Spot is a good representation of a neighborhood sandwich shop, replete with a no-frills (though clean) interior and Boar's Head meats. They may not be fancy, but they are good at what they do. I walked in craving a cheesesteak but was nearly swayed by the brisket sandwich listed as a special. Had I not known what I wanted, I would have had plenty to choose from: hot and cold sandwiches, salads, wings, kebabs, and more. They will let you customize toppings a la Subway (I added peppers, onions, and chipotle sauce), and they completed my order for takeout very quickly. Much like Jersey Mike's, Sub Spot serves up a far better cheesesteak than you'd expect at first glance. The bread was soft, the cheese melty, the meat and veggies savory and satisfying (and none too greasy). If you're accustomed to a sandwich stuffed to the gills with meat, you might be disappointed, but I didn't find the quantity to be too paltry. Given what's nearby, Sub Spot probably wouldn't be my first choice for lunch in the area, but it is convenient, reasonably priced, and tasty, a solid option all around.

    Photos
    The Sub Spot - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    The Sub Spot - Meatball sub on white with fresh fries

    Meatball sub on white with fresh fries

    The Sub Spot - Exterior of building

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    Exterior of building

    Fishers Grille - Chicken Salad Sandwich

    Fishers Grille

    3.9(127 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $

    Stopped in for a to-go order tonight while driving through town and ended up having a really…read moremeaningful interaction with someone I met nearby. We got to talking, and I decided to order some food for him as well. While we were waiting for the order, Rebecca was incredibly kind and thoughtful throughout the whole interaction. Small gestures and genuine kindness like that really stand out these days and it honestly made my entire night. The food was great but the hospitality and humanity I experienced here is what I'll remember most. I will definitely make this place a frequent stop from now on. Thank you again, Rebecca.

    The vibe here is everything!! I felt like I was in a neighborhood pub in the northeast of the US!…read moreFootball games on all the TVs, a bustling bar, people chatting with each other and friendly, drinks flowing. I'll be back for this ambiance, very soon -- sold! The mimosas were delicious and $3 on Sundays! I ordered a Patty Melt with chips AND sweet potato fries. The patty melt was delicious. Would order again. The sweet potato fries were superior to the homemade chips that were a tad undercooked (some not all). Both of these sides are a $1 upcharge, fyi. The burger in the patty melt seemed to be hand patted and not just a frozen burger thrown on a grille. You must order at the counter. Pick up drinks at the counter. There are about 3 booths, a few high top tables and bar stools. Parking in the front and back.

    Photos
    Fishers Grille
    Fishers Grille - Mushroom burger

    Mushroom burger

    Fishers Grille - Fried Chips, Pernicious Wicked, Tequila Sunrise

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    Fried Chips, Pernicious Wicked, Tequila Sunrise

    Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches & Bakery - #1 Saigon Classic w/ extra pate!

    Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches & Bakery

    4.4(330 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $

    We came to Ban Mi Saigon earlier today around 12:00 and unfortunately they were out of their…read moredelicious baguettes and told us it would be an hour or so wait for a Banh Mi. We grabbed a few of items from the trays in front to tide us over sat down to eat those and made a plan to run to Super G Mart then come back. We always get the shrimp summer rolls and they were amazing as always. I just love them! We tried some mochi dumplings which had a paste type filling. I liked the flavor but the filling texture wasn't my favorite. We also got a gelatinous rice stuffed with pork and wood ear mushrooms wrapped in a banana leaf. The filling was nice but the texture was again something that wasn't my favorite so my husband got to eat it all by himself. We got a Che(dessert in Vietnamese) from the reach in refrigerator that was delicious. Later, we came back for Banh Mi. We ordered the #4 with Pork and the #5 New Orleans which was chunks of more savory roasted pork. The two Banh Mi were similar but when I tasted the meat it had distinct flavor differences. I loved both of them and would not hesitate to order either in the future. Earlier in the day, the line was quite long and the tables were full of happy customers. Later when we returned, it was less crowded but still a steady stream of people coming and going. Kudos for how hard these guys work because they never get a break.

    Pretty consistent place…read more Fresh ingredients, made to order, and a very pleasant staff! They offer kiosk ordering now, so this is an update from my last visit. You are able to still walk up and order at the register as well. There are still tables available for dining in. Most customers appeared to be picking up orders, while a few others did dine-in. Ordered the bbq beef sandwich and an order of spring rolls with their peanut sauce. In addition to the fresh ingredients, the bread is still quite tasty. I do enjoy the bbq flavor of the beef, just enough jalapeño slices to give a bit of spice. The veggies are a good balance of crunch with the bite. You can always order the bread to take home if you're a fan as I am. I decided to grab the Thai tea as well. Overall a nice lunch, and happy the service is as I recall.

    Photos
    Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches & Bakery
    Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches & Bakery - Number 1 with extra veggies, outstanding bread

    Number 1 with extra veggies, outstanding bread

    Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches & Bakery - View from parking lot

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    View from parking lot

    Jakes Diner - Downtown - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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