Great diner good food good atmosphere we didn't even have a long wait for a table of four on a Sunday morning. Prices were reasonable though I thought it a little cheesy to charge $2.50 for "real maple syrup " but I am glad I did it. The service was pretty good too read more

Small neighborhood Diner and decor from the 1970s- definitely 2026 prices - on 3rd Ave around the corner from Stuyvesant Square. Great burger- medium is medium and medium well was medium well. Fries and Onion Rings were extra crispy, as requested. They forget to put bacon on my burger, but adjusted the charge when we got the bill. read more

What a fun little spot in Gramercy. It's on the corner of 16th St. and Third Avenue. It seems to be from the 70s. Staff is friendly. The place is a little crusty!! Tho the food was great. My husband loved his cheeseburger deluxe and I had an egg salad sandwich and a cup of matzoh ball soup. I'll come back. It was good and the prices aren't bad! Very local. Zero tourists. read more

Joe Jr. - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Given the charming old school vibe of this little diner, one might expect the food to be similarly nostalgic. That little something that made diners places for comfort and New York traditional food is missing. It seems impossible that a place could survive in NYC for as long as this place has serving the same mediocre fare they deliver today. Everything was bland and tasteless. I'm guessing everything comes from a Sysco type supplier. The chicken soup had a rich yellow color but still had no flavor. Grilled cheese with Swiss also no flavor. Kraft-ish Swiss cheese, supermarket bread and no flavor. After trying a dozen diners in NYC recently (all with above 4 star ratings), I've concluded that 5 stars no longer says anything about the food. I think mediocrity has become the standard and it's being awarded 4 or 5 stars - just for not being bad enough for 3 stars. read more

TLDR: my disabled mother and I were denied welcoming service from Joe Jr. during my NYU graduation weekend because, as Joe Jr.'s neighbor put it, "[they] just didnt want to serve [us]." My disabled mother, who is afraid of flying and cannot walk or breathe well; who uses a mobility device and is in constant pain, flew all the way across the country to come see me graduate from NYU with my Master's degree. The night before the graduation, the school held a private reception for my program where my film was screened. At the end of this magical night, we needed to grab a bite before turning in. Cozys, by the campus, was already closed. Joe Jr was suggested to us, as it didn't close until 11. So we waited in the cold for a taxi, which my mother had significant difficulty getting into once it finally arrived. She had similar trouble getting out of the vehicle and walking to Joe Jr. once we got to the diner. This little spot definitely wasn't much to look at from the outside; dark, greasy spoon corner joint, but ok. We stood outside reading the menu through the window. No customers were inside. As we were looking at the menu, the guy who owns the business right next door was standing in his doorway and said to us, "Best burgers in New York." So we went on in. Three men were working in the restaurant. As we entered, one of them immediately ran to the back. Another one angrily scowled at us from the kitchen. The other one, older guy with glasses, did not look at us or greet us as we entered, but angrily threw two menus down on our table and said, "we close in half an hour, hurry." Odd: it was only 10p - they were not supposed to be closing for another hour, which was one of the reasons why we came here. We quickly browsed the menu while the two workers skulked and coldly watched us from across the room, mumbling to each other. They looked at us as such hatred and disgust. It was chilling. The menus felt dirty and sticky, as did the table. That, combined with the unfriendly and downright threatening energy from the men had me seriously realizing it was a mistake to go there, as it was starting to feel uncomfortably unsafe. Maybe 1 minute later, the guy, angry and seemingly agitated, comes back to our table. He says again, "we close in half an hour." At that point I told him very politely that we're just going to leave. He turned his back on us and walked away. I added, "it says that you close at 11." With his back turned, he sharply replied, "NO!" Nothing more. We left without saying another word. So, now we're back outside in the cold waiting for yet another taxi. The neighbor next door is closing his shop, and he says, "burger didn't work out for you?," to which we replied, "they said they're closing." He said, "Closing? Aw, no. He's not closing. I'm so sorry. HE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO SERVE YOU." Based on our experience, I had every reason to believe that he was correct. I knew it before the neighbor confirmed it. But, nothing broke my heart more than to see my poor, exhausted, very brave, but vulnerable mother who cannot walk, all dressed up, who was so proud of herself for flying across the country to see me graduate, struggle with all her might to try to climb back up into a cab with her mobility device with dignity, after being treated so unkindly and having been denied decent, welcoming service and food at this dip squat shatty little dirty diner in New York. It infuriates me to the point that it is bringing tears to my eyes just to think about it now. Denial on what grounds? You tell me. The neighbor sure seemed to know. When I looked back at the restaurant, the worker who had run to the back when we first walked in was watching my mother struggle to get in the cab from the window. He ducked back when he saw me watching him. I called Joe Jr. at around 10:55 that night just to see if they were still open, and sure enough, they were. That may very well have been my mother's last trip to New York. I wanted to cry - I apologized to her profusely even though I was not at fault; I was so sorry that this happened to us on what was supposed to be my very special weekend. Our treatmemt, particularly because of my mother's physical limitations, enrages me beyond words that I am even able to articulate. She handled it very well; just quietly. She just didnt say anything, which somehow hurts worse. The experience was so hurtful that we have never spoken of it again after that night, and I needed time to pass before I was even able to write this review. That night at Joe Jr. was one very dark blot on an otherwise beautiful and inspiring celebratory graduation weekend full of light and love and hope that I will never forget. Sadly, I will remember Joe Jr. for all of the worst reasons. read more

Old school classic diner that has stayed in biz bc they do things well. We tried the meatloaf with fries n matzo ball soup n Greek omlette with rye toast n coffee. All good!! read more

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Classic old school spot! Three of us came at 5 PM on a Thursday for a quick bite. I got the cheeseburger deluxe. Burger could have had more flavor, but the fries were absolutely perfect. read more

Joe Jr. - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

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Fast, delicious, classic diner. Although the diner is small, the tables turn quickly. The counter is lively and aromatic, building up the excitement for your first bite. A pancake stack is a mandatory component of any meal. read more

Amazing people, great location, bomb food. Triple threat. Great for the students in the area.

I've been coming here for years, they are renowned for their absolutely delicious hamburgers. Their burgers remind me of my mother in laws whose were divine. I've had burgers all over the city and Joe's for sure ranks up there in the borough. Joe's has a diner counter if the place is packed, there is also outdoor seating on a nice day out. They have a typical diner menu if you didn't come for the burgers, the staff is very friendly and willing to accommodate anyone who might be picky. The bathroom is clean and the prices are reasonable for Manhattan, oh and try the onion soup!! read more

Joe Jr. - Hamburger - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Classic neighborhood diner that's great for breakfasts sandwiches and burgers. Quick service and very affordable prices. Great coffee. read more

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Old school classic. Got a cheeseburger with a friend at the counter and had a bit of a throwback to yesteryear. It used to be that they only took cash but lately I think they take credit cards too. Featured in George Motz's Hamburger America so I had to stop by. read more

Great food. Great workers. Real old time burger Every time I get a delivery or go there to eat, it's great. Old time place.

My friend and I stopped by here on a Wednesday night. We didn't order all that much (soup, coffee, egg cream), but everything was good and the waiters didn't mind us loitering. Classic diner vibes! I would definitely come back. read more

Perfect diner experience. Amazing staff. Scrambled eggs with cheese plus a waffle was a perfect meal (though I could not finish the giant waffle). Coffee was even better than most diners. Fun vibes. Will be adding this to the list of staples! read more

Hangover cured Very quick service, classic diner vibes, food is great and reasonably priced. Will be back :) read more

Joe Jr. - Pancakes, Home Fried Potatoes, bacon...hangover cured - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

I had such a lovely experience at Joe Jr. this past week! The service was super kind and speedy, the food was delicious overall (especially for a diner!), good value and portion sizes--it's all a win-win! We sat outside and the ambience was lovely at night. The light was soft and calm and the breeze was so nice. Great spot for people-watching! I ordered the BLT with fries which had tons of crispy bacon strips! The fries were a tad under-salted, but they provide salt/pepper/ketchup/hot sauce and other sauces on each table, so we salted them to our liking. The matzoh ball soup was pretty decent, nothing out of the ordinary there. The waffle was fluffy and absorbed the syrup like a dream! The grilled cheese was solid (but I wish the cheese were meltier haha! I'm just nitpicking now). Everything came out hot and ready to enjoy :). If you're in the area and crave solid diner food and vibes, I'd definitely recommend checking out this spot! read more

Old school NYC diner that are sadly disappearing and becoming harder to find. It has a ruff and gruff charm to it. A bit grizzled and worn. Authentic. Cozy. A place where the locals gather. Solid food at decent prices. Friendly and quick service. Not much more to say. Dropped in for a quick lunch and was satisfied. French fries prepared crispy as ordered. Tasty sandwich. Pickle and cup of cole slaw are classic sides included with the meal. If you're the type who needs a place to be more fancy and shiny this won't be your thing. If you just want a decent meal in an old school no frills diner you'll settle right in here. read more

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A really classic small diner serving typical breakfast menu during the morning. I got the pastrami omelette and it is delicious along with the home fries that go with it. Also love the vibe of such a neighbourhood diner with no fancy touches - just serving good food with friendly service! read more

Joe Jr. - Pastrami Omelette - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

{Overall: 3.5; Food: 3.25} Atmosphere: 3; Service: 3 Solid, old-school diner in Murray Hill with every diner staple you could want. The food here is what you'd expect from a diner experience. Over the weekend, the restaurant is always bustling - if there's a line, don't worry it moves quickly and they churn out the food ASAP after you order. We had the cheeseburger, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, a strawberry milkshake, OJ and black coffee. read more

Joe Jr. - Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy; and burger and fries. - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

We stopped by here mid-afternoon. This was on my bucket list as a lifetime fan of the hamburger. I flagged down the fella at the counter from the front door. The staff was apparently on a meal break. I ordered mine deluxe as we sat at an enclosed table on the sidewalk. I enjoyed it. The burger was cooked medium, as requested. I admit some of the photos on Yelp appear to be of thicker burger patties, though. Fries and burger were not overly greasy. The thimble sized cole slaw that came with it was an afterthought. I really liked my lemonade. Not too sweet. I will be sure to return some day. read more

Joe Jr. - Burger Deluxe - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

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Had the most amazing waffle here. I loved the diner atmosphere!! and the staff was very nice!

A classic no frills diner, they had seating for my group of 5 immediately for 11 AM on a Saturday and was a really good price! I got the Spanish egg white omelette (which I still don't know what exactly was in it other than mushrooms and onions). It came with toast and home fries and although was a little on the oily side, was good and cheap! Quick service and hits the diner food itch. read more

We were craving some classic diner food so we came into JJs for an early lunch on a Sunday. We got seated right away and ordered two cups of matzoh ball soup, the deluxe cheeseburger, and the tuna club. Everything hit the spot and it was exactly what we were in the mood for. They have a generous amount of sauces to choose from and I particularly enjoyed the pickles and coleslaw on the side; classic diner staples. All in all, this is a good no-frills spot with quick and friendly service. Tip: Make sure to bring cash as they add an additional charge for credit card usage. read more

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Around these parts, Joe Jr. is an institution. It's not pretentious or high brow, which is exactly what makes it so appealing. You'll find New Yorkers of all stripes at this classic diner enjoying anything from omelettes to pancakes to their famous cheeseburger, slightly smashed and charred on the outside, with a piece of American cheese melted on the bun. People really wax poetic about what many call the platonic ideal of a simple, no frills cheeseburger. As a pescatarian I can't vouch for the burger personally (though my dining companion enjoyed it plenty) but the fries they came with were supremely crunchy and cut thick. Diner fries are my fave for this reason. I took a seat beneath a tent they have set up for outdoor dining, which shielded me from the light rain that started just as I got to the restaurant. They took my order and delivered the food to my table very promptly, which is one of the best things about eating at a diner. The tuna melt I got fulfilled the craving I've long had for this New York diner staple, which seems easy enough to make at home until you see the incredibly long list of ingredients required to make the tuna salad part. I leave this to the pros, and bread toasted on a professional piping hot commercial grill tastes way better than bread toasted in my piddly little pan at home anyway. I wouldn't say Joe Jr's is a restaurant to go out of your way to eat at, but when you're in the neighborhood and have a hankering for some classic diner grub, you won't leave upset for having spent your hard earned dollars here. read more

Joe Jr. - Tuna Melt Sandwich - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

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Small old-school luncheonette serving out your standard diner food. Moderately packed on an early Saturday afternoon, though with a few stools available towards the back. Incredibly large menu to look over - ranging from regular breakfast food to elaborate entrees. Decided on the Deluxe Patty Melt ($15) and a Lemonade ($3ish). Food did take some time to arrive, but the drink somehow took longer. As expected, the sandwich is dense and massive, absolutely dripping with grease on all sides. Bread is buttered and toasted with plenty of cheese inside. other sides include tomatoes and lettuce which isn't feasible to get inside the sandwich, coleslaw which does not look great, and a good bite of pickle. Eventually the grease became a bit too much and needed lots of water to cut through. Fries are cooked just right without being too salty. Service here is up and down; food came out fast but it took a while to get anything after that. Also, for any vegetarians - the bacon and fries are cooked in the same vat. read more

Joe Jr. - Patty melt deluxe - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

One of my favorite diners in Manhattan. Packed, old school, and consistent quality. Order a patty melt deluxe -- juicy patty, crispy fries on the side -- and thank me later. read more

So I came upon this diner / restaurant after a hilarious video on YouTube by Eater hosted by Nick Solares (who is an absolute character, highly recommend). The restaurant, however, was just ok. If I were to rate the food only, I'd give it a 3 star, but the service was great when we went and the price point is very fair so I bumped it up. The interior of the restaurant gives off old diner vibes and the restaurant has a newer outdoor seating area (where we sat) which was nicer for our group of 5. Our server was excellent and very enthusiastic. He wasn't incredibly helpful in navigating the menu, but I enjoyed his chipper attitude and enthusiasm! I ultimately ordered the burger (of course -- watch the YT video!) and had incredibly high expectations. The host of that video used phrases such as "the platonic ideal" and "best burger in NYC" to describe this burger. However, the burger fell a bit flat for me. It was just a normal burger and it could've used a bit more salt if I'm being honest. The quality of the beef was good as far as I could tell and they did cook it to a nice medium, but the flavors were just ok. Overall, glad I tried this place but it's a far cry from the best burger in NYC. Nice spot to just stop by if you're in the Union Square area. read more

Joe Jr. - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Used to come here when i was in the police academy 10 years ago and glad to see it's still a no nonsense old fashioned NYC diner! I would get a breakfast platter with pancakes bacon and eggs and it always hit the spot. Service was always speedy and prompt which was great because we were on timed lunches. read more

This is supposedly the best burger in NYC. We ordered medium rare and got them almost well done. The place is a small old diner where cold air blows in each time someone opens tje door. No wine or loquor. Only soda and beer. Large portions, good burger. read more

A small classic diner in all the right ways. Good humble diner food served up by great folks at a fair price. I ordered a pastrami omelette which was perfectly cooked and full of pastrami, but I think I'd opt to add cheese to it next time. Top it off with a good cup of joe and some crispy hashbrowns and you've got the perfect start to your day. read more

Joe Jr. - Pastrami omelette - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Mom and pop places are hard to come by in NYC but Joe Jr. definitely delivers in that dept with its classic diner feel. I came here on a Friday around 1 and it was fairly packed! It was towards the end of the lunch rush though so I was able to be seated right away. Food-wise, you have your classic array of breakfast and lunch options to choose from. I ended up going with a Deluxe Beefburger which comes with fries! The burger comes deconstructed with lettuce, tomato, cole slaw, and a pickle. It's a hearty burger but a little dry for my taste. I feel like if there was some kind of sauce, it would seal the deal for me. The highlight of my meal had to be the fries though! They were so crispy yet had a good amount of potato inside. For $12, I think this was a solid deal! I loved the diner atmosphere that this place has and I would definitely come back to try some of their breakfast items (and get the fries again!) read more

Joe Jr. - deluxe beef burger - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Joe Jr's has three seriously amazing things: 1) A patty melt that will ruin other patty melts for you. You ever date someone and then you break up and you're like "damn. Now I know what KCI and JoJo were singing about"? That's what this patty melt is like. If you try it, you won't want other patty melts. So unless you're ready to commit to Joe Jr's patty melts for the rest of your life... 2) Great atmosphere. No, there aren't neon signs humming next to you while bougie boozy brunch woo-people yell around you. That's not the atmosphere here. This is a NYC diner. It's good, it's homey, it's comfy. It feels like you belong and you're not going to get a headache from watered down mimosas made with cheap brut. This is the quintessential diner experience in NYC. A neighborhood staple and, if the universe wills it, a restaurant that will outlive the trendy, five-minute fad fast casual spots. 3) A sign that makes me smile and laugh everytime I pass it by. I don't have a picture of it, unfortunately. But just... look at the sign above the shop. The tongue smiley. It's amazing and I love it. read more

Joe Jr. - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Best burger in Manhattan! Yep, you heard it here first! They hand form their burgers which is an A++ in my book. They offer a simple burger with cheese or you can splurge on the DELUXE and get some lettuce, cheese, onion and fries!! We usually order one reg burger and share a deluxe since I like the onion and the hubs likes the tomato and we both like the fries! We've had some great breakfasts here too. They make me a special BEC on a bagel with a side of crazy good breakfast potatoes. Everything we've eaten has been really good. The staff...wow! Super friendly Zane accommodating. Same guys have been there since I've been eating here so that's kinda cool too! This place is solid! Serving up quality eats with a friendly smile! read more

Joe Jr. Restaurant caught my eye because it is a rarity in New York City nowadays. Situated on a corner in the East Side of Manhattan, this diner immediately looks like it was time warped from another era into 2019. With beige brick and a (partially) lit up sign that is covered in Old Skool lettering and art, this is the kind of place New York City used to have in all neighborhoods. In its own way, it is a bulwark against full gentrification and modernization of the area, and that gives it instant appeal. Look through the giant windows and you will see two formica counters (one only seats two people) with stools. There are tables too, but if you are dining alone, sitting at the counter is a must for the true diner feel. At each seat there were knives and forks with napkins at the ready. Even better? Items like ketchup, pepper, salt and napkins were at the ready right on the counter. The design of this place is no frills, but do not mistake that for "dirty" or "gross". The place is well kept and everything seemed clean, but it also felt like the walls have seen generations go by and could tell some quintessential New York tales if they could talk. One hallmark of a good restaurant is a regular clientele that knows the staff, and Joe Jr. qualifies. In the half hour I spent there, I saw about half a dozen people filter in and out who all knew the owner by name and conversed with him like they were long time acquaintances. This definitely inspired confidence. I ordered an egg white omelette with mushroom, spinach and swiss with a side of turkey sausage and a sugar free iced tea. The omelette looked terrible (not evenly folded etc.) but that didn't matter. It *tasted* fantastic. Everything was cooked perfectly including the vegetables and the cheese was melted just right. The sausage was also cooked perfectly, with some crispy burnt edges and juicy middle. I would happily go back to Joe Jr. anytime. This diner is a great example of a greasy spoon right out of another era. read more

Can be the best pork chops ever. ...or the worst apparently it depends on the cook.The server is very kind and attentive . First time i came delicious juicy pork chops. Honestly the best diner pork chop Ive had. Old school vibe .This last time however they were overcooked like rubber and inedible.The mashed potatoes were completely underseasoned too.,to the ppint where you couldnt taste any salt ,or flavor at all. Very bland. This experience was night and day from my last really great meal. I really like to try them again and maybe tell them to not cook them hard and fast like this guy did but to cook them low and slow how the otger cook did,maintaining temperature and being mindful of texture. I hope to be able to go again and have a better experience. Theyre a place Id like to patronize and continue to support versus the crappy commercial joints with all the gimmicks and neon down the street. read more

Prototypical little greasy spoon diner. The kind of place quickly disappearing from NYC . The usual breakfast and burgers just as you would expect. Stop by! read more

Came here for a Saturday brunch with the family. A couple of tables were available for outdoor seating. Service is always awesome. Our waiter had gloves and masks on and also asked us to sanitized our hands. Food always hits the spot - didn't have to wait for a long time for it either. So happy this place is open again!! read more

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No nonsense old school diner! Get your greasy spoon fix! Sit by the counter and get it served just the way it's always been done. The place isn't a looker but it's the food that matters. read more

Awesome classic diner. Great food, fast service, and the staff is always super warm and friendly.