John's Cafe is the very definition of a diner. Linoleum flooring, booths, stacks of jam on the tables. I have a bit of a tradition when I'm in Dallas, whether it's TX/OU weekend, a friend's wedding, or just a big party that I don't want to miss: a buddy of mine and I get up first thing Saturday morning and head out for a diner breakfast. Eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast, and endless cups of black coffee. It's the perfect way to line your stomach for a big day of football or St. Patty's revelry. I have several coffee mugs I've bought along the way at various diners, and I'd love to get my hands on one from John's with all the local advertisers displayed, but alas, they won't sell you one. I guess it makes sense; I'm sure the advertisers paid a fair bit to get a spot on the mug, and what good would it do if they just sold them off to the winds. But I promise, I'll make sure everyone who has coffee in my home patronizes the advertised businesses if you'll just sell me one. Anyway, John's Cafe is a fairly small place, so you may have to wait a bit on busy mornings. Or maybe next time you won't be so lazy sleeping in and you'll get there earlier. Regardless, with the line cooks grilling up goodness in the back of a small joint, you may emerge with your shirt redolent of hash browns. And you can't put a price on that. Unless you could bottle it and sell it as cologne. I'd call it Hash (tm). read more

Sometimes when you are hungover you don't want to go all fancy for brunch. You want something greasy and quick to ease your pain and help you slip into a restorative coma when you get home. Feeling inspired by this type of hangover, I chose John's Cafe for our breakfast outing on Monday morning. The place is small and non-descript which is to be expected when you are located in a strip of storefronts next to the CVS. The place was pretty busy and I found all the chatter and people to be distracting when I was trying to figure out how this ordering process went (now THAT'S hungover!!). You basically walk straight ahead to the counter and order up there. I have to admit, I do not like this setup. You are standing in the middle of the other tables staring at the menu...while people behind you try and get around you if you aren't ready to order and while the lady behind the counter stares at you like she wants you to hurry the fuck up already. Sooooo I felt uncomfortable and didn't peruse all of my options. I just got the breakfast special and a coffee. And at $5.65 for the food it was a pretty good deal. Or was it $5.95? Either way, economical!! Once you order and pay you can go and find a seat. We got the first booth right beside the front door. This wasn't the most primo location since it is serve yourself coffee that is located all the way across the room in front of the line of people trying to order. Sliiiightly inconvenient. So we waited and eventually they will call out your number and you just raise your hand so he sees you and he will bring your order out. It was John himself serving the food and although I thought from across the room he looked a little intimidating and surly, he actually was super nice and friendly when he brought the food out!! So food - bacon was perfectly crispy. The BF almost pouted when he dropped a piece of it ("Aw man, it was the crispy part too! Waaah!"). The eggs were perfectly over easy and tasted gooood once you salt and peppered them up. Hashbrowns were blah - a little too thick, a little undercooked for my taste. The biscuits were YUMMERS and they gave you TWO of them. I loved these biscuits - I couldn't finish both at breakfast but the BF and I both wrapped our extra one up and brought it home to eat later. Overall very solid diner food! I want to come back and try a gyro since he's Greek and all he probably knows how to make it delicious! As for the setup, I don't like the get it yourself coffee and silverware. I also don't like how there are no servers so there are no drink refills or anything like that (well, maybe there are but I was too hungover to fight my way up to the counter to find out). However, I understand that it saves $$ to not have waitresses so I can dig it and I'm definitely not hating. I will just remember next time to order coffee AND a water AND a diet coke just so I'm sure I have enough to drink!! read more

Don't go here. It's crowded enough already. We've been going to John's since the early 80s, from the first location on Greenville to the Garland location and now back to this location where Nick's used to be. Yes, it's sentimental, but John's food is consistent and I typically run into someone I know. The customers are consistent too. His greek omelet is excellent, but I usually stick to the breakfast special. Love the hash browns. They're not grated potatoes, but small chunks and my friend loves the pancakes. read more

John's Cafe - Still crazy after all these years. - Diners Near Me - Dallas, Texas

John's Cafe is where Spicy discovered that she likes John's bacon better than the Original Pancake House.....& Spicy discovered that John's Crispy Edge Hash Browns were the best she'd Ever eaten! This is the perfect combo w/ my short stack of pancakes ! mmmm =) Hubby likes the Breakfast Special...2 eggs (over easy), hash browns, 2 slices of crispy bacon & 2 pancakes....WhoWha! ! ! It's a Breakfast Belly Buster for sure & sooo good ! Nostimo! I want to sway, & get the Philly Cheese Steak Sammy, the Roast Beef Sammy, or the yummy looking Gyro's ....I just can't. I always have Breakfast On My Mind ! John's Cafe is a Simple Clean Little Greek Family Diner, with Friendly Fast Service.....that serves up some Great food @ Great prices! ~ I like to take home a piece of John's Homemade Baklava for my "after dinner" sweet tooth in the evening.....it never disappoints! =) Thank you Greek Folks for creating one of the yummiest deserts Ever! Ahhh happy endings! read more

Okay...I'm not saying it was as good as Nick's, but it was good. I'm not a big fan of the fast food order line, but it worked. Usually when I'm in the mood for a greasy egg or patty melt, I want to sit down and drink my iced tea and relax. I had the french toast with a side of bacon. My breakfast buddy got the special (2 eggs, hash browns, toast, bacon) and a short stack of buttermilk pancakes. The hash browns were deemed the best they'd had in a long time. I would have tried them, but two margaritas, two shots of Chambord and one Hefeweizen said NO to that. The pancakes were huge and fluffy. My french toast was very good, golden and eggy. The bacon was meaty and right between crisp and just done... favorite kind. Not as good as the Cheatwood Bacon at Cretia's but what do you expect from a cafe? All in all it was good, and I will go back. Which is saying a lot since I'm still reeling from the sting of Nick's closing. read more

I hate to pigeon hole John's as a breakfast place... The gyro omelet is one of my favorite food items in the world. John's has opened this location at Greenville and Ross to make up for the closing of the original location. Somebody felt the need to build another dumb bank. They have been open five weeks and I went on Saturday for the first time. The location is significantly larger and it takes a little while to get your food, but who has theater tickets on a Saturday morning? I loved the food and it would have been unbeatable if John had not decided to give Gordon Keith his food before I got mine. Gordo was starring in his own movie apparently and must have big-timed John. Hooray for the new John's. Boo Gordo!!! read more

It was an OK experience. The order first, wait for your food, THEN get a table situation was really odd and rather annoying. Especially when it's busy, and you have no idea whether you will even HAVE a place to sit when your food comes out. If you don't, you're left holding your food and waiting. If you are seated inside, it is very squashed as the line of people queue up between tables, so be prepared to have butts in your face while you're trying to eat. I managed to snag one of the two tables outside, so we were fine. It's also annoying with the above scenario when busy and you see what I assume are regulars sitting there for over an hour, taking up a table, drinking coffee and not anything else. As for the food, it was OK. The biscuits are the best I've had in Dallas, but...that's not saying much. The gravy was awful. Pancakes were good, but average, as were the hashbrowns. Overall the food was "Meh". There are better spots in Dallas in the same price range as far as food goes. Add the ordering and seating situation on top of it, and I just won't ever come back. read more

totally uninspired cafe from the '60's Food a parody of what was the only thing around at the time If factory eggs and coffee from the lowest bidder float your boat it's authentic, limited only by John's vision, which was on survival. Denny's without the budget and without Denny. Unchanged in 40 years read more

Why....hello greasy spoon cafe that is in walking distance to my new home...I think we're gonna be fast friends! Lance and I hit up this place one bright and shining morning for some good home cookin' breakfast....and what we got was just that, along with a list of "I'm getting that next time's"......We were greeted with a friendly face...and once he knew we were first timers, he directed us to the good stuff on the menu, then offered us a cup of joe while we decided. *slow clap*...they had me at hello. It didnt take me long to choose what I was getting...it was the 5th thing on the menu and I had no reason to look any further....I had to get it. The Gyro Omelet. You heard right.....a Gyro....wrapped in fluffy eggy cheesy goodness. Who had heard of such a thing, right? These brilliant minds, that's who.....I had my choice of hashbrowns or grits (I went with the spuds of course)...biscuits or toast. I went with wheat toast. THe omelet....was heavenly. The lamb was tender and juicy, and there was no shortage of peppers and tomatoes in there...I was blown away. The hashbrowns you ask? Perfection. Hand-shredded potatoes, crispy on the outside and warm mushy goodness on the inside...add some ketchup and you pretty much have rainbows and unicorns on a plate. Never got to the wheat toast...I was too busy stealing bites of Lance's UNBELIEVABLY INDESCRIBABLY DELICIOUS biscuit. It reminded me of an oversize tea biscuit...the kind that melts in your mouth the second it hits your tongue. Lance knows now that all I want for Christmas is a stocking full of those biscuits. o.m.g. Lance got the breakfast special...all the norms: eggs, bacon, THOSE BISCUITS, gravy & hashbrowns....he was pleased and stuffed to the gills. Their coffee was really good, too. Price? college student worthy....for sure For our next visit? We were told to try the roast beef sandwich, and I plan on following through......then comes the Gyro, fried catfish, Their Ribeye (YES THEY HAVE A RIBEYE), burgers, philly cheesesteak sammich......I may just need to live there. read more

Blink and you will pass this place, as I have for the past 6 years. The BF and I stopped here Sunday morning ( by the recommendation of fellow yelpers- thanks guys!) and we were happy with our findings. This place puts a whole new meaning to the phrase "no frills." The menu is small, the place is small and sparsely decorated. You order at the cash register, make your own coffee, get your own water, sit down and wait. 5 minutes later our breakfast came out perfectly cooked. Toast, hash browns, 2 eggs and bacon for under $6? Done and done. The bacon here is friggin delicious. Cooked well done to perfection, I enjoyed every crispy bite. And they gave me like 4 pieces! Way to not be stingy John! Dying to come back to try their burgers and omelets. This place is a stone throw away from my new digs...see me here often. read more

The old lady and I have been reg customers here since we started dating over a year ago. We've tried several other diner type places and none match the quality and the consistency of John's. Our usual breakfast is the veggie omelet with pancakes. Omelets are rolled with a ton of fresh veggies inside. If that sounds boring, throw on some Louisiana hot sauce and stop yr whining. Pancakes are thick and rich. They need very little syrup. Hashbrowns are not from a box. Biscuits are fresh and a million times better than those gimmicky beer biscuits at Barbecs. Look: there are a ton of average to way below average diners in this town. Barbecs, Goldrush, Char Bar, and Mama's Daughters to name a few, are not even in the same league. This is not an opinion. This is a fact. Those places are a joke. If you don't believe me, just frequent this fine establishment over a two or three week period. They know what they're doing. read more

Simple and easy. Well priced for Lower Greenville Area. Try to get in before 10:30/11:00am on the weekends.

Honestly, what's not to love?? For the life of me I can't comprehend how my husband and I hadn't been here until about 6/7 months ago! We've lived less than a mile away now for over 5 years! Well we are life long fans now! John is always there working the register greeting by their name. He's friendly, happy and a hard worker! The food: well not only does John make every person that walks in feel comfortable but the food is top notch home cooking! Just all around good food like grandma used to make! We've never eaten anything bad, everything made to order, hot, fresh and yummy! Can't say enough good things about the place! RUN to Johns if you've never been, you won't be disappointed! Such a special gem of a place in our hood!! read more

It was ok, but not A-OK...breakfast is breakfast is breakfast. Eggs ordered over easy delivered over hard. Hash browns were hash beiges with no crispy bits and heavy on the grease. The pancakes, however, were a hit with the kids. My biggest complaint is that a morning meal for three exceeded $30. Too much. read more

I've been here only twice, but love it. I've also tried the exact same selection each time: the Greek omelet. I'm willing to recommend John's on that alone. Beyond that, though, the service is pretty fast, even in huge rushes. No waiters or hosts; you just walk in, order what you want at the corner at the restaurant's rear--the menu is on a marquee above and behind it--and grab the first table you can. If you have a large group--say, more than six--you're probably taking your chances, but it's great for groups of four or less. John or an employee will bellow out your order number and cruise the tables looking for your signal. If it's not a big rush, it will probably be in five minutes; if it's busy, you might wait ten. It'll be worth it, as the food is delicious and fresh. The coffee is outstanding. They will pour your first cup, but you have to grab your cream at the counter and get sweetener at your table. (They also have some at the counter.) If you want more, go back to the counter for a refresher. I left feeling full and satisfied, but not broke. With coffee and water only, an omelet, hash browns and toast came to just under $10. That's a steal. If you want a quiet place to study, John's isn't for you; it's too crowded and loud. But it's a great local diner. I'm going to try different items when I return, like the gyro omelet. They also have variations of traditional breakfasts. read more

Great breakfast spot. I ordered the Breakfast Special: eggs, bacon, hash browns and biscuits. All were wonderful. I'm a bit particular about my scrambled eggs ... I like them scrambled soft. Some places do it well and others do it poorly. John's Cafe did an exceptional job. There are so many others good things on the menu that I want to try out. I will definitely go back and take family or friends next time! read more

Just to preface my review, my experience wasn't the greatest so that's why I am giving them a two-star rating, however I went there in the first place because I had heard good things. My first mistake was getting there around 11:30 when they end their breakfast menu at 11. However, I had my sights set on breakfast so I ordered it anyway which they charge you about $3 extra to order breakfast after 11. My total came out to be about $12 with a coffee now I'm not saying that is super expensive, but I am saying if I'm going to spend $12 in the greenville area, I'm definitely going to one of the million other restaurants around there that are way better. The wait was absolutely horrible. It didn't seem that crowded when we got there, about one person in line in front of us and a few open tables in the restaurant. The only thing is we ended up waiting about 45 minutes to get our food and once we got it there was nothing great about it. I ordered scrambled eggs, sausage and biscuits (which don't come with gravy) and hash browns. The food was definitely not worth a $12 breakfast. That mixed with the abnormal wait time definitely doesn't warrant me making a second trip. read more

Great breakfast place good price , quick in and out moms type of breakfast place. Good location to walk around afterwards as well.

For the 1st time i was actually acknowledged as i walked in. I was skeptical about returning to the place, because previous times the service was terrible, beginning with the cashier (owners daughter) she was rude! So this experience was better, the food was great and the cashier was a bit better with her manners. (im sure someone had a talk with her) read more

I love the place...always busy, but I like the food and the service. I have been coming to this cafe since 1984. John is the 3rd owner love it!!!! read more

I've only been here on Saturdays and not at peak hours. I can understand the squashed feeling while waiting on your food but for the price and quality it can't be beat. Extremely rare for the neighborly feel to be present, my coffee was filled by a non employee and I've always had good conversations with regulars. I order the special but when I poach off others plates, I can tell you that no matter what you get the eggs are money, the bacon is thick and crispy, the biscuits are milky, and the coffee is dark and tastes like the nectar of the gods. I love coming here after morning work outs, makes me think I'm going to end up at the Cheers bar :) read more

Seems like this business has been around for a good number of years, and it comes out in the cooking--EXTREMELY satisfied with the pancakes (fluffy, slightly sweet) and the bacon (unique flavor, perfect crispiness). Hash browns were tasty, but I prefer a more shredded potato--these were almost home-fry-like, but still quite tasty. Hole in the wall, greasy spoon, oldstyle cooking. Very nostalgic--yum!! read more

For the price, I thought I would be getting more but it's the charm of a local busy spot that keeps this place going. It's comfort food in the morning in its most basic form. Order at the counter, find a table and wait to be served. I had their pancake combo with eggs and bacon. The presentation wasn't anything stellar but it's a cafe joint so don't expect fancy eggs and garnish, expect your food. But I still think there are better breakfast spots than this one even though they seem to have a collection of regulars that come in for their usual. I can't knock on the place because if it was more than I expected, I would be raving about this dive but in the end, I've had a better food experience. read more

Family-owned diner that serves the standards: breakfast and burgers. In a town where there are some really excellent burger places, stick to breakfast here. CFS counts as breakfast. Order at the counter and serve yourself coffee or get your beverage from the cashier. The food will be delivered to your table. Reasonable prices, short cook times, good food, and ample portions. It's in a strip mall just north of Ross, so parking is easy. read more

John's Cafe is one of my favorite places to go for breakfast in dallas. It's just a plain old diner, but the food is good. The food is also really cheap too, it was like $3.50 for a hamburger and i love a good hamburger and it's good at this place! it's a good place for breakfast and prices usually go around 6-8 bucks. everyone should go bc its just a relaxing diner with good food and good prices read more

As far as diners go in Dallas, this place is awesome. In terms of breakfast, it absolutely can't be beat. Why I have lived in Dallas for years and never been here before today is a mystery to me. I never even noticed this place, which I drive by on my way to and from work every day. My husband and I stopped in around 11:00 AM today and it was pretty busy, but not too bad. From the time we got in line to the time we got our food was about 30 minutes. I had the biscuits with gravy and the biscuits were DELICIOUS. Wow. Some of the best buttermilk biscuits I've had. My husband had the gyro and thought it was tasty but that the tziziki sauce had a bit of a different texture to him. The best part besides the great food was getting to sit with really friend local folks. You don't experience that much anywhere else, and its nice to see people sit down next to someone they don't know and just start a conversation and laugh together. We'll definitely be back for the friendly atmosphere and the great food! read more

This place is my new weekend breakfast place (sorry All Good). Whether you're with the lady friend or on a hungover bro-date this place never lets you down. Self service is fine because I'm a cheap grad student. Sometimes when its crowded loyal customers bring around the coffee for refills which says alot. One morning I needed a little extra grease so went with the dbl. Chs burger. Stellar diner burger, just what I wanted. Unfortunately they only do Brekfast/Lunch. Here's a hint John, open up late night and serve the bar crowd this would be an awesome drunk spot def. worth walking from the bars on Henderson or Greeneville. read more

Finally made my way back to John's after twenty years in exile. I didn't know they were still around. The crowd is a little bit hipster but still mostly feels like the old neighborhood. Food is great. John and crew are still there and somehow look exactly as I remember. Love it! read more

John's Cafe - Breakfast special. - Diners Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Awesome breakfast, super affordable. Classic diner cuisine the way it should be, meaning it's also limited to those staple items. Best biscuits in Dallas. You can also pay credit unlike a lot of cafe diners. Coffee & silverware you grab at the register. Put in orders and pay before sitting, then leave at your leisure. Seems to get more crowded after about 10 am, so I'd get there earlier on a Sun. Very satisfied with my Sunday brunch experience. Better than most diner dining I've had in Dallas so far. Definitely going back. read more

John's Cafe is a no nonsense, you-know-exactly-what-you're-gonna-get kinda place. It's located in a strip center, with a no frills kind of ambiance. You walk up to the counter and order your food and just pray that a table becomes available before your food arrives. You may have to sit at one big table with a lot of people you don't know and that's okay because that's the kind of place this is. Everything I've ordered (always breakfast) is tasty and inexpensive but nothing you'd write home about. Somehow, I always manage to clean my plate. This is in our regular rotation of simple breakfast joints that you can wear your jammies to if you're so inclined. read more

Quick stop for breakfast driving through Dallas. This breakfast joint food comes out quick and they are extremely busy. We got here right before 9am and the line was starting to form! The family owned business had lot of option for breakfast and he was really funny too! read more

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Had a tasty breakfast at 1 on Sunday. Homemade hash browns were delicious. Next time I'll have to get up early enough to try the gyro omelette! It's different in that you go up to the counter to order and they bring your food out to you. But everything we had was delicious. read more

mmm hmmm home cookin at it's best! Went here for lunch and it was not busy at all but had that diner feel to it. I ordered the Gyro with french fries. Lady behind the counter was less than fanatic but oh well. Food arrived not super fast but that's ok since I know they probably made it from fresh. It was extremely tasty with just the right amount of dressing. Considering the price it was very decent amount of meat. I keep hearing that the breakfast is phenomenal so I will have to come back sometime early. (That is if I can get out of bed!) read more

Walking into Johns Cafe reminds me of the diners my family went to as a kid. The atmosphere immediately places this decades in the past. The food and service fully support this atmosphere. read more

LOVED this place. It's kind of a hole in the wall and the seating is community style (i.e. long cafeteria style tables that you can share with complete strangers) BUT that's what made it fun. I had the greatest convo with this 70 year-old Vietnam Vet over some great biscuits and grits. Good food (check) Fast service (check) Great company (check) Great prices (check) If you're ever in the lower greenville area and want a good, cheap breakfast - make sure you stop here. p.s. they also have their own garden out back for some of the veggies - talk about fresh! read more

This has all the makings of one of my favorite types of breakfast restaurant. One off with lots of character. We used Yelp to locate this place prior to out visit to the Reunion Tower. Here you line up to place your order and then find a table to sit at. The system seems to work well. There were no tables available when we arrived, but by the time we placed our order a couple had opened up. I had the Gyro omelette with hash browns and biscuits. It was wonderful but it is not on the Weight Watcher's menu. Large portions and full calories. But, so worth the splurge. Nothing that a few extra minutes at the gym won't solve. My wife had the Migas. She said they were a bit greasy but otherwise good. If I am in the area I would certainly have this as a "go to" place for comfort food! Give it a try, I think you will like it. read more

Totally dinner food. It's more home cookin' than Denny's but not as greasy as the Waffle House. It's small and has a nice feel. The staff is very friendly. You order at the counter. When your order is ready they call your number, you get your food. There are obviously regulars around reading the paper. It's cute. No patio. read more

Not a lot of places in the area are open early for breakfast on the weekends - but John's is and we're so glad to know about it. The gyro omelette is pretty outstanding, veggies and cheese are included and it's super well balanced and not too rich. We got a short stack and split both dishes and it was more than enough food. Pancakes were almost crispy on the outside - really delicious. Don't forget cash to leave at the table for tips. read more

John's, what can I say -- great to be back on Lower Greenville. Although the original location was 10x better than the current location but the food is still right-on. I love John's for breakfast or lunch. Breakfast is always spot on no matter what you get eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns... Lunch, any of the weekday lunch specials are awesome; hot open face, chopped steak, CFS, you can't go wrong. If you don't want to go with the lunch special, you can throw down an awesome grilled chicken sandwhich or bugers are perfect as well. read more

"Number 17?! Number 17!?" A man with graying hair sitting at the corner table raised his hand proudly and claimed his much-awaited breakfast. I felt like I was at a jail cafeteria with fellow prisoners waiting for our numbers to be called, signaling each of our turn to get some grub. I was a little culture-shocked; not the usual IHOP or Denny's that's for sure. This is a no-frills, straightforward breakfast place: food is simple, tasty, quick, and inexpensive. It's busy and acoustics aren't that great, but breakfast is so darn reasonable here that you just learn to appreciate everything about John's Cafe. Admittedly, the food itself is nothing to rave about, but as I said, it's pretty good taking everything else (price) into account. Will definitely be back! read more