Great Jones Cafe

The Great Jones Cafe opened in June of 1983 when Great Jones Street was such a desolate, forgotten block that writer Don DeLillo chose the street as a "hide-out" for the rock star main character of his book "Great Jones Street". Back then, bar regulars could tumble out onto the quiet, empty block for impromptu games of whiffle ball. Cars were left unattended (and unticketed) for weeks on end. 28 years later, the Bowery is bustling. Our little cafe has seen a lot of change. People who met at the bar on their first date now come back to eat with their kids. Every night someone will come in who hasn't been by in years and someone else will come in for the first time. Great Jones Cafe remains the same. Where once it was an outpost in a no man's land, it is now one of the last down to earth neighborhood joints in the "new" Bowery. Drop in and wet your whistle! Sunday 11:30 am – 12:00 am Monday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am Tuesday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am Wednesday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am Thursday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am Friday 12:00 pm – 1:00 am Saturday 11:30 am – 1:00 am more

The Great Jones Cafe opened in June of 1983 when Great Jones Street was such a desolate, forgotten block that writer Don DeLillo chose the street as a "hide-out" for the rock star main character of his book "Great Jones Street". Back then, bar regulars could tumble out onto the quiet, empty block for impromptu games of whiffle ball. Cars were left unattended (and unticketed) for weeks on end. 28 years later, the Bowery is bustling. Our little cafe has seen a lot of change. People who met at the bar on their first date now come back to eat with their kids. Every night someone will come in who hasn't been by in years and someone else will come in for the first time. Great Jones Cafe remains the same. Where once it was an outpost in a no man's land, it is now one of the last down to earth neighborhood joints in the "new" Bowery. Drop in and wet your whistle! more

Great Jones has authentic Southern Cooking, as opposed to theme-restaurant southern cooking. The food is good, spicy and filling, and the room is small (getting a table can be a pain) with a good bar and the menu written on a chalk board. There's no sense of industrial preparation here, just real food, made by real people. more

That's what it feels like, really. There's not hand holding and such like you get elsewhere. Down home Southern, too. Yes, it looks like the last place that you'd want to eat, but after you've eaten here once, it'll be the first place you want to go. I promise. Oh, and it' s not expensive, either. Be careful with the drinks. Save me some jambalaya! more

Saturday morning, greasy eats taste best. Great Jones Cafe is an unassuming little place with a nondescript orange exterior (you can tell you're there with the smell of grease coming out of the exhaust); inside you will find a quiet little space of couples or groups of people eating at tables. Loners can also choose to eat at the bar. Regardless of where you sit, the menu is simple: grits, biscuits, omelettes, andouille sausage and other comfort food favorites are all mouth wateringly served by friendly waitresses. You will come out with a full belly, a less noticeable hangover, just a few bucks lighter in the wallet, and a satisfied palate. more

Jalapeno corn bread, booya gumbo, blackened catfish, creole wings and spicy gingerale rum drink are just a sampling of what's on the menu at Great Jones Cafe. Throw in an old school jukebox that plays a lot of greats like Johnny Cash and a bust of Elvis in the window and you've got a one of a kind Southern dining experience. Just get there early since seats, both at the bar and at tables, fill up fast. more