Photo credit: Marconi Jose Gonzalez
An Upper West Side restaurant with a long history in the neighborhood has been featured on Eater’s new list of the city’s best brunch spots (among twenty other restaurants).
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Old John’s Luncheonette, located at 148 West 67th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, received praise for its “charming, nostalgic elements with an updated space and menu. For brunch, find several omelets, turkey clubs, breakfast burgers, and Bloody Marys,” Eater noted in a brief write-up.
Old John’s closed in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It was later saved by one of its former employees, Louis Skibar, who renegotiated the diner’s lease terms, ensuring its legacy would live on.
Skibar started as a delivery boy at Old John’s in 1984 at its original location at 66th and Broadway and worked his way up to short-order cook during his six-year tenure. Now, Skibar is the founder of Toloache Restaurant Group, whose portfolio includes restaurants in Manhattan and Queens, including Toloache (two locations), Tacuba (two locations), Coppelia, El Fish Shack (two locations), and Cuba. Old John’s officially reopened in 2021.
One of our favorite brunch selections at Old John’s are the chilaquiles, made with crispy corn tortillas in your choice of green tomatillo or guajillo-tomato salsa, topped with two sunny-side-up eggs, avocado, queso fresco, and crema for $15. Add another $6 for chicken or $10 for steak. Another favorite is the potato latkes with gravlax, two fried eggs, arugula, and lemon vinaigrette for $18. And how about a $6 egg cream (malted black and white, chocolate, or vanilla) to wash it down? If you’re looking for something with more bite, try their Broadway mojito with muddled lime, mint, soda, and switch the Bacardí for tequila.
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Not everybody loves Old John’s, though. One Yelp reviewer named Spencer K. described his experience as “incredibly disappointing.” He said he enjoyed the ambiance and friendly waitstaff but noted, “[The] food could have been good, but my omelet was cold (and poorly prepared at that—an asparagus goat cheese omelet and the thick asparagus was basically cut in half and laid in the cheese), home fries were cold, and did I mention I couldn’t find a waiter to get a refill on my coffee?” Spencer did say their rye toast was a bright spot, though, and may give them another chance.
Another reviewer, Ronak P., said Old John’s is a “great neighborhood spot with standard fare. Definitely worth checking out for breakfast/brunch.” Ronak credited Old John’s with a good variety of options and super-quick service no matter how busy they may be.
When Big Nick’s Too closed in 2021, we named Old John’s Luncheonette as an alternative dining option in our article titled “How Do You Replace Big Nick’s? The Third Spot on Our List May Come as a Surprise.” We highlighted the Old John’s Burger, which you can also find on their brunch menu.
Old John’s Luncheonette is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
It used to be a nice neighborhood friendly restaurant. They recently renovated and the interior space is very small and has been replaced by a large bar. And the menu prices have gone up.
They do have a shed on the street which has comfortable seating. However the restaurant’s street location is on a side street and it is very narrow so you have cars whizzing by or sitting outside your window seat when they are parked for a red light.
When they can seat you outdoors on the street pavement, in good weather (not in the shed) , the space is small, and narrow with tables close together. The restaurant is also next to a veterinary hospital, so you have lots of little furry friends walking by on the narrow pavement on their way to their appointment.
In my opinion, I would rather eat in an environment with a little more space and quieter.
Musicians have been doing business at OJ’s for decades. Convenient and cheerful, not gourmet or value-priced. Long live Old John’s.
For some reason, somebody thought the picture would be better if the pepper shaker was lying on its side.
Love OLD JOHN’S. GREAT BRUNCH AND SERVICE.