Great Jones Cafe

This unassuming Cajun restaurant stands apart from its glitzier Noho neighbors--a shabby-chic alternative for residents and the shoppers who frequent the area. Show up without a reservation and plan to order without a menu, as the un-fussy eatery's offerings are simply listed on the chalkboard in back. An old-school jukebox elevates the already buoyant mood among bustling waiters and diners craving good food in casual environs. Favorites include the fried catfish po' boy and the jumbalaya, both served in heaping portions with fries or sauteed kale as a side. – – Hits: Fast and…

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Editor's Tips

The Extras:: Jukebox picks lean heavily toward the Buck Owens, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash side of rusted rock and roll. A small handful of contemporaries--Southern Culture on the Skids, the Replacements--shake things up a little.
When to Go:: Unless you're OK with a wait, show up on the early side.

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User Reviews (36)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Great Jones is cozy, has a nice neighborhood feel, a friendly staff, and serves up some very flavorful food.” “great food,greta service and atmosphere” “The atmosphere is fun, with great music and the menu that is painted on the wall.” “Great food, great service, great atmosphere.” “Good, spicy cajun food, decent service, fun atmosphere, okay it ain't Chanterelle but I can't afford to eat there every night.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“The crab cakes were delicious.” “The chocolate pecan pie is heavenly, great jalapeno cornbread.”
drinks	70.0% positive	“other people came in & ordered drinks (which are not cheap - $9/avrg) they moved from the bar to a table & we're told promptly by the staff they could not sit there - the customers proceeded to get up & just leave their full Bloody Marys on the table - ” “There are too many places in the city that have great food /drinks & service - this place is a waste of time.” “Great service, attentive personnel, excellent food and drinks.” “My wife likes a drink that make here called the "Shaggy.” “Though we had to wait 15 minutes to sit, we were able to enjoy a cold Abita Amber at the bar and browse the menu (which is painted on the wall).”
food quality	93.54999542236328% positive	“The chicken was amazing, the fries are great, and the cheese burgers look delicious!” “The food is delicious, biscuits and gravy are straight out of the south, and the best bloody marys anywhere.” “(If you can find a seat) Great Jones is a good value, with consistent food at reasonable prices.” “There are too many places in the city that have great food /drinks & service - this place is a waste of time.” “Friend heard they had great burgers here, but turned out it was not so so good.” “Best burgers ever.” “Jones has some of the best food I've had at reasonable prices.” “Great service, attentive personnel, excellent food and drinks.” “love the food here.” “The blackened catfish is great, daily chili specials are tasty, and they also make a good burger.” “couple of orders of those wings and a side of cornbread accompanied by a bottle of Chimay and life is good.” “Great Jones is cozy, has a nice neighborhood feel, a friendly staff, and serves up some very flavorful food.” “great food,greta service and atmosphere” “The menu is full of unique dishes ( I wanted them all).” “Went there because we heard they have good cheeseburgers but at the time we went they were serving brunch so we ordered something off the brunch menu and it was extremely spicy and overpriced.” “Great cajun food!” “The one plus is that leaving a 10% tip for such terrible service keeps the bill low, but if it wasn't for the food, I would NEVER go back.” “The food is always great, the people who work there are friendly and do a great job.” “Good, spicy cajun food, decent service, fun atmosphere, okay it ain't Chanterelle but I can't afford to eat there every night.” “Modern, delicious seasonal food, EXCELLENT service.” “The gumbo was dark, runny and savory with a hint of spice, perfectly complimented by the thin slices of fresh French bread that accompanied it.” “BEST burger in NYC!” “Besides that, the food was great.” “The crab cakes were delicious.” “All of the carbs we had were awesome - the sweet potato fries, garlic mashed potatoes and the cornbread, but the ribs were mediocre and the flavor of the chili was drowned out but an amazing amount of onions.” “just have to say, I love the "shaggy" -- rum with spicy south carolina ginger ale.” “And of course I love the sweet potato fries!” “cool vibe, great service, super food.” “Wonderful sweet potato fries.” “Great food, great service, great atmosphere.” “Service is friendly, but last night my party of six was asked to get up and out after we finished our meal.”
menu variety	75.0% positive	“Went there because we heard they have good cheeseburgers but at the time we went they were serving brunch so we ordered something off the brunch menu and it was extremely spicy and overpriced.” “Though we had to wait 15 minutes to sit, we were able to enjoy a cold Abita Amber at the bar and browse the menu (which is painted on the wall).” “The atmosphere is fun, with great music and the menu that is painted on the wall.” “The menu is full of unique dishes ( I wanted them all).”
overall	100.0% positive	“There are too many places in the city that have great food /drinks & service - this place is a waste of time.” “But altogether a great place!”
return potential	50.0% positive	“The one plus is that leaving a 10% tip for such terrible service keeps the bill low, but if it wasn't for the food, I would NEVER go back.” “have been to this place for brunch multiple times and consistently go back for the amazing huevos rancheros.”
service	72.22000122070312% positive	“Modern, delicious seasonal food, EXCELLENT service.” “Great service, attentive personnel, excellent food and drinks.” “The one plus is that leaving a 10% tip for such terrible service keeps the bill low, but if it wasn't for the food, I would NEVER go back.” “recommend the Jones to people from out of town who want to eat in a real East Village neighborhood place.” “The food is always great, the people who work there are friendly and do a great job.” “Good, spicy cajun food, decent service, fun atmosphere, okay it ain't Chanterelle but I can't afford to eat there every night.” “There are too many places in the city that have great food /drinks & service - this place is a waste of time.” “Service is friendly, but last night my party of six was asked to get up and out after we finished our meal.” “other people came in & ordered drinks (which are not cheap - $9/avrg) they moved from the bar to a table & we're told promptly by the staff they could not sit there - the customers proceeded to get up & just leave their full Bloody Marys on the table - ” “Great food, great service, great atmosphere.” “cool vibe, great service, super food.” “Go if you frequent tiny, dirty places where the staff feels they are "cooler than you.” “great food,greta service and atmosphere” “But every time I go, I become extremely frustrated with the terrible service.” “Great Jones is cozy, has a nice neighborhood feel, a friendly staff, and serves up some very flavorful food.” “Unpretentious barkeeps, an amiable waitressing staff, and a killer jukebox rounds out this very affordable” “The staff has a terrible attitude.” “The waitress was nice enough, though.”
value	83.33000183105469% positive	“(If you can find a seat) Great Jones is a good value, with consistent food at reasonable prices.” “other people came in & ordered drinks (which are not cheap - $9/avrg) they moved from the bar to a table & we're told promptly by the staff they could not sit there - the customers proceeded to get up & just leave their full Bloody Marys on the table - ” “Went there because we heard they have good cheeseburgers but at the time we went they were serving brunch so we ordered something off the brunch menu and it was extremely spicy and overpriced.” “all of my friends order two portions.” “Unpretentious barkeeps, an amiable waitressing staff, and a killer jukebox rounds out this very affordable” “Jones has some of the best food I've had at reasonable prices.”
wait time	75.0% positive	“Though we had to wait 15 minutes to sit, we were able to enjoy a cold Abita Amber at the bar and browse the menu (which is painted on the wall).” “The place wasn't even full and it too, wayyyy too long of a wait.”

10/25/10

Perfect spot.

by SteveFooledMe

a little rustic and not too pretentious. It was not crowded on a weekday afternoon when I went, but I assume it is crowded on nights and weekends based on the excellent food.

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03/08/10

Overpriced,sketchy college place

by CSMobileUser2

Went there because we heard they have good cheeseburgers but at the time we went they were serving brunch so we ordered something off the brunch menu and it was extremely spicy and overpriced. This place was not my cup of tea, but if your into that kind of thing you might like it. I personally don't recommend it.

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07/13/09

southern style, filling food

by eastvillagechick

Great relaxed brunch scene, always crowded with a good scene. The food is filing and hearty, even maybe a bit heavy. But altogether a great place!

Pros: great brunch
Cons: can have a wait

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06/05/09

What about the wings?

by SAT1971

I've read a couple of the reviews here. Some good and some bad but what I didn't see is anyone commenting on how good the wings are at Jones. I know that every Wednesday night I start to crave that sweet, spicy sauce and Friday can't come soon enough. A couple of orders of those wings and a side of cornbread accompanied by a bottle of Chimay and life is good.

Pros: Great wings and atmosphere
Cons: parking

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04/05/09

GREAT BRUNCH - HORRIBLE SERVICE!

by mandminla

I have been to this place for brunch multiple times and consistently go back for the amazing huevos rancheros. But every time I go, I become extremely frustrated with the terrible service. The waitstaff takes forever to take your order (the food comes very quickly, though). They are completely apathetic and seem like they couldn't care less about being at work or helping the guests. Today, I had to call the waitress over multiple times just to refill the coffee and give us water; she was apparently too busy eating her own breakfast to help us. The hostess took over 10 minutes to process our credit cards and when we asked for our receipts, she brought them back with a "Here you go, now you can leave." The one plus is that leaving a 10% tip for such terrible service keeps the bill low, but if it wasn't for the food, I would NEVER go back. I wish the management would take note because this hasn't been a one-time experience; this is EVERY time.

Pros: Great food
Cons: Service, cornbread and biscuits

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Cajun & Creole

Great Jones Cafe

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What People Are Saying About Great Jones Cafe

Melanie Berliet

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Editor's Tips

10/25/10

Perfect spot.

by SteveFooledMe

03/08/10

Overpriced,sketchy college place

by CSMobileUser2

07/13/09

southern style, filling food

by eastvillagechick

06/05/09

What about the wings?

by SAT1971

04/05/09

GREAT BRUNCH - HORRIBLE SERVICE!

by mandminla

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