Kate's Joint

06/08/2008 Posted by gtejada

I've been a vegetarian for about two years. And from the start all of my vegan and vegetarian friends have recommended Kate's Joint. Either because of its gentrified location, overpriced Boca burgers, or displaced lower-class citizens, I never went. Nevertheless, my girlfriend finally convinced me. Unfortunately, I was disappointed; the food was over-priced, boring, tasteless, and the waiter added tip to his already 20% tip. (Side Note: the waiter was one of the owners.) For vegetarians and vegans that understand the complexities of tofu and seitan this place is not for you; Most of their food is pre-packaged Boca, Morningstar, and Nomeat products; which you could buy for a quarter of the cost at the KEYFOOD supermarket around the corner.

04/08/2008 Posted by EastieBeastie

Im not even a strict vegetarian and this is still one of my favorite neighborhood places especially for brunch. (get the tofu scramble) Good value. The food ranges from good-great. I've always had good service, even during weekend brunch. I was nervous about the renovations, I liked it the way it was, but I admit it looks good now. Note: this is a casual downscale place, grungy (but not dirty), and funky, in keeping with the neighborhood. If you like to be fawned over, care about how your food is plated, and like to pay a high price for upscale ambience maybe this isnt the place for you huh?

Pros: Food, relaxed atmosphere

Cons: none so far

02/24/2008 Posted by Aeval999

I am vegan, and I like to sit at a bar, alone, and enjoy a meal. Naturally, Kate's seems like it would be a good fit. However, I have eaten here four times, and it is always a disappointment. I am done giving this place "second" chances. The ambiance is awful (lights too bright), the food is the equivalent of vegetarian "junk/fast food"-- nothing noteworthy in the least, they have a crappy wine selection, and when I am the only person sitting at the bar, I don't feel I should have to waive the bartender down to ask for another drink...nor do I feel that when I place an order and the bartender mistakenly packs it "to go", and I say no, i am eating it here, that they should sloppily scrape the dish out of the to-go container onto a plate right in front of me... go back to the kitchen and plate it properly! I gave the place the benefit of the doubt at first, but no more. Kate's is consistently bad, and I will not be going back.

12/02/2007 Posted by jlawsoul1717

This place was terrible. My friends and I had always wanted to eat there as we had been to the bar a few times before and regularly eat on the block. The chili cheese fries were okay. Our entrees were truly disappointing. I ordered the fried unchicken. It turned out to be batter-fried unflavored tofu. It's like they didn't even try to make it "chickeny." My friends ordered the country fried steak and meatloaf. We did not even get close to finishing these dishes. The food lacked any flavor or depth. Salt and pepper could never save. The prices are also rather high for how bad the food is. For much better vegan/vegetarian faire go to Red Bamboo in the West Village. Their food is incredible and unlike Kate's fried unchicken Red Bamboo's is passable for real chicken in flavor and consistency. Highly unrecommended (unless only going to the bar). I will not return.

Pros: good bar, happy hour prices great

Cons: terrible food

04/01/2007 Posted by bronxladette999

I've been going to Kate's since 2003 with my girlfriends and it's still one of my fave places to go. Though I'm not a vegan, I love vegan and tofu cuisine. The veggie burgers and the popcorn un-shrimp are my favorite things to get there! I don't know what they put in Abijah's secret sauce, but whatever it is, it's utterly o r g a s m i c. Goes great with almost everything I've ordered from there! The vanilla bean cheesecake is also great, it's both delicious and vegan. Drink prices are so-so, but I prefer to catch happy hour at another bar a few blocks away rather than spend it on booze there. Service is ok, not the best I've seen but better than at other places I've gone to. I like the casual relaxed atmosphere and it's a great place to meet friends, grab a quick bite, or have a casual business lunch.

Pros: Good prices, GREAT food, casual atmosphere

Cons: Ave B too remote, bar service needs improvement

03/18/2007 Posted by wilneida

Kate's Joint came to me as a highly recommended restaurant not just from Citysearch but also from a dear vegan friend. Needless to say I was completely excited to go there. Upon walking in, the restaurant had a hip laid-back atmosphere that was very welcoming, it was busy but still good enough that my large group where able to come right in and sit down. The menu description of the dishes were exaggerated as I was later going to be presented with food so plain, generic, and tasteless. The nachos and some of the appetizers were tasty but just average. It was my main entree and the entrees of the rest of my friends that was truly disappointing. When I received my plate of Fake Steak, it look like I was being served straight from a high school cafeteria and it tasted as dull as the lunches I had in middle school. The service was mediocre. By the end of the night it was apparent to me that this place is relying mostly on its hip atmosphere to attract people and truly neglecting the eating experience. The way the food was put together it felt as if the cooks in the kitchen were over worked and tired of preparing the same dishes that they no longer put in any effort in presentation or taste. Everyone in my 5+ group was disappointed with our dinners and vowed to not return. Sorry Kate's Joint, I just did not get it. Be aware in case you decide to venture into this overrated joint.

Pros: Hip Laid-Back Atmosphere

Cons: Generic, Generic Food That Reminds You Of High School Cafeteria Lunches, No Presentation and No Flavor

01/30/2007 Posted by tabascosea

Even vegans crave greasy junkfood once in awhile, and this is the perfect place to get it. Kate's has a scrappy-yet-homey east village feel to it, and they just renovated the bar side of the restaurant to turn it into a real bar that's nice to hang out in. Many things on the menu are simply tofu fried and seasoned in different ways...but I love tofu, so that's ok with me. The buffalo wings with "blue cheese" sauce are insanely addictive, and even my meat-eating friends like them. The tofu cheesecake with raspberry sauce is light and creamy, and I always order a piece if I have room. My favorite entree is the Southern Fried Chicken (i.e. tofu) with mashed potatoes and gravy and garlicky sauteed greens, and I always ask for a side of spicy buffalo sauce. My friends' favorites include the shepherd's pie, the meatloaf, and the pizza burger. And if I'm hungover, Kate's Benedict and some OJ (or a screwdriver depending) is like a warm blanket for my stomach.

Pros: good music, tasty food

Cons: crowded at times, slow service at times

12/16/2005 Posted by leetrank

This is one spot I visit frequently. The best veggi burgers in the EV. Friendly staff and quick service. I highly recommend it

09/01/2005 Posted by dubdevlin

The food is banging & must add that I don't know how much you can eat, but I've gotten a good fill. Affordable pricing & a good spot to small talk before diggin a bak out. Hope they get the blender fixed - the fruit/veg mix was unavailable. Seat yourself, 'cause it's easier finding a seat that way.

07/10/2005 Posted by get_awesome

When I choose to not eat meat, I choose Kate's. The veg reuben, the spinach and walnut salad with warm maple dressing, the enchiladas, etc.etc. And, the best gravy (veg and meat) EVER - EVER is here, which means the mashed potatoes and gravy are to die for! As is the vanilla tofu cheesecake. Now, I dont even love cheesecake in the first place, but this stuff is like crack! And for those who do, my best friend LOVES real cheesecake, and for her birthday we got her this instead cuz she loves it so much. Kate's is the real deal! Good music and beers too.