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    EJ's Luncheonette

    3.3 (657 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    EJ'S LUNCHEONETTE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Bacon cheeseburger with American cheese
    Anne F.

    If you've followed my review journey here on Yelp, you'll know that I'm not a burger person. I'd rather seek any other dish - Thai, Italian, Chinese, Korean - before I'd crave a burger. But my god, does EJ's Luncheonette hit the spot. No other fanciful iteration (get that truffle doused, wagyu versions away from me) can beat the classic diner-style bacon cheese burger. EJ's in particular was impressive. Thick slices of beef patty, tomato, and pickles topped with crispy bacon that crumbled in your mouth, packed between two brioche buns that were soft yet didn't disintegrate in your hands. Each element stood strongly on its own. The lettuce, crisp. The tomato, juicy. The pickle, perfectly sour, not too salty and cuts through the meatiness of the bacon and patty. If you've followed my other burger reviews here, you'll know how I feel about JG Melon, an establishment not too far from EJ's. If you're craving a burger, skip JG Melon's hour-long line and beeline for the counter at EJ's instead. It's just as good (perhaps even better) with its hefty size justifying the $21 price.

    Country Sausage Benedict
    Raia S.

    Stopped in here with a friend after a Saturday morning in Central Park and it was busy!! Luckily we got seated at the bar right away, but others I saw had to wait. I got the sausage benedict and it was yummy, nicely cooked egg and good hollandaise, the biscuit was a great move rather than the typical english muffin. The grits were quite bland and needed some love, but I really liked the classic ny diner feel to this spot and it's very conveniently located. I also tried the pie here once and it was pretty delish!

    Challah French Toast
    Carly C.

    Service was great & food was good but a little on the pricey side. Definitely would recommend sitting outside.

    Breakfast burrito
    David Y.

    Came to EJ's on Sunday morning. A friend who lives near by suggested this place. I got my usual diner order which happens to be EJ's Special which comes with two eggs (over-easy), bacon, rye toast and sliced tomatoes. I usually get my breakfast with some sort of potato but since sliced tomatoes was an option and I was in a healthy mood, I just got it. The meal was solid but it was NYC prices.. Maybe if I had gotten the potatoes, the price could be justified, my friend got the breakfast burrito with potatoes and I had some and it was good. Coffee ($4.50) was good as well. Overall I had a good experience, service was good too. If you gonna get the EJ's special, I recommend getting the potato, to justify the price.

    Chicken Noodle Soup, large
    Mitra T.

    Great food for a diner, don't let the name fool you. Had lunch here and was excellent. Food came out fast, there is plenty of seating and the place is clean and thriving.

    Omelette, grits and challah.
    Ann Marie R.

    There's nothing like a good old fashioned neighborhood NYC diner. EJ's has consistently good food at reasonable prices. There's an art to making a chocolate egg cream. And I come here to get my fix along with a custom omelet (mushrooms & cheese). The challah bread tastes so good it's almost like cake! And grocers great all buttered up. The service is always great. Mohammed is often behind the counter. But it can be crowded and loud. Today it wasn't at 11am. Last week I couldn't get in at noon. And there's often lines around the block on weekend mornings. So best to go during off hours. I only wished that the restaurant was handicap accessible. There's one step to get in and someone with a wheelchair would have great difficulty unless they could handle that step. Also, the bathroom is down a very steep set of stairs, making it difficult for seniors, and others with disabilities to manage.

    Rose L.

    Brunch was delicious. Tight quarters but the line goes quickly. Food is consistent n good. Enjoy!!

    pancakes & mocha
    Melisa M.

    This place is pretty heap and had a big menu with a variety of options to choose from! I liked having many options for brunch. I got the pancakes which were good! I also got an iced mocha, which was huge, but yummy.

    Western Omelette
    Anie R.

    My bestie has been coming here for years! Every time I use to visit here we came here for brunch & this time was no exception to! Always service pleasant & food delicious! Thank you for staying open threwout all these years!

    Erica was great and the Turkey Club on a french baguette was AMAZING - line went quickly!

    EJ's Famous Crunchy French Toast and Homemade Blueberry Compote
    Lauren P.

    Waited over 30 minutes for a table for 2 on a Sunday at around 1pm. It gave modern diner vibes, and it was a lil loud and crowded for my taste. It also didn't help that we were seated close to the bathroom, so people were going back and forth by our table the whole time I saw they had a "famous" crunchy french toast, that included crushed corn flakes and slivered almonds. Thank god I ordered it with the homemade blueberry compote, because the toast was bizarrely flavorless, not even maple syrup saved it. I also thought the corn flakes and almonds would be crumbled on top, but instead it comes "battered" in that, creating a weird texture. I didn't finish it, nor did I take it home. The service was good though! Nice, fast, and attentive.

    Caesar Salad
    Peta W.

    I've popped in a few times for a quick meal. I find that staff is polite and welcoming. Attentive as well. It's a nice family atmosphere. There's a huge enough dining area that facing the kitchen, a bar next to it upon entry. The salads are usually fresh and crunchy. Meatloaf is more than enough. Literally served me twice , so was that half chicken. I found the breast to be a bit dry and bland however. Could be the day, but I still go now and again.

    See you at EJ's!
    Fawn G.

    "A luncheonette is a small, casual restaurant, particularly common in the mid-20th century United States, that serves light meals, snacks, and fountain drinks, often with counter seating". I've always had a soft spot for luncheonettes; cool place to catch a burger or a frosty milkshake and sit at the counter. The counter has always been a cool place for me to sit. However, dining at EJ's on a balmy October afternoon, I decided to dine al fresco. I've eaten at EJ's for many years having worked in the UES many moons ago. I believe I had my first veggie burger here. Today, I was in the mood for the usual: egg white omelet with spinach and mozzarella and home fries. The omelet was delicious; cooked perfectly. The home fries with onions were crisp and piping hot. It was great to people watch as I devoured my omelet. EJ's does have comfy booths inside and a cool vibe. The service is courteous and the staff super friendly. The menu offers a wealth of delicious options and there are daily specials. There will be many more future visits and a seat at the counter. EJ's Luncheonette is located on 1271 3rd Avenue

    Chicken and Waffles

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    10 months ago

    Solid diner food. Good chicken salad, and good fries. The place has nice staff and a classic nyc diner vibe

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    1 year ago

    Great food, Great service, Awesome place. Chef even asked our opinion on the special, it was a nice ending to a great experience.

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    1 year ago

    Excellent food and service! Comfortable atmosphere! I love the diner feel, but modernized.

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    2 years ago

    The food is consistent and generous. UES faire that draws in the whole neighborhood. Breakfast - THE BEST.

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    Page 2 of 17

    EJ's Luncheonette Reviews in Other Languages

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    Golden Diner

    Golden Diner

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    We did a walk up on a Friday morning and got there around 10:30, which gave us a 90 min wait. We…read morewere fine to wait, and walked around china town to kill time. You will get a text when the table is ready with 10 min to get there. It is a very small diner, with a cool vibe. You're there for the food, nothing fancy. The staff were very kind, and quick with our requests. We came for the pancakes, and they were absolutely worth the hype. Hands down the BEST pancakes we've ever had in life. 1 plate comes with 2 pancakes and are enough to share. But not too much if you're only getting pancakes for a solo serving, you'll be able to finish. We shared the pancakes and also got a breakfast sandwich.

    I've been wanting to try this place out since 2021, but never got the chance. I got here on Monday…read moremorning at around 11:00 am to put my name down for a table of 2 and there was already an hour and 45 minute wait. After running a couple of errands while waiting for the table to be ready, we were seated outside at the patio after an hour and 45 minutes. We ordered the famous honey butter pancakes, the korean wings, and the breakfast sandwich with hash brown, scrambled eggs, and sausage. The honey butter pancakes were pretty good but kinda drenched in the butter that made it hard to finish. The korean wings were also alright but the batter to me was kinda thick and heavy and lacked crispiness. The best item we ordered was the breakfast sandwich with hashbrown, scrambled eggs, and sausage. I think the eggs are cooked with cheese, and as someone who typically does not eat cheese, I didn't mind it. I don't know if I'll be back again - I think the concept of an asian twist on the classic diner does sound intriguing but difficult to execute. I also wasn't a big fan of the wait time. If you typically like heavier, diner food then this spot might be the place for you!

    Photos
    Smaller than I thought. Now I know why there is always such a long wait.
    Smaller than I thought. Now I know why there is always such a long wait.
    Korean Fried Chicken Wings
    Korean Fried Chicken Wings
    Honey Butter Pancakes

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    Honey Butter Pancakes
    Friedman's

    Friedman's

    4.0
    (3.4k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Had reservations for 2 on a Saturday afternoon and the place was packed. We got there about three…read moreminutes late, but they seated us within 5 minutes in a booth. It was our first time eating at a Friedman's location. It had a nice diner feel to it, with a mix of booths and tables. The brunch menu has a variety of breakfast items, salads, sandwiches and burgers, starters, and entrees (fish tacos, grain bowl, fried chicken). I like that several of the items are naturally gluten free, and some can be made gluten free by request. We decided to go with three breakfast items from the brunch menu: I got the shakshuka, my sister got the Nova Benny, and we got the lemon ricotta pancakes to share. All 3 dishes were great. The shashuka came with grilled ciabatta, perfect for dipping into the sunny side eggs and tomato sauce. My sister loved that the poached eggs and smoked salmon of the Nova Benny came on top of a crispy potato latke. The pancakes were fluffy and the lemon ricotta and lemon zest elevated their flavor. Our server was friendly and attentive, and he asked us if we had any allergies when he took our order. He came by several times to check on us and refill water. I would return to Friedman's when I'm in the Herald Square area, or check out one of their other locations in the city.

    Came on a busy Thursday morning at nine am. Got a decaf iced vanilla latte and a nova Benny and the…read moreMac and cheese. And lemme just say the food came out sooo quick. The Benedict was so delicious. I've never had it on a crispy hash brown type before. It was good and a massive portion. Mac and cheese was alright, though I would probably opt out of it next time. I was so full I totally forgot to drink my latte but the latte was good too. Ambiance was nice clean and very busy.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
    Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
    Vanilla Cafe Latte

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    Vanilla Cafe Latte
    Ellen's Stardust Diner

    Ellen's Stardust Diner

    3.6
    (3k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$
    Private events
    Casual dining

    This was my son and I second time going to StarDust, and this time we had two friends with us and…read morethey really really enjoyed it. Upon arrival, I was shocked that there was no line because I always see a line when I'm in that area. When we got inside, the hostess told my friend and I that she could not bring in her pulley. Now my friend she is an elderly woman and that was the first time we heard that at any restaurant. So another hostess came out and he told us that we could drop the pulley off at the hotel around the corner and they charge five dollars so said so done. I took it for her as that hostess gave her a chair to sit down and by the time, my son and I came back, they were already seated waiting for us on the first floor, which was great. The ambience is diner style. Hence the reason for their name, and I understand why they don't allow any pulley's or luggage because the area is tight so keep that in mind. We looked over the menu and the performers/servers started to sing, and it was fantastic. We all pulled out our phones and started to record and sing along. I ended up ordering the chili cheese nachos my friend got the chicken nachos my Son ordered the French toast and his friend ordered the tater tots scrambled eggs with bacon. Everything was delicious and I our nachos was humongous, lol and satisfying. The performers/servers were phenomenal as usual and I highly highly highly recommend this experience and will go back time and time again so thank you for your service until next time. Cheers.

    10/10 Experience!…read more Stardust Diner was absolutely amazing! From the moment we walked in, the energy was incredible. The singing servers were unbelievably talented and made the whole experience so much fun. The food was delicious, the service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was unlike any other restaurant. Every performance brought smiles to everyone's faces, making the meal feel like a Broadway show. If you're visiting New York, this place is a must. An unforgettable experience--10/10, and I'd definitely come back!

    Photos
    Bright lights that shine as bright as the staff inside!
    Bright lights that shine as bright as the staff inside!
    The best milkshake creations!
    The best milkshake creations!
    The trucker hat your closet is missing!

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    The trucker hat your closet is missing!
    Brooklyn Diner USA

    Brooklyn Diner USA

    3.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Solid dinner with over the top friendly service (seriously) and quite possibly the world's best…read morePatty Melt! About the Patti Melt. It's insanely delicious. The onions melted into the cheese and the toasted rye took it to the next level. This is a must try sandwich for all carnivores. And about the service... We stopped by for lunch and learned there was a short 15 minute wait. What typically might make you slightly upset did the opposite as the two men at the door and seating people engaged with us and made us feel like regulars. The dinner has a classic look inside and out and seriously, everyone is beyond friendly and attentive. Now that my wife teaches on 54th, we are destined to become regulars. Highly recommend

    Many, many, many moons ago, I was a poor college kid who passed by this place every single day on…read moremy way to my internship, thinking that one day, when I'm finally not broke as hell, I will dine at this charming, retro-looking place. Fast forward to 2026 (where I'm finally not broke as hell), the day has finally come, and I am ecstatic about stepping foot into this diner that surprisingly is still standing in 2026. The inside certainly feels like a diner, but not quite the old-school dinginess that I'm used to--it's clean. Given that it was Sunday at noon, it was very crowded in there and mainly flooded with tourist groups, but a table opened up for us pretty quickly. For a NYC diner, the menu is certainly small - this is probably done to keep tables moving faster. I got the Pastrami Hash & Eggs and it was just overdone and super oily and dry--almost as if they just refried everything except the sunnyside egg. Not gonna lie, I was very disappointed, given that I had waited for so long to come here, only to get food that was an attempt to give the staleness another chance by refrying and reheating. I actually beat myself up a little the rest of the day for finishing the whole thing, knowing that the oversaltiness was flirting with opening up some high blood pressure. It was also not moderately priced by any means (was close to $30), but I know I'm helping pay for that Midtown and proximity to Central Park pricing. Not sure if I'll return, which saddens me, but also knowing that they're part of a conglomerate at Fireman Group (and still run independently in a sense) makes total sense

    Photos
    Brooklyn Diner USA
    French Royale Breakfast
    French Royale Breakfast
    Inside the diner!

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    Inside the diner!

    EJ's Luncheonette - diners - Updated July 2026

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