Went to this spot a few Times to go eat and have some drinks. Definitely recommend it they have a restaurant section and a bar on the opposite end. They have a jukebox to play whatever music you'd like and also had the dodger game showing. It's a cool chill spot. They have several parking available which is good. read more

I had lived in El Monte for five years and I had never been to this place. I would drive past it every day! My buddy invited us a few weeks ago and I loved it. The bar is pretty cool. Wish I had came earlier. Food is good too! read more

Love the Jolly Jug. I usually get the breakfast which is served all day. I've been served by 3 different waiters or waitresses and they've all been really friendly and attentive. The decor is definitely old-school and there are many regulars which adds to its charm. It's true, it is a bit on the expensive side especially for El Monte. But I always come back since it feels like a second home and the wait staff and owners don't mind if I sit around for hours catching up on my reading, the waiter or waitress always asking if I want a refill. Also, if you don't like the sandwich dip, they offer au jus (it's not mentioned on the menu). read more

My wife and I eat here often. We are 'regulars' by every meaning of the word. The food is amazing! I don't think we've tried anything we don't like yet. Restaurant side on the right for families, and the bar side on the left for folks interested in that. It took us a while to finally stop to check out the place, but we're glad we did. Be sure to try this spot out if you're in the mood for a great sandwhich! read more

Rating the Bar Area: The bar "doctors" are awesome! They pour you great drinks and the right amount. If you are looking for something new, they are always willing to suggest drinks to you. Simon is the man!!! (He was our bar tender) This is a great hole in the wall bar. NOT a place for a first date place but a place to bring your friends! Bar food was good, and the regulars at the bar are pretty chill. read more

Our parents used to take us here for a pastrami sandwich on special occasions and we still follow the tradition! read more

Jolly Jug - Great pastrami! - Diners Near Me - El Monte, California

I lived in El Monte all my life, and it's my first time here. Some tables are left unclean, other tables are stacked with dirty dishes, until I realized the place is kinda short on staff on the serving side, and I understand that. I ordered the Steak and shrimps, mashed potatoes, soup of choice, and chicken wings. Service is great, food was great, I definitely would come back again. read more

I can't believe it took me so long to write a review for Jolly Jug. A little background on this place. From what I learned from the owner of Jolly Jug that about 1946 a woman who moved out west from New York opened Jolly Jug. She owned it and ran it until about 1996 and wanted to retire. Margaret, who is the owner, bought Jolly Jug from this transplanted Jewish New Yorker lady. Margaret tells me she kept the menu the same and all the recipes, with the exception of adding a few new items but more on that later. I might be off on my dates but I think I am right and if I am wrong it's only by a year or two. So Margaret is originally from Hong Kong but she moved here along with her brother David and other family members years ago. I think around 1967. Margaret's brother David works at JJ on the weekends. David is an engineer of sorts at a major defense contractor so he only helps out on his days off which is the weekends. Margaret added a couple of things to the menu that were not originally on the menu. She added one or two Chinese items I believe and maybe a Mexican dish but for the most part the menu is the same from right after the close of WWII. Also she gives fortune cookies to you after your meal like in a Chinese restaurant. I think she told me she started doing that one Christmas and intended it for Christmas only but was such a hit that she decided to keep on doing that. Margaret and David are good people. Both are very funny. They both have great personalities and have great sense of humors. You get great conversations with them during the course of your visit there. The other waiters and waitresses are very nice as well. The bar tender, unfortunately forgot his name, is very cool. I don't drink alcohol so I am not a bar goer but sometimes the bartender serves food and waits tables if they are short on help. He's good to talk to do. The way we stumbled upon JJ is that my wife's dad has some social gathering in El Monte on a regular basis. So at times we'll go to his club and watch him sing when they have a talent show. After seeing JJ for a few times I was curious about what it is and how it is. Checked Yelp! and Chowhound reviews and reading the great reviews we had to try it. We did and were impressed and have been regular customers for 3 years about. They have a very extensive menu but we prefer to stick to what we love. We love the beef dip sandwich and the pastrami. French fries are excellent too. With the dip we can get either au jus or gravy. Normally choose the au jus but sometimes both. The beef dip is brisket. I love brisket. The sandwiches are just perfect in every sense of the word. The other food items are probably good based on what we had so far but we love the brisket dip and pastrami so much we don't want anything else there. My wife and I go to church in West Covina so on the way back from church we go to the JJ. We don't go all the time and have not gone for awhile, I mean JJ, not church. It's time we go again and say hi to David and Margaret. Sometimes we go when they are not there and that has been the case the past few times but now it's time we see them again because we enjoy talking to them. read more

The food was surprisingly amazing! I ordered the pastrami and turkey club (I highly recommend the garlic ranch on the side to dip the fries in) and my friends ordered the beef and pork dip... We all loved it. The service was excellent. The owner even came by to check on us. We will def be back! Even the bartender was super sweet and helpful. Cool place, great food, good jams! read more

Honestly the only times I come here is when I drop off my car next door to get serviced. But over the years, this place has given me a familiar feeling I've grown to embrace. The young fellow in the mornings remembers me by face. And we casually converse for a little bit. He makes a good Bloody Mary. (I drink here now.) and the Reuben sandwich still remains my favorite thing on the menu. I have bounced all over that thing but always keep coming back to old faithful. Any who, this place is great. I'll catch other solo diners in the mornings from time to time and I like that. read more

I just ate lunch here. The server was very friendly. I was attended pretty fast. I ordered the deluxe burger combo. The burger was delicious. I will definitely be coming back. read more

I loved the beef dip special for lunch. The coleslaw was delicious. The auju sauce was good. The service was great and the whole atmosphere was very homely. I recommend this place for anyone who wants a good beef dip. read more

Came here with the hubby for breakfast I can 100% say I love the biscuits. Being pregnant all I've been craving are creamy and crunchy foods so this was a very happy experience. I normally was not picky but ever since I started taking prenatals I've been extra nauseous. Let's just say it's hard for foods to not gross me out. Wait time was not bad maybe 15 mins tops and the biscuits were fresh and fluffy I could not get over it! My husband ordered the sampler and I have to say I really don't like chicken wings but these were beyond perfection I hate buying wings with no meat and these were super crispy super meaty I was in love all over again. The shrimps reminded me of long john silvers but not in a bad way they were delicious especially with the sauce provided. This is a place we're you get quality service and food which takes slightly longer than fast food that being said DO NOT come here if you want quick service with over processed foods. I'm sure plenty of diners have quick service but comprise quality. This is not one of those places. The waitress talks to you gives you a little history, so with that thought in mind it's an experience that makes you feel welcomed and at home. It also tastes like home made food which is fresh and 100% not frozen. I am so disappointed in my self for not coming here the past 18 years I'be lived in El Monte. But like I said if you want an experience with quality old fashioned food look no further but do not expect it to come in a blink of an eye either. read more

This place has cheap drinks, pretty good food considering what you pay for and large portions. Don't know if I will ever be back for the food, but will most likely return with the family for drinks at the bar. read more

Pastrami dip is excellent but the place does not look clean and the service is bad. Only go there cause my husband loves there pork sandwich dip. read more

Decided to try something a little different since I drive by this place almost everyday. The service was amazing. Nice bartender took my order and helped with the menu. He passed me off to a Asian woman who I think may have been the owner due to her enthusiasm. I tried the cheeseburger with wet fries and some chill cheese fries. She was right about the beef it was fresh and delicious. The chili fries were also great, was surprised to see they use a white bean chili that went really well with the fries. The gravy was the only thing that didn't impress me. It wasn't bad, just not great. Probably wouldn't recommend the wet fries, but definitely the Jolly Jug. read more

My boyfriend and I love this place! Always wonderful service and yummy food! I love the pastrami and my bf loves their burgers. Highly recommend read more

O can give this a negative 9 so i guess a 1 star willl do..this place belongs on bar rescue...nothing else to say...not worth my time...it should have been free read more

I have been coming here for 57 years and it is as good today as it was then. The corned beef dip is wonderfu,l especially with the gravy. The cole slaw is excellent and the kosher pickles are the best I have ever had. My husband likes to try other things on the menu including the beef dip and tuna melt. He really likes both. The prices are good for the amount of food you receive and we love getting the almond cookie with the bill. read more

GO. my bf said that we should go try out this jolly jug place, and after i read the reviews, i'll be honest; i was worried. we walked in and waited for about 30 seconds and the cook saw us from the kitchen and prompted us to take a sit anywhere we like and rang the bell for the server. after we sat down, the server came and brought us menus and was VERY FRIENDLY. we both ordered the sandwiches. bf got the french dip and i got the reuben. we shared an order of onion rings. this is really good diner food. the cole slaw was amazing, probably the best cole slaw i've ever had. i really liked how they kept the food simple and no fuss. the place was clean, service was great. we will definitely go back. it's good. trust me. read more

Based on the people who work here alone, i'd give it a 5. Overall, I'd give it a 3, but I gave it a 4 because I had fun, it's close to home, and it's always a good time when I go there. The workers are awesome people, seriously (at least in the bar half). As for the would-be 3, it's because they only have 2 beers on tap (bud light and coors light), the mixed drinks are not that great, the environment/decor isn't schnazzy, and the food is eh. But, like I said, it's fun with a group of friends just chatting, drinking, and catching up to have a good time :) read more

I love the Jolly jug... Their beef eater is so delicious and humongous that we normally have to share between two of us!! And the staff is so friendly and so welcoming, just enjoyable to go have lunch there with a friend read more

Great local oldie but goodie. There's ample parking in the parking lot in the back or street parking. Haven't been here since I was a kid but from the inside it seems like nothing has changed! The staff is extremely nice and helpful and of course you partially come for the pickles. If you're a pickle lover and love pairing it with sandwiches this is the place for you. The beef dip on a French roll with gravy au jus was good. From what I remember as a kid it seemed like it was a lot better, but then again my palette has gotten more refined over the years. They do put a twist with the au jus that is more of a gravy. The Mimi was delicious! It was corned beef with coleslaw on a onion roll with French fries on the side. The flavors go together extremely well and for someone who loves coleslaw and corned beef separately, it was a great combination. The corn beef was juicy, the downside was that the coleslaw made the bread soggy quick. The chili fries were done a little differently as well. The chili was more on the saucy side instead. It had a really bold smokey flavor - it had a mix of pinto and kidney beans with green chilies. Overall, our meal was quite pricey for sandwiches. It was good but we could have probably gotten more for $30. When you're ready to pay your bill, you'll need to walk up to the cashier. read more

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Been coming here for years with my family and I'm never disappointed. Margret the owner is always so friendly, welcoming and extremely funny, she always makes us laugh. The food is always hot and tasteful. Drinks are decent price, even during Happy Hour you cant go wrong with a $3.25 beer and the bar area is always playing good music. I'll continue to go here and enjoy the great service they provide. Thanks Jolly Jug read more

First time there was very quiet lots of people at the bar but hardly anyone at the restaurant. They said their known for their sandwich and other things but didnt get the chance to try it. However i order vegan burger and some sweet potato fries. It was good. Atmosphere was very quiet. But the waiter and waitress was nice. Will come back again to retry the place. Maybe hoping to be more lively. Probably try something else. read more

If your going here for a drink, make sure their Bartender Simon is the one making your drink he does it good and proper. Their other bartender Rosie her drinks are good, but theyre more of something you would give to someone recovering from surgery. Came here a couple days ago with my father we wanted a couple long island iced teas and the owner Margarett talked us into letting her make our drinks and they were awful. She used something the size of a child's tea spoon to measure a few drops of alcohol. So in lamens terms the drink she made was .50% alcohol and 99.50 sweet and sour with lemon juice. Freaking sucked and ontop of that we told her the drinks sucked and she still charged full price for them. One of them if not both should have been free. My best advise see Margaret bartending leave and come back on a day when Simon is there. read more

I love a good pastrami! Me and my fiance ventured out to El Monte to try the famous Jolly Jug and we were not dissapointed. We really had a great time we enjoyed the food the owner is great and full of life and great stories. The bar is really cool and cozy the pickles were great and we even tried the chili, good stuff. If you havent been and you want to have a pretty good lunch check it out. When you order make sure you order everything you want on the side seperately the sandwiches don't come with fries so make sure you get all of that stuff in addition to your sandwich order. I'm looking forward to breakfast one day good little spot to have in your rotation. Check out the photos of the Jolly Jug on my profile. read more

Look. It's a dive bar. If you want chill bartenders and cheap drinks with zero judgement, Jolly Jug is for you. If you're the type of person supplying the judgements take them somewhere else. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ read more

Drove by a million times. Place looks a little rundown from the outside so never stopped in. I finally went in and WOW was the food AWESOME! Had the beef dip and loved it! Went back the next day and had the fish and chips. Don't judge the food by what the place looks like. They care a lot more about serving quality food than having a nice looking restaurant. Wish more restaurants would do this. read more

Let me start off with the environment, it is old and dingy like a walked out of 1940. I was greeted with the sales pitch, that they had the most famous roast beef and pastrami sandwiches in the world. I took the ladies word for it and ordered the pastrami sandwich, I paid about $18 and some change for the combo. I wanted to walk out what you leave me the photo that's very expensive for a pastrami fries and drink. I took my order to go, when I got home about a couple of blocks away I took all the contents out of the bag and realized that there was only about 15 fries in my order about the amount that usually falls out of your Fry bag and into your carry bag. The sandwich was Bland and dry, I would have to say then maybe you once upon a time, they might have sold great sandwiches maybe under different ownership, but not now and not today. Save your money there's a place called John sandwiches up on Peck Road about a mile up on the left hand side, priced normally in a lot better and the Jolly Jug. Maybe the drunk customers think the sandwiches are great after they're hammered, as the Jolly Jug does have a bar inside of it that's probably would keep sending business because it's not the food. read more

Jolly Jug is my favorite all time place. Owner is friendly. Pork dips and beer; to die for!

They have a full bar. This place is reasonably priced. The food can be better. The steak was really chewy. The sandwiches are pretty good. This place is an old school dive. Lots of old people eating here. It's not bad to stop by for a quick bite. They are really friendly. read more

Restaurant looks small on the outside. The lighting - well, a bit dark. Menu has too many items, and very little dessert selection. Still, I enjoyed my first breakfast here - salmon breakfast with egg, with great coffee. Loved the salmon - flaky and moist, and the egg was a perfect over-easy. The server was hospitable and accommodating. She told me about the history of the restaurant. I would come back and try the famous dip sandwiches. But I wish there was more dessert, not just almond and fortune cookies. read more

if you are ever in El Monte you have to stop by jolly jug. Here you can enjoy beef dips , Pastrami dip and many other good food. Serve breakfast lunch and dinner with a full bar as well ! read more

Jolly Jug - Diners Near Me - El Monte, California

The happy hour is perfect for some cocktails and yummy appetizers. This a great little neighborhood spot. The bartender made GREAT Bloody Mary's and the happy hour appetizers hit the spot! I will def be back to try the French Dip, have a couple of drinks and play some tunes in the juke box. I felt really welcome. Thank you! read more

Pretty quiet and laid back spot. Look like a hipster place that is a hipster place by accident and not because they are trying to make it trendy. I was here with one of my friends and we ended up asking the waitress: "what she thinks the Jolly Jug is best known for" and she quickly said the atmosphere, I replied ohh I mean what food item and she said the French Dips. You have to try out dips. So i complied gave the dip a shot and it was pretty good. This is a god chill laid back place to get a good dip. Its not amazing, its not gonna blow people away but its pretty solid. I will definitely go back to this spot again. read more

I give this place 4 stars for food and service. Place is a bit old but gives you a cool diner feel. The food is surprisingly good. I have tried all the sandwiches and other side dishes too. Come by once a week for bball practice and always stop in for a cold beer and an awesome beef or pork dip sandwiches. Good service too. read more

The prices are way too high for the food they offer, they're obviously trying to make up for the lack of business. I was there by myself at 10 am. Wouldn't recommend it at all. read more

The food here is garbage. The management is garbage. The condition of the building is garbage. It stinks and everything is old and falling apart. Decor is dingy and ugly. Food quality is cheap and greasy, just like the owner. Run from Jolly Jug if you can. I would only go for the legendary bartender named Simon. read more

Its a lot like a Denny's Or Norm's but the staff is great! Order what you want but ask for how you would like it (Hash Browns extra cripsy and BAM! ) Not expensive and the lemon aid is fantastic. Funny how you never go somewhere close to home until someone takes you and than you become a regular. Try it folks and as to what to eat it depends on what you want for food. Steak and eggs.... The Steak is wonderful. Enjoy. read more