We are visiting and looking for a "locals" place with good food and atmosphere. We got that and more. Francis the Chef/Host chatted us up especially my Kids. We all exchanged stories about where we are from and what we are doing. The staff took great care of us while Francis and crew whipped up the most delicious food. French Toast out of this World, Biscuit and Gravy from heaven!!! Hit this Jersey locale up for any meal if you can get in this cozy city hole in the wall! read more

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Had a fun time here for a weekend brunch. Waited just about 5-10 minutes before we got our table. Inside, we got entertained by someone may be the owner or someone who's been there for a long while. Alongside my cold brew, I ordered a weekend special, which was the creamy spinach omelette. It was really good. The sourdough bread was also good and not too heavy. My fiancée got the Weekender with vegan sausage. It came out pretty well. The vegan sausage didn't feel like your typical frozen fake meat. The egg whites were a nice touch too. Overall a very satisfying brunch and I'd return again. read more

sam a.m - creamy spinach omelet - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Sam a.m is such a lovely neighborhoody cafe. It feels very homely and service is exceptional. I love the food here. Avocado toast was scrumptious, scrambled eggs perfectly cooked and the side of pimento cheese was just a cherry on top. I also got a hot chocolate to go and it was the best decision on a cold winter day. I'd come back here in a heartbeat. My only thing is that you walk out smelling like food. My clothes and hair had a lingering food smell all day. Better exhaust system would be a fix! read more

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If you are in NY looking for a breakfast nook, Sam A.m. is the spot. You feel like family as this is a small intimate restaurant with the owners personal touch. The food, each item individually prepared with love in each item. Ohh, and what is brunch without mimosa, mine with apple juice. The service was fantastic ..from the kitchen to tour table with constant attention to our needs. The feeling was like coming downstairs into mom's kitchen and having breakfast with family. read more

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Great little local spot! There is typically a wait at busy times which moves fast. They have a small menu with good selections. Best local brunch spot! Employees are kind, it's a great atmosphere and theres always some fun music playing. read more

sam a.m - BBQ Grits Special (mp) - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

This is a charming breakfast place with very friendly staff and high quality food. It was fun to watch locals come in and the staff knew them by name. read more

Small and quirky place that makes you feel welcome from the moment you walk in the door. The chef is out chatting with people and has a little knowledge about a lot of things. He's a self-professed expert on Carhartt jackets and noticed mine when I walked in. The food is very good as well. The menu is small but execution is delicious. read more

sam a.m - The Honey Badger - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Sam am was a unique experience! My friend and I stopped by for brunch on a Sunday morning, around 10. The place was quite popular, with people waiting outside for a table. Spots are first come first served, but thankfully we only had to wait about 10-15 minutes for a spot at the bar. We ended up sitting in front of the chef, who was very chatty and fun. We learned more about the menu items we were interested in directly from him, and it was clear that he cared a lot about the food. The restaurant is very casual in both ambiance and service style. The food was great!! I was craving something warm and hearty and ordered the sausage gravy and biscuit. The gravy was thick and rich with a fantastic flavor. The egg was perfectly runny! My only wish would have been for more biscuit, but the meal was still enjoyable. My friend ordered and enjoyed the avocado toast. Sam'am is a spot worthy checking out if you are nearby! read more

sam a.m - sausage and biscuit! - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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It's definitely a nice addition to the neighborhood! The space is on the small side but they make it work as it's so inviting and cozy. We finally had our first brunch recently. Not sure why we waited so long, I guess maybe the line for tables scared us a little but it's not bad at all. We waited about 10 minutes. The food was amazing. We had one of the specials (chicken and waffles) and also one of the signature sandwiches which is also really good. Will definitely be back and highly recommend it to others. The service is efficient and fast. read more

sam a.m - chicken waffle - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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I came here for a solo breakfast recently, as this was one of the places I've been wanting to try in the area. The staff is very kind and attentive, and it's clear that the staff enjoys working with each other. The interior is very cozy with lots of old school tchotchkes along the wall. I ordered a daily special - the grits with the flank steak. I'm still dreaming about that dish tbh, it was that good. It was exactly what I needed on a cold day - hearty and savory. I will be back again. read more

Their pastries are amazing! Get there early order the pastries and go! No need to wait in a line for an hour for the food. Not worth it. Nothing you can't whip up yourself in the time it takes you to get seated. Service is very fun and friendly though so I'm giving it 3 stars. read more

sam a.m - Grits Special (mp) - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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This is still my favorite breakfast spot in Jersey City. The owner is extremely sweet and makes you feel at home when you were there. The breakfast is good well priced and the tea is amazing. We've been there few times and every time we're driving around in this area we always end up here I love the hospitality thank you. read more

sam a.m - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

The restaurant ambiance is close knit and cozy.its got an old school feel to it as well. Tables are all over along with counter seating as well. The restaurant is decorated with various objects along the wall like books , music cds, and other random objects. The service was great and very friendly. Everyone there was also very energetic too. I ordered the chef's special shrimp and grits. It was served with a sunny side up egg as well. The grits were somewhat smooth although the egg nor the shrimp seasoned well enough. I think the grits also had a little bit of cheese maybe to aid in the smoothness. I wish they would've been more aggressive in seasoning because the dish would've been perfect. I would definitely come back though and try something else and because the vibe great ! Hopefully, the next dish I try will be better. read more

sam a.m - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

TLDR: Easily the best classic American breakfast in town. And for $15 it's quite unbeatable. Highly recommend a visit if you're around Jersey City! As a perk, it's also near the Waterfront, which makes for a nice stroll before / after. - - - - - - New to Jersey City? Not sam a.m... and I'm so glad I found them through a Reddit post. It's a small breakfast spot in an easily missed location; don't walk in the corner if you're on GPS, though, as it's someone's residence - oops, awkward! When you step inside, you're quickly greeted by the host(ess), and the wait was no longer than 10 minutes on a weekday afternoon. High volume, high quality, the staff here are on it! Let's be honest, there's not much exciting about a classic American breakfast; what's there to be impressed by for an omelet, roasted potatoes, and toast? Well, let me tell you about sam a.m: Omelet of the Day: Broccoli Cheddar... clean and simple, cooked to perfection, not overcooked. The broccoli? So lightly steamed there wasn't a doubt it was healthy... as a parent, you could probably get any reluctant child to devour this, too! Roasted Potatoes: Perfectly roasted, good balance of a crisp exterior and smooth interior. Toast: Nothing exciting here, either, but it was perfectly toasted, not even a tad burnt. It had a bit of chew and paired with butter made a smooth combination. Service was amazing as can be, and all guests are treated like VIP here - literally! And if you're lucky enough to sit at the bar, they cook the omelet in front of you AND you can watch all the food being cooked... for the gram / video of course. (Except I got distracted by the food and missed the opportunity :( ) How was this only $15? Beats me, but I'm definitely returning whenever I'm back in Jersey City! read more

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The food was very simple and to the point, no outstanding flavors. I think its a great spot if you want your traditional eggs with side breakfast. it was imo a bit overpriced, the portions were smaller than expected. my avocado toast almost $20 but it was 1 slice of thin sourdough with avocado that didnt cover the entire toast, also the added sprouts was more like 5 pieces of sprouts. We also ordered a side of chicken for $5 but turned out to be rotisserie chicken which is $5 for the entire chicken at costco haha. The french toast did look like a delicious option but otherwise the breakfast was not bad but average. The water was also served in plastic chipped cups and tasted very soapy. Would recommend bringing your own water. read more

sam a.m - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Fantastic, quaint, hidden little gem in Jersey City. We showed up about 10 minutes before it opened and there was already a line. That told me everything that I needed to know about this place. Small, homey, friendly, and the chef is hilarious. He's out front cooking it up for you to see. Breakfast although, a simple choice, was cooked perfectly. I will definitely stop here again after my early morning photo sessions. read more

sam a.m - Weekender breakfast - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

We really like this place. The food is great and the staff is attentive. Not your ordinary diner. read more

sam a.m - My granddaughter, Lili, enjoying a Virgin Bloody Mary with grilled cheese and pickles at the Life Diner in Jersey City. Great place. - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Intimate little cafe, good for a quick bite. Service was particular, they kept swapping out servers so they were a bit forgetful. Challah French toast + side of bacon & Grit special (ribs) - French toast was fluffy but lacked a bit of flavor, bacon was good. Grits weren't seasoned and ribs were ok. *The berry limeade was surprisedly better than the orange juice. read more

sam a.m - Vanilla Challah Bread French Toast + Applewood Bacon Grits Special (mp) + Caf- Latte + Orange Juice + Homeade Berry Limeade - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

If you're going on the weekend go early! The first time I tried eating here I came at 11 and the wait was going to be 45 min so this time I came at 10am and there was no wait. Ordered the grits special and salted caramel latte after reading the reviews. Wasn't a big fan of the grits - it was too clumpy for me and even with the ranchero sauce there wasn't much flavor. Pretty steep at $20 as well. The salted caramel latte was nice and sizable. My friend ordered one of the breakfast sandwiches and left half of it on the table. We probably sat there for a little over an hour but man the wait staff kept asking us if we were done with our food (I counted 3 times). They were really trying to get us out for the next batch of customers and I really felt rushed to finish. Granted the restaurant is pretty small so they don't have many tables but rather than checking in how we were enjoying the food it was really more of checking if we were ready to leave. Had high expectations for this one and left quite disappointed. read more

sam a.m - Grits Special (mp) - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Food 8/10 A very filling and heartwarming sausage gravy over biscuits brunch. Creamy, rich, and the sausage bits added a nice touch of texture. The french toast also came with a beautiful berry compote. Wish I could bring it home. Both portions were very reasonable too. Atmosphere 8/10 We put our names down and waited around 15 minutes to get seated. The interior is very cozy, it seems as if they repurposed an old apartment to become a brunch / cafe spot on the first floor of the building. Rustic New England vibes. Service 10/10 Super friendly staff, I felt very at ease and enjoyed the hospitality and warmth. read more

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I came here when I was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab breakfast. It is a straightforward menu with some standard fare and some of their own creations. I like the fact you can get some lunch/brunch options so early in the morning. I had the potatoe soup, which was good. I had a pimento and egg sandwich that was also good. My only complaint was that they rushed me through my meal. They rushed me to order and I was only half way done with my soup and they were bringing out my sandwich. The first half was good but the second half turned cold and wasn't good after the pimento started to firm back up. The first half with the gooey cheese was delicious. The noise level was moderate with the piped in music. Food isn't bad, but felt very rushed out. I don't think I would come here with friends for a casual breakfast but it is a great spot if you're in a hurry. read more

Delicious food, great ambience and staff. Owner is really nice. Loved the avocado toast, bacon and the chicken sandwich is epic too. Great prices. read more

My very first meal in New Jersey and a GREAT welcome! Great vibes, friendly staff, and the Andouille sausage and grits special made my Creole heart happy! 10/10 recommend! read more

sam a.m - Andouille sausage, grits, and egg special - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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This place was awesome! The food was great, the service was on point and the atmosphere makes you want to keep coming back. We ordered americanos and two of omelettes that were on the special menu for the day. They accommodated us and allowed us to switch it up a bit. If you are in the area it is definitely worth checking out the menu has some awesome options including avocado toast and grits and sausage gravy. read more

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Was very satisfied with everything. This is such a cute little breakfast nook and the staff is sooo friendly and nice. We arrived at 10 and we were told it was a 25 min wait but they ended up calling us earlier than that. The other reviewers are right.. the orders came FAST. I was able to try the French toast with the berry and mascarpone add on, so tasty and not too sweet so I needed to ask for maple syrup. My main was the biscuits and gravy. Very tasty and the biscuits were super flavorful but I found myself needing salt for the gravy. Not a problem. One of the cooks AND maybe a manager or something came to our table to make sure we're enjoying our experience, not including the waitress! It was really nice to see that they cared. I'd be back for sure to try more stuff. read more

sam a.m - The Weekender, Vanilla Challah Bread French Toast, Biscuit & Gravy, yum! - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Walking distance from where I live. It's very small inside but it kinda gives a small town diner feel. Like if you come more than once you get to know the staff personally and they know you when you walk in. Absolutely love that. My husband loves getting their biscuits and gravy. Breakfast options are so good which is what we usually go for. I especially love the honey badger latte. Their salads though are huge and really good and filling. One of my go to places. read more

Super cute spot! i got the atlantic sandwich and a tea and both of them were very good. The service was quick as I went on a Monday morning. I loved that i can sit outside and enjoy myself. Note, I didn't think that the salmon was super fresh but otherwise the sandwich was read more

sam a.m - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Really enjoyed this place!! It's such a cute hole in the wall breakfast spot and it's not too pricey. I ordered scrambled eggs, sausage and potatoes with some side bread and it was delicious. We also order a Cuban sandwich and some coffee. They were out of the one French toast dish. The food is not revolutionary or extravagant, it's very well done traditional breakfast. They also have a lot of sandwich and salads in addition to being a breakfast spot. In fact, I thought most of their items were non-breakfast. There was about an hour wait and no real waitlist which in addition to the food being very good but typical breakfast food is why I'm giving one less star. I also wish they had waffles on the menu or pancakes and am not sure why they don't. I would go back for sure! read more

sam a.m - Scrambled eggs, sausage and potatoes with bread - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Needed to catch up with the girls before some of us leave for an Asia trip. We found this gem in jersey city! The interior is pretty small but has a vintage ambiance and definitely provided a homey brunch experience. The service was great and the employees were so polite and attentive. We went on a Wednesday so it was not packed. The food was excellent. Everything we ordered was all 10/10!!! I can imagine them getting super busy on weekends. Three lattes, three entrees and two extra meats total was only about $90 (with tip). Very reasonable and yummy brunch. Totally recommend!!! read more

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This always a go to spot for us. The food amazing Staff is so friendly also the customers. And it's so small and quaint you don't mind the wait or taking it to go. It's just as good as eating in. When you see it order the coleslaw . read more

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What a perfect little spot! We walked in on this last minute and loved it. Service was warm and welcoming. The food was delicious and came out faster than I thought for how busy they were. But probably my favorite part was watching their team interact with each other and genuinely being happy. Or at least from the guest perspective . It made a small space feel like a cozy home. read more

Breakfast and lunch specials are always amazing!! I had one of their specials last week which consisted of beef short ribs, with eggs over grits! So good- shared a photo with this review! Service is always with a smile and excellent! Our usual place to go! read more

sam a.m - Beef short ribs, with eggs over grits!! So good!!! - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

You'll love the food and menu variety, but you won't forget meeting Frank and the wonderful staff. Frank is a character in the best sense of the word. This was one of the most memorable meals I've had in some time. read more

This place is an always go to for brunch. Being an eggeterian, I've practically tried all egg dishes on their menu and loved them! The owner is very fun, kind and gels well with the patrons. The place usually has a long wait if you're not there by opening time, but the wait is worth it. It's a small hole in the wall space, with amazing food. I'd encourage them to try for an outside license too, so more people can be seated and enjoy their food. read more

This is THE best place to grab an incredible brunch and feel like an old friend all in one. Seriously, spend 5 minutes in this place and the owner will know your name and make you part of the family. The food is always delicious!! read more

This is my current top brunch spot. Why? I found new flavor here. I got their chicken salad sandwich I think that had this burst of cheery I think inside. A weirdly sweet burst of flavor that really works although it sounds like it shouldn't. Loved the service, and a really warm and friendly atmosphere overall. read more

One of the best brunches I had in the area! Cozy neighborhood vibe with cute decors. The space is quiet small and there will be a wait on the weekends, but it was faster than expected (30 minutes on Saturday morning). The servers are very friendly as well. read more

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sam a.m. in Jersey City is an absolute gem. The food and coffee are consistently outstanding, with every dish and every cup crafted to perfection. From the first sip to the last bite, you can taste the care and quality that go into everything they serve. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, striking that perfect balance between cozy and vibrant. But what truly sets sam a.m. apart is the people. The staff has an incredible way of making you feel like a regular, whether it's your very first visit or your fiftieth. Their genuine friendliness and welcoming energy create an experience that goes beyond just a meal--it's like catching up with old friends. Highly recommend! read more

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Been here a few times. Always feels like an episode of cheers-- there are some real personalities working here. Wait on the weekends is borderline ridiculous but the food is solid. The coffee is good (local roasters), the biscuits run out quick so order them when you get there, and everything I've had has been tasty. The crowd really deters me on the weekends but I never regret it once I've eaten. Avoid if you don't like long waits or tight seating. Take to go if you live nearby. read more

A tiny space, we overheard there's only nine tables, but somehow we got lucky and got a table for two as soon as we arrived. We ordered coffees first and then our food, both took awhile to come out but it seems that they only had one waitress, a barista, a busboy and a cook. The mugs are a really cute rustic look, though mine was cracked, and the lattes in them were nicely made. I ordered the avocado toast, which came with a bit of unexpected chili oil that I really liked. My partner got the breakfast platter, and it met his approval. We ate everything! read more

sam a.m - Avocado Toast - Cafes Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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