When I moved to Rochester from Syracuse, NY, it became my goal to find the best place for brunch during my time here. I wanted to go somewhere where everybody could know my name. That place, my friends, is Jim's on Main. Located on a corner just past University Avenue while heading down Alexander Street in the city, Jim's serves up brunch until 3pm on weekdays and until 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. My mom and I had planned on eating there a bit past noon on Sunday, in order to beat the breakfast crowd but still giving us plenty of time to eat.
When you go into Jim's to add your name to the waitlist, definitely let the hostess know that you don't mind sitting at the counter. Trust me, you will get a seat faster and they also are the best seats in the house. Sitting at the counter allows you to watch the chefs cook up plate after plate of breakfast which, not only gives you ideas on what to order, but also, makes for a fantastic show. There are typically at least two chefs dancing around each other grilling the meats, eggs, and potatoes, all while scooping up hollandaise sauce and snagging the bread from the toast machine. You just can't seem to look away!
Another fantastic aspect of Jim's on Main is the endless cups of coffee. The waitress doesn't even ask if you want any more, but instead just fills your cup right up to the top as soon as you've had more than half. I love this because I always second guess myself asking, "Do I really want more coffee?" and instead I can skip right to "Yes, yes, more coffee is a fantastic idea. I want to become the coffee." I immediately start to feel like Lorelai Gilmore at Luke's Diner. By the time I'm done with my breakfast, I have managed to pound through at least three cups of coffee. It also doesn't help that the coffee is super delicious, and also makes you feel like you can conquer the world afterwards.
My typical order is the "2-2-2", which includes 2 eggs any style, 2 pieces of french toast or pancakes, and bacon, sausage, or ham. My best friend's usual order is called the "Late Riser", which is 2 eggs any style, your choice of potato, any variety of toast, and bacon, sausage, or ham. Both of these menu items are around $5 and leave you very full when you leave. Oftentimes, I have to take home part of my breakfast for later because I couldn't finish my plate. Actually, most of the items on the menu are listed as around $5 or under. The only catch is that this restaurant only accepts cash, most likely to keep its prices so low, but there is an ATM inside which you can use if you forget.
There are so many dishes on the menu that I have yet to try, and that I would love to try soon, but this definitely is a place which gets you hooked on ordering your usual pick time after time. Because I was seated at the counter, the chef actually handed my food to me fresh off the griddle. He even asked me if I needed any Frank's Red Hot or Tabasco sauce - my kinda guy. I could have sworn my 2-2-2 this past Sunday tasted better than it ever had before. None of the food was dry and everything was mouth-watering. The french toast I ordered was so fluffy and soft, while still retaining that toast-like quality. My sunny-side-up eggs were done absolutely perfect and the sausage was so juicy and tender.
Jim's serves plenty of omelet choices, egg sandwiches, frittatas, breakfast sides, as well as plenty of lunch options such as hotdogs, burgers, salads, soups, and a variety of hot and cold sandwiches. In addition, Jim's provides daily specials which are very decadent as well as extremely affordable. My mom was elated by the whole Jim's experience; she chatted with the waitress about if there really was, in fact, a Jim. The waitress relayed to us that the original owner's name was Jim, who then sold it to another Jim, and, finally, it is now owned by a woman named Elena Knapp, who has worked at the diner in previous years. The fact that the diner is owned by a female makes me love it even more. Girl power!
Jim's is located at 785 East Main Street, or on the corner of Alexander Street and East Main Street, in Rochester, NY. Plenty of parking is available in the Blackfriars Theatre parking lot right next door. If you do visit Jim's, or if you love it as much as I do, be sure to comment your favorite dish down below or send me pictures from your trip! You can follow Jim's on Main on their Facebook page. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my Twitter or my Instagram for post updates!
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