NYupstate online magazine ranked Jim’s as one of the best diners in the state. OK, NYupstate, you think you know everything? You think you’re so smart? You’re on, thou globby bottle of cheap stinking chip oil!
Bo arrived slightly before Dave and got a booth in the corner. Already, it was clear that this place was different from a lot of diners. It was clean. With soothing ambiance. There were TVs over the counter, sure, but they were kept quiet, and the music was at just the proper volume. In the ten or so minutes before Dave arrived, numerous waitresses (including “Jim” herself) came over to fill, refill, refill, and refill my coffee. Soon I was zoomin’. Nothing better than having your coffee filled six times.
Bo ordered a short stack of raisin bread french toast, two scrambled eggs, and pumpernickel toast. Dave ordered a “Kobe” breakfast sandwich, substituting an English muffin for the traditional hard roll—a bold move. “They close in the afternoon,” Dave remarked, “that’s how you know they’re dedicated to their craft.” What craft? “The craft of being an excellent diner.” Dinner, family-restaurant style, is for the birds.
The french toast was reliably well-made. The butter atop was pre-melted (not the little cube-slices used by sociopaths, this was like true cream-butter). The syrup was fake, but luckily Bo had his trusty bottle of real maple syrup to pour over. The eggs and pumpernickel toast were also on point. Note to FutureBo: where pumpernickel is an option, order and eat pumpernickel. It is the perfect savory-type balance to an otherwise sweet meal!
The Kobe breakfast sandwich doesn’t skimp on the steak. Ever heard of SteakUms (paper-thin frozen steak shavings)? Well, you know who hasn’t? Jim. I’m talking about primo meat here. Think 3/16″ or 7/32″ thick steak strips. Smothered with cheese. Hard rolls are for people who like flakes and crumbs in their beard. Pivot to the English Muffin and eat like a real diner aficionado.
We noted a little secret room near the back, with a little table. A guy was eating at the table. That must be his special room. That, or maybe he got in trouble or something and has to eat back there. Also, Dave marveled at the fact that every table – every. table. – had an outlet and USB ports! Jim explained to us that, back when the diner was located on Winton Road, everyone wanted to charge his or her phone at the counter, and it became a mess. Every diner should have this.
The smorgasbord ran to around $16. Extraordinarily reasonable. We remarked that, if one were so inclined, one could elect to order a very cheap breakfast. The fritattas, although more expensive, were intriguing. Perhaps if Jim’s is xonuts’d again in 2019…
The food was very good for a diner. The food was very good for anywhere! The ambiance and friendliness of the staff put the place over the top!
With 10 as a must-eat, this eating experience rates a high 9.
Pro Tip: CASH ONLY! It’s cash only. Kind of a big deal, but it’s Jim’s so you can get away with it. Also there’s an ATM in the vestibule.
Pro Tip #2: Maybe this isn’t allowed? But parking at Blackfriar’s Theatre seems to be a convenient thing.
Don’t Miss: The opportunity to charge your phone at a restaurant is rare; bring your USB cable.
1 thought on “Jim’s on Main”