Department of FoodieDepartment of Foodie
New York-style cheesecake is the thing to order at this essential Brooklyn diner.
What to order: Original Cheesecake · Strawberry Cheesecake · Matzo Ball Soup · Steak BurgerFrom Google Maps reviews.
Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery is one of those classic New York institutions that leans heavily into traditional American diner culture, with large portions, comfort driven dishes, and a menu that reflects decades of crowd pleasing staples. Originally opened in Brooklyn in 1950, Junior’s built its reputation on New York style comfort food and its iconic cheesecake, becoming a staple tied closely to the city’s diner and deli culture. It’s the kind of place where the food isn’t trying to be modern o
Junior's has been at the corner of Flatbush and DeKalb in Downtown Brooklyn since 1950, and in that time it has become one of those rare restaurants that locals and visitors agree on completely. The cheesecake is nationally famous. The diner menu is broad, generous, and exactly what you want after a long day. The room is bright and busy and a little loud in a way that feels right, the kind of restaurant that doesn't ask much of you except that you show up hungry. The cheesecake is the whole reas
I went to the original Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery in Downtown Brooklyn because I wanted to try what’s considered “real” New York cheesecake. I’ve seen it everywhere, and I even tried the mini Junior’s cheesecakes from Costco months ago which I honestly thought were pretty bad. So I figured maybe the original at the source would be better. It wasn’t. It tasted exactly the same to me. Very dense, overly rich, and just not enjoyable. I know New York style cheesecake is supposed to be thick, but t
From the Jun 15, 2026 health inspection. Lower-priority items are listed after the serious ones.
Cold food was held above 41°F, warm enough for bacteria to grow.
Staff hygiene fell short: soiled clothing, no hair covering, or unkempt nails.
Cooked food wasn't cooled down fast enough to be safe.
Shelves, ledges, or equipment exteriors aren't clean or easy to clean.
Dishes and utensils weren't being properly washed and sanitized.