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TheObliviousPickle t1_j5gvrb0 wrote

Their stuff has always looked fire but I cannot subject myself to eating 3500 calories for breakfast/brunch lol

8

danm888 t1_j5gxf6n wrote

Food is great here and the service even better. Shame they're not open in the evenings.

4

flippenstance t1_j5gy9zu wrote

Before they upgraded there was a much smaller diner in that spot owned by the same family. It was pretty rundown and i think I remember the ceiling leaking when it rained.

−3

WarrenBuffetsDriver t1_j5gyne5 wrote

Haven't been there since the rebrand and haven't seen a reason to try it yet given other similar spots and the time they close.

52

cannibalism_is_vegan t1_j5gzem2 wrote

So many great memories of gorging on pancakes and getting day drunk at the Brownstone lmao

13

JS_NYC_208 t1_j5h03i3 wrote

I went once after the rebranded and I said to the host “ the diner remodel looks great!” She replied “it’s not a diner”

52

LaNaranja315 t1_j5h0gbo wrote

They have some of the best home fries I've ever had, perfectly seasoned and crispy

2

gamerdudeNYC t1_j5ha8ph wrote

Place is always packed and was on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives when it was Brownstone

Gotta try the “Pancake Wrap” at least once

4

m_pops t1_j5hdhn3 wrote

Place ain’t bad at all, but yeah… kinda wish they stayed open a bit longer. I think the whole place usually closes up by 3 or 4 most afternoons.

9

revesby9 t1_j5hdyx5 wrote

Their mudslides are god sent

3

PICHICONCACA t1_j5ho7zz wrote

Her parents ran it better. The renovation took away any character that place had and the food? Okay at best.

18

WarrenBuffetsDriver t1_j5hoyd4 wrote

Replying to SpicyMargarita143 (#1,444,591)

The daughter who took it over did a complete re-brand, not for the better.

Cut portions + raised prices + shifted menu (no more combo for example and added avocado toast options), wanting it to not be a diner any longer. The one in Edgewater still has the same offerings and I believe her brother runs that.

44

EagleFly_5 t1_j5hpkdk wrote

Replying to WarrenBuffetsDriver (#1,444,826)

Correct, the owner of Brownstone Pancake Factory’s sister runs Life Pancake Company, and it all stemmed from the OG family diner in Jersey City. Won’t expect too much of the fun as BPF and not as expensive, but it works like a charm.

Agree with others here, the hours are a bit wonky for a diner restaurant like this, feels like they’d miss out on business if they only opened a bit earlier (maybe 7-8 AM some days), and/or did dinner service.

15

Jahooodie t1_j5i0btq wrote

Replying to SpicyMargarita143 (#1,444,591)

I actually hate the new interior. It’s cold and industrial with a harsh high contrast color and 8 years too late to catch when that was trendy. It lacks comfort and charm and isn’t inviting to me, compared to the old one

18

Jahooodie t1_j5i2lp6 wrote

It’s… missable, not a must go. It’s more expensive and less good than the old dinner, while also having worse hours. It’s fine enough, but I went from going to the brownstone 1-2 times a month to going to life once or twice ever with no plans on going back. It’s not even a thought that clicks in my head anymore

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Knobbies4Ever t1_j5i5uuq wrote

Replying to flippenstance (#1,442,426)

Jeez, folks around here are quick with their downvotes.

I remember the old-old place from my early days in JC / mid-90s. No idea why it was called "Newport" as it predated the mall. Smaller, shabby building - but same family, great food, great value. I think it closed at 2 pm or something like that?

I also recall a controversy in which the city wanted to take the land by eminent domain in order to create a parking lot for teachers... maybe for the not-yet-built Conwell School? There was a stink & that plan was withdrawn. Maybe some other old-timers can confirm / add some detail on that history?

3

Vertigo963 t1_j5i63gb wrote

Broadway Diner in Bayonne is very good, if anyone has a hankering.

9

Knobbies4Ever t1_j5i7c4m wrote

Replying to spypol (#1,442,875)

Yeah the original place was vintage 60s / early 70s (maybe older). Not sure when the old place was knocked down & current building went up: possibly just before JCMC, which opened in 2004.

5

Gojira5400 t1_j5ia9uw wrote

No way am I ever going back to this place, paid close to $30 just for pancakes, eggs, and a drink. Honestly the biggest rip off I've eaten since I've moved up here and the pancakes are worse than Denny's.

15

TheLairdKnows t1_j5icoxl wrote

A classic example of how to fix something that wasn't broken.

11

FunCandy8149 t1_j5ifci6 wrote

They ruined it tried to like it went a few times but it is no good :(

8

Mammoth-Housing-4395 t1_j5ihqhb wrote

We ordered to go. It arrived on time. We actually got vegan pancakes and they were good! Had some nonvegan items and enjoyed them. Packaging was good. We didn't complain. Would I order again? I would. My issue with going is that it seems to have odd hours. Oh...the lady on the on the phone was super helpful. Yes I called and didn't order through an app.

2

alowe13 t1_j5il44k wrote

I used to get their chicken and waffles all the time before the rebrand. Only been once shortly after it reopened and it was the same, but that was years ago…

2

Tankisfreemason t1_j5ilipd wrote

The service at Life Pancake House isn’t good. It was decent when it first opened back up compared to Brownstone. One time (and last time) at Brownstone, there was a waitress who was going to every table and saying “It’s my birthday, give me money”. Currently, Life Pancake isn’t that much better than how the service was before. Stopped going there a while back, I take the trip to Edgewater instead to Original Pancake

8

someguyfromnj t1_j5ipmrf wrote

But why would you cheat on Wonder Bagel PEC?

−1

Lilmitten82 t1_j5j77so wrote

The last two times I’ve been here there was hair in my food

2

p4177y t1_j5j7sxv wrote

Replying to Jahooodie (#1,446,145)

Yeah, I feel like if OP ever went to the place when it was Brownstone, they would not be recommending this place.

I know a lot of restaurants have had troubles with staffing and inflation since COVID, but this remodel, IIRC, was in 2019 before the pandemic, so their quality, prices, portion sizes were already going down before from what I could tell the one time I went after the remodel.

I'd hate to think what it's like now...

15

Mocha-Fox t1_j5jigpd wrote

It was better before the daughter owned it. I miss the classic, inviting interior and their old menu

5

New_Regret_8076 t1_j5jjrzd wrote

This place is terrible. So expensive and over priced. The last time we were there they had no running water and was charging us 6.00 for a small apple juice no refills.

3

JourneymanHunt t1_j5jmzau wrote

Yeah, it's different, but it's still great. Loved going there before and I enjoy going there now.

1

Laraujo31 t1_j5juxw9 wrote

I have eaten here a few times. Its not terrible but its not a must go (Brownstone was better). Its definately very pricey. The service isn't bad ( i have never had any issues). I know the owner's daughter bought it and decided to rebrand everything. Don't know why because it was just fine when it was Brownstone. The last thing that area needed was another trendy spot. Have no idea why they close early when they are missing out on a lot of potential business later at night.

5

Nexis4Jersey t1_j5k33y7 wrote

Just like many have said, I miss the old Brownstone and I hate this trend of making Diners into rebranded hipster overpriced piles of crap... The Tick Tock Diner on Route 3 has suffered a similar fate and Tops Diner in East Newark also got a rebranding...lost all its character and charm of the old building... Only a few dozen true diners left in this region , Bendix on route 17 , Andros in Newark , Broadway Diner in Bayonne , Court Square Diner , Murray Hill Diner to name a few..

7

BeyondDadBod t1_j5k7ash wrote

Replying to Nexis4Jersey (#1,452,474)

I was really hoping that in the year 2023, my duty would be done. But, here we are.

The last hipster died cold and alone some time in 2014, in a share house in the Hudson valley. Pushed out by gentrification even from Bushwick (but unwilling to do, you know, ‘real’ bushwick) he had to make a choice, and decamped from Brooklyn along with his Kombucha production cooperative. Unfortunately man can’t live on Kombucha and vinyls alone, and as sales dried up they couldn’t afford heat, which led to the tragic end of the last true hipster. No more exist, and most people have moved on to blaming gen Z for their woes

6

brandy716 t1_j5ke3nr wrote

All the places that use to be good are gone now. It’s a shame.

First the name is terrible. I use to order here when I worked the late night shift or wanted a nice bite on a Sunday with the family. It was our go to anytime. Some people just don’t understand what makes a restaurant/ dinner great.

I haven’t been here since the update and will not be going back from the reviews.

2

nasty_brutish_longer t1_j5kn2j8 wrote

Replying to Nexis4Jersey (#1,452,474)

Miss America on West Side holds the fort as the last true diner in this town.

The food is fine.* Not great, not even particularly good, just fine. It's a diner. Fast, cheap, filling.

*When last I went in 2019. Please don't ruin my life by telling me it's not anymore

5

boojieboy666 t1_j5kuh71 wrote

Was better when it was the diner but still good

1

Hot-Ad2515 t1_j5l2r3y wrote

Sure. I'll go whenever it's not closed

1

Puzzlekitt t1_j5schis wrote

The pancakes were dry and crumbly so I never went back.

1