Jack’s Wife Freda
“Next time when I'm in NYC, I want to visit Jack's Wife Freda and try the green shakshuka that everyone speaks so highly of!”
“I would highly recommend trying the rose water waffle, duck bacon, and peri peri sweetbreads.”
“This was my first time trying Haloumi (a type of cheese made from goat and sheep milk) and it was pretty good as the base.”
Jack’s Wife Freda
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Brunch here is d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s and well worth the wait!
Came here on a Saturday around 12:30pm. There was already a crowd waiting outside and the wait was about 45 minutes for party of 2. I imagine that you might have to wait longer if you have 4-6 people, since inside seating is on communal tables and you'd have to wait for that space to open up.
We ended up sitting outside, which was perfect on a cool summer day, and we had the small table to ourselves. I saw that some people opted for inside seating over outside because as the crowd grows you might feel the eyes staring at you, willing you to give up your table faster.
We ordered the chicken kebab, rosewater waffle, and a side of french fries — all of it was PERFECT! So tasty and perfectly portioned. And the service was fast and extremely friendly.
Overall, a must-try brunch spot in the city!
Environmental vent: the restaurant uses paper menus that double as place settings. This seems extremely waste full and they could perhaps opt for laminated menus instead! Not sure how often the menu changes but even saving a few dozen sheets of paper a day could make a difference!
Dinner here is lovely – very fresh and healthy, and reasonable portions that leave you feeling you've indulged and splurged, minus the guilt. The peri peri chicken is fabulous, and be sure to get whatever the current fruit crumble is. (We had plum, which was ridiculously delicious.) The Lafayette Street location is small, but we ate early in the evening and had no problem getting a spot. I'm told the Carmine Street location is more roomy.
Jack's Wife Freda is phenomenal in every way. I don't remember the last time I was this happy with a meal. The best breakfast I've had in a long time.
We took some time with the menu because we just wanted to try everything. Ended up ordering Jack's breakfast – 2 eggs with grilled skirt steak. My friend had the poached eggs with grilled tomato and haloumi. So delicious. The food was so fresh and pleasant looking. The portions were delightfully small and perfect. We also shared a side of the house cured duck bacon which I thought was better than regular pork bacon. Seems like you can't go wrong with any of their menu items.
I particularly love the space even though it's super tiny (seats about 60 people with communal tables and then tables that are so close together it may as well be communal). It's very quaint and warm. You need to love the place for what it is. Everyone working here is extremely pleasant and friendly but not in a way that's overbearing or annoying. The service was excellent and our water and coffee cups were constantly being refilled. We enjoyed the fact that they don't bother or rush you out even if there's a long wait for a table (which I believe is usually the case). We came fairly early Sunday morning right as they were opening because we happened to be in the area. It filled up quick.
Although I almost always enjoy restaurants, I rarely want to immediately return to a particular one before trying something else first. Jack's Wife Freda is the exception to that thinking of mine. I definitely want to come back in the near future for breakfast or lunch or dinner.
I'm going to be an echo chamber like everyone else here: decent food, but not worth more than a 10-15 minute wait (yes we waited 50 minutes for our group) when it comes to brunch.
A lot of the food ends up coming off as slight variations from one another: a few greek ingredients, some eggs, avocado, etc. As a result I think we were all satisfied but not overwhelmed with out dishes. The Bloody Mary had a bit too much horse radish in it for my taste so I switched to beers thereafter.
I don't mind the communal seating, but pretty much every person who walked behind me hit my back so I can't help but think the place is a little too thin for the layout they've chosen. The wait staff was also satisfactory – got the job done but were far too busy to be any more cordial than was absolutely necessary.
Not sure why this place is always packed and probably won't brave the crowds to try it again.
Came here on a Sunday brunch. Walk-in, told it was 45 minute wait, hung out at the benches across the street and got in less than 30 minutes. I had to double check that they didn't call my name, they did, so keep an eye out.
We chose outside seating. There was a smell, but by the time we started eating, we realized we couldn't change. I guess it's the city and you can't do anything about it, but it wasn't pleasant.
Watermelon juice: never had that before. I kind of liked it.
madame freda: enjoyed this dish. Smelled like a pizza with the cheese and bread and meat. It was pretty good.
Green Shakshuka: it was pretty good, the egg white was at the bottom with the green shakshuka overtop of it, it's like a salsa verde type sauce, but mediterranean? the waitress stated that this dish is on the lighter side, which it was, so she recommended a side of duck bacon. It wasn't as salty, but also not as crisp as pork bacon gets.
Overall, I'd go back, but boy is this place busy.
I'm a fan of their food but our experience at the restaurant was not very pleasant. We sat at the patio but the street smelled so bad. The staffs were very friendly, and our food was decent. I got the green shakshuka but I wasn't a big fan as the sauce was too 'salsa-ish' , and there's little sauce with the eggs. My friend got the chicken kebab and she liked it. The green sauce that came with her dish was amazing!!! Would return to sit indoor and try their other dishes.
Okay look, Jack's Wife Freda is good, but not so amazing to the point it's worth waiting an hour for. I came for Saturday brunch and the restaurant is tiny. There are a few communal tables, and other small tables, plus a line out the door so it feels really cramped. Anyway, I arrived at noon and was told it'll be an hour wait. Fine, I hung out at the benches across the street waiting for everyone in my party (there were four of us).
We got seated just shy of an hour later. The service was good but it took a while for food to come out. I ordered the granola with yogurt and the waiter warned me it's a "light" dish, but I wasn't expecting it to be that small! It's great though. Flavorful, fresh, sweet, and delicious. I also had a Bloody Mary that was a great spicy kick. Also, side note…if they spill anything on you, you get free watermelon juice. How do I know? Because it happened to me and one of my friends (that's what happens when space it tight!!). The juice is awesome though, not gonna lie, and great on a hot summer day.
Came here in beautiful March weather mid week was able to get seated in a timely manner. Service is bland but fast not accurate cause she forgot our drinks which we were really anticipating. The mimosas list is interesting. I have five stars cause the food makes up for the forgetfulness of the staff. Stayed in TriBeCa area it's within walking distance. I'd so recommend this place when visiting New York, NY.