Marco & Pepe
“Inarguably one of the best brunch places in Jersey City and a must visit for anyone who appreciates good Huevos Rancheros.”
“The Kale Salad is a great choice too if your into kale, but I would definitly skip the flatbreads- they lack flavor for sure.”
“I also recommend getting the lobster roll and a side of Brussels sprouts that are cooked in (a ton) of oil and garlic and (even better) bacon!”
Marco & Pepe
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
Rate and write a review Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I don't know if it's me or if JC is deficient in good brunch places. Don't get me wrong there are a couple of nice ones, but for the most part for such a happenin' area I'm left discontent. Marco and Pepe is another mark off. I had the "Ham and eggs" simple enough with no fancy menu name.
It looked nice but was just ok. I thought the brie sauce would really give the entree that extra "oomph" but no, I would've thought it was just Hollandaise sauce but I guess it was melted brie, it wasn't very much of it either for the extra $1. The portion was fair for the price and the service I can't really complain about either but I just wasn't feeling the meal. The crossaint seems like it would've been better with the brie melted on it or perhaps some kind of jam but it just seems this place suffers from what a lot of other places do – more focus on presentation over tightening up the meal.
Brunch here is fantastic! We were seated outside on a gorgeous day. Our waiter was extremely fast. I ordered the eggs in toast and it was delicious. Perfect brunch spot 🙂
A good find, but slow service made a late lunch last that much later. A friendly server, but it still took the bar 15 minutes – at a time with a number of empty tables – to get drinks served once we ordered. The bloody Mary was strong but missing celery. The 1863 martini tasted watery and like something was missing. Oh well…
The butternut squash soup was plain but passable. We had a decent Cuban sandwich with fries and the cheesy/creamy/artery clogging mac and cheese with lardon was tasty and sharing worthy. Overall, the food was fine, but took way too long at the a slow time after the brunch rush. Liked the music – think French café style – and the vibe but they could stand to step up on service
There is, admittedly, a certain amount of history that can't be overlooked at Marco & Pepe. It's one of the few restaurants that can trace its origins back to 2001, when Ralph and Beverly Rodriguez noted the growing demand for a true "neighborhood place" in downtown Jersey City. Named after their two dogs, the space is a compilation of mismatched pieces, from the banquettes that used to be former church pews to the weathered two-tops that are squeezed in at the front of the restaurant. It's vaguely reminiscent of a French bistro-cafe or a Spanish tapas bar, but has a character and charm of its own.
I've visited Marco & Pepe several times for brunch [1], which I've heard is their strongest meal. It seems easier of late to get a seat (perhaps mostly attributable to the new quality additions to the dining scene in downtown JC), but as they don't take reservations, it's best to arrive during off-hours. The environment is ideal for a catch-up with friends or even for dining solo at the bar, and the menu has a tasty array of solid, albeit predictable, options that span the typical omelettes, sandwiches, and salads.
The Cuban Sandwich I opted for on my first visit wasn't their strongest option. The pork loin was too dry and lacked a distinct flavor, although the Parmacotto Ham and Manchego Cheese certainly helped. I do have to commend them on having a solid Burger, though; it's a basic blend of ground beef cooked to your desired temperature with the requisite lettuce, tomato, and onion. On both instances I've ordered it, the patty has been juicy and well-seasoned, with just the right amount of pink for a medium-rare. The side of fries is just as satisfying, which are all too similar to the thin, slightly crispy variety that can be found at McDonald's.
Perhaps I'm just getting old, but there's something invaluable about a place that has withstood the test of time. It's a reliable, local, and welcoming spot, a place to go to when something comfortable is all that you really want. After all, what more could you ask for from any neighborhood spot?
—
[1] Note that their Brunch Menu is available from Tuesdays through Friday afternoons; who says eggs are exclusive to weekends?
The place looks awesome, I love their rusty and vintage benches and decor. Food on the other side is a different story. It took us so long for the food to come and food was just mediocre
My husband order shrimp and scallion omelette. Shrimp was fresh and interesting to come in omelette. But the omelette overall was too plain and boring.
I got poached egg with ratatouille. It was pretty good but the portion was tiny. I did not feel so full after finishing the whole dish. Given that I am just a small girl, I suspect that the portion must not be enough for an average person.
Came here after reason Yelp reviews about the "amazing" Huevos Rancheros. It's one of my favorite breakfast dishes and I have even managed to make a delicious one at home. Anyway, I decided to give this place a try.
It's a beautiful Sunday and I was surprised that although the restaurant seemed busy both indoors and the outside seating, the wait was only about 5 minutes.
I ordered my Huevos with Spanish chorizo and the b/f had his with ground beef. When the meal came out I was so disappointed. I could already tell by looking at it that I was not going to be pleased and I was right. The b/f's eggs were so runny that I almost worried they were undercooked. There was no real flavor and I had to drown my dish with the green and red sauce that was served on the side just to give it a kick.
Their service was good and so was the coffee but anyone who thinks these Huevos rancheros are amazing needs to explore other places.
I wanted to like this place but it was just ok. It's kind of a hipster haven but I'm not sure exactly what they're trying to say about themselves. The menu is limited. The mac & cheese is great. We shared some dishes with some friends and it was a good time, but service was very spotty. I don't need to hear their tales of woe about their managerial staffing problems.
Haven't tried it for brunch but it was relatively empty when we were here on Sunday night.
Stopped by for brunch on Sunday afternoon. We were seated right away – love that, who doesn't?
My breakfast was served on a skillet – that was cool. The fireman had a grill chicken sandwich – also good. The beer was great – sangria wasn't all that but I still drank it.
As far as everything goes, the tables were really tiny, and the favors were good but not original. Nothing extraordinary – but still descent.