The Grey Dog’s Coffee
“So many things with glorious pesto and the chill "vibe" is sooo "Villagey" ;-)…but in Union Square…so…watch out, it gets crowded.”
“When you walk in they reserve a table for you with a bandana so that you can wait in line without having to worry about scouting tables!”
“Since it is close to NYU, you see a lot of young students hanging here with their classmates or friends.”
The Grey Dog’s Coffee
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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This place is near NYU, so its clientele seems primarily students. (I was brought here by an NYU students.) It is kind of semi-self service. Order first at the counter; find your table; get your own crockery; the waiter will deliver the food.
The portions are American-size. Quality is good, but nothing to write home about.
There are so many food options around union square that it's almost impossible to decide on a restaurant. For most people this is a great thing, but for me, it's very stressful.
Since all of my friends know that I'm a "Yelp Expert," (also known as Yelp Superstar, Yelp Royalty and Yelper Helper) they all expect me to just know where we're going to be going before we even get there. My bra (aka brother from another mother/#1 supporter) always has me choose the place. So as usual I was scoping out the reviews hours in advance.
This time around I was looking for 1-2 dollar signs with high ratings. After taking a peak at The Grey Dog's menu, I was set.
Upon walking in I was already happy with my choice. It smelled great, people were happily chatting, the food looked good and there was available seating. This place has you order at the counter and then they bring your food to the table (typically making for cheaper food since there's no waiter service).
Bra ordered some soup and I got a Philly cheesesteak on gluten free bread. The soup (as I am told) was really good. Warm and chock full of flavorful meat and veggies. The cheesesteak was a tiny bit dry but still much better than I expected. There was a generous amount of meat and gooey cheese. The bread…THE BREAD was actually good!! Toasty and soft and really good! It almost tasted like real bread. What are your secrets! The public needs to know! Or just me. Just tell me is it store bought or fresh? I honestly couldn't tell. The sandwich also came with a pickle and a hearty serving of salty potato chips.
Just a tip: Since there is no waiter service, you have to get your own silverware, napkins and water. Don't be an ass like me and wait until the end of your meal sitting around feeling thirsty with greasy fingers. Get up and get it. Or be like me and have your friend do it for you.
Meh…such a large sip of water until I realized that I got a cup of cappuccino…it was extremely bland and did not carry any espresso flavor whatsoever…
Probably I should instead try their brunch items, as my friend had pretty good words on them. Also I do admit that the ambience was great – felt like I was sitting in a coffee bar in 18th century, that everything carried an ancient type of texture – world maps on the table, dim light, torn tables…I simply wish their drinks could be better!
I knew I was in the right place when I walked in to Billy Joel's "Moving Out". With no grand sign on the outside, this unassuming burst of character blends in with the buildings nearby. I walked in and it was packed (around 11 am on a Saturday). The system is unique here in that you place your order at the register and pay, then you're seated. You also grab your own silverware and water for the table.
I ordered the Grey Dog Breakfast. It was filling–very filling, and tasty. And now I need a nap.
Came here for dinner and had a nice meal. I got the prawn and poppers tacos and sweet potato fries and loved it. It was a solid meal and my friend got a chai tea latte which came in a generously sized mug with a cinnamon stick.
First time here and the ordering system can be confusing. As you come in, you might see a line forming outside, so line up. Once you get close to the counter, you can grab a menu and see what you want to order. You order your meal at the counter and pay. Then, you find a place to sit. However, if you see tables with bandanas on it, they are reserved. This place is not so spacious and you can feel cluttered.
I ordered the Grey Dog's Breakfast, which comes with eggs any style, french toast or pancakes and bacon, sausage or ham. Of course, I had to get french toast and BACON. It was really busy when I got there, so busy that the waiter messed up on my order. However, he was nice about it and fixed it. The meal tasted great and this is a great brunch place. I would check out this place, but keep in mind that it gets really packed on the weekend and they do not take reservations.
I am so excited and happy I've actually found a breakfast/brunch spot that deserves a 5 star in my opinion. Being that I love breakfast food, it's been a while since I've been to such a great spot. So let's review from the beginning. Got here around 10am, wasn't packed. When I first walked in, a host spoke to us and placed a colored bandana to reserve a table for us ("you guys will be the red bandana here") and told us to get in line to order our food. I ordered the Grey Dog breakfast ($13.95), which comes with eggs in any style, french toast (comes with bananas, strawberries and blueberries) OR pancakes (no fruits), AND either bacon, sausage or ham. Then they take your name and you sit at your assigned table and they yell out your name when the order comes out. There was a separate self serve condiment/utensils station where you grab forks, knives, spoons, napkins, mix syrup and sweets for your drink, ketchup, hot sauce, etc. Even though it was extra work for customers, for some reason, I found it kind of fun as I waited for my food to be ready. The other cool thing about this place is that they sell paintings hung on their wall. There are price tags attached to them and you can just buy them and take them home then and there. At 10:45, the line was out the door, BUT you would think it was for waiting for tables, but it wasn't. It was actually for ordering food instead so if you passed by the place, you probably wouldn't want to wait, thinking there are no tables. The turn over for tables were pretty fast. As people mixed their drinks at the station, grabbed their utensils, etc, tables started to empty. Overall, I say this place deserves the 5 stars for its food and atmosphere! Food was also pretty good and I think the prices were fair for you get. Pictures will be posted!
I have talked about and taken so many people here…I literally call it MY place.
But seriously, I absolutely LOVE this place. Hands down, my favorite brunch/breakfast joint in NY! Great portions, adorable atmosphere, and some of the friendliest (and cutest) workers!
I almost always get the Grey Dog's Breakfast and a mimosa when I come here. The Grey Dog's Breakfast has a generous portion of pancakes or french toast, eggs, bacon or sausage, and the famous home fries! Their pancakes are bomb!! Light and fluffy-they are what pancakes should and always be. And, the home fries! More like a skillet version of potatoes with grilled peppers, but they are so yummy! I can't get enough of the potatoes. $8 mimosas!! My girlfriends and I love getting breakfast and our usual Saturday late morning mimosa here, as they are super refreshing and bubbly.
I have also tried the roasted turkey and brie sandwich, which is amazing! The brie is so good with the cranberry and turkey! An great take on Thanksgiving leftovers, if you ever wonder what to do with them.
Staff is SO friendly here, and I love that they reserve your table for you, as you are waiting in line to order your food. It's super convenient and takes away that awkward hassle of holding your plate of food, as you look for seats (high school lunchtime memories, anyone?).
If you look around, decor is cute and very spirited, as well! Different array of university flags are all around the restaurant. But, my favorite is actually the dumbbell cart that is located near the back of the restaurant. It is so cute that food comes up through on this!
Definitely a try if you're looking for a brunch spot in the Village/Union Square!