Bubby’s Brooklyn
1 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY
Writing this review made me realize we need to call out restaurants that are greatly enhanced by a nice view of the surroundings. Join us in welcoming Eats with a View as the newest “Perfect For” tag. With a backdrop of the NYC skyline and both the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, this bi-level brunchplex/event space is home to one of the best views in town. You’re so close to the water you might even be able to trick Four Square into unlocking the “I’m On A Boat” badge.
I was working in Dumbo some six years ago when Bubby’s docked near Water Street. It’s arrival couldn’t have come soon enough. Back then, Dumbo was a complete wasteland in terms of food. With the exception of Grimaldi’s, it was slim pickins for eats – it was either Front Street Pizza, Peas & Pickles, a sushi spot that’s probably closed now or the dirtiest DIY salad place you’ve ever seen. Midtown lunchers have no idea how good they have it. I would have killed for a Cafe Metro. But thanks to the arrival of Bubby’s, I finally had a lunch routine worth looking forward to. My gangster move was a soup/sandwich combo and then a drive by at Jacques Torres around the corner for dessert.
If you live in Dumbo or Brooklyn Heights, Bubby’s is your go-to Chronic Brunch spot. The two restaurants are nearly identical, sans the constant Celebrity Sighting at the Tribeca location. The best you’ll do around these parts is Mos Def, who lives in the building next door.
Food Rundown:
Pancakes
Thick and extremely hearty, these p’cakes are generally a crowd pleaser. Our two favorite varieties are the blueberry and the chocolate chip (subject to availability).
Bubby’s Breakfast
A typical diner style breakfast. Two eggs any style, a choice of hash browns or grits, breakfast meat and toast. No better than what you would find at your local greasy spoon, other than the fact that the grits are awesome.
Spinach Salad
Bubby’s salads are good for lunch, but like every other business class salad, are too big and too expensive. Regardless, the spinach salad has long been my favorite.
Matzo Ball Soup
They’re not as good as Grandma’s, but these big, cakey matzo balls are more than serviceable. The move here is to order their alphabet soup and have them add matzo balls.
Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich
Sandwiches are what Bubby’s does best. Sandwiches and pie…more on that later. The grilled ham and cheese is an excellent specimen. Thinly sliced hickory smoked ham, sharp white cabot cheddar and grainy mustard make for a good situation.
Peanut Butter & Jelly
I get sucked in every once in a while on this, forgetting that the time before really wasn’t anything special. This is a double decker PB&J on toasted seven grain bread that doesn’t taste as good as it looks. Then again, why am I ordering PB&J when I’m out to eat? That only flies if you’re seven, or really high.
Chicken Salad Sandwich
I love chicken salad – it’s one of my all time favorite foods – but this stuff is just too smoky for me. It’s too bad, because everything else about this chicken salad is right in my wheelhouse: grapes, pecans, and minimal mayo.
Grilled Chicken Club
Best sandwich on the menu by far. A typical club with the addition of avocado – it’s simple and amazing. Slam dunk.
Pies
Make sure to save room for Bubby’s world renowned pies. Our favorites include coconut custard, chocolate peanut butter, and banana cream.
