Tribeca's brunch haven w/ cult-fave pancakes & biscuits; also a surprisingly strong weeknight American comfort food spot.
Bryan Kim reviews Bubby's, a Tribeca staple since 1990, known for its popular brunch and comforting American dishes like pancakes, biscuits, and burgers. It's also an underrated weeknight option.
This Tribeca establishment, a neighborhood staple since 1990, is renowned for its bustling weekend brunch, drawing crowds for its fluffy pancakes, savory biscuits with sausage gravy, and perfectly caramelized home fries. Beyond brunch, it offers a surprisingly solid weeknight dinner with crowd-pleasing American comfort food at reasonable prices. The rustic, farmhouse-chic ambiance complements the hearty fare, making it a reliable choice for a satisfying meal.
This American comfort food restaurant is celebrated for its brunch, particularly its pancakes and biscuits with sausage gravy. While many rave about these staples, some recent feedback suggests a decline in quality and high prices, with a few labeling it a 'tourist trap'. The hot chicken sandwich and burgers also receive positive mentions, and the pies are often recommended.
"The pancakes are a frequent highlight, often described as fluffy and a must-try, though opinions on their value are divided. Other highly recommended items include the biscuits with sausage gravy, home fries, and the Double Bubby burger."
Customers generally praise the classic American comfort food, especially the pancakes and biscuits, though some find the prices high and question recent quality changes. Long lines are a common complaint, with opinions divided on whether the experience justifies the wait.
Important Note
Some diners report that the restaurant can be quite noisy, especially during peak brunch hours. Additionally, there are mixed reviews regarding the current quality and price point of certain dishes, with some suggesting it has become overpriced or a 'tourist trap'.
"The author found Bubby's to be overrated and very expensive, spending about $100 for banana walnut pancakes, a corned beef hash plate, and two coffees. Despite the cost, they acknowledged it was a fun experience."
Negative"The original poster is asking for pancake spot recommendations in NYC for their birthday. This user is considering Bubby's."
Neutral"The user liked Bubby's, including a Yokohama location, but found the sound level during weekend brunch to be excessive."
Negative"The user liked Bubby's, including a Yokohama location, but found the sound level during weekend brunch to be excessive."
Negative"Bubby's is mentioned as a potential birthday brunch spot."
Positive"A friend who often orders pancakes really enjoyed them at Bubby's. The pancakes are described as fluffy with various topping options, including a pancake flight."
Positive"The user reported that the chicken and pancakes from Bubby's were very good. They also enjoyed the biscuits, which are not commonly available in their home country."
Positive"While acknowledging the pancakes were bad, the commenter praised the home fries as the best they've ever had due to their deep flavor, stating they would return just for them."
Positive"The commenter observes long lines of tourists at Bubby's daily, comparing it to a Cheesecake Factory and expressing a lack of understanding for its popularity."
Neutral"The commenter believes Bubby's remains solid and offers the best traditional American breakfast in NYC, though notes that visiting has become more of a production. They also highlighted the long tenure of the bar manager."
Positive"This comment suggests that airport locations of restaurants, like the one at LaGuardia, often operate independently of the main establishment and are of poor quality."
Negative"The commenter feels that Bubby's has become overly commercialized and caters mainly to tourists."
Negative"The commenter found the pancakes to be very disappointing."
Negative"The commenter was disappointed with the pies from Bubby's, finding the fruit pies bland and the crusts subpar. They noted the peanut butter chocolate pie was the best of the bunch and that all pies were served cold."
Negative"This commenter suggests that Clinton St. Baking Co. offers superior pancakes compared to Bubby's."
Neutral"The commenter, who lives nearby, has had inconsistent experiences with Bubby's pancakes, rating them as solid only 6 out of 10 times, suggesting quality may depend on the chef. They did note the compote was delicious."
Neutral"The commenter states they have never understood the appeal of Bubby's, finding the food to be consistently bland."
Negative"This commenter expresses a long-standing negative opinion of the restaurant, stating it has been consistently poor for decades and expressing surprise at its continued operation."
Negative"The commenter suggests that increased popularity leads to faster food preparation, potentially compromising quality and freshness."
Neutral"The commenter stated that the chicken soup at Bubby's is excellent."
Positive
