John’s Cafe

It was ok, but not A-OK…breakfast is breakfast is breakfast. Eggs ordered over easy delivered over hard. Hash browns were hash beiges with no crispy bits and heavy on the grease. The pancakes, however, were a hit with the kids. My biggest complaint is that a morning meal for three exceeded $ 30. Too much.

This is a hidden gem, a hole in the wall if you will. Located near the popular lower Greenville, this is probably a 5 minute walk to steel city pops.
My buddies and I came here for breakfast, and was glad that this place was the most affordable and local. They serve pancakes which were delicious, eggs, ham, toast, and any breakfast combination you can think of. They also serve burgers and fries as well. We went a little after 11, so we missed the $ 6.99 breakfast special (which I wish I got) but everything here is some good American breakfast. Not too much to complain about because the wait wasn’t too long, but it does get busy in here! These folks are doing it right!

This precious family run diner is the cutest spot in lower Greenville! You walk in to order at the counter, the owner is at the register taking orders, you sit down and are taken care by the friendliest staff.
The food was AMAZING! I personally love crispy bacon, and I saw a Unilocal post the bacon cheese and egg omelet so I had to try it and holy cow! best omelet I’ve had. My husband got ham cheese and egg and we shared a side of French toast because that’s a must for brunch… we probably cleared our plates faster than we ever had for breakfast!
Thanks for the experience and food whenever I’m in the mood for an omelet, I’ll be here.
A little side story I was happy my husband shared with me… While we waited for our food we just happened to be in a booth with an article framed on the wall about how the locals fought for the restaurant to stay open when the landlord was closing it down. Little things like that are a perfect reason why I love diners!

I ordered the daily special for $ 7 and it was a large portion. 3 – 4 bacon, hash browns, 2 eggs, and 2 large biscuits. The hash browns were really good but heavy and biscuits were good. You order up at the front and get everything yourself. Old school diner.

We came here for Mother’s Day so it was super busy. The food was nothing special I could make everything better at home honestly but it’s within walking distance and we were hung over so we went there. You order at the counter, take a seat and they bring your food out but people were sitting before ordering food because they were scared they weren’t gonna get a seat then everyone who has ordered is standing waiting for people to get up and leave. The establishment needs to just be more firm with customers taking a seat before you order, it’s rude and uncomfortable for everyone else but no one did anything. Also you can just feel people watching you while you eat pressuring you to get up. Not the kind of environment I want that early. Not to mention the cashier lady was rude, did not
Smile, did not greet I’m not sure how she has a job. I work in the industry and she would not be my choice for FOH.

A lower Greenville staple! Great breakfast specials (order the hash browns with jalapeños and onions), and you can’t beat the pancakes!

The absolute best pancakes anywhere! John and family have been a Lower Greenville staple for years. Everything on the menu is wonderful. The place is reminiscent of a breakfast or lunch place you see in the movies. You will love John’s and quickly make this one of your favorite breakfast joints.

The service here is top notch. Really friendly. I had the breakfast special, get it with the biscuits.

Highlights:
–Like another Unilocaler previously stated this place feels like going to your grandmothers for her sweet cooking. The atmosphere is very welcoming and homey as well
–The food is absolutely amazing. This is was my second visit here for lunch! It did not disappoint, the breakfast is also just as good.
–John is such a sweet welcoming man and greets every customer with a smile! He made my hubby feel like they were old friends lol.
–John does indeed have fresh vegetables/​fruits! (picked from his own garden)
–Hubby had a bacon cheeseburger, I had a reg cheeseburger, my sister in law had chicken tenders, and my toddler had a pancake-​everything was finished (which means no leftovers ;))
Lowlights:
–Nada this way
Overall:
We came in 30 minutes before closing time and were treated so warmly! Our food was out in less thanks 10 – 15 minutes! Everything here is amazing (food wise) but how warm and welcoming the staff is makes your dining experience much more pleasurable! John is such a caring man and we wish him much success in the future! This place will definitely be a staple in our family!

Johns café is one of our favorite places to eat breakfast. Warm welcoming restaurant that is clean and has great food and service. We have eaten at John’s café in all of his previous locations. The food and great customer service remains the same. Georgia is always welcoming and smiling as you step up to the register.
Try it, you will be hooked!

Rude AF cashier lady; no hello, no smile, harried, no thank you, cheerless– with no one else in line. Daddy likely gave her that register job– she wouldn’t make it anywhere else with that dour attitude.
Took 20 min for eggs to come out. Toast was good.

John’s Café stole my heart with a unique kindness and attention to their customers you rarely see and a delicious veggie omelette (with fresh jalapeños from the owner’s garden).
I was greeted with a big smile and lots of energy at the register when I placed my order! «It’s my first time.» I said, «What should I get?» «Everything here is good.» replied (a man who I assume is) John warmly. A customer sitting at the bar beside the register confirmed «Everything here is fresh — look at the lemons from his garden.» I looked… Attached to a branch with a leaf were two of the biggest lemons I have ever seen near the register. «I have a big garden!» replied John.
Reuben, the waiter, knew everyone by name. The place appeared to be full of regulars & I can see why!
I like the vibe of this place… Warm, welcoming, friendly, and caring! I will be back to sit and drink my coffee and enjoy the people watching, the energetic sounds of the kitchen, and a delicious breakfast!

For the price, I thought I would be getting more but it’s the charm of a local busy spot that keeps this place going. It’s comfort food in the morning in its most basic form. Order at the counter, find a table and wait to be served. I had their pancake combo with eggs and bacon. The presentation wasn’t anything stellar but it’s a café joint so don’t expect fancy eggs and garnish, expect your food. But I still think there are better breakfast spots than this one even though they seem to have a collection of regulars that come in for their usual. I can’t knock on the place because if it was more than I expected, I would be raving about this dive but in the end, I’ve had a better food experience.

This is one of the best breakfast joints in Dallas. Every time I come through Dallas, this is my go-​to breakfast joint
1. The food has always been on point. The biscuits are fluffy, the gravy is great, and the chicken fried steak is some of the best I’ve had.
2. Everyone who works here is incredibly nice. I always get at least two «thank yous» as I’m walking out of the door.
3. The food comes out real quick, usually within 6 minutes, it’s pretty impressive given how busy the place is.
4. Try to get there before 10:30, after that time, it gets a little crazy, and you don’t want them to have run out of any food
keep doing what you’re doing guys.

There’s a reason this place has been here since 1972′ Great food, great service! Everything is fresh and made daily. Will definitely be back for a gyro!

Quick stop for breakfast driving through Dallas. This breakfast joint food comes out quick and they are extremely busy. We got here right before 9am and the line was starting to form! The family owned business had lot of option for breakfast and he was really funny too!

Great greasy spoon American diner run by a Greek man, like most New York diners. I ordered a gyro omelette, something I had never seen before until I came into John’s Café. And it was good — very good, I must say.
This is a hole-​in-​wall diner that has just been lost in time. Glad to see its still running even to this day.

Don’t go here. It’s crowded enough already. We’ve been going to John’s since the early 80s, from the first location on Greenville to the Garland location and now back to this location where Nick’s used to be. Yes, it’s sentimental, but John’s food is consistent and I typically run into someone I know. The customers are consistent too. His greek omelet is excellent, but I usually stick to the breakfast special. Love the hash browns. They’re not grated potatoes, but small chunks and my friend loves the pancakes.

It was an OK experience. The order first, wait for your food, THEN get a table situation was really odd and rather annoying. Especially when it’s busy, and you have no idea whether you will even HAVE a place to sit when your food comes out. If you don’t, you’re left holding your food and waiting.
If you are seated inside, it is very squashed as the line of people queue up between tables, so be prepared to have butts in your face while you’re trying to eat. I managed to snag one of the two tables outside, so we were fine.
It’s also annoying with the above scenario when busy and you see what I assume are regulars sitting there for over an hour, taking up a table, drinking coffee and not anything else.
As for the food, it was OK. The biscuits are the best I’ve had in Dallas, but… that’s not saying much. The gravy was awful. Pancakes were good, but average, as were the hashbrowns. Overall the food was «Meh». There are better spots in Dallas in the same price range as far as food goes. Add the ordering and seating situation on top of it, and I just won’t ever come back.

This is one of those «locals hang out here» joints. Family owned, home style cooking. Walk in, order at the counter, grab your own coffee and silverware. The only table service you will receive is with the delivery of your food.
I love family owned dives, and, this certainly is one. They serve breakfast and lunch only, so, they close at 1500. I have only dined here for breakfast, and, I gotta tell you, I’ve had better. Eggs and bacon are spot on as is the toast. The hashbrowns are bland, and, not fried enough. I like more crisp. Having said that, I’ve certainly had worse breakfasts.
They have a decent enough menu with a decent enough breakfast special. I tried their biscuits and gravy, and, was left disappointed. No sausage gravy, only cream. WTF? Seriously, if you’re gonna offer biscuits and gravy, you damn sure better offer up some sausage gravy!
The staff are very friendly (they’re the owners, so why wouldn’t they be?). They attract a decent crowd, and, I really feel comfortable when I’m here. The place is clean, and, service is with a smile. Even though it’s not my favorite breakfast spot, I’ll go back. Sometimes I prefer just having my food without the annoyance of wait staff.