Jack's Wife Freda

Mediterranean restaurant · Chelsea

Jack's Wife Freda

Mediterranean restaurant · Chelsea

2

116 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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Jack's Wife Freda by Photo by Rachel Adams
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Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null
Jack's Wife Freda by null

Highlights

American-Mediterranean bistro with all-day breakfast and classic cocktails  

Featured in Eater
Featured on Bon Appetit

116 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011 Get directions

locations.jackswifefreda.com
@jackswifefreda

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

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116 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011 Get directions

+1 646 454 9045
locations.jackswifefreda.com
@jackswifefreda

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 9, 2025

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@eater

Jack’s Wife Freda Is Eyeing a Fourth NYC Location - Eater NY

"Downtown brunch favorite Jack’s Wife Freda is reportedly eyeing an Upper West Side location, I Love the Upper West Side reports. The new location would be at 148 Columbus Avenue, between West 66th and West 67th Street, replacing a location of the make-up store MAC. Staffers at the restaurant’s Soho and West Village location would not confirm the news, but Eater has reached out to the restaurant management for confirmation. Dean and Maya Jankelowitz opened the restaurant in Soho in 2012 and have since expanded to two new locations in the West Village, and Chelsea. The restaurant’s popularity has spawned a cookbook Jack’s Wife Freda: Cooking From New York’s West Village that came out in 2017, and diners still wait in line to nab spot at the various locations of the restaurant which New York magazine described back in 2012 as serving “South African Israeli Jewish Grandmother Cuisine.”" - Tanay Warerkar

https://ny.eater.com/2020/3/6/21167716/jacks-wife-freda-nyc-brunch-expansion
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@bonappetit

I Order Takeout From This Restaurant Just for the Hot Sauce | Bon Appétit

"An immensely popular New York City lunch-and-brunch spot that opened an outpost a few blocks from the writer’s apartment in Chelsea makes its own verdant green hot sauce that’s creamy in appearance and balances mild heat with bright flavor—garlic, cilantro, and fresh chiles—making it versatile enough to put on eggs, rice, or sandwiches. The writer always requests extra containers with takeout and reaches for it all week, and the restaurant even published a cookbook with a simple blender recipe (jalapeño, serrano, garlic, cilantro, sunflower seed oil, water, and kosher salt) so fans can recreate it at home." - ByAdam Rapoport

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/jacks-wife-freda-green-hot-sauce
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Laurel Clare

Google
I really like that the menu has all day breakfast. The pressed sandwich with prosciutto and egg was very good. Pleasant atmosphere, good for couples or groups. For dinner we did not need to reserve ahead and got seated quickly.

Andrew Hazelrigg

Google
The Saturday morning brunch crowd is popping. The inside of the restaurant is loud. The food is on point though. The duck bacon was great. Where else can you find duck bacon?

Jeanna Grybas

Google
Came in for Sunday brunch. The food was amazing. We started with the Grilled Halloumi, I wanted a healthy option so I went with Maya’s Breakfast Bowl (it was so good I tried to make it at home lol). It was definitely packed/crowded but so worth it, I would come back to try their entrees next time.

annie thermidor

Google
Weekend day brunch. Loved the casual open and charming feel here. For a brittle cold morning, our waiter Harold had such a sunny disposition. He provided us with great explanation and tips on what to get on the menu. My friend needed an extra sauce to bring out oooopft out of her dish and he quickly brought in some satisfactory options. Actually every server we encountered was super helpful. Yup, service here was really on point! Loved the concept here of all day breakfast. For our party of 3, we started out by sharing the grilled haloumi. OMG that combo of cheese, warm grapes and peta bread. Such a good snack!! We ordered unlimited coffee, mint lemonade, matcha latte, mimosas. Enjoyed the La vida local created with Mezcal, triple sec, lime and honey. I got the green shakshuka with a side of prego steak. Perfect combo! Satisfactory portion. Other orders from our table was the Madame Freda and peri peri chicken. Every dish was a winner. Clean, natural ingredients. Finally, the Noam's Malva pudding made with south African sponge cake was the perfect ending to a great lunch .

Sophia Summers

Google
Our server Ryan was absolutely wonderful! We decided to stop and get drinks on a whim and the atmosphere was unbeatable! Staff was so friendly, restaurant was clean and beautifully decorated, and drinks were delicious!

Ann Suárez

Google
Nice cute place, in Chelsea area. Staff was super friendly and attentive. The food was good, fried zucchini chips were really good, favorite dish of the night.

Andrea H

Google
Loved this place, all their food had a unique twist to the classics which I appreciated. Only complaint is our own fault for wanting to sit outside on a nice day. Don’t sit outside no matter how cute it looks, it’s a NYC street, it smells.

MsCastroRides MsLupeCastro

Google
Bright airy bistro near the art gallery’s the food portions are average but small for the U.S. which suits me just fine ! The only thing is I found it a little bit bland .. but they do have great staff and they are fast . So it great for a quick lunch or snack they have a breakfast menu all day and they do have enough for vegetarians. Weirdly there was no gluten free bread at this one ..
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Clarissa T.

Yelp
When you walk through the door, you'll find a moody ambiance accompanied by guests quietly enjoying a meal or drink with friends. The staff is very welcoming and attentive. Our staff dinner is held here annually to commence the beginning of NYCC, it's always a wonderful time sharing delicious food together. The matzo ball soup is a favorite for all of us, the matzo ball has a perfect chew but also very tender! Peri Peri chicken is a no brainer if you're not stranger to a kick of spice, I only wish you could choose to order white or dark meat BUT both are juicy and delicious none the less. I'd recommend ordering a side of couscous to balance all of the acidity from the Peri Peri chicken dish. Steak was cooked perfectly and seasoned very well. Not pictured, some desserts. Try them all and find your favorite! Enjoy your visit next time you're craving a comforting meal!
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Adriana T.

Yelp
Wish I could leave a review for our waiter - he was really amazing! - I will give 0 stars to the manager there was no one waiting but my friend and I and there 2 tables open, a couple arrived after us and he sat them first...was not until I looked him in the eye that he finally sat us. Food was good we had zucchini, rose water waffles and chicken sandwich. The first thing we noticed was how loud the place is to the point where you will have to shout it use sign language. It sounded like a hen house. The sitting area is very uncomfortable for customers and waiters. They have this long table right in the middle and we over heard how inconvenient this group of 5 felt. Mix feelings about it-
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Serapina C.

Yelp
Dropped by for a quick bite with a friend at Jack's Wife Freda! Shout-out to the menu design for its cute illustrations I'm a fanatic for kebabs and shakshuka so we got the Chicken Kebab and Green Shakshuka - the chicken was super juicy and nicely marinated complemented with the side salad. The shakshuka I will admit I had high expectations because I really like the flavor combo of the earthy herbs and fresh spices, but their green shakshuka just tasted like a green salsa and was more watery than anticipated. But overall had a decent meal, great service, and lovely atmosphere inside :)
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Alexandra K.

Yelp
Took my team to a group lunch here before hitting Chelsea Market. Everything was perfect; they were able to accommodate our large group of 9, the food was paced really nicely, the server was a sweetheart and, best yet, the bathroom was clean.
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Elliana T.

Yelp
First time trying this place and I feel like it's definitely worth trying at least once or twice! We came here for a late lunch and got seated quickly. They have a lot of seating inside so it's a tight squeeze in between tables. Our waiter was nice and came to check on us often. We got the zucchini chips, roasted cauliflower, and green shakshuka. The zucchini chips and cauliflower were so good! The chips were crispy and lightly battered. The cauliflower was nicely roasted and the garlic sauce on top was delicious. The green shakshuka was good, but I wish the egg whites were cooked a little more and for the price I thought it would come with more bread.
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Richa T.

Yelp
This is one of the best places to get brunch! Pros: + Incredible food options + Great for vegetarians and those with other dietary restrictions + Unique takes on classics - I was so excited to see the lamb kebabs instead of beef + Staff and service were incredible! Cons: - Limited reservations IG: QueenOfAdventureNYC
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Kirstyn M.

Yelp
We visited the Chelsea location on a trip to NYC! We have been to other locations but this was our first trip to the Chelsea location! By far our favorite! The food is delicious but our server Jason made this experience into the exceptional category! He brought us a complimentary Noam's Malva Puudding because he knew it was our anniversary. It was a delicious sponge cake that was beyond amazing. The cocktails were spot on. I got Jack's Breakfast consisting of eggs and skirt steak and my husband got the Mediterranean Breakfast. Both were fantastic. Don't walk, run to this place and ask for Chad. Also, sit outside. It's the cutest NYC ambience!
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Tanny D.

Yelp
It was fairly easy to get a reservation for a Saturday morning. The menu had a few different things that sounded really good to us but we decided to order the duck bacon sandwich and the madame Freda. I think this place was a bit overhyped though. I have heard about it for years as being the best brunch in NYC, but in my mind it seemed a bit unmentionable.
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Sabrina A.

Yelp
I've been wanting to try Jack's Wife Freda for the longest time (thanks Grossy Pelosi for the rec!) and it did not disappoint! I got the green shakshuka and a cappuccino. Luckily we got there fairly early and there was no line to get in. The shakshuka was delicious and the eggs were perfectly cooked. I could have had another right then. Will definitely be back! Service was friendly and loved their hats!
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Connie C.

Yelp
Came here specifically for the duck bacon because I heard good things about this and at this spot specifically! I have to say I was pretty underwhelmed by the duck bacon, I thought it was just ok. I think I would prefer a good old pork or turkey bacon over this. I really liked my waffle though, you can really taste the rose water in it, which I thought was so unique. My friend liked her entree too, although we thought the proportion was so tiny. Cute little restaurant, with the option to sit outside. Server was so nice, and we were in and out of there quickly on a weekday morning.
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Mike C.

Yelp
During dinner my 'loud exposure warning/hearing damage' went off three times. This restaurant has no noise absorbing anything in the place and it was ridiculously hard to hear my dinner companion. Because it was so loud everyone was talking even louder to be heard and it was a terrible experience. The food was honestly fairly basic, though tasted fresh. Fries were just ok. Price points are a little high for what you get but not unusual at all for manhattan. Service was okay. We got handed off mid meal. Our first waiter wore tshirt and shorts as his uniform.
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Erika T.

Yelp
While not bad, I don't understand the hype around this place. We went to the Chelsea location, which was clean and bright. The items on their menu are way too expensive for what you're getting though. Sure, it's also because it's in NYC, but I'd happily pay more for something that was exceptionally unique or tasty. My friends and I ordered the shakshuka and Mediterranean breakfast for brunch. The breakfast came with two eggs, about a quarter of avocado, cucumber salad, labne (yogurt), and four small slices of pita bread. I'd say the pita was the best thing in the dish. It was slightly more flavorful than pita I've had at other places. Everything else was pretty normal though. The shakshuka was also pretty good and spicy, but for the portion size, I don't think each dish should be worth $20 post tax and tip.
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Lauren S.

Yelp
The beet dip was absolutely FANTASTIC and the star of our morning, with the grilled halloumi coming in a close second. We made reservations for 4 people over Halloweekend and were seated promptly at the long shared table in the center. While it was quite loud in the restaurant with music and other conversations, it all served as pink noise and we felt pretty isolated from the other parties we were seated next to.
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Mandy K.

Yelp
This is a solid NYC restaurant. The menu is unique and varied. My favorite is the beet dip! The grilled halloumi also gets two thumbs up from me. We had one picky eater in our group, who wasn't interested in the creative side of the menu, but he was very pleased with the burger. So they do that well too! The bar offerings were great and our server was friendly. This restaurant checks a lot of boxes for me!
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Maggie T.

Yelp
Stopped by Jack's Wife Freda an hour before closing on a weeknight for a quick meal. I've wanted to try their brunch food forever, but I ordered the Jack's burger instead since it was dinner time. I have to say, the burger was pretty bad. Worst I've had in awhile. It was very dry and pretty small (especially considering it was $27 after tax and tip). The fries were decent, but that's about the only good thing I can say about it. I know they're supposed to be known for their brunch, but how hard is it to screw up a hamburger? I was especially baffled by the fact that the only toppings the burger comes with are a slice of tomato and a few fried onions. Not even a piece of lettuce or some sort of sauce to make it less dry. Plus, adding cheese is another $3. No thanks!!! I don't plan on coming back here anytime soon.
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Angie C.

Yelp
Food: 7.2/10 Service: 7/10 Ambience: 7/10 We came in for a late brunch at ~2pm. We got the Madame Freda Sandwich and Maya's Breakfast Bowl. The sandwich was good and cheesy. I liked the Breakfast Bowl because it was healthy but it was a bit too bland for me. Overall, I felt like these 2 dishes were overpriced. I'd probably return to try other things on the menu!
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Avivi W.

Yelp
The food here used to be better, but it was still not bad. The service however, was kind of bad because they were so busy. And I also did not like how the environment and seating was very squished!! The waiter gave us attitude when I actually made a reservation for four and they only set up a table for three! The orange juice and Matcha are also so overpriced $8 each!!
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Emina S.

Yelp
3.5 really! This location is less "Insta-famous" than the others so we got seats in the almost-vacant outdoor seating area upon arrival on a Sunday around 9:30 A.M. Our waiter was kind of odd but the other staff were really nice. Though I've had this place on my To-Visit List since like 2019, I honestly didn't have big expectations. I love light, fresh Mediterranean food! But JWF sadly left a a bit to be desired. We Ordered: *Green Shakshuka w/ Challah Slices *Grilled Halloumi w/ Grapes *Roasted Tomato w Poached Eggs and Halloumi *Avocado toast w/ Picked Carrots + Tomato Jam + Arugula Side Salad * 2 Bloody Marys + OJ The portion were small and the plates overpriced. Food tasted fresh and light for sure, but also uninspired and lacking in the small, basic details/flavors they should have and/or would benefit from. When Sera Y. mentioned, "the green shakshuka was basically 2 sunny-side eggs with some green sauce. the egg whites were not easy to mix into the sauce" she took the words right out of my mouth. The tomato jam and pickled carrots were delicious, though. Grilled halloumi too but was all tiny and thin like my challah toast slices. Bloody Marys were also good! Glad to have finally paid it a visit but will not be coming back any time soon.
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Sandy N.

Yelp
There was nothing special about this place. Rosewater waffles were soggy and lacked the freshness. My husband did not like the green shakshukax lacked flavor. The duck bacon sandwich was fine. The Jack's breakfast was ok, overpriced. The lattes were horrible. There are way more better places in NYC. And worst of all, service was non existent and yet then tacked on gratuity automatically. We should've just waited for a table at Clinton Street baking company.
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Sera Y.

Yelp
This seemed like a diner cafe that was a little classier than a regular diner, but didn't quite make it there in my opinion. The seating was pretty tight, and the circle tables were really small and felt cramped. The food was also pretty small portions and nothing mind blowing. The green shakshuka was basically two sunny side eggs with some green sauce, the egg whites were not easy to mix in to the sauce and eating it really just felt like saucy eggs. I did like the contrast of the sweetness of the grapes on the halloumi, but it was also a pretty simple dish. Overall the meal was just okay in my mind, there are definitely better and bigger shakshuka's in the city though
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Morgan H.

Yelp
Went here with a party of four on a Sunday with reservations at noon. There was a good handful of people waiting outside the restaurant who didn't have reservations, but if you did, you got to wait inside, in the warmth, at the back. I ordered the Mediterranean breakfast with scrambled eggs. Everything was good, but all in all, it was a fairly simple breakfast. We also ordered the peri peri chicken and halloumi to start, both were pretty good, but the halloumi only came with three small slices. For the price point of $16, I was a bit surprised that it only came with 1.5 inch pieces. Overall, I thought the place was good for a simple and easy breakfast.
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Josh L.

Yelp
Short version: Jack's Wife Freda is 90% ambiance and 10% food and I just don't think the ambiance does enough to justify relatively high prices for small portions at the end of the day. This review is for the Chelsea location specifically, but I would say the same for all of them. The lighting is nifty, the art pleasant to look at, and the seating comfortable. We came in for a relatively late dinner and were seated promptly and greeted by our friendly server. All good things. I ordered the burger medium rare because I had the sense that JWF is the kind of place you have to do that to get a burger cooked medium. My burger came out medium and my mistrust was vindicated. The fries were crispy and plentiful and probably the best part of the meal. Others got chicken soup, which is more or less one giant matzoh ball and a thimbleful of broth and the eggs and Halloumi which was just meager and sad looking on it's too big plate. The real dagger that I think sums it all up is $4 per refill on a soda gun soda water in a mostly ice filled small glass. I struggle to think of a meal or time of day where a diner or an Irish pub wouldn't be a better call.
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Monica D.

Yelp
I have had this spot bookmarked for years so last week I headed into the city early just to go and finally have breakfast. It's a cute little spot with great service and a nice looking menu. I went for the Madame Freda, their version of the classic with a perfectly cooked runny egg on top and served with fries (my choice) or a salad. The fries came lukewarm but they were still good and I found the Madame to be saltier than I would expect but it was still delicious. I'd like to come back and try some of their other dishes.
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Vishnu G.

Yelp
Skip this one. Brunch spots in New York are usually pretty overpriced, but usually have decent food. This one is expensive and the food is totally unimpressive. I just had the green shakshuka, which hit over $20 after tax and tip. The challah toast was nice, but the tomatillo salsa was pretty flavorless. Plus, the portions were small. Definitely not worth it.
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Jennifer L.

Yelp
This is a psa to not listen to Instagram for recs sometimes. Decided to go to Jack's Wife Freda, which was 9/10 on aesthetic, but not so much on food. - Green shakshuka: it was two ~very~ sunny side up eggs with some green tomato sauce poured over them. The staff warned us that it would be slightly raw which we interpreted as runny, but the egg whites were raw. - Poached Eggs with Roasted Tomatoes and Halloumi: honestly, this wasn't bad. Despite being a pretty simple combo of poached egg, tomato, and halloumi, this was quite tasty. Only complaint was that it was so small - Beet dip: I was looking forward to this one, but it had an overwhelming earthy flavor that I was not a fan of. - green sauce: this was a complimentary item but it was our favorite honestly. We dipped our challah, toast, fries in it However, the staff was very nice and for a very busy brunch spot, service wasn't too slow.
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Jessica A.

Yelp
Stopped by at 6pm on a Tuesday evening with a reservation. It was mildly busy but looked like there was room for walk-ins. The tables are so close to each other, making the ambiance cozy. The menu is expansive and all food is served all day. I'd recommend the rosewater waffle and chicken wings for a Jacks Wife Freda version of chicken & waffles. The South African pudding (sponge cake) dessert was delicious. I'd definitely come again with a tourist friend who has it on their list.
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Lila L.

Yelp
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, we walked into a diner style setting flowing with loud conversations for a reservation of two. We were seated at the long communal table which thankfully had a cushioned bench. - Peri-peri chicken wings (6 pcs): nicely charred and pretty mild in terms of spiciness - Madame Freda: the avocado sauce on the side helped balance the saltiness from the cheese, duck prosciutto, and richness from the runny egg - Jack's Burger: good, but couldn't really taste any difference between a regular ground beef burger and this ground short rib burger Good to try since there is a clear demand, I've seen lines at this location and the Soho one, but I still don't understand the hype.
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Celena C.

Yelp
Food isn't bad, but it's overpriced, portions are small, and nothing special. This place has a diner vibe, and the 2-seated tables we were sitting at near the back by the bar were kind of cramped. Wouldn't return or recommend this over the many other brunch options in the city.
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Cindy H.

Yelp
the poached egg comes runny fyi!!! I got the mediterranean plate with poached eggs because I thought the yolks would be cooked but realized after i cut through the first egg that they weren't, and they gave me one new egg with a cooked yolk which was nice of them. service was fast & wait staff was super friendly Food was decent & the vibes outside were super nice :) wasn't too loud either.
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megan b.

Yelp
We sat at the bar for brunch and had a great experience with the friendly bartender! We started with the zucchini chips- so yummy and the sauces are great. The tofu/spaghetti squash dish is really delicious . We loved our drinks. Good atmosphere and music. I will be back!
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Daniella G.

Yelp
Nothing special. The space was really uncomfortable, tables were so close to one another that you need to move the whole table to get out. Staff was really nice though! I ordered the the Prego roll and it was just ok and I felt a little overpriced. Wouldnt return
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Miles S.

Yelp
10/10. Have to put that out there. This place is growing for a reason. One of my favorite spots in NYC, Jack's Wife Freda screams success through great food, good service, and awesome vibes. Last but not least, there's something in that sauce. And it's good.
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Brandon H.

Yelp
What a hoot! I had been anticipating this experience for a while and it out stood what I expected! Brilliant vibe on the corner of 8th and 15th! Stellar and kindred service by the staff! It was serendipitous strolling up 8th Ave. and finally running into this restaurant with a hunger that was craving a fresh, sunny salad, and that this lovely restaurant provided with a tasty cocktail, might add. I look forward to visiting again with fam/friends and hope you get to as well!
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Sarah V.

Yelp
Came here on Saturday with a couple of girlfriends during prime dinner time. (First time dining here, I know there is another location in SoHo). The menu had a lot of options, but didn't feel too overwhelming. I ordered the cantaloupe juice, peri peri chicken with a side of mashed potatoes, and also share zucchini chips and roasted garlic with bread. Received a fair amount of food and all were good. The peri peri chicken had a kick to it as well. The person who waited on us was super helpful and although I know it's their job was to gas us up - validated orders and gave us suggestions. It got progressively busy so understand why she wasn't always around. We were able to hold down a normal volume conversation - but it got a little harder towards the end. Only one bathroom, so plan accordingly. Will come back again.

Kristen S.

Yelp
Delicious food, awesome service and a great atmosphere! We had the poached eggs with feta, tomatoes and pesto sauce and it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Will definitely be back.
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Elisa S.

Yelp
My friend and I ate at Jack's Wife Freda this evening and had a wonderful experience. Our server, Anthony, was particularly engaging and informative. He asked thoughtful questions, provided helpful advice for us out-of-towners, and made sure that we were supplied with adorable keepsakes at the end of the meal. We highly recommend Jack's Wife Freda (especially Anthony and the poached eggs w/ roasted tomato & haloumi).
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Cyrus A.

Yelp
Brunch/lunch at JWF was fine, it felt like a run-of-the-mill diner in terms of food choice and quality. Service was outstanding, with fantastic servers who managed a hectic environment with aplomb! Plus frequent refills on water and coffee, without having to ask. I was very impressed. The food itself was okay. The roasted cauliflower to share was the best dish, with lots of zest in a creamy topping that went with crispy, well-seasoned veggies. The rosewater waffle, on the other hand, was a bit of a letdown. It tasted like...a waffle. And it came with such an unimpressive syrup. The Mediterranean Breakfast was equally ordinary, nothing stood out about it. Both dishes had fresh fruit and vegetables, but felt like they could have been made over a hot plate at an army barracks. Prices were okay, not super exorbitant for NYC. But for such a cramped, loud experience, I'd say JWF is more for people to feel seen than for the food itself.
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Linda T.

Yelp
3.5 stars PRO TIP: Make a reservation via OpenTable. Or place your name down with the hostess when you arrive. Jack Wife Freda is always packed on the weekends and busy regardless of any of their locations. I made a reservation for a table of four people and we still had to wait a bit to be seated (~5-10 minutes wait). We came here for Sunday brunch. The restaurant seems to be in the small and cozy side. The atmosphere was also pretty loud and I had a hard time hearing my friends. I ordered the Green Shakshuka and I have been wanting to try this for years ever since I saw it on Instagram. I absolutely enjoyed it and I kinda wished there was more bread to come with this breakfast entrée. I thought it was kinda pricey meal for what it was and it was a small portion. I wasn't super full from my meal. My friends said that they also enjoyed their meals. One friend also said his chicken kabob entrée wasn't filling enough for him. Overall, we agreed that the food was excellent and the atmosphere isn't necessarily good for catch-up conversations since it was so loud inside. Maybe a weekday lunch would be better and quieter.
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Cole M.

Yelp
Absolutely loved the food here. It was fresh, light, and so yummy. I ordered the breakfast bowl, kale Caesar and a side of cauliflower. One of the best cauliflower dishes I've ever had. The sauces are one of the best parts of this place so definitely add them! My chair was uncomfortable which detracted from the experience but I definitely will be back and will request the booth.
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Lily M.

Yelp
Im happy to say that my experience at Jack's Wife Freda matched my expectations based off of recommendations and what I've heard! It's best to have a reservation, we had one and had to wait just a few minutes. The cantaloupe mimosa was a sweet twist on a mimosa and I loved having a different option. I've heard the mint tea is also good. The prego sandwich was very delicious and the meat was cooked perfectly. The service was great, very attentive and prompt.
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Holly O.

Yelp
We found this place because it was in the neighborhood of a convention we were attending. It has such a lovely dining area and was very inviting. Not to mention all of the staff are super friendly and make you feel welcome. We ordered the eggplant for an appetizer, and it was one of the most delicious things I've ever put in my mouth. it was nice and crispy on the outside and buttery and warm on the inside. Their green sauce is so good I could drink it!
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Trinidad R.

Yelp
We went for brunch and ordered drinks to start. The cantaloupe mimosa was refreshing and light. I almost wanted a little more cantaloupe to highlight the flavors a bit more. The peri peri wings were wonderfully flavored. They were packed with spice, cooked well. My only critique here would be that I would have preferred for the skin to be crispy. The maya bowl was wonderful. Everything in the bowl was fresh, portioned appropriately. My poached egg was cooked to perfection and the avocado was bright and green. Their green sauce adds more intensity to the flavors. When you combine a bit of each item in the bowl you can build the perfect bite. My only criticism here would be that the liquid pools a little at the bottom of the bowl, probably from the squash spaghetti. Maybe if they plate it differently or put some grains on the bottom it would soak that up. Despite the wait, I would come back. The service was friendly and knowledgeable. There was a bit of wait to get fresh black pepper , hot sauce and no check on how are food arrived or we were missing anything but they were very busy and understandably so. The place is small, unpretentious and clean . A quaint place to gather for a casual brunch with fun eclectic music.
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Jaz M.

Yelp
After hearing about this spot for a bit, my husband and I checked it out on an early Sunday morning around 9:20 am. We got there just in time because about 10 minutes later a waitlist had started. Aesthetically, this restaurant is lovely with bright decor and fun music playing, while we enjoyed our meals. We ordered the Mediterranean breakfast, poached eggs with roasted tomato and halloumi, zucchini chips, a matcha, and a latte. Matcha - My husband absolutely loved the flavor and said it wasn't too sweet like some cafes make it. Latte - Was delicious. The coffee was bold without being bitter. Zucchini chips - These were your standard zucchini chips nothing too special. Though the sauce it came with was very flavorful. But, I'd probably skip on these next time. Mediterranean breakfast - This included: a salad, pita bread, labne, avocado, and two eggs. The green sauce it came with was delicious and really added a kick to the dish, which would have been bland without it. Overall, a light, refreshing breakfast. Poached eggs with roasted tomato and halloumi: Absolutely delicious! The pairing of the roasted heirloom tomato with the grilled halloumi and poached eggs. OMG. Went so, so well together. The sourdough bread given to dip in the egg yolk was a nice touch. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience. Everything we ordered was delicious. But, some things to keep in mind: - This place gets packed very quickly. The seating is very close together, and despite the waitstaff being super nice everything can feel a bit rushed because of the demand. We didn't feel comfortable sitting around for too long. - The portions are small, especially for the price. If you want more than a little bite, be ready to spend more than some other places.
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Alex L.

Yelp
Bottom line: overpriced and loud. Food is just ok. Rating: 2.5 ... but closer to 2. We came here after a workout class to order food. The dishes were marked up around 20% higher than average. We ordered the burger ($21), which was the size of a McDonald's cheeseburger, and a kabob with a side of salt pepper eggplant. All the dishes were about 25% smaller than expected. Food was extremely average. latte was served ($6) in a small cup with a ton of ice. The environment was the loudest I have even been to. I might as well have been in a baseball game. We were yelling at each other just to be heard. Redeeming quality: service was fantastic. Water was always full. Food: 2.5/5. Ambiance: 2/5 Service:4/5. Value: 1/5.
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Tahini R.

Yelp
Had brunch reservations for this place on a Saturday at 2 pm. Upon arriving I saw a long line but assumed it would be different for those of us who came with reservations but it was not. Even after having had reservations my friend and I were told that we would either have to eat at their outdoor dining area or wait to be seated inside and that the wait time could be between 15-20 mins or longer as their is a waitlist. My friend and I were born hungry and decided to sit in their heated outdoor dining area. The heated outdoor area was not ideal as the heaters didn't do much for us and we were both freezing and our food also just became cold and hard cause of how cold it was... I ordered the schnitzel and my friend ordered the Peri peri chicken. My schnitzel was delicious and I really enjoyed it. My friend said her chicken dish was seasoned well but dry. So she didn't enjoy it as much as she wanted to. Overall, the service by our sever was great. He was friendly and attentive but the overall experience felt a bit underwhelming.
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Brooke B.

Yelp
This place is worth the hype. And definitely a celeb spot (literally sat next to Josh Gad today). The servers are really sweet and the ambiance is always really cute. It can get busy so make a reservation or be prepared to wait a bit. I've tried a couple locations and prefer the layout of West Village to Chelsea. Food wise I recommend the Whole Roasted Garlic as a starter appetizer. The Green Shakshuka & Prego Roll are also pretty good. I've been a couple times and will continue to go back; the brunch can't fail you here.
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Federico G.

Yelp
Pros: many healthy and vegetarian options in the menu, breakfast menu, creative cocktails, takes table reservations Cons: pricey, excessive amount of tables crammed in dinning space. Not a lot of bad to say about this: food is good, drinks are good, and they have several locations around Manhattan. I think what makes me give them 4 instead of 5 starts is that I was left with the feeling that I slightly overpaid eating here. Pro tip: tried the grilled Haloumi!
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Samantha C.

Yelp
Came to one of their locations back in 2021 and loved it so much that I wanted to come back when I was back in NYC. Food is just as good as I remember. Busy place and loud but they were accommodating when we showed up early for our res after a walk on the High Line.
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Sharon L.

Yelp
Came to grab brunch with a friend & I was so excited to finally try Jack's Wife Freda! Reservations are highly recommended for weekend brunch, as they fill up quickly. From what it sounded like though, walk ins didn't take too long, but I'd err on the side of caution and say make the reservation! The restaurant has a lively ambiance, but seating arrangements still allow for private conversations. I ordered the green shakshuka & my friend ordered the chicken kebab. The shakshuka was really tasty and not heavy - I really enjoyed this for a light breakfast! I only wish there were more pieces of bread. The chicken kebab seemed to have really good flavor as well. Prices are to be expected for the city, and service was excellent.