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Joseph's II Family Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants Diners Event Planning & Services Caterers Breakfast & Brunch, Diners, Caterers [Edit]
805 Main StWaltham, MA 02454
(781) 899-4754
- Nearest Transit:
-
Main St @ Grant St (170, 553, 556, 70)
Main St @ Fiske St (170, 553, 70)
Main St @ Harvard St (170, 553, 556, 70)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6 am - 3:30 pm
Fri 6 am - 9 pm
Sat 7 am - 9 pm
Sun 7 am - 3:30 pm
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
68 reviews for Joseph's II Family Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Try their fresh squeezed orange juice."
(in 3 reviews)
"The banana French toast is also mouth-watering."
(in 12 reviews)
"best corned beef hash and eggs."
(in 4 reviews)
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68 reviews in English
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Review from E K.
Waltham, MA
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
We hardly eat breakfast out, but I love a good breakfast.
Went here at about 8 on Saturday morning and there was no line. It was crowded, and there was only one other table that was not occupied. Its a local mom&pop place and there were several tables with young kids. It was slightly noisy, but lively feel of a place is sometimes nice.
Everything was really good. I kinda hoped that they would have maple syrup, but no. Also, everything is heavily buttered. I had two french toasts on the side and there was enough butter (that was still left unmelted) to butter at least three or four more slices. Orange juice (freshly squeezed) was spot on, and everything was great.
My only gripe was that our waitress wasn't very friendly. She was one of the older ones who didn't really smile, and didn't ask if our food was okay. That said, the other waitresses seem really happy, lively and fun. Maybe she was just having a bad day.
Oh well. Good food. Good breakfast. :) YUM! -
Review from Nicole Z.
Waltham, MA
1/3/2012
Great place for brunch!
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Review from Cindy W.
7/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
My dad brought us here on a early Sunday morning and oh we were all shocked how good the bfast was. Its you local mom and pop bfast place!
Friendly and quick service! I would recommend their corn beef hash with eggs and toast and their hungryman combo. Fresh sqeezed OJ and good coffee.
Prices are reasonable. I can't wait to come back with some friends. A good place to go after a night of drinking and partying! -
Review from p c.
Maynard, MA
6/4/2011
This place is disgusting.
My god, if you look up Dark and Dank in the dictionary you will see a picture of Josephs 2.
We went there a couple months ago and were happy to see they had fresh orange juice. SO we ordered two glasses.
I took one sip and just about spit it out.
For 3.75 a glass it better be good...Well it wasn't and we sent them back.
Overall the food was expensive and waitstaff was rude.
I really can't understand why it is so hard to park there.....oh yeah, they have like three places and that's it.
It's not worth the effort or your money. -
Review from Monica R.
3/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Whole family went here- despite the line out the door, the wait was pretty short. Our waitress seemed like she had her head in a million places, but we received our food promptly, and it tasted great. The prices are really reasonable.
Come here for a Sunday brunch. It is worth it. -
Review from David S.
Waltham, MA
10/14/2011
I live around this place, so I mainly go when I'm up early in the morning and I'm craving a meal.
Food: Mainly a breakfast joint, although they have other stuff too. What you'd expect from a popular breakfast joint, nothing overly fancy, but the prices are reasonable.
Ambiance: Dark and somewhat crowded, unless you get there super-early. They often (but I don't think always) have a Boston Herald you can pick up and peruse if nobody else is looking at it. Despite the crowds, in my experience, folks at this place usually aren't obnoxious; I've never had a problem with screaming children or anything like that.
Staff: Very polite; I've never had a problem. Somehow, while they get people in and out fast (it's a popular joint), I've never felt rushed. -
Review from Michelle C.
Wayland, MA
Don't know what the hype is about this place. Even as I was standing in line for breakfast, the girl in front of me was giddy about how much she loved this place. So I started to get excited too and was eyeballing someone eating the St Christine (eggs benny on a croissant) which looked really good....well, looks can be deceiving....
First of all, the benny sauce (hollandaise) is fake...its powder, gross. What is up with all these restaurants trying to pass off hollandaise with that crappy, powder made sauce. Seriously, its NOT that hard to make. I've had many a breakfast lately where I have learned to ask how do you make your hollandaise before I order....and it crazy how many say 'it's made from a packet'....barf! It angers me! and I'm taking my benny wrath out on Josephs II.
Although, its not just the fake, nasty hollandaise (see picture of grey, congealed sauce, ew) that turned me off, the toast was dried out like it had been sitting in the window for a while and the ends had started to curl up, although, its weird 'cause our food came pretty quickly, so not sure what happened there. The potatoes looked really good, and the first bite was good, but then it left this weird, taste in my mouth.....I later realized it was onion or garlic powder that left this onion pringles taste in my mouth. which is fine if you're eating pringles....but I wasn't. bleh!
Husby had his usual bacon & cheese omelette and the portion was pretty small compared to the other omelettes that were coming out.....although, I say, that's a blessing in disguise. Plus, the oj tasted weird to him too, like it was fresh then frozen, then defrosted...ick.
Parking blows, as mentioned, there's only approx 6 spots out front and a couple at McDonalds. -
Review from Larry H.
Waltham, MA
Well, I finally got a chance to sit down and write some reviews. I've been debating how I was going to rate this place. If I was rating the food only, then I would give it 5 stars. One thing I need to make clear, I've only been here for breakfast and my review is based strictly on a breakfast experience on early weekend mornings.
The decor is dark and dreary and there's not much natural light in the place. You'll notice the dining room is small and you're packed in pretty tight. Even though I've never used the restroom, I believe you have to walk through the kitchen prep area to get to it. It looks like the furnishings have been there since they opened the place. They even have a table that has a quarter lacquered into the table. I think that was funny back when I worked at Child World in 88. Does that still fool people? Do people really try to pick that quarter up?
The food here is fantastic and is obviously cooked to order (I'm looking at you bust-a-gut Home Fries). I should mention that in the many meals I have had here my food was consistent. I order eggs over-medium and I get eggs over-medium.
My favorite dish is the Eggs St. Christine (photo posted) which is pretty much Eggs Benedict over smoked ham and a grilled croissant served with Home Fries and a slice of fruit and parsley for color. A key point in this dish is the amount of Hollandaise Sauce is perfect. It's not overpowering, in fact the smoked ham and buttery sweetness of the croissant really shine through. This dish is now one of my go-to, high anxiety, craving dishes that I obsess over during the week. In fact, I'll grab my coffee and sit down at my desk and my stomach gives me a kick in the ribs... If I listen carefully I can hear it saying "Eggs St. Christine now Foo! Go ahead big boy drink your coffee without feeding me. I'll give you gas... ALL day long!"
I've heard that comedians don't use "bathroom humor" in their stand-up routine but I find it fits nicely in food reviews... /sarcasm off.
I haven't had a bad meal here and I've tried many of the breakfast dishes. I'm impressed with the quality of the food and the presentation.
They offer several early morning dishes under 5 bucks that are a great deal. I'm sure it's time restricted and I think 9am is the cut-off on the specials. Unfortunately, the Eggs St. Christine is not one of those dishes, you're looking at just shy of 9 bucks before tax. For first timers you'll probably find many items on the menu you'll want to try like the Bananas Fosters French Toast or the Berkshire breakfast.
Alright, time to dish out the dirt on this place. I only gave it 4 stars for a reason.
My main gripe is the parking... There's probably a total of 8 parking places if you include the 4 spots that are shared parking with McDonald's next door. And, it's only 4 spots, those spots being marked with a sign stating "these 4 spots for Joseph's II parking all others will be towed". There's off-street parking with meters but I see parking as a con.
The staff here varies, some are personable and some are not. Let's just say that even as a regular, most of the time I don't get a good bye or thank you on my way out. They do what they need to do and get my order right so they are doing the job that's expected of them. It's not like they are rude or anything. This is not that big of a concern because I let my tip reflect that.
Since moving to Waltham about 6 months ago this is one of my favorite local breakfast places. If I had to compare to the many places I've eaten breakfast at the food is easily among the top 3. Much better than the overrated "In A Pickle" down the street.
Personal gripe: The name.
I've heard rumors that the place is named after the owner Joseph and his father of the same name. I still struggle with the name of this place, or is it the apostrophe that has me stumped? I mean if I break it down, it's basically saying "Joseph's, two family restaurant". He's not including himself in his dads family? Would "Joseph's 2 Family Restaurant" be correct phonetically and what implications does that have on the family? ah, well.. -
Review from Jeff A.
Wakefield, MA
9/26/2011
OK...so you know that you're not dining at the Four Seasons when you stroll in. Huge breakfast menu, lots of choices at good prices. Noisy, cramped, no atmosphere but our server was pleasant and efficient.
Food was good...no complaints. -
Review from pete g.
Waltham, MA
1/7/2012
passable for a downmarket place but, make no mistake, joseph's II is a downmarket place. "in a pickle" restaurant just a few blocks east on main street is a vastly better option.
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Review from paura h.
Chapel Hill, NC
3/7/2011 2 photos
Oooh It's all about breakfast baby! And, it's good here. The servers here are seasoned and hospitable. There are daily breakfast specials that are tasty and very reasonable at $5.99; early bird specials are $3.99. Eggs cooked to order, fresh squeezed orange juice, red bliss homefries.
I stopped by early-ish Monday morning, and was cheerily greeted by my server. As it was before 9.30, there was plenty of parking. The interior space isn't ideal, out-dated, and not-quite dingy but dark. I was seated by the window and it was very cool and drafty.
I started with tea and while the water wasn't as hot as I usually like, my server was great about freshening up my cup (+ another tea bag!) without my even having to ask. The eggs St. Christin are absolute perfection! (Eggs benedict over perfectly grilled slices of ham and a warm split croissant, topped with a béarnaise sauce). I home fries need just a tad bit more salt. The orange juice was wholesomely fresh!
The menu indicates that Belgian waffles are only available on the weekend. I don't know how or why, but they were available to me and on special this morning. I ordered my waffle to-go because I didn't want to be to so openly gluttonous. When I got back to my hotel several minutes later, the waffle was a bit soggy and the cream had liquified. That didn't discourage me one bit. There was a bounty of fresh red strawberries placed over the waffle. It looked like the best ones were picked from the bunch! I can't begin to describe how TASTY this waffle was, no need for syrup.
So in the span of about an hour, I consumed quite a breakfast. The most impressive part about my morning was that I didn't feel weighed down by the food. It's been a couple of hours now and I'm peppy and certainly happy to have started off my day at Joseph's. -
Review from K M.
Watertown, MA
7/19/2011
Great and affordable brunch! Get here early though because lines can be out the door. Parking is challenging so bring quarters if you're not visiting on a Sunday.
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Review from JD H.
Cambridge, MA
5/30/2011
I've been visiting Joseph's II for about 14 years now ever since we started going to brunch on the weekends at school.
The brunch/breakfast is consistently amazing including the ever present corned beef hash which occasionally is a special.
Sure, their coffee is typical diner style and the decor is still from 1981, but that's what I love about the place. The food is amazing, the staff is consistently nice or delightfully crotchety. And you always leave satisfied.
I've also had lunch and dinner here which are also good. Breakfast is by far their highest skill.
Be careful because the line on Sat/Sun can be long during the academic year. There is limited parking, but McDonald's shares 4 spots in their lot now. -
Review from James Q.
Northborough, MA
3/3/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I am taking time out to write this review because this is by far my favorite place to eat breakfast. My friends and I have been going there for years (about 14) since we started attending Bentley. I've eaten dinner and lunch there a few times and it was good but their breakfast is consistently done VERY well. The wait staff is great and turnover is minimal.
They have fresh squeezed orange juice and the coffee is good. I don't live close (about 35-40 minutes away) but I still drive regularly to grab breakfast.
The only bad things relate to parking (ICK although they finally negotiated some spaces from the nearby McDonalds) and waiting for seating on most weekend mornings. They could really do well in a larger space I think.
I highly recommend checking it out. -
Review from Evan R.
Rochester, NY
8/14/2010
This is a tough one. My real rating would be 3.5 if I could.... I went with 4 because I gave In A Pickle 3.... I prefer this place.
... which is kinda sad. Neither place blows me away. Joseph's won me over (and my two friends) because they execute a little better in the kitchen. I've had 4 visits and the eggs are very consistent. The home fries are okay, but they suck in comparison to Pickle's.
My friends are a better gauge, since they order the Lumberjack breakfast and Hungryman all the time. They've both been very happy there. I will say that one time I had some extra food coma because the food was a little extra greasy.
The negative lie within the atmosphere. The service kinda blows. Sorry.... but you've either got a 17 year old guy who's clueless or doesn't care... or a grouchy (yet very efficient) middle aged woman. We usually end up with her. She makes us feel very awkward... and I don't think "awkward" and "breakfast" should go together. The place is small, but not good small. The lighting is a little dim and you sorta just wanna eat and get on with your day.
I wish that I could combine the consistency of this place with the vibe and hype of In A Pickle and just have one brilliant breakfast joint in Waltham (much like Martin's Coffee Shop in Brookline, or Breakfast Club in Allston). -
Review from Mathew S.
Waltham, MA
Definitely the best breakfast in Waltham! Get there early and be careful where you park! The food is worth the wait
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Review from Jennifer M.
Austin, TX
1/4/2011
This is my second favorite breakfast place in the Waltham area. The line is usually out the door for a reason.
Don't let the older building and unfriendly wait staff stand between you and the good food for a decent price. You can ever go wrong with their pancakes and home fries. My boyfriend loves the Eggs St. Christine and chocolate chip pancakes.
They do offer some specials but if you are looking for anything that is vegetarian like myself the options are limited. -
Review from Donald L.
Indiana, PA
1/1/2011
This is an older establishment in Waltham. We ate breakfast here on Dec. 31, New Year's Eve. The restaurant is small and it was crowded. I sat next to the aisle and I occasionally got bumped by passing people. It is that crowded and tight. Our order came without any problems. The food was good but not exceptional. The waitress was tired and overworked.
There is limited off street parking. -
Review from Mcslimj B.
Boston, MA
2/12/2009
It's tough to be a punctuation stickler who writes about restaurants. Restaurateurs frequently add nonsensical possessives (at Soya's in Newton, I suspect there's no Mr. Soya). Where they don't, diners do ("Let's go to Sonsie's", "No, Legal's", or worse, "How about Chez Henri's?"). Josephs Two in Waltham apparently presents a new solecism: no apostrophe where one actually belongs. Shouldn't that be Joseph's Two? Actually, no: father Joseph is the GM, son Joseph is the chef. Punctuational propriety appeased, I'm able to relax and enjoy their broad American and Italian-American menu.
Lines snake out the door on weekends in anticipation of heaping breakfasts like the Lumberjack ($8), with crisp corned-beef hash, properly poached eggs, toast, and flapjacks or French toast (all very good) plus cornbread (fluffy and sweet), or the popular Cape Codder ($7), featuring terrific cranberry pancakes with two eggs plus bacon, ham, or sausage. Sassy, bluff servers accentuate the old-school, no-frills atmosphere.
The lunch/dinner menu features a daily array of blue-plate specials ($9) like Yankee pot roast or London broil. The latter, advertised as flank, lacks the expected chewiness and flavor, but is helped by grilled peppers and onions. Both are served atop fantastic, lumpy mashed potatoes. These plates are modest, substantial, and genuine bargains, especially with the accompanying warm loaves of Italian bread and pats of real butter. An overflowing cup of superb split-pea soup loaded with ham (99 cents) is an essential upgrade. Fresh touches like these make it easy to forgive occasional corner-cutting, like fake maple syrup for the pancakes and Sysco ketchup instead of Heinz.
A three-course seniors' special ($17 for two, served Friday and Saturday from 4 to 9 pm) must seem especially welcome these days, with a green salad or soup (with more homemade-tasting options like corn chowder and pasta e fagioli), a choice of entrûe from seven blue plates (including fine housemade chicken pot pie, eggplant/pepper parmesan, chicken cacciatore, or broiled scrod), and dessert (pie, cake, or pudding). Excellent filter coffee ($2) and fresh lemonade ($3) stand out among the beverage options. There's even a worthy 1/3-pound cheeseburger ($7) with rather good fries or onion rings.
With a room reminiscent of a worn budget ski lodge, no one will mistake Josephs Two for a date place, but its food is the real cheap-eats deal, and far better than the fare served at most diners with hipper atmosphere. It's the kind of place about which you might even get a little possessive. -
Review from Roni E.
6/9/2007
I'm not sure what is up with the mixed reviews. However, I know I love this place when it comes time for breakfast on the weekends.
It usually a line if you get there past 10 am, but it is well worth the wait. It's probably one of the better places around Waltham to get breakfast. I've been going to this place since I was a freshman in college.
Great prices for the large portions you get. Try their fresh squeezed orange juice! Yum!Listed in: Waltham is a Real Place!, Breakfast is the most…
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Review from Alexis J.
Watertown, MA
12/12/2008
I do not require frills and fancy, and trust me when I say, this place has nether. Below average food, uncomfortable atmosphere, and scary waitstaff. My eggs were runny and my pancake was thick and chalky.
I know its just a local joint but I just can't enjoy a stack of pancakes in this place... it's dark and dreary. The menu is random and the waitstaffs' personality leaves something to be desired. There are several good breakfast joints around Waltham/Watertown and this is my least favorite. -
Review from Joyce K.
Waltham, MA
8/14/2006
I hate Joseph's Two. There's usually a long wait and the waitresses are trashy, rude, and stupid. I don't even bother asking nicely anymore...actually, I don't even bother talking to them. I just hold up a sign using small words like "WATER" or "COFFEE". Any proper diner should not require their patrons requesting coffee ever. It should flow freely.
The omelettes are crap and the pancakes aren't that awesome even when smothered in whipped cream and bananas. I prefer Victoria's or even In a Pickle (which recently got awarded CBS4's Best Breakfast). -
Review from Josh B.
South Waltham, MA
6/21/2006
Much of Joseph II's charm comes from the feeling that it is a family-owned restaurant. The waitresses call everyone "hon," the food is served hot and fresh by the same guys every time, and the prices are very reasonable.
Enjoy the french toast, the omelettes, and the home fries, but be sure to try the strawberries and cream when it's available! -
Review from amber f.
Champaign, IL
6/24/2009
This place is awful for dinner. Oily, soggy pasta with no flavor, made with "lobster" that was clearly from a can. I'm sure they have some great breakfast choices, but I doubt I'll go back after being so repulsed last time. The atmosphere is also kind of gross, and the furniture has that awful sticky feeling from being lacquered too many times/not being cleaned thoroughly.
I'll stick to In A Pickle, thanks. -
Review from Dan B.
North Waltham, MA
7/17/2008
This little breakfast place has become a weekly habit on the weekends for me and my girlfriend. The food is great but not amazing, and always filling. The waffles are especially good along with the blueberry pancakes. The waitstaff are always friendly. The price cannot be beat, and you cannot get a better breakfast for less money.
The only downsides are that this place is just too small and there isn't enough parking. If we get there too late, I have to find parking on the street and there's a line out the doors. The entry way is cramped and when people have to wait in line it is very inconvenient and awkward. In light of that, I'd say try to stay away between 10-12 on weekends, any other time is fine. If the colleges are having a parent visit day, don't even bother. Fix these issues and I'd give them 5 stars. -
Review from Sonya J.
Boston, MA
3/2/2007
I am not sure what the appeal of this place other than from the outside it offers up the possibility of getting some good diner food. In reality, the place is packed most of the time you'd want to go, and the food is made without any love (if you venture in, you'll see what I mean--pancakes were very dry, and best of all, your food's almost thrown at your table). The waitresses are not too friendly, either.
If you like eating food right smack next to a line of people who are waiting to be seated, then this is your place! Now don't get me wrong, I love a divey diner, but this simply just doesn't have enough character to fall into that category, it just sucks too much. Unlike in other typical diners where you don't have to ask to get your coffee mug refilled, I asked for a refill and Joseph's II and never got it--the waitress showed up with the bill instead.
There are *lots* of other places than Joseph's II to get a good diner breakfast without the attitude and assembly line features of Joseph's II. The worst part was that it was kind of pricey for a diner. Oh, and there's a very small parking lot. -
Review from Hilda W.
Waltham, MA
Updated - 5/5/2011
Just an update: we stopped here for lunch the other day and only lasted about 30 seconds. The hostess was unfriendly and dismissive and the whole place just seemed so dingy and sticky and dirty. It would take a lot to get me to go here again.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/12/2011
We just returned from our first breakfast at Josephs II. We have actually tried to go a few times… Read more »
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Review from Larissa A.
Quincy, MA
7/8/2009
HOLY CRAP! Banana French Toast with maple/brown sugar syrup! So amazing.
I came here recently to meet my mom for brunch midweek. She was also very pleased with her breakfast. It was some sort of ham/egg/hollandaise sauce concoction.
Coffee was typical diner coffee. Nothing great, but not awful. The staff was upbeat and very attentive. I don't know if they have different people working during the week, but I thought they were great.
Will def. be back for future Mom DatesListed in: Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey
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Review from Rebecca O.
Haverhill, MA
11/13/2006
As long as you stick with breakfast...four stars.
Don't bother with the rest of the menu. -
Review from Jon A.
Brookline, MA
5/27/2011
I like Joseph's II and eat there fairly regularly. I can't rave about it but I surely do like it. The pluses are that it's family run and feels it. The food (I've only had breakfasts there. Lunch and dinner menus don't seem as appealing) is a good value, prepared as ordered and made well.
The decor is both charming in it's sort of 'old school' feel but age hasn't been kind. In other words, the style works because it feels so delightfully like what it is but a bit of upkeep would make it feel more of a deliberate design choice to keep it "old school family Waltham".
The wait staff are consistently charming in all the good senses of 'family run business' and make me smile every time.
It's *absolutely* worth a trip if you're in Waltham but is a star shy of 5 because it's probably not worth a trip to Waltham to enjoy it. -
Review from Dallas S.
Waltham, MA
1/30/2010
I'm not a super huge fan, and perhaps that is because I found another local breakfast joint in the area, but it's okay. They have a wide array of pancakes (never had them myself, but come highly recommended by the friend I've gone with in the past). "Homefries" are sort of foreign to me since I'm from the mid-west and we have "hasbrowns" which are different.
The service is always prompt and pleasant. I'm just not a huge fan of the omelets and homefries, which are the only reason I go out for breakfast.
I still think its worth checking out if you are in the area and want to compare to other places.
=) -
Review from holly m.
9/10/2007
Love this place for a fun weekend breakfast. Went here yesterday morning around 11am and it was already packed. We had to wait about 10 minutes for a table, not too bad. The decor is a bit outdated, but don't let that fool you, the food is great. I had blueberry pancakes and they were perfect! Just the right amount of berries and butter. Yep, I'm getting fat just thinkin about it. All in all, its reasonably priced, the menu is traditional with a few cool additions to the norm, and the service is speedy and sweet.
Is it breakfast time yet? -
Review from Darius K.
Somerville, MA
7/10/2007
Best breakfast in Waltham. There's always a line, but it's never been more than a 20 minute wait. I think it's worth it. The eggs St. Christeen is a great dish, basically poached eggs on croissant. The banana French toast is also mouth-watering.
I'm not sure why people say the service is bad. It's not stellar, but I've never found the servers to be rude or unknowledgable. Parking is tight, but I can usually find street parking up one of the side streets. -
Review from Joanna K.
ASTORIA, NY
7/13/2008
Went there this morning for breakfast with the boy. We were both STARVING as we had barely anything to eat all day yesterday. The boy got an order of pancakes and side orders of bacon and sausage. I got the "Bostonian" - a ham, egg and cheese stuffed croissant with homefries... AND a side order of french toast. Pure awesomeness.
We both left completely stuffed. The service was pretty good - very efficient, and the food was really good as well (with HUGE portions!). At the end of the meal the chef came by and asked how everything was. Which was a bit unexpected, but definitely a nice touch. :) -
Review from Colleen B.
North Waltham, MA
Updated - 3/28/2009
The Recession Buster meal exceed our expectations. Put away your pots and pans cuz you ain't cookin' tonight.
Check it out $20.09 PER COUPLE and you get:
-a basket of buttery garlic bread (ask for a side of their sweet marina sauce for dippin')
-a choice of soup/chowder or salad
-and any entree (breakfast served all day so if it's steak and eggs...go for it)
And by ANY entree we went for it and ordered the two most expensive and delicious entrees. My husband devoured the prime rib and I had the seafood medley which included a generous helping of baked scrod with a buttery cracker topping and a baking dish of scallops and shrimp also with a butter cracker topping....oh and wait for it....a meaty crab cake with spicy remoulade. Some items were a little bland and could have actually used more butter/seasoning. You'll have to add your own in this case.
Overall, we were blown away by the generous and well-cooked portions. Run don't walk....1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/26/2008
I'm supremely stuffed from a yummy breakfast of "Bananas Supreme" over a tasty waffle! My husband… Read more »
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Review from chris j.
Waltham, MA
2/10/2010
My disclaimer is that I have never been to "In a Pickle", which is down the street.
My overall experience with Joseph's II has been positive. I have had the Bostonian (Croissant/Egg/Ham/Cheese sandwich + french toast) and the Montpelier (Egg/Ham scramble/White Cheddar + french toast), and both were actually amazing. I have not had anything else because these two things are so good.
When you first walk into J2's, you might not have high expectations, but so far my experience with the food has been excellent.
As far as service goes, the waitresses are all really nice and attentive. I have never had to ask for a coffee refill, etc. Like any small breakfast place, there can be a wait sometimes. However, even if you have a part of two, they will seat you at the next available table, even if it seats four. I have been to many places that reserve larger tables for larger parties, and it is frustrating.
Other people have brought up parking as an issue. I do not even bother looking for a spot in their parking lot, as it is most often pointless. There are literally 50 metered spots on main street. Every time I have gone on a weekend, I have been able to park at a metered spot that is a 60 second walk to J2's, and since it is a weekend you don't have to pay a dime. -
Review from Andrea M.
Lexington, MA
4/9/2009
Great breakfast. There are always good specials too. The staff is full of grumpy grandmas, but that's how I expect a diner to be.
Parking here kinda sucks though. There are about 8 spots in the lot, and you'll get towed if you park in McDonald's next door. -
Review from David Y.
10/26/2010
The food at this greasy spoon diner is pretty good. Solid breakfast fare. The got very basic decor with an outdated old-world European feel. The bathroom is behind the kitchen and there's not much invested in the making the establishment feeling welcoming. The staff is friendly and the place can get pretty crowded with regulars. I got a denver omlette which comes with toast or a muffin and a side home fries for about $8. Their food is cooked fast and done well, maybe a little greasier than I liked.
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Review from Eric F.
10/9/2010 2 photos
Lovely Berkshire breakfast (french toast with apple crisp on top)...mediocre everything else. The veggie omelette was unpleasantly dry and bland and our waitress could really learn to be more attentive - no check-ins and it took forever and a half to get coffee and water refills.
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Review from James A.
Middlesex, MA
2/12/2010
Overall i think the food is decent for breakfast. The pancakes and specials are good.
However, things are just good, at best. Nothing 'blows you away' or really makes you want to come back.
We went there for dinner as well and the place was dead and the service and food were terrible. I have a feeling that you should only go to this place during the busy times on the weekends.
The thing that really brings this down to 2 stars for me was when we went there for lunch and one of the people in the group ordered Chicken Parm (with the added fried ravioli side as stated on the menu). He didn't receive the ravioli until the end of the meal and they ended up charging him a second meal for the ravioli (an extra 10 bucks). When he complained the staff told him that they already wrote it down so there was nothing they could do. They were rude and unhelpful. They seemed that they didn't care whether we ever came back again.
Overall, the food is just OK and the wait staff could care less if you are there.
Do yourself a favor and go up the street to In a Pickle.
