Is the Famous Junior's Cheesecake Worth The Hype?

Junior's Restaurant & Bakery is one of the most well known diners in NYC that also doubles as a NYC deli. While it offers many diner classics, including even disco fries, which are a staple of New Jersey diners, Junior's Restaurant also sells many Jewish deli items such as pastrami on rye, corned beef sandwiches, matzo ball soup, chopped liver, and other staples.
While Junior's Restaurant's pastrami on rye is quite excellent, one of the best pastrami in NYC in my opinion, they are particularly well known for their cheesecake. Celebrities and politicians from all over have stopped at Junior's when in NYC to eat their cheesecake, some even taking several to go! People as notable as prices to presidents have raved about the Junior's cheesecake in NYC. Does it live up to the hype? I will try it and see!
The best New York cheesecake is quite a statement. I have tried many cheesecakes in New York City and most of them have been excellent. Will Junior's really be that much better than all of them? Or is it sort of overrated hype at this point?
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Restaurant Deets:
Junior's Restaurant & Bakery
386 Flatbush Ave Ext, Brooklyn, NY 11201

[@AL-ws5yi]

The day before my mother passed away, I got her a sugar free Junior’s Cheesecake. Her eyes lit up when I presented it to her. She was so happy. I’m glad she had a good meal before she left us.

[@alisachamoy225]

What a wonderful memory. I am sure that meant so much to her.

[@ProudCanadian1106987]

So sorry for your loss. She left with a smile on her face, nothing will ever beat that moment!

[@acrophobe]

🙏

[@NoahEats]

Sorry for your loss

[@alexworm1707]

What kind of son is that? Sugar free? Why?

[@NorikoSurge]

My late dad always got me Juniors when i saw him. I miss him sm

[@seth8629]

Junior's family owners were offered like $70 million for that property WITH a promise to let them return the restaurant to the ground floor after construction of a new tower was complete. In the end they said NO, they could not bare to close and destroy the original location. That's real love and dedication for your brand and customers!!

[@christiangoddard2933]

00😊0⁰0

[@christiangoddard2933]

😊

[@hailandfire1822]

Seventy? That lot is worth one-hundred seventy.

[@annehajdu8654]

*bear

[@sundaybest27]

That's a real businessowner!

[@th6252]

That’s the main trait of true NY style cheesecakes, they’re very dense and not for everyone which is why a lot of people actually do not like NY cheesecake. If you want light and fluffy, go to Eileen’s in Lower Manhattan.

[@WaterJake]

Agreed. Junior's sets the standard for classic NY-style cheesecake. Italian or German cheesecakes will be much lighter and less rich, and I love those too. NY cheesecake definitely isn't for everyone, but for a born and bred NYer, it's what we think of first when we think cheesecake.

[@kidkong637]

Agree

[@jcnot9712]

I work in downtown brooklyn. You have to try Mile End Delicatessen just a few blocks away from Junior’s. Their corn beef reuben is delicious and it’s an entire sandwich for 17 bucks. You can have it on rye, pumpernickel or anything you want. It’s one of the better places I’ve discovered while having lunch in the area.

[@HerrBrutal-bl2fk]

$17 doesn't seem like a bargain. You could (almost) get a Big Mac and some fries for that money.

[@jcnot9712]

@@HerrBrutal-bl2fk why would you compare corn beef to mcdonald's? It costs around 18 bucks a pound to buy it cold cut, unless you buy it in bulk. Next you're gonna tell me not to order steak 'cause I could've had a bag of takis instead.

[@cbbohn8107]

Best Jewish food in Brooklyn, IMHO. Roots in Jewish Montreal.

[@corgeousgeorge]

17 bucks for a Reuben even in downtown brooklyn is not a bargain for that area. 14 bucks is decent and 10-12 would be a steal but I wouldn't put "entire sandwich" in front of 17 bucks for a Reuben sando. I'm born and raised in Brooklyn and live walking distance from that spot but have never been. How's the motzoh ball soup at mile end? Btw Mile End is a restaurant that poses as a Deli, just b/c it has "Delicatessen" on the building doesn't mean it is one. It's EXTREMELY high end for what they serve. That area is VERY expensive with multi million dollar townhouses and brownstones everywhere. You must be one of those ppl who are rich but don't think they are b/c they can't purchase anything they want at any time. "I'm not rich, if I were I'd be able to buy that 20 mllion dollar townhouse I had my eye on! I only live in a 2 million one!" lol. I'm just busting your chops, no harm intended.

[@jcnot9712]

@@corgeousgeorge no harm done. I just don't see where I called it a bargain, all I'm saying is I prefer it to Junior's portion-wise and it tastes better than the cold cuts I've bought. I'm also far from rich. Moved here from the Dominican Republic and worked my way up over the years. I just happen to be doing a little better in life and exploring new places is one of my simple pleasures. So far, downtown bk is 10 times better than the financial district as far as food goes. I'm very pleased with the options.

[@corgeousgeorge]

UA, NYC cheesecake is supposed to be Dense, you want light and fluffy? Cheesecake factory is waiting for ya! Light and fluffy means they skimped on the cream cheese and whipped it too much to add air to it so they keep overhead costs down. No bueno.

[@trockid]

I think that’s an overly cynical view to say that making a fluffy cheesecake is to save money. Like UA, I also think a light fluffy cheesecake is just better. That’s why I don’t like NY style.

[@corgeousgeorge]

@@trockid I'm a real New Yorker. I stay on brand. Cynicism is optimism here.

[@WaterJake]

Cheesecake factory is just really heavy on the gelatine, which is why it has such a gross texture, like solid pudding. It's not really the whipping, which I think also makes for a nice cheesecake.

[@johnbridgeschristmas]

It sounds like you prefer the whipped cheese pie, like you'd get from a jello instant "cheesecake".

[@jeffrey3498]

Ouch

[@patrickfreeman205]

Shots fired!

[@surfboard396]

Hi UA. I like Junior’s. It is always consistent. To me lighter fluffy cheesecake is less pure flavor. So iconic is this place. They used to make the cheesecake on premises and in Queens. They opened up the factory in Jersey and ship to stores all the country and are available on Goldbelly.Thanks man.

[@GOTAisMe]

Junior's has a sandwich combo that is incredible. Corned beef on one sandwich and pastrami on another. They are served on an, ONION ROLL. Yes I know. I was dubious too since it wasn't rye but it's amazing. Nothing like hitting Junior's in midtown after a Sunday Broadway matinee. It's one of the great New York experiences. UA I love your videos. You represent everything that is great about the NYC area. We are all about people from everywhere appreciating everything. I know that you are a Jersey guy but you are such a New Yorker. Keep up the awesome videos!

[@stephenfisher3721]

I had great onion rolls 50 or 60 years ago from New York or Chicago. The bakeries either went out of business or the new bakers changed them.

[@AbuelaYOYo1955]

I used to drive from the North Bronx to Juniors just to get a cheese cake. I miss it so much. All their food is great, but that cheesecake is addictive!

[@shellyhe]

I patronized my home town of Brooklyn Junior's location many times and recently visit the Manhattan locations when I commute into NYC. The pastrami sandwich is normally a bit thicker than yours and is excellent. The cheese cake, and the crust may I add, is also excellent and the various toppings are all great. New Yorkers are used to "cream" cheese cake which is a little thicker than you may be used to.

[@ncque]

I have had Junior's cheesecake, and it is nothing special. The best cheesecake I have ever had was from the Pompton Queen in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. It is dense, smooth, and creamy. Besides that, anything from this diner is exceptional. I would definitely give it a try.

[@johnkovalicky3389]

Yep ! One of the best diners in NJ !!!

[@ramencurry6672]

Haven’t tried it but it is considered nothing special by aficionados

[@BrockSamsonite]

Juniors has the best cheesecake in terms of consistency and variety for a decent price. Best cheesecake ive ever had was the juniors tiramisu cheesecake with ladyfingers around the sides that comes wrapped with a red ribbon. So good.... The key lime pie at keens is fantastic, as well as the key lime at Peter Luger.

[@johnlerseth4305]

You need a cell phone stand so you can operate hands free.

[@pattis6543]

In hindsight, it might teach him how other people have to live when they can't use one hand to cut things. I like this. Sort of a lesson without being a lesson . I'm one of those people who can't use their other hand and try to find different ways to make up for it.

[@Onetwothreepeanuts]

​@pattis6543 Yes. Sometimes, I wear a blindfold all day to experience the plight of the unsighted.

[@bb57365]

When I worked in Brooklyn in the 90’s I used to give the cheesecake’s to customers for the holidays. Was a huge hit. Place hasn’t changed at all. 🍰

[@dariusselk9898]

Fluffy cheesecake has more air whipped into it creating a cheaper product. Fluffy definitely is not a sign of quality.

[@corgeousgeorge]

yup! I want mine dense AF!!

[@user-er8kz2jg6o]

@@maitrehgYou are triggered

[@NguyenQuang-tm3ou]

@@user-er8kz2jg6olol he knows very little about food, you are the one who got triggered fanboy

[@jasonmirabile5184]

You are such a great food reviewer and I can tell you are genuwinley a great person with a kind heart. God Bless and keep being you UA!!

[@wellroundedsound2422]

Fluffy? Common! This is an absolute classic!!!

[@Lookdownhereiam]

You seem so in tune with people and wanting to make us happy. ❤😂 thank you. This is my second video from your channel. The first was I think the Salt Bae steak video. Thanks!! ❤

[@ABitefLife]

He very very rarely interacts with commenters on any of his videos but I agree with you. Apparently he thinks he’s a,ready a star

[@HeliosDroneWorks]

Unfortunately I can’t watch the videos anymore. That circus song that plays is mind numbing at this point There is soo much royalty free music available, that is very easy to add to a video

[@cr8zie]

Agree with this. UA, I’ve been watching your videos since your early days and you really need to evolve if you want to grow. Especially trying to make a living long term as a KZbinr.

[@HeliosDroneWorks]

@@cr8zie I’m a big fan of the channel and what he does. I spend way more time on KZbin than I should and it’s the only channel out of 100s I subscribe to that uses the same song on repeat Hopefully it changes, it’s such an easy fix but doesn’t seem interested

[@rsbah]

Gotta love that ditty 🎶🎶🎵

[@ramencurry6672]

Please come back though. Don’t leave. Don’t

[@boyova1]

I love New York style cheesecake dense and thick is exactly New York

[@michaelkeats3300]

Ua's food videos are the best of all on You Tube.

[@jeffrey3498]

Looks like a fantastic meal all around at a pretty reasonable price.

[@kevinnorris6558]

Man, I've always seen those boxes of Junior's cheesecakes in grocery stores but never actually bothered to try it. I didnt realize Juniors was so iconic in the NY scene

[@CMKMarch63]

Wish I lived closer , would love to try this. Thanks for the review.

[@caditech16]

Best cheesecake I ever had came from Peter Lugers steakhouse in Great Neck LI supposedly it came from Ferrara’s bakery in Manhattan

[@ccrider4556]

Thank you for your videos!

[@sanjaya718]

Veniero's on 11th st has a fantastic cheesecake

[@ericbecker7249]

I like Junior's cheesecake and will certainly never turn my nose up at it, but I do prefer Vaniero's by far!

[@user-ki8if1jj4o]

What,you couldn't join in on the happy birthday song. 😢

[@edwardauerbach8036]

I've been to Juniors many times. I am not a fan of their cheese cake but I love their strawberry short cake and their onion rings. My favorite cheese cake is the rugalach chocolate cheese cake from Harold's NY Deli. The serving is too big to eat at one sitting and weighs about 5 lbs. But it is fabulous.

[@ChrisLimitless]

Hey UA, just a heads up. It’s a little much when you have music in the background ambient sound, plus you put your own soundtrack. They conflict and with your narration it becomes overwhelming.

[@HotAlot]

You didn’t get the porterhouse for two??

[@waynepreston542]

I had Juniors cheesecake from the supermarket and always felt it was nothing special.

[@brandoncarpenter9681]

Totally different, it’s why Guiness taste way better in Dublin vs USA.

[@lynbateman1994]

Just discovered your channel and love your reviews ! I live in the Lancaster/Palmdale area in California and there isn't a single good steak house here ! I need to head to Vegas and try Elvis s favorite! Would not be able to get to New York for Delmonicos omg that steak !

[@genebigs1749]

I prefer cheesecake dense and creamy as opposed to light and airy, so for me Junior's fits the bill. I've never eaten there and had their pastrami however, and thanks to your review I'll definitely take a short ride into Brooklyn and try it soon! Thanks for another great review, UA!

[@ChamP10nk1ng]

Holy heLL 😮! The comments section has suddenly become more grittier & raw than an ol' skool ECW crowd 😂 UA better make sure not to ever fart on a vid or the crowd here WILL let you know 😂

[@brandoncarpenter9681]

Videos are being pushed out, getting harder for the og’s to protect him

[@tomadrianaariannachristian7465]

AWESOME for visiting Junior's. Thanks for the review. I'm definitely gonna order the pastrami sandwich.

[@scottreiburnNYC]

Agreeing with others saying denser cheese cake is definitely “NY” style, and of course taste is all relative. I’ll say you have to start off with the plain @ Junior’s first, then gravitate towards the Strawberry. That’s a really nice balance. This is my neighborhood joint and has been for the decades I’ve been in Bklyn. The food has been consistently excellent, and the staff are truly top notch, really lovely people. Oh, and a little secret…Junior’s breakfasts are off the chain amazing. Their corned beef hash with poached eggs on top? People: It’s friggin AMAZING. Their French toast is off the chain.

[@seane1984]

The devil's food cheese cake is the cake i always ask for when it comes to my birthday cake. Its so good. Can't go wrong with the classic

[@tnytdn1700]

UA, ignore the negative comments. Your videos are great.

[@corgeousgeorge]

Fun fact about Junior's, the service is top notch and fast AF and the place has SOOOOO much room. Perfect for large parties or tourist groups. It can take a bus load of ppl with no problem. Shout out to the cheeseburgers there. That grill is so seasoned from 70 years of being in business that every burger tastes like heaven. It's pricey for what it serves but you're paying for the brand and the nostalgia and the taste. I have never eaten anything bad there.

[@gbalao8885]

Had fond memories eating the carrot cake cheesecake with a glass of chocolate egg cream.

[@cyrex7223]

for cheesecake...go to Eileen's Special cheesecake located at 17 Cleveland Pl.

[@Howard6461]

Why are you squeezing your eyes shut when eating?

[@titaa56]

Aww he was happy 😆

[@maxdeck123]

LOVE UA! As an ashkenazi Jew, this place is kosher style and not Kosher in the spiritual sense (cheesecake and meat together is a no go - oh and the pig lol) but I prefer my cheesecakes dense and not too airy as that will creep into mousse at some point!

[@stve5523]

Man I use to go to juniors in the 80’s &. 90’s. The one his at dats dwntwn bklyn same one I use to always go to - there’s so much history there in that whole area

[@geno5360]

And yeah that’s definitely the Junior’s trademark the dense rich substantial cheesecake nothing airy or light about it that’s why I love it so much it’s something that stays with you for a while.

[@thedrunkentarot5839]

Vegas Diner in Bensonhurst back in the day had the best cheesecake

[@73richg]

UA is describing Sara Lee cheesecake. Hard pass.

[@rxpro19]

went to school across the street....went there often......great burgers too

[@sksec]

Try veneros on first ave and 11th street for cheesecake

[@tigerpinky]

Looks like my kind of diner.

[@madebykemo]

Shout out to the Diddler.. hell nah ain’t walking to get no cheesecake lol

[@blepnir]

Thanks for the review UA! Your videos always cheer me up

[@gerardtyler5189]

The Key Lime cheesecake is good @ Magnolia Bakery it’s not dense at all I love their texture

[@anthonyandiles5946]

That's what she said

[@zachdoughty1562]

the boss! Tony Danza! hahaha cheesecake is the best. even if it'd not great, it's still good! 👍🏻

[@deenyc1049]

Jr's has been around a very long time and it's been serving the same stuff. The cheesecake was considered the best at one time but I also prefer a lighter fluffier cheesecake.

[@LordLOC]

I don't even have to watch the video to know the answer is yes. I LOVE Junior's cheesecake, and many of the newer flavors (not all, but most) they have these days. The food can be hit or miss like most places, but the few times I've had the pastrami there and a few other things, they were delicious.

[@michoeljones]

Cheesecake is supposed to be like that!, the fluffy style shouldn’t be called cheesecake in my opinion. You are completely wrong lol

[@WilliamKShank]

YUM!!! 😋😋😋😋😋 Safe Journey! Yellowbird Blue Agave Sriracha!!!

[@davidayn2853]

Thank heaven someone agrees itith me. Junior's cheese cake is nothing more than cream cheese held together with liquid nail. At one time, many years ago, Junior's cheesecake was outstanding. But in the past 10 years, it's gotten bad. The best cheesecake I ever ate was in a little Italian restaurant in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA.; it was creamy and moist, light but so rich, and no ricotta used. This cheese cake puts Juniors to shame.

[@thecashman8924]

Love me a great pastrami samich stack it high thanks for sharing your videos UA $$$$$man

[@CL_G]

It's $9.00 at Juniors for a slice of plain cheesecake. I want it to be dense. It means they put more ingredients in it like sour cream and flour. My homemade one tasted similiar to this because of that. When I go, I almost always get the flavored cheesecake slices because its only a $1.00 extra.

[@ytube777]

Dense is proper. I also think cheesecake alone is a bit "boring"... it needs like a fruit syrupy goodness or another component. I really like carrot cake cheescake combination. Either alone is ok, but together is great.

[@CheesecakeChinos]

You can’t tell Junior fans anything that would change their mind lol, but I have learned that New York style cheesecake really is dense, I’ve been to many bakeries throughout the city and the thick texture is the signature so it comes down to preference which everyone has the right to have, I personally prefer my spoon to sink right through the cheesecake and melt in my mouth instead of my exercising my jaw muscle Fluffy cheesecake does not necessarily mean it’s lower quality and less rich, it’s all the science and some people have it down packed, some people don’t If anyone lives in the Central Florida area and begs to differ, stop by my shop 😁

[@greganixter7352]

Hi UA - Always enjoy your take and your videos. Just keep being you, and look at your sub count going up every day.

[@ChadEffinMiller1013]

A Jewish deli in NYC. What a rare find

[@davidpomeroy7594]

Jeez isn’t cheesecake made from cream cheese!! That’s how I made mine. Yes that is your opinion dude🙄

[@alessandro21686]

I'm not really a cheesecake fan -- I think it's a pretty one-note, kind of boring dessert -- but NY style cheesecake is in fact denser than traditional cheesecake.

[@CodeDeb]

I’ve been to that location, and only that location. I thought it was overrated…

[@golfrabble]

My favorite pastrami is Langers and 2nd Ave Deli. I get it with Russian dressing, coleslaw, and swiss cheese. How do you feel about a pastrami sandwich with more than just mustard?

[@uglyhobo4602]

Pastrami needs mustard. A Reubens with corned beef gets Russian dressing

[@winstonsummers6309]

Put some seasoning in soup

[@thepatester]

Asks for rye bread, then @ 4:13 says on a roll. Luckily the waitress wasn't confused!

[@stephenfisher3721]

He had made the substitution and the waitress knew. He was only reminding her that he had ordered the lunch special which said roll.

[@juankelly1004ify]

Nobody goes to Junior's for their regular cheesecake... you gotta be the Strawberry Cheesecake my boi

[@LordLOC]

I went to Junior's for decades for their regular cheesecake (and other flavors of course). I still think their original regular old cheesecake is the best.

[@songsenkei]

Expensive NY prices for mid food.

[@ianm2170]

Funny, good review as usual. Probably should have tried the mustard before you applied it to the rest of the sandwich and were disappointed?

[@tommackay7433]

Prices look high to me, but then I’ve never been to the east coast.

[@mariojohnson4695]

I may be wrong, but Cheesecake Factory cheesecake is more dense and I love their cheesecakes. I don’t mind the lighter ones, but I prefer the denser type of cheesecakes. As far as the price, $9.00 is the going rate for a piece of cheesecake.

[@geno5360]

Your Gallaghers looked like a strawberry or raspberry sauce cheesecake where here you got the plain one so not quite the Apples to apples comparison. Cool video though!

[@martinzenor7449]

Juniors opened a restaurant in Boca Raton Florida with lots of fanfare. Sadly it closed about a year later.

[@user-hk3tb9dd6i]

Hawks Moore British Steakhouse NYC

[@allenpackman5349]

try the strawberry cheesecake next time the strawberries are gigantic

[@truth4004]

It's not inflation it's price gouging.

[@RFSpartan]

100%

[@goblue_ie88]

I am trying to let you do your thing, but gotta say IMO, it’s getting too food “critically”. You are looking for things to criticize ( i.e soup clarity… really). Anyhow, i do want your channel to succeed and for the most party enjoy watching it.

[@2Wheels_NYC]

Another great review UA! I worked in this area as a Paramedic for a time, and we would grab food there now and again. My mom would call me and ask if I was working Brooklyn that tour, and she'd have me bring a cheesecake home for them! They are dense... 1 cake weighs about 40 lbs 😂 but, they are delicious!

[@petergoldberg6293]

UA sure what you’re expecting for the price of cheesecake. Those prices are very much what everyone charges now.

[@georgesitgraves8474]

I wanted a cheesecake review. My recommendation is the Whole Foods plain whole cheesecake for $20.

[@clubmogambo3214]

Can't speak for the Brooklyn locale, but I can assure you the worst cheesecake I've ever had was at the Junior's in Las Vegas. It was dry and crumbly, not dense like everyone is saying here about the Brooklyn cheesecake. And almost devoid of that classic cheesecake flavor.

[@RoaroftheTiger]

UA DIDN'T acknowledge one of the things that makes JUNIOR's Cheese Cake different than rest. Its something I suspect, UA is enamored with. That would be a Graham Cracker Crust. Junior's use a thin layer of Sponge Cake. NO Graham Cracker Flavor / Bummer for UA.

[@sillydogs3360]

How about a 50k sub Q&A UA?!

[@Blackwizdum]

I feel like there's more criticism than normal in this comment section- alot of loud critics today for whatever reason! I've been there and agree with the criticisms about the Premiere date (just drop the video and comment whenever your have time after!) but think the rest is unwarranted. Love the content as usual UA, keep it up and don't change the format ^^

[@stephenfisher3721]

I like UA's videos precisely because of his style and how he makes them. I do not like the short irritating Tik Tok style videos but some want everything that way. I enjoy a relaxing video eating a nice meal with UA. I like his choice of restaurants. I am a fan.I praise his channel to others.

[@Bert_Wayfarer]

Eventhough the cheesecake looks great, the cake has definitely been processed from the cheesecake factory that Junior's i believe has since it ships nationwide. This is probably why it was a bit colder than maybe. Ultimately I think junior's is a good place but yeah there are other places that specialize on bringing the NY cheesecake to the forefront.

[@anolan8033]

Always enjoy your reviews, but good to see you branching out from steak and pastrami. Keep up the good work!

[@patrickwong4824]

Wrong, more pastrami and matzoh ball soup.

[@rj-vj8gr]

think term is broth.

[@Parfour44]

I think the fluffier cheesecake is usually an Italian cheesecake.

[@jonruss2718]

Not going to address the salad?

[@navigatorone1808]

Extreme sour pickle is mandatory with the pastrami....

[@gc176]

Say what you want. But the cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory is pretty dam good!

[@rxpro19]

yes i love the cheesecake dense....not too creamy

[@theboringchannel2027]

Mustard = vinegar, which helps offset the fattiness of the meat.