Junior’s: The Little Cheesecake that Could
Junior’s, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
The first time I’ve ever had a Junior’s Little Fella was on the subway. We grabbed a couple of them from Grand Central as we hopped on the train. Since then, I’ve only had one other cheesecake that compares to a Junior’s Little Fella, Carnegie Deli’s New York cheesecake with the shortbread crust. I was dying for another Little Fella.
Junior’s, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
While we waited for our table at Junior’s the restaurant, we went next door to the bakery where we bought a hot tea and a Little Fella to munch on.
Junior’s Bakery, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
The rich little cheesecake was exactly like I had remembered: dense, smooth and creamy, tasting of fresh buttery cream cheese with a hint of lemon. Don’t underestimate this tiny cheesecake, that little knob of cake was so decadent that I had to eat it slowly, savouring every nibble for fear of an instant food coma before I was even finished eating it. I ordered the classic Little Fella cheesecake because I’m a cheesecake purist, I’m literally only in it for the cheese, none of that fancy strawberry swirl or chocolate drizzle. The best part about the Little Fella is it’s practically crustless leaving the spotlight to the soft and rich cheese. I prefer this or a shortbread crust on my cheesecakes. I cannot stand graham cracker crumb crust at all.
Little Fella cheesecake, Junior’s, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
Something about classic New York cheesecake makes it the perfect gastronomic symbol for the city, an apple is much to simple to represent a city full of opulence, art and culture.
Little Fella cheesecake, Junior’s, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
Little Fella cheesecake, Junior’s, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
To go with my cheesecake, I ordered a fruit cup, it provided just the right amount of sweetness to compliment the rich cheesecake.
Junior’s, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
We also tried grits for the first time as a side of it came with our pastrami omelet. I know grits are a traditional and staple side dish in the States (perhaps more so in the South) but I can’t say that I like it. It reminded me of watered down quinoa. Maybe some butter and cheese mixed in would have made a difference.
Grits, Junior’s, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
Pastrami omelet with a side of grits, Junior’s, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
The pastrami omelet was amazing though, the eggs were fluffy and buttery and the omelet was stuffed so full of pastrami, it was practically ready to burst.
Pastrami omelet, Junior’s, Midtown West, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
The pastrami was moist and flavourful. We were pretty stuffed after this filling breakfast. I’m craving the Little Fellas again already though.