NYCReview
Bubby's
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Family friendly, celeb-heavy and aesthetically pleasing, Bubby’s represents its Tribeca zip code hard. It’s one of the better known Chronic Brunch spots around town, and although Bubby’s is a prime venue for Celebrity Sightings, it’s not a sceney disaster like Pastis or Da Silvano. This is a locals hang - it just so happens that around here the locals are regulars in the tabloids.
As for the food - it’s fine. Better than average even, but nothing spectacular. Brunch is better than lunch and lunch is better than dinner. Everything is a little pricey, but the portions are big and you won’t leave hungry.
Bubby’s does enough things well to keep people coming back and also serve a limited menu 24 hours a day, which is rare for this ’hood. If you’re in search of good brunch below Canal Street or maybe just a chance to see Jude Law getting down on something other than his kid’s nanny, this is your spot.
Food Rundown
Pancakes
Thick and extremely hearty, these pancakes are generally a crowd pleaser. Our two favorite varieties are the blueberry and the chocolate chip (subject to availability). Some batches are better than others, but the fact these are on the menu at 4am is kind of amazing, and makes up for any inconsistency. It’s entirely possible these will cure your hangover before it even starts.
Bubby’s Breakfast
A typical diner style breakfast. Two eggs any style, a choice of hash browns or grits, breakfast meat, and toast. No better than what you would find at your local greasy spoon, other than the fact that the grits are awesome.
Spinach Salad
Bubby’s salads are good for lunch, but like every other business class salad, are too big and too expensive. Regardless, the spinach salad has long been a favorite.
Matzo Ball Soup
They’re not as good as Grandma’s, but these big, cakey matzo balls are more than serviceable. The move here is to order their alphabet soup and have them add matzo balls.
Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich
Sandwiches are what Bubby’s does best. Sandwiches and pie...more on that later. The grilled ham and cheese is an excellent specimen. Thinly sliced hickory smoked ham, sharp white cabot cheddar and grainy mustard make for a good situation.
Peanut Butter & Jelly
I get sucked in every once in a while on this, forgetting that the time before really wasn’t anything special. This is a double decker PB&J; on toasted seven grain bread that doesn’t taste as good as it looks. Then again, why am I ordering PB&J; when I’m out to eat? That only flies if you’re seven, or really high.
Chicken Salad Sandwich
I love chicken salad - it’s one of my all time favorite foods - but this stuff is just too smoky for me. It’s too bad, because everything else about this chicken salad is right in my wheelhouse: grapes, pecans, and minimal mayo.
Grilled Chicken Club
Best sandwich on the menu by far. A typical club with the addition of avocado
- it’s simple and amazing. Slam dunk.
Pies
Make sure to save room for Bubby’s world renowned pies. Our favorites include coconut custard, chocolate peanut butter, and banana cream.