Restaurant Review - The Eatery by Jessica

June is a wonderful month in Northeast Pennsylvania. The temperature is warm but not yet hot and winter isn't so far behind us that we forget how long, cold and miserable it was. I was filled with appreciation for the natural beauty of the day this morning as CubaSugar and I made our way up the valley towards Jessup for a visit to one of our favorite breakfast spots, The Eatery by Jessica. This is the second time in as many weeks that we have found ourselves in Jessup. Last week's celebration of the annual Saint Ubaldo Day festival was a lot of fun and we participated whole heartedly in the festivities. I am working on an article about that day and it may find it's way onto the blog shortly. What better recipe for fun than a centuries old Italian tradition mixed with the taste and smells of excellent  food and all liberally lubricated with alcohol. Good times indeed my friends....good times indeed.

So back to this morning. We have been to Jessica's dozens of times and knew that that was precisely where we wanted to go today. The restaurant was originally located in Archbald but moved a few years ago to its current Hill Street location. Jessica's has a large dining room with a counter and no booths, but perhaps twenty tables ranging from 2 tops to some accommodating groups of 12 or more. The atmosphere is fine for a breakfast place. It is cheerful and bright. The entire front of the room opens to a window and the art and wall hangings tend toward the "country kitchen" style with a few old photographs thrown in to make it a bit more interesting. The kitchen is completely isolated from the dining area with the exception of a small pass through window where the food appears to be delivered by the attentive waitresses. I have never been to Jessicas's  during the week, but the weekend clientele seems to be made up primarily of local families from the surrounding area. If you cringe at the thought of eating with young families and their kids around, this might not be the best place for you, but the excellent food and service really make it worthwhile.

The regular menu ranges from the usual and some unusual egg dishes to items such as chocolate stuffed French toast (w/ whipped cream), cinnamon raisin French toast, and waffles of several varieties including plain, walnut, banana nut, chocolate chip and the Patriotic Waffle ala mode (topped with ice cream, blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream. The best part about eating at Jessica's Eatery, however, is the creative and widely varied selection of off-menu specials. We have enjoyed any number of wonderful breakfast creations dreamed up by the kitchen staff during our many visits there. The specials cater to a wide variety of tastes appealing to both adults and kids. Our selection this morning consisted of a chorizo scramble for me and poached eggs with scrapple for the lovely CubaSugar. We shared a side of potatoes Calabrese which consisted of home fries prepared with spicy and delicious peppers and onions. The chorizo scramble was prepared with eggs, cheddar cheese, green onions, mexican sausage and herbs all served over a few silver dollar sized potato pancakes. It was quite good but perhaps a tad dry for my taste. A little bit of salsa would have been just the thing to finish off this dish. The coffee, although a little better than one is accustomed to being served at similar establishments was lackluster and unremarkable. CubaSugar, who as I said bravely chose scrapple with her poached eggs, enjoyed her meal immensely. The scrapple was well prepared possessing both a light golden crust and a smooth savory interior, true porky perfection. Her poached eggs were properly done and were complemented nicely by rye toast. In past visits some of the standouts we remember as being very good have been the Eggs Florentine, the Eggs Benedict, and the biscuits with sausage gravy.

I would be remiss in my responsibility as an unbiased reviewer not to mention just how reasonably ... oh Im just going to say it... cheap it is to have a great breakfast at this place. Our meals with our extra side of potatoes Calabrese and coffee was just over $16.00 total. It would be difficult for a couple with normal appetites to spend twenty dollars in this place. The quality of the meals in combination with the cheerful and efficient service provide an experience that I for one would be willing to pay significantly more for.  The friendly demeanor of the waitresses as well as fact that I see the same faces time after time would suggest that the staff are happy with their jobs and enjoy working there. I truly believe that Jessica's is one of the best diner type breakfast venue's in our area and it is well worth your time to head on over to Jessup one of these mornings. Jessica's does not take reservations and is a busy place so go early. You will be rewarded with a superior meal at prices that will let you treat the entire family. If only Jessica's served Zummo's coffee the place would be perfect. Thank you Jessica!

The Eatery by Jessica
801 Hill Street
Jessup, PA 18434
(570) 489-1080