Jay-Dee Cafe
1843 W Main St, Alhambra, CA, 91801
Jay-Dee Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Alhambra for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Alhambra for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Alhambra for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1843 W Main St
Alhambra, CA, 91801 - Phone (626) 281-6887
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Loud
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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JuanCasas G.
The Burgers are so big and delicious !! and the meatloaf, mashed potatoes and sautéed veggies were amazing!!!
(5)Roberta O.
I will NEVER eat breakfast here again. Lousy service from a waitress who didn't speak English and a bartender that didn't give a damn about customer service. The place is old with hideous "decor." With ALL the places to eat in Alhambra and the surrounding cities DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY HERE.
(2)Eliah C.
I passed by and saw people going in and called to see if they were still serving food but they said they stopped serving food at 9pm and I asked if what was going on and they just kept transferring me and putting me on hold. Rude as hell
(1)Steve T.
Great little neighborhood bar & grill! My first time there and had a cheeseburger with thick hand-cut fries...Oh yeah, and a Bloody Mary! :D Can't wait to try their breakfasts, Looks like they do a lot of sports viewing and Sunday night karaoke.
(4)Justin T.
It takes a lot to get me passionate enough to write a review. I came in on Thursday to try the meatloaf. Plus a yelp check in supposedly netted 2 free tacos. I ordered the meatloaf and showed the waitress the offer. When I received the bill, she still charged me $4 for the tacos. I can understand if she just forgot to add the coupon. But when I tried to request the discount, she had to call her boss on the phone. I don't speak Spanish but I heard the words tacos gratis, muchacho and chino. She told me that the offer was from the old owners and that they don't accept it anymore. I tried to explain that they should remove it from yelp because I wouldn't have ordered the tacos otherwise. She still made me pay full price for items I was fooled into ordering.$4 is not a lot, but it's the principle. To add further insult, the meatloaf was burnt and crunchy.
(1)Franklin M.
This is a cool neighborhood dive bar with a mixed crowd most of them wearing UCLA gear, glad I didn't wear my embarrassing Trojan cap. They carry beer on tap which is a plus and they have a juke box to play your favorite tunes. The workers were all friendly and service was prompt.
(4)Gilbert M.
It's a cool spot for locals,in the Alhambra and El Sereno area. It's small but cozy and they make a pretty good burger.
(3)Yolie D.
Two words! Hated it. Not friendly, except for Dave. Bad burger - the sign is Wrong. Cash only. Dark and dank... Spare yourself.
(1)Ron R.
I have been enjoying the casual dining at Jay Dee for over 40 years , the days of George Dorney
(5)Lena o.
People eat here? The ladies bathroom was revolting. Will not be back.
(2)Kat X.
I came here last night with my nephew's . At first I was a little Effie about going but as soon as you walk in and you see all the clientele and how well they all know each other it makes you feel at ease. Its a pretty basic bar but that's what makes it so great. The drinks were reasonably priced. The staff was friendly and provided great service. I will definitely be going back .
(4)Will W.
I think this bar has been in Alhambra since the 40's, so it's like 70 years old. It's pretty non-descript so I had no idea what it was for many years, I literally thought it was just a cafe instead of a bar/grill kind of place. the place is filled with memorabilia from the regulars or owners of the place and theres also a lot of Armed forces memorabilia in this bar. Lots of history here for sure. Going inside this place is a trip, the clientele is mixed and it also reminds me a bit of those "lil homies" Mexican caricatures at the same time. I'm sure if I stayed long enough I'd see a good number from that crew. They had 3 beers on tap and the mixed drinks were decently priced and the bartender gave a good pour. There's some fierce competition back at their pool table, so if you've got game, seems like a good place to test it. I hear the food is good, so I'd definitely comeback to try it sometime.
(4)Leticia L.
Had the most pleasant experience at Jay Dee's this evening. Meet friends there for drinks , but as we saw the parade of beautifully presented plates being served to guest, we could not resist and enjoyed the most wonderful appetizers and dinner there. This place has gourmet bar food that is absolutely delicious. For starters we had the chimichuri french fries that were perfectly crisp and seasoned. We also has the biggest, best tasting ,not your average panko crusted jalapeno poppers. Our last appetizer was an authentic guacamole with handmade tortillas chips and salsa. For dinner I enjoyed the meatloaf with roasted vegetables and fluffy mash potatoes. Friends raved about how wonderful their burger and chunky chili tasted. I will definitely go back to try some of the other great looking dishes.
(5)Miko C.
Oh yeah, how can I resist a dark dive bar. Surprisingly, Jay-Dee has won me over mainly with their burger specials. Yeah, you heard what I said. Yes, this is a dive bar...but they also serve food with prices that you just can't beat. One of my friends was raving about this place, so a group of us decided to go for lunch. I jumped up on a barstool and proceeded to order one of their burger specials which was a huge burger and cole slaw ( you could opt for french fries). It was soooo freaking good and I was completely stuffed. The best part is that it was only around five bucks! Yep, five bucks. I had to hold a star back, since I didn't try any drinks. Will definitely need to go back.
(4)German V.
I would like to start by letting you guys know that this place is a dive, a rare very cool place I like to go when I want to get away from all those other overcrowded places! I enjoy my time there plain and simple. But I don't go there very often maybe only like once very month and a half, the real reason I go is for the food specifically the Jay Dee Burger! It's hands down my personal favorite burger and I've done my fare share of traveling around the states. There are however things that compare but nothing that's better, so i warn you to all those JDB fans this is upsetting news I'm about to unveil... I recently made a trip out to this restaurant excited to order my favorite thing of the menu but unbeknownst to me they changed owners, recipe and from what it looks like the entire menu!!!!! This was very upsetting to me DEVASTATING in fact. I walked in I sat down with my date after bragging what a great burger they have we order not long after the very polite waitress comes with our food and hand me this small basket with what looked like a Jr JDB :/ but I gave it a shot I took a bite of the small burger (compare to the original) and the first thing I tasted was big uncooked bell pepper in the middle I immediately knew this wasn't right! To be fare it was OK but not the best!! I then walked to the cash resister asked for the check paid left an 18% tip and asked the waitress what happen? She then explained the situation and the only question I could ask myself is where can I find the original cook or the big guy that was there 2 months ago???. Please yelp user if you know how I can track down these two guys that where previously in the kitchen making these burgers, I'm asking if you can comment or something to please tell me where I can get an original Jay Dee Cafe Burger.
(1)Alexandra R.
Everything you would expect of a dive bar. Cheap drinks. Personable service. Good vibes. Pool & darts. Love it here! Second Wednesday coming and we love Mike! Best Micheladas!! Awesome memorabilia all over the walls (the moose head was my favorite) you definitely have fun here! New regular spot for sure!
(5)Jonathan B.
I've been in here maybe a couple of times, it's definitely more of a place for the older crowd in Alhambra since that's what the majority of the clientele that come here are but it's a great place to come if you're looking for cheaply priced drinks, just don't forget to bring cash as they don't accept cards.
(4)Flower C.
Blegh, this place is NASTY. It's dark and depressing. Nothing but old pachucos and cholos hang out here. As I nursed my obligatory beer, there was a blind girl and her boyfriend sitting next to us, the boyfriend kept feeling her out and sniffing his fingers while she kept moaning "What-evah!", over and over, it was nauseating. Then the Karaoke started with the same old woman singing over and over, she had to be at least 85 years old. The place stinks like dirty scalp, the kind of odor one gets when one has not shampood in days. I won't go back, this place reminds me of the bar scene out of the movie "Airplane".
(1)Peter C.
Is it satisfying to scratch a deep-seated itch? I think the best answer is, "It depends." I have lived in Alhambra tor over 6 years and driven by Jay-Dee a million times, always curious about the inside. With Mrs. C out of town on business, I thought solo dining was the safest way for me to give this place a try. At a relatively early 5:30pm on Saturday, the place was already packed! And I think I encountered a first for me: I was the only Asian at a business establishment in Alhambra! Annette's beautiful photography of the patty melt narrowed down my ordering, and just for fun I got a soup and an iced tea. Service was a tad slow, but only because there appeared to be one server for a room full of people, so I definitely cut her some slack. The food arrived pretty quickly, and I liked the overall taste, especially how the white onions had been sauteed to remove any harshness, while still preserving the flavor. I would have preferred a more buttery grilled kind of bread rather than toasted, but the chef probably saved me a bunch of calories anyway. The decor is distinctly old school, complete with a jukebox pumping 80s music and vinyl records scattered on the walls. For solo dining, it's a tough call between Jay-Dee vs. Gus's in South Pas, but at least I can now say, "Jay-Dee? Oh yeah, I've been there."
(3)The S.
Throughout the midwest you will find bars that cater to locals only, but this does not dictate the attitude encountered once you enter and imbibe in a cold refreshing beer. The bars, pubs, saloons, taverns and taprooms that are littered throughout small towns and larger metropolitan areas all serve as community centers and places of social contact for those who engage in libation. This quality is not as prevalent in the Los Angeles area, or so I thought ; that is until I finally carried my lumbering overworked frame into the cool dark confines of a midday Jay-Dee Cafe. This place may not have local beers or freshly crafted cocktails on display but this in part is why it is also a place ripe with characters that have become family to this establishment. See these types of bars don't work on current trends or flashy gimmicks. I doubt they have a Twitter, Facebook, or whatever new distracting social media that seems to be over flowing out of the bucket called the internet. Photos of fishing trips and and past "bar" sponsored trips line the soffit above the bar. Demarkation of memories or lasting testaments of humiliation , maybe both. Anyplace that becomes the sum of it's parts is always the symptom of a great bar.
(5)Anna N.
I've been there quite a few times since I work nearby. I highly recommend this spot for some good yummy n HUGE sandwich n burgers! Did I say cheap alcohol also? * * Cash only! * *
(5)Joseph V.
Really good food, new owner is really friendly
(5)Daniel M.
Don't believe the hype!! this place is awesome. The Bar is been in the same family for over 50 years and the food is literally off the charts. I have never seen such generous portions of this quality, for the price, I HIGHLY recommend any of the burgers, but especially LOVED the Club sandwich(the best I have ever had). For breakfast ANY of the scrambles will knock your socks off, I loved the veggie scramble because they give a very good portion of veggies and just the right amount of egg. Though I could not finish the hash browns, toast and scramble , it was so good I was willing to try!! I look forward to going back again and again to keep trying all of the MANY things on the menu. The best part is the Chef, He comes out to greet everyone and he he will make your food exactly as you ask!! you will never get this kind of Quality and service ANYWHERE these days!! ***TIP*** go during the week if you want a more laid back quiet experience, or go on Saturday and Sunday if you want to whoop it up for football!! I have done both and I loved it both times of day and week.****
(5)Rachel S.
A friend of mine introduced me to this place years ago. It's about as dive bar as you can get. Dark and musty, with moose heads and sports memorabilia from ages long past on the wall. Now it's like a home away from home. He and his family go there regularly (enough for you to know when his mom says 'I'm at the office', you know she isn't working). It's is always crowded with old timers, drinking beers and sharing stories from the golf course. Pool table, juke box, and the best damn food you can get, all topped off with a $2.75 Budweiser, and you know why the spot is so popular among those who know of it. Set aside the atmosphere, the company, and the cheap drinks... and let me tell you about the food! The kitchen I believe is only open on weekends, breakfast and dinner kind of set up. I have never ordered anything I didn't absolutely love. It's REAL food. You can taste the butter they cook with. Burgers, breakfast burritos, tuna melts. And no one looks at you funny when you roll up at 9am, order a breakfast burrito with bacon on the side and a beer. JayDees is like my very own Cheers.
(5)Judy W.
Cheap drinks, friendly people, total dive bar where you can wear whatever the hell u want and won't get dirty looks. Plenty of seats and bartenders aren't pushy. Last time I went they even offered their customers free pizza! There is a sign on the wall that says, "be nice or go away!" Btw, cash only, hence the cheap drinks!
(5)Yolanda D.
Jay Dee Bar & Grill (Jay Dee's Café) is an amazing place to go chill with some friends on a weekend and a great place to have lunch or dinner with your children. I visited Jay Dee's Cafe' a few weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. I enjoyed how it felt like one of those preserved restaurant that still have the old feel to it. I enjoyed the Chicken Alfredo cooked by Chef James Dunn (no we are not related). The chicken was perfectly grilled, had that perfect taste of when it just comes off the grill. It was nicely place in a bowl with my Alfredo. I enjoyed the food so much I couldn't stop eating. I know what I am eating next time I visit. Now... let me tell you about the chef. He is extremely friendly, makes sure your are enjoying your meal and comes out to greet you. Talk about friend service and delicious food. Perfect combination.
(5)Shawn V.
This watering hole has been a favorite of mine since my local college days. The drinks are simple, the conversations one can have with the other patrons are memorable, and the darts/pool games are a force to be wreck-in with.
(4)stephen C.
Great older crowd during the day filled with regulars. Heavy pours and easy conversations. Dark little hole in the wall, just the way I like them. Definitely going back for some drinks and just hangout.
(4)James T.
Cool spot to meet for drinks and food. Heard about this place from a friend. You can play pool here as well but I only remember seeing 1 table. I was here at about 1ish on a Friday and I tried to order a burger but thir kitchen was closed. So guess it's a juice n gin diet. Drinks are reasonably priced so I definitely be back here to try the food.
(3)Kevin K.
good
(4)Judy H.
First time, last time. I have been living in Alhambra for over 10 years and decided to give this place a try. What a BIG mistake! Walked in and was not greeted by anyone. Stared at would be precise. I felt like I was invading an exclusive club...or maybe my husband and I got the cold shoulder since we're Asians. Should have left but decided to give this place a chance... The people who walked in after us had their orders taken first. I guess they were regulars since the server asked if they needed menus and they said no. Once they were taken care of my husband and I got some attention. I asked for a menu so that must of been a red flag that we weren't "regulars". Asked questions about the menu and the server had no clue what was served. She couldn't even say the name of one of their dish. Hmm... We waited for 40 minutes and nothing was served and the noise in the kitchen diminished. So, my husband went to the server to inquire and she simply said, "sorry" without making any eye contact. Surprisingly, we weren't too upset. I felt relieved since I had a bad feeling about this place and was scared of food poisoning. The bad experience gave us the opportunity to go to our favorite Peruvian restaurant. However, I couldn't let this business get away with the horrible service. Can't say anything about their food...Their water was meh. Wish I could give this place a negative star.
(1)Bee G.
Nice Dive Bar - Nice. The regulars were really friendly and the beer was cold and cheap. They are open for food, but it's run by a different person - contracted out for operation 8am-2pm TU W TH FRI SA SU; smoking patio, big screen TV - they love sports. Friday Sat food specials between 5-9 and super cheap (did someone say free?) during football games. I hear the chili is really good. I mean it's a dive bar - but I'm encouraged to hear that someone else runs the kitchen and that is all they do. It's not that I think they can't handle the kitchen but it's nice to have focus. Oh yes, CASH ONLY. Live music on the weekends, classic rock and the sort. Sweet. I'd go back.
(4)Linda Y.
I'm only reviewing the lunch offered here, and not the bar. Stephanie, the waitress/owner, is a sweetheart and she always greets me with a smile and asks, "What can I get for you today, hon?" The service and attention I receive here is much better than at The Diner on Main during lunch hour. I get in and out quickly and the food comes out hot! Burgers with fries are the best thing I've tried so far. The $5 lunch specials come with just enough food, but if you're hungry, their bacon cheeseburgers with a side of french fries are delicious. It's nothing fancy-schmancy but it's done well and hits the spot. Pass on the clam chowder - it's just too salty for me. Tip: They are closed on Mondays.
(4)Elton W.
One time I was at the Rabbit Hole, a bar down the street from Jay-Dee in Alhambra, and my friend asked me if there were any other bars in the area. I told him, "Well, there's a rape bar down the street, and they serve food during the day." Another patron immediately turned around and said, "Oh, you mean Jay-Dee." Yes, a stranger associated "Jay Dee" with the phrase "rape bar." What makes Jay-Dee rapey? Well, it's a no-frills type of place full of mostly middle aged men creating something of an atmosphere of testosterone -- guys who wouldn't be out of place at an old strip club. I went here once with my girlfriend, stepped into the bathroom, and realized my mistake upon my return. I have not had the food, but the drinks are simple and stiff -- no frills hard liquors, or some no-nonsense, non-designer beers, at fairly cheap prices (think $4 for jack and coke). So, good place to go with your friends, if you're a guy, and they're guys, and you are just looking to do one thing, and that's drink for cheap. I've yet to try the food as they stop serving burgers after eight.
(3)Glenn J.
THE GOOD: On my visit, there was a mixed group of men that were enjoying their time sitting at the bar enjoying their drink(s). With nicknames assigned, and "the usuals" ordered, this place has a life of it's own. There for a mid-day drink is not uncommon among the regulars. Even a stranger stopping in for a quick drink at this Alhambra watering-hole will enjoy the price of the drinks. SUPER-CHEAP!! The bartender who helped me out was awesome with some small talk, as she was with all the other patrons. Nothing too complex; no ignoring you at all. And, boy, was she quick and alert to making sure your chalice was without want for mead. (MEAD: English-talk for beer.) With multiple TVs, and the capability to have different channels viewed, it is an awesome set-up for any sports fan wanting to get their fix. If you are nice enough, you could get almost any channel shown for your viewing pleasure. (The focus here is the sports channels. Not "All My Children".) THE BAD: On any given day the vernacular of the day is not one of the Queen's English, believe me. But, it's to be expected. IT'S A BAR!! (Leave the kids at home.) Don't expect the language to be mild and sensitive to others. It can get crazy and dirty. IT'S A BAR!!! THE UGLY: Nothing to really note at this time. But, I will try and visit again. TO THE MANAGEMENT: With the bar having been in business since the 1940's, there is a strong attraction and return by the usuals. I figure there could be a draw of a larger and more profitable crowd of "others" if their was strategic advertising to the college crowd(s) with some, I don't know, micro-brew festivals, or something. The place can be the hottest spot for the college kids, if the marketing angle is hit just right.
(3)Tim E.
If you want cheap eats and strong drinks this is the place to be. It's basically a dive but your going to feel at home especially if your a native to the area. Everybody is nice inside. You can't go wrong with a burger here.
(3)Andre N.
Many years I have lived in Alhambra, ok almost all my life and for a good portion of it never knew this place existed. Why? Well for one that side of Alhambra was like some kind of forbidden zone, there was honestly nothing out there other than costco and fosselmans (which my parents were too cheap to take me). Anyhow more businesses, markets and eateries started to pop up, thus causing me to venture out that. However, it was still kind of hidden, until I noticed a sign promoting their burgers and I wondered when did this place come up. Turns out this place has been around for like 50 years or something. Ok more like the 70s. Anyways I met someone who mentioned that she loved this place and I decided to finally check it out. From the outside it honestly looks kind of shady, since their are no windows and such. There was ample parking in the back, so no problem there. When you first enter its dark like many reviews say pretty much a dive bar. Now didnt try the food, but the drinks here are hella cheap - 4 bucks for beer and on jack and cokes - awesome! Now dont make the mistake I made and ask whats on tap, because there is no tap. The clientele seem pretty friendly and joyous, though it is a much older crowd, i was by far the youngest there, but everybody seems to be having a good time. Mostly all Latino and white (this is where they go to in Alhambra). They also have one pool table and one dart board as well as a jukebox for your entertainment needs. On Sunday night when I went they have Karaoke and the people doing and runnin it are all pretty cool and they encourage you to sing. So I may check it out again, when I feel the need to get my drink on and on sunday sing my heart out.
(3)Danny D.
They have a good lunch here. I always stop by when I have time and I'm in the mood for a tasty burger.. Good drinks as well, not to mention even better prices..
(4)Donald T.
This place used to be the best place to kick back have a drink and talk with all your friends, everyone knew each other back in the early to mid 2000s but the last time I went here, I was depressed, no one around I knew and not just that, but the whole crowd changed, the music on the jukebox is nothing but country, everyone is at least 50 - 80 years old, old geezers throwing mean looks and Im not kidding, when me and my friend were leaving the empty parking lot which was on a Friday night, these two old couple at least in there mid 80s were walking to the bar, and worst of all the Alhambra police wait outside for people to leave the bar so they can bust you for DUI, I thought they stopped that but I guess not. I'll never come here again.
(1)Annette N.
Like an old ex-boyfriend, somethings are worth coming back to just for the guilty pleasures . . . . Thank you for the lovely Friday Night Mr. Patti Melt ~ until we meet again mi amor!!!! PS: Jay Dee's only accepts cash. So it's all untraceable, like a good dirty little secret should be. Hehehehehehe.
(4)D R.
This would be a three-star kind of establishment were it not for the super nice bartenders and servers. They know and love Alhambra, and are just plain friendly folk. Jay-Dee Cafe has been in the same family since 1944, when it had a rooftop sign and Leo's Ice Cream Parlor still competed with Fosselman's. If you're a regular here you're probably sitting toward the U at the back end of the bar. If not, then you're not. The real star of the menu are the french fries. Long and thick, perfectly golden, not at all greasy, and pipin' hot. Now then, for all this greatness, it sucks that you can't order food at the main bar. And the "cash only" thing is annoying. As it only having Stella on tap (though supposedly the owner's planning on adding two more taps - probably a domestic and Newcastle - "sometime soon"). And as much fuss as there is about the patty melt, quite frankly I just though it was so-so ... the beef was a little rank, though to be fair I ordered it medium, which seems to require a great cow to be really awesome. Lastly, the place stinks a bit of cigarettes. Things don't change quickly at old-time kinda joints like this (nor should they). Nevertheless, a few strategic tweaks here and there and I predict this place could go gangbusters.
(4)Barbara L.
I really liked Jay Dee's until our last two visits. We used to go on Thursday nights to have a few drinks and play darts. Then they started having a band on that night which plays where the dart machine is. The last two visits we decided to stay and see the band. They do covers and are pretty good. The only problem is they take up alot of the seating area so theres less places to sit but we stood near the bar and enjoyed the entertainment. Wasn't too bad... we even tipped them. Then we decided to see the band again the next week and this time we were early to get a seat. There were seats open... or so we thought! The wife of one of the singers told us the seats were saved. FORGET THAT! We come to support the bar and the band and this is how we get treated. I really wanted to like this place more. It was fun in the beginning. Their food was really good, espeically their burgers and their drink prices were reasonable.
(2)Karina C.
Hesitated in going in as I had been told that this was an older crowd kinda dive bar. So we went and sure enough I felt like we were one of the youngest couples there. Dee Jays seems like the regulars and Alhambra locals hang out spot. The service is great as the "bouncer" kept coming over and checking in on us and they have free chip bags! Yay to Cheetos! Yet, last call seemed to come around 1. Who holds their beer for an hour before closing? Tried the jukebox. Requested about 10 songs and only one played. Seems like the jukebox was turned off! Really? Read there was a live band on certain nights which I want to check out soon! Overall good experience and will go again for one of those nights where a drink is needed to go along the jukebox. Will make sure I listen up for the "last call" and will play my songs early on to avoid interruption!
(3)Louis E.
Great atmosphere, plenty of parking in the back, Food is awesome with very reasonable prices, good location close to 710 Fwy. The main chef is very friendly and goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable. Overall an awesome tasty place to visit!!!
(5)Malachi B.
An echo of an era gone by, Jay-Dee pushes forward with a big friendly smile and without apology. It's the only dive bar I've seen in the area, and it delivers the stereotype swimmingly. Along those lines, the staff are right there with you, ready to talk, share and make you a bang up delicious drink - whatever one you choose. Leave your pretension at the door, because this is the welcoming come-as-you-are kind of dive that makes dives good. Big, well-worn brick-colored vinyl (is it leather? maybe) seats. Pool tables. Various California paraphernalia on the walls and a television or two - kept at a reasonable volume as to not interrupt your conversation. Schlep on in. Leather vest optional.
(4)Joe S.
The dive bar experience as soon as you step through the door. Keep walking in because your taste buds are in for a treat. Big James greets you with a hearty hello and then starts to work his magic in the kitchen. the basic burger is anything but basic in taste. The latest burger to hit the grill is the peanut butter burger. Surprisingly good. Great food and great service. Go get you some dive bar experience.
(5)Sandie S.
Typical dive bar: Strong cheap drinks. Good ol' juke box tunes. Creepy veteranos and chola cougars galore. Not a bad place to swing by, if you want a stiff drink for a good price. People watching here is quite fun.
(3)Chris L.
Huge parking lot with plenty of parking. Met up with a friend for drinks. Ordered my favorites Vodka/Cranberry. They were not weak...actually quite good. We tried to order food but the kitchen wasn't open yet at like 4pm. I think the bartender said it opened up again at 6pm. They had chips and stuff up at the bar and music was just background I think. We left early so I didn't get to eat. Dive bar...dark cozy place to talk and have a drink or two. Bathrooms were clean. Overall a good place to hang out if you are in the area.
(3)Alessandra S.
Wanna keep your ugly date a secret then take them to Jay Dee Cafe. Where Mullets are making a come back and no one will ever know your name. Crowd is older. Go there if you don't want to be seen. Definitely not a place for me.
(2)Maria N.
This is a hidden restaurant in Alhambra,IT's been there for more than 77 years, I never knew it existed. I just went there for thr first time and i love the hamburgers, the beer doesn't cost too much neither .. Many customers are locals, retired men with white beard and gray hair., they just go to vent their problems. IT's nice to go there and seat at the bar to meet people , for ladies who want to meet older guys, for fun romance or marriage, or meet somebody who you can take care of......
(4)Jun W.
Cheap drinks, $17 for 2 Irish bombs and 2 vodka tonics. The place here is VERY divy. It's a bunch of locals. The crowd is very mature, it almost feels like being in a retirement home. But, it's a decent place to grab a cheap drink. They have a coin operated pool table. We also came her for lunch. We had a cheeseburger and it was unexpectedly delicious. The meat was juicy and the size of the burger and fries was generous. The entire plate cost $6.75. They also have daily specials. We tried the meatloaf for $6. It was pretty good...it's meatloaf, what else can I say about mashed up meat in the shape of sliced bread. The server was very friendly.
(4)Bernice S.
This is truly a gem in the Alhambra/San Gabriel area. I used to go to Al's on Las Tunas but it gets super crowded on weekend nights so I decided to check this place out since this is possibly the only other dive bar in the area. The drinks are super cheap - ordered a gin & tonic and a jack & coke, the total came out to $8. I could not taste the coke in my jack & coke! Definitely the place to get drunk! The place is very spacious. Most patrons hang out around the bar but there are plenty of seating at the dinning area and the booths. There's also a pool table and a dartboard in the dinning area. Big screen TVs all around - would be a great place to watch a game. The bartenders are very nice and friendly and like I mentioned above, they make strong drinks! However, the crowd is more on the "older" side but after a few drinks, I don't think that would matter because everyone is just there for a good time. One thing to mention is that there are plenty of parking spaces in the back. It was packed inside the bar but there were still a couple of spaces in the parking lot so the parking situation is definitely better than the "downtown Alhambra" area. It's also right next to the VW dealership so the lot is well lit. Will come again with my krew of alcoholics...
(5)Rufus S.
good drinks, good people and pool
(4)David P.
Good bar,been coming here for nearly eight yrs and alway's good people and bartenders.
(5)Aimee L.
Karaoke...whoo hoo! This place is a total dive bar, but interesting enough to make me wanna go back. It's like being attracted to the wrong type of guy, the bad boy. It is very fun to do karaoke here, and then catch a fight at the end of the night. I can honestly say that this place is not boring!
(2)Bev M.
went with a couple of friends here for St Patty's Day! Jay Dee's had a St Patty's Menu only. So we had : Corn beef and cabbage with pototoes and carrots. Rueben Sandwich with french fries. It was great comfort food. Fitting for the occasion I had white zinfandel.. a glass is only $2.50.. WOW.. that was cool! The waitresses were sweet and helpful. It looks like a dive inside.. but didn't feel like on to me. After lunch we tried out their electronic Dart board which I have no idea how to play.. but it was fun trying NOT to break the tips of the darts =) Then we played some pool! I'm not so good with pool and alcohol. I don't know how others can concentrate and drink at the same time. =D It's a great lil place to hang out. I hear their burgers are great. Definitely coming back to check out their regular menu and I hear they have karaoke night too..
(4)Lina M.
I think I'm the only freak who gave Jay-Dee's five stars. I have so many fond memories of this place. I came last Saturday with my friend Manuel, his sister, and his girlfriend who literally live 2 mins away walking distance. This was the first time I had been back in probably 6 or 7 years. When I first turned 21 and we didn't have money to go to a more fancy, trendy place, we would come here. But I don't say that with any disrespect. JayDee's almost gives their drinks away in comparison to what you will pay at most bars. 4 bucks for my favorite, Jack and Coke, means with 20 bucks I can get 5 Jack and Cokes. Wow, amazing! I actually love coming here even though it is the definition of a dive bar. No frills nothing fancy. The crowd varies. When we went there was a big group of cholos and hoodrats, a lot of older people and a few younger people. Everyone seemed to mesh well. I had so much fun and got pretty tipsy. I established a very quick and close relationship with one of the hoodrats in the bathroom which is about as big as a closet. She was so complimentary! Anyway when me and my friends sister went out to the patio to smoke, the hoodrats kind of gave us some dirty looks and she let them know that we were "cool people and that I was her new homegirl" and the cholos and hoodrats left us alone and actually looked out for us all night lol. Will I be back? Hell yes.
(5)Larry H.
Took my wife this time (oddly enough, on a karaoke night again). Bartender was incredibly nice that evening. Exciting to be in a bar once again where I'm the youngest one by half the age of everyone and that's the way I like it. No skinny jeans or ironic mustaches have invaded this place yet. Just ex-cholos, mamis and one drunk black man singing. This is a real dive bar. And four bottles of Coors for eleven bucks is pretty Goddamn amazing anywhere. I was terribly afraid my wife would find the place totally off putting, but the wall of Elvis and all the other crazy crap on the wall sold her. Best part? The last song on karaoke that night was "Bohemian Rhapsody" and pretty much everyone in the bar got excited and sang along (me and milady included). Conveniently located five-minutes from our new place. I think this is going to be my weekly watering hole.
(4)Che E.
This night i went was Definitely not the place for excitement. Not even sure if fun was allowed. All the patrons sat at the bar staring forward, conversing quietly. Entire place was calm & quiet with a bit of akward. The jukebox music selection was limited but enough to where it is possible to find some good stuff. The bartenders were cool.Drinks were fair overall. Cash only but with a bank across the street it works out. Only had drinks no food, went on a wkend night 9- last call, the crowd changed which made good people watching but it never really 'got' busy. Good neighborhood place to have a convo ,a drink ,unwind and listen to some jukebox jams. I will return to try the food and grab a drinks in the future.
(3)Christine W.
I've always wanted to go to this place since I live a few minutes away walking distance. Some friends and I went early on a Friday night (around 9-ish). It was still a little empty. However the drinks were good and cheap, the bartender was nice, and the decorations they put up for Halloween were cute. It channeled a Cheers type vibe- you know, the type of place you can go and everybody knows your name. I'll have to go back again and try the food sometime.
(4)Thoeism L.
More like Jay Sleaze, if your single and trying to catch AIDS from some old Cougar wearing more makeup than bozo the clown then come on down. Hey ladies want to know what it's like to get undressed by some old guys eyes that lays down pick up lines from the 1930's that didn't work then. Come on down. If your not scared off yet then you really should come on down. It's the kind of place where it's cool not to try to be cool and that's what makes you cool....you know what I'm saying? Keywords: Lakers, Raiders, Booze, Cheers!
(3)Alison W.
Passed this place a lot and have heard good things about burgers and meatloaf. But last week was my first visit. Upon first impression, it's not as dark and dive-y as I imagined it to be. A group of us went after work and there were already what looked like a bunch of regulars sitting around the U-shaped bar. Luckily it's a pretty big place compared to the way it looks from the outside. There are booths on one side of the bar and a larger seating area with tables and chairs on the other side. We occupied a few tables. No waiters as far as I could see so we went up to the bar to order the drinks. Very cheap. I think I paid like $8 for my vodka cranberry and a beer. No tap but they have lots of bottled beer. And the drink was not watered down at all - I could taste lots of vodka. Since the kitchen isn't open during the evening, we called in advance and they let us bring some food - pizza to be exact. That's very cool of them. They had guys coming by every so often to pick up the empty bottles and glasses. Plenty of parking in the back. Bathrooms aren't so bad for a bar. Also a patio area in the back for the smokers. Must come back during lunch for some of their grub. Wish they would serve food during dinner though.
(4)Sean L.
Goodness. This is a dive if I ever saw one. Which could be good or bad depending on how you roll...and I'm not talking about Silver Lake/Los Felix/Echo Park hipster dive mind you. I think we were the only "youngsters" in here (despite being late to early 30s). Everyone else...well. SLEEZE. And probably wore 10 pants size larger then me. If you want to walk into a place and get looks wild west style... come here. But the drinks are insanely cheap, and the place is decently sized. We did see two hipsters in the corner near the pool table (is Alhambra going to be the new Echo Park?) I can't say I'd call this place my local dive... but it's good to know it exist. 3 stars for the novelty.
(3)Jocelyn Y.
Awesome dive bar, drinks are really cheap. My favorite bar in Alhambra, the bartenders are really chill and they have an outdoor smoking area. Extra plus.
(4)M S.
If you want cheap drinks, this is the place. The lunch menu ain't too bad, but believe me, you got better things to do.....unless you're looking for a fight. For a good time, call them, tell them you're from Belly's West and that their dart team sucks Ha!
(3)Amanda Y.
Well, I've been coming here for about a month and I LOVE the atmosphere! Its chill. The service is great. The people are funny. The employees are nice (and cute;] )The food is fab. The drinks are bomb and sold at a good price. I suggest you to take a trip down here and check it out for yourself. *cash only!
(5)Anna B.
If you like ice cream like I do, you have probably seen Jay Dee. What's the connection? Fosselman's is right across the street. I'm a sucker for great neon, and the Jay Dee has it in spades. We walked in on a Friday night and it wasn't packed, it was pleasantly populated with locals. EVERYONE was talking to everyone else, all ages, sizes, races, planetary affiliations. A few small TVs were playing, but the juke box was giving the sounds. A Sapphire and Tonic ran about $4.50, my Coke (I was driving) was free! Can you believe that shit!? The bartendress immediately pegged us for newbies, so she asked a ton of questions about where we were from ("Atwater Village?" "Never heard of it!") She was sweet as pie and even invited us to the annual halloween party the following weekend. This bar is stocked full of crap to look at. There's a pool table, a nice dart board, plenty of cozy booths as well as a LOONNNGGG bar to sit at. There's an old wooden phone booth that doesn't work anymore, so they set up a mannequin in there wearing a "Run Forest Run" button. There's also a really sweet outdoor patio for the smokers. I wish Alhambra wasn't so far away.
(5)Omar E.
Good local spot. Came in here about a year ago since family lives around the corner. Cheap drinks and good burgers. If you like dive bars, you'll love this spot. A diverse group of people hang out here.
(4)Dan T.
Concealed in a discreet light blue building, not many people would assume this business directly across from fossilman's ice cream is home to one of the last true american bars in this area. This is a dive bar in the straightest sense. Don't get me wrong, this is a nice place to chill if you want to meet and chat with some older folks of different races though mostly white. I"ve gone there several times, usually in the afternoon for some kickass burgers (home of the best burgers in the world from their sign outside). drinks are cheap, the people are nice. its sad to realize that most of the patrons here are older folks. i just wonder what happens in 10 or 20 years from now when most of them have past on, will this place still be operational? Everyone should come here at least once, since it will probably be a different unique bar experience you don't get today in those trendy chique bars in hollywood.
(3)Aimee S.
This is (I think) Alhambra's only dive bar. And since the kids have claimed Azul, Sapphire and Ambiente as their hangouts, I think the grandparents have tried to claim this place as theirs. Lots of older people who drink really strong drinks. It's got a great, interesting crowd. Seriously where else can you find Grandpa talking to the cholo who is probably the one who stole his car stereo? If you love people watching like I do, then you should check this place out. It's entertaining. As for the drinks, they're good and they're cheap. The bartenders are cool/laid back guys. They have darts and billiards there too. They also have an outside patio for the smokers in the hizz-ouse.
(2)Floria C.
Friendly, divey bar with cheap drinks, pool, and karaoke! My friend and I just discovered that this bar was about 4 blocks from her apartment. We decided to check it out. It's kind of like the Cheers bar "where everyone knows your name", unless you're an out-of-towner. People kind of stared when we came in, pinning us as newbies, but after a few drinks we were having a great time and got to know several cool folks there! By all means, don't let the "locals" thing stop you from coming. 1. Drinks: SUPER CHEAP! $2-3 for all drinks. Not a very wide selection of beer (not on tap either), however. But it's cheap and I liked it. Bartenders were really nice and offered to create drinks for us too. 2. Crowd: older (30s-40s) locals, predominantly hispanic, some singles and some groups of friends. There is one guy, Tony, who I think is 93 years old and still makes it out to dance and have a drink! Definitely a diverse and welcoming crowd. 3. Atmosphere/setup: dimly lit bar, one side has several booths to sit at, other side has a pool table, more tables and chairs, and small dance area. Karaoke on Wednesday nights with Jeremy - always fun. And you don't have to feel embarassed about being a terrible singer (like I was), because Jeremy will help you out and the crowd will cheer you on. There is one guy that comes to sing and sounds exactly like Frank Sinatra. If anything, go to hear him sing.
(4)Spyder M.
Jay-Dee's is a great find. Cheap drinks, Nice People, Karaoke.. even a little room to dance. Also, if you go early in the day, they have REALLY GREAT BURGERS!! Man, oh man.. i love a great burger. Great prices on food too. CASH ONLY!! Check it out.
(4)gary w.
This place sucks. I read about how great their burgers are, so I went in for lunch today. Waited soo long for the burgers that never came. After almost an hour we find out from the waitress that they haven't even started making the burgers yet. No matter how good a burger is, its not worth waiting almost an hour for. This isn't the first time i've heard about their crappy service either. Needless to say we walked out and went to Chipotle instead where we got our food in less than5 minutes. Piss off Jay Dees.
(1)Juan B.
The food is good and a deal. Drinks are cheap and depends what time you show up depends what type of people are drinking :) It's a fun place. Not a place to see the hottest girls in town though
(4)Anthony U.
Nice little spot to have a few drinks. Mostly older bikers in there but I like it better than some college hang out any day. They had kareoke, old nostalgic feel to the place because of the decore. The bartenders are defenitely on it when it comes to customer satisfaction. Usually I need a glowstick and a megaphone to get a bartenders attention but not here. They keep it flowing so theres no need to be ignored by the bar people. $3 beer. Got a Jack/Coke for $4 nice and strong.
(4)Nunya B.
I love this place, i go to this place often, cheap good drinks, people here are awesome, it's a mixed crowd, great place.
(5)Jason Y.
Dearest fellow Yelp-n-eeserz, This place has a wonderful atmosphere,.....if you're 62+ years of age. But, none the less that is neither here nor there. If you have ever wanted to taste a really fantastic, tasty, one of a kind burger, this is the spot. drum roll.... THE JD. BURGER. This cheese burger is pack with flavor and is good size as well. The burger comes with sauteed mushroom, swiss cheese, and your standard lettuce onion, etc... If you dont like this burger, you must a anemic-terian, i mean a vega-weakian, you know a non meat eater. the overall place is what it is,... a bar. Alcohol is cheap, no one under the age of 40 frequents here, outdated decor, mostly male staff. Kereoke on weds is alright also. please make no mistake, food is good, JD burger is the best, and alcohol is very reasonable, what more could you ask fer. yes, fer.
(4)Jesse O.
Bartenders are very friendly, people are very nice, yes its a dive bar, but heck, nothing beats cheap booze and a bunch of locals from the area. Juke box has good tracks, hear a band playing which were dope, I didnt get the name of the band. They have a bunch of crazy stuff on the walls they they have collected over the years. Nice spot to get away and have a cold beer without anyone bothering you. Smoking patio is a plus!
(4)Richard R.
Spacious Dive Bar. Older crowd. Good burgers. Occasional troublemakers. Sometimes very boring.
(2)Elle T.
Wow! I know it's such a simple food to make, but - what a Cheeseburger! Yum! And Yum for their fries, too!
(4)Sam Y.
non-chino dive bar in the chino valley! 2 bucks for beer? say what? 3 bucks for mixed drinks? say what? crazy local yokels and crazy characters driving to sell you foreign coins they found on the street for 10 bucks? say what? dude i love this bar already. and i heard they serve food! awwwwwwww shiiiiiiittttttt! if i was local to here i would go here all the time. ohhhhh snapsssss!!! there is a fire drill at my office! i gotta cut this review short and get the hell out of here! sdfdsfsdfdsfdf df!!
(5)Sarah L.
i love this place!! awesome drinks and services
(5)monique h.
I love this bar it a great place to hang out and have drinks without all the hussle and bussle like up the street at the other bars .Bartenders a cool as hell drinks are cheapa great place to hang out
(4)Paris M.
My boyfriend and I stumbled onto ths bar and boy what a find ! It has a nostolgic look and feel people are super friendly burger is great ! Will definately be going back again and again !
(5)Gabe K.
This is a good place to chill out and drink at great prices. I find the crowd to be mellow, primarily 30+ Latinos. This is a dive bar, but it's not dirty at all. I have tried the food once and it was very good. Unfortunately, it's only served at lunchtime.
(4)Mark G.
This place is an Alhambra version of Moe's Tavern as the decor and homey feel reminds of it. I grew up in Alhambra so this place had always caught my attention since its been around for ages but it took awhile for me to give it a shot. When I did it was an interesting mix of folks and most importantly it had the rare bar feel that I love and that a lot of newer bars lack. It's super laid back and cheap with your usual selection of booze but the rugged environment makes up for it so drink up and chill out.
(4)Raquel C.
hahaha! jay d's (or so we call it) what can i say? one of the last remaining no frills bars in the area. i like it here! the drinks are cheap (beware of cheap drink headache in the manana though, know what i'm saying!) esp. the beers. the crowd varies. let me delight you with some of my experiences here: on one of our first occasions here one of my friends wanted to pay for her drinks at the bar with her debit card.........hahahahaha! i could've sworn the jukebox stopped and the entire bar looked at us. a barfly planted at the bar looked at my friend and just said "are you kidding, cash only!" on one occasion the crowd was pretty chill....then, two gangsta' couples walked in....everyone did this " oh shit" kinda look. everything went cool..went to smoke a cig on the patio with friends...my friend decides to sit in the seat that the gangsta chick was sitting (they were playing pool at the time)in. gangsta chick comes back and tells my friend she's in her seat....my friend stays put! damn, why lord!!! gangsta boyfriend comes over & says the same thing....my friend finally gets up but first looks at the chair and says " well damn, i didn't see a name on it! whatever!" i guess they didn't hear her cuz they went about their biz....pheeew, dodged a bullet. still chill, having a good time & then.........bam!!!!.............for some reason the gangsta guy got mad at someone the other gansta guy was talking to & bammmmmm! glass bottle to the back of his head.....like 10 feet away from me.........injured guy gets pissed & starts telling him "i'ma be back i'm gonna go get my gun fool!" starts walking to car! yikes! gangsta girlfriends manage to get boyfriends out (but first they all take a tumble on the floor as they are dragging their men out.)! phweee, dodged another bullet....literally this time!!! it was cool after that & everytime i've been there after that day. i think they have new management & the crowd is changing......for the better....i think.
(4)