My first time dining at Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery was recently in Las Vegas. I was born and raised in Brooklyn. I am ashamed that I had not tried Junior’s sooner — and at the original location in Brooklyn, no less.
First Time Dining at Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery. In Las Vegas. I Am From Brooklyn. I Am Ashamed.
One reason why I had not dined at Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery before is because the iconic restaurant is best known for its famous cheesecake. I dislike cheesecake. I will eat it once in a while if no other dessert is available…
…but I dislike cheesecake. Did I already say that?!?
The second reason why I had not dined at Junior’s in the past was that I did not know that the restaurant had a full menu — including Jewish-style delicatessen delights such as pastrami and corned beef — and no one ever approached me with the idea of going there to dine…
…but then again, I lived in the city of New York for years. If I wanted pastrami or corned beef, they were available at numerous delicatessens — both Kosher and Jewish style. Why would I go to Junior’s?
The third reason is that the original Junior’s restaurant is located on 386 Flatbush Avenue Extension, which is slightly greater than one mile south southeast of the Manhattan Bridge. Despite commuting between Brooklyn and Manhattan for at least nine consecutive years, I did not pass Junior’s all that often because it was never on my way.
Speaking of Brooklyn, I liked how all of the walls had photographs and images that accurately represented the borough of the city of New York in which I was born and raised.
Okay — now that I revealed all of the excuses…er…I mean reasons why I never stepped into a location of Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery, I finally dined in the Las Vegas location recently.
The bowl of Matzo Ball Soup contained noodles, chopped carrots — and, of course, matzo balls. The soup itself was delicious but a little salty for me. The matzo balls were neither so light and fluffy that they float in the soup — nor were they so hard and dense that a spoon would bend trying to cut one, which is how I prefer them. Goldilocksowitz would probably say that their texture was ju-u-u-u-u-ust right. $11.95
The pastrami sandwich was served on marble rye bread. I tried to order the sandwich with extra lean meat; but they were unable to honor the request. The sandwich had an ample amount of meat on it; but it was not overstuffed like a traditional delicatessen pastrami sandwich. However, it was quite reminiscent of pastrami that is found in authentic delicatessens in New York; and it was delicious. The fat that was on the meat was thankfully not stringy, chewy, or in jelled globs. $19.95
In fact, the pastrami strangely resembled in appearance to…bacon!?! That was quite bizarre. This pastrami was definitely not the best pastrami which I have ever had; but it sufficed rather well.
I do not know who actually manufactures this deli mustard for Junior’s; but it is the real thing. I slathered the marble rye bread of my pastrami sandwich with it.
I actually saw someone at another table specifically order yellow mustard instead of deli mustard. That is one step above ordering mayonnaise. That act of blasphemy is sacrilegious to the delicatessen experience!
Despite the menu stating that applesauce comes with the Single Potato Pancake, no applesauce was ever served at the table. The potato pancake was reminiscent of the potato latkes that are sold in authentic Kosher delicatessens. I ordered the potato pancake because Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery does not sell or serve knishes of any kind, which is a shame. $8.95
Real sour pickles — just like the ones at Kosher delicatessens in New York — are available at no charge. Simply ask for them, as they are not automatically served at the table.
Despite being rather full from the meal, I would continue to be ashamed and remiss if I did not at least try the famous cheesecake at Junior’s — despite not liking cheesecake, which I do not believe I have mentioned yet in this article. I compromised: instead of getting the classic plain cheesecake, I ordered the Devil’s Food Cheesecake, which was bigger and taller than we expected. This decadent slice was an original Junior’s cheesecake covered in chocolate cake and fudge with frosting and chocolate chips.
We all agreed that it was the best cheesecake we have ever had. That does not mean we now like cheesecake — but it was the best cheesecake we have ever had. The original cheesecake portion was sharp, tangy, and full of flavor. $11.25
Final Boarding Call
If you are thinking about ordering a Dr. Brown’s soda, forget about it: like the aforementioned knishes, Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery in Las Vegas does not sell or serve it. I had to settle for ginger ale. Bottomless fountain sodas are $5.25 each.
Despite the few strikes against it, I recommend dining at Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery in Las Vegas, which is likely about as close to a real Jewish delicatessen experience as you might get in Las Vegas. The experience was satisfying; the atmosphere was nostalgic; the food was delicious; the service was very good; and the prices really were not all that expensive.
Because Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery is located at Resorts World Las Vegas, it is eligible for the $25.00 food and beverage credit per person for up to two people for members of the Hilton Honors membership program who have earned Diamond elite status — as well as for the $100.00 credit for anyone staying at Conrad Las Vegas for two nights. This is one example in which I would rather have the food and beverage credit of $25.00 per person than the free breakfast that elite members of the Hilton Honors membership program used to have prior to the food and beverage credit.
One can also order food to go, as the takeout option is faster than table service — and less money in the form of a gratuity — and you can take the food back to the comfort of your hotel room.
Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery
3000 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
United States of America
1-702-676-6963
Operating Hours
Sunday through Thursday: 6:00 in the morning until 11:00 in the evening
Friday through Saturday: 6:00 in the morning until midnight
Self parking at Resorts World Las Vegas costs a flat rate of $21.00 per day for parking for guests and visitors. Although doing so is not advised, some hotel and casino properties nearby do offer complimentary parking.
If you are not staying at the three hotel properties of Resorts World Las Vegas, consider other transportation options — such as Vegas Loop and Zoox, both of which you can read about my experiences and watch videos of them…
All photographs ©2026 by Brian Cohen.
