Junior’s Restaurant sold a lot of its signature cheesecake last year, as well as its overstuffed sandwiches, soups, and other line of desserts.
In fact, the legendary Brooklyn eatery at the Flatbush⁄DeKalb Avenues intersection raked in $14.8 million in 2008 −− which earned it the Number 35 spot in the list of the top 100 money−making eateries in the country, according to Restaurants & Institutions magazine.
Junior’s spokesperson Bruce Bobbins said the listing is really an affirmation of what third−generation owner Alan Rosen learned from his grandfather years ago −− that you have to “put it on the plate,”
“It’s all about putting good food on the plate in good portions and with good prices, and customers have always responded to that,” said Bobbins.
“We’re particularly pleased that the Brooklyn restaurant is recognized, because Brooklyn and Junior’s have been synonymous for well, over a half century and will always be linked,” he said.
Founded in 1950, original owner Harry Rosen and his master baker Eigel Peterson created and produced what is now known as the World’s Most Fabulous Cheesecake, according to the Junior’s website.
Bobbins contends that in making the cheesecake, Rosen and Peterson tested and tasted many recipes before happening onto the Holy Grail of cheesecakes that includes not a traditional graham cracker crust, but one made of sponge cake.
The eatery also features a solid line of Jewish deli favorites such as corned beef and pastrami on rye along with matzoh ball soup. Patrons are also treated to free pickles, cole slaw, and bread.
“I believe that people, regardless of ethnicity, religiosity or background, love the food including the matzoh ball soup,” said Bobbins. “You come in and you won’t go away hungry, and you’re not going to pay outrageous prices. It’s home−style fare and people like it.”
Bobbins’ theory about the restaurant could be correct, as Junior’s sister eatery in Times Square earned $12.6 million, good for No. 58 on the list.
Number one on the list was the Las Vegas branch of the restaurant and nightclub Tao, which earned $68.4 million.
Junior’s in Brooklyn is also a favorite of Borough President Marty Markowitz, who often brings out−of−town guests to the eatery.
