Summary

Jack’s Wife Freda has become a New York institution, and rightfully so. Out of their five locations, I’ve been to two: West Village and SoHo. Considering SoHo is their flagship, I’ll base my review on this location. Besides the size and orientation, both locations maintain consistency in their service and food quality. For a Tier 3 restaurant, I look for approachable food at a fair price in a casual environment. While Jack’s Wife Freda is not inexpensive, the quality of their food justifies their understandably NYC price tags. Jack’s Wife Freda checks every box for all-day dining and serves as a crucial reminder of how enjoyable these types of restaurants are in our culinary landscape.

Food & Beverage

Jack’s Wife Freda serves American & Mediterranean style bistro food with a focus on healthy and clean eating. The food is flavorful, fulfilling, and relatively guilt-free. Whether you go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there is literally nothing on the menu that you can go wrong with ordering. The portions are generous, and unless you decide to get the sirloin steak or a whole fish, you won’t be spending more than $20-30 on an entrée. My favorite dishes include the green shakshuka, Jack’s breakfast, prego roll, duck bacon sandwich, and the peri peri chicken. If you go with a group, the sides are definitely big enough to share, or you can chow down on your own if you’re extra hungry. And of course, as a bistro, Jack’s Wife Freda offers café drinks as well as house cocktails and wine.

Service

The staff at Jack’s Wife Freda are welcoming and kind. Out of the many times I’ve visited any of the locations, no matter who has waited on me, it has always been a pleasant experience. I don’t expect a restaurant of this style to go above and beyond what’s required in order to serve, so I don't judge as harshly. The service never detracts from my experience at Jack’s Wife Freda; if anything, it is a pleasant addition.

Atmosphere

Simple, comforting, and uncomplicated. That is a concise way of describing Jack’s Wife Freda’s American bistro atmosphere. This ambiance is elevated at their SoHo location, especially during the summertime, when it seems to transform into a very European feel. The West Village location is smaller and more quaint but maintains its charm.

Vibe

Jack’s Wife Freda has achieved the dream of any New York City destination: being a frequented spot for both locals and tourists. Because of this, Jack’s Wife Freda is always a great place for people-watching. Its vibe varies depending on the day, with weekends being far more lively, and weekday evenings a lot calmer and quieter. Bring a group of friends here on a Saturday morning, bring your mom here on a Tuesday afternoon, and bring a significant other on a Thursday evening. Regardless of the day or time, you will enjoy your experience.