There are a few tenets that I’ve developed over my many years of writing about food. The first, “price is not a seasoning; free does not mean it tastes good, and expensive does not mean better” is important in the face of all the free meals/food and stuff that’s offered to me on a regular basis. The second, “service can make or break an opinion” is important in light of just how much competition any given restaurant or product has — if two places offer similar menus, it’s easy to choose to go to the place with better service. But if two places exist where one has amazing service and very mediocre food and one has mediocre service and amazing food – well, I’m more likely to go to the place with amazing service a bit more frequently than the place with amazing food. Of course, the third tenet — “everything is subjective” — means you may feel differently about that.
Brightside Tavern is a place that boasts phenomenal service. They advertise themselves as having ‘the best brunch in Jersey City’ – it certainly is one of the better deals, clocking in at $20 and including 3 Bloody Mary’s or 3 Mimosas. Even beyond that, however, the service has time and again been incredibly friendly and welcoming. I have never had a server, hostess, bartender, manager even breathe funny in my direction – there is always a smile greeting me, a friendly hello, and people trying to make my experience better.
The first time both Hubba Hubby and I visited, the owner (I think? Steve? he wears a hilarious hat with fake hair attached to it sometimes) came over to say hi to us and chat about our obviously brand-new baby. She was about 3 weeks old at the time. He asked us a bunch of questions, congratulated us, told us to come in anytime, and made some offhand remark about her being only the 2nd youngest patron to visit this week as earlier that week, someone with a 10 day old had dined there. He walked away after wishing us well, but came back a few minutes later to proudly point at the TVs that rotate old school music videos. Across the screen under the videos scrolled “Welcome Autumn, happy 3 weeks!” {or something along those lines, my brain was pretty foggy back then} – which we thought was just about the sweetest thing. I can’t emphasize enough how much everyone who works there makes you feel welcome when you visit.
We frequently find ourselves over here for brunch; I believe this was the brunch burger. Hubba Hubby thought it was standard fare for a burger; nothing to rave about but still good.
Huevos rancheros: I thought this was fine but not unique or special. The tater tots though… those are the bomb.
Classic eggs Benedict. Gotta love those tots. The Hollandaise is pretty standard.
Breakfast sandwich – bacon, egg, cheese on a baguette. Again those tots are not to be missed.
My breakfast burrito…
I do wish the pico de gallo and avocado were inside, making it easier to eat, but still fairly tasty. And yes… the tots.
The turkey BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato) – it’s a good sandwich. 
And when I was still pregnant, I got it without the turkey so it was just a BLAT. Still good. And those tots!
You may have noticed I didn’t really describe the food very much. Well, it’s standard pub/tavern fare. It’s all solidly tasty, if you go with the expectation that they know how to work a fryer (they do) and you’re not expecting anything unique or fancy with your food. The menu isn’t special – or at least I haven’t ordered anything that was – but it’s all good. Everyone needs a place in their neighborhood like that – just solidly good food that you know what to expect and you get what you expect. When you add in the incredibly welcoming service, you get a really great place that you wonder why you don’t visit more frequently (for us, it’s because it’s a solid 20+ minute walk that, depending on the weather, can be truly awful).
Also, if you check their Facebook page, they frequently have musical events happening on weekends or even weeknights – some family-oriented, some geared more towards adults. We tried to attend a children’s music concert once, but it was back when the baby fussing sent us into a straight panic so we left when she started stirring. I’ve since learned that it’s OK for baby to make a little noise at children’s events, haha!
{the new section of family-friendly ratings!}
Stroller-friendly? YES. There’s a ramp to the left of the main entrance; sometimes the door at the top isn’t unlocked but you can always ask someone to unlock it for you and they will open it for you. Or someone will help you bring the stroller up the 2-3 steps that lead to the main entrance.
High chairs? They have high chairs for when you sit at a regular table, but I do not think they have the high chairs that reach bar tables (not a lot of places have these though). They are very happy to help you sit at a table that will fit you and your stroller next to it, if you please!
Changing tables? I imagine yes solely because I know there is a family restroom off to one side(they have single-occupant bathrooms together by the bar); I actually have not gone in there but they refer to it as the family bathroom so I assume there is a changing table in there. If anyone reading this can confirm or deny, please let me know and I will update!
Overall family friendly rating? Very. The staff is super friendly and welcoming; they will go out of their way to make you feel as though you’ve been a regular for life (which makes me want to be one!). The clientele is also always friendly and has a nice word for A when we’re there, and everyone is just always so, so nice. I see people throwing baby showers in the back room frequently and I think there’s another party room downstairs as well. I definitely recommend this for anyone who has or doesn’t have kids! and wants some solid pub grub.
Brightside Tavern
141 Bright Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 435-1234
Leave a Reply