Breakfast at Jim's
This is one of my favorite spots in the entire Bay Area for breakfast - flapjacks, french toast, eggs benedict - the wait can be horrible (there's always a line outside) but the breakfast is great, the prices are affordable and the service efficient.

It's very "diner". You won't find any reductions, chipotle, or anything fancy.

Sit at the counter to watch the frenetic pace of short order cooks flipping and frying.    [02 Jun 2002 13:36:43]

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Recommended Dishes: anything breakfast

     ­Megu   

Excellent value, terrific service.
Jim's has got to be one of the best dining values in the Bay area. I love to eat out, especially breakfast, and the quality, quantity, and service at Jim's is really second to none. It's not fancy, but it's hearty, clean, and fast. Sometimes on the weekends there can be a wait for a table or a seat at the counter but it's worth it and a testament to their popularity.    [02 Oct 2003 05:14:51]

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     ­Anonymous   

Leave the salmon benedict, take the tapioca
Jim's really is a find. The parking lot has expanded, which will add to your enjoyment of the Jim's experience. If you're stuck in line, they offer nice hot coffee to tide you over. Once inside, you'll find the place crowded and horribly loud, but the booths are roomy and comfortable (to accommodate the roomy and comfortable clientele - so be sure to watch your portions here!) The brand-new bathroom sparkles (ok, the toilet screams like a wildcat when flushed) - though it would be great if they'd put in a foot stool since the sink is hard for small kids to reach. Jim's was remodeled last year, and is chock-full of Alameda memorabilia and tacky posters but could definitely use some soft surfaces to deaden the sound. At least it's bright and clean - and not a hint of Harvest Gold anywhere.

Jim's menu and specials offer plenty of variety, from gussied-up burgers to prime rib, chicken & fish - settling that "well, I want Mexican but you want Mediterranean" problem. The kid's menu portions are reasonably priced but huge (so order something that will taste good heated up the next day for lunch). The service is sometimes rushed but always friendly. Food is a mixed bag; my sweetie raves about the braised lamb, and I like the roast chicken and the salmon. Side veggies in garlic butter are tender-crisp and I can't think of another diner that provides warm home-baked bread. We love the tapioca pudding for dessert - though I'd have them hold the chocolate syrup drizzle, it gets all over everything. So, lunch and dinner are good bets. However, I'm not really thrilled with their breakfasts. The salmon benedict featured a heavy, congealed hollandaise and the smoked salmon was served cold underneath it, for a very unpleasant sensation - like climbing into a soft velvety bed to find a dead fish under the covers. In addition the English muffin was barely toasted, if at all. I also find their home fries too salty and mushy rather than crispy. Happily, their fruit salad has really improved over the last year; it used to taste very chemical. On the plus side, their homemade sausage is fabulous! All in all, as coffee shops go, Jim's is the best I've ever been to. And they don't have that icky colored sugar that turns your coffee pink.    [21 Jan 2004 17:02:09]

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Recommended Dishes: Roast chicken; seafood pasta; braised lamb;homemade sausage; tapioca pudding

     ­ataaah, Alameda, CA   

Great Food! Great Service! Lotsa Food!
Fantastic Liver & Onions (tender and tasty)Fast and friendly service. Coffee cup never gets empty.(refills faster than the cup can empty)This place is great. There is ample parking in the rear. The place is well lit and very clean.    [17 Oct 2005 14:28:48]

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Recommended Dishes: Liver and Onions

     ­Chris Carey, U.S. Citizen Sales Alameda, Ca (CCTV Security Cameras) uscitizensales.com   info at uscitizensales dot com