The Pint-sized Palate

Bus Stop Café —“The 1” for Taylor and Me

By Churchill Stone

Bus Stop Café, 597 Hudson Street
At 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning we went to the Bus Stop Café. We always wondered why so many people go there because it seemed like just another diner.

And then I found out that Taylor Swift  wrote a song, The 1, where she says, “I thought I saw you at the bus stop.” Since Taylor probably does not take the bus, her fans think she means Bus Stop Café. So now it is a famous place. It’s also near an actual bus stop on Hudson Street. In 1922, a bartender there was shot twice, but he survived.

When we arrived at Bus Stop, there were already a lot of people eating— young, old, single, couples, families, and friends. As soon as our server, Carolina, saw my baby brother, she gave us a baby chair and a paper cup of water for him. So this place is kid friendly and even baby friendly. Carolina and everyone there was very nice.

There are lots of tables outside, We sat inside, but the giant windows were open and it was a beautiful day.

We started with fresh squeezed orange juice which was very good. Also, my dad was surprised because he said his cappuccino was very good for a place that’s a Greek diner and not an Italian café. My mother was happy too because the coffee was good and they kept filling it up for free.

I love Eggs Benedict and I think they are a kid friendly food. So I ordered them but they were not that great.  And the home fries were cold so I didn’t even try them. And this was after I told them I was reviewing the restaurant — I don’t think they believed me. We also ordered French toast, but that was not very good either. My sister ordered pancakes which were okay but she was not thrilled with those. We both agreed that my father’s pancakes are better and he just makes those from a mix.  I think with Bus Stop Café you have to stick to the basics or things that are Greek.

They do have 12 breakfast specials. These come with a choice of orange, cranberry or tomato juice (definitely get the orange juice even though it comes in a very small glass) and coffee or tea. Their specials include oatmeal ($15), a western omelet ($20), corned beef hash with two eggs ($20) or an egg avocado BLT ($20). You can also have eggs any style ($14).  

They also have a big lunch and dinner menu like any diner. Unlike diners, Bus Stop Café has a liquor license since they used to be a saloon over 100 years ago. So people come in the evenings where they have cocktails like margaritas and mojitos ($13). We walk by in the evenings and it’s a real scene of people there having their drinks.

Bus Stop Café doesn’t seems like a place that would be in New York City. Maybe that’s a good thing. It is a charming place with nice people, but the incredible thing about it? They serve the breakfast menu from 7:30 in the morning to 10:30 at night. So if you’re a kid, you can have pancakes, a bagel with lox and cream cheese, or an omelet for dinner while your parents have a martini.