What time does 2nd Street Bakery close on Saturdays ... 3:00 ? Or is it just whenever it starts to get slow?

I love the eggplant special from here. I can appreciate an italian bakery that has more than "eggplant parm" as a vegetarian option, especially one as old school as this. I usually go around 1pm- I'm in and out in under 7-10 minutes most of the time. It can get a little crowded after 4-5 people start waiting so I can only imagine how it gets during peak lunch time hours. I'm glad they don't take debit/credit otherwise I'd find an excuse to eat there every day.

Seems like the kind of place where time just stood still and that they are pretty set in their ways. I accept and appreciate them.

picked up a bunch of parms and rolls for a party a few weeks ago, noticed no major difference in quality or quantity from the norm (probably had not been there in a year).

I do agree about their front of house situation though. She is the best, but it is pretty slow when there a re a bunch of orders stacked up. that said, i don't mind waiting for that food, it never really bothers me and i plan ahead in order to hit it "off peak"

I'm very happy with them. I've never been to an absolutely perfect place. Love the charm and the food is heavenly in my opinion. Carmine's is also very good but I personally prefer 2nd Street and wish them well. Find me in the line because for me they are worth the wait.

Been going to Second Street for over ten years --- for regular walk-in orders as well as for call-ahead takeout platters.

To be honest, I think they?ve been slipping the past couple of years. The sandwiches used to be loaded with a lot more meat than they are now. Also, the rolls used for sandwiches have been way too hard ---- and it?s not like I?m showing up at the end of the day and therefore getting the last and oldest of the batch.

To be sure, the matriarch of the family still works the counter like a champ, but it would be delightful to have a ?roll line.? Some folks just want to pop in for a few off-the-rack stuffed rolls sitting right within reach --- all of a 30-second transaction --- and yet have to wait fifteen minutes behind a line of sandwich orders. That in and of itself wouldn?t be a big deal, but she sometimes doesn?t move on to taking the next order until she?s cleared the deck of pending sandwich orders being made. The net result is that you often have half of the crowded area waiting for orders they?ve placed and the other half still standing waiting to place an order (which could be an ultra-quickie for stuffed rolls).

Basically, at traditionally crowded times, they should get a second person behind the counter. It would help them in the long run because people often leave when they see the line too long (as I have done).

Try Andreas on Central Ave or Carmines on Mallory. Both are much better Second St Deli.

I want nothing more than a breakfast sandwich right now...Doh!

They are the absolute best, period!

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View Larger Map Anyone have pictures to post - I feel like I am back in time when I'm in there! Here is a New York Times article again: ================================ Sandwiches From an Heirloom New York Times By KELLY FEENEY Published: October 14, 2007 YOU can buy just a loaf of bread at Second Street Bakery in Jersey City, but it?s hard to stop there. The specialty is sandwiches on crusty Italian loaves made in a coal-fired brick oven that the ancestors of the owner, Gino Siniscalchi, used when they opened the place in the 1920s. The line to get into this tucked-away takeout shop often runs out the door at lunch time, so go early if you can. At breakfast time, you can order a simple but satisfying frittatalike egg sandwich with broccoli rabe, ham or potatoes ($3.50). There are also more than two dozen heftier hot and cold choices. Second Street?s signature sausage bread, which is specked with chunks of meat, is used to make a sandwich with prosciuttini (peppered ham), salami, fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers ($5.50). The hot pork brasciole sandwich is like eating Sunday supper on a roll ($3.75; $5 on half a loaf of Italian bread). The lightly breaded eggplant sandwich, with fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers and balsamic vinegar, is a timeless classic ($3.95 or $5.50). So are the meatball parmigiana, hot corned beef and chicken cutlet sandwiches. If you are lucky enough to go on a day when the special roast pork sandwich with aged provolone, caramelized onions and sweet barbecue sauce is served, try it ($5.50). There are other daily specials, including pastas and soups, and stuffed rolls, antipasto and pizza logs, a cross between bread and pizza. If you?re feeding a crowd, you can order a party platter. Italian bread is $1.25 for a one-pound loaf; sausage bread, $3.75; a loaf made with pepperoni and mozzarella, $4. Second Street?s lone sweet is a ricotta-filled pastry ($2) that is typically associated with the feast day of St. Joseph in March. There are no tables, but customers sometimes perch on one of the nearby stoops. Second Street Bakery, 402 Second Street, Jersey City; (201) 420-1793. Open Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/14/nyr ... enj.html?_r=2&oref=slogin

I 2nd that.

I have lived in JC for 3 years now....and always bitch about the lack of a good sandwich, until 2 weeks ago when I went to 2nd street for my first time. I've been back 3 times since and I LOVE it. Can't beat the lady at the counter, either. It's like traveling back in time. Reminds me of South Philly, where I used to get sandwiches as a kid.

great.....now I'm soooo in the mood for a sausage bread sandwich. This place is fantastic.

This place is the best thing since sliced bread, which they probably invented. Went for the first time today, one of the best deli's I've been to, including all of Manhattan. Go there if you haven't already.

dont go around lunchtime if you can avoid it. long lines. def some jcfd/ pd

but, this place is awesome. they catered my super bowl party, and were amazing.

i would love to see them expand their operations to do catering, maybe make a restaurant in the front (no need for all those coolers), nix the drop cieling, etc.

but, the place is charming and great as it is.

shout out to pecoraro's! i miss that olive loaf (the good kind)

I want to add that they also have cheeses. I was desperate and out of time, so I asked if they had any mozzarella. They had fresh mozz and it was tasty.

it's sold by the lb.

Definitely ask for their menu the next time you swing by.

My father (born 1917) grew up in Jersey City -- and he was introduced to the Second Street Bakery by his father. In turn, my sister and I have been customers as well for more than 50 years. They never fail to please -- except on those days when we are running too late at lunch and the JC firefighters or police (who have voracious appetites for great Italian deli) have purchased nearly everything in the kitchen! BTW, if you are dieting, they also make an outstanding Italian salad!

They do have a menu...just ask them for one (if it isn't sitting on the counter). Call in advance and drop by to pick your food up (takes like 15mins). Good way to avoid the people lined up out the door every day at lunch.

Awesome place.

Quote:
I?ve mentioned this on the other 2nd Street thread?

The brasciole is a winner! My wife and I usually order a platter with extra quarts of sauce. We portion it into quart-size containers and freeze it - usually lasts us a month or two. Whenever the urge hits, we defrost a quart to have over rigatoni ? la dolce vita!

As a matter of fact, we?re having it tonight with a chianti and nero d?avola.

Completely agree. Place is awesome.

This place is worth finding - they close by 3. Be prepared to wait in line a few minutes. Today I got:

A quart of chicken meatball soup - with bread (better than mom's)

A small (huge) roast port sandwich with cheese, sweet onions and spicy sauce (enough for 2 people)

A small loaf of cinnamon bread (or a really big roll) loaded with cinnamon but not too sweet

2 bottles of coke

total - just under $15.

Breakfast egg sandwiches with pepperoni or spicy sausage are gigantic and delicious.

Has anybody tried their hot dishes?

The one thing that bothered me most about moving to JC was the lack of a great italian deli. I tried Second Street for the first time on Wednesday...this place is amazing. Best meatball parm wedge (from Yonkers...i guess it's hero?) I have ever had. The pizza logs and ricotta pastry are amazing too. I loved it so much, I woke up this morning and walked right over there for a nice sausage parm breakfast.

Quote:
Spoken like a true Jersey Italian whether you are or not.

Second Street Bakery is the kind of place that makes me love being born and raised in Northern NJ. Sweet ricotta calzones and the individual pizza are my faves....

often my SO walks over to 2nd ave bakery before i wake up. i would like to know exactly how they are able to combine eggs, potatoes, roasted peppers, cheese and bread and have it feel so light, and not like a rock is laying in my stomach.


total yums.

Love this place!
but, me and my buddy got rubbber bands in our sandwich two in a row on different date.

Still love this place. Eggplant parm...yumm

They have great deli swiss and homemade fresh mozzarella -- just make sure to tell them what you want!

God, I'm getting hungry -- I think I might have to get the egg sandwich with broccoli rabe, and potatoes -- or maybe the egg sandwich with green peper, and potatoes!

BTW -- the article seems to say they are open for Breakfast -- I thought they started at 10-10:30 am -- are they really open earlier than that?

Today's Jersey section of the Times had an article.

A big thumbs up to the sausage bread!

October 14, 2007
New Jersey
Sandwiches From an Heirloom
By KELLY FEENEY

YOU can buy just a loaf of bread at Second Street Bakery in Jersey City, but it?s hard to stop there. The specialty is sandwiches on crusty Italian loaves made in a coal-fired brick oven that the ancestors of the owner, Gino Siniscalchi, used when they opened the place in the 1920s.

The line to get into this tucked-away takeout shop often runs out the door at lunch time, so go early if you can. At breakfast time, you can order a simple but satisfying frittatalike egg sandwich with broccoli rabe, ham or potatoes ($3.50). There are also more than two dozen heftier hot and cold choices.

Second Street?s signature sausage bread, which is specked with chunks of meat, is used to make a sandwich with prosciuttini (peppered ham), salami, fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers ($5.50). The hot pork brasciole sandwich is like eating Sunday supper on a roll ($3.75; $5 on half a loaf of Italian bread). The lightly breaded eggplant sandwich, with fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers and balsamic vinegar, is a timeless classic ($3.95 or $5.50). So are the meatball parmigiana, hot corned beef and chicken cutlet sandwiches.

If you are lucky enough to go on a day when the special roast pork sandwich with aged provolone, caramelized onions and sweet barbecue sauce is served, try it ($5.50). There are other daily specials, including pastas and soups, and stuffed rolls, antipasto and pizza logs, a cross between bread and pizza. If you?re feeding a crowd, you can order a party platter.

Italian bread is $1.25 for a one-pound loaf; sausage bread, $3.75; a loaf made with pepperoni and mozzarella, $4.

Second Street?s lone sweet is a ricotta-filled pastry ($2) that is typically associated with the feast day of St. Joseph in March. There are no tables, but customers sometimes perch on one of the nearby stoops.

Second Street Bakery, 402 Second Street, Jersey City; (201) 420-1793. Open Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.