Jerry Joy Cafe - Melbourne

Right, hands up those who love Melbourne. If you're hand's not up, may a deep shame descend on you. Melbourne's food, coffee and wine scene is extraordinary, legendary even I'll suggest. And, little places like this - the most agreeably named Jerry Joy in the back streets of Thornbury - help make it so. I received a lovely friendly greeting on arrival here, despite my non hipster vibe. No prejudice is a good start. They've made a nice space here out of what is no doubt an old milk bar. It feels good with nice internal and external seating areas and has a friendly warm vibe. I began with a very nicely made coffee. Rich and satisfying it hit the spot nicely. I then continued my very lucky run of breakfast orders preferring by choosing home made beans with poached egg and chorizo. What an unknowingly clever decision I'd made. This dish is stupendously good. Who'd have ever thought the words five star and back streets of Thornbury would ever be uttered together anywhere. It's hard for me to do the dish justice. Seriously, this dish is wonderfully good. Rich and full of flavour and texture with bursts of pure bliss from the chorizo. When the dish came to the table I was worried it was a tas undersized. But, at this early point I hadn't been able to appreciate the genius of the chef here who in fact had crafted the exact amount of food right down to the last bean and slice of chorizo. The size I was given was perfect. A mere half mouthful more risked gluttony or waste. I had requested one modification to the dish. Seeded bread in, sourdough out. I have been very moved by that Harvard research from a few years ago asserting that whole grain adds 10% to your life. I'll take the 10% if I can and can report that the substituted bread went well with this top class dish.Service overall was lovely here. Three people served me off and on. Each was very pleasant, efficient and engaged. I left them in no doubt that they and their food were mightily appreciated on a cool and soggy Melbourne afternoon.To sum up, this was another very happy Melbourne food experience. It's a 4.7. Places like Jerry Joy are a sheer delight and are part of a great culinary scene as suggested. Nice place, lovely staff, outstanding food and coffee, peaceful streets. It's all part of a nice life.

Arriving mid morning on a Sunday in Melbourne and staying in Thornbury a walk away,Going to this restaurant was heaven. Being Sunday there was a short wait with others (and their dogs!) for a table. The atmosphere was great....people enjoying themselves with friends. Such a relief from trains, cars and planes! Food arrived fast and the menu up to date and varied. The area is on the edge of getting redeveloped and I hope the community feel is not destroyed by wall to wall town houses replacing the lovely period homes in the street.

We eat here often, the food is consistently good & while the cafe is small it always has a nice atmosphere. The staff are always efficient & friendly but don't go here as I'm a local & I want my favourite seat ha ha!

Very friendly, lovely atmosphere, small local cafe but not a great lunch range and average, overpriced food - disappointing.

Our favourite cafe in the area - flavoursome coffee prepared anyway you like it and such delicious breakfast and lunch items. Cannot recommend the waffles enough AND they are gluten free!! Staff are always so friendly, it's a small but lovely dining area and patio.