Jerry's is the bomb! My favorite is the chicken and dumplings, but everything is good. My husband loves the fried chicken. This place is a genuine cafeteria - and it is so tough to find a good cafeteria these days. Always good food, always fresh. The desserts are fabulous!
(5)
Timothy D.
You have got to be kidding me five stars. Everything I saw was made from a can. I had the fried chicken it was obviously frozen chicken.The mashed potatoes were instant potatoes. The green beans were straight from the can. The rolls were prepackage rolls. Whoever said this was a dive restaurant has never been to a good dive. Some of these yelp reviews baffle me. If this is your only choice yes it's fine. If not there are too many other restaurants that don't serve prepackaged food around here to go here! Two stars for me.
(2)
Saher K.
Nice awesome place to be at... I would love to be there everytime I'm around :) amazing catering and staff too nice and friendly I would recommend it to all my friends and family also
(5)
Mac A.
This place is an icon in Granite City. If you have never eaten here you are missing out on one of the best smorgasbords of all time. Food is always fresh and hot. I have never had a bad meal here. Quality comfort food at an excellent price!!!
(5)
Jeremy J.
I have to say Jerrys cafeteria has to be one of the best authentic dive food places I have been... I can't figure out for the life of me why "Diners Drive-ins and Dives" has not been here. It's an ever changing selection in the food line depending on the day of the week. It kind of takes me back to grade school and lunch lines. If you are in the st. Louis area, I highly recommend leaving the beaten path and come try this place. Amazing fried chicken and twiced baked mashed potatoes.
(5)
Teri D.
Made a couple of return trips to Jerry's since my first review and I am delighted to report that the other dishes we have had are also delicious! I'll just make a list of what we've tried: Pork chop: delicious with a crispy coating and tender on the inside. Swiss steak: tasty but a bit mushy on the texture. Fried chicken: some of the best fried chicken going. Juicy, not too salty with a crisp coating and not greasy at all. Roast beef: Tender and delicious without being over salted. Chop steak: nicely browned before being topped with a perfect mushroom gravy. Twice baked potatoes: great flavor with a generous cheese topping. Not what I expected, but one of the best potato dishes I've had in many years. Definitely the best side dish they have. Green beans: cooked with bacon and some onion, they are just like grandma makes. Corn: not much you can do to corn, but they do it really well. Cherry crumb pie: a slice of heaven. Bursting with cherries in a wonderful crumbly topping that is almost as good as my grandmother's pies. They use a commercially made bottom crust, but they cook it properly so it's not soggy Coconut cream pie: not as sweet as most C.C. Pies I've eaten and not overly rich but delicious just the same. Blackberry pie: it's hard to find blackberry pie and theirs is the best around with the exception of Blue Springs/Mineral Springs; sister restaurants in Highland and Grant Fork. They get the nod because of a homemade crust, but they cost twice as much per slice. Pumpkin pie: Second only to Mrs. Bartosiak's pumpkin pie. They also have delicious iced tea brewed the old fashioned way and it comes unsweetened or Southern sweet. Plenty of parking, plenty of tables. Leave a buck for the line girls in the jar and a buck on the table for the busboy. They are working hard for you. The dining area is clean and the line servers are friendly while they dish out your food. One more thing that bears mentioning: Jerry's is consistent. The food is the same every time and Jerry is always on the premises making sure everything is running smoothly. They also run a first rate catering service and I recommend them for any event. See you at the next table.....
(5)
Michael H.
If anywhere on this good earth deserves 5 stars, Jerry's does. Jerry's Cafeteria is a Granite City tradition decades in the making. Every day of every week, Jerry and his family and staff serves up some of the best home made favorites around. The fried chicken has had guests at innumerable wedding receptions comment that "this is GREAT! where is this from?" The twice-baked potatoes are to die for. Well, come to think about it, so is just about anything Jerry's serves. I've been coming here as long as I can remember, all the way back to when my grandparents brought me here a couple of nights a week for dinner and I'd have either the fried chicken or mushroom steak with mashed potatoes (with gravy, please) and green beans. Plus a slice of coconut cream pie. Plus, if I was REALLY hungry, a salad or bowl of applesauce. And then of course the signature rolls. And I'd wash it down with a glass of root beer. Those were the days. Not only is the food some of the best cafeteria & catering food around, INTEGRITY is the name of Jerry's game. Two cases illustrate my point: First: My sister was married in July of '06, the weekend after the major wind and thunderstorms (the worst in decades) hit the St. Louis area, just about knocking every tree and power line in Granite City to the ground while flooding many of the low-lying areas. The rehearsal dinner was a romantic (although unintended) candlelight affair in the basement of the church. The church didn't need electric lighting - it was all the more beautiful with the natural light. But the true worry of family and friends was how the reception would come together with no power at the hall (thankfully it wasn't as hot as it can be in St. Louis in July) or at Jerry's (the caterer.) Of course there was no need to worry, as Jerry wouldn't let anyone down. He paid a friend from upstate to bring in a refrigerated truck to keep all of the ingredients cold and he set up a makeshift kitchen of propane stoves in his back parking lot. Jerry not only successfully catered my sister's wedding reception but two others the same night. And, honest to goodness, I think that was the best-tasting Jerry's I've ever had. Jerry proved - again - his integrity, his love for his customers and community, and his professionalism. Second: Last week when my grandma passed away (the one that I have fond memories of going here with growing up), Jerry didn't miss a beat in offering his small meeting/banquet room in the cafeteria for the family and told my grandpa to invite the family for a luncheon - on him - after the funeral. Absolutely out of the blue, this act was one of the most appreciated and enjoyed of the entire ordeal we went through as a family. Jerry is a true class act who has made generations smile in Granite City both at his cafeteria and with his catering. I rate him a "5" - I'd rate him a "10" if I could - and highly recommend it to anyone.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Cindy S.
Jerry's is the bomb! My favorite is the chicken and dumplings, but everything is good. My husband loves the fried chicken. This place is a genuine cafeteria - and it is so tough to find a good cafeteria these days. Always good food, always fresh. The desserts are fabulous!
(5)Timothy D.
You have got to be kidding me five stars. Everything I saw was made from a can. I had the fried chicken it was obviously frozen chicken.The mashed potatoes were instant potatoes. The green beans were straight from the can. The rolls were prepackage rolls. Whoever said this was a dive restaurant has never been to a good dive. Some of these yelp reviews baffle me. If this is your only choice yes it's fine. If not there are too many other restaurants that don't serve prepackaged food around here to go here! Two stars for me.
(2)Saher K.
Nice awesome place to be at... I would love to be there everytime I'm around :) amazing catering and staff too nice and friendly I would recommend it to all my friends and family also
(5)Mac A.
This place is an icon in Granite City. If you have never eaten here you are missing out on one of the best smorgasbords of all time. Food is always fresh and hot. I have never had a bad meal here. Quality comfort food at an excellent price!!!
(5)Jeremy J.
I have to say Jerrys cafeteria has to be one of the best authentic dive food places I have been... I can't figure out for the life of me why "Diners Drive-ins and Dives" has not been here. It's an ever changing selection in the food line depending on the day of the week. It kind of takes me back to grade school and lunch lines. If you are in the st. Louis area, I highly recommend leaving the beaten path and come try this place. Amazing fried chicken and twiced baked mashed potatoes.
(5)Teri D.
Made a couple of return trips to Jerry's since my first review and I am delighted to report that the other dishes we have had are also delicious! I'll just make a list of what we've tried: Pork chop: delicious with a crispy coating and tender on the inside. Swiss steak: tasty but a bit mushy on the texture. Fried chicken: some of the best fried chicken going. Juicy, not too salty with a crisp coating and not greasy at all. Roast beef: Tender and delicious without being over salted. Chop steak: nicely browned before being topped with a perfect mushroom gravy. Twice baked potatoes: great flavor with a generous cheese topping. Not what I expected, but one of the best potato dishes I've had in many years. Definitely the best side dish they have. Green beans: cooked with bacon and some onion, they are just like grandma makes. Corn: not much you can do to corn, but they do it really well. Cherry crumb pie: a slice of heaven. Bursting with cherries in a wonderful crumbly topping that is almost as good as my grandmother's pies. They use a commercially made bottom crust, but they cook it properly so it's not soggy Coconut cream pie: not as sweet as most C.C. Pies I've eaten and not overly rich but delicious just the same. Blackberry pie: it's hard to find blackberry pie and theirs is the best around with the exception of Blue Springs/Mineral Springs; sister restaurants in Highland and Grant Fork. They get the nod because of a homemade crust, but they cost twice as much per slice. Pumpkin pie: Second only to Mrs. Bartosiak's pumpkin pie. They also have delicious iced tea brewed the old fashioned way and it comes unsweetened or Southern sweet. Plenty of parking, plenty of tables. Leave a buck for the line girls in the jar and a buck on the table for the busboy. They are working hard for you. The dining area is clean and the line servers are friendly while they dish out your food. One more thing that bears mentioning: Jerry's is consistent. The food is the same every time and Jerry is always on the premises making sure everything is running smoothly. They also run a first rate catering service and I recommend them for any event. See you at the next table.....
(5)Michael H.
If anywhere on this good earth deserves 5 stars, Jerry's does. Jerry's Cafeteria is a Granite City tradition decades in the making. Every day of every week, Jerry and his family and staff serves up some of the best home made favorites around. The fried chicken has had guests at innumerable wedding receptions comment that "this is GREAT! where is this from?" The twice-baked potatoes are to die for. Well, come to think about it, so is just about anything Jerry's serves. I've been coming here as long as I can remember, all the way back to when my grandparents brought me here a couple of nights a week for dinner and I'd have either the fried chicken or mushroom steak with mashed potatoes (with gravy, please) and green beans. Plus a slice of coconut cream pie. Plus, if I was REALLY hungry, a salad or bowl of applesauce. And then of course the signature rolls. And I'd wash it down with a glass of root beer. Those were the days. Not only is the food some of the best cafeteria & catering food around, INTEGRITY is the name of Jerry's game. Two cases illustrate my point: First: My sister was married in July of '06, the weekend after the major wind and thunderstorms (the worst in decades) hit the St. Louis area, just about knocking every tree and power line in Granite City to the ground while flooding many of the low-lying areas. The rehearsal dinner was a romantic (although unintended) candlelight affair in the basement of the church. The church didn't need electric lighting - it was all the more beautiful with the natural light. But the true worry of family and friends was how the reception would come together with no power at the hall (thankfully it wasn't as hot as it can be in St. Louis in July) or at Jerry's (the caterer.) Of course there was no need to worry, as Jerry wouldn't let anyone down. He paid a friend from upstate to bring in a refrigerated truck to keep all of the ingredients cold and he set up a makeshift kitchen of propane stoves in his back parking lot. Jerry not only successfully catered my sister's wedding reception but two others the same night. And, honest to goodness, I think that was the best-tasting Jerry's I've ever had. Jerry proved - again - his integrity, his love for his customers and community, and his professionalism. Second: Last week when my grandma passed away (the one that I have fond memories of going here with growing up), Jerry didn't miss a beat in offering his small meeting/banquet room in the cafeteria for the family and told my grandpa to invite the family for a luncheon - on him - after the funeral. Absolutely out of the blue, this act was one of the most appreciated and enjoyed of the entire ordeal we went through as a family. Jerry is a true class act who has made generations smile in Granite City both at his cafeteria and with his catering. I rate him a "5" - I'd rate him a "10" if I could - and highly recommend it to anyone.
(5)