When planning my trip to New York City, I knew I had to visit one of the most talked-about dessert spots: Junior’s. Known across the country for its “world-famous” cheesecake, I had high hopes that this would be a highlight of my journey. Unfortunately, as is sometimes the case when expectations run high, the experience fell noticeably short.

The Experience:

After a rather underwhelming meal, my excitement for the cheesecake had dimmed slightly, but I was still hopeful. Thanks to family and friends joining in, I had the chance to sample four different varieties: Blueberry, Original, Oreo, and Carrot Cake Cheesecake.

Right from the start, presentation was a disappointment. Each slice was hastily plated—no attention to detail, no heart. In fact, one of the plates was even chipped in multiple places, which only added to the feeling of rushed service. For a restaurant with such a storied reputation, I expected more pride in their craft.

The Cheesecake(s):

Starting with the Blueberry Cheesecake ($9.50), my enthusiasm quickly turned to dismay when my very first bite contained a piece of paper, presumably from the separator sheets between slices. While accidents happen, it was hard to overlook this careless mistake. Setting that aside, the cheesecake itself had some redeeming qualities. The filling was light, airy, and creamy—truly the saving grace of the slice. However, the flavor overall was just… fine. Not remarkable, not memorable, simply average.

The Original Cheesecake ($9.25) mirrored the blueberry experience—solid filling, disappointing presentation, and a lack of any standout element to make it feel truly special.

The Oreo Cheesecake ($9.50) unfortunately missed the mark entirely. The artificial sweetness overpowered the natural creaminess of the cheesecake. I felt that a simple Oreo crumble atop the original filling would have been far more successful than the overly processed flavor bomb that was served.

The real standout was the Carrot Cake Cheesecake ($9.75). Moist, flavorful, and balanced beautifully with the light cheesecake filling, this slice showed the kitchen’s true potential. The texture was elevated by the crunch of walnuts and the richness of the spiced cake. If you’re visiting, this is the slice to order—but be prepared to share because the portion is massive!

The Crust:

Interestingly, the crust across all slices was a sponge-cake style rather than the traditional graham cracker base. While the cake crust was moist and held the structure nicely, it lacked the distinct flavor and bite that a traditional crust offers. It was serviceable, but certainly not noteworthy.

The Verdict:

Ultimately, Junior’s cheesecakes were not bad—but they certainly were not life-changing either. Given the sky-high reputation, I expected a level of attention to detail, flavor depth, and presentation that simply wasn’t there. The price range $9.25–$9.75 per slice was very reasonable, especially for NYC.

Conclusion:

Junior’s may be a legendary name, but based on my experience, it doesn’t live up to the hype. While the creamy filling was a highlight and the prices were fair for New York City, the overall lack of care and polish left me disappointed. It’s safe to say I won’t be rushing back—but if you’re curious, the Carrot Cake Cheesecake is worth a taste.

Blueberry Cheesecake – 6/10
Original Cheesecake – 6/10
Oreo Cheesecake – 5/10
Carrot Cake Cheesecake – 7/10

Prices – $9.25 – $9.75

If you would like to try it for yourself, the location is below: