New York City is known for its diverse food scene, with countless restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine options. But not all restaurants in the Big Apple receive rave reviews from locals. In a new video, travel vlogger Jon Barr sets out to visit NYC’s most hated restaurants to see if they are truly worth avoiding or if they might be hidden gems in disguise.
Jon takes viewers on a culinary adventure to some of the city’s most controversial dining spots, exploring whether these establishments are mere tourist traps or if there is more to them than meets the eye. From overpriced menus to lackluster service, Jon dives into the reasons why these restaurants have garnered such negative reputations among New Yorkers.
But it’s not all about trying the worst of the worst. Jon also shares tips on how to save money on dining in NYC, including using restaurant discounts through apps like Seated. He even recommends the cheapest way to book attractions in the city to make the most of your visit.
As Jon navigates his way through the city’s most hated restaurants, he also gives viewers a glimpse of his travel experiences and offers valuable insights for savvy travelers. With his background as an ex-sportscaster turned travel vlogger, Jon’s videos are a treasure trove of travel tips, tricks, and secrets that have helped him explore 33 countries.
So, if you’re curious about NYC’s most hated restaurants and want to see if they live up to their reputation, be sure to check out Jon Barr’s latest video. Who knows, you might just discover a new favorite dining spot in the city that never sleeps.
Watch the video by Jon Barr
Video “I Tried NYC’s Most Hated Restaurants” was uploaded on 01/24/2025. Watch all the latest Videos by Jon Barr on Gretopia
A valentines dining out review with your lady would be cute, I think you guys have done one in the past but we need an updated version with new places please 😻
Brother you could’ve skipped Olive Garden. We know that place is trash lol
Roach Coach = a nasty assed food truck
our experience was the tater tots. they was so gross and hard
I've been to the Stardust Diner and can confirm that it's a dump and that the food is gross – but the entertainment was good. And you're right – you know what you're getting into. It's a fun experience not a dining experience.
they sing cause their food is crap
Haha. That Hard Rock isn't terrible.
What happened to the soup with the unlimited lunch?? The ONLY thing I will go to olive garden for, being a life long Italian born in Brooklyn. Unlimited soup, salad and bread stick lunch is a pretty good deal. You NEVER eat the Italian entrees there. Lol
Who goes to Olive Garden in NYC when you have Little Italy? 😂
Eternal bread stick.
Roach Coach = Yuk Truck in Australia. 😂
informative, was in NYC awhile back-wish I had gone to Ellen's /Stardust-did try Juniors 2 times for breakfast-great food and got great service on 1 of 2 times-service was a bit off when I asked for more syrup for my french toast or pancakes-meh-wish I had tried the cheesecake-tried Hard Rock in San Francisco-was ok-nephew got a glass cup there-will probably pass on Olive Garden-keep up the great work
2:57 Do tbey shoot real confetti all over the restaurant everytime someone orders confetti Pancakes! 😂 🎉
So not only does the diner charge a 20% gratuity, they also openly ask for tip?
Service wage… TIP!!!!
My favorite restaurant in NYC is Sbarro. If you can find one in a suburban mall, even better.
New York locals don’t hate these restaurants… we never go there!
I remember you visiting Junior’s in Brooklyn a year ago. Not worth it then, either.
Jon, i would LOVE to see if you can get a Spot at RAOS
I’ve been to Ellen’s a couple times and it was super fun. The singers/waitstaff were not rude at all and very talented. Food was good but not amazing. You pay for the experience in that kind of place, and they definitely deliver on that
What I tell people about stardust diner is that it's a lot of fun if you love music. It's an experience but don't go in expecting great food at affordable prices. Instead, just go in for apps or drinks. Lol I went to the bathroom and was singing along with the music. I walked out and the lady in the stall next to me was singing too. We groomed at each other as we left still singing. Great fun but very loud so if you've got really little ones or people with sensitive hearing, this is not the place for them.
As for Junior's, new York cheesecake is supposed to be really dense. It's why the slices are usually small. You can't eat that much. I don't like those kinds of desserts. When I make cheesecake, it's lighter. I heard Eileen's is a better and more affordable cheesecake.
Anyone who goes to NY and eats at the Olive Pit should stay home in Montana, where I'm sure it's the best restaurant.
Thanks you!!! From Argentina ❤
That Olive Garden is trapped in time. How can corporate not see this. Hard Rock is too far behind.
Well that was a waste of a few
Miniutes of my life
Why should I go to nyc? I can just flush my money down the toilet at home!
Junior's cheesecake is ok and not great. Tourist trap for sure. 🧀🍰
Don’t know what “roach coach” is?
I work outside in a train yard in Queens, you need to man up and stop complaining about the cold 🤣🤣
I liked Junior's when I was staying in Times Square because it was close & pretty chill around 8pm on a week night. Only got the French onion soup & plain cheesecake which were okay but a bit overpriced. There was some cheap drink specials though.
A roach coach is a small food truck often visiting construction sites and small office buildings, selling coffee, drinks, pre-packaged foods.
thank you for doing this so i dont need to
I thought you'd be going to Sparks Steakhouse.
Thank you. As a native,this was not necessarily a video that I personally needed, but as someone involved in the local live entertainment biz, it’s great to have someone with actual gravitas let tourists know what’s what in the most touristy neighborhood in the city (or maybe the world?).
Also, thank you for being open to the experience at Ellen’s. I feel like it’d be easy for someone who’s not much into musical theater to dismiss its charm. Personally, I did a workshop of a musical with a massively talented kid who is one of the waiters there, and an old friend of the family books the talent for the cabaret downstairs.
I don’t know much about the theater district location of Junior’s, but I once had a pastrami (or maybe it was corned beef?) sandwich serve on latkes rather than rye at the original location was , and it certainly scratched whatever itch I had that needed scratching.
Before I step down off my soapbox, a message to tourists: If you’re dining at a restaurant in NYC, and they suggest that an 18% tip is sufficient, that means that restaurant is greedy for your business, and cares nothing about their staff. 20% has been the absolute minimum for decades here, unless you actually think that you’ve received poor service.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming .
Bard, good honest reviews!
Ellen's would be cringe city central for me. I'll stick to my usual diners.
Jon, kudos to you for always giving your honest reviews and not sugar-coating them. We can count on you for A NO-HOLDS "Barr" review!
Watch These Next: I Tried Weird Themed Restaurants – https://youtu.be/MHqK-ntmjME
and
Visiting The Most Expensive Grocery Store in NYC- https://youtu.be/4lqZrsh2HAs