Small town charm in Tempe. It may not just be the prices, good service or pleasant working folk that dine here. Jim's Coney Island Cafe brings me back to a quieter, simpler time that has been lost in Tempe to corporate chain eateries and “hip/cutting edge cuisine”. All I want is some eggs and hash browns, a strong cup of coffee, and service from someone who is not angry or hangover (or at least has learned the art of hiding it well!).
Jim’s Coney Island Café offers all of this. Pure Americana; I may as well be in a small town in Northern Minnesota or Oregon. Eating here always makes me feel as though I stepped out of the polluted, loud desert city of Phoenix and into a small town where everyone knows your name…I can almost smell the fresh pine and feel the early morning rain as I dig into my massive (and massively cheap) breakfast.
Other than your standard diner breakfast diggins’ Jim’s also offers lunch fare (killer hot dogs; I suppose this is where the Coney Island element comes in) and also a random but pleasant Greek twist (ham ‘n eggs with baklava for dessert…okay!). Side note: Jim’s is one of the only places in the Phoenix area I know of that has true southern grits and biscuits! VERY IMPORTANT!
I urge diner aficionados in Phoenix to try this one on for size as it may be one of the last family owned old school digs we have left. Oh, don’t forget to buy your $5.00 Jim’s Coney Island Café hat after your meal so you can say to the world “hey, I support the little guy with great food!).

Very nice retro feel. Just ordered the special two coney dogs and a side.. waiting…. Hungry…service is great… chili is what you expect. I like that they grill the bread. Also I like the snappiness of the dog. The French fries hot and fresh . Very good. I am satisfied overall.