Jimmy Z's in Brockport, New York: Small Town Feel, World Class Food

Walking in, you are barraged with a myriad of images - dollar bills, hanging off of the walls, and off of the ceiling, signed by members of the community. You wouldn't expect a small canal town, like Brockport, New York, to have such a flavor to it. Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley, Rocky, all lining the walls. An article, embossed in metal, hangs off the wall, detailing the grand opening of the restaurant in 2003. With a vast menu of grilled items, Jimmy Z's in seems to be a great place to spend a Friday night.

The great thing about family owned restaurants and grills is exactly that: the personal nature of every encounter. Except, unlike family, you don't have to swallow down the burnt casserole and oddly colored vegetables. Jimmy Z's is a true grill - it offers burgers, hots, subs, finger foods, "five star plates"(Garbage plates, for Rochester natives), and other such specialties. The benefit of having the owner come out of the kitchen to see how your week is going, or how the food is, is just an immeasurable benefit.

Jimmy Z's has everything going for it: It is in the center of Brockport's main street, not on a side street, or in a place where it is exceptionally difficult to find close parking. Jimmy Z's is open longer and later than any of the restaurants in the area, especially during the college months. Jimmy Z's is the only place you can go for real food when you get the munchies at one o'clock in the morning - and it won't disagree with you later, if you know what I mean. In addition, the grill offers delivery or call-and-pick-up service, which means when you want to watch football, they'll let you.

In addition, the restaurant keeps the menu variable. There's always a soup or special of the day, and Fridays always yield fish fry - the fried haddock that all locals know and love. The kid's menu is small, but fits most of what a child would like - macaroni and cheese, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza logs, chicken fingers, etc. All in all, although it may not be the best for a high class business meeting or a place to celebrate someone's graduation, Jimmy Z's is great for the average person just looking for some grub one night, too lazy or too busy to cook. On a scale of 10, Jimmy Z's rates a 9 out of 10. The one point off? For the occasional times you can't find parking...or a seat inside.

Oh...and another thing. If you have a few calories to spare for the day, and some extra time...order some wings. Buffalo may be home of the chicken wing, but Jimmy Z is the master of making them.