A diner from Austin, MN
Jan 18, 2003
Let's be straight from the start: this is not haute cuisine by any stretch of the imagination. Rather, it is very good at what it does, which is basic Upper-Midwestern staples. Prices are reasonable, especially when compared to places in the Cities, or chains like Perkins or Baker's Square.
Breakfast is a main feature, with a good selection of egg dishes, french toast, and pancakes. The meat selection is a little different from normal-- in addition to ham, bacon, and sausage [links or patties], Jerry's is one of the few restaurants in the world to serve fried Spam [I do not know if the Python's have ever eaten here, but you never know]. Another unique choice are the "smokies," which, for lack of a better term, are cigarillo-shaped sausages with a heavily smoked flavor. I like the eggs benedict, served with a decent-enough hollandaise [don't forget that you are in southern Minnesota] and paprika on top. The veggie omelet, available with EggBeaters, is very good with additional salsa and sour cream. If you get a chance to be there on an early Saturday morning, you can watch the sunrise over the Cedar River, with a few ducks and Canadian geese adding to the view.
Lunch specials abound-- these lend a little variety to an unspectacular, though well done, sandwich and hot-plate menu. I especially like the quesadilla soup. The chicken salad ain't bad either. For dinner, try the Windsor chops.
All told, this is an excellent breakfast place. Lunch and dinner are solid, although somewhat standard. Austin has better dinner places, particularly El Mariachi [Mexican]on Main, the Holiday Inn, and, for the club-minded, the Elks.
Service is excellent, particularly from early to mid-morning. Seating is in three sections: booth smoking, booth non-smoking, and dining room non-smoking. Counter seating [about eight spots] is available up front. There is a semi-private dining conference room with TV/VCR off of the dining room area. There are also TV's in the booth areas, usually tuned to CNN or FoxNews with the sound turned down and the captions on. The restaurant is not especially kid-friendly, but then not many places like this are. Jerry's has an adequate childrens menu, with spaghetti, hot dog and fries, and grilled cheese.
Breakfast is a main feature, with a good selection of egg dishes, french toast, and pancakes. The meat selection is a little different from normal-- in addition to ham, bacon, and sausage [links or patties], Jerry's is one of the few restaurants in the world to serve fried Spam [I do not know if the Python's have ever eaten here, but you never know]. Another unique choice are the "smokies," which, for lack of a better term, are cigarillo-shaped sausages with a heavily smoked flavor. I like the eggs benedict, served with a decent-enough hollandaise [don't forget that you are in southern Minnesota] and paprika on top. The veggie omelet, available with EggBeaters, is very good with additional salsa and sour cream. If you get a chance to be there on an early Saturday morning, you can watch the sunrise over the Cedar River, with a few ducks and Canadian geese adding to the view.
Lunch specials abound-- these lend a little variety to an unspectacular, though well done, sandwich and hot-plate menu. I especially like the quesadilla soup. The chicken salad ain't bad either. For dinner, try the Windsor chops.
All told, this is an excellent breakfast place. Lunch and dinner are solid, although somewhat standard. Austin has better dinner places, particularly El Mariachi [Mexican]on Main, the Holiday Inn, and, for the club-minded, the Elks.
Service is excellent, particularly from early to mid-morning. Seating is in three sections: booth smoking, booth non-smoking, and dining room non-smoking. Counter seating [about eight spots] is available up front. There is a semi-private dining conference room with TV/VCR off of the dining room area. There are also TV's in the booth areas, usually tuned to CNN or FoxNews with the sound turned down and the captions on. The restaurant is not especially kid-friendly, but then not many places like this are. Jerry's has an adequate childrens menu, with spaghetti, hot dog and fries, and grilled cheese.
