Manhattanjack

When I come to New Orleans the only thing I can ever think about is having a chicken biscuit from here. I’m obsessed and I shouldn’t be but it’s magical. Do yourself a favor and ignore all the bad reviews because this place is incredible. Every time I’ve come in here I get great service and excellent food. There’s a line out of the door sometimes, soooooooo you wanna know what, that means they know what they are doing. The bakery selection is amazing as well. Now go get your chicken biscuit, thank me later, and go to the back and sit outside in the sun and enjoy!

Awesome bakery! We went for coffee and couldn’t believe how good the croissants, bagels and donuts were. Highly recommend

Nice place to get a sweet treat or lunch. Free wifi. Music was a little too loud/​distracting as we were trying to get some homework & work done, but not too bad.

Do your self a favor and don’t go to Manhattan Jack on a Saturday or Sunday. As a matter of fact, only go if you can arrive at 9 am on a Tuesday because that is the only day that the kitchen can accommodate your order. Sadly, since 9am is after all of the office people pillaged the bagel supply, you might not get to eat one of these coveted treats even on a Tuesday. Be prepared to be SOL on that front. However, if you do manage to secure a bagel, the pretzel bagel sandwich is delicious. Super small, you might have to fight someone for a second order because of that supply/​demand issue.
Also, apparently they do not accommodate special orders even when you are only requesting a special order because they are sold out of everything that they actually put on their menu. Be careful if you change to bread, you might just end up with half a sandwich. Today I ordered my regular pretzel bagel sandwich without cheese. They can usually manage that. Not today. Today the LAST BAGEL in house was mine and they slathered cheese all over my sandwich and served it to me on a dirty plate that had some other person’s jam on it. Gross. I couldn’t even ask for another one because there were no more.
My friend had it worse. They were sold out of bagels by her turn (next) so she ended up making a sandwich on toast. For some reason (even though everyone else got full sandwiches) she only got a half. Maybe they ran out of bread too? They also wouldn’t let her add lox. Apparently it is the lox plate or nothing on that front. No avocado. But they do have guacamole. Just kidding. After offering guacamole the (barrista?) took it back because they were out of that too.
I feel pretty shitty about today because I convinced my best friend that crossing town was a great idea to grab some late breakfast and do some writing. I spent the drive hyping her up about how great the coffee is here and how delicious the bagels are. From years in the service industry, I know what its like when the kitchen goes down (it sucks.) but sometimes it happens. Today’s disaster could have been prevented. 1) why did you stop making bagels but keep pumping out rice crispy treats? NO ONE WANTS A RICE CRISPY TREAT.
Also, their WiFi is not on until TWO on the weekends. WTF? If you are trying to be a restaurant and not a coffee shop, fine. But at least have enough food to back your credibility as a restaurant. The toxic attitude from the kitchen oozed into the entire space and there is no one that wasn’t stressed out as a result. Thankfully one of the staff saved the day and was super nice and got me a new place and worked some magic to get the internet turned on 45 minutes early. Hallelujah!
The WiFi thing was the icing on burnt cookie because not only do they not have any food at 1pm on a Sunday, they also make it impossible to work. Even at their communal table which is void of the menacing sings about tables being for reserved for «breakfast and lunch customers only.»
Get it together, Manhattan Jack. Are you a restaurant or a coffee shop? I couldn’t even get a pretzel bagel sandwich at 8:45am on a Saturday. Yesterday! I was told «we didn’t make them yet today.» Why would the bakers not bake something that is on the menu? Silly me for coming back today. What a bummer.

3.25÷5 decent work haunt
it’s bright, and there seems to be ample seating for the crowd it draws. that chocolate chocolate chocolate cookie really delivers on all its chocolate-​y goodness. the staff have been pretty helpful, and they even indulged a recent lemonade/​iced tea/​iced tea concoction — it was refreshing! i also like that they seem pretty chill about you working there, have gotten 2 productive afternoons in recently.

Whenever I’m homesick for Long Island, I go to Manhattanjack to get a black and white. The icing is perfect, and the cookie side is fluffy without any weird aftertaste.
Sometimes they don’t have them, and today they cheated by painting a regular sugar cookie. It’s kind of crunchy. Hence the lost star. I am writing this review, in part, to ensure that that’s the last time it happens. LONG LIVE BLACK AND WHITES.

THEIR BROWN GO-​BAGS REEK
Fried fish?
Brother’s Chicken box?
Rally’s fries left on the dash?
I selected an assortment of beautiful truffles here for my birthday ($ 1.50 per) but later when I pulled each from the bag they had its offensively musky odor. Shame because once you give them a Silkwood shower what remains is quite tasty.

Came here for dessert after dinner next door. The was a nice selection of pastries. I ordered the honey bun, turtle and pecan square. The pecan square was the best. I would return for the square.

I’ve been here enough times to recognize a great business, and Manhattanjack has definitely earned the elusive 5^th star. The coffee is consistently awesome, the staff is always perky, and the baked goods are amazing and baked in house. For me, this is everything I want in a coffee shop. This morning, there was a huge line with all the people around for Red Dress Run, and yet the staff worked efficiently, greeting everyone as they waited and getting orders out as quickly as possible. The owner was helping as well. They had fresh chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven while I was waiting, so of course I had to order one. It was mmmmm good, still being warm and all.
The coffee is consistently great. Their cold brew is delicious and they actually pull espresso shots the right way, by hand, which is a refreshing change from how most chain coffee shops are doing things nowadays.
Their pastry selection is vast, I’m a regular here and I haven’t had the chance to try everything, but definitely get their scones when they have them, or the chocolate caramel pretzels. Hell, almost everything is a winner. I also got a bacon and egg breakfast sandwich this morning served on an everything mini bagel and it was delicious.
The staff is consistently awesome, they have great coffee and food, and it’s a cool spot to hang out. Manhattanjack, take that 5^th star, y’all have earned it.

This place is really good but if I wanted to pay $ 3 – 5 for a cookie I’d live in actual Manhattan.
I love that I can bring my dog in and he loves their dog biscuits!
I would come here all the time, I just can’t afford it!

Great bagels. But even better are their bacon (or sausage), egg and cheese croissants. There’s a small piece of quiche wrapped inside the croissant, like a little prize! Their latte’s are nice and foamy too. I especially love their white mocha. Their pastry case is like a mile of eye candy. Can’t wait to try more of their goodies! If I can just get past that croissant…
My only complaint about this place is the lack of seating. On a Saturday around 1130, almost all the seating was taken by people camping out with their laptops. Not great, but def not a dealbreaker.

A local fave for sure. For my tourist self, it’s a nice spot to have at least tried once, but if I was a local probably not my first choice to get my morning americano. Service was a bit slow to acknowledge me, even when I was the only one at the counter ready to order.
Along with my americano, I needed to have some of their sweet treats.
I did enjoy the buttermilk drop doughnut and found it to be fluffy, soft and fresh with just the right amount of glaze.
Not a fan of their turtle cookies. The shortbread is too salty while the caramel and chocolate lacked the sweetness I was longing for and was hard as a rock. Made biting into the cookie really difficult!
Saving the best for last, I would come back for their raspberry apricot pistachio bars! Just enough softness with a bit of baked cookie crispness. Powder sugar cuts thru the jams making it less tart.
Overall, I wouldn’t mind coming back here if I was around this ‘hood, most likely because I’m waiting for Creole Creamery to open, and because I’m an americano addict!
(NOLA trip: ²⁄₂₀₁₅)

I love all things sweet baked items, and in coming to NOLA, I looked up some recommended places for delicious pastries and found Manhattanjack via Joy the Baker’s website. Since she’s a kick ass baker, I figured she knew what she was talking about when she recommended coming to Manhattanjack for just about anything. Immediately in walking in, the long stretch of table with pastries, cookies, and bagels was welcoming. I had to take one full pass down the line in order to figure out what I wanted! My husband had one of their caramel chocolates and an iced coffee, and I went with the classic chocolate chip cookie. Having had the chance to eat many a chocolate chip cookies here in SF, Manhattanjack’s cookie (which was fresh out of the oven and gooey in the center!!!) was absolutely amazing. Not overly thick, and definitely not crunchy, the texture and chocolate in this delicious and luxurious little treat was outstanding. In taking a few food photos around the café, I came across the two individuals that run the place and they were incredibly fun and pleasant people to be around. I could definitely see myself coming back here and throwing back a few more of those delicious pastries and chocolates, all over some delicious iced coffee.

Alright, so I moved to New Orleans from NYC in August for school– wandered around my little neighborhood and couldn’t believe that I happened to move within four blocks of a REAL NYC bakery!
First and foremost, Manhattan Jack is the ONLY place I’ve found in this city that makes a real bagel. Everywhere else you can taste the fact that it’s frozen or worse, it’s seriously just a roll with a hole. Also! The breakfast sandwiches are very yummy (they do take a while to come out of the kitchen especially when it’s busy) but when I have the time I make sure to pick one up!
Secondly, the coffee! I get the exact same thing almost everyday (either a hot sugar free hazelnut latte or an iced one) and I’m never disappointed. When I’m not running to work and have time to sit down in the shop, I get my coffee in a huge mug and the barista always draws cute pictures! I’ve had teddy bears, the Galaxy, hearts, you name it! It really makes for a fun experience.
Third! THEY HAVE HAVE BLACK AND WHITES!!! Seriously?! Black and whites in New Orleans! So impressed!
Fourth! The staff! I guess it could be because I’m a regular but I have never ever had bad service at Manhattan Jack — it took only two or three days for them to know my order by heart and they are always very apologetic when things are crazy or super busy.
Lastly! The prices. They really aren’t that bad, some of the sweets are definitely out of my price range, but I understand because they are very beautiful, artisanal and obviously homemade. I do agree that the bagel with lox seems really overpriced but that doesn’t bother me compared with how cheap the breakfast sandwiches are.
Overall, if you want a real bagel, good coffee, and a really comfy and neighborhood hang out — this is your place.

My disclaimer for this review is that I never give a single star. Even when I’m really worked up about bad service, I usually cool off and chalk it up to a bad day. I was a waitress and barista throughout high school and college and I loved it, and I know how exhausting it can be. Unfortunately, I’m really fed up with the service at Manhattanjack.
I have given Manhattanjack multiple chances over the last several months and it has never failed to disappoint in one way or another. While the baked goods are perfectly adequate, the staff are nearly universally rude and uninterested in customer service (eye rolls, heavy sighs when a request is made, ignoring people in line). I have heard similar complaints from many friends who have been as well. Once, when arriving at noon, I was told by a very annoyed barista that the soup wouldn’t be ready until 1pm because «that’s when lunch starts.»
Today I went to eat a late lunch and get some work done (as I have done multiple times before) and walked in right at 2pm. The barista helping was actually very friendly, took my order for a sandwich and an iced tea-​lemonade. She started to make my drink and then told me they were out of lemonade, followed by, «Oh yea, we’re not making sandwiches anymore. It’s after 2pm.» (It was about 2:03 at this point.)
Nowhere is there a sign advertising this restriction, and, in fact there was a board out front ADVERTISING the day’s sandwich specials.
I’m so exhausted with the place I didn’t even argue. I just took back my debit card a left, likely for the last time.

I visit here often since I live close. Their baked good are very good although a bit overpriced. If you’re looking to treat someone to a doughnut or cookie this is a good place because they are beautiful and sometimes you have to pay extra to get a fancy doughnut.
Coffee is delicious and they offer all kinds including hot and cold. This place is also good for getting some work done. There is a lot of seating indoor and a small patio out back. Another plus is their consistent hours every day of the week. I work at 7am and their 6:30am opening time helps me get my day started.
My only complaint is the staff is hardly friendly if not just dealing with their customers. I know baristas can have a chip on their shoulder for some odd reason but my experience here (hence only 4 stars) would be better if y’all were nicer.

Wonderful coffee shop with personable and good looking employees. Wink wink.
My espresso came with a little caramel candy!

Coconut macaroons.
Nice space. Has a modern minimalist vibe to it. I would say it is a great place to study if you go during hours that are less busy.
Food. There is a wide selection of pastries. My favorite is the coconut macaroons. For chocolate lovers there are various chocolate covered delights and of course chocolate squares. If you come after 11am or after noon on weekends they also serve lunch sandwiches. Had the Californian club apart from the use of iceberg lettuce the sandwich is a savory delight.
Price. On the medium range. A macaroon cost 3 $ and a smoothie cost 4 $ and a sandwich cost around 10 $. So don’t worry you won’t break the bank and you can still enjoy a nice afternoon lounging with sweets and coffee.
Service. The people are a bit busy during the crowded hours to have small chats or even wipe down after everyone. But that only lasts a short while. When they have free time the servers are friendly and keeps the place clean.
Ambience. Casual café with modern décor and arts for sale on the walls.

Manhattanjack, a small café located on Prytania St that offers sweets, drinks, breakfast, and lunch items. What else could you want?
The venue itself is quite nice with both indoor (couches, bar style, and tables with chairs) and outdoor (two sets of tables and chairs out the front with views overlooking Prytania St and five sets of table and chairs located in the back in their private courtyard) seating that’s decorated nicely with low hanging lights, artwork (that’s for sale!) and random products they sell scattered on shelves inside.
On my visits here, I ordered an Iced Chai Latte with a Chinese Chocolate Dot Cookie and a Coconut Macaroon. Well, the Iced Chai Latte is excellent. A perfect blend of chai, milk, and ice to give you a perfect, chilled drink to cool you down. The Chinese Chocolate Dot Cookie features a shortbread type cookie with a dollop of chocolate plopped on top with sprinkles around the edges. I also ordered a Coconut Macaroon, which has both crunchy and gooey coconut in it making it a delectable treat. Both sweets were very tasty!
I found the only downside of this venue was the prices on some of the sweets and sandwiches. They can be a bit hefty on the average college student wage, but if you’re unlike me and actually get paid decently, then c’mon down and load up!
All in all, it is a very good café/​breakfast/​lunch place that will leave you satisfied with yourself.

Though I’ve yet to try the elusive dough-​sant, I’m giving them their 5^th star. Everything still goes as before. It’s a great place to work out of with a lot of light, great tunes (Jack’s greatest hits, perschmaps?), and just «lovely.» I’m a people watcher, so chances are you’ll see me bogarting the window bar typing feverishly while eyeing the passer-​bys.
The staff here is sweet as pie, and the sandwiches are delicious. I practically have to unhinge my jaw like a King Cobra to get a full bite of the Club sandwich; both the California and Classic are delicious. And their mocha is consistently equal part chocolate to coffee, hot and cold.
That’s all I have to add now in my ode to Manhattanjack.