Downtown Jersey City is getting a new “brunch all day” cafe called Gussy’s. After being in the works for almost a year, Gussy’s Cafe, located at 340 3rd Street, is finally expected to open soon right along Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Read on to learn more about Gussy’s.
Coming to Jersey City
Owned by husband and wife Gus Theodosiou and Nicole Pina, Gussy’s was created with the idea that there was a lack of “classic” cafes in the area.
“My husband noticed there was a lack of options that had classic, American staples in a comfortable, friendly, inviting space. So that’s how Gussy’s Cafe was built and that’s what he wants to focus on,” Nicole, who is the creator behind the visuals of the new restaurant, shares with The Hoboken Girl. “He wants to bring all the amazing options that diners can offer but he wants to trim it down. He wants to have a cafe with a smaller menu, great quality, but he also wants to bring that efficient, fast-paced concept of diners. He wants everything to be quick, he wants self-service tablets, he wants people to be there and to not feel lost when they enter the space.”
^ Rendering of what the interior design will look like
The owners moved to Jersey City two years ago shortly after getting engaged and got to work in June 2021. Gussy’s took over FM, a former ‘70s-themed bar that was known for playing live music, which closed in January 2020.
“Gus saw a lot of potential in the area. He loves the area so much,” Nicole, who lets Gus handle the business side of things, shares. “He comes from a diner background — his family’s Greek and they own a diner in Long Island — that’s what he’s been doing most of his life. But he was ready for a new project by himself.”
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And, what better fit than to name a restaurant after oneself, creating his own legacy. The supportive wife says, “My little niece always calls him ‘Gussy’! We just thought that it was a very friendly name and that’s exactly what we want the cafe to be — just this friendly neighborhood spot.”
About the Menu
Gussy’s menu is still being perfected, but, luckily, HG got a sneak peek! The menu will consist of brunch specialties served all day, breakfast sandwiches, specialty omelets, specialty sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, bagels, baked goods and desserts, coffee, and other beverages.
Some specialty items include the Lumberjack platter (two country eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, and American cheese served with home fries and toast), the Starvin’ Marvin’ sandwich (two eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, and American cheese on a hero), the Jersey cheesesteak (grilled roast beef, sauteed onion and pepper, and American cheese on a roll), and Goin’ Back 2 Cali (grilled chicken, sliced avocado, roasted pepper, Pepper Jack cheese, and Chipotle aioli on a roll).
^ Photographed: Rendering of what the interior design will look like
Still To Come
Renovations are currently underway with help from the Cornerstone Builders Group. The “modernized” cafe will have tables and chairs for grabbing food and sitting down. However, Gus wants the focus to be on take-out and deliveries and becoming part of the community.
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“Inside is going to be fresh, vibrant, white tile, warm wood touches. It’s going to definitely be contemporary but very inviting,” Nicole tells HG. “It’s exciting. We are just in love with this area and we just feel like we want to give the people of Jersey City a very safe and warm space for them to come in and feel like they know us and that we’re part of the community.”
Gussy’s Cafe is expected to open the first week of May. To stay in the know, be sure to follow Gussy’s Cafe on Instagram, found here.
