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Owner story · Hamilton Park, Jersey City

“Please stop by for a delicious meal and a chance to make some friends…”

Patricia Ryan · Founder and owner, Just Friends Cafe

$141Kof Just Friends’ food delivered by PinkbotSince November 2025
3,083deliveries from Monmouth St to the doorSince November 2025
Patricia Ryan holding a tray of drinks outside Just Friends Cafe, beside its window logo
Burgers, shrimp scampi, gnocchi, filet mignon, cacio e pepe and a chicken parmesan sub from the Just Friends kitchen

500 Monmouth St · Hamilton Park

A Rat Pack–themed Italian bistro café, two blocks from Hamilton Park.

Patricia Ryan was instrumental in creating and opening Just Friends Cafe. She started young, in restaurants such as Coles Street Cafe, PJ Ryans, Michael Anthony’s, Cafe95, Latham House and Emma’s, and brings a degree in finance to her goal: a first-class operation. Just Friends opened in January 2025 in the old Monmouth Deli space, a BYO bistro with tufted leather banquettes, a checkered floor and a patio out front.

The Just Friends Cafe window logo and patio tables under a cherry tree in bloom

The menu

Casual comfort Italian American food, from Chef Juan’s kitchen.

Chef Juan found his love of cooking as a boy in Honduras and was working in restaurants at 13. He started in New York as a dishwasher and prepper, worked his way up to line cook, sous chef and chef, and was executive chef at Emma’s in Journal Square. For Just Friends he created his first Italian American menu with Russell Pope: chitarra spaghetti, rigatoni in a spicy vodka sauce, chicken parmesan, filet mignon, popovers with herb butter and homemade desserts with stracciatella gelato, plus brunch every weekend. Gluten-free pasta is available on request.

Creamy herb au poivre sauce, mashed potatoes and garlic broccoli

Entrées

Filet MignonCreamy herb au poivre sauce, mashed potatoes and garlic broccoli
Spicy Italian sauce with parmesan, mushrooms and shrimp

Entrées

Jumbo Potato GnocchiSpicy Italian sauce with parmesan, mushrooms and shrimp
Chitarra spaghetti, pecorino romano and black pepper

Entrées

Cacio e PepeChitarra spaghetti, pecorino romano and black pepper
House-made chicken parmesan on a hero roll, with homemade fries

Sandwiches

Chicken Parmesan SubHouse-made chicken parmesan on a hero roll, with homemade fries
White wine garlic sauce, parmesan, parsley and toasted bread

Starters

Shrimp ScampiWhite wine garlic sauce, parmesan, parsley and toasted bread
Shaved chocolate, whipped cream and berries

Desserts

DessertShaved chocolate, whipped cream and berries
Chef Juan in the Just Friends kitchen with a tray of popovers

Pinkbot at Just Friends

Pinkbot delivers Chef Juan’s cooking from Monmouth St to the door.

  • About 13 a dayPinkbot deliveries from Monmouth St on an average day this fall.
  • 419 in OctoberOctober 2026 was Just Friends’ busiest month with Pinkbot yet.
  • $141K of foodOf Just Friends’ food, delivered by Pinkbot since November 2025.
  • 12 months togetherEvery month from November 2025 through October 2026.

Live on Pinkbot two weeks after the first meeting.

  1. Jan 22, 2025Just Friends Cafe holds its grand opening at 500 Monmouth St.
  2. Oct 22, 2025Just Friends meets the Pinkbot team.
  3. Nov 5, 2025The first Pinkbot delivery leaves 500 Monmouth St.

Visit Just Friends

Great Italian food, great vibes—any time of day.

500 Monmouth StJersey City, NJ 07302
Order onlineMenus@justfriendscafe_jcCall 551-359-2579
The Just Friends dining room: tufted leather banquettes, white tables and a black-and-white checkered floor
Casual Italian American cuisine in a warm, friendly atmosphere.Closed Tuesdays. Lunch and dinner from noon, brunch on weekends from 10:30, last orders at 9:30. BYO wine and beer welcome.

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Keep more of every order.