Fort Jesse Cafe

This is my fifth time here in a month, so it is safe to say I am a big fan. I have only been for breakfast, and have loved my meal each time. I have also tried bites or shared with others at the table, so here’s what I’ve tried:
Eggs Benedict (with prosciutto and arugula): My favorite thing here. Great combo of flavors. My only complaint is that they don’t poach the eggs, they cook them in stupid egg cups, which changes the consistency of the eggs from what they should be.
Chicken and waffles: Excellent for those who like that dish!
Shrimp and grits: Excellent, not greasy and the perfect amount of cheese
French toast: Good, but not anything special
Cajun skillet: SO good and enough for two meals.
Random stuff: They make their own biscuits and jam, and both are worth ordering even if your meal doesn’t come with them. Same with hashbrowns. The coffee is excellent and freshly ground.
So why four stars instead of five? Here ya go:
1. No daily specials. I would love to have extra fun options to choose from.
2. No diaper changing table in the restrooms.
3. Service can be spotty. It is always nice, but not always accurate.
4. No brunch drinks or other special beverages that would take this from being a great breakfast place to a great brunch place. I understand not having a liquor licence, but maybe some «Fauxmosas» on the weekend?
All in all, HIGHLY recommended.

Great place to get some breakfast! Great coffee and reasonably priced. Recommend over any other place in Bloomington/​Normal for breakfast,

Really good restaurant. Got the Bruschetta Scrambler which was awesome and the cheese curds added a nice touch that was original. The coffee was good and you even get to have a cup while you wait! The only thing keeping this from 5 stars was the bacon. It was not crispy and seemed rubbery. Service was great too considering how busy they were!

The Fort Jesse Café came highly recommended and my only regret is that I didn’t come check it out sooner. I’ve been back 3 times since my first visit and each time I find a new favorite dish on the menu. My two complaints have nothing to do with the food. Better parking and ventilation would result in a 5 star review for sure. I am recommending FJC to anyone who will listen to me… Don’t be shy there’s something for everyone.

Have been three times and it keeps on getting better and better… Must try the Cuban sandwich, best around. There is a wait on the weekends but its so worth the wait.

Bloomington finally has a breakfast place worth making a special trip to! We loved Fort Jesse Café. I had the cornmeal pancakes, which were amazing, and actually packed quite a bit of kick. My husband had the Cajun skillet, and he really loved it. My son said it was his favorite, and he just got the Mickey pancakes. The restaurant is somewhat small, and on a Sunday morning, the wait was 30 minutes or more. I recommend calling ahead before leaving to get your name on the list if you are going on the weekend. We will be back to try lunch!

This was my wife and I first time here. We have been looking for a go to breakfast place. To start it was a nice atmosphere and very friendly soon as we walked in the door. My wife ordered the breakfast burrito and hash browns very generous portions to say the least and the taste was outstanding! And myself I ordered the biscuits and gravey with hash Browns. The best I have had to date. The biscuits where big and fluffy and taste fresh out of the oven. The hash browns were cooked perfect. We have found our go to place for breakfast!!!

Great breakfast for BN! Small location but worth the wait! They have big tables. Need more for parties of two then they will have a full house!

I had the Eggs Benedict and Lonne had eggs over medium, Hashbrowns and a half order of biscuits and gravy. All were very delicious! We have been here several times and have never been disappointed! They also have delicious coffee. Best breakfast in Bloomington/​Normal!

My boyfriend and I came to the Fort Jesse Café around 12:30pm on Sunday. We waited about 30 mins for a table but it was worth the wait. We love coffee and the coffee here was so good! I ordered the Chicken and Waffles and a side of white cheddar grits. My boyfriend got the Grandfather meal even though I told him to get something different. Both of our meals were delicious! My boyfriend kept eating the chicken and waffles from my plate. ;) We will definitely be coming back. Bloomington Normal lacks good breakfast places so this café is a gem.

Best breakfast in Bloomington! Feel like you are in Chicago! Awesome unique food! My husband and I went on a Saturday morning at 10am abs waited for 15 min. I got the shrimp and grits and my husband got chicken and waffles, both absolutely amazing! If you’ve never had grits or had them in the past and not liked them you must try then again here!

Giving 4stars for flavor, & amount served. However, they should call the eggs Benedict, deviled eggs Benedict because… well the photo says it all.

Great find off the highway in Normal. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff and quality food. Get the chicken and waffles and bruschetta skillet.

CHO CO (Cajun for ‘WOW’)! The shrimp & grits just BLEW MY MIND! The creamy, cheesy grits were topped with a fried egg, then a mini mountain of plump, juicy shrimp, fried Andouille slices and a dash of green onion. The whole affair is then, ever so delicately, drizzled with a slightly buttery, slightly spicy Cajun sauce. Likely made from a Cajun angel’s tears of joy. I actually heard Zydeco in my head as I took my first few bites!
I also had a few bites of my boyfriend’s country fried steak — the best I’ve ever had. I know what I’m going to have tomorrow!
Service was great. Our server warned us that the kitchen was behind before we ordered and offered some free toast to pass the time. We declined but the biscuits we saw coming out to other tables looked divine.
We got here on a Saturday around 1pm and the place was pretty full. We were told it seats 70. It was totally worth the wait. Our food got to us probably 30 or so minutes after we ordered. The AWESOMENESS that appeared after our wait was well worth it.
Jessica S.‘s review nails it when she says ‘best breakfast in town’. No joke! We can’t comment on the coffee though since we had tea and soda this time. Our server was generous with refills even offering to get us to go cups.
Some hints and tips: seat yourself. The breakfast/​brunch menu is the only menu on the weekends with breakfast only type of dishes. During the week, they have a lunch menu with sandwiches, burgers, salads, etc. They close at 2:00!
I’m already planning to pop in for breakfast carryout to drag to my desk at work and make my cube mates jealous!

THIS PLACE IS NOT CLOSED, IT IS REOPENED WITH NEW OWNERSHIP!
This time around I got the corn meal pancakes. Really, really awesome. This place is a new favorite. Service is great, but be prepared to wait if you’re coming on a Saturday. This place is busy, but totally worth it!

Best breakfast in town! Gourmet style breakfast/​brunch, offering unique and flavorful dishes for an extremely reasonable price. This is my go to destination on a lazy Sunday morning.
Haven’t tried it all yet but can highly recommend the pancakes, the grits, and the chicken and waffles.

I didn’t expect much because I’ve eaten here in the past. Last time I ate there, several years ago, it was basic truckstop food. I was surprised. New owners. New menu. Much better! If you asked me, they should change their name so people that gave up on them would come back. Creative menu. Lunch had Shrimp and grits, chicken and waffle, shrimp po boy to name a few. Plus, breakfast. I’ll be back.

If there’s any place you should do brunch, it’s here. Forget everywhere else in Bloomington-​Normal. The food and staff are excellent and it has such a cute and home-​like atmosphere.
What you can expect: unique and mouth-​watering breakfast fare, giant mugs of coffee, smiling guests and employees, and a high probability you’ll bump into friends/​familiar faces.
Must try: chicken and waffles at least once! Then come back to try the rest of the menu… It all sounds so good!
Thank you Fort Jesse Café and family! See you back soon.

Amazing! Went here for breakfast and ordered the bruschetta skillet, it was delicious! I could really taste the fresh ingredients like basil and cherry tomatoes! I loved the quaint atmosphere and the service was fantastic. Our food came out in a timely manner and the coffee was delicious! I highly recommend this place for breakfast! It’s a great place to go for breakfast when your trying to stay clear from all the chains.

Great service, enjoyable atmosphere, good food. I partook of the cornmeal pancakes which were topped with a healthy amount of succulent Cuban pork, a delicious blackberry jam, thinly sliced almonds and a scant of maple syrup. It was enjoyable however the dish as a whole was a little dry. I love the concept but the execution was not exemplary. Having said that, the Cuban pork was quite enjoyable and well above average.
I tried my friend’s waffle and it was excellent! Slightly crunchy on the outside, perfectly soft and fluffy on the inside, great flavor! I will return for the chicken and waffles and I believe the outstanding service and reasonable prices will keep me coming back.