WESTWOOD—The reaction was immediate and mixed. As soon as Jack’s Café posted it was saying goodbye and thanks after 16 years as a mainstay of dining in the proud hub of the Pascack Valley, late on Nov. 28, fans shared their best wishes for a new adventure, congratulations, and of course surprise.
Owner Chris D’Eletto said it was with a heavy heart that he and his wife, Risa, were announcing the closure, teasing the end of an era.
“It has been a privilege to own and operate our café in such a loving and loyal community. We will be closing our doors on Dec. 10 with a Goodbye to Westwood party from noon to 4 p.m. Please come and enjoy free food and drink as our way of saying thank you to 16 wonderful years,” he said.
He added, “We are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (except Tuesdays) until Dec. 10.”
One reaction, by Rosemarie Bowen Gorrin, was typical: “So sorry to hear this. You will be missed for sure! Thank you for all of the wonderful meals! Best wishes and good luck to you in your new chapter.”
Jack’s Café, at 325 Broadway, a favorite destination for locals and out-of-towners, says on its website, “What began as a labor of love has emerged as a trendy destination in the heart of Westwood. Jack’s Café uses the freshest and finest ingredients including freshly caught seafood, fresh produce, and top-quality meats and provisions.”
It also doesn’t get more authentic than Jack’s, which serves up a good old-fashioned Jersey breakfast (served to 3 p.m.), lunch, and dinner, coffee at the ready, and something sweet for after.
Jack’s sandwiches are dynamic and deep-down fulfilling. Staple sandwiches featured on the menu hold their own against Jack’s “Sliderville”—a smorgasbord of delicious American combos.
Dining choices are thoughtfully prepared and in appropriate portion sizes so guests feel the freedom to indulge in what D’Eletto calls “a complete dining experience.”
A few weeks ago, the railcar-style classic American diner, along with Conrad’s Confections, was the setting for exterior and interior shooting for a Hollywood road-trip comedy in production, “Inappropriate Behavior,” starring Bobby Cannavale, Robert De Niro and Rose Byrne, with Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, and Whoopi Goldberg.
On Nov. 29, D’Eletto shared with Pascack Press “some stories about our years in Westwood, and conveyed “our thanks and gratitude to the community.”
He said Jack’s came about after he drove by the storefront and saw the for rent-sign. “I asked my daughters what they thought, and they said, ‘It’s cool, Daddy.’ I called the number, met the landlord the next day, and Jack’s Café was open 18 days later.”
And D’Eletto met Risa at the café. Well, almost: “The first time I met Risa was at another restaurant I owned in Westwood called The Backstreet Café some 25 years ago. Fast-forward 10 years, and Risa and her son walked into Jack’s. I ran up to her and said, ‘I can’t believe it’s you.’ She said, ‘Who are you?’ (as I’d lost over 100 pounds and looked a little different.) I said, “I’m Chris from The Backstreet.”
Her reply: “‘Wow, you lost a person.’ Every time she came in, I found out we had a lot in common — Broadway, family, the New York Giants. We’ve been together for over 15 years now. It’s still the greatest moment of my life.”
D’Eletto said their kids — all seven, combined — worked at Jack’s, “as well the kids who grew up coming to Jack’s.”
He added, “Most of our waitstaff has been kids who grew up eating with their families at Jack’s.”\
The restaurant, where you call specials off the blackboard, has been featured on “American Diner Revival” and “The Avocado Hummus Show.”
The business has supported many charities for Westwood and was a force in sustaining the front lines at the local hospital during the COVID outbreak, with food and drink delicious and put to heroic work.
Jack’s Café marked its 15th anniversary on Dec. 16, 2021. D’Eletto told us at the time the place was named for his father.
Asked if there were any specials planned to mark that milestone, D’Eletto said, “What do you think? Should I offer something? What do people do? I’ve never hit 15 years before.” (He wound up offering free desserts with entrees for a day.)
He said, “Our customers — our people who’ve been with us from the beginning — are still there. We wouldn’t have made it through Covid without them. They’re just incredible. The people in Westwood are awesome.”
He said, “Covid hurt us a lot, it took our business down by 40%, even 50% at one point,” and the forced reduced demand left the couple to run the place themselves.
He said for our anniversary report, “We’re building it back up. Holiday orders are coming in. Thank God I was able to get my staff and bring them back to work, where everybody wants to be. That was killing me.”
Here are a few representative customer reactions, as shared to Jack’s Café on Facebook:
- Margaret Pfranger: “Sad to hear the news. I always enjoyed your breakfasts. My very best to you and your family!”
- Sharon Hoffman: “Oh I am so sorry to see you go! When we had no electric nor heat from a storm, it was so wonderful to have your delicious breakfasts, great service and warmth. Wishing you all good things for the future and thank you so much.”
- Jean Zimmerman Joyce: “So sad to hear this! My favorite breakfast and lunch spot. Good luck in your next chapter! You will be missed!”
- Leianne Eskinazi: “Wishing you all the best the future has to hold. I’ll miss breakfasts and lobster rolls with sweet potato fries, and the incredible staff. Hopefully you got the Springsteen catering gig for the tour.”
- Steven Hopper: “Enjoyed bringing many a friend and business appointment for a great lunch and great friendly service. Best of Luck.”
- Michelle Jones Aronowitz: “Very sad to hear this! We loved coming for your cheese steak sandwiches. They were the best. Good luck to you in the future. You will be missed.”
- Lauren Grammatas: “So sad to hear this! Chris has catered for me for years and every time it has been amazing! Best hanger steak hands down! Best of luck to you in your next adventure!”
- Hugh Mannisto: “Sad to hear this Chris, you and your food will be sorely missed. Wherever life’s path leads you both, I hope it’s bright and sunny when you get there! Thanks for the food and the memories.”
- Jackie Flynn: “It’s hard to believe! You’ve been such a staple to Westwood. Thank you for your amazing service to our community! Wishing you all the best!”
- Marian Mahedy Sheeran: “Sorry to hear this! So many great meals there — and catered our Christmas parties! Good luck to both of you — now rest and relax a bit!”
- Bob Howell: “We will miss Jack’s Café. Many enjoyable meals there. Thank you for being a great friend to local charities.”
- Tom Clancey: “Best wishes for your next act.”
- Rose Marie Leddy: “I’m so sorry — and you are going to be missed. Shawn and I will miss your wonderful food and he’ll definitely miss your chocolate cake. Your place was amazing with what you did to it. My heart is broken. Good luck in your next chapter.”
- Jill Dunican: “Awww. I loved your place and all who worked there. Best of luck in your next adventure. Thank you for the great food and atmosphere. You always had a smile and I loved the energy in your place. It felt like home. You will be missed.”