Submitted by EksXxx t3_112yij6 in jerseycity
Edit: Okay, my bad. They are only open 4 days a week (Thursday-Sunday), so 3 days off instead of 2 days off.
Comments
EksXxx OP t1_j8mvsli wrote
Thank you for the recommendation!!! Have you tried the pastry/sweet stuff from them? I live couple blocks from SCRAM and always saw them are packed with customer. When Im finally ready to try it out today and checked google, turning out they are closed today. Oh boy, 😅🤣
moobycow t1_j8nbo4j wrote
The buttercream donuts are really good as well, but I agree with the ham and egg bun, not only great, but pretty unique.
bibbityboppitypoop t1_j8my0kb wrote
Pastries are good but a little pricey (I guess to sustain the 3 days of the week they’re not open). I always get a donut or sausage roll if they’re available. The burnt honey cake is great too.
Jahooodie t1_j8ne8d3 wrote
The pastries are on the higher end of pricing, but are on the higher end of quality as well. Plus, they rotate
Puzzlekitt t1_j8n4son wrote
I like the bacon egg sandwich, they make everything even the buns from scratch, you can tell they take great care in making everything from scratch. I think while we may see them open 8-12, they likely start their day at 4am. During holidays they make pies you can preorder and they are incredible.
kevstev t1_j8o31zw wrote
I am sure they are putting in an 8 hour day, but to close at noon is just nuts. I was walking past their the other day at lunchtime, and as I was about a half block away I was like oooh Scram doesn't have a line out the door, an egg sandwich would really hit the spot... but it was 12:20. They were closed.
I can not imagine how any business can make money staying open 4 hours a day. And I mean its good, and I guess they want to become a Thing like Magnolia was in the 2000s, but its not that good at all. And the few times I walked past, the line was like 30 minutes long, because they crank out like one sandwich every two minutes, the inefficiency was actually impressive.
They have to be bleeding out money. If they are actually turning a profit, that is incredibly impressive.
Puzzlekitt t1_j8oqxs1 wrote
They had a pretty rough start. They were set to open the week that the covid shutdowns happened. I noticed the owners are always there making the food, and making the coffees etc. More recently I noticed they hired more staff. It might be a staffing issue or maybe that's what works for them for work-life balance. Its definitely not fast food, you can see them soft scrambling everything to order, and I understand that can be frustrating. But it is what it is!
moobycow t1_j8ohgti wrote
Maybe? You have to wonder at the cost/benefit of staffing and running in the afternoon for a place that serves coffee and breakfast.
futuredayscan t1_j8n5jos wrote
This business model is beyond me. Bread & Salt is similar, just 3 days a week (open for a whopping 6 hours). The prices are wild, but still…how do they do it?
That aside, the bacon egg and cheese from Scram is really top notch
moobycow t1_j8nbwcs wrote
I'm happy to see that people can make living without killing themselves when running a place. Given prep and cleanup time this probably gives them a normalish workday.
burrito__supreme t1_j8n9lpn wrote
they probably ran the numbers and figured they can be most profitable by closing on certain days of the week. being open incurs costs like payroll, utilities, supplies, etc.
SyndicalistCPA t1_j8n9gj8 wrote
They might own the building, so don't really have to worry about rent
Puzzlekitt t1_j8orh4h wrote
I don't think they own the building. I recall they were a breakfast truck from North or south carolina (bit foggy on the details) and they did a big move to come here. Prior to them, it was that french bakery and before that it was the original Prato.
Glitch5450 t1_j8o7u5r wrote
Mafia front
vocabularylessons t1_j8pvgdz wrote
I just assumed B&S owned their space but who knows. Tho the bombolone are almost $5 a piece so their margins may be quite high.
futuredayscan t1_j8sl06x wrote
Yeah probably so. The bombolone is worth every penny too! Absolutely divine
biso_21 t1_j8n5h61 wrote
They are fantastic - typically crowded when they are open. Some of the best scrambled eggs on a bun around. I do find it odd they're paying for that location (which once housed the og prato, I think) with such limited hours, but wonder if it's a production thing and they're relatively maxed out in what they can make. They certainly sell through it quick as far as I've seen.
nerdiestnerdballer t1_j8plxi0 wrote
The best breakfast sandwiches in all of JC it’s not even close
MichaelDeMarcoCEO t1_j8mw57x wrote
super good. you really cant go wrong with anything but the ham and egg plus the quiche are so good.
banditsound t1_j8opa1h wrote
Every food item I've had from them is delicious. One of the owners used to come in to another restaurant I worked at and would occasionally bring us food from Scram. He always kind of kept to himself, but was very nice. We would all comp his tabs as thanks.
FuelQuick5251 t1_j8n9wly wrote
I love the place but I have issues with them. I never get the egg sandwich or aka buns . I mean it's a tasty $10 tiny sandwich,but the wait to order and get it is just to much. The pastries I usually stop in on a Thursday to get because the line is small if at all. They don't make any hot food on Thursday. I feel like they could streamline things to better serve the neighborhood. And being open more would definitely help. Must be nice only 4 day week..I would definitely come in more than my once or twice a month is f they expanded hours. But ye as everything there is tasty. My favorite is the honey crisp apple coffee cake Or fig coffee cake. The crullers are good too.
objectimpermanence t1_j8njykj wrote
Agreed. The food is tasty, but I stopped going a few months ago because the wait time is ridiculous. If you look behind the counter at what they’re doing, their workflow seems really inefficient.
During the COVID “lockdowns,” I would happily go there and wait in line because I didn’t have much else to do on Saturday mornings, but now it just doesn’t make sense for me.
It’s also annoying that they have few places to sit down and enjoy your breakfast.
I prefer Dulce de Leche in the Heights. Their breakfast sandwiches are pretty good, but it’s cheaper and faster and they have a wider variety of fresh pastries. Plus, the overall vibe is far less pretentious than Scram.
FuelQuick5251 t1_j8otcts wrote
Yes the workflow is inefficient. I even said that in my Google review. There is a girl that just hands people pastries and nothing else. She even looked bored out of her mind 🤣
vocabularylessons t1_j8pv7nw wrote
Dulce's hours are also the best of any bakery/cafe in town (afaik). Really enjoy grabbing a treat and reading a book there for 20-30 minutes after work.
AccomplishedAd8766 t1_j8pujn6 wrote
I think they do 90% of their business on the weekend - so why stay open and waste food on slower days of the week?
They’re easily one of the best in the area for breakfast sandwiches and baked goods.
Some personal faves:
- The Bacon Bun
- Cinnamon Rolls & Donut Twists (in any flavor) when they have them
- Vanilla Malt Cookies
- Cardamom Lemonade
lildeam0n t1_j8n1xdl wrote
Their Egg Fontaine is life.
STMIHA t1_j8nnixj wrote
Everything I’ve had there is delish tbh. Pricey, but def worth it.
brandy716 t1_j8ncvzb wrote
First that is a very busy walk way for people going back and forth to the train or parents taking kids to school or the park, so not being open earlier/ later than 8am - 12pm only makes sense if you aren’t there to make it profitable just sustaining until you get another buyer.
I heard that this business was past from one family member to the other and they aren’t really that interested or need need this establishment. Hence I have seen it closed more times then I have seen it open.
I feel that way about a lot of places downtown just taking up space/ turning the area into a zombie business zone. You see stores but they are rarely open or don’t last long.
YetiSherpa t1_j8ocsza wrote
>I heard that this business was past from one family member to the other and they aren’t really that interested or need need this establishment.
Can you elaborate on this? I thought Scram used to be a food truck in Charleston, SC and the owner, who always wanted a storefront, found it cheaper to open up a brick and mortar location in JC than Charleston. (As difficult as that may be to believe.) Then the pandemic hit shortly after they opened.
Puzzlekitt t1_j8os0fw wrote
Thats precisely what I remember too, they were a food truck from the south and wanted a storefront. Prior to them coming to JC, the space was a bakery (I think called Enna? Can't remember), and prior to that it was Prato. To say they don't "Need" the establishment is a pretty bold assumption on the people who are working hard to run a small business in this city.
brandy716 t1_j8slbfg wrote
People who need their business to make the max amount of funds to pay rent, have great ingredients and pay employees a decent wage are open during peak hours. End of story. If not someone is getting the short end.
Have you walked down the block after 12? There are a ton of parents/ care givers looking for a mid day place before it’s time to pick the kids up, folks that work from home or just someone who wants a desert. Can you go there? No they close at 12. Forget about treats for the kids and coffee for grown folks on their way to the park.
You can barely get a rotisserie chicken at 6 pm or a parking space at 5 because this area is so crowded.
Have you been to Starbucks after work? It’s packed and they are making large amount money. You don’t just leave that on the table daily.
Puzzlekitt t1_j8sms9a wrote
Look, I have nothing against Scram. I like the food and I go there when its open. It's their business. Go ahead and open something up yourself if you feel that you could be making so much money.
brandy716 t1_j8sp8o7 wrote
I actually have my own business but it doesn’t take someone being an owner to just state the obvious. I don’t care if they need the money or not. I acutely like supporting the sweet people in the corner store across the street. All I was saying is it’s a zombie business that obviously doesn’t need the cash flow.
Puzzlekitt t1_j8sttz6 wrote
We don't have to agree! They must be successful with their condensed hours, maybe they do things outside of it too.
brandy716 t1_j8wl4e0 wrote
What are you saying different from what I’m saying? We are both saying they don’t need the additional hours to keep the business going.
drew_z t1_j8o56kf wrote
the egg sandwiches from Scram are fucking excellent as are all the baked goods I’ve had there including the English muffins. the hours aren’t ideal but I’m in support of people not having to slave away to get by
nerdiestnerdballer t1_j8plznr wrote
I would recommend the bacon breakfast sandwich
kjrst9 t1_j8psfso wrote
It's delicious. They only serve breakfast, thus the limited morning hours.
DancingCavalier t1_j8n3v1v wrote
That's why they have to charge $12 for breakfast sandwiches that aren't consistently good. Their pastries always hit, though. I will admit that.
fvckspeak t1_j8q5u44 wrote
work life balance bro, i respect that they are closed 3 days a week...that pasta restaurant that was in the news the other day for not allowing kids, they were closed on valentines day and are about to take a 3 week winter break!
oldnewspaperguy2 t1_j8pr0gk wrote
Between scram and wonder bagels, some needs to open a casual place serving breakfast sandwiches. The lines speak to the demand
JournalSquire t1_j8q9d4e wrote
Every breakfast sandwich is to die for!
Chrissiel330 t1_j8qcolg wrote
I went for the first time the other day (because as noted their hours are super limited) and loved the sausage bun. Also brought home biscuits and English muffins for my husband. The food was excellent!!!
halocene_epic t1_j8qfbss wrote
The illusion of scarcity increases hype. But it’s pretty damn good. I order from Gussy’s instead because you get more content.
Tadpole_Southern t1_j96u97o wrote
Their so expensive. I swear I’ve walked out of there with one sandwich and two drink for $30
[deleted] t1_j8qhas1 wrote
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dpw59 t1_j8tslqp wrote
Their pastries are delicious, though a bit pricey. Taste like they are made with quality ingredients. Don’t always have the same ones, but can vouch for egg tarts, cinnamon roll, scones, and donuts.
During the pandemic they said hours were limited due to staffing issues. Not sure why are keeping same hours now.
It can also be incredibly inefficient. The lines are long due to lack of optimization. It shouldn’t take 30min to get through a dozen or so customers (which is how long the wait to get to register can be if big line up).
It does seem like a lost opportunity during early afternoon/end of school hours. Even if they just did coffee and pastries, seems like they’d make a killing.
WooliesWhiteLeg t1_j8w9byh wrote
Their food is literally crack. So fucking good
radioactiverobot t1_j8pwqa2 wrote
Prob money laundering front
elkishdude t1_j8q7i4z wrote
I’ve literally never seen this place open
bindrosis t1_j8o0rna wrote
It’s very overrated and they don’t offer decaf which is odd to me
Mastercheif212 t1_j8nmvoj wrote
It’s a front
robin_tern t1_j8mxe3d wrote
Never open.
Robin.
Odd-Airline-9097 t1_j8mvf48 wrote
Must have the ham and egg bun. The pineapple jam is just perfect and elevates this sandwich!