Jimmy's is an everyday "I'm just going for breakfast and not trying to be cool" place. They aren't trying to wow with anything but properly prepared breakfast dishes that have been around for awhile and give you lots of choices. All I have been to have been clean, pretty efficient, and with a down home friendly kind of staff. Their prices are pretty good and affordable for every day eating. I hope they don't chase the cool kid market, and that they just stay true to their identity and value. Others will come and go, but I'll bet on Jimmy's being around long after the cool kids are on to their next great thing.

Agree 100%. I don't object to the nicer places, but I also like the consistent, good-if-unspectacular places, too. And I remember when Jimmy's Egg served up their own homemade bread at breakfast; always hated when they stopped doing that :)

As an aside, I ate at a trendy breakfast place in Dallas last October, think it was called Snooze. It was nice, food was good, but overall I didn't think it was markedly better than Jimmy's Egg. They certainly *catered* to the more hipster crowd, and that's fine, but the overall quality of the food wasn't some drastic order of magnitude better.

I'm sure this will sound wishy washy but I like being able to do both. Sometimes, I just want something that's no frills like a plate of eggs, bacon, and some waffles and then there are other times where I might want to try something that's a little different that experiments with different flavor combinations. I like Café Kacao a lot for that very reason.

I only go to SunnySide so often because they constantly do online coupons that make eating there about 45% off - which makes it much more adorable.

Don’t judge, this was years ago. There used to be a strip bar at 16th & May named Sinbad’s. Pretty rough place. I left there many times holding a chair between me and the room to block flying bottles. There were always a couple girls that worked nights at Sinbad’s then went across the street to Jimmy’s Egg to work mornings serving breakfast. We would be patrons of the girls in both places.
Now, many years and life lessons later, I go to the same Jimmy’s Egg with guys I work with occasionally at the Fairgrounds. We were going to Pappy’s Diner but they don’t open until 8AM now. Very odd choice on Pappy’s part.

Bill,
I remember Sinbad's. I wasn't a frequent visitor but a computer salesman used to take us there on his expense account. Yup, a little rough. I never went there on my own.
C. T.

I thought millennials couldn't afford downtown? Or is that another tired stereotype like the rest of the post?
Sure, some folks under 35 will frequent this location, but my guess is not enough.

I'm sure this will sound wishy washy but I like being able to do both.

Unacceptable. Pick a side and scream (preferably at Millennials) .

Unacceptable. Pick a side and scream (preferably at Millennials) .

OK fine. 15821

The Jimmy's on Hudson is doing okay. It is expensive and time consuming to build in the central part of the city, and this location was no exception. It is a new concept in that the back of the house is interlinked with Riviere, so there will be some economy of operating 6AM to Midnight in the building as a whole.

It is correct to think that jimmy's is being challenged by the new, trendy places. jimmy's has naturally moved into the traditional mainstay segment. It makes for less splashy openings, but it also means they don't drop off a cliff after 2 years. If a location closes, it is more strategic, rather than cut and run.

Jimmy's is a federation of family owners, for the most part. Mainly, it was Loc Le, then his daughters and sons in law helped take it to the next level. They have also added franchising, primarily in areas outside of Oklahoma. Ban Nguyen, who is Loc Le's son in law, is the earliest operator of independent locations. Hudson is one of those. Ban and his wife operate Jimmy's and their son operates Riviere.

It is my opinion that Ban Nguyen is the best operator of Jimmy's. He is serious about ingredient quality, and won't chase a 10% cheaper product. As a past president of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, he feels like he has put himself out there and needs to live up to the reputation.

Since you're buds with Ban, would be interesting if you'd let him know about this thread (starting here, post #100 - https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=13242&p=1105675#post1105675), and get his thoughts on it. Also, next time you talk to him, it'd be a good thing to let him know to ramp up his marketing, put pictures on Yelp, do something rather than just rely on "We're Jimmy's, build it and they will come", which seems to be his strategy (could be wrong, but the server said they've pretty much done nothing to promote it). This is a nicer-than-most Jimmy's and would be a shame to have it die because nobody knew it was there or it was too uncool to go there.

I only go to SunnySide so often because they constantly do online coupons that make eating there about 45% off - which makes it much more adorable.

Where are these coupons? Are they for drinks because the drinks there are outrageously priced.

Since you're buds with Ban, would be interesting if you'd let him know about this thread (starting here, post #100 - https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=13242&p=1105675#post1105675), and get his thoughts on it. Also, next time you talk to him, it'd be a good thing to let him know to ramp up his marketing, put pictures on Yelp, do something rather than just rely on "We're Jimmy's, build it and they will come", which seems to be his strategy (could be wrong, but the server said they've pretty much done nothing to promote it). This is a nicer-than-most Jimmy's and would be a shame to have it die because nobody knew it was there or it was too uncool to go there.

He is aware of the thread, but I'm pretty sure he has not read it or is up to speed on what we are talking about. I will relay your suggestions and I think they are all good.

I will say that I think Ban is in it for the long haul on this location. I get the impression that his wife has spent more time and energy on the design and implementation of this location that any other. And the entire concept and execution of Riviere is a family effort with their son being the operator.

He is aware of the thread, but I'm pretty sure he has not read it or is up to speed on what we are talking about. I will relay your suggestions and I think they are all good.

I will say that I think Ban is in it for the long haul on this location. I get the impression that his wife has spent more time and energy on the design and implementation of this location that any other. And the entire concept and execution of Riviere is a family effort with their son being the operator.

Thanks, and it's quite evident they've spent lots of time and care on that location - like I said, it's the most up-to-date and nicely designed one we've been in. We're going to try Riviere next Sat night, looks good.

Where are these coupons? Are they for drinks because the drinks there are outrageously priced.

They pop up often on OKC Sweet Deals. I picked up more last week.

...COVID has claimed the life of @jimmysegg founder Loc Le...

https://twitter.com/winerev/status/1337445271295434755

Unfortunately the founders of Jimmy’s Egg has died from COVID-19:

https://kfor.com/news/local/loc-le-founder-of-jimmys-egg-dies-from-covid-19/

Unfortunately the founders of Jimmy’s Egg has died from COVID-19:

https://kfor.com/news/local/loc-le-founder-of-jimmys-egg-dies-from-covid-19/

Although Loc Le bought Jimmy's Egg from Jimmy Newman in 1980, I think it is fair to say that Loc "founded" the chain. Newman didn't sell because he was tired of winning. He sold because he wanted out and was circling the drain. Loc was smart enough to see the value in Jimmys Egg, his family talents, and how it could all make a successful enterprise.

I just heard that his wife also just passed away from Covid. So incredibly sad. I feel terrible for that family.

I just heard that his wife also just passed away from Covid. So incredibly sad. I feel terrible for that family.
ONG! That is really sad. I'm so sorry for them.

Drove by and noticed the Jimmy’s Egg at NW 16th and May was torn down. Looks like a new JE will be built in its place.

Drove by and noticed the Jimmy’s Egg at NW 16th and May was torn down. Looks like a new JE will be built in its place.

Knocked it down about 8 this morning. There is an argument about the quality of the dead building over on the restaurant closing thread.

Knocked it down about 8 this morning. There is an argument about the quality of the dead building over on the restaurant closing thread.

Not a single thing has been done on this - lot full of weeds and a chain link fence, ridiculous... Not that we'd go to that one if it gets built anyway, we've started going to the one on 39th/Portland.

They haven't even applied for a building permit at that NW 16th & May site where they demolished the original location.

The demo permit was filed way back in December.

They did file a new SPUD for that site some time ago but then withdrew it.

My understanding is they have a zoning issue with part of the overall plot. They are working on this with the city.

My understanding is they have a zoning issue with part of the overall plot. They are working on this with the city.

Hopefully they get things worked out, but a lot of time has passed without any progress.

On a good note. They picked up the rental fences. Again.

On a good note. They picked up the rental fences. Again.

??? The fences were still surrounding the site on Friday, 7/15, when I went by on the way to/from work.

??? The fences were still surrounding the site on Friday, 7/15, when I went by on the way to/from work.

I think he means they had been blown/knocked down and then put upright again.

Read on Nextdoor that a new Jimmy's will not be built here. No idea if anything will be or if this is true, but wouldn't be a bit surprised.

Read on Nextdoor that a new Jimmy's will not be built here. No idea if anything will be or if this is true, but wouldn't be a bit surprised.

I have been told they are not going to build at this time. The cost of the new and better Jimmy's was over 40% higher when they got close to "turning shovels", and the revenue projections were shrinking as well. Being over 50 years old, the "Original Jimmy's" wasn't throwing off any real cash for the owners, so it was a better financial move to leave it a vacant lot for the time being. They have no plans to sell the property and fully expect to build when market conditions improve.

Hope my "informant" is wrong, but he's hearing that the Jimmy's Egg Inc, is currently on the market. Hope it's just rumor but my source is very reliable!

Why do you hope they're wrong? What difference would that make to a regular customer since they're all franchised? Even if the parent company sold, I'd bet none of the restaurants would change their menus or do anything differently unless the new owner wants to do something drastic (which I'd also bet they wouldn't do - don't mess with the golden-egg laying goose).

Why do you hope they're wrong? What difference would that make to a regular customer since they're all franchised? Even if the parent company sold, I'd bet none of the restaurants would change their menus or do anything differently unless the new owner wants to do something drastic (which I'd also bet they wouldn't do - don't mess with the golden-egg laying goose).

I believe the only ones that are franchised are outside of Oklahoma, at least that is what it was a few years ago.

I believe the only ones that are franchised are outside of Oklahoma, at least that is what it was a few years ago.

If you look up all the properties on the OK county assessor site, they're owned by a variety of people/companies (which may all be related/family members of the original owner). May not be franchised, but it doesn't appear that they're all one-company-owned.

Why do you hope they're wrong? What difference would that make to a regular customer since they're all franchised? Even if the parent company sold, I'd bet none of the restaurants would change their menus or do anything differently unless the new owner wants to do something drastic (which I'd also bet they wouldn't do - don't mess with the golden-egg laying goose).

People don't buy an old slow-growth restaurant business because they are hunting just moderate returns. Everyone wants to be the next Wolf of Wall Street with instant parabolic growth. The new age approach to buying a business now is to squeeze every last penny of profit out of something just before alienating current franchise owners and loyal customers with freshly updated menus that are disconnected from the original, feel-good corporate slogans, and ears-closed listening sessions before dumping the carcass into Chapter 7 liquidation.

Maybe I am just cynical. Good for the current owner to get out while the tide is high, though.

I can say anything is for sale for the right price, but Jimmy's Egg is not for sale.

As a successful business of over 40 years, Jimmy's Egg has become complex in some ownership areas. And the death of the founder has created an opportunity to streamline the ownership structure.

Let's see if I clicked the correct things on the forum so that I don't "time out" because of my slow typing and rambling!

Perhaps this ramble belongs in the Nostalgia section, but whatever.

In the 1970's, I worked for Ford Audio and Acoustics (now called Ford AV) which was then located on the SW corner of 18th and Classen. On the NW corner of that intersection was/is (?) the Victoria Building that was once the Victoria Theater back in Ye Olde Days.

On the ground floor of the Victoria were several store fronts facing East towards a drug store on the NE corner and the Safeway store on the SE corner of the intersection. In that time, a man named Jim Newman and his wife (I don't recall her name) had relocated from Calif (LA????) and opened the ORIGINAL Jimmy's Egg. They were a youngish couple...maybe ages 30 or 40. They made excellent omelettes and homemade bread amongst other treats. Each day, they ran a Lunch Special. On Fridays, it was a tex-mex platter. We folks from Ford Audio called it our "weekly gut bomb" <g> and loved it.

I moved from OKC to Texas for a couple of years. When I returned in 1980, I THINK the Newmans had moved into what was once a Beverly's at 16th and May and it was also called Jimmy's Egg.

Further fuzzy memories about the 16th and May location.

As a kid, I attended St. Luke's Methodist where Beverly Osbourne (sp??) and family also attended. I recall one of his grandkids (Randy??) also went into the restaurant biz and perhaps was the one who bought out that Jimmy's Egg location from the Newmans.

Further fuzzy memories about the 16th and May location.

As a kid, I attended St. Luke's Methodist where Beverly Osbourne (sp??) and family also attended. I recall one of his grandkids (Randy??) also went into the restaurant biz and perhaps was the one who bought out that Jimmy's Egg location from the Newmans.

Your post got me to googlizing this morning, and I found out Beverly Osbourne had no children, but his key employee and business successor was Randy Shaw. I don't think Shaw had any business dealings with Newman. Loc Le bought Jimmy's Egg from Jimmy Newman.

Thanks for the clarification. That was nearly 50 years ago, and my memory is obviously faulty!

I like browsing this channel each day to keep up on my hometown of OKC. I also suspect that I am far older than most folks here, so I will make comments that are only based on faulty memories. I bet that most/many/all (?) readers don't know of Beverly's Restaurants besides the current one located at NW highway and Independence...that building was once a bowling alley!

I think I might start a thread about Beverly's......maybe it should be in the Nostalgia section so as not to annoy the young readers here???

I like browsing this channel each day to keep up on my hometown of OKC. I also suspect that I am far older than most folks here, so I will make comments that are only based on faulty memories. I bet that most/many/all (?) readers don't know of Beverly's Restaurants besides the current one located at NW highway and Independence...that building was once a bowling alley!

I think I might start a thread about Beverly's......maybe it should be in the Nostalgia section so as not to annoy the young readers here???

There is an older thread in restaurants here, if it helps:
https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=28851

I like browsing this channel each day to keep up on my hometown of OKC. I also suspect that I am far older than most folks here, so I will make comments that are only based on faulty memories. I bet that most/many/all (?) readers don't know of Beverly's Restaurants besides the current one located at NW highway and Independence...that building was once a bowling alley!

I think I might start a thread about Beverly's......maybe it should be in the Nostalgia section so as not to annoy the young readers here???
The one downtown, on 23rd, or even the one across from Penn Square?

Speaking of Jimmy's Egg, Are they supposed to put a new location on the west side of Norman since they had to close their Main street location?

The one downtown, on 23rd, or even the one across from Penn Square?

16th & May

Speaking of 16th & May... what's the deal on the rebuild? Still an empty lot with a fence around it

Norman, as well as NW16th & May Avenue are both temporarily on hold.

Although Jimmy's Egg is a solid company, they have been hit triply hard by Covid, the Covid death of founder Loc Le and the economic challenges of the last couple years.

Norman, as well as NW16th & May Avenue are both temporarily on hold.

Although Jimmy's Egg is a solid company, they have been hit triply hard by Covid, the Covid death of founder Loc Le and the economic challenges of the last couple years.

Understandable, but strange to me that they went ahead and demolished the building when they could've kept it open and running until they had solid plans in motion to rebuild.

Speaking of 16th & May... what's the deal on the rebuild? Still an empty lot with a fence around it

16 posts back in this thread:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=13242&p=1216581#post1216581