Jim's On Main
Traditional American diner serving breakfast and lunch including omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Cash-only with ATM on site.
Overview
Jim's On Main is a family-operated American diner at 785 East Main Street in Rochester, NY, serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Owner Elena Knapp got her start as a waitress at the original Jim's Restaurant on Winton Road before purchasing the business. After that Winton Road location closed in May 2015 and a fire damaged the East Main Street space in December 2014, Knapp reopened the diner at its current address in February 2016, combining the menus and traditions of both former locations. The restaurant is a cash-only establishment with an ATM available on site.
What They Offer
Breakfast is served all day and anchors the menu, with more than twenty omelet varieties ranging from the Papou's Greek to the Bypass Omelet (loaded with ham, bacon, sausage, and cheese). The griddle section covers buttermilk and buckwheat pancakes, waffles, and several French toast options. Beyond breakfast, the menu extends into lunch territory with a wide selection:
- Char-broiled burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and chicken sandwiches
- Deli and club sandwiches including the Calista's Colossal club
- Wraps such as Buffalo chicken, chicken Caesar, and veggie
- Melts like the Reuben, Patty Melt, and Black Russian
- Homemade dinner plates including meat loaf, pork chops, baked lasagna, and turkey dinner
- Soups, salads, and a dessert lineup featuring rice pudding, peanut butter pie, and chocolate cake
Several items on the menu carry family names — the Elena Delight and Nana's Italian omelet among them — reflecting the personal, family-run character of the kitchen.
Known For
Jim's On Main is known for its Texas hash and corned beef hash, two signature plates that appear across multiple descriptions of the diner. The restaurant draws steady crowds during breakfast and lunch rushes, operating on a no-frills model that emphasizes fresh food, fast service, and affordable prices. Knapp runs the restaurant alongside her two daughters and son, maintaining the diner as a family business across its various locations and incarnations over the years.
Location & Neighborhood
The diner sits on East Main Street in the area where the Marketview Heights and Neighborhood of the Arts districts meet, east of downtown Rochester. The stretch of East Main near the restaurant is a small commercial corridor with a mix of restaurants and local businesses. Hours are Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday from 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sources used in compiling this entry
585mag.com·allmenus.com·jimsrestauranttoo.netwaiter.com·roccitymag.com·rocwiki.org
Last updated May 15, 2026