Johnny's Reef

Pros: Fried whiting.
Cons: Fried food is not supposed to be good for your heart.

Located at the tip of the Bronx near New York City’s largest park, Pelham Bay, is a small maritime community that in olden days saw shipbuilding, fishing, and clamming as a way of life. Well-heeled city residents would often rent houses and yachts in the...

Pros: GREAT FOOD
Cons: CROWDED IN THE SUMMER

I have eaten at just about every restaurant on City Island. In fact, my wedding reception was held on the island, circa 1972. Imagine? Anyway, every restaurant boasts about having the best this and the best that. Many people do not even realize that...

Pros: Freshness, Speed of cooking, Location & Scenery
Cons: Crowds on weekends

After 65 years of eating, my favorite restaurant is still Johnny's Reef. Where am I going to get fried lobster tails within 2 minutes of ordering? The setting is perfect: On Long Island with a full view of the Throggs Neck Bridge. If I want a beer or a Martini it's there too. If you're expecting a wait staff, don't bother coming. This place is for Professional Seafood Eaters only and that is what most people do for a living.

Pros: Fresh, fresh, fresh fried seafood. Really lightning fast service.
Cons: The bathrooms are gross.

I have been going to Johnny's Reef since 1964. It's the best place to get fried shrimp, fish, clams, etc. It's a dive, but who cares, if you want good fried shrimp, plenty of it, and cheap, go to Johnny's Reef!

Pros: THE FRIED CLAMS,SHRIMP,LOBSTER TLS,SOUP,AND THE TARTER SAUCE IS ONE OF A KIND.
Cons: NEEDS TO EXPAND TO WHERE I LIVE IN FLORIDA

I wrote a review back in 2001 now here it is 2007 and I am still in Florida, still go back to New York on vacations but really the only thing that I just cannot get over is my Johnny's City Island....I crave it like a pregnant woman. If only there was some way to to open a Johnny's 2, I would run it, I just want those dag fried clams, their soup and shrimp and lobster tails and the tarter sauce is like it should be marketed. Everyone in my family who comes down to visit me...know to bring my city island when they visit, it's like the best food I ever enjoyed in my life so far...I love Johnny's Reef! Dinora