Winner on Franklin

Me and my buddy wanted some basic brunch and Winner nailed it. Such an unassuming place I had no idea existed and had a very big indoor space in the back. They could probably rent it out for film shoots and spoken word poetry or something. The menu is pretty general food fare but it's good and it's inexpensive for the area. I don't need like flowers and confit in my French toast. I got the burrito which was good. I liked their salsa which I had on the side. My friend got the breakfast plate and ate it all really fast. The beans look kinda gnarly sitting in that murky water (metaphor for life?), but big ol beans are probably healthy and full of protein. We just did fitness club at the gym. Don't know what that is? Well I just made it up. It's called going to gym with me, Brian. Join Fitness Club(tm). I liked my sweet and caramel flavor enchanted latte too as the confines of Dry Jan allowed me little reprieve beyond the gentle shock of espresso and vaguely Italian syrups. Good vibes inside. Not pretentious or cool. Mostly younger folks you'd see in like Bushwick or East Williamsburg inside but the ones with jobs, which I dug, since moving to the area, around Prospect Park always felt a bit stale and older and too many babies. Used to live in Bushwick so I guess I miss people with pink dreads and N95 facemasks who are "cool nerds." A sort of fascinating detachment all so common amongst those with 3 roommates and 1 bathroom. Our server, I think his name was Simpson? Or Scotty? Was super nice and good. I think I recognize him from Trad Room. Wow has that place gone downhill. I've worked in a lot of restaurants and the beautiful blonde server was hustling with a smile (rare to have a pleasant young server in brooklyn oddly) and the barista, bar server was also putting in his steps and was friendly for someone with a prominent mullet and rat tale. Let's just say my hipster server experience in Brooklyn pales in comparison with what I've encountered in synonymous Echo Park in LA. There's a futility of life that only can be stymied with the superfluous action of dining in foreign environments on the mashable tropes of the ordinary. A certain thrust past the banal but familiar to entice and distract one into a supposed meaningful existence as Proust once said.

Took a group of my daughter's friends out for Sunday brunch. Surprisingly, the popular choice was the breakfast burrito. Black beans, avocado, scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, Monterey Jack and salsa wrapped up in a flour tortilla. Not bad for New York City or Brooklyn. Other choices for our group included the "coffee" coffee cake, a sourdough croissant, the breakfast sandwich on a brioche, a Cubano and an avocado toast. To drink? Lattes, Americanos, iced hibiscus tea and an Arnold Palmer. Our waiter, Caleb, made sure that our glasses stayed full. Sat in the back of the cafe at a long table for 10. Loved the shuffleboard table and the skylight in the back of the restaurant. So cute. Winner, winner... a nice place for breakfast on Franklin.

this place has unfortunately fallen off--most days they don't have cold brew, and the explanation is that "our boss does the ordering." i thought this was a small issue, but week after week I would go there and find out no cold brew. most recently, the cold brew has been horrendous, like they are serving straight concentrate.the only redeeming thing about this place was the raisin bran scone, which they took off their rotation.everything is else is obscenely overpriced, and this represents the worst of gentrification: mediocre food, small servings, and high prices. it is, ironically, a fitting replacement for hunky dory, which was in this location before, which had like an $18 fried chicken sandwich

We had a cute and cozy brunch experience last weekend. They have both a breakfast menu and some sandwiches from their regular menu to choose from. The Rick and Morty lived up to its cool name, amazing sourdough with a garlic chili oil, balsamic vinegrette on top of mortadella and cheese. The breakfast sandwich was kind of plain but good, brioche was a highlight. I think their bread stands out the most. Kind of pricey for what we got, but definitely worth a visit. 2 sandwiches, 2 drinks and a pastry came to $55 before tip

WINNER IS A WINNER. Wow guys, this place deserves more love! Only 18 reviews (?!) (at the time I'm writing this) shocking. Are the sandwiches teetering on $20? Yes. Are they worth it? 100%!Firstly, the sandwich is HUGE. I definitely could only eat half so if you want to come and split a sammy with someone that's a smart way to approach this menu.I ordered the midnight club (a somewhat different take on a cubano sandwich) fried pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mojo dojonnase and pickled jalapeños on a hoagie. I also opted to try one of their sauces, the ramp ranch as well as a hibiscus Arnold Palmer.So, let's break this sandwich down:- the hoagie itself is a beautiful, fresh piece of bread. Perfectly toasted and crispy exterior but fluffy, buttery and bouncey middle. They also throw a glaze on the top that's adds such a nice touch to the bread.- fried pork: think of a dark and deep fried mozzarella stick but without the cheese. This pork is tender and full of flavor. I absolutely love the breaded coating on this fry. It's crispy and crumbly and so so good.- love the ham & Swiss classic combo. The portions of everything it perfect for almost every bite- the dijonnase sauce on the bottom soaks into the bread just enough and really pairs well with all the other toppings - the pickled jalapeños are also a perfect addition of acidity and pop of spice The sauce is expensive at $5 but I'm so glad I got it. It was a special ranch and I'm happy that they basically provide a bowl of it for the price I also really liked my hibiscus Arnold Palmer. Extremely refreshing and a nice light lunch drink option. Just sweet enough.The space itself is gorgeous. I was not sure what to expect based on the minimal pics online but they have some bar/ counter seating at the front and a decent sized dining section in the back completel with sky lights and a shuffleboard (I think that's what it's called?) for night use I believe. I think they shift from cafe into a bar at night.As another review mentioned, you order at the front counter and the provide you with a table number and you can sit down and eat. The bartender was very helpful with me choosing my sandwich and was super friendly. One of the staff also saw that I wasn't able to finish the second half of my sandwich and came and brought me a box and I didn't even have to ask.This truly is a neighborhood gem and I will absolutely be back to try more items on their menu.4.8/5

Winner is a cafe'/restaurant that serves delicious dishes at affordable prices. I've only been here for lunch/brunch, but everything I've tried was excellent: from the breakfast sandwich (egg custard, cheddar and chili crisp on brioche) to the Ham & Cheese sandwich (WINNER Butcher jambon blanc, melted Swiss cheese, whole grain mustard on baguette); from the beef stew to the bitter green salad (black sesame ginger-carrot dressing). Many of the dinner dishes sound fantastic, such as the squid à la plancha, the roasted duck breast, and the cheeseburger.One extra star for being one of the few places in the neighborhood that sells good bread. Seriously, why is it so hard to find good bread in Crown Heights?! Here, alongside a selection of pastry that includes a tantalizing sourdough croissant, you will be able to purchase a tasty traditional sourdough or a special loaf[1]; whole loaf or half.Please note that ordering is a bit different from a normal restaurant, as you have to order directly at the counter, pay, and then the food will be brought to you once ready. Basically, waitstaff will not take your order at your table, but instead you have to order at the front. This causes lines to be often long, as the person taking orders may also be responsible for preparing coffee orders. This means that if the person in front of you has ordered coffee, you'll have to wait until their coffee order is ready until you can place your order, whether your order is just for coffe or for food.--------------------------[1] A rotating selection of Buckwheat Sourdough, Seeded Sourdough or Black Pepper-Fontina-Polenta Sourdough.

I'm in love with Winner, and I'm most in love with Winner on Franklin.I came once for breakfast right after opening and once for dinner on a Saturday.At breakfast, we had the whole back to ourselves but it quickly filled up. Try their breakfast sandwich with the 5 spice bacon. I also got the coffee cake. Try anything. Winner can do no wrong! I got some pastries to go.At dinner, I had a chicken sandwich which was VERY crispy, with a very interesting brioche. I also had a rum coffee coolatta slush. We sat by the window. The back was so moody and dark, I loved it.The space is beautiful! Friendly, quick service.

The smashburger is definitely tasty, hearty, and filling. However, it's $22 for only the burger, and if you want wedges or side salad it's +$4. Three stars for good taste and service, minus one star for price/value, and minus one star because it's $22 without any sides. Service and wait time for the to go order were excellent. Would I order it again? Only if the price dropped and/or it's served with a side that's included.

Great spot for drinks and or brunch. We stopped in after graduation and they were nice enough to allow our tables of kids in the back. It was the perfect location and everyone was able to sit together. Amazing pastries- don't miss the cinnamon bun if they have any left.

Went back 3 days later for a work lunch against my better judgement - ordered fish and chips and received literally 1 small chunk of fish and 4 potato wedges. This was after I ordered the BLT and were told they're still out of bacon. To be fair it was tasty, but how is this considered an entree?