Speedy’s Burgers + Bowls has reopened in Jersey City, this time near Journal Square. The burger and bowl spot, previously located in Paulus Hook, is now serving up its affordable comfort food menu at 154 Chestnut Avenue in the Hilltop neighborhood, just a few minutes’ walk from the JSQ PATH station. The Hoboken Girl visited for a taste of the menu and tour of the new space. Read on for more about our visit and what’s next for this neighborhood spot.
About Speedy’s Burgers + Bowls
Owner Dimitri Liberis, a Jersey City resident who also runs the West Village gastropub The Warren, first opened Speedy’s in 2022. After three years downtown, he and business manager Antony Raymond (who goes by Tony) moved the operation to this new, larger location. The soft opening was in Fall 2025, with a grand opening celebration bringing in crowds in early 2026. The move came with some growing pains. Foot traffic near Journal Square isn’t quite what it was on Morris Street, and the team has had to get creative about visibility. Tony is optimistic, though. Once warmer weather hits, Speedy’s plans to open its backyard space for events, including a monthly comedy night starting in 2026.
The Hoboken Girl’s Visit
HG had a chance to come in and check out what Speedy’s had to offer, and Tony set us up with a solid tour of the menu. We tried three burgers: the Speedy’s Smash, the Left Hook (bacon, American cheese, cherry peppers, and mayo), and the Cajun Chicken. All three were juicy and well-seasoned, with the Cajun Chicken’s chipotle aioli standing out–my favorite. We also worked through the Cantina bowl, a Chopped Cheese “handie”, fries, fried onion rings, and the mac and cheese, which is made with a creamy bechamel. To say HG was stuffed is putting it lightly.
For dessert, Speedy’s has partnered with Thomas’s Homemade Ice Cream, a 30-year-old Hoboken-based family business now operating out of the same space. Thomas’s makes its ice cream in small batches on-site and offers rotating treats like milkshakes, sundaes, fried Oreos, and chocolate-filled churros. Tony made an off-menu milkshake with Oreos and Nutella that we’re still thinking about, with promises that affogato is coming soon.
There was no way HG could finish everything, so we flagged down some students passing by and handed off the extras. They were more than happy to help. Tony mentioned that supporting local kids is part of the vision. Speedy’s wants to be a neighborhood spot where people can hang out, not just grab food and leave. There are board games on the shelves, a couple of arcade cabinets, and plenty of seating…