BURLINGTON, NJ – Did you know that New York’s most iconic cheesecakes, from Junior’s, are actually made in, gasp, New Jersey? Yep, the Big Apple’s most famous creamy delight is crafted in the Garden State, and it’s kind of a big deal. Junior’s first opened its doors in 1950, and even though they’ve embraced some modern machinery, the legendary recipe remains untouched. They’re all about tradition, especially when that tradition means a whole lot of cream cheese.
And when I say “a lot,” I mean six million pounds of cream cheese each year. Yes, you read that right. Six million pounds of pure, decadent deliciousness go into creating those heavenly cakes we all know and love.
While technology has upgraded parts of the process (one robot even swirls in fruit flavors like a green-screened superhero baker), the heart of Junior’s cheesecake remains the same. It’s all about that secret ratio of cream cheese, heavy cream, and sugar—a combo that hasn’t changed in over 70 years.
So, what makes Junior’s stand out from every other cheesecake in existence? First off, that sponge cake base. Junior’s doesn’t do the whole graham cracker thing; they take it to the next level with a buttery sponge cake foundation. Then, there are the flavors—everything from classic strawberry and blueberry to the more indulgent devil’s food and red velvet. They keep innovating while sticking to their roots, and honestly, that’s why fans are obsessed.
Before their seven-acre mega-factory opened in Burlington, New Jersey, in 2015, Junior’s cheesecakes were baked in Brooklyn and Queens. Now, with the help of that factory, their cheesecakes are shipped nationwide, and if you’re local to Burlington, you can score a slightly imperfect cheesecake at a discount. Imagine snagging one with just a tiny crack—still perfection, if you ask me!
No need to trek to New York City for a slice of the magic either. You can find Junior’s cheesecakes at places like Costco or order straight to your door through Goldbelly. That’s right, the cheesecake of your dreams can arrive on your doorstep, no NYC subway required.