Janko’s Little Zagreb
223 W 6th St, Bloomington, IN, 47404
Janko’s Little Zagreb Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Bloomington for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
223 W 6th St
Bloomington, IN, 47404 - Phone (812) 332-0694
- Website https://www.littlezagreb.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Steve O.
Steak was so good that it will convert vegans. I know that will offend those who love cows, but I'm sure if bovines had cognitive abilities they would sacrifice themselves willingly to Little Zagreb. I was talking on the phone to a friend and told the person on the other end of the line I was looking for Janko's. About 3 blocks away I could smell the delicious meat cooking. I don't know why I bothered with the steak flavored bread, salad or the baked potato which were all just "Ok". Ordered the ribeye and it was delivered perfectly cooked. Wait staff were very friendly and prompt.
(4)Debra D.
Great food!! Lamb chops were amazing.
(5)Ericka S.
Upon entering this restaurant I noticed picnic table cloth - yes those red checkered things you find at the dollar store. The salad was thrown in a large plastic tub for everyone to see upon entering. The carpet was filthy and the bathroom was dirty. Not to mention a table was about 3 feet away from the single use bathroom. The restaurant was extremely loud and it was hard to hear. Service was fair, except for one annoying bus boy who continued to refuse to ask before grabbing at your half eaten plate. On a positive note this place had a good beverage list. The food was alright. Nothing to brag about but a good, and big, steak for your buck.
(2)William M.
I LOVE this place! I went to school at IU 25 years ago and it was old then. NOTHING has changed . It has old school character. I think I saw bob knight and bill Mallory sharing a 64 oz steak in the corner. All it's missing is a cigar. Awesome meat, fish was terrific (salmon, crab). I had the meatballs (very spicy, they r not kidding). Totally awesome wine list if you like huge Napa cabs etc. make reservations. Lines out the door. Loud and fun
(5)Kyle T.
Good food, great service. Fun and casual place. You are certainly not paying for ambiance. Would go back, but not one of my top choices...even in Bloomington.
(3)Fred S.
If you love meat, you'll love Janko's. Amazing cuts perfectly cooked and served in a rustic, crowded atmosphere. You'll probably have to wait and you'll be sitting at a table that feels small and maybe a bit close to your neighbors. Focus on food and friends and all will be good. :)
(5)Phyllis s.
The place was crazy busy because it was IU parents weekend. Made my res about a month in advance but still had to wait. The host was going crazy and they did a good job of trying to get everyone seated as quickly as they could. Not sure why everyone is complaining about the side dishes. It's a basic salad and baked potato. They are not the centerpiece of the meal nor do they try to be. The steak you get is utterly amazing. The portion is HUGE, cooked to perfection and rubbed with a flavorful seasoning. Sent my daughter back to her dorm with generous leftovers which she was going to slice into a salad the next day. Way better than dorm food! Our server was courteous and attentive. The decor is minimal but again we were there for the steaks and we were not disappointed.
(4)Bob H.
Firstly: nobody comes here for the atmosphere. I've come here periodically since nineteen hundred and ninety one. I don't have high expectations for decor for this place. They might surprise me someday - just know that before you walk in, Secondly: come hungry, Thirdly: I rank this steakhouse in the top 5, perhaps top 3, in Indiana. Our virgin trip so many years ago; we came after an IU basketball game - mistake, didn't know cause we didn't go to the game either - stood outside in the rain and fog for an hour just to get inside and wait some more. But stepping in was pure bliss - I was cold and famished, it seemed too dim and all I could see was 2 men turning apparent beef quarters w/ small pitchforks amid the leaping flames. I can see it as if that was yesterday. Fast forward; my much better half and I like to arrive around 4:30-4:45p now to avoid the mass crowds. We start with the appetizer of KING crab legs. KING is in all caps because the legs are gigantic, buttery and delicious - and I'm very picky on crab legs (no pun intended). Well worth the expense and I highly recommend! We both chose Rib Eyes (medium and med-rare) this trip. Sometimes we do the sirloin for 2 to save a few bucks but it just sounded too good. For sides, standard iceberg salads, baked spuds, and the near heavenly button mushrooms sauted in butter (and some worchestshire and garlic I think). Paleo Hunter Man will be so happy here. Sweet mother of God, I surely am! Steaks perfectly prepared and seasoned as always- I'm not going back to the sirloin after this wonderful order, ever. A smart man would just share his Wifey's order and take his order home in a doggie box. Instead, I leave bursting at the seams, forced to walk about the town for an hour or so because I simply can't get back in the car to drive home. And I so want a cup of coffee and a slice of cheesecake, but that's not going to happen. $125 all in including the tip...but we only do it a few times a year - I'm a skinflint otherwise.
(5)Brandon D.
If you're a fan of great Steaks, this place is a must.. bring your pocketbook tho.. WOAH buddy is it expensive. Food is phenomenal!! The only downsides would be Price and its not that big of a place so it can be hard to get a table sometimes. Overall, if you're a steak lover in Bloomington with some extra cash to blow.. DO IT.. you will thank me later!
(5)Greg J.
Great steak, upgraded to New York strip from the 2-person sirloin free of charge since they ran out (Valentine's Day). Very busy when we were there, but the staff handled the occasion perfectly, and we were helped promptly without ever feeling rushed. Order the meatballs as an appetizer if you're with a large party.
(4)Madhulika S.
food is okayish...ambiance not great
(3)Mister M.
I'm a steak lover and if you are then this is the place... Yes...Awesome steaks!!! I'm not sure about the rest of the menu and honestly it doesn't look impressive I'm just talking about steaks. So to sum it up. GET THE STEAKS!!! And the rest is whatever. ****ONE STAR REMOVED BECAUSE ITS OVERPRICED***** Delicious though
(4)CK A.
I wonder what it means when some of my favorite restaurants used to be "houses of Ill repute"? Apparently Little Zabreb's used to be such a place. (see history under their website) As others have pointed out, it is not fancy inside. It is crowded. It is noisy. The utensils are not made of fine china and silver. People get so hung up on uniformity that when faced with a non-chain restaurant, that lack of uniformity sometimes turns into a criticism. The salads are hand made. The lettuce does not come out of a bag, but is torn apart by hand. That is going to cause non uniform pieces. Its okay. If the piece of lettuce is too big, cut it with your knife. I had a great steak at Zagreb's. I have also been at steak joints around the country that made various top ten lists. I have had my share of Morton's and Ruth's Chris and St . Elmo's. This steak was as good as any of those and I will guarantee you I paid less at Zagreb's than I did at those other places. Their prices are high for Bloomington, from what I can tell, but the steak was excellent. Beware of the spicy meatballs, though. I ate one and was wishing I hadn't. The boys polished them off without any trouble though. They will take reservations, and I would recommend them as there were people standing in line and this was a night when the foot ball team was out of town.
(5)Jeff L.
OK, Janko's, you won me back. I still hate your prices, especially on 'special occasion' menu days (such as game days) but I love the food. Be prepared - I always tell people that the initial impression is less than desirable. This is a dump. Dark, checkered tablecloths, uncomfortable chairs and old decor. You're not there for ambiance. You're there for meat. The rolls are often stale, and sometimes they forget to chop the lettuce. Again, you're there for the meat. I recommend the meatball appetizer - it's spicy, yummy, amazing. You can get them as a meal, too, but I suggest the appetizer so you can feast on steak. The mushrooms are also great, by the way. The steak is amazing. Filet (the SUPER filet size of course) is to die for. The others are great, too, but the filet is the one. They also have ground beef, which looks fantastic, but I haven't ordered it. I swear I will sometime, but I never seem to get myself away from the filet. Others love the ribs, saying they are the best in town. The wine list is reasonable if you're into that type of thing. The prices are a bit steep, even for a good steakhouse. In Bloomington, you rarely see that type of pricing but anywhere else you'd just shrug it off. It's worth the extra money, though, especially if you're celebrating something. Be prepared to spend some coin, but then again it's great food and great service. For a while, I had sworn Janko's off, having some bad experiences. But my last three visits have me back on the train to Zagreb.
(4)Bee P.
We purchased the sirloin for one and it is 16 ounces of delicioso. It was a perfectly peppered steak and even though we ordered it medium well it was juicy and easy to chew. The outside was crisp and the inside was warm and pink. I waited too long to come here. My husband and I had the perfect serving and enjoyed our own salad and potato for an extra $7.50. Could not have imagined consuming more although easily I would have tried given it was so good.
(5)Bobblehead B.
What a unique and marvelous college town steakhouse. Pay attention to the menu. The steaks are big and broiled to perfection. Mushrooms are some of the best I have ever tasted. Casual atmosphere and IU FOOTBALL theme adds to the decor. You walk in and feel "at home". Just love the food here.
(5)Levent T.
The good news is that you get large portions of meat for their higher price point and service with a smile. However, kind of weird decor and the cook is literally in the dining room next to the meat case grilling up the food. Also, not sure how food safe this joint is when we saw how they are maintaining the potatoes and lettuce before serving. Nevertheless the meat was really good and I would recommend splitting a dinner because the smallest steak for around $30 is a full pound!
(3)Liz K.
I've had a smattering of experiences here, and the last two were vastly different - I'd give one a 2-star rating, and the other 4, so I'm going to compromise. I'm just going to put it out there: The seasoning on the steak is the only reason I really like this place. My great experience also included a delicious mahi-mahi filet and my date and I really enjoyed both that and the filet. It was also a weekday night, so it wasn't busy at all, which definitely helped. They didn't have the half bottle of wine that we ordered, so they gave us the whole bottle for the same price. Awesome yet dangerous at the same time. However, this most recent time was just awful. Everything was brought to us (a table of 5) in shifts, because they weren't using trays for the most part since it was so busy. Our waitress would seemingly fly by and there was practically zero chance of getting her to stop at our table. We ordered two bottles of wine with the intent to get a pretty good start on the first by the time our main dishes made it out, but no such luck. Luckily, as soon as I took a bite of my steak, I remembered how perfect their seasoning is and my mood temporarily lifted. Then my brother's girlfriend picked a live spider off his neck and the mood went back down into the dumps. Basically, if you're coming here, come on a weeknight, don't expect to be wow-ed by the indoor atmosphere, be open to using dishware that you probably grew accustomed to in college, and order the filet (medium rare).
(3)Eric H.
I was happily surprised with Janko's after reading some of the negative reviews here. I found it to be pleasant in it's basic sort of way and clean. We went on a Monday night and it was busy but not full. The sirloin was very good, cooked as ordered, and at a decent price. The potato was exceptional, the salad average but went along with the meal fine. I added blue cheese crumbles to it and to the potato which helped a lot. My wife had the tuna steak and it was dry and very uninspiring, one star for that. Our waitress was great, friendly and on the ball from beginning to end. I think for the money, we did better at Nick's with their well priced and good steak and a much better salad, but Janko's has a good wine list and we were very happy with our choice.
(3)Michelle L.
Don't really get the hype. My extremely overpriced steak was overcooked. The wait staff could care less about you, and mostly ignore you. I get that they are trying to take the pompousness out of the 5 star dinner, but in my opinion it was a failure.
(2)Lyndsey C.
OMG! We love this place. This is where our men's sporting teams take all of their recruits, which I think proves its worth. The place isn't anything fancy but it has an amazing wine list and their food is just to die for! The steak is so great! We lived right next to this place and the smells coming from their exhaust fan is just the best and worst thing ever. It makes you crave their food all the time :) You must get a reservation. It doesn't seem like it but this place books up very quickly!
(5)Jasen F.
I love Little Z's. I love that the staff is friendly, nice, and super sweet. Yes, the decor is basic but it's IU and there's plenty of Hoosier signage on the walls, old posters, and the red checkered tablecloths fit in well. To start, do yourself a favor and order up some mushrooms and spicy meatballs (a half order will do). After that, I've been very impressed with the quality of the meat and the way it is cooked. Perhaps it's because the grill is in the front of the restaurant and you see them slinging your ribs and steaks. Medium rare is true to form. If you need more flavoring, ask for a serving of the special Little Z's homemade steak sauce (don't ask for A-1!). The potato is a potato served with a generous glop of sour cream. I've devoured my blue cheese dressed salad and munched on the bread while drooling in anticipation of my grilled meat arriving to be consumed. They have an OK beer selection (bottles only) but feature a good selection of wines by the glass. One of my favorite spots in Bloomington, IN.
(4)Erik S.
Probably the best steak I've ever had, also the largest. Be warned portion sizes are huge. My wife and I go the sirloin for two and I think it could have fed ten. I was pleasantly surprised that a hunk of meat that large was cooked exactly to order. It may have been the first time I've ordered a steak done medium and that's how it actually came. The only caveat I would add is that it is very busy. You definitely want to make reservations.
(5)Bob J.
Always good and always dependable. Great steak in a modest decor.
(4)Yvonne M.
Pricey steak, sweaty place, never order well done steak.
(2)Lynn J.
Going to Janko's Little Zagreb is like a religious pilgrimage. Your holy grail may very well be the best steak in the Midwest. Even if you do not agree on that, you will not be disappointed. We try to make the expedition each summer while neophytes are away from the city (much like trekking Jerusalem outside tourist season). Some of the obstacles vary depending on the time of year. This year we waited until move in weekend, which was a mistake but as they take reservations it could be dealt with. I dropped off my companions and was able to find parking within two blocks. The walk was no trial but going through the sun heated narthex is a brief purgatory. Our table was ready within 20 minutes of our reservation time and we were glad to grab our pews in the crowded and noisy nave. We had been standing uncomfortably at the chancel entry where we were very much in the servers' way. The penance for your feast is to eat the nondescript bread and run of the mill salad (very fresh) but you do not come to this sanctum for those things. You come for the meat and like crusaders crossing Turkey you will overcome. Press on and the blessing will appear. My wife and I had filet mignon and it was as exquisite as a benediction. So we have experienced every steak we have ever eaten here. Our friend ordered ribs, hoping for soft meat her false teeth could manage. Unhappily this is not the "falling off the bone slow cook" barbeque she had hoped for but "the make it, bake it, smother it in sauce" kind. This is okay, it was tasty, just be aware of what you are getting. As our friend was sampling our filet, she said, "I can't believe it is so tender." I was sampling her ribs and thinking the exact opposite. The offerings are generous at Little Zagreb. I would like to enjoy a meal like this in a reverent quiet but this is not that kind of gathering. It is a full volume echoing walls cathedral where everyone is celebrating the generosity of the menu and the full blessings of the huge wine list. It is a chaotic pentecostal meating (sic) of celebrants where all confess at once and at full volume the joys and delights of a day ended in feasting. For a little footnote please be aware this temple to meat also has an illustrious wine list. If you appreciate such a thing you will be doubly blessed. We enjoyed a Malbec as good as I have had in years. You get all the benefits of fine dining except wide choice and nice decor. Our server worked very hard for us and many others and kept up while being pleasant and just attentive enough to get us served. This is not damning with faint praise, she was excellent but did not have time to linger.
(5)Joel P.
Great steak ... unless you use a Groupon. Tonight's visit convinced me that something is rotten in the state of Zagreb. I've made many visits, a few of which were supplemented by a Groupon. They insist on being notified of its presence up front, and when you use one, the funniest thing happens--you get a lesser-quality cut of meat. Tonight's sirloin was fibrous, overly fatty, undercooked, and tough as nails. On the occasions when I've paid full price, I never have that situation occur. That's disappointing, because when they're good, they're very good. I don't like casting aspersions about a local tradition, but the evidence speaks for itself. We were rushed through our dinner tonight, and all four of us were served steaks that were beneath the restaurant's traditionally accepted standards. So, buyer beware. They're going to give you what you pay for.
(3)Jordan W.
All-time favorite restaurant in Bloomington. This restaurant isn't a place you go for a cheap meal, it's high quality food, but worth the price. The staff is also very friendly and will bend over backwards to cater to customers. If you plan on eating here for a graduation or any big event in Bloomington, make your reservation waaaaaay ahead of time. Everything on the menu is delicious, but my personal favorites are the petite filet, meatballs (you HAVE to get them. They are spicy and they're supposed to be.), and the mushrooms. You won't be disappointed..and if you are, maybe you should go to Longhorn Steakhouse :)
(5)Bobby Y.
Great food. Great service. Casual atmosphere. Visited recently with a rather large group. First time in a long time that I've gone out with a group and there hasn't been a degradation in service. Usually that's one of the main reasons I choose not to go out with work groups, but we lucked out and had a fantastic friendly service. Steaks were great. Had both filet and ribeye in two visits, and both were very pleasing. It doesn't look fancy, but you can bust your per diem here.
(4)Sharon P.
It's cramped it's dark and the food is delicious. I drove past the other day and smelled the meatballs and really really wanted to stop in and get another batch. Very hot but very very good.
(4)Yeah M.
I'm only leaving two stars because of the exemplary service we received during our last visit, and the meatballs, because even overpriced, they still rock. That's all I have good to say about this place. Overpriced, and sub par meat (sirloin for two). I simply don't get the glowing reviews, unless they are by people who either are schill reviewers, employees, friends, or those who don't get out much. As someone who has lived in Bloomington for 44 years, I often hear opinions that this is the go-to place for steak. I have eaten at nearly every single steakhouse in town, and in my opinion, Texas Roadhouse kills it with their hand cut steaks. Hell, I've had better steak at the Office Lounge. I guess the trendiness carries a lot of weight at Jankos. Maybe it WAS good once, but never when I've been there, and this makes about the sixth and final trip for me. Kudos to the ownership for creating a persona for their business, because I believe they prey on the stupid for business.
(2)Patricia N.
After tweeting one morning about my excitement to take an out-of-state friend here for a birthday dinner and driving all the way down from Indy, we were sadly turned away because we didn't have a reservation. Well I tried to make a reservation, but there were none to be had. It really should've mentioned that they weren't even going to seat walk-ins. We even arrived early, as soon as it opened for dinner. But the host just said "no." And that was that. #Disappointment
(2)Jason R.
Best steaks in Bloomington. No contest. Little Z's is a steak house. It tries to be nothing more, and it shouldn't. It's the only place in town you can get a top tier steak. I normally get the ribeye, which is a good cut, but I sure wish they had a bone-in option. The steaks I've had have always been cooked perfectly to the temp ordered. I've also had the lamb chops, and they were fantastic. The seafood apps I've had (scallops, king crab) were both delicious and tasted fresh. To be honest they are the only half-way edible seafood I've had in Bloomington. I am from the mid-atlantic so I have pretty high standards when it comes to seafood. Try the cheesecake. It is also the best in Bloomington. Disclaimers: It's not cheap, and the decor is ultra casual and honestly not very nice, but the restaurant is clean and well lit.
(5)Kristen S.
It was a last minute decision for us (6 people) to come here and with my phone I was able to reserve a table for 5:30pm on a Saturday with no trouble! I made the reservation around 4pm. Apparently, we really beat the crowd because when we arrived it was somewhat busy but not overwhelming. It was my first time eating here and the place is crowded... a lot of seating in a small area. We were seated by a window and directly behind me, there was a workstation for waitresses to fill salads, butter, and rolls. There was also a computer station where they input the orders. Also - the steaks were cooked right there in the open. Not something I was expecting to see in a restaurant but it didn't keep me from enjoying the experience. By the time the place filled it up was pretty loud. The rolls were really good and we got the spicy meatballs for an appetizer ... they were really tastey but wow were they SPICY! I ordered the cheeseburger and had no clue what I was getting myself into. It was HUGE! I typically don't eat meat but damn was it good. I had a bite of the steak and it was also great! I was warned that it was not your typical steakhouse and I'm glad that it wasn't pretentious and uncomfortable. My only suggestion is that you don't eat anything during the day so that you're good and hungry for the meal LOL. We ended up bringing home 1/2 a burger and steak since nobody at the table finished their meals. The food tasted great the next day!
(4)Ken D.
Best tasting steak I've ever had. And they are not stingy with the meat portions. Hardly anybody leaves Janko's w/o some leftovers. The service is good too. The waitress even gave us an extra baked potato in case the one I was taking home unwrapped was bad. However... This place is way over priced. Don't go unless you are willing to pay big city prices for a small city dinner (or "diner") experience. And if you are willing to pay their prices, (again, the steak is excellent) then be prepared to be charge extra, a lot extra for every add-on or substitution. I wanted to substitute a vegetable for my little potato (they are little, btw) and they wanted to charge me $2.50 extra. An extra plate will cost you $7.00.
(3)Andy B.
Don't let that casual atmosphere turn you off. What you see is what you get, they aren't trying to impress you with anything other than the mouthwatering steaks. This place has been here since 1973, so they must be doing something right.
(5)Phillip T.
So the steak was pretty good, not the best I have had but definitely the best in Btown and still well done even by most steak standards. However for the price of the steak some things were severely lacking. The porterhouse was $40, the meatball appetizers were $14 for 8, Malbec house wine is $37. So for 1, when you walk in it looks like a bbq buffet, the table clothes are cheap red checkered covers and the chairs are regular red cushioned chairs. The waiters there are able to wear whatever they want, most were in t shirts. Next the side salad was very lacking, and the sides were poorly made. They charged extra for cheese and chives. Its a $40 dollar steak, cheese, which was cheap cafeteria cheese and the chives which were poorly cut, shouldn't be extra when i am paying $40 a steak. Overall the meal was enjoyable if I was to judge the steak only but alas there is more to it than just the steak. Definitely worth a visit, repeat is questionable.
(3)Terry N.
If this is the "best" steakhouse in Bloomington then you should go someplace else. I had the prime rib which was grilled like a steak and not roasted as normally prepared. It was mediocre at best. My guess is that the higher end cuts like the New York strip and Ribeye are better. I doubt I'll go back.
(2)Melissa G.
The food here was great, but the seating situation is out of control! We had a reservation for 7:30 and didn't get seated until 8:45 pm. All of the steak was fantastic! The meatballs were slightly spicy for my liking but my table loved them... Good service (once already seated).
(4)Hendrix B.
I want to be Ferris Bueller and skip school and borrow a Ferrari and go to an IU basketball game and then I want to go to Janko's because it's the opposite of Chez Quis and the food is awesome and the wine list rocks and the service is perfect. It may be a small town steakhouse, and the atmosphere totally casual, but I would rate it next to any I've been to anywhere. Be sure to order the meatballs as an appetizer - they'll burn your house down.
(5)Robin K.
If you love steak, this is the place to go! Unfortunately, I do not like steak. The seafood was cooked well, but it was not dressed or served as seafood should. Hence, this is why it's a steakhouse. My review is clearly biased. Still a wonderful family-type restaurant and very homely.
(3)Andrea A.
Your first time here, before you've had a bite, you wonder why this place is raved about, why you're about to pay so much. Picnic tablecloths? Sports memorabilia on the walls? Sixties pop music on the speakers? Waitresses in leggings? Salads with nothing but lettuce and dressing? Something is amiss. Then you take a bite of Meatballs Bucharest or sirloin, and that Janko's aha moment happens. Wow. All is right with the world.
(5)Jon L.
We split the NY Strip and crab legs. One of the best steaks I have ever had. Servers were very pleasant and efficient. Great college town place. Highly recommend!
(5)Judy E.
This place is so overrated it is despicable! They have no respect for a reservation. You are lucky if you are seated 30+ minutes after your reservation time! The food is just average! The steaks are fine but nothing to write home about. The rest of the menu is lacking any selections and the fish will make you sick. Stay away, this may but a Bloomington staple but it is horrible.
(1)Jeff J.
Love the food here, and the casual atmosphere. I have tried several different steaks, and I've never been disappointed. Also, Morgan is quite possibly the best server ever.
(5)Ashley J.
Not worth it. Waited 3 hours...MAKE A RESERVATION IF YOU GO HERE!! Assholes will just skip over you and not work you in. Came her a few months back. Worst steak ever. So you get this huge slab of meat, I ordered mine medium. There was no seasoning on it and was completely raw. And I pretty sure we were the last people to be seated and served. Salad wasn't anything to write home about, bread wasn't either. Potato was a potato, can't really screw that up. They were sooooo slow we got 2 free beers. We spent another 2 hours trying to get our food right and eat it. 5 hours in this place... It's so crammed too you could hear everyone's conversation, the seats are uncomfortable, they don't have chairs in the waiting area do your standing this whole time. Awful experience and will never go back unless it's free and the table is ready the second I walk in. I'll remember to bring my own spices though.
(1)Claire L.
Called at 5 pm on homecoming day and got a reservation for two at 8pm. Got us in only 20/25 minutes past 8. As on previous visits, steak was out of this world. We ordered a 28 oz porterhouse and 16 oz sirloin and both were amazing. Ordered medium and medium rare and they were both cooked perfectly (usually overdone at most steak places). As always, the sides are lackluster at best. We don't go for the sides but it would be nice to get a salad with a bit more than iceberg basic and a plain old baked potato. Steak makes you forget sides though. Service was great.
(4)Bernard D.
Always consistently excellent. This was our 3rd visit in as many years. Visited our son at IU and wanted a good steak. Highly recommend a stop here when in Bloomington. Steaks were cooked as ordered, medium Pittsburgh. Beer was cold. No frills just good eatin.
(4)Jennifer R.
I was expecting more because I had heard some good reviews about Janko's. The food was good, but my steak was overcooked and for a steak place, thats not great. We started with the meatballs and they were really good. The salad served before the steak was kind of gross, way over dressed. The baked potato was good. Service was okay, but host and server seemed very uninterested and inattentive. The busser was more attentive than the server and kept our needs met. I also was expecting the decor to be different. For the price of the food, the ambiance does not match. You are seated at small tables with picnic table cloths, checkered and plastic. Overall, my experience was okay, but could have been better.
(2)Dirk J.
The steaks are truly 5 star. I haven't had a better steak anywhere, in any country. The rest of the menu, with the exception of their wines, is average. Amp up the ambiance, improve the salads, side dishes and other offerings and this restaurant would deserve to charge the prices it does. So four stars average, but if you're a steak purest who cares about all that other stuff!
(4)Lily H.
This is THE BEST STEAK PLACE IN TOWN! The meat is cooked soooo perfectly here. Since the night I went last weekend, I've been just dancing with the taste in the mind. I can't wait to go back. It'll have wait just a bit, because it's not a cheap place to dine, but it's definitely worth the money. My favorites were the ribeye and New York strips and the duck. Oh the steak and the duck!! We also got the BBQ pork ribs and meatballs, but it was just alright to me, but maybe that's because I was amazed by the steaks and duck. Plus, the BBQ sauce was a bit too spicy for me. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Kay N.
Excellent steaks, good wine list and a very attentive staff. Its not a fancy or romantic place, its loud and busy and not upscale. But if you want great steak and service at a very good price. This is the place!
(4)Dalia M.
Alright, we get it. You're not trying to impress us with the decor. That's your thing. But do you still need to charge a ridiculously high price on your steaks? Yes, the meat quality is very good. Yes, I enjoyed every piece of my rare filet mignon. But I would've also appreciated the fact that the place looks like the steaks should be around $12. Service is good and nice. No complaints there. We were a table of four and enjoyed our experience. I really wanted to try this place given what i've heard about it. And it was good. But for the price, and being in Bloomington, IN, there's gotta be something more. Anything to justify what they charge. I did like the meat. It's really good quality. But don't expect the price to get you anything else but that and a smiling waiter.
(2)Becky H.
VERY disappointed tonight:(( We are frequent customers and have always had good food and service but we were extremely upset. We were done with our meal and shortly after we were asked to move from our table immediately. The restaurant was NOT busy and there were plenty of empty tables to seat the waiting party someplace else. We told the host who asked us to leave our table and sit at another table that we were just waiting to see the last two minutes of a close March Madness game on the TV there but he was insistent that we move to another table. It was possibly the most rude experience at a restaurant I've ever had in my life. To think that we are frequent customers, spend more than $125 on a meal and are then treated like this just totally astounds me. Next time we will go to an Indy steakhouse where we will be treated with respect.
(1)Mike R.
Judy: I think you were standing over us as we ate (when we FINALLY got our table). I TOTALLY agree with everything you said (except we liked the salmon)! If we weren't dining with another family we would have been LONG gone before getting anywhere near a table. It was a frustrating experience on SO many levels. First, we have a child at IU and this was family visiting weekend. And there was an IU football game that day (Saturday 11/8/14). Did that contribute to the crowds? Certainly, but we DID also have a reservation. And other older posts talk about the crowds, long waits and bad experiences here. So you can't say Judy and our experiences were unique. Also, we are not from the area, but rather the NY metro area. Maybe that makes us more picky? OK, take that into account in this description. If you are an out of towner, maybe you'll relate more to this than a local. But we like to think we are NOT connoisseurs and like to think we are not finicky. People talk of this being a steakhouse. I didn't know this going in, and even when I go to Ruth's Chris or other, I find something to eat. Again, we are not hard to please. Just want a nice experience overall. As extremely negative as this review can be, I will shortly post extremely positive reviews for The Farm where we ate on Sunday night and The Runcible Spoon where we ate Sunday morning and our visit to the Oliver winery. The bright light in all this is that we ate at Janko's first, so the visit got better rather than wrap up at Janko and leave on a sour note : ) A chronology of the evening: We made a reservation weeks earlier for 7PM on Saturday for 8 people. 6:50PM Got there. Walked through the cloud from the exhaust hood on the way in, as others mentioned. 6:55 PM Took minutes to get from the door to the counter because there were SOOO many people hanging around waiting for their table. They confirmed our reservation and said a bunch of people were leaving soon. 7:20 We check again with the host / owner? He said it'll be soon 7:45 We get the table right next to the crowd waiting for their tables. The doors were open most of the time because of the crowds so there was a chill coming in most of the meal 7:50 Waitress brings water 8:00 Waitress takes our order, suggests the meatball appetizer. Again, we were with another family. They wanted the meatballs so we got them. I would have passed on them. 8:15 meatballs come - a full portion. It was more than 2 people could eat as a main course. WAY too spicy. My son puts Tabasco sauce on lots of his food and loves wasabi. Even HE said they were too spicy. Oh, did we mention this appetizer costs $27? At least I got a kick out of seeing my kids reactions when I told them that : ) And they bring salads. WAY too much dressing on each one. As others have said, this was just Dole salad in a bag. 8:40 Waitress brings 6 of 8 meals. A hamburger was way too hot - had to wait for it to cool. Just as well, we all wait for the other 2 meals to come. 8:50 - the other 2 orders come (hamburgers... which is weird - they got 1 hamburger out 10 minutes earlier). We all start eating. The 2 newer hamburgers were less uncooked than RAW on the inside (is that possible?!). And the skewer steak was also raw inside. Send the 3 meals back. 9:05 those meals come back. 9:15 we finish our meals (after all that wait / eating too much of the bland bread, no one ate all their food) and ask for check 9:20 waitress brings us 3 slices of cheesecake at no charge because of problems with meals having to be sent back. This was most likely made at a bakery (not related to Janko's making it) and was delicious. 9:30 fought our way out, past a crowd still waiting and then past the vent hood. So as much as people say this is a steak house and you'd think that was the best to get there, those were the ones needing to be sent back (hamburgers and steak on skewer). The salmon, chicken and veggie mushroom dishes were all good. PLEASE, if you read this far, thank you! And if this helps keep you away from Janko's, then even better. The place has been around for years. How it's stayed in business beats me. And they've had plenty of time to know how many reservations to accept on a game day with family visiting weekend. So they really don't have much excuse. Other comments here talk about minimal wait, faster service. And then they mention they went during the week. Please keep all this in mind. There ARE other places in town that truly deserve their high rating (as I type this, Janko has a 4 1/2 star rating. How, I have no idea. Maybe some may not be genuine? That's the only thing I can think of.). Yeah, cheap, old stack chairs and wobbly tables with old red / white tablecloths. We aren't finlicky. It's a nice motif. All we ask for is good food and good service. This meal was neither of those. I have to remember to go to dinner with friends to places I already know so I don't spend 2+ hours wanting to leave : )
(1)Todd S.
Fairly new to Bloomington so this was our first visit to Janko's. And thanks to Yelp, we were not totally surprised by the decor and atmosphere. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the steaks were. My wife had a filet that was fork tender. I had a ribeye that was cooked and seasoned really well. And the kids split a kids sirloin and mac & cheese dinner. All of the meat was very good. Kids mac & cheese was the Kraft out of a box stuff. The rest of our meals were the salad (avg) and baked potato (avg). But the steaks were the show here and overall I think we'll try this again.
(4)Scott H.
The food is alright. I like that it's casual and you can come-as-you-are. Most steakhouses have a snotty feel to it.
(3)JS C.
Best steak I've had!
(5)Kay J.
Salad - 2 Service - 5 Steak - 5 Wine List - 5+++ Ambiance - 3 The ambiance is mediocre. Red checked cloth table cloths and red napkins with mundane flatware and dishes don't give a great first impression. We asked to sit in the room with the windows and liked the relative quiet and watching the chef cook steaks. The wine list is extensive and interesting. I'm not a sophisticated oenophile but suspect the average wine drinker would be happy. I had a Pinot Noir at $8.50 a glass and the glass was huge! The pour was probably 6 oz. but the glass was big and square-round and very elegant. Steve had one of the two local offerings - Upland Dragonfly IPA - only $4.00. The entrees came with a nothing-special salad. It was mostly iceberg and tired vegetables with a few spring greens tossed in. The dressings were dull. The rolls were average but the packett butters were extra large so you didn't have to open so many. Now the steaks: WOW! Steve had the 28 oz. Porterhouse at $39.90. He ordered rare plus and it was perfect. He ate every bit and licked the bone! My 18 oz. New York Strip ($33.90) was perfect. Enough fat to keep it juicy and cooked rare plus. I finished less than half. It will make an excellent sandwich. Our servers were college ladies and very nice. They chatted when time permitted and were very professional. One little glitch was that the server spilled a whole beverage on my husband and while they quickly moved us to another table, I think they should have given him a free beer or something as he spent the balance of the evening in soaking wet pants. Stuff happens but it should have been handled a bit more graciously. The bill came to $100 pre tip. GO, GO, GO to Little Zagreb. Don't expect sophistication. Do expect great steaks.
(4)John L.
The place to go to see sports folk and have a serious steak. Sides, salad and wine list are all lacking but who goes there for anything but beef, anyway? And the beef is darn good.
(3)JD O.
Perfectly cooked, delicious steaks. *HUGE* steaks. You can easily share one with your date/friend/whoever. They don't get five stars because of the crowded restaurant (not a fan of super-crowded places), and also for the rickety tables/chairs. My manfriend and I are pretty tall and not delicate hothouse flowers, so sitting at what is basically a card table, eating a 30 ounce steak? That's not really comforting, if you ask me. They squeeze in the tables really close, which is another pet peeve of mine, but the steaks are really, really good. The best I've had outside of Texas, and that's saying a lot, honestly. Texans know their beef! I won't be dining in again, but I'll definitely be getting takeout if I have a special occasion. Really high quality beef, simple sides, and friendly service, despite the crowded and loud atmosphere.
(4)Jim R.
Great steaks (if a bit pricey), nice spicy meatball appetizer (surprisingly spicy, actually), and a fun, laid-back atmosphere. Some people might expect white tablecloths and real silver at these prices, but that misses the point. You're paying for the beef and the kitchen, not the meaningless stuff up front. Good times, and good beef.
(4)Ben A.
First the positive: Good ribs! Now for the harsh reality: This place sucks. Why might you ask? Here is a nice little list for your reading pleasure... 1. They charge $1 extra for Blue Cheese Dressing... no mention of this anywhere or by the waitress. 2. The $15 Shrimp Cocktail comes with only 5 shrimp. That's $3 a shrimp... are you kidding me? Trying to mimic Saint Elmo's in Indy? Try again... 3. No wet naps or anything similar for cleaning up post rib session. 4. Servers don't introduce themselves and generally are worse than generic Applebee's. 5. The tables, chairs, etc are completely crappy. Wouldn't be an issue if they weren't charging premium prices, but when you eat out and pay higher prices you expect to get something for that money besides the food which you could just as easily make at home. 6. No Discover Cards! Despite stickers all over the door to the contrary, they wouldn't accept my Discover Card for payment. Overall this place is a sloppily run waste of time, and you would be much better off cooking for yourself at home. If it weren't for the tasty ribs they would get zero stars. Way too much hype over this place!
(2)April R.
My husband and I were spending the weekend in the area and decided on this place after doing some research. It was exactly what everyone says it is. Really bad rolls, basic salad, rickety tables and the STEAK OF THE GODS. Our server was delightful, our table nice, and our salads basic. I liked the bleu cheese dressing, it didn't taste bottled to me. But that's me. We knew exactly what we wanted, ordered and shoveled the food in. I can't lie. I got the petite filet and my husband the man filet or whatever the hell it's called. Both were a perfect medium rare, thick, juicy, seasoned nicely and not one temp under. It was incredible. I know a potato is a potato but I have to say, I don't know if eurphoria was setting in or what, but my potato was pretty damned good. It was kind of silky and not mealy at all, like some can be. It was cooked just perfectly. We got this chocolate mousse cake for dessert for the hell of it. It was a huge slice and kind of frozen so it was more like ice cream mousse cake, but even that was rich and delicious. Who cares at this point. They have one job, and that's steak. The meatballs looked great too, so the next time we go (after a bypass most likely) I will try those too. Well done!
(5)Mark C.
Okay, folks. You have to understand what you're getting with Janko's. As plenty of reviewers have noted, the atmosphere at this place sucks; so how have they stayed in business for decades? One word: THE STEAK. The place takes pride in its no-nonsense attitude--its basically a deli that serves steak. That's right, I said a deli, not even nice enough to be a burger joint. Anyone expecting a nice steakhouse is going to be disappointed. I say this only because if you go into it expecting a fancy restaurant, you will be sorely disappointed and it will affect your experience, as it has for so many kids here. If you're looking for a special place to celebrate your anniversary, this is not it! This is a CASUAL steakhouse. One final note on the price. It's really not that expensive. You will pay 25-35 bucks for a great steak. This is the same price you'll pay at any self respecting restaurant outside of Applebees. They even have cost-effective "sirloins for two (or three)"--try getting that at Malibu. Once again, this is a no-nonsense place--no sides, no steak sauce. Just a well prepared steak. For this reason it only gets four stars--a four star steak with zero stars for anything else. If you can't afford a $30 steak, just don't go, but if you're a steak lover, this is one of the best.
(4)Jeff R.
Janko's is fine as long as someone else is paying and you don't mind waiting a while. I am not sure where they get their beef, but it is not "prime" quality. You can buy the same stuff they serve at Kroger to grill at home. I agree with another reviewer on the overly casual waitress attire and attitude. When an average table of four is dropping two to three bills servers in something nicer than wife beaters would be nice. I like the crummy interior and exposed grill, but at its core Zagrebs is just an average restaurant with a built up tradition perpetrated by nostalgic alumni.
(3)John K.
It had been about 20 years since I last ate here, until this past weekend. The steak was as awesome as I had remembered. I had the ribeye which was thick and juicy. My wife had the chicken, which was equally as juicy and tender. It's not a fancy place, but the food is really good. Unless you like to wait in line, I would definitely make reservations. Especially on game nights.
(4)Sarah R.
Great steaks, potatoes, and salad and a casual atmosphere.
(4)Jason D.
Best steak in town, hands down! Get the king crab legs, get the spicy meatballs, and definitely get the steak. I love this place!
(5)Deanna G.
Soooo I'm torn. The food is suuuuper delicious but the people.. Excuse me. The boy (I say boy bc a man would never talk to a women the way he did) was exceptionally RUDE!!!! We were calling to give a courtesy call to let them know we were on the way and running slightly late due to all the IU traffic. He had the balls to begin running his mouth saying he was going to charge our credit card the full Amt if we didn't get there within 10 minutes and yapping away like a little dog. Horribly rude and no customer service skills whatsoever! However we rushed our asses over there and had wooooooderful exceptional service. Who the fk was the nutcase answering the phones?!!!! And what gave him the right to speak to a customer in the tone he did?!!!! Thanks for taking off 2 whole fkn stars from your should be 5 star review. Customer service is alot and that's something you definitely need to work on with your employees for answering the phones.
(3)Cristina T.
We went for dinner and we all enjoyed our meals. I can only speak to my meal because I don't eat red meat, so I got the Tuna Filet. It was delicious and well seasoned and cooked just how I like. I do wish that there were more Vegetarian or Seafood options on the menu. I got the blue cheese dressing on my salad and it was delicious, but there was just too much dressing, so I would ask to put it on the side. The seats in the booth were also a bit hard and not super comfortable.
(3)Michael S.
Steak was fantastic - my wife and I split "Steak for One," which was more than enough for two people between rolls, salad, and the steak itself. We ordered it medium and that's exactly how it came. The beer list is so-so - they had Upland IPA and Upland Wheat, so they've got the local market down, but other than that there isn't much. The wine list is enormous, though those wanting to drink by the glass have far fewer choices than those who buy by the bottle. There was only one annoyance during the meal, and that was the super-frequent visits by the waitress refilling water glasses. While I appreciate attentiveness, she walked back to our table at least every 30-45 seconds with the pitcher or to check and see if she could take something off the table. I'm sure she was working very hard, but it ended up being rather distracting to see her approaching time and time again - it's hard to have a running conversation if you're constantly switching your attention to the person walking up to the table. I got the impression that waitresses were expected to be doing something constantly, no matter what it is. In this case, it was a minor frustration for us as customers. Finally, there ought to be a better solution to the restroom's location. When I walked in the front door, the first thing I smelled was restroom air freshener doing a poor job masking the scent of what goes on in there. Not a good first impression. I knew from prior visits the food would be outstanding, but I can see a first-time visitor being very put off from the get go. All in all, this is a great place to go. Diners should not expect a 5-star atmosphere, as that is not what Janko's attempts to provide. World-class steak is what the place is there for, and it delivers.
(4)Joe G.
The food in this place is 3 stars at best. The fact that it's hugely overpriced downgrades the place to 2 stars. I live two doors down from there and ordered takeout from there off of their online menu (which has no prices on it). I ordered their steak kabob done medium and subbed broccoli for baked potato. I was shocked when I got there and my tab was $32.50! There was only one skewer worth of kabob and the meat was way too rare. They charged me $2.50 for subbing broccoli and another $1 for ordering takeout. That was on top of the ludicrous price of $26.50 for the kabob. I've never even seen a restaurant charging a takeout fee before. Anyways, given that I'm a relatively poor graduate student now, I don't see myself going back there in the future. The quality of the food is nowhere near the price that they charge.
(2)Randy B.
Good steak, but very crowded and cramped seating. Everybody hypes the hell outta this place. If it weren't for the overcrowding, I'd rate it better.
(3)Sal A.
Janko's is a run-down little place that makes a good steak and will charge u an arm and a leg. its essentially a steak on a plate. the sides are very few, the baked potato is bland, the salad is day old lettuce, and to prices are astronomical. IMO for abetter steak and all-around dining experience head to uptown or farm.
(2)Jeff M.
Small hole in the wall place, not fancy. Great BIG steaks however! The food makes up for decor.
(4)Claire V.
"Most overrated restaurant in the MidWest" (and that's saying a lot with places like FARM Bloomington around) Pros: - ....? Cons: - The steaks are of mediocre quality at best. My husband loves steak and didn't even finish his, I didn't care to eat the rest of his either - Pork chops: Overcooked, 1950s style, as simple as that. - Grossly overpriced. I mean, outrageously, ludicrously so. For a place with all the charm of a Greyhound station, low quality meat, and bad service, they have some nerve charging significantly more than places like the already expensive but high quality Tallent. I would be unhappy if I'd paid HALF of what I'd paid. In fact, as soon as I saw the combination fo the interior and the prices on the menu, I almost walked out right away, but only stayed in the hope that it would be miraculously delicious. It wasn't. - The interior looks like someone converted a shed into a ghetto tavern (and I'm still being generous when I say that) - Inattentive servers who lack even the tiniest hint of charm. - Stale breadrolls - The ridiculous red/white checkered tablecloths... What is this? ... I don't even... Conclusion: We left here incredibly unhappy, angry that we had to pay a HUGE amount for one of the worst dining experiences (bar Casablanca which has fortunately gone out of business) we've ever had. Perhaps in the glory days of Janko himself this place was good, but as it stands, even if all restaurants but Janko were closed, go buy some food from a gas station instead.
(1)Anonymous J.
Maybe it's because I was in Bloomington during some formative years, but I have not had a steak anywhere that compares to memories of going to Zagreb's.
(5)Nancy H.
Wow, wouldn't have expected great steaks: 1) in this college town, and 2) in a dark restaurant with cheap decor. You're definitely not paying for the ambiance - I felt like I was sitting in someone's basement. And all the waitresses (college students) were dressed so casually in tanktops. And the kitchen is exposed. Usually when restaurants expose their kitchens, they have something to show off (tricks (stir fry) or culinary art (French)), but all Zagreb's had to show off was a big black grill. But when it came down to my steak, it was pretty fantastic. Juicy, cooked to perfection (medium was a true medium), and delicious flavor - made me wish I got the full filet. But $32 for a 7oz petite filet + baked potato should really get me more, no? I'm from Chicago, and for $32, I could sit at a nicer looking restaurant eating just as fantastic of a steak for that price. Felt almost stupid paying that much given #1 and #2 above. And Croatian, really? What's Croatian in the menu?
(3)Tim W.
If you want atmosphere, forget it. 1970's paneled walls, red gingham tablecloths and shoehorned seating lowered my expectations. The long wait to get in was worth it and they even threw in some free spicy meatballs due to our long wait. Good rolls and baked potatoes. Great steaks. I'd have given it four stars but it's too expensive for being herded in like cattle. If the price were more reasonable, I'd be fine with sitting in the kitchen with 70 of my friends, but for these prices I want banquettes and tuxedos, not a waitress with jersey shorts shorter than her short apron.
(3)Wink B.
Ate everything on the menu in one sitting. Everything was really good. The meatballs were the only thing I had a problem with. Steaks were insane.
(4)Sara O.
Holy. Beef. I was visiting my youngest sister at IU for the weekend when I stumbled into this place for dinner. Literally stumbled, and three cocktails deep. But who's counting? I was totally enjoying it, re-living my college days that weekend... Upon entering this dive, I had low expectations. Boy was I wrong to judge. I'm absolutely sure of it now: The meaning behind the old saying, "never judge a book by it's cover" came from Little Zagreb. I ordered the Petite Fillet. A-MAZE-ING. The perfect, tender, melt-in-your-mouth kind of amazing. I typically won't finish a 7oz steak, but leaving any amount of it behind would have put me to tears. Therefore, I HAD to finish it... and I did so without any problem at all, as it was the first to go on my plate. My only concern about this place would be the serious lack of vegetables on the menu. Don't get me wrong, I love my steak and potatoes. But I felt so malnourished leaving this place without having had any green. Each plate is served with white rolls, a baked potato, and a salad consisting of only iceberg lettuce. Had I taken off my drunk goggles before reading the menu, maybe I would have read it more thoroughly before ordering. Perhaps I would have requested some broccoli (with the hopes of making me feel less guilty). Perhaps...
(4)Heather E.
As noted... the atmosphere is TERRIBLE. tacky, broken things everywhere... slanted uneven tables, uncomfortable booths. EVERYTHING about this place is terrible... EVEN the steak. and the steak was the best thing they served you. the potatoes were terrible (don't ask for sour cream because they don't have any), the bread was so dry I was certain I could use it to break through a window, the salad was nothing more than wilting brown iceberg lettuce. If people say the steak is excellent, they must be comparing it to all the other BAD food you get served while you are there. I've had better steaks at Texas Roadhouse. For the price I can go to Morton's and get a steak that is twice as good with better sides and classier atmosphere. This place is terrible. you will be disappointed. I seriously can't understand why it's still in business.
(1)JT L.
You're doing it all wrong people!! Janko's is about one thing and one thing only... the STEAK. The service isn't great, the rolls are served cold, the salad looks like it came out of a bag and the dressing straight out of Sam's Club, and worst of all, the flimsy forks practically collapse upon use. But one thing is for sure, the sirloin for three is the real deal! Close to 3.5 lbs of perfectly cooked, charcoal grilled meat is more than enough to feed four. And for less than $20 a person I can guarantee you one of the best damn steaks in the country. For an overpriced average quality steak order anything but the sirloin, but if you're looking for one of the tastiest, most affordable steaks of your life take my advice.
(5)Billy And Kaila Y.
The steaka are great. It has Ruth Chris prices but looks like Crap on the inside. Even the silver ware and cups are Crap. Too bad not much thought was put into pleasing the eyes. If I had to go on looks I would never eat there again. The steak (filet) was good, the service is great. It's not pleasing to look at...and some new cups and silver ware would do wonders.
(2)andrew s.
Alright. So this a bit of a nightmare review. I went here two weekends ago with my friends for an IU reunion type of deal. I love the steaks here and this night was no different as the ribeye was so good. Everything that happened before the steak holy sh*t. We got there around 7pm on a Friday and we were enjoying some drinks when from the corner of my eye I see something crawling on the wall. To my disturbing surprise, there was a cockroach crawling up the gd wall. After some panic, the wait staff apprehended the little guy. I don't believe this happens often as the wait staff was in panic mode. Most tables cleared out but since I was with a group manly men, we would stay for the steaks. Normally no chance I would stay. In fact, one friend requested a free plate meatballs which I did not eat but caught a few when the waitress spilled a few on my pants bringing them to the table. I felt bad for her really. In any case, I did not fear a seared steak and it was a 5 star steak which I would have put here but y'all really need get it together here. The place has always looked shabby and that was okay before this experience. I will likely not return unfortunately and its too bad really unless they renovate. Sorry Little Zs great steaks but greater problems. Fix aesthetics and ur insect issue.
(2)Mike F.
Janko's Little Zagreb is a hole in the wall that needs to be patched-up. It touts itself as a fine steakhouse. In reality, Little Zagreb's is a sawdust joint. The food isn't good, and I found the wait staff to be insolent. If you're in Bloomington and have $35 to spend on a meal, you'd be better off gorging yourself at Mother Bears. You'll probably get a better steak at Colorado Steakhouse.
(2)Josh S.
Best Porter House in town, the only thing I go for, but not very often.
(4)Rafe P.
I don't think I can add much to previous reviews. Flavorful perfectly cooked steak, albeit not Prime. Fresh salad with good blue cheese dressing. Good service. Ambience seriously lacking considering you're paying $30+ for a steak. And what's up with having to walk under a greasy smoke cloud coming from the exhaust in order to enter?
(3)matty z.
I live in Chicago... the land of steak. But, I went to school as IU... the land of drinking. That being said, Janko's Little Zagreb is STILL the BEST steak I have EVER had. (emphasis added for... well, emphasis) Go here. Don't expect fancy. In fact, expect pinic table linens, a busy dining room, not-so-great service, and sometimes attitude. BUT! You'll go through the journey towards one thing... a fab-u-lus, wonderful, amazing, beautiful steak. Delish.
(5)Nicole B.
Yes it's pricey and yes it's a hole in the wall. No one's ever tried to say it's not. It's the place for steaks. Period. Go there, get a nice glass of wine, leave happy and full.
(5)Joshua C.
Steak is good. Everything else is lacking. Would not be one of my first choices. Probably not one of my first ten choices.
(3)Jenny B.
Pricey pricey steak house, definitely! I think people comes for the atmosphere and especially their cooking, you can smell it from afar in downtown. Taste wise, it's okay, not great, but not bad either, service is also great too... but once you get the bill, you really want to wipe your eyes twice, to make sure you see the right numbers, it's a hefty steak, lucky I ate there when someone's parents came for a visit, so for me, it's a free meal, yay!!!! :)
(3)Steven T.
Great steak by Indiana standards, love the kebob. As for the prices and everything else, this place is a joke. Cheap tables and chairs when I'm paying $27 for my steak? Also kebobs but no choice for rice? Another reason why this place can't get better than three stars.
(3)Abby D.
As everyone else has said, don't come for the atmosphere - that is, if you're looking for a 'fancy' ambience, you won't find it here. What you WILL find is the GREATEST steak you'll ever eat. Every time we go, I get the spicy meatball appetizer as a starter. You have to love spicy food because these deliver! They generally serve them with a bowl of sour cream to cut the spice a bit - but they are great regardless. Then ---- there is the petite filet. I could write a book on the perfection that is this steak. High quality meat, done simply - and RIGHT. A little olive oil, salt and pepper...and what they coined as the "Magic Grill" (read the article in an old issue of BLOOM magazine). The baked potato, well it's a baked potato - nothing good or bad. The salad is in the same boat. Good wine list - not cheap by any means - but well worth the money at least a few times a year. Delicious!
(5)Mark Z.
By far the best ribeye I have EVER had! And I have been to one of the ten best steak houses in the country by most lists.
(5)Andy G.
Over priced, the only redeeming quality is the atmosphere. The wait staff is nice, but the food costs way too much for what it is. If you want to spend this kind of cash go to Talent instead!
(2)Michael C.
I agree with the notion that the ambiance is lacking at Janko's Little Zagreb. However, when it comes to eating a hearty steak, your full undivided attention is supposed to be on the hunk of meat in front of you, not on the decor of the restaurant. Yes, Zagreb's is expensive. But so are any steakhouses that serve good meat. People also need to remember that this is Bloomington. It's not exactly bursting with fine steak options. And Zagreb's is hands down, the best place to get a steak in Bloomington.
(4)Molly C.
I LOVE this place. I've been there once and no longer live in the area and want to go back so badly. I knew it was expensive going into it (expensive for me that is). I think the bill was about 75 after tip and I think we got away cheap. My steak literally melted in my mouth and I wanted more. It was downright amazing and even smells delicious from the outside. The setup is interesting and oddly casual. Lost a star for the lack of personality on the servers (and lack of clothing). I'm on a date, I don't need you running around in a mini skirt. Food took a little to get but totally worth the wait. Will I go back? ABSOLUTELY. I'd kill for their steak.
(4)Mary M.
I went here with two co-workers on Thursday evening. I didn't mind the red and white tablecloths and the plain decor; I get that we're at IU. We were immediately seated and promptly served rolls, butter and water. But as soon as we were seated, it seemed a big party of about 50 people came in and took up two rooms. The servers were overworked. The first waitress we had was a little snippy as I tried to drill down on how they cook their steaks...seriously, you pay that much, you want it done right. My boss ordered duck breast, was served chicken breast. It looked dry. The baked potatoes were overbaked and mealy. I will admit my steak was really good; probably as good as Ruth Chris, but it was way too much for one person. With the boneless sirloin, your only option - dark haired waitress said - is the 16 ounce; there were no smaller cuts unless I wanted the petite filet. There was another waitress, blonde and cute, who was working so hard she was running. She made sure our waters were filled and brought our food out promptly and pretty much is the only reason for two stars. Our experiences at Farm Bloomington and Upland Brewery and yes, even Texas Roadhouse, were much better!
(2)lee c.
this seems like a must-go place for anyone coming in from out of town. that being, i would only begrudgingly recommend this place to my friends. and i've got several good reasons why: 1) it's a whole in the wall with really high prices. that's an unusual combination. some places pull it off, but not this place. 2) it's really really crowded. 3) the food is good, but not great. 4) it's croatian, but i didn't notice any out-of-the-way croation platters.
(2)Travis S.
Awesome. I was expecting good steak and a mediocre atmosphere. The steak great. It is only choice, not prime, but you won't know the difference. Very well executed menu. The meatballs were amazing. Spicy and seasoned to perfection. The heat was the perfect level and the sour cream balanced it very well. The atmosphere is what it is. If you want a fancy steakhouse, this is not your place. If you want a great steak and are willing to pay for it without the snooty service, then this is your place. Don't get me wrong, the service was great. But it won't be the typical high fluting type. I will definitely be back.
(5)Randall W.
Since I travel to Bloomington so often for work...I ALWAYS hit up Janko's for some good grub. The pork chops are the best I have ever eaten...thick...juicy (not dry at all)...and top it off with the apple sauce and hot potato you would think you are in heaven. And the price is just amazing $19.95 for a great meal...I have also tried the steaks and it is just as good. The wait staff are excellent....I guess they employ the local college students...and for college students they do a great job. Go get yourself some pork chops!!
(5)Ally L.
After hearing raves about this hole in the wall steak place, we had high expectations but were disappointed. I had the sirloin stuffed peppers which were green peppers stuffed with what tasted like Hamburger Helper. My SO had a fish dish which he said was Applebees like quality. Overall this place is way overpriced for mediocre dishes, but then again I didn't have a steak. The staff was somewhat surly (some wearing tanks tops, yuck) and dining room did not look very clean.
(2)Aditya R.
It is a hole in the wall kinda ambiance for a steak house, which is odd. The food was good, but pricey. I had some steak kabobs and a coke for $35. The atmosphere could be improved, but the service was great!
(4)Matt D.
Steak is great but nothing else is worth the price ... I know it's supposed to be about the steak but plastic bowls and bag salad for this price.... Ehhh
(3)Stephanie K.
Too much hype around this place. The food was mediocre and didn't live up to the legend. Instead of dropping a ton of cash here, spend the money on quality cuts from your butcher and grill them at home--I guarantee the ambience will be better!
(2)Jack S.
I like the Ambience, its very unique, a steakhouse with no frills or prejudice. Sure it's a little pricey for Bloomington, but some of us can't stand Opie Taylor's for all our meals. Best description of Zagreb's its the place where Tom Crean and (Insert Current IU football coach here) take all the visiting recruits when they come to tour Bloomington. A must try during your 4 years here (6 if you're a mook.)
(5)Eric S.
I can't believe this place doesn't have 5 stars. Cmon you snooty college hipsters. Ok, I don't live in Indiana anymore, but anytime I was in Bloomington, we went to Little Zagrebs. For me, some of the best steak in the state; besting even all the steakhouses in downtown Indy. Pricey? Huh? Maybe on workstudy salary. Come to the world of $40 ala carte steaks and you'll see this place is VERY reasonable. The steaks are expertly cooked, which imho, even good steakhouses screw up all the time. Order it rare and it comes bleeding. Expertly seasoned with salt and pepper. Very decent wine list for such a place. Yeah, it's small and crowded, but that's part of the charm. I don't go to restaurants for ambiance of the popularity of the chef. I go for the food and the food here is top notch. Side note - down for a football game and Wife was sick. Ordered take out (yeah, we liked the place that much) to take back to hotel room. They don't really do it. But they accommodated us. But lacking take out stuff, we ended up getting real plates and silverware in a cardboard box. Cool. Took them back the next day. But seriously people - ORDER THE STEAK. ITS A FREAKING STEAKHOUSE. They show their kitchen to show you how they do it and they do it well.
(5)Aaron B.
I'd have to say it is the best steak in town. Ummm...this is a steak house so no, its not fancy on the inside. When I go to a steak house, I could really care less what the actual restaurant looks like. I've been to some places that are really good but were basically in a bar. Great food but bring your wallet. The food is pricey.
(4)Cate C.
The food at LIttle Zagreb is good, but not great. Service was efficient but not anything special. The entrees come with a salad and baked potato, but the salad is served with only lettuce and no vegetables and the baked potato comes with sour cream only. We asked our server for real butter, but she said that they don't have any. Prices were high-too high to not have better variety in the menu items. Still, many people were waiting on a Saturday night to get in. Maybe we missed something.
(2)John G.
Steak! Potato! $40! Little ambience, way overpriced, but if money is no object, the best steak in Bloomington.
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