I love Jack's. They now have a patio which is nice! The parking lot backdrop is well, a parking lot, but it is still nice to be outside. I always get the burger. I asked for it to be medium, but it was really rare. I was so hungry I devoured it anyway and hoped for the best. I figured my Manhattan would save me! They are now serving this delightful thing on Klaus' pretzel bun. Jesus. It doesn't get any better than that...oh, and add bacon with bleu cheese and life is just better. They make the best bourbon drinks in the city. Hands-down. And they did it WAAAY before it was cool to drink Manhattans or any bourbon or bourbon concoction, for that matter. Most people a year ago would never think of ordering a Manhattan until a hipster in tight rolled up jeans with a mustache was serving it to you telling you how awesome you are and how EVERYONE in New York drinks it. Please. Move on. As I digress... Anyway, I opted for brussel sprouts instead of fries. And since it was right before St. Patty's they did an irish whiskey thing that was to die for. I could just have that (or 3) for dinner and City Scoot home. I would give it 5 stars...but when a cocktail is more than the entree...it is a little puzzling.
(4)
Claire H.
Best fried chicken in Louisville. Nice bourbon selection!
(5)
Norbert H.
The food and service was OK. I was really upset though when their CC machine went down and it took them over 25 minutes to find the paper ticket to take the CC manually.
(3)
Chip C.
I guess I don't understand the other review. I am not a regular patron, maybe 2-3 times a year. We are always seated immediately. There is some kind of back room for friends-Dean has been around so long I kind of expect something like that. The service is always excellent. But the food is absolutely incredible. I had the fried chicken special, $14, and it was a firm, local, tender piece of heaven with a nutty crust on a bed of creamy, saucy, lemony mashed potatoes. I had to fight everyone at my table to even get a bite. The kale greens were in a bacon brown sugar reduction that was so sweet, but still retained tartness and firmness. My wife had fish tacos that were crunchy and light, while my daughter had the nachos that had so many amazing flavors, fresh jalopeno, sharp cheddar and savory beef. The special cheesecake was a granny apple fluffy delight with chocolate and raspberries, so light but just bursting with flavor. The bill with tip was $50, arguably the best $50 I have spent this year. The place was packed, even early, and Dean was there with his grandson working the tables. Chef Tavis has made some great moves with the menu and using Facebook to advertise is obviously working. We had a wonderful time, this is probably one of the best restaurants in the region. If you have never been or have not been in a while, I highly encourage you to do so. I don't even have to mention the sea bass-just go and try something new, Chef Tavis will be rocking his own place very shortly-this guy is just amazing. They are really just a local diamond-if you know about them, you go, frequently, and they just don't have to advertise or blow their horn at all.
Great duck fat fries and they have Pappy which makes it an easy 5 star!
(5)
Rhonda G.
Exceptional! Our party of 4 had a wonderful dining experience. The setting is surprisingly casual while the food is very upscale with great attention to detail. I started with the Bourbon Ball cocktail and that alone is worth a second visit to Jack's. The Crispy Calamari appetizer with olives is so very good. We will pass next time on the Cheddar Tator Tots and order 2 calamari appetizers. The truffle aioli sauce with the Tator Tots tasted more like tartar sauce. One companion pronounced the Diver Scallops as very good; another had the Rock Shrimp Jenkins, also a favorite. I would venture to say that the two of us who ordered the Parmesan Crusted Sea Bass had the best meal of the evening. It was a very generous portion of flaky, perfectly cooked fish served with luscious whipped potatoes. I did not order dessert but my companions said the creme brulee was very good. Our server was a very young woman who was very professional and knew the menu well. Bonus points to her for even knowing the specific ingredients in the cocktails! We can't wait to return and I only hope the Sea Bass is still on the menu!
I always forget about this place but I've enjoyed every visit here. I recommend the nacho appetizer, the burgers, and the fried chicken. Bartender makes great drinks...I usually get the Old Fashioned. Also love the atmosphere. Very laid back but upscale at the same time.
(4)
Linda S.
My review reflects our last two visits. Before that, until the smoking ban kicked in, the food could not be enjoyed without the stench of secondhand smoke. It is now smokefree throughout. The bar and restaurant are comfy and lively. It's definitely a regulars kind of place. Chef Dean's crab cakes are excellent. Tonight we had wedge salad, fish tacos and seared scallops. All were superb! We had the nightly pot roast special last time and it was delicious. I love that they have reasonable small plates for sharing. Very nice choices and friendly service.
(5)
Tim B.
Very disappointing. The duck was a very small portion on a sticky flavorless risotto. The roasted broccoli was raw and simply burned. The steak with fingerling potatoes was quite good but it came with roasted Brussels sprouts that were also raw and burned. The special was sea trout, which ended up being very close to salmon. It was very good and included a better risotto. The manager provided free desserts when we told the server about the vegetables. The desserts were disappointing, too. All in all, with a cocktail for my wife and I and an order of calamari that was puzzlingly tossed in a sauce that rendered it soggy, but tasty, the three of us paid $138 before an 18% tip.
(2)
Jason G.
Being outside KY now, I no longer take for granted bourbon lounges. The bourbon menu was extensive and many options you do not usually see on a menu. Yes the have Pappy and all the years as well. My wife ordered the Bourbon Ball which she enjoyed enough to order another. I had a glass of Noah's Creek, but before he ran away I could not tell him neat... thought a well-run bourbon establishment would already know that. The atmosphere was very enjoyable and the couch was very comfortable. I couldn't help but note the table across from us. It was two couples who in my personal opinion should have been cut off from their profanity and breaking a glass from lack of motor skills. Sometimes make the tough decision to tell a customer NO. When in the area I will return for the great lounge atmosphere.
(4)
Rachel M.
I spend quite a bit of time here. The people are great and the food is wonderful! The pork wraps and Gnocchi are my favorite appetizers.. and the scallops! (I think I might be hungry now because I also want a Kentucky Eggroll and Shrimp and Grits!) Hope's desserts are amazing! Her fried apple pie and house made ice creams are little bits of heaven! I would be happy to send all of my friends here and so frequently bring people in from out of town. Go Chef Tavis and Sous Chef Alex! You guys rock!
(5)
Gale C.
Just had another wonderful dinner! Our server, Gary Fox, is the best and suggested dinner selections that fit our diet program perfectly - even dessert. If you want great food and service in a comfortable setting, it doesn't get better than Jack's.
(5)
Bryan X.
Went for a drink during weekend recently in the lounge, and had a great time. The service is decent as I remembered. The seat or couch is comfortable. The wine and liquor selection is fine. As for dinner service, I remember went there a year ago with one of friend from Spain, and we both enjoyed the main course. For desert they have a special prepared by your table, which is kind of fancy. The high point is the service. This may be the only place in Louisville I feel a little bit of high class service like you are in Europe. Will go back.
(4)
Christine J.
Great experience and will definitely be going back! :) We went on New Year's Eve around 7:30pm for drinks at the Lounge without reservations and were still seated right away. Service: 5 STARS. Outstanding!! Our attendant Scott (that l found out as we left was also the bartender) was perfect! Great attitude, treated us well, didn't rush or pressure us to make drink/food decisions. He had perfect timing for offering more drinks and food when we seemed to want them and presented them well also. I am very picky when it comes to service because it's something I'm paying for and Scott delivered 100%. Atmosphere: 5 STARS. Classy yet casual. I was a little apprehensive about choosing this lounge because we wanted to spend the evening at a romantic, intimate, classy lounge without the pretentious stuffiness that typically comes along with it. Jack's turned out to be perfect. Pricing: 3 STARS. Seemed okay at first glance, not too high when reading the menu. When the food came out though, I felt the portion sizes were too small for the price. Specifically, the crab cakes were $8 and consisted of 2 very small cakes. The Calamari was $8.50 and was also a small portion. Quality: 4 STARS. Very good. The food: The crab cakes were good but had too much breading on the outside which blocked the crab taste. The calamari had good flavor but didn't come with any dipping sauce so it dried in my mouth as I chewed it, becoming a bit of a task. The drinks: Totally awesome! We had two glasses of red wine that were good but not quite cooled to the best temperature for serving (yes red wine should be served cool. "room temperature" doesn't mean warm.. but I digress) The Bourbon Ball martini was fantastic! and so was the Brandy Alexander! we strongly recommend both of these! Enjoy! :)
(4)
Erin K.
My recent visit to Equus & Jack's was my first but it certainly won't be my last. I went here with a gift card (it's a smidge pricey so it's not a place that I would have frequented on a normal Friday without one!) and my SO and I were pretty impressed. We ordered the shrimp and grits as an appetizer and it was phenomenal - the grits were perfectly cooked. As an entree I had the Caesar salad with crab cakes. The crab cakes were full of crab and practically no filler which is exactly how it should be! My boyfriend had the Creekstone Filet and he ate every bit of it. I am not a fan of steak but I tried a bit and it was very tender. The only complaint that I have about Equus and Jack's is that the bartender has a VERY heavy hand when it comes to the cocktails - we could barely taste the mixer.
(4)
Norbert H.
The food and service was OK. I was really upset though when their CC machine went down and it took them over 25 minutes to find the paper ticket to take the CC manually.
(3)
Jessica A.
We had dinner here with the company. The meal was delicious. The service satirical. Only one visit though, hard to judge. No complaints overall.
Great duck fat fries and they have Pappy which makes it an easy 5 star!
(5)
Patricia C.
Dined on the patio at Jacks tonight for the first time in over a year. Slow service and our waitress seemed to be unhappy to be there. We had some nachos which were good, but a small amount for the price. My friend ordered the beet salad and mushroom soup. Very, very small salad and the small cup of mushroom soup had the consistency of water with no garnishments on top or anything in the soup, including mushrooms. I had the hamburger and it was nothing special at all. It came with sweet potato fries which were horrible looking....kind of gray and burnt and tasted as bad as they looked. When I asked for some dipping sauce, I was told they had mustard, ketchup, mayo, and steak sauce only. For the money, this was one of the most disappointing meals I have had out this year. I used to think Jacks had good food, but it was anything but that tonight! Way too much money for mediocre food and unfriendly, slow service.
(3)
Lizbeth M.
I was a little worried when my group for work decided upon this place for dinner after research. I was very skeptic and just the name along was hard to get over. When arriving to the place, the outside look left a lot to desire. My mind when to sports bar... Do not let the name and the outside fool you! I was pleasantly surprise when I walked in and the restaurant was beautiful. The menu had a great selection of food including some seafood options as well as Southern Cuisine. I ordered for myself the sear scallops. They were cooked to perfection and they paired them with a risotto that was to die for!! All of my coworkers food looked delicious specially the fish tacos and the Seabass. The crowd was in the older age range, definitely my group was the outlier. It's true what they say, don't judge the book by its cover and I guess by name as well!
(4)
Kellen L.
Little hidden gem in St. Matthews. Menu has a great selection and is ever changing with specials. Very much a lounge spot for the 50+ crowd but don't let that deter you if you're not into the older crowd bar scene as the food make the place worthwhile!
(4)
Bryan X.
Went for a drink during weekend recently in the lounge, and had a great time. The service is decent as I remembered. The seat or couch is comfortable. The wine and liquor selection is fine. As for dinner service, I remember went there a year ago with one of friend from Spain, and we both enjoyed the main course. For desert they have a special prepared by your table, which is kind of fancy. The high point is the service. This may be the only place in Louisville I feel a little bit of high class service like you are in Europe. Will go back.
(4)
Zachary H.
I've been here maybe 3 times for fancier meals with friends from out of town. Last time we were here maybe a month ago they had Pappys available for tasting so we got a few and shared. It may or may not still be available, our waiter indicated they still had some around Kentucky Derby time last year. I've tried many of their entrees, mostly by tricking my unsuspecting eating partners to look at fictional reindeer out the window while I cunningly steal small morsels of their food. But the best in terms of value and taste has to be the fried chicken. Not exactly traditional because it is served on top of mashed potatoes and you eat it with a knife and fork, but it is oh so crispy and delicious. For desert I would recommend getting a Bourbon Ball (the alcoholic beverage kind) and possibly also some sort of sugary food to help soak up all the alcohol.
(4)
Christine J.
Great experience and will definitely be going back! :) We went on New Year's Eve around 7:30pm for drinks at the Lounge without reservations and were still seated right away. Service: 5 STARS. Outstanding!! Our attendant Scott (that l found out as we left was also the bartender) was perfect! Great attitude, treated us well, didn't rush or pressure us to make drink/food decisions. He had perfect timing for offering more drinks and food when we seemed to want them and presented them well also. I am very picky when it comes to service because it's something I'm paying for and Scott delivered 100%. Atmosphere: 5 STARS. Classy yet casual. I was a little apprehensive about choosing this lounge because we wanted to spend the evening at a romantic, intimate, classy lounge without the pretentious stuffiness that typically comes along with it. Jack's turned out to be perfect. Pricing: 3 STARS. Seemed okay at first glance, not too high when reading the menu. When the food came out though, I felt the portion sizes were too small for the price. Specifically, the crab cakes were $8 and consisted of 2 very small cakes. The Calamari was $8.50 and was also a small portion. Quality: 4 STARS. Very good. The food: The crab cakes were good but had too much breading on the outside which blocked the crab taste. The calamari had good flavor but didn't come with any dipping sauce so it dried in my mouth as I chewed it, becoming a bit of a task. The drinks: Totally awesome! We had two glasses of red wine that were good but not quite cooled to the best temperature for serving (yes red wine should be served cool. "room temperature" doesn't mean warm.. but I digress) The Bourbon Ball martini was fantastic! and so was the Brandy Alexander! we strongly recommend both of these! Enjoy! :)
(4)
Erin K.
My recent visit to Equus & Jack's was my first but it certainly won't be my last. I went here with a gift card (it's a smidge pricey so it's not a place that I would have frequented on a normal Friday without one!) and my SO and I were pretty impressed. We ordered the shrimp and grits as an appetizer and it was phenomenal - the grits were perfectly cooked. As an entree I had the Caesar salad with crab cakes. The crab cakes were full of crab and practically no filler which is exactly how it should be! My boyfriend had the Creekstone Filet and he ate every bit of it. I am not a fan of steak but I tried a bit and it was very tender. The only complaint that I have about Equus and Jack's is that the bartender has a VERY heavy hand when it comes to the cocktails - we could barely taste the mixer.
(4)
Rhonda G.
Exceptional! Our party of 4 had a wonderful dining experience. The setting is surprisingly casual while the food is very upscale with great attention to detail. I started with the Bourbon Ball cocktail and that alone is worth a second visit to Jack's. The Crispy Calamari appetizer with olives is so very good. We will pass next time on the Cheddar Tator Tots and order 2 calamari appetizers. The truffle aioli sauce with the Tator Tots tasted more like tartar sauce. One companion pronounced the Diver Scallops as very good; another had the Rock Shrimp Jenkins, also a favorite. I would venture to say that the two of us who ordered the Parmesan Crusted Sea Bass had the best meal of the evening. It was a very generous portion of flaky, perfectly cooked fish served with luscious whipped potatoes. I did not order dessert but my companions said the creme brulee was very good. Our server was a very young woman who was very professional and knew the menu well. Bonus points to her for even knowing the specific ingredients in the cocktails! We can't wait to return and I only hope the Sea Bass is still on the menu!
(5)
Tim B.
Very disappointing. The duck was a very small portion on a sticky flavorless risotto. The roasted broccoli was raw and simply burned. The steak with fingerling potatoes was quite good but it came with roasted Brussels sprouts that were also raw and burned. The special was sea trout, which ended up being very close to salmon. It was very good and included a better risotto. The manager provided free desserts when we told the server about the vegetables. The desserts were disappointing, too. All in all, with a cocktail for my wife and I and an order of calamari that was puzzlingly tossed in a sauce that rendered it soggy, but tasty, the three of us paid $138 before an 18% tip.
(2)
Jason G.
Being outside KY now, I no longer take for granted bourbon lounges. The bourbon menu was extensive and many options you do not usually see on a menu. Yes the have Pappy and all the years as well. My wife ordered the Bourbon Ball which she enjoyed enough to order another. I had a glass of Noah's Creek, but before he ran away I could not tell him neat... thought a well-run bourbon establishment would already know that. The atmosphere was very enjoyable and the couch was very comfortable. I couldn't help but note the table across from us. It was two couples who in my personal opinion should have been cut off from their profanity and breaking a glass from lack of motor skills. Sometimes make the tough decision to tell a customer NO. When in the area I will return for the great lounge atmosphere.
(4)
Rachel M.
I spend quite a bit of time here. The people are great and the food is wonderful! The pork wraps and Gnocchi are my favorite appetizers.. and the scallops! (I think I might be hungry now because I also want a Kentucky Eggroll and Shrimp and Grits!) Hope's desserts are amazing! Her fried apple pie and house made ice creams are little bits of heaven! I would be happy to send all of my friends here and so frequently bring people in from out of town. Go Chef Tavis and Sous Chef Alex! You guys rock!
(5)
Gale C.
Just had another wonderful dinner! Our server, Gary Fox, is the best and suggested dinner selections that fit our diet program perfectly - even dessert. If you want great food and service in a comfortable setting, it doesn't get better than Jack's.
(5)
Michele B.
Very expensive and not that comfortable. (Jack's Lounge). Atmosphere Is usually saturated with wealthy patrons. Little room for occasional visitors or those who aren't fairly wealthy. Bartender " Joy" who is apparently a favorite is rude, and acts like she is doing you a favor to serve you. Food however is quite good. Excellent nachos (beware these are individual nachos- 9 to an order- each one layered with toppings and extremely good, but again expensive. I could eat 3 plates) Pizzas are unusually delicious. All other menu items are also quite tasty. Atmosphere is very dark with several couches that are just way too plush. Idea seems good, like someones comfy home, but just doesn't quite work. Also since food is served on coffee tables in front of theses plush couches, food has a tendency to migrate down into the cushions. (Think- tipsy patrons on super deep, plush furniture = lots of yuk in the cushions.) I guess if you're a regular and usually drunk that doesn't matter. Concept really needs rethinking. Actual restaurant is wonderful. No issues there. Same food served there. Owner often there, fairly friendly, but likes his core, comfortable crowd.
I always forget about this place but I've enjoyed every visit here. I recommend the nacho appetizer, the burgers, and the fried chicken. Bartender makes great drinks...I usually get the Old Fashioned. Also love the atmosphere. Very laid back but upscale at the same time.
(4)
Linda S.
My review reflects our last two visits. Before that, until the smoking ban kicked in, the food could not be enjoyed without the stench of secondhand smoke. It is now smokefree throughout. The bar and restaurant are comfy and lively. It's definitely a regulars kind of place. Chef Dean's crab cakes are excellent. Tonight we had wedge salad, fish tacos and seared scallops. All were superb! We had the nightly pot roast special last time and it was delicious. I love that they have reasonable small plates for sharing. Very nice choices and friendly service.
(5)
Wendi G.
I wanted to give this place a four but the service was so terrible I could not bring myself to rate it any higher. Group of 6 for dinner. We ordered everything from the burger to salads to apps to entrees. Things were delivered at an odd pace and we had to wait for some to be served. The server bought duplicates of one of the apps when he brought the main course. The floor manager stepped in to help but since he did not know the orders it became a game of BINGO when he approached the table with a plate. The group tried the duck fries, shrimp & spinach wontons, and gnocchi. The salads were really nice and a good mix of ingredients. Service definitely needs some fine tuning to match the food.
(3)
Deb R.
We went to Jack's with our 8 year old, and are trying to figure out why we haven't been more often. I'd forgotten how great the food is: We started with frogs legs- perfectly fried in a light flavorful batter served with an aioli. Aiden had the amazing cheeseburger ( perfectly cooked on a brioche bun, great flavor on the meat- he declared it his "favorite burger EVER". ) . Brian had the pot roast- great comfort food. I had the fried chicken, and oh, is it fantastic! I'm not a big "fried foods" person, but this fried chicken is perfectly fried with a beautifully crispy and flavorful crust. I'm not sure how Tavis does it, but the man has some serious frying skills. It was truly the best fried chicken I've ever had! Already stuffed, we couldn't pass on the Irish trio of desserts ( made with Bailey's, Guiness and Jamieson's, I think ) - so we ordered one to- go. We ate it the following night and it was fantastic- great flavor for each component and excellent counterpoints for each other. ( LOVED whatever the caramel-y sauce was!) Service was perfect from Gary- who personifies the best in a professional server. All told an excellent meal, and at a very reasonable price for this level of food. If you haven't been to Jack's lately- go back- they are doing great things there.
(5)
Paul K.
Unless you are a local, regular patron stay away. Open seating areas when requested were told to be were reserved even though those for whom they were reserved did not show up during our stay. Specials were not offered at our table. We had to find out by ease dropping on an adjacent table. Would not recommend this place to anyone who is not a frequent diner.
(2)
Michele B.
Very expensive and not that comfortable. (Jack's Lounge). Atmosphere Is usually saturated with wealthy patrons. Little room for occasional visitors or those who aren't fairly wealthy. Bartender " Joy" who is apparently a favorite is rude, and acts like she is doing you a favor to serve you. Food however is quite good. Excellent nachos (beware these are individual nachos- 9 to an order- each one layered with toppings and extremely good, but again expensive. I could eat 3 plates) Pizzas are unusually delicious. All other menu items are also quite tasty. Atmosphere is very dark with several couches that are just way too plush. Idea seems good, like someones comfy home, but just doesn't quite work. Also since food is served on coffee tables in front of theses plush couches, food has a tendency to migrate down into the cushions. (Think- tipsy patrons on super deep, plush furniture = lots of yuk in the cushions.) I guess if you're a regular and usually drunk that doesn't matter. Concept really needs rethinking. Actual restaurant is wonderful. No issues there. Same food served there. Owner often there, fairly friendly, but likes his core, comfortable crowd.
(2)
Wendi G.
I wanted to give this place a four but the service was so terrible I could not bring myself to rate it any higher. Group of 6 for dinner. We ordered everything from the burger to salads to apps to entrees. Things were delivered at an odd pace and we had to wait for some to be served. The server bought duplicates of one of the apps when he brought the main course. The floor manager stepped in to help but since he did not know the orders it became a game of BINGO when he approached the table with a plate. The group tried the duck fries, shrimp & spinach wontons, and gnocchi. The salads were really nice and a good mix of ingredients. Service definitely needs some fine tuning to match the food.
(3)
Deb R.
We went to Jack's with our 8 year old, and are trying to figure out why we haven't been more often. I'd forgotten how great the food is: We started with frogs legs- perfectly fried in a light flavorful batter served with an aioli. Aiden had the amazing cheeseburger ( perfectly cooked on a brioche bun, great flavor on the meat- he declared it his "favorite burger EVER". ) . Brian had the pot roast- great comfort food. I had the fried chicken, and oh, is it fantastic! I'm not a big "fried foods" person, but this fried chicken is perfectly fried with a beautifully crispy and flavorful crust. I'm not sure how Tavis does it, but the man has some serious frying skills. It was truly the best fried chicken I've ever had! Already stuffed, we couldn't pass on the Irish trio of desserts ( made with Bailey's, Guiness and Jamieson's, I think ) - so we ordered one to- go. We ate it the following night and it was fantastic- great flavor for each component and excellent counterpoints for each other. ( LOVED whatever the caramel-y sauce was!) Service was perfect from Gary- who personifies the best in a professional server. All told an excellent meal, and at a very reasonable price for this level of food. If you haven't been to Jack's lately- go back- they are doing great things there.
(5)
Chip C.
I guess I don't understand the other review. I am not a regular patron, maybe 2-3 times a year. We are always seated immediately. There is some kind of back room for friends-Dean has been around so long I kind of expect something like that. The service is always excellent. But the food is absolutely incredible. I had the fried chicken special, $14, and it was a firm, local, tender piece of heaven with a nutty crust on a bed of creamy, saucy, lemony mashed potatoes. I had to fight everyone at my table to even get a bite. The kale greens were in a bacon brown sugar reduction that was so sweet, but still retained tartness and firmness. My wife had fish tacos that were crunchy and light, while my daughter had the nachos that had so many amazing flavors, fresh jalopeno, sharp cheddar and savory beef. The special cheesecake was a granny apple fluffy delight with chocolate and raspberries, so light but just bursting with flavor. The bill with tip was $50, arguably the best $50 I have spent this year. The place was packed, even early, and Dean was there with his grandson working the tables. Chef Tavis has made some great moves with the menu and using Facebook to advertise is obviously working. We had a wonderful time, this is probably one of the best restaurants in the region. If you have never been or have not been in a while, I highly encourage you to do so. I don't even have to mention the sea bass-just go and try something new, Chef Tavis will be rocking his own place very shortly-this guy is just amazing. They are really just a local diamond-if you know about them, you go, frequently, and they just don't have to advertise or blow their horn at all.
(5)
Paul K.
Unless you are a local, regular patron stay away. Open seating areas when requested were told to be were reserved even though those for whom they were reserved did not show up during our stay. Specials were not offered at our table. We had to find out by ease dropping on an adjacent table. Would not recommend this place to anyone who is not a frequent diner.
(2)
Jessica A.
We had dinner here with the company. The meal was delicious. The service satirical. Only one visit though, hard to judge. No complaints overall.
(5)
Amy G.
I love Jack's. They now have a patio which is nice! The parking lot backdrop is well, a parking lot, but it is still nice to be outside. I always get the burger. I asked for it to be medium, but it was really rare. I was so hungry I devoured it anyway and hoped for the best. I figured my Manhattan would save me! They are now serving this delightful thing on Klaus' pretzel bun. Jesus. It doesn't get any better than that...oh, and add bacon with bleu cheese and life is just better. They make the best bourbon drinks in the city. Hands-down. And they did it WAAAY before it was cool to drink Manhattans or any bourbon or bourbon concoction, for that matter. Most people a year ago would never think of ordering a Manhattan until a hipster in tight rolled up jeans with a mustache was serving it to you telling you how awesome you are and how EVERYONE in New York drinks it. Please. Move on. As I digress... Anyway, I opted for brussel sprouts instead of fries. And since it was right before St. Patty's they did an irish whiskey thing that was to die for. I could just have that (or 3) for dinner and City Scoot home. I would give it 5 stars...but when a cocktail is more than the entree...it is a little puzzling.
(4)
Patricia C.
Dined on the patio at Jacks tonight for the first time in over a year. Slow service and our waitress seemed to be unhappy to be there. We had some nachos which were good, but a small amount for the price. My friend ordered the beet salad and mushroom soup. Very, very small salad and the small cup of mushroom soup had the consistency of water with no garnishments on top or anything in the soup, including mushrooms. I had the hamburger and it was nothing special at all. It came with sweet potato fries which were horrible looking....kind of gray and burnt and tasted as bad as they looked. When I asked for some dipping sauce, I was told they had mustard, ketchup, mayo, and steak sauce only. For the money, this was one of the most disappointing meals I have had out this year. I used to think Jacks had good food, but it was anything but that tonight! Way too much money for mediocre food and unfriendly, slow service.
(3)
Lizbeth M.
I was a little worried when my group for work decided upon this place for dinner after research. I was very skeptic and just the name along was hard to get over. When arriving to the place, the outside look left a lot to desire. My mind when to sports bar... Do not let the name and the outside fool you! I was pleasantly surprise when I walked in and the restaurant was beautiful. The menu had a great selection of food including some seafood options as well as Southern Cuisine. I ordered for myself the sear scallops. They were cooked to perfection and they paired them with a risotto that was to die for!! All of my coworkers food looked delicious specially the fish tacos and the Seabass. The crowd was in the older age range, definitely my group was the outlier. It's true what they say, don't judge the book by its cover and I guess by name as well!
(4)
Kellen L.
Little hidden gem in St. Matthews. Menu has a great selection and is ever changing with specials. Very much a lounge spot for the 50+ crowd but don't let that deter you if you're not into the older crowd bar scene as the food make the place worthwhile!
(4)
Zachary H.
I've been here maybe 3 times for fancier meals with friends from out of town. Last time we were here maybe a month ago they had Pappys available for tasting so we got a few and shared. It may or may not still be available, our waiter indicated they still had some around Kentucky Derby time last year. I've tried many of their entrees, mostly by tricking my unsuspecting eating partners to look at fictional reindeer out the window while I cunningly steal small morsels of their food. But the best in terms of value and taste has to be the fried chicken. Not exactly traditional because it is served on top of mashed potatoes and you eat it with a knife and fork, but it is oh so crispy and delicious. For desert I would recommend getting a Bourbon Ball (the alcoholic beverage kind) and possibly also some sort of sugary food to help soak up all the alcohol.
(4)
Claire H.
Best fried chicken in Louisville. Nice bourbon selection!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Amy G.
I love Jack's. They now have a patio which is nice! The parking lot backdrop is well, a parking lot, but it is still nice to be outside. I always get the burger. I asked for it to be medium, but it was really rare. I was so hungry I devoured it anyway and hoped for the best. I figured my Manhattan would save me! They are now serving this delightful thing on Klaus' pretzel bun. Jesus. It doesn't get any better than that...oh, and add bacon with bleu cheese and life is just better. They make the best bourbon drinks in the city. Hands-down. And they did it WAAAY before it was cool to drink Manhattans or any bourbon or bourbon concoction, for that matter. Most people a year ago would never think of ordering a Manhattan until a hipster in tight rolled up jeans with a mustache was serving it to you telling you how awesome you are and how EVERYONE in New York drinks it. Please. Move on. As I digress... Anyway, I opted for brussel sprouts instead of fries. And since it was right before St. Patty's they did an irish whiskey thing that was to die for. I could just have that (or 3) for dinner and City Scoot home. I would give it 5 stars...but when a cocktail is more than the entree...it is a little puzzling.
(4)Claire H.
Best fried chicken in Louisville. Nice bourbon selection!
(5)Norbert H.
The food and service was OK. I was really upset though when their CC machine went down and it took them over 25 minutes to find the paper ticket to take the CC manually.
(3)Chip C.
I guess I don't understand the other review. I am not a regular patron, maybe 2-3 times a year. We are always seated immediately. There is some kind of back room for friends-Dean has been around so long I kind of expect something like that. The service is always excellent. But the food is absolutely incredible. I had the fried chicken special, $14, and it was a firm, local, tender piece of heaven with a nutty crust on a bed of creamy, saucy, lemony mashed potatoes. I had to fight everyone at my table to even get a bite. The kale greens were in a bacon brown sugar reduction that was so sweet, but still retained tartness and firmness. My wife had fish tacos that were crunchy and light, while my daughter had the nachos that had so many amazing flavors, fresh jalopeno, sharp cheddar and savory beef. The special cheesecake was a granny apple fluffy delight with chocolate and raspberries, so light but just bursting with flavor. The bill with tip was $50, arguably the best $50 I have spent this year. The place was packed, even early, and Dean was there with his grandson working the tables. Chef Tavis has made some great moves with the menu and using Facebook to advertise is obviously working. We had a wonderful time, this is probably one of the best restaurants in the region. If you have never been or have not been in a while, I highly encourage you to do so. I don't even have to mention the sea bass-just go and try something new, Chef Tavis will be rocking his own place very shortly-this guy is just amazing. They are really just a local diamond-if you know about them, you go, frequently, and they just don't have to advertise or blow their horn at all.
(5)Me C.
Really enjoyed my experience. Understated comfortable décor, so it didn't feel fussy. Our Server Jackie was polite and had great timing. We ate almost all the appetizers on the menu, two bottles of wine - both excellent, and topped it off with three desserts. Next time I want to try an entrée. My favorite thing of the night "Ruben Tacos" Just try em... This should be an entrée
(5)Hank K.
Great duck fat fries and they have Pappy which makes it an easy 5 star!
(5)Rhonda G.
Exceptional! Our party of 4 had a wonderful dining experience. The setting is surprisingly casual while the food is very upscale with great attention to detail. I started with the Bourbon Ball cocktail and that alone is worth a second visit to Jack's. The Crispy Calamari appetizer with olives is so very good. We will pass next time on the Cheddar Tator Tots and order 2 calamari appetizers. The truffle aioli sauce with the Tator Tots tasted more like tartar sauce. One companion pronounced the Diver Scallops as very good; another had the Rock Shrimp Jenkins, also a favorite. I would venture to say that the two of us who ordered the Parmesan Crusted Sea Bass had the best meal of the evening. It was a very generous portion of flaky, perfectly cooked fish served with luscious whipped potatoes. I did not order dessert but my companions said the creme brulee was very good. Our server was a very young woman who was very professional and knew the menu well. Bonus points to her for even knowing the specific ingredients in the cocktails! We can't wait to return and I only hope the Sea Bass is still on the menu!
(5)Mel W.
Friend and I enjoyed an early dinner here this evening. Perfect weather on the patio set the stage for a perfect meal. Chef Dunn is clearly in command in the kitchen. We toured through a bunch of shared appetizers. Fresh squash frites, lightly tempura battered, were crunchy and sweet with a peppery aioli for dipping. The play on red beans and rice was the hands down fave, with al dente beans, house made sausage and perfectly grilled shrimp topped by pickled onions on a bed of rice. Textures and flavors play with your palate. The mussels were fab as well, and then there was a luscious, creamy almost custardy summer squash soup. On to entrees, sea bass for the lady and pork shank for me. Both on par with the appetizers, creative and delicious. Dessert, a marvelous creme brûlée and trio of the house made ice creams. Coffee and a glass of port each. Yes, we pigged it. Don't hate. This is really great food, by a highly skilled kitchen team at an old Louisville staple. Impeccable, polished and friendly service always on point.
(5)Ryan M.
I always forget about this place but I've enjoyed every visit here. I recommend the nacho appetizer, the burgers, and the fried chicken. Bartender makes great drinks...I usually get the Old Fashioned. Also love the atmosphere. Very laid back but upscale at the same time.
(4)Linda S.
My review reflects our last two visits. Before that, until the smoking ban kicked in, the food could not be enjoyed without the stench of secondhand smoke. It is now smokefree throughout. The bar and restaurant are comfy and lively. It's definitely a regulars kind of place. Chef Dean's crab cakes are excellent. Tonight we had wedge salad, fish tacos and seared scallops. All were superb! We had the nightly pot roast special last time and it was delicious. I love that they have reasonable small plates for sharing. Very nice choices and friendly service.
(5)Tim B.
Very disappointing. The duck was a very small portion on a sticky flavorless risotto. The roasted broccoli was raw and simply burned. The steak with fingerling potatoes was quite good but it came with roasted Brussels sprouts that were also raw and burned. The special was sea trout, which ended up being very close to salmon. It was very good and included a better risotto. The manager provided free desserts when we told the server about the vegetables. The desserts were disappointing, too. All in all, with a cocktail for my wife and I and an order of calamari that was puzzlingly tossed in a sauce that rendered it soggy, but tasty, the three of us paid $138 before an 18% tip.
(2)Jason G.
Being outside KY now, I no longer take for granted bourbon lounges. The bourbon menu was extensive and many options you do not usually see on a menu. Yes the have Pappy and all the years as well. My wife ordered the Bourbon Ball which she enjoyed enough to order another. I had a glass of Noah's Creek, but before he ran away I could not tell him neat... thought a well-run bourbon establishment would already know that. The atmosphere was very enjoyable and the couch was very comfortable. I couldn't help but note the table across from us. It was two couples who in my personal opinion should have been cut off from their profanity and breaking a glass from lack of motor skills. Sometimes make the tough decision to tell a customer NO. When in the area I will return for the great lounge atmosphere.
(4)Rachel M.
I spend quite a bit of time here. The people are great and the food is wonderful! The pork wraps and Gnocchi are my favorite appetizers.. and the scallops! (I think I might be hungry now because I also want a Kentucky Eggroll and Shrimp and Grits!) Hope's desserts are amazing! Her fried apple pie and house made ice creams are little bits of heaven! I would be happy to send all of my friends here and so frequently bring people in from out of town. Go Chef Tavis and Sous Chef Alex! You guys rock!
(5)Gale C.
Just had another wonderful dinner! Our server, Gary Fox, is the best and suggested dinner selections that fit our diet program perfectly - even dessert. If you want great food and service in a comfortable setting, it doesn't get better than Jack's.
(5)Bryan X.
Went for a drink during weekend recently in the lounge, and had a great time. The service is decent as I remembered. The seat or couch is comfortable. The wine and liquor selection is fine. As for dinner service, I remember went there a year ago with one of friend from Spain, and we both enjoyed the main course. For desert they have a special prepared by your table, which is kind of fancy. The high point is the service. This may be the only place in Louisville I feel a little bit of high class service like you are in Europe. Will go back.
(4)Christine J.
Great experience and will definitely be going back! :) We went on New Year's Eve around 7:30pm for drinks at the Lounge without reservations and were still seated right away. Service: 5 STARS. Outstanding!! Our attendant Scott (that l found out as we left was also the bartender) was perfect! Great attitude, treated us well, didn't rush or pressure us to make drink/food decisions. He had perfect timing for offering more drinks and food when we seemed to want them and presented them well also. I am very picky when it comes to service because it's something I'm paying for and Scott delivered 100%. Atmosphere: 5 STARS. Classy yet casual. I was a little apprehensive about choosing this lounge because we wanted to spend the evening at a romantic, intimate, classy lounge without the pretentious stuffiness that typically comes along with it. Jack's turned out to be perfect. Pricing: 3 STARS. Seemed okay at first glance, not too high when reading the menu. When the food came out though, I felt the portion sizes were too small for the price. Specifically, the crab cakes were $8 and consisted of 2 very small cakes. The Calamari was $8.50 and was also a small portion. Quality: 4 STARS. Very good. The food: The crab cakes were good but had too much breading on the outside which blocked the crab taste. The calamari had good flavor but didn't come with any dipping sauce so it dried in my mouth as I chewed it, becoming a bit of a task. The drinks: Totally awesome! We had two glasses of red wine that were good but not quite cooled to the best temperature for serving (yes red wine should be served cool. "room temperature" doesn't mean warm.. but I digress) The Bourbon Ball martini was fantastic! and so was the Brandy Alexander! we strongly recommend both of these! Enjoy! :)
(4)Erin K.
My recent visit to Equus & Jack's was my first but it certainly won't be my last. I went here with a gift card (it's a smidge pricey so it's not a place that I would have frequented on a normal Friday without one!) and my SO and I were pretty impressed. We ordered the shrimp and grits as an appetizer and it was phenomenal - the grits were perfectly cooked. As an entree I had the Caesar salad with crab cakes. The crab cakes were full of crab and practically no filler which is exactly how it should be! My boyfriend had the Creekstone Filet and he ate every bit of it. I am not a fan of steak but I tried a bit and it was very tender. The only complaint that I have about Equus and Jack's is that the bartender has a VERY heavy hand when it comes to the cocktails - we could barely taste the mixer.
(4)Norbert H.
The food and service was OK. I was really upset though when their CC machine went down and it took them over 25 minutes to find the paper ticket to take the CC manually.
(3)Jessica A.
We had dinner here with the company. The meal was delicious. The service satirical. Only one visit though, hard to judge. No complaints overall.
(5)Me C.
Really enjoyed my experience. Understated comfortable décor, so it didn't feel fussy. Our Server Jackie was polite and had great timing. We ate almost all the appetizers on the menu, two bottles of wine - both excellent, and topped it off with three desserts. Next time I want to try an entrée. My favorite thing of the night "Ruben Tacos" Just try em... This should be an entrée
(5)Hank K.
Great duck fat fries and they have Pappy which makes it an easy 5 star!
(5)Patricia C.
Dined on the patio at Jacks tonight for the first time in over a year. Slow service and our waitress seemed to be unhappy to be there. We had some nachos which were good, but a small amount for the price. My friend ordered the beet salad and mushroom soup. Very, very small salad and the small cup of mushroom soup had the consistency of water with no garnishments on top or anything in the soup, including mushrooms. I had the hamburger and it was nothing special at all. It came with sweet potato fries which were horrible looking....kind of gray and burnt and tasted as bad as they looked. When I asked for some dipping sauce, I was told they had mustard, ketchup, mayo, and steak sauce only. For the money, this was one of the most disappointing meals I have had out this year. I used to think Jacks had good food, but it was anything but that tonight! Way too much money for mediocre food and unfriendly, slow service.
(3)Lizbeth M.
I was a little worried when my group for work decided upon this place for dinner after research. I was very skeptic and just the name along was hard to get over. When arriving to the place, the outside look left a lot to desire. My mind when to sports bar... Do not let the name and the outside fool you! I was pleasantly surprise when I walked in and the restaurant was beautiful. The menu had a great selection of food including some seafood options as well as Southern Cuisine. I ordered for myself the sear scallops. They were cooked to perfection and they paired them with a risotto that was to die for!! All of my coworkers food looked delicious specially the fish tacos and the Seabass. The crowd was in the older age range, definitely my group was the outlier. It's true what they say, don't judge the book by its cover and I guess by name as well!
(4)Kellen L.
Little hidden gem in St. Matthews. Menu has a great selection and is ever changing with specials. Very much a lounge spot for the 50+ crowd but don't let that deter you if you're not into the older crowd bar scene as the food make the place worthwhile!
(4)Bryan X.
Went for a drink during weekend recently in the lounge, and had a great time. The service is decent as I remembered. The seat or couch is comfortable. The wine and liquor selection is fine. As for dinner service, I remember went there a year ago with one of friend from Spain, and we both enjoyed the main course. For desert they have a special prepared by your table, which is kind of fancy. The high point is the service. This may be the only place in Louisville I feel a little bit of high class service like you are in Europe. Will go back.
(4)Zachary H.
I've been here maybe 3 times for fancier meals with friends from out of town. Last time we were here maybe a month ago they had Pappys available for tasting so we got a few and shared. It may or may not still be available, our waiter indicated they still had some around Kentucky Derby time last year. I've tried many of their entrees, mostly by tricking my unsuspecting eating partners to look at fictional reindeer out the window while I cunningly steal small morsels of their food. But the best in terms of value and taste has to be the fried chicken. Not exactly traditional because it is served on top of mashed potatoes and you eat it with a knife and fork, but it is oh so crispy and delicious. For desert I would recommend getting a Bourbon Ball (the alcoholic beverage kind) and possibly also some sort of sugary food to help soak up all the alcohol.
(4)Christine J.
Great experience and will definitely be going back! :) We went on New Year's Eve around 7:30pm for drinks at the Lounge without reservations and were still seated right away. Service: 5 STARS. Outstanding!! Our attendant Scott (that l found out as we left was also the bartender) was perfect! Great attitude, treated us well, didn't rush or pressure us to make drink/food decisions. He had perfect timing for offering more drinks and food when we seemed to want them and presented them well also. I am very picky when it comes to service because it's something I'm paying for and Scott delivered 100%. Atmosphere: 5 STARS. Classy yet casual. I was a little apprehensive about choosing this lounge because we wanted to spend the evening at a romantic, intimate, classy lounge without the pretentious stuffiness that typically comes along with it. Jack's turned out to be perfect. Pricing: 3 STARS. Seemed okay at first glance, not too high when reading the menu. When the food came out though, I felt the portion sizes were too small for the price. Specifically, the crab cakes were $8 and consisted of 2 very small cakes. The Calamari was $8.50 and was also a small portion. Quality: 4 STARS. Very good. The food: The crab cakes were good but had too much breading on the outside which blocked the crab taste. The calamari had good flavor but didn't come with any dipping sauce so it dried in my mouth as I chewed it, becoming a bit of a task. The drinks: Totally awesome! We had two glasses of red wine that were good but not quite cooled to the best temperature for serving (yes red wine should be served cool. "room temperature" doesn't mean warm.. but I digress) The Bourbon Ball martini was fantastic! and so was the Brandy Alexander! we strongly recommend both of these! Enjoy! :)
(4)Erin K.
My recent visit to Equus & Jack's was my first but it certainly won't be my last. I went here with a gift card (it's a smidge pricey so it's not a place that I would have frequented on a normal Friday without one!) and my SO and I were pretty impressed. We ordered the shrimp and grits as an appetizer and it was phenomenal - the grits were perfectly cooked. As an entree I had the Caesar salad with crab cakes. The crab cakes were full of crab and practically no filler which is exactly how it should be! My boyfriend had the Creekstone Filet and he ate every bit of it. I am not a fan of steak but I tried a bit and it was very tender. The only complaint that I have about Equus and Jack's is that the bartender has a VERY heavy hand when it comes to the cocktails - we could barely taste the mixer.
(4)Rhonda G.
Exceptional! Our party of 4 had a wonderful dining experience. The setting is surprisingly casual while the food is very upscale with great attention to detail. I started with the Bourbon Ball cocktail and that alone is worth a second visit to Jack's. The Crispy Calamari appetizer with olives is so very good. We will pass next time on the Cheddar Tator Tots and order 2 calamari appetizers. The truffle aioli sauce with the Tator Tots tasted more like tartar sauce. One companion pronounced the Diver Scallops as very good; another had the Rock Shrimp Jenkins, also a favorite. I would venture to say that the two of us who ordered the Parmesan Crusted Sea Bass had the best meal of the evening. It was a very generous portion of flaky, perfectly cooked fish served with luscious whipped potatoes. I did not order dessert but my companions said the creme brulee was very good. Our server was a very young woman who was very professional and knew the menu well. Bonus points to her for even knowing the specific ingredients in the cocktails! We can't wait to return and I only hope the Sea Bass is still on the menu!
(5)Tim B.
Very disappointing. The duck was a very small portion on a sticky flavorless risotto. The roasted broccoli was raw and simply burned. The steak with fingerling potatoes was quite good but it came with roasted Brussels sprouts that were also raw and burned. The special was sea trout, which ended up being very close to salmon. It was very good and included a better risotto. The manager provided free desserts when we told the server about the vegetables. The desserts were disappointing, too. All in all, with a cocktail for my wife and I and an order of calamari that was puzzlingly tossed in a sauce that rendered it soggy, but tasty, the three of us paid $138 before an 18% tip.
(2)Jason G.
Being outside KY now, I no longer take for granted bourbon lounges. The bourbon menu was extensive and many options you do not usually see on a menu. Yes the have Pappy and all the years as well. My wife ordered the Bourbon Ball which she enjoyed enough to order another. I had a glass of Noah's Creek, but before he ran away I could not tell him neat... thought a well-run bourbon establishment would already know that. The atmosphere was very enjoyable and the couch was very comfortable. I couldn't help but note the table across from us. It was two couples who in my personal opinion should have been cut off from their profanity and breaking a glass from lack of motor skills. Sometimes make the tough decision to tell a customer NO. When in the area I will return for the great lounge atmosphere.
(4)Rachel M.
I spend quite a bit of time here. The people are great and the food is wonderful! The pork wraps and Gnocchi are my favorite appetizers.. and the scallops! (I think I might be hungry now because I also want a Kentucky Eggroll and Shrimp and Grits!) Hope's desserts are amazing! Her fried apple pie and house made ice creams are little bits of heaven! I would be happy to send all of my friends here and so frequently bring people in from out of town. Go Chef Tavis and Sous Chef Alex! You guys rock!
(5)Gale C.
Just had another wonderful dinner! Our server, Gary Fox, is the best and suggested dinner selections that fit our diet program perfectly - even dessert. If you want great food and service in a comfortable setting, it doesn't get better than Jack's.
(5)Michele B.
Very expensive and not that comfortable. (Jack's Lounge). Atmosphere Is usually saturated with wealthy patrons. Little room for occasional visitors or those who aren't fairly wealthy. Bartender " Joy" who is apparently a favorite is rude, and acts like she is doing you a favor to serve you. Food however is quite good. Excellent nachos (beware these are individual nachos- 9 to an order- each one layered with toppings and extremely good, but again expensive. I could eat 3 plates) Pizzas are unusually delicious. All other menu items are also quite tasty. Atmosphere is very dark with several couches that are just way too plush. Idea seems good, like someones comfy home, but just doesn't quite work. Also since food is served on coffee tables in front of theses plush couches, food has a tendency to migrate down into the cushions. (Think- tipsy patrons on super deep, plush furniture = lots of yuk in the cushions.) I guess if you're a regular and usually drunk that doesn't matter. Concept really needs rethinking. Actual restaurant is wonderful. No issues there. Same food served there. Owner often there, fairly friendly, but likes his core, comfortable crowd.
(2)Mel W.
Friend and I enjoyed an early dinner here this evening. Perfect weather on the patio set the stage for a perfect meal. Chef Dunn is clearly in command in the kitchen. We toured through a bunch of shared appetizers. Fresh squash frites, lightly tempura battered, were crunchy and sweet with a peppery aioli for dipping. The play on red beans and rice was the hands down fave, with al dente beans, house made sausage and perfectly grilled shrimp topped by pickled onions on a bed of rice. Textures and flavors play with your palate. The mussels were fab as well, and then there was a luscious, creamy almost custardy summer squash soup. On to entrees, sea bass for the lady and pork shank for me. Both on par with the appetizers, creative and delicious. Dessert, a marvelous creme brûlée and trio of the house made ice creams. Coffee and a glass of port each. Yes, we pigged it. Don't hate. This is really great food, by a highly skilled kitchen team at an old Louisville staple. Impeccable, polished and friendly service always on point.
(5)Ryan M.
I always forget about this place but I've enjoyed every visit here. I recommend the nacho appetizer, the burgers, and the fried chicken. Bartender makes great drinks...I usually get the Old Fashioned. Also love the atmosphere. Very laid back but upscale at the same time.
(4)Linda S.
My review reflects our last two visits. Before that, until the smoking ban kicked in, the food could not be enjoyed without the stench of secondhand smoke. It is now smokefree throughout. The bar and restaurant are comfy and lively. It's definitely a regulars kind of place. Chef Dean's crab cakes are excellent. Tonight we had wedge salad, fish tacos and seared scallops. All were superb! We had the nightly pot roast special last time and it was delicious. I love that they have reasonable small plates for sharing. Very nice choices and friendly service.
(5)Wendi G.
I wanted to give this place a four but the service was so terrible I could not bring myself to rate it any higher. Group of 6 for dinner. We ordered everything from the burger to salads to apps to entrees. Things were delivered at an odd pace and we had to wait for some to be served. The server bought duplicates of one of the apps when he brought the main course. The floor manager stepped in to help but since he did not know the orders it became a game of BINGO when he approached the table with a plate. The group tried the duck fries, shrimp & spinach wontons, and gnocchi. The salads were really nice and a good mix of ingredients. Service definitely needs some fine tuning to match the food.
(3)Deb R.
We went to Jack's with our 8 year old, and are trying to figure out why we haven't been more often. I'd forgotten how great the food is: We started with frogs legs- perfectly fried in a light flavorful batter served with an aioli. Aiden had the amazing cheeseburger ( perfectly cooked on a brioche bun, great flavor on the meat- he declared it his "favorite burger EVER". ) . Brian had the pot roast- great comfort food. I had the fried chicken, and oh, is it fantastic! I'm not a big "fried foods" person, but this fried chicken is perfectly fried with a beautifully crispy and flavorful crust. I'm not sure how Tavis does it, but the man has some serious frying skills. It was truly the best fried chicken I've ever had! Already stuffed, we couldn't pass on the Irish trio of desserts ( made with Bailey's, Guiness and Jamieson's, I think ) - so we ordered one to- go. We ate it the following night and it was fantastic- great flavor for each component and excellent counterpoints for each other. ( LOVED whatever the caramel-y sauce was!) Service was perfect from Gary- who personifies the best in a professional server. All told an excellent meal, and at a very reasonable price for this level of food. If you haven't been to Jack's lately- go back- they are doing great things there.
(5)Paul K.
Unless you are a local, regular patron stay away. Open seating areas when requested were told to be were reserved even though those for whom they were reserved did not show up during our stay. Specials were not offered at our table. We had to find out by ease dropping on an adjacent table. Would not recommend this place to anyone who is not a frequent diner.
(2)Michele B.
Very expensive and not that comfortable. (Jack's Lounge). Atmosphere Is usually saturated with wealthy patrons. Little room for occasional visitors or those who aren't fairly wealthy. Bartender " Joy" who is apparently a favorite is rude, and acts like she is doing you a favor to serve you. Food however is quite good. Excellent nachos (beware these are individual nachos- 9 to an order- each one layered with toppings and extremely good, but again expensive. I could eat 3 plates) Pizzas are unusually delicious. All other menu items are also quite tasty. Atmosphere is very dark with several couches that are just way too plush. Idea seems good, like someones comfy home, but just doesn't quite work. Also since food is served on coffee tables in front of theses plush couches, food has a tendency to migrate down into the cushions. (Think- tipsy patrons on super deep, plush furniture = lots of yuk in the cushions.) I guess if you're a regular and usually drunk that doesn't matter. Concept really needs rethinking. Actual restaurant is wonderful. No issues there. Same food served there. Owner often there, fairly friendly, but likes his core, comfortable crowd.
(2)Wendi G.
I wanted to give this place a four but the service was so terrible I could not bring myself to rate it any higher. Group of 6 for dinner. We ordered everything from the burger to salads to apps to entrees. Things were delivered at an odd pace and we had to wait for some to be served. The server bought duplicates of one of the apps when he brought the main course. The floor manager stepped in to help but since he did not know the orders it became a game of BINGO when he approached the table with a plate. The group tried the duck fries, shrimp & spinach wontons, and gnocchi. The salads were really nice and a good mix of ingredients. Service definitely needs some fine tuning to match the food.
(3)Deb R.
We went to Jack's with our 8 year old, and are trying to figure out why we haven't been more often. I'd forgotten how great the food is: We started with frogs legs- perfectly fried in a light flavorful batter served with an aioli. Aiden had the amazing cheeseburger ( perfectly cooked on a brioche bun, great flavor on the meat- he declared it his "favorite burger EVER". ) . Brian had the pot roast- great comfort food. I had the fried chicken, and oh, is it fantastic! I'm not a big "fried foods" person, but this fried chicken is perfectly fried with a beautifully crispy and flavorful crust. I'm not sure how Tavis does it, but the man has some serious frying skills. It was truly the best fried chicken I've ever had! Already stuffed, we couldn't pass on the Irish trio of desserts ( made with Bailey's, Guiness and Jamieson's, I think ) - so we ordered one to- go. We ate it the following night and it was fantastic- great flavor for each component and excellent counterpoints for each other. ( LOVED whatever the caramel-y sauce was!) Service was perfect from Gary- who personifies the best in a professional server. All told an excellent meal, and at a very reasonable price for this level of food. If you haven't been to Jack's lately- go back- they are doing great things there.
(5)Chip C.
I guess I don't understand the other review. I am not a regular patron, maybe 2-3 times a year. We are always seated immediately. There is some kind of back room for friends-Dean has been around so long I kind of expect something like that. The service is always excellent. But the food is absolutely incredible. I had the fried chicken special, $14, and it was a firm, local, tender piece of heaven with a nutty crust on a bed of creamy, saucy, lemony mashed potatoes. I had to fight everyone at my table to even get a bite. The kale greens were in a bacon brown sugar reduction that was so sweet, but still retained tartness and firmness. My wife had fish tacos that were crunchy and light, while my daughter had the nachos that had so many amazing flavors, fresh jalopeno, sharp cheddar and savory beef. The special cheesecake was a granny apple fluffy delight with chocolate and raspberries, so light but just bursting with flavor. The bill with tip was $50, arguably the best $50 I have spent this year. The place was packed, even early, and Dean was there with his grandson working the tables. Chef Tavis has made some great moves with the menu and using Facebook to advertise is obviously working. We had a wonderful time, this is probably one of the best restaurants in the region. If you have never been or have not been in a while, I highly encourage you to do so. I don't even have to mention the sea bass-just go and try something new, Chef Tavis will be rocking his own place very shortly-this guy is just amazing. They are really just a local diamond-if you know about them, you go, frequently, and they just don't have to advertise or blow their horn at all.
(5)Paul K.
Unless you are a local, regular patron stay away. Open seating areas when requested were told to be were reserved even though those for whom they were reserved did not show up during our stay. Specials were not offered at our table. We had to find out by ease dropping on an adjacent table. Would not recommend this place to anyone who is not a frequent diner.
(2)Jessica A.
We had dinner here with the company. The meal was delicious. The service satirical. Only one visit though, hard to judge. No complaints overall.
(5)Amy G.
I love Jack's. They now have a patio which is nice! The parking lot backdrop is well, a parking lot, but it is still nice to be outside. I always get the burger. I asked for it to be medium, but it was really rare. I was so hungry I devoured it anyway and hoped for the best. I figured my Manhattan would save me! They are now serving this delightful thing on Klaus' pretzel bun. Jesus. It doesn't get any better than that...oh, and add bacon with bleu cheese and life is just better. They make the best bourbon drinks in the city. Hands-down. And they did it WAAAY before it was cool to drink Manhattans or any bourbon or bourbon concoction, for that matter. Most people a year ago would never think of ordering a Manhattan until a hipster in tight rolled up jeans with a mustache was serving it to you telling you how awesome you are and how EVERYONE in New York drinks it. Please. Move on. As I digress... Anyway, I opted for brussel sprouts instead of fries. And since it was right before St. Patty's they did an irish whiskey thing that was to die for. I could just have that (or 3) for dinner and City Scoot home. I would give it 5 stars...but when a cocktail is more than the entree...it is a little puzzling.
(4)Patricia C.
Dined on the patio at Jacks tonight for the first time in over a year. Slow service and our waitress seemed to be unhappy to be there. We had some nachos which were good, but a small amount for the price. My friend ordered the beet salad and mushroom soup. Very, very small salad and the small cup of mushroom soup had the consistency of water with no garnishments on top or anything in the soup, including mushrooms. I had the hamburger and it was nothing special at all. It came with sweet potato fries which were horrible looking....kind of gray and burnt and tasted as bad as they looked. When I asked for some dipping sauce, I was told they had mustard, ketchup, mayo, and steak sauce only. For the money, this was one of the most disappointing meals I have had out this year. I used to think Jacks had good food, but it was anything but that tonight! Way too much money for mediocre food and unfriendly, slow service.
(3)Lizbeth M.
I was a little worried when my group for work decided upon this place for dinner after research. I was very skeptic and just the name along was hard to get over. When arriving to the place, the outside look left a lot to desire. My mind when to sports bar... Do not let the name and the outside fool you! I was pleasantly surprise when I walked in and the restaurant was beautiful. The menu had a great selection of food including some seafood options as well as Southern Cuisine. I ordered for myself the sear scallops. They were cooked to perfection and they paired them with a risotto that was to die for!! All of my coworkers food looked delicious specially the fish tacos and the Seabass. The crowd was in the older age range, definitely my group was the outlier. It's true what they say, don't judge the book by its cover and I guess by name as well!
(4)Kellen L.
Little hidden gem in St. Matthews. Menu has a great selection and is ever changing with specials. Very much a lounge spot for the 50+ crowd but don't let that deter you if you're not into the older crowd bar scene as the food make the place worthwhile!
(4)Zachary H.
I've been here maybe 3 times for fancier meals with friends from out of town. Last time we were here maybe a month ago they had Pappys available for tasting so we got a few and shared. It may or may not still be available, our waiter indicated they still had some around Kentucky Derby time last year. I've tried many of their entrees, mostly by tricking my unsuspecting eating partners to look at fictional reindeer out the window while I cunningly steal small morsels of their food. But the best in terms of value and taste has to be the fried chicken. Not exactly traditional because it is served on top of mashed potatoes and you eat it with a knife and fork, but it is oh so crispy and delicious. For desert I would recommend getting a Bourbon Ball (the alcoholic beverage kind) and possibly also some sort of sugary food to help soak up all the alcohol.
(4)Claire H.
Best fried chicken in Louisville. Nice bourbon selection!
(5)