Jay’s Saloon & Grille
3114 10th St N, Arlington, VA, 22201
Jay’s Saloon & Grille Menu
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Address :
3114 10th St N
Arlington, VA, 22201 - Phone (703) 527-3093
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
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Tony M.
Sorry to do this to you Jay, cuz I love your joint. But that guy on the sound system you have there on weekends, which is the only time I'm ever there is awful. They have this old character DJing on this sound system that is from the 1950s. The distortion is terrible, and you can't even tell what song he's playing half the time. And the guy keeps yelling stupid nonsense into the mic while you're just trying to eat or have a few beers. Why Jay keeps having this guy back in that place is beyond me. Maybe the older locals just love the guy or Jay has too big a heart. Last time myself and some friends were there we ended up leaving after 1 beer because we couldn't hear a thing each other was saying and that ancient DJ is just too annoying. I mean come on. Pay up the $300, get an ipod, and some decent speakers to play the music through and you'ld be all set. Seriously the speakers this guy uses are from the 60's. Other than that, Jay's is great if you can catch it on a night where the jack ass DJ isn't there. Bartenders are friendly, and the bar has a great atmosphere and a classic coin operated pool table. There's a nice porch outside but it's usually packed. Get rid of the DJ and my rating instantly goes up to a 4 or 5!
(2)Todd H.
Ok so your lookin for an escape from the over priced bar scene in Arlington. Where do you go? Jays Saloon of course. The place not to be seen if there ever was one. Wear pajamas, overhauls or parachute pants... you;ll fit right in. Its nice to be a place where they have put less time in desiging the decor than smacking a biting mosquito. The walls in Jays are covered with the most horrendous hodge podge of weird and delightful non-artful things. You have to ask yourself "what were they thinking?" Well its obvious that they were not. There are newspaper clippings from 40 years ago behind the bar and the bartender looks like he started to work at Jays when he was ten and never left. The sign to the Jay's looks like the "Ten commandments" and I always thought that is what it was. However, closer scrutiny reveals that the sign is actually a depiction of saloon doors. Holy Moses.
(4)Casey P.
All I have to say is gross! This place looked dirty and poorly maintained. I know it's supposed to be a dive bar, but it just seemed so unsanitary! I didn't even stay for a drink.
(1)David C.
Dude, Jay's is right next to a car dealership...not the best location. OK, so this is a true dive bar. It just doesn't feel right to me. The interior doesn't feel homey at all. It's not like a place like Ragtime where you sort of feel the comfort and neighborhood feel to it. Jay's just doesn't have that. The food is as expected....not very good. However, the beer is cheap. Now if you live close and looking for a quiet place you can go to for a little "me" time than Jay's might be good. However, if you are looking for a little hipper place where you might actually see people your own age then don't come here. OK, so all this is based on 1 review. Sorry, I'm just telling you what I saw on that particular day.
(2)Josh B.
Nice if you want outdoor seating. Beer selection's pretty limited. The inside smells badly of cigarette smoke, so I wouldn't hang there.
(3)Ed K.
Jay's is a great local hang. It is the ultimate dive bar. To really experience Jay's, come on a Friday night when they have a DJ who plays oldies all night, and has a stereo setup that consists of a cassette tape player, and some pretty bad speakers. It is like nothing else you have ever seen. All different types of people frequent this place, you'll see bikers sharing drinks with guys in business suits. This place gets a million times better when the patio is open. I would give 5 stars, but sometimes the service can be less than stellar.
(4)Mark C.
Stuck in DC traffic, mad as hell, thought the place had shut down by the sign on the door. Ran into the barkeep outside who said they were open. I ran in to take a bathroom break that needed to be taken well while I was in traffic and bellied up to the bar. Ordered a whiskey & coke, decent sized glass, not one of those short glass just bigger than a shotglass. The barkeep, I think his name was Dan, was very cordial and professional as I observed him handling a sizeable table of co-workers. Ordered a burger, at half-price, was great. Asked for the bill and get this, just over $10. At that price it doesn't even pay for me to eat and drink at home. I can't really comment on the crowd since there was just that enormous group of co-workers, and one or two other people here and there given it was 6pm on a tuesday but it seems like a good spot to go back to.
(5)Carter M.
One star. Could it be anything else? This is an excellent dive bar. I'll admit it. A phenomenal dive bar even. Great greasy spoon food like burgers and chili mac. Cheap pitchers of Yuengling. A bunch of tacky hubcaps and out-of-date sports memorabilia on the walls. HOWEVER When our waitress slammed down our plates and screamed F--K! at us because we wanted to split our check, that pushed Jay's from a dive-bar-adjusted 5 star rating to a 1. To say it was the worst service I've ever seen is an insult to every disinterested and surly teenage waiter out there. Maybe those kids were having a bad day. I get it. Waiting tables is tough work. I add 20% to my bills in even the most dire situations. Not this time. This woman wasn't having a bad night. I've seen bad nights. She was having a bad century. PS. Jay's will be closing shortly and, despite the rating, I will miss it. Authenticity is a quality that is frequently sought but seldom achieved by the glittering proto-chain-restaurant frat houses on Clarendon's main strip. Jay's had it. I salute you Jay's. I salute you and your moldy carpets. I salute you and your broken pool table. And your broken televisions. And your broken everything. I salute you and your incompetent customer service. Ride proudly into the setting sun on your shitty, flea-bitten stallion, dear Jay. Though many dive bars came before you, few will likely follow, and that is a shame. You will be missed.
(1)Sarah J.
If you have ever thought about visiting this place, now is your last chance. The place is closing on 5/18. Stars are for the ambiance. Unfortunately, Jay's is like the fate of the rest of Arlington, taking the original flavor away to bring us some shiny new highrise bousjy bs. More than just your neighborhood watering hole, this place is a dying breed. I'm sure some glitzorama will replace it soon, because there is nothing like that already in Clarendon. So long, Jay's.
(4)Sarah C.
Jays was always a favorite of mine. I'm sad that it is closing. Last true neighborhood bar has left Arlington. Good bye Jays, here's one last drink to you.
(5)Matt S.
I'm always in the mood for a drink at one of the most unpretentious and un-ironic spots within the Arlington area. A friendly and diverse group of patrons frequent this bar and create an enjoyable atmosphere to grab a beer.
(4)Nina R.
My boyfriend wanted to stop at Jay's for lunch, and I snobbishly said no because the building looks super sketchy from the outside. Fortunately, I checked Yelp and changed my mind, and it turned out to be awesome! As others have mentioned, it's a real dive bar--not the hipster version. It has lots of character, with walls covered from top to bottom in license plates and memorabilia. Best of all, the classic diner-style food was REALLY GOOD (I'm pretty sure it was all homemade from scratch) and the bartender was sweet and friendly. I wish I lived closer so I could join the flock of regulars populating the bar!
(4)Woody S.
This is the last real bar in arlington. It really should be a landmark for arlington, it's what arlington used to be. It has a real homey atmosphere, and is a great place to come for lunch. I usually get a burger or a sandwich of some sort. The prices are affordable, the staff is super friendly, the kinda place you can go to get a drink and relax, but not too ashamed to bring your family. Check it out if you want a break from the busy bustles of downtown arlington. you'll dig the homey vibe.
(5)Payal P.
Came here to see why it's usually packed on weekends. Figured they had good food and drink specials. But we didnt get either of those. Total rundown place which had a. Bad stench indoors and outdoor seating wasn't great either. Chairs were broken. Table legs duct taped. The one thing I have to say is their nachos were good! Although the Angus beef burger was very bland and dry. And the onion rings, well they were too greasy.
(2)Mary K.
Pool table? Check. Christmas lights? Check. Broken lawn furniture? Check, check, check. Random 90's book collection "library" and empty Chiclets candy machines? You betcha. Jay's Saloon is a dive bar if anyone has ever seen one but the atmosphere is so effortless that it leaves you wondering why there aren't so many other "local spots" like it in the area. Oh yeah... rent is so damn high. I come to a place like Jay's and crave cheap food. Jay's is the type of place you can ball out on a dime(s). I don't know how much longer the city will allow an establishment with affordable drinks to exist but I hope it's long enough for me to try their fried mac n cheese balls.
(4)Rita A.
The epitome of a dive bar! Loved it.
(4)Elizabeth V.
Went to Jay's for the first time Friday night with my husband. TV on the outdoor patio. Mix of people inside, relaxed atmosphere, and a group of folks over 60 next to us drinking beers and eating bar food talking about how Arlington used to be. We loved it! We ordered the nachos which I do believe were made with homemade fried tortilla chips. They were cheesy, gooey and yummy. I had the veggie burger with onion rings- standard but good and what I expected. Husband had a beef burger with tater tots. It was good. If you are looking for a place where two of you can just relax, eat something homey if you're hungry and drink a pitcher+ for under $50 this is your place. Leave your attitude at the door. Wish we lived closer so we could walk and avoid the parking hassle. We found a spot on the street a block or so away.
(4)Eric N.
I've been on a dive bar binge for the past few weeks and I have to say I'm going to really miss Jay's when they close down. I never cared much for Clarendon in general. But Jay's is definitely a refreshing change of pace when all you need a cheap beer. Definitely a no frills dive, beer here is about $3 or so depending on what you get. Miller, PBR, Coors, etc. Theres not really much else to say other than its a great place to catch up with friends, drink on the cheap when the surrounding area is much more expensive, and it scares away the brown flip flop bros. Jay's, you will be missed.
(4)Joanna M.
I heard this place was closing soon which made me sad for the following reasons: 1. CHEAP beer Cheaper than the surrounding bars in Clarendon which we know can be $$$$ 2. Homey feel Locals and "neighborhood/no frills/dive bar" off the beaten path. It's like you are sitting in someone's house because it is a house: theres a patio, room, and stairs over the bar. You go in a few times and the big burly bartender guy remembers you?! 3. Fun: Trivia, contests, guy playing a guitar, "bar games" (pool table), etc. always something happening. I've had nachos there to soak up the beer and can't really say they were that memorable or do I just blame it on the ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-alcohol?!
(3)Chris S.
I've been to Jay's a couple of times and all the times are pretty much the same. It is a small dive bar with decent and cheap drinks and a decent and friendly staff. Not much to look at but I do kind of enjoy the walls covered in license plates from various states, I'm still trying to figure out what some of the vanity plates are saying. Worth a visit, if you're looking for somewhere to kick back and watch a game or want to get a nice buzz without playing the higher prices of some of the other bars in that neighborhood.
(3)Luda I.
great wee spot with some pool and ability to hear what your friends got to say. will defo go back if in a area
(5)Steven G.
Holy dive-o-rama the Christmas lights and coin slotted pool table is a dead giveaway. The beer is cheap with IPAs on draft. Lots of local Mason students go there adding a fresh crowd appeal.
(4)Stacy H.
Enjoyed a fun evening at Jay's. Attitude Adjustment Happy Hour 4-7pm. The developer clock is ticking on Jay's Saloon. They are on a month to month lease. A Great dive bar. Cheap drinks, good food and groovy decor. Don't wait to visit this bar in Clarendon.
(4)Nadine F.
As many have mentioned, this is a dive bar, which is great if you don't have a lot of disposable income but like drinking Coors Light by the pitcher. I, however, am not a beer drinker at all and did not enjoy it. I thought I'd at least be happy with their deep fried bar food, but even that was disappointing. I ordered the chicken tenders with buffalo sauce. When they brought it out, it came with what was unmistakably barbecue sauce, not buffalo sauce, so I flagged down the waitress: Me: Excuse me. Could I please get some buffalo sauce with this? Waitress: That *is* buffalo sauce. Me: No, this is barbecue sauce; I think you brought me the wrong one. Waitress: No, that's our buffalo sauce. It's just like that. So there you have it. Their buffalo sauce "is just like that", meaning just like barbecue sauce. I won't be back.
(2)Sara R.
Beer + mixed drink for 8 dolla?? Yes please. This place reminds me of a small town Midwest bar and makes me happy. I can see why this is a dive favorite (perhaps the only dive) for clarendon. And after reading the messages on the chalkboard in the bathroom (yes they have a chalkboard!) I can tell it will be sorely missed.
(4)Jackie G.
Went to Jay's for the first time last night with some of my friends, and we literally fell in love. The atmosphere is so cool, with good drinks for a great price. Food was amazing -- all three of us loved what we got, and it was very well-riced. Best part about the whole experience was Jay, though; he seems like the nicest guy ever, and even gave us shots on the house on the way out. Everyone else in the bar was very friendly, too. Came on Yelp to post an amazing review on Jay's and saw that the place is supposed to close down soon...don't know how I'm supposed to work today with this broken heart of mine.
(5)Jaclyn S.
Love the food, service, and staff! ...as well as the prices.
(5)Rachel P.
I went on burger night (Tuesday) and had a good, half-price burger. I like the atmosphere of this place. It's a real shame that they're going to close.
(3)Jack W.
I enjoyed this place. It's small and it looks like it's got regulars who aren't transports into the Metro area. They had a decent beer selection but if you want to go somewhere to chill and talk, this would be a good place.
(4)Emily S.
So I get there and there's a dude sitting outside on the porch wearing a camoflauge hat and smoking. Five stars. I walk in and as soon as we sit down I hear AC/DC "TNT." Like 87 stars. The waitress brings me a cold bottle of beer and doesn't even offer a glass. This is kitsch ambiance. Five stars. We ask the waitress about the vegetable and she's like it's disgusting don't do it. Also asked about the state of the chicken fingers. I was like "are they succulent breast strips that have been breaded or are they the little shrivelly kind where all you taste is fried batter?" She said "I'd say shrivellies. They're really crispy." Five stars (for honesty). The prices were the cheapest (and most indicative of things having been frozen) I've seen in the area. Five stars. But then we got the food. NEGATIVE 80 BAZILLION STARS. I got the nachos last night and this evening I shit a live goblin. Like he looked up at me and then jumped out of the toilet and ran away into the night making mischief. My friend's meatloaf she said sucked and that it was kind of cold and uncooked inside. The gravy that came on the meatloaf and her mashed potatoes looked like frozen viscous hickory BBQ sauce that had congealed or something. The side salad was decent-ish. Realizing I hadn't had protein all day I ordered chicken on my nachos and asked the waitress if it came in chunks. She said it was pulled or shredded and I thought that sounded good. Got it and...I don't know what the hell that was. It seriously look like they took pieces of the outside breading for the chicken fingers and peeled it into little strips and threw them on there. Also my GI tract will never be the same. So. Go. Sit. Muse. Drink. Enjoy beer. Chat with the waitress. But for chrissakes DO NOT EAT.
(3)Eric M.
This is the only bar in Arlington worth going to. No frills, and no BS. Most bars in Arlington try to manufacture the type of environment Jay's has developed over 35 years in the business....Bars like this are a dying breed, and it will be a sad day when it closes.
(4)Dan C.
I love this bar. I'd choose a dive bar over a club-like setting any day of the week, and that's exactly what this place is: A great dive bar in the Clarendon area. Whenever I go into Arlington I make sure to stop on by. I've been going to this place for years and it remains in my top 3 favorite bars in the area - if I had to pick 3. The beer is what you'd expect, but fairly priced. The food is surprisingly good for bar grub. There's usually only one waiter/waitress on staff at any given time so the service may vary depend on how packed it gets. Regardless, that person will work their ass off for you though. Friday nights are interesting as "Pee-wee" plays classic rock from what I assume is a single speaking built into a crate. The music stops at 12 though. If I had one complaint it would be about the sound quality. They also have live music but that's less frequent. If you're looking for an awesome place in Arlington to post-up for the night and have a few, try Jay's.
(5)Mickey C.
The best kept secret in Clarendon. A dive bar extroadinaire! Drink specials, good food, etc. Had the meatloaf which was great and cheap. Wife ha ravioli which was excellent and tasty and priced right. Happy hour on some drinks was 4-7 which lit up the night early. Excellent waitress who was very attentive. This should be a place to go to EVERY night...a real neighborhood bar to go hide and have fun.
(5)Erin O.
This is definitely the neighborhood bar with lots of regulars. I love the feel of it and its like no other place in Clarendon. This is not the "to be seen" type of place. Everything is old and worn and the no flat screen tvs. This is a great place for a beer and comfort food.
(4)Katherine H.
A long time ago in what feels like a place no longer recognizable, I stumbled upon Jay's Saloon and Grille. I will let you decide what I mean when I write "stumble". Regardless, every neighborhood needs its dive bar. Where Arlington fails is that you can throw a dead cat and hit a mediocre bar (not that you should be killing, maiming, or throwing animals, live or otherwise). They're standard, not-lounge, but barely-bar bars, or Irish bars. In the words of the Arlington rapper, Remy they're for "dudes in brown flip flops". Jay's stands out like a beacon of hope to all those Southerners who dare to enter such close proximity to Yankee country. And it's not really a Dixie bar at all, but it's pretty country. Green astroturf, christmas lights, license plates, plastic tables and chairs outside with the heat lamps, plastic cups inside at the bar, its character extends beyond just the physical space. The bartenders know you, joke around, remember you when you come in months, or sometimes, years, later. And the beer costs what it should here, actually all the prices are reasonable. They're not hiding behind personas, egos, or gussied up...anything. This is the quintessential dive bar. I want to go to there.
(5)Mattie C.
Jay's is awesome. It is great being able to go somewhere in Clarendon that isn't pretentious-seeming or have lines of people in clubbing outfits blocking your way when you are trying to walk. Jay's is off on a side road and is a great dive bar. They have a nice patio to hang out on when the weather is nice, and the interior is small and cosy with places to sit and a pool table. All the bartenders are very friendly, and best of all is the cute, older gentleman DJ, Pee Wee, playing Oldies hits. This place is normal and down-to-earth, something that seems to be so rare in Arlington today. Now if we in Ballston could only get off of our lazy butts and walk over here more often!
(4)Morgan F.
I moved to the Clarendon/Court House area in October. I have been a loyal customer since roughly every 2 weeks. Every time I go to Jay's Saloon I feel as if the owner and bartenders "want" me to be there. Jay, the owner, introduced me with a handshake and told me about himself and the business. On another night, Dale, a bartender, once again introduced me with a handshake and details on the best deals of the night. These guys really care about their customers! The spinach and artichoke dip is a bit different from other restaurants, but I enjoyed it. Also, go on a Tuesday evening. Burger platters are half off! I usually like to go on Tuesday nights after I get out of class. I stroll in late and they still serve me a great burger at half the price. This place is chill. They don't watch the clock to the exact time like all the posh bars in the area. You'll learn to appreciate the rural attitude about life when you enjoy a good night at Jay's Saloon. Oh yea, if somethings not perfect to your standards, maybe you just haven't experienced the "dive bar way."
(5)Lauren T.
Now that I've moved out of Arlington, I can tell you...this place is as good as it gets. Jay is the guy behind the counter and an absolute star. Love it as a dive and the perfect place to take a dog. Please frequent this place so that the next time that I return to Arlington, it's still standing. I LOVE JAY'S!!!!!!!!!!! p.s. get their chicken tenders or cheesesteak p.p.s. go after Caps practice times and you may see a few
(5)Calvin B.
I've lived down the street from this place for the past two years, and while I've passed by so many times I never thought about coming in. Clarendon has plenty of bars to suit your mood. If you want to go to a meet market or watch sports or have some really good food in a nice setting, there is probably a place for you. For me, I'm always looking to find a divey neighborhood bar that sort of feels homey and I know the staff is friendly and looks forward to being at work. Over the years I have started to think of my favorite neighborhood bars as an extension of my living room, so while Jay's is now one of my favorites, my realization is bittersweet because it took me so long to find it and once I did, I found out that it's days are probably numbered. Oh well. But I do remember that I did stop by for lunch not too long after I had moved in, and came back months later and the same bartender actually remembered my name! That should've convinced me right then that this was my new spot, but I didn't see the signs. About a month ago, I walked in on a Tuesday night and found a mixture of neighborhood regulars who were either bored; making other people bored; or just plain obnoxious in their own weird and eccentric ways and fell in love with the place. The bartender was handling it all with a sense of even tempered bemusement and I could tell that I would have at least one person whom I could talk to and not feel the need to slide to the end of the bar. It's an American bar with Amercan fare, so there are plenty of mainstream beers to choose from, and the food is a rundown of bar food options including tater tots, cheese-covered french fries, and my go-to bar appetizer: nachos. I try nachos everywhere I go because I feel like you can't really screw up chips and melted cheese, and here they are arranged individually with the cheese melted on top. Ahh...nachos lovingly hand-crafted with care! Another plus. There's also a lovingly hand crafted grilled cheese sandwhich with ham, bacon, and a tomato slice. Heaven and a heart attack just waiting to please you! Another plus. But really, if they just served burnt toast with pickles, I could probably eat that too because the atmosphere really draws me back every week. It feels like a place that only you and a few lucky people know about and it does feel like home because at one time, according to someone I talked to, it was actually someone's home. It looks like a Virginia farmhouse from wayback, with a covered porch and when you walk in you're looking smack-dab at the little bar and sometimes everyone either turns to stare at you waiting for you to go slinking away into the night, or they put their faces back down into their beers as they go on with their own private battles. People there are friendly though, and you can quickly find a seat at the bar, or at one of the tables sitting down on chairs that look like they were taken from a dining room set bought at Marlo furniture years ago. Friday nights can be crowded but that only adds to the sense of crashing someone else's house party and so it's just best to squeeze in somewhere and enjoy the scene. There's a dj who actually plays cassette tapes, which I had to see to believe. He plays oldies from the 50's through the 80's, so just about everyone can hear something they like. He keeps a book up front for requests, and a jar, ahem, for donations. So yeah, I go here for the cameradie and the atmosphere and will keep going back till they close the doors on the place. Clarendon has changed so much since I moved in back in 2010. The place down the street that sold tombstones? It had been there for a hundred years, but is gone now. The funky little used car lot on the corner across from it? Gone. The Eleventh Hour restaurant is no more. All that space is being redeveloped for a hugh building that will be opening in 2014. Time marches on and so you gotta find those special places that you like and celebrate them while you can.
(5)Corrie D.
If you want a real dive bar (dark, grungy, populated by locals) then Jay's is your best bet in the area. I love this place. Its out of place in the trendy, yuppie ridden Arlington area. The patio is right out of a redneck's backyard. The bar/restaurant has that gross feel of decades of grease, cigarettes and beer. There is limited parking. But all of that just makes this place an oasis where you can roll in and grab a beer. If you haven't been yet, go.
(4)Justine-Louise M.
A Thursday, the day after Christmas, so the Thursday-est day of the year, it was dark. It's post-solstice, so shouldn't the days be getting longer already? Anyways, I walked into Jay's brimful of hard luck stories from hours of yakking on the phone at one of them hotlines. To my relief, the crowd was thin, the server didn't ask too many questions, and the beer menu didn't require an advanced degree to read. I ordered a Miller lite, the fried mac-and-cheese wedges, and a reuben. The mac-and-cheese was one of those masochistic treasures that burns you 'cause you can't keep yourself from inhaling them too early. The reuben was a little like yours truly in the '90s, light on the meat and sour. The Miller lite was a Miller lite, because it's the '10s now and a lady's gotta watch her figure. Will I be back? Oh, I'll be back. I'll be back the next time I need a little peace, a cold beer, and a hot sandwich served without a lot of guff.
(4)Jason G.
Jays is simply awesome! We randomly came across this hidden gem (not to make you think this place is shiny or actually gem like, it's a dirty dive bar, but in the perfect way) as we ventured off the beaten path of Clarendon blvd. For I longed to discover a place free of the typical Clarendon crowd...and Jays is it! So happy we decided to step in here for a quick bite to eat and a couple beers. We grabbed a table outside and were served by Cory, aka best waiter in town. We grubbed chicken fingers and a quesadilla, both of which hit the spot and were actually better than I expected. Topped it off with a couple guinness and we were very pleased! If you want a chill atmosphere, this is the place to be...no pretentious peeps here. Definitely will be returning soon to our new go to neighborhood bar...hopefully Cory will be there again to take care of us.
(5)Jesse C.
Iconic place in Clarendon. Seems to be stuck in a time warp from the early 90's with CRT TV's and similarly aged ads. (They did get a "new" flatscreen TV that was apparently a gift from a regular though). The Philly cheesesteak sandwich was great and fun to have tator tots once in a while too. Beer seems to be normal priced, $3:50 for PBR bottle, and they do have some other options as well but if you're a beer snob this probably isn't the best place.
(5)Derek H.
If you go to Jays, go to sit outside on their porch and pound cheap beer with a group of people. It's a lot like Hunan Number One up the block in that regard. Good day drink or early night destination, but don't expect it to be rockin' out at midnight on Saturday. By then it's either groups of people who wanted something quieter, or locals drinking by themselves who don't want to deal with the chaos of the bigger and "trendier" places up the road. But if you want efficient, affordable beers and have a group of people, hit this place up for awhile before heading off to something later. I don't think I'd ever eat here, but I know people that swear by their cheap specials.
(3)Chris V.
Great dive in the Clarendon area (and change of pace). Not sure why some people are giving it bad ratings complaining about what it is, its a dive bar, not the Ritz. Last time I checked dive bars aren't clean or upscale. Its where people can go and relax and feel comfortable. Sure the bar doesn't smell like fresh roses and have white linen on the table tops and the bartenders are not waiters wearing upscale outfits, but you have to remember that you're in a DIVE BAR. I loved it. They have great beer (cheap!), great bartenders and the food was good. Not many places left you can go to and get two meals and four drinks for $30. Place I'll definitely be headed back to!
(5)Alex M.
Classic dive bar with relaxed neighborhood vibe in a part of town increasingly populated by Abercrombie & Fitch clones and $9 Miller Lites. I mean, I am not a regular at Jays, and probably won't ever be, but I respect what they are about- no nonsense drinking with friends and a stubborn refusal to cater to the myopic, insatiable desire to over-develop every possible inch of Clarendon with bland corporate bars that serve up over-priced drinks for young and hip working professionals. For those who don't know, Jays is facing the end of their lease, so get it while you can, before they put in another Austin Grill/Starbucks/Cheesecake Factory clone.
(5)Joye P.
Major dive. This place makes the Tune Inn look like the Ritz Carlton! Good points: (1) clean restroom - that's a good sign that the kitchen is clean, also; (2) decent onion rings - rated 5 on a scale of 1 to 10; and (3) cheap beer - a glass of Yuengling was $3.50. Bad points: (1) service was abysmal; (2) it's off the beaten path from the Clarendon metro station; (3) the bar is a dump - really bad shape inside; (4) marginal air conditioning. I can see the allure of Jay's - full of 'locals,' unpretentious, but it is **really** divey. Too run-down for me. I won't be back.
(1)D R.
Read the one-star reviews for Jay's. If they sound like the kind of people you'd rather not spend your time with, read on. Seriously, on Burger Tuesdays during happy hour (til 7pm), you can walk out of here with a burger and two domestic bottles for $10. The burger (for what looks like a frozen patty) is actually nicely dressed; the blue cheese topping is tops, and the tater tots are great. They've got great outdoor seating too. Also, while the domestic bottles are crap, we're talking $2.50 a pop, people. If you're after better suds, they've got them, but in reality you'd be better off heading down the street to Rustico. The best thing about this place, though, is the people: the bar and wait staff are both fun and (generally) quick. And while the "locals" clientele are young middle-classers and students, they're anything but hipster. This truly is a neighborhood bar, the kind you'd be hard pressed to find in any town, much less a highfalutin burb like Clarendon. The best thing you could do to keep this place awesome is not making it more popular, so let's keep Jay's our secret.
(5)Sky K.
A dive bar that embodies the truest sense of the word. Its crappy, dirty, and yes they often play old shitty music way too damn loud. Oh and just to clarify in case it hasn't already been made crystal clear by the 9 zillion other reviews this is a DIVE BAR not some hipster place. There is no Neon Indian spinning dj, secret entrance, or anything of that sort. All the mustaches you see here are not being worn ironically. Don't come with any expectations because if you do this place will shatter them quicker then an absentee father promising its daughter a pony for her birthday. Rad: Just drunks , regulars (see drunks), and alcoholics (see regulars) allow you to drown you sorrows in cheap swill without judgment. I've heard they have a dead serious cassette tape DJ. Who doesn't wan't to hear Seventeen by Winger in all its lo-fi glory. You will not encounter a single Girl named Madison or a guy named Chad at this bar. Bad: This place is basically a 2 star in DC at best. But since Arlington has so little nightlife variety it gets tons of points for offering something different.
(5)Rob P.
Jay's is hardly a dive bar by most cities' standards, but I guess compared to the other bars around Arlington, this is about as close as it gets... I went with two friends on a Friday night. It was crowded, but we found an open table and sat down immediately. The crowd was a mix of older and younger people. My friends informed me that everyone is the place was a local - I guess few people take the metro from DC to be seen in this place? It seems plausible to me. There was a food menu, but I didn't see anyone eating food... There was a DJ - a white haired guy in a Nationals cap playing not-particularly-good music at volume just loud enough to require me to shout "WHAT?" after every sentence my friends and I tried to communicate. It's a good place for what it is; but it's those little annoyances that keep Jay's from being the kind of place I want to go to more regularly.
(3)Jonathan H.
This place is like an oasis in the desert. By desert I mean clean bar-slash-lounge that charges alot of money, and by oasis I mean cheap, down 'n' dirty dive bar. On this particular evening, other camels came to drink of this oasis. By camels I mean other politically incorrect gangsters organized into a herd by Tina R. By herd I mean unofficial yelp event. By Tina R I mean straight up gangster killin' mofo reppin' the streets of Arlington. This place was so rockin for our Politically Incorrect Group inaugural smash. Pitchers flowed like honey from a bees ass and insults were spread like AIDS in Swaziland, the AIDS capital of the world. Luckily, I didn't catch AIDS at Jay's, but I did have an awesome time listening to live music, watching the kids play pool, and soaking in the atmosphere like a dirty sponge.
(4)Eric M.
Cheap food, cheap beer and a horribly dated interior make this a truly great dive bar. The food is what you'd expect from this sort of bar, but it's fairly priced and typically pretty good. The chili is fantastic and, despite another review here, their nachos are out of this world. I frequent for lunch mostly b/c I work a block away, so I can't comment on nightlife past a few happy hour beers. They do have a pretty large patio and decent happy hour deals.
(5)Bridget K.
Jay's Saloon is a veritable dive bar gem in Arlington, which is saying a lot if you're familiar with the typical "popular places" around that area. The bar is about as unpretentious as they come. The owner, Jay (hence the bar's namesake) is almost always either working or at least hanging around the bar. The bartenders and cook staff are charming and endearing, and, at least in my experience, aren't completely tip-driven. Friday nights are a must-go for newbies. PeeWee, the 75ish year-old DJ, graces Jay's with his presence from 9-midnight. Although he's upgraded his system a bit, he used to DJ entirely from cassette tapes making the type of music that much more eclectic.
(4)Janet D.
I have nothing against dive bars. But shouldn't the grit and grime be balanced out with friendly service? Went here with a group on Saturday night, and I was the designated driver. It's in Virginia, someone's gotta do it! When we ordered our several pitchers of beer, we also asked for one water. Waitress gave me a HUGE eye roll. Ten minutes later I asked politely again for a glass of water, another HUGE eye roll. Folks ordered some food, more beer (we weren't just freeloading tables here) and finally I give up and go to the bar and ask for one glass of water. The bartender said Yes and then ignored me for 10 minutes and served another half dozen people. I gave up and went back to the table. Finally we got a pitcher of water when she brought our check. But then she forgot to bring the credit card back. I didn't want to stay, and yet I couldn't leave. This place is more like a hot mess than a dive.
(1)Clarence J.
Jay's is a great dive bar, housed in a ramshackle, two-story house in Clarendon, a few blocks from the Metro. Most people don't seem to know it's there, but it's definitely worth finding. It's worn down, beaten up, and generally in rough shape, but the staff is friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere is fun and laid back (emphasis on the latter). Jay's would definitely be at home as a beach bar or a small-town's hooch. It's not glamorous, but it's . . . comfortable. The beer's plentiful and cheap and the food is most often fried and/or melted. This is also one of the only places in the city that I've found serves regular Coors! (Which isn't a big deal for most people, but a definite positive for me.) I just plain enjoy myself here, alone or with friends, and I'll keep going until they close . . . which, sadly, if the rumors are true, will occur by the end of 2011.
(4)Aaron R.
The more I go here the more i like it... like any dive they have Family. I like that.
(5)Mo H.
Prices are just right, service is friendly, and they sell a side of tater tots for under $3! What more could you want out of a dive bar??
(5)Ryan M.
Really wanted to like Jay's more based on the reviews, but three big cons: -Came here to get away from the crowds, but right after we sat down they started playing all-request oldies on cassettes. Cool and hipster, but ridiculously loud. -Waitress ignored us most of the night (even though we had a table) -Ordered a plain cheese quesadilla and it came out with black olives in it. Not a big deal for me, but with a somewhat picky-eater friend it made it inedible. Good spot to get away from the crowds and they have a pool table, but didn't really cut the mustard enough to be a return spot.
(3)J P.
One of the last great dives in central Arlington. I love everything about this place - especially its proximity to more "respectable" places in Clarendon. Try the food at your own risk.
(5)Courtney D.
i was hopeful. the guys at Galaxy Hut recommended Jay's, specifically on Friday night, specifically for the classic rock DJ, specifically not so late it turns into BroFest, specifically before the place closes for good. i talked a group of friends into joining me for happy hour. server was less than thrilled to see us. she came down from her perch on the railing to take our orders without any pleasantries. a thimble of jameson (complete with ice cubes!) set me back 7.75 a round. 7 & 7 (heavier on one of the 7's) = $6.75. beers like corona & bud light were around $5. not terrible, but not the bargain i thought i'd find in a "dive" bar. maybe the atmosphere makes it worthwhile as the night grows, but 6-8 on a Friday night it was nothing special, just a room full of crowded (empty) tables, bar full of firemen, unfriendly service and overpriced liquor. apparently the DJ starts at 9, but i will not be returning. i'd rather spend my $8 on a nice pint at Galaxy Hut.
(2)Lakisia H.
I found Jay's via Yelp as I was in Arlington and had some time to kill. So needless to say, it does fit the description of a "dive" but for Arlington. I have definately seen many bars that define a dive bar. Service is prompt and courteous and my drink was just fine. I had some chicken wings and they were ok as well. It is bar food so I didn't expect gourmet chicken wings. I will go back simply because the atmosphere was very laid back and welcoming.
(3)Jess C.
Best dive bar around!! Great staff and service; delicious food. Friday nights DJ Pee Wee rocks the oldies (40's-70's) from 9ish till close-ish. If you want to sit, it would be wise to get there on the earlier side - the bar area fills up quickly, thus filling the rest of the available space quickly as well. The decor is an assortment of fun tschotskes, including an impressive collection of license plates from all over the place. Dogs are welcome on the patio, also.
(5)Billy F.
I was excited after all the reviews but, ultimately, left disappointed. On the plus side, the atmosphere is as-advertised. You won't believe you are still in Arlington. It's very relaxed with an unpretentious older crowd on a weekday night. The patio would be good on a cool evening. The entire interior smelled musty and is in dire need of renovations. I think it could be modernized and still retain its charm. The A/C and ceiling were leaking. The pool table was covered with a tarp and some trays to catch the water. Walls and ceilings were stained. Vents and TVs were dusty... You get the picture. The beer selection was very limited for my taste. The food was greasy, average and cheap. Service was friendly and prompt. Prices are rock-bottom low - especially for the area. I would return but only to drink on the patio, avoiding the food and interior. Beer Selection: 2 stars Food Quality: 2 stars Prices: 5 stars Service: 4 stars
(2)Tracey C.
We overuse the word random nowadays but it really does describe this bar. The crowd is all over the place. The music is all over the place. The decor is totally kitsch, in the nicer sense of the word. Throw a penny and who knows what type of person you'd hit. That makes it cool in my book. At least I now know where I can get a $4 bottle of cider and surprisingly good cheap fries and chicken tenders. Now, if only they would turn down the music a little or at least invest in some decent speakers.
(3)M B.
It's a Dive bar but I love it with all my heart. Jays feels like home. It's a great spot for post-softball get togethers and I love the patio on summer nights. It is the most chill relaxed place around and it's the best bar food in D.C. which is surprising. I prefer week nights because it is more chill.
(5)Nat E.
In a town of copy-cats, hipsters, and fraternity chic, Jay's stands alone. The clientele and the staff are quick to greet new and old with a smile and a frosty beverage. The food is inexpensive and soulful. And the music is out of sight! This isn't just a great dive bar. This is a great bar.
(5)Bro H.
No idea how I haven't reviewed this place yet. Jay's is a great little neighborhood bar, and one of the few metro-accessible bars in Arlington where I feel truly at home. Pitchers of Budweiser are a reasonable price - 10 or 11 bucks, I think? (One snag, though, is that Yuengling is significantly more expensive than Bud or Bud Light - like 4 or 5 bucks more. That took us a while to figure out. For a long time I thought all the beer was bizarrely expensive for a dive.) The massive list of $5 dollar sandwiches doesn't have any misses on it that I've discovered. It's greasy bar fare, but portions are big for five bucks. The burger is a steal for five dollars, to be sure. The porch is a great place to be on a nice day if you can snag a table. The only truly bad thing I can really say about it is that I seriously hate coming here on Friday nights. I absolutely despise hearing insanely loud music played on scratched-up old cassette tapes. I know people that think it's quaint or something, but it hurts my ears. Still, there's six nights a week that I enjoy coming to Jay's, and that's more than enough for me.
(5)Rebecca C.
Amazing that an unapologetic dive has survived in Clarendon (RIP Royal Lee), but thank god it has! If you want to hang out, drink pitchers of beer and play pool on a somewhat gimp pool table, Jay's is the place. If you want to drink for the night at a place where any of the following things might happen: - A guy might be drinking alone on the patio with his boa constrictor -A band made up of what looks like Jay's bar flies gets down with some blues and other tunes -Random middle aged guy drops his pants multiple times as a joke Then get over to Jay's. Table service has always been excellent, and the food is incredibly reasonably priced. There have been times that the bartender appears kind of confused/out of it, but hey, everyone has an off day, right? Sure, you'll get that not-so-cold-pitcher-of-beer phenomenon, but sometimes you just take what you can get, you know? I feel like the whole place exudes The Big Lebowski -- beer a little warm? The dude abides. Sitting on emptied kegs to wait for the bathroom while staring into the less than appetizing kitchen? No big deal, man.
(3)E M.
Cheap pitchers of beer? Check. Outdoor seating? Check. A complete lack of meatheads? Check. Dive bar? Check. Recommended as an excellent neighborhood hangout for the low maintenace variety.
(5)David W.
Becoming a usual at Jays took no time. This is the last proper, neighbourhood bar in the north side of Arlington. Food is unbelievably cheep as hell, for being 2 blocks from the Clarendon metro station. The typical patron shifts, from a quieter, older bunch of locals during the week; to, a packed bar full of young professionals. All are welcome, people are overly friendly and can strike up conversation or dance to the music on Saturday nights.
(5)Kim H.
I dropped by on a Friday night and saw a sign that said "Cosmos Not Allowed" so I knew this was a true dive. The crowd was anywhere from upper 20's to late 50's. The bartenders were friendly but what threw me off was the DJ. Apparently Friday nights is "Oldies Night". The DJ was about 60 years old and played everything from The Beatles to The Monkeys. I have nothing against either of those bands, but to hear it over and over was not my cup of tea.
(2)Helen V.
Me likey! They serve up pretty good cheese steak sandwiches, nachos, and onion rings! In addition, it's affordable too! I think the pitchers are like $5 at some time. Again, the menu is great and so are the prices. Didn't seem to 'divey' for me, but eh, I guess I'm used to slummin' it. I would come back. Bring on the wings, calamari, and everything that's bad for me... :) addicted.
(5)Lex S.
I've been to Jay's a bunch of times, so when Kim H. wanted to go to a dive, I suggested Jay's. Some people say they want to go to a dive, but really want to go to a yuppie bar with a faux-dive shell. Don't be surprised if you encounter a bunch of old guys, alcoholics, a "DJ" playing his songs on cassette tapes, a dirty bathroom, and a ton of smoke (at least for another month). Don't get me wrong, you still get a few 20 and 30 somethings going to Jay's for the novelty, but the great thing here is that all are welcome. They do serve mixed drinks too btw (the no cosmo sign was actually a tagline of a newspaper article about dive bars). The best thing about Jay's is the patio, so it's great for happy hours in the warmer months. Dogs (and apparently snakes) are welcome on the patio. There are a few tables inside, which makes it kind of cramped, but there's not too much room for standing around. If you're looking to go out with a big group of friends, try to snag a table. I wouldn't come here alone, but nobody would care if I did.
(2)IH K.
The dive of all dives. I was actually reluctant to believe it existed because Arlington isn't one for dive bars. But it was there, and we were glad it was. Beer is cheap...enough to drink it straight from the pitchers. The atmosphere laid back. The service spotty - like any authentic dive. The food is also cheap, but because it's rather terrible. I'm sure they do the basic bar food okay, but I was forced to order a grilled tuna sandwich sans the bun because I'm dairy free for lent and most fried foods have an egg wash. Well, it was obvious that I was probably the first person in the past few years to be stupid enough to order a fish from Jays....and it was probably a fish that'd been in the freezer for just as long. I poured ketchup all over it and ate it anyway, only to have this action bullied by an entire table of other yelpers. What? I was starving to death.
(4)Dan B.
great dive bar! cheap tasty food. Disgusting, dated interior.
(4)Paul M.
Just when you think that Clarendon is full of wine bars, coffee shops and defense contractors all living in their condos and driving their BMWs you find an absolute jewel like this place. A dive bar with a blues band, a pool table, pitchers of beer, close packed tables and fantastic staff. I remember arriving. I remember grabbing a beer. I might have had a couple of beers actually. I remember Tina taking the stage. I remember getting the pronounciation of PDLMBM's name right after the 10th attempt. I remember standing by the pool table holding a cue. At least I think it was a cue. I remember talking to Michael and Arthi and Danny and Charity and Tina and PDLMBM and Jonathan and Tony and James and Lester and Eric and Justin and Im Han and Bassey and Russ and Jimena. Wow. I can remember quite a lot . I remember everytime I saw Ben he had a pitcher of beer in his hand. I cannot remember anything else. But I know I had a great time. This was a perfect bar for a perfect group for a perfect evening.
(5)J S.
Dive bars don't get much better. Jay is a solid guy who is usually hanging out and drinking out of a coffee mug. The beer is cold and cheep, and the have the best nachos I've ever had (no, really. they're that good). Don't miss summer time on the porch, and bring your dog!
(5)Dan M.
Great dive bar! If you are looking for a true dive bar this is the best place in Arlington to go. No frills cheap food and drinks and great crowd. The staff is friendly and fun and the people at the bar are too for the most part. I love seeing live music played here and also enjoy the DJ who runs music via cassette tape ($1 per request). For those who really enjoy dive bars it doesn't get any better than this.
(5)Katie G.
Never been here at night, but it looks like a hot spot driving past. During the day: there is something to be said about a place you can rely on to be consistent. This is a dive bar, with dive bar food. The owner is pretty much always there, always the same cook, always the same waitress. Cheap beer, cheap food, good portions, friendly people. I eat lunch here about once a week, can't really beat it!
(3)Anna D.
Groovy dive bar in Clarendon. I am not normally a fan of going to NoVA....but lately I seem to be going there a lot. Daggone friends live there and shit. What else can a girl do? Ah well... But Jay's is a treat and a surprise. The waitress was wonderful and helpful with checking ingredients for me (a la soy allergy) and my salad was large and delicious for very little money! The prices are great here. The atmosphere very laid back and fun-loving. And even with our large number of people and the small amount of space, it all worked out well. We sort of took over part of the dining area for awhile. Seeing as how I seem to be in this area more and more often, I am probably going to be coming back! Good times!
(4)Brian K.
If you're looking for a great beer selection, gourmet food and the most gorgeous people this side of the Potomac then please please please don't go to Jay's Saloon! If you're looking for the last true dive bar in walking distance to the Orange line with cheap beer, crusty patrons and that faint smell of old bowling alley, then you'll love Jays. Sitting out on the patio drinking pitchers of cold cheap beer on a warm summer night is one of best ways you can spend an evening in Arlington without spending a lot of money.
(4)Meredith C.
It's a dive, but a great dive. And the food happens to be really, really good. And insanely cheap. How they make their money, I do not know. Don't go expecting great service, because you won't get it. But places like Jay's are hard (or impossible) to find in this town, and that makes me (a native Mississippian) appreciate it even more.
(5)David K.
Jay's is the pre-eminent dive bar in Arlington by a longshot. Located in Clarendon, most people associate this neighborhood with post-frat packed clubs and bars, all fresh off of gentrification. Jay's is a breath of fresh air in that it appears to be unchanged from the time it was first built. Situated in what looks to be a former home, it is sandwiched by rundown office buildings and used car dealerships. The patio is covered in astro turf and has several tables, making it a great place to imbibe on summer evenings. The interior is comprised of an undersized pool table, about 8 tables, and a relatively long bar staffed by one bartender and one waiter. We take special notice of the brick looking wallpaper Jay put up, as well as the unrelated collection of flair and knick knacks on the wall. It's as if the owner went into Lyon Park selecting wall adornments off the street on trash day. Pitchers seem to be flowing like water here from their small selection of 3 domestic beers. Taking a look at the menu that appears to have been typed on a 20 year old typewriter, you'll be shocked to find that prices don't seem to have changed since it was originally written on the aforementioned typewriter. A burger here goes for $5, sandwiches and entrees are generally $5-7. Is the food award worthy? Of course not, but it fits the divey atmospere of the restaurant. If you've gone here for any length of time, you'll have the pleasure of meeting Jay. Jay tends to sit at the corner of the bar in the entrance drinking straight gin out of a Dixie Cup. Look for him wearing a Cosby sweater, sitting with regulars, usually with rosy red Boris Yeltsin-esque cheeks. Jay is very friendly and willing to support the community. As a coach of a local adult sports flag football team, I asked Jay to sponsor. Rather than cut a business check like you'd expect from any reputable business, Jay went to the cash register, counted out the cash, and said come back Thursday when it would be busier and he'd have more money. I did, and he delivered on his promise and helped sponsor us. Thus, our team, The Smooth H-Jay's were born. I believe our trophy is still sitting on the ledge near the back. It is a very friendly place where the staff seems to know everyone. Make special note to say hello to the friendly cook, Federico. He will fill you in on the best Bolivian places to eat around Arlington. All in all, whether it's a post soccer game trip on a Thursday evening or a Friday night with Pee Wee playing 80s as DJ, Jay's is a pretty dependable good time. Especially when compared to it's more popular, crowded neighbors. Call it the anti-Mr. Day's, and I hope it stays that way.
(5)Jennifer B.
It really is as good as it gets for the area and its prices and atmosphere. This is a dive bar. Many who worked in my office building for years didn't even know Jay's was there. Jay's is a great place to go for some cheap grub and hanging out. You won't find 5* star culinary delights but you will find 5* good food. The burgers and onion rings are really good and so are some of the sandwiches. Just an all around good place if you happen to be in the area.
(4)Julie V.
4 drinks, 2 entrees, $32. Can't beet that!
(5)Tu-van L.
This place is not too hard to find, but very easy to pass when you drive by. (just turn right at the car dealership). One of the cheaper places for half-priced burger Tuesdays. Burgers are made on the well side, so if you like "medium" go for their "medium rare." Fries and onion rings are well-seasoned and fried and the beer is cheap and plentiful. The tortilla chips for their nachos are too deep-fried for my liking, but still tasty when waiting for your burger. If you come here on a cool night, the outdoor seating is refreshing and not as smoky as the inside. What makes this place for me is the awesome group of friends I regular this place with. Some of them are in the entertainment industry, so that always helps with the service.
(3)E E.
*3.5* Only 4 beer selection on draft. Ordered Yeungling by the pitcher and the beer was somewhat warm. Great service. Cheap prices. I really like their Buffalo Wings (minus the sauce) in a strange way. It's more like fried chicken wings and reminds me of fried chicken that I used to have as a child. Probably more nostalgic value... Again, great service.
(3)Michael S.
This place had all the makings of a good dive bar. It failed to deliver. Sure, its brimming with old men enjoying the high life. Plenty of 25 year old TVs playing the Nats game and the start of a come back streak of the Caps in the playoffs. The pool tables busy, the outdoor seating packed. But the service was severely lacking. I asked the waitress 5 times for a menu...never came. I had to go to the bartender to get one. The pitchers of beer came occasionally. None of the food we ordered was correct and it wasn't the best anyways. One guy ordered potato salad and got fries, well when the waitress found that out she just cups her hand into a mini bulldozer and scrapes the fries off the plate. My burns were burnt black on my hot dog. Poor delivery Jay. I know this is a dive, but dive bars can have people actually putting forth effort in working there. We ditched the waitress and ordered straight from the bar so things improved a little. I mean if a dive bar is going to compete for any kind of business, cmon, you have to try...a little...some...well i guess none. I'd give this place two stars, but everything is extremely cheap. So it demands another star. I probably won't be returning.
(3)Tony P.
A local neighborhood dive bar with an eclectic group of patrons. I came here with the politically incorrect group (PIG) UYE set up by TinaR. The establishment is cozy. They do serve bar food and have live band entertainment. There is no pretension of station here, but simply a warm ambiance of a bar to enjoy a night out with copious drinks among friends. The service was expedient and and the beer was kept flowing all night. Overall, a pretty good UYE with some really fun folks.
(3)B. S.
Jay's rocks... Only halfway decent bar left in the Clarendon area. I'll forgive Jay for raising the price of jack daniels this once, but he better not do it again... Crabcakes are fantastic, beer is cheap, atmosphere is well... Jay's.
(5)Heather B.
I'm going to agree with just about every previous review...this bar is amazing. Yes, this is an excellent dive bar. Yes, the beer is cheap. Yes, the atmosphere is laid back. I feel like I'm have a beer in my backyard at my family reunion. And though I don't often dine at the places I party, I went here one morning after a rough night of drink in hopes to curing my hangover and had quite possibly the best chicken salad sandwich of my life. Now I did take into factor that when you're hung over you'll eat just about anything but this sandwich was a little different. Not perfect, but is was as if it was my own mother made it; very simple sandwich on white toast points with chips.....and a shirley temple! Outside on the patio! Overall review: if you want to go to a bar where you feel at home, comfortable, and just want to get good old fashion sloppy drunk...simply go to Jay's.
(5)Jake S.
This place is quite possibly my favorite bar in Arlington. For starters, it's probably the cheapest bar in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor that's easily metro accessible. First, the bad: it's a total dive, and I always emerge absolutely reeking of cigarette smoke. That said, there are many more positive aspects to this place than negative. The beer is cheap... like, really cheap. Like 2.50 drafts cheap. The draft selection isn't very extensive (bud, bud light, red hook ipa, and one other one), but they have a pretty good selection of bottles for a bar this size. The food is also really cheap. I usually order the chicken platter, which is two grilled chicken breasts, a side of fries and a salad, with a total cost of about 7 dollars. It's not the highest quality food in the world; I'd put it on par with Bailey's food over in Ballston, only it'll only cost you half as much if you go to Jay's. The service has been both good and bad depending on when you go. During less crowded times, it's very good. On Friday and Saturday nights when the place gets packed, it can be a little slow, but never unbearably so. In short, Jay's is a great time any day of the week, any time of day. Highly recommended if you're in the Arlington area and you want to get away from the usual Ballston/Clarendon scene.
(5)Thomas O.
The last bar and restaurant that sprung from its community who earned and deserved a place that isn't designed to be loud and crowded. Where a little charm can get the fryer turned back on and a conversation you can hear over the music. All amid a sea of bars and restaurants put up to preselect a community. Societal eugenics are no better than the genetic sort. "So the neighborhood didn't frighten him. He fell in love with it, actually...The men of few words who gathered in the pub, where he became a regular. The pain, or the memory of pain, that here was literally sucked away by something nameless until only a void was left. The knowledge that this question was possible: pain that turns finally into emptiness. The knowledge that the same equation applied to everything, more or less."
(4)Judy C.
Gotta love Jay's for what it is. It's a true dive bar in a city where dive bars are near non-existent. The service can be slow if they are busy. The decor is...well...divey. Take time and admire the license plates on the wall or write on the chalk board in the bathroom. The beers at happy hour are really cheap. I like the food a lot too. It's cheap and tasty. My favorites are the tuna steak sandwich and the calamari rings.
(4)Anna P.
Jay's is the definitive dive bar in Arlington. It is decorated with license plates from across the country, has paper menus, and is decked out with plastic patio furniture and an astroturf lawn outside. For some reason it attracts a lot of softball and kickball players in addition to the regulars, who are scruffy old men who likely own motorcycles and come to drown their sorrows at their local watering hole. The place is dingy yet cozy and is a huge contrast to the yuppier (somewhat pretentious) Clarendon area bars. Yuppies still stop by, but more to take a break and see what life is like on the other side. Their food is cheap diner food, but the steak is incredible (and $10!) At least, it is after a long night of drinking. It's on 10th street a few blocks from Highland, so it's easily missed and is a word-of-mouth bar, which is what makes it so great. If you want something different and divey, this is your place. And yes, Jay does work there (and is wonderful).
(4)Kathleen B.
I have issues with the people that gave Jay's a 1-star rating because it is a dive bar and for the fact that it is a next to a car dealership! That is the type of bar IT WANTS TO BE! It is a VERY SMOKY PLACE, with a laid back crowd, cheap drink prices, decent food, and a great "oldies" DJ on Friday nights (love that!). So if you are looking for the hipster scene, you would be interested in going around the corner to Clarendon Grill one of the other more predictable bars in the area. I love Jay's for the fact that it was one of the ONLY dive bars that I could find in the Arlington area, other than Royal Lee (on Pershing, also worth checking out). I recommend it for a great time. And they have patio seating. So that is a plus. Their happy hour specials on weekdays are worth checking out---they are written on a chalkboard behind the bar. Again, if you can't handle cigarette smoke, you might not do well at Jay's.
(4)Brenden J.
Jay's is my happy place. This is definitely the only place to go in Arlington if you want to wear a hoodie or t-shirt to the bar (in a non-ironic way). Good food, good people, good staff, and always a good time.
(5)Dustin S.
Jay's is awesome...staff is great and of course they have the great American bar food to go with it.
(5)Sheri B.
this is not your typical, pretentious arlington bar. It's the perfect dive bar with cheap beer and decent food. Get the nachos, you won't be disappointed
(4)Clara L.
A dive bar to the extreme. PROS: Drinks are cheap! Food is surprisingly pretty good. Friendly bartenders when you get up to the bar. Patio seating available. CONS: VERY smoky. Slow service especially when it's crowded. Jays isn't a glamorous place. That is an understatement still. However it's not a bad place to meet up with friends for a few drinks. And a little getaway from the other Clarendon bars.
(3)Beth O.
I love this place. It retains the "old Clarendon" of mom and pop places and dive restaurants like Whitey's (Now Talula's). Half price burgers can't be beat, and neither can the prices. The owner, Jay is hands on and can usually be found behind the bar. Ask for his Red Headed Slut shot - his pride!
(5)Barrie C.
Outstanding. This was everything I hoped it would be: an escape from the yuppieness of Clarendon without the hipster pretentiousness of some places in the District. I came here on a Saturday night around midnight with a couple friends. The bar itself is pretty small, but it wasn't too crowded, and we were able to get our own table easily. The decor is in accordance with the usual dive bar style: random and slightly tacky. The beer selection isn't expansive (this is certainly no Brickskeller), but that's not the point of this place. We ordered a pitcher of Yuengling and proceeded to drink. The other nice thing was that you could hear yourself talk. Conversation is cool. The crowd was mixed with people of all ages, and they all seemed normal. Everybody we talked to was nice, which is not always the case in Clarendon, but you can also keep to yourself if you want, which is nice. I do lament the fact that the mom and pop places in Clarendon are being pushed out by bigger chains, but I'm not going to totally denounce the usual Clarendon bars (Mr. Days, Clarendon Ballroom, etc.) because I've had fun at those places too. But I work and live in Clarendon, so after awhile you get tired of the frat guy consultants, the snobby over-dressed women, the unimaginative chain restaurants, and the general yuppieness of it all, and you need a break from it. Therefore, I'm glad I've found a place not too far from me that can offer a respite from the usual Clarendon scene. The only thing I didn't like about this place is that it can be really smoky. Yes, dive bars should be smoky. But smelling like the Marlboro factory the next morning just makes my hangover worse. I'm looking forward to checking this place out on a weeknight, like a Monday or Tuesday, to see how it is when things are slower, and to see if it can achieve that true neighborhood bar feel. But just based on my first trip, it's got good potential, and it's closer to a neighborhood bar than anything else in Clarendon.
(4)Alex S.
Jay's is definitely a dive, but one of the friendliest ones I've ever been to. When you open a tab, Mike the bartender shakes your hand, asks your name, and welcomes you. The happy hour Attitude Adjustment specials (4-7) are great but when beer is $2.50 regularly it's just icing on the cake. The mixed drinks are served in beer mugs and pretty stiff. As far as bar food goes, Jay's is pretty damn good. Just about everything on the menu is under $6 and actually really tasty. Surprisingly there's a decent amount of variety and not everything is greasy (sandwiches, wraps, salads). There's also a T-Bone steak dinner for under $11. I agree with everyone else that service can be slow sometimes and that no matter what night, or how crowded it is, you'll leave smelling like Joe Camel. Still, it's one of my favorite bars in Arlington.
(4)Koko O.
i've lived here for three years and never knew this place existed. It's a lowkey bar that seems fit for regulars. I recall there was carpet, so yeah--it's THAT kind of place. But i loved the atmosphere...very rough and whatever....like a garage bar or something. The staff was supersweet--especially the bartenders. The pool table is a bit ghetto..it refused to give us a complete set of balls to play with, and the majority of the cues were missing their tips. Still, when you don't want to get frilly and you just want to drink in a warm and cozy enviro, this is the spot. Cheap beer, cheap food, free entertainment. Now THAT'S America.
(4)Mikkela T.
If you ignore the slow service and sometimes wild Clarendonites, Jay's can become a favorite hangout for a cheap beer and burgers. A few years ago, after class at George Mason, I'd enjoy my $4.50 burger and fries (that's half price up the street). The outdoor patio is a great place to sit (it's away from the sports rowdiness inside). I've stopped going to Jay's. I'm done with school, and the crowds can get to be too much. Our server, Mo, was a reliable friendly face but even he can't be at work all the time. One of the "authentic" touches is the never-smiling bartender, cracking an ear-splitting racket behind the bar. If Mo still works there, then you'll be fine. He's cheery and as fast as he can be. All in all, this is one of the few "dives" left in yuppieville. And if you want to smell like you've had a night out with the boys, then this place will save you cigarette money.
(3)Harrison K.
Let me be clear: this place is a shithole. But it's exactly the right kind of shithole. The walls are plastered with sports memorabilia from 20 years ago, license plates and other random stuff. There is a cart of old, random books you can read while you're there. On paper, this place sounds awful. And if you are only comfortable in places where you have menues on ipads and could literally eat off the table, this place is not for you. It has "charm". It has "history". It looks like it's been lived in for years and loved by the people that frequent it. The service is fine. It does get crowded but there's a covered patio where you can sit and smoke. The food is also fine. It's bar food. Jay's also isn't a place where the dilapidated decor means that you'll only find sad bar flies there crying into their drinks over loves lost and soul crushing jobs. Sure, they're there too but you will also find young recent grads there looking to get drunk for cheap, all the way up to folks our parent's age (depending on your age :) there to talk and enjoy a few cheap drinks. The best part about this place is Friday nights. It gets crowded but it's worth it to listen to the DJ who is in his 70s play THE BEST oldies on his cassette deck. It's why I go every Friday night.
(5)Karol U.
Classic Dive Bar!!! Live music every other Saturday. Hott and quick bar food...cold beer and a low bill. My husband and I bought a few rounds for friends, had dinner and 4 beers and we paid under 40 bucks! The band plays and the crowd dances and rocks out. No pretentious folks here. All walks of life jive together....
(5)Allison K.
Good beer, fun crowd, excellent service, nice outdoor seating and stellar fries. It was the closest thing to a dive that I've been to in the DC/Metro area. Bummer that VA still allows smoking in establishments...I can't see myself going here anytime that I'd have to sit inside.
(4)Jana W.
I didn't catch the bartenders name but he was super friendly. The kitchen closes at 10 pm on Sundays so we didn't get to eat but the atmosphere is fun and the staff are super friendly. The bartender recommended another place that we could eat at.
(5)Andrew L.
Jay's is my favorite bar in Clarendon. If you walk into this place expecting cosmos and house music, you're going to be disappointed. If you want bartenders in low cut tops and $400 bottles of Grey Goose, you're barking up the wrong tree. If you want to share a pitcher or two with some good friends and make a bunch of new ones, this is your spot. Jay's is one of the few bars in Clarendon where you can regularly hear yourself think. Seating is limited in the winter, but they do have a patio with light heating (mostly for the smokers among us). Prices are very reasonable, the owner is always there, and the service is fast. Great low-key music. Park in the neighborhood to the south, but be mindful of parking signs.
(5)Lester K.
Jay's is situated a mere few blocks from Ballston Commons. In a land full of tall buildings, business casual government contractors, and more tall buildings, Jay's Saloon is a refreshing breath of dive bar goodness. A place that seems as it's a place where everybody knows your name. Queue 'Cheers' music. I swear I heard someone shout 'Norm!", just like cheers only later to find out they actually shouted out "More!...beer!". Local dive bar at its finest. Small, smoky, 1 uneven pool table, and lots of naturally aged old wood, and I'm not talking about Paul M. here. Friendly, efficient bartenders, and one hell of a busy server. She was nice. The location of the first ever PIG outing was almost perfect in my eyes. I love how crowded, but not, feeling I had while I rubbed ass with fellow PIGs. Even got my boobs and crotch grabbed. Multiple times. And I liked it. Kinda felt like I was reliving my youth as a male singing strippegram. OK, that last part was a blatant lie. Or was it? Drinks weren't overpriced. About 5 beers on tap. I can only comment on the IPA. Tasted like IPA that was poured out of a spout. Being totally biased, the company I was with really made the night. Justin S. - Mr. Buffalo himself taught me the secret to making super delicious wings. I went and got it tattooed on my back the next day. Now I just have to take a picture of my back when I make wings. Jonathan H.- Scares the living crap out of me. Eats a lot. Ripped. Eats a lot. Marine. Eats a lot. MMA. Eats a lot. Nice guy. Eats a lot. Tony P. - My IPA partner. I think you only saved me half a glass out of all our pitchers. Bassey E. - Surprised me by knowing who I was when I first met her. I like her. She stalks me. So hard to find good stalkers in this day and age. Im Han K. - Put ketchup on her grilled tuna, albeit, it did not look very appetizing naked. She felt my boobies. I liked it. That is the reason why I did not de-friend her after the ketchup incident. James L. - Cool guy x8. Hot glasses. Marvin M. - Appeared to be hiding from me. Sweaty palms. I think I made him nervous. Kids these days. Michael H. - He's tall, smooth, bald, good looking, well spoken, and dresses well. I felt like I was looking into a bizzaro mirror. Ben M. - Mr. Pitcher. Not Mr. Catcher to ease any confusion. Jimena M. - Dunno anything about her as I didn't see her the whole night. Paul M. - I hope INS nabs him sometime soon. Our streets are not safe with this man and his weapon of choice: Extra heavily starched shirts. Be careful around his collars. I almost had 3 fingers severed by them. m.m. - Props for coming out even while feeling pretty crappy. Also grabbed my boobies and raised that with a few crotch grabs. What's with these Asian chicks and boobie/crotch grabs? eric b. - What more is there to say that's not been said about Judd Nelson in tabloids already? tina r. - The mastermind behind this evening. Probably a good thing she does not remember all from this night.
(4)Matt R.
Jay's is by far the friendliest "neighborhood" bar in Clarendon. It's a great place to get away from the popped-collar polos and general douchebaggery of the Clarendon bar scene. It's about two blocks from my house and has been my local go-to for several years now. If it were in a typical college town, it would definitely be considered a "townie" bar. Do not expect to find a hot date here, or many young people at all for that matter, although that has recently been changing. Do expect to get shitty drunk and eat some pretty good food on the cheap. Tuesday night half-price burgers are one of the best deals around, they have bangin' potato salad, and don't miss Friday nights with DJ Pee-Wee, the senior citizen who plays oldies on cassette and asks trivia questions for prizes (25 cent beers). Good times. Plus they have a pretty nice outdoor patio thats open when the weather is nice. Jay's has taken a good 2-3 years off of my life over the years, but has definitely kept a few bucks in my pocket.
(4)LL H.
Jay's also is great for occasional doggy happy hours in the summer on their patio. The next one is August 17 from 1-4. Bring your socialized dog and have a cheap brew-my dog Molly and I plan to be there! (Let's convince them to do it all year, or at least for Redskins gamedays!)
(4)Travis J.
Jay's is really brilliant. Everybody is friendly. It's comfortable and inexpensive. Happy hours, particularly, can be pleasantly busy but rarely crowded. The food is pretty decent, really. The crab cake is definitely worth seven bucks or whatever it costs. I also recommend the catfish. It's pretty good, a ton of food, and literally costs seven smackers. Happy hour beers are like a buck fifty. Also a good place to talk about sports with the locals and employees, if you're into that sort of thing. Also, Jay himself is there pretty much every time I go there...which is a huge plus if you ask me. This is a great spot. Help it survive by stopping by and ordering the works.
(4)Stephanie N.
Definitely a dive feel since its got that extra cozy dirty feeling and sitting on the patio lawn chairs are great :) its like having a catered bbq at your college friend's backyard rental house. Came here for their Tuesday nights 1/2 price burgers. Located on 10th St, it was a l'il hard for me to find. Burgers are ok, not very juicy in my opinion, but pretty good. Onion rings and fries seemed to be a big hit. Beers are cheap. Service isn't so great, but our waitress was feeling a l'il sick - so that may be the reason.
(3)Ryan H.
I hesitate to review Jay's solely because I don't want you people cramming up all my space there and making it crowded, but that would be selfish, and to be honest I've always met great people there and love everyone who enters so I lied. Cheapish pitchers flow like Great Falls and everyone smiles. When it isn't freezing outside, pull up a chair on the patio and slowly caress your dog as it lay beside you. When you need to warm up, come on inside to the most wheelchair friendly places ever. That ramp is the first thing you see, but I love it because I can stare at you the whole time you are slinking around it. Friday night DJ with cassette tapes has been one of the greatest moments of my life. Food really is good too, i recommend the nachos and the chili cheese fries. Done. Jay, I love your smile.
(5)James R.
There is absolutely no reason to go out of your way to Jay's, but there is probably no better place to enjoy a quiet, cheap drink if you do find yourself in Arlington. for better or for worse depending on your style, this is not an urban dive bar (i.e., dark & dirty, graffiti-museum bathrooms, etc.) - it's well-lit and relatively clean, just shabby. but it's got the three most important characterisitcs of a dive bar: the prices, the fact that getting a drink isn't hard, and the fact that people will leave you alone. outdoor seating is also key.
(3)Dominic C.
Perhaps of the last of a dying breed, Jay's is a great place to get beers, minimal bar food, and have a conversation. This place is strictly no frills - if you're looking to impress you're date, you just might because this is as unpretentious as it gets. Burgers, fries, and domestic beer - great combo if that's what you're looking for.
(4)Chabi B.
Here is a few bits. Jay's is so awesome I signed up to yelp to make a comment. It is the only place I have ever been where, when I walked in for the first time, the bartender actually asked my name. And then remembered it. There are also no chads or trixies hanging out there making it one of the only places a Washingtonian would actually advocate as a place to go in VA. Wheelchair accessible up the ramp from the patio--and what a nice patio it is! This is one of my three favorite bars in the DC area, and one clased several years back. So now you got Jay's and Quarry House. Niether of which are actually in DC. hmm....
(5)Cassandra B.
I have only been here on Saturdays but the drinks are good and the people are friendly. I agree with others that there are not a lot of Type A jerks here, which is a good thing.
(4)Ian D.
This is the only bar I go to regularly in Clarendon. I'm here with friends about just about every week and we've been coming back for about two years. In those two years Clarendon has changed a lot and so has Jays. Two years ago this place would maybe be half full on a Saturday night. When Dr. Dremo's closed in January '08, Jay's got a lot busier with people who flocked to Dremo's to experience a smoky and cheap bar. When the Royal Lee closed, even more people came to Jays. Now it gets pretty packed on a Saturday night and prices may have gone up (though I'm not completely sure). What can I say? If you don't like cheap smoky bars then you won't like Jay's. Don't get dressed up or expect great service. Just expect a good night out and if you're disappointed, you can at least tell your friends that you got into a fight with a cowboy missing all but two teeth.
(5)Gina C.
I have been going to Jay's for years! A true dive bar that rocks!!
(5)Jennifer S.
So Jay's isn't gourmet (by any means) and it has a very "local" appeal, but the chicken cheesesteaks, battered fries and coleslaw are always on my mind. Pair that with a cheap beer and life is good. Friends of mind are addicted to the burgers too - they are big and juicy. It's just good 'ol greasy spoon food. There's a pool table to help pass the time while waiting for your food and on weekend evenings they have live music. People watching is serious business here. You won't be bored. Opt for the outdoor seating whenever possible. I'm not a smoker (I only hope Arlington goes smokeless too!), but I always leave there smelling like I smoked a pack or twelve. If that bothers you - DO NOT go there. If forks could smell like smoke, theirs would.
(3)Rocky A.
This place is a dive - in the good sense of the word. If you're looking for a place to escape the often yuppie Clarendon scene, this is a good place to go. Yuengling is considered "premium" beer here. But then it's only three bucks. The patio is a decent place to hang out on a nice spring day. Be forewarned: you WILL come out smelling of smoke.
(3)Will Y.
Clearly the best dive in the 22201. The owner is always there and frequently joins in the drinking. The place is great. People are encouraged to write lewd things on the chalk board in the men's room, which always makes for an interesting evening. The filet of the neighborhood...
(4)L. M.
Jay's is the least-expensive bar I have been to in Arlington. It's generally a little smoky and the draft selection is limited, but I've never had a bad time at Jay's. The food I've had there is pretty good, and if you go there on Burger Tuesdays, you can get a burger, fries, and a pickle (good portions) for $3. If your wallet is hurting from a weekend out in DC, Jay's is a good place to recover.
(4)JRatt C.
The last authentic, metro-accessible dive bar since Dr. Dremos closed up shop. Good place, nice people, affordable.
(4)Leigh K.
I went here for the first time over the Christmas break. What a great dive bar. Thank you Alex for taking us here. The onion rings are wonderful for soaking up alcohol in your stomach. The nachos were good, but the onion rings were the best I may have ever eaten. That may have been the Jack & Cokes talking. They pour strongly here. The only downside was the smoke. Yuck! Will NoVa ever ban smoking? Sigh.
(4)Stephanie D.
As far as I know, this is the only place in Arlington where you can catch both preppie boys in pants with boats on them and townies without teeth downing beers and grooving to music spun by a dude with a boom box and some old mix tapes. Totally worth the schlep across 10th Street.
(4)Steve P.
SOOO Hurting!!! but Cheap...If you didn't think there were strange, creepy, local folk in Arlington, just come here.
(1)Jimena M.
Woohoo! I love dives and this place is the epitome of a dive bar. Smoky, old-worn wood bar, exposed brick, a coin-operated pool table missing 2 balls, decent beer, friendly service, a live band, and most of all a bar full of cool peeps. The first ever PIG (Politically Incorrect Group) outing was held here and it was a great success. The night was filled with lots of drinking, playing and just plain debauchery. I finally got to meet Tina's mate, cool dude Eric B., and her bro Russ, who's just as cool as she is. I reunited with Im Han K., Bassey E., Paul M., James L., Tony P., Ben M., Michael H. and M.M...and it felt so good! I got to meet some new Yelpers: Justin S. who took some awesome pics, Jonathan H., and last but not least Marvin M. A great turn out! I think the PIG's are just plain ol' awesome and can't wait for the next event! Oh! and I can't forget Mike, the Jay's Regular, he was just funny and friendly, cool guy :) oh yea....and Lester "Please grab my crotch and twist my nipples" K. was also there.
(5)C. W.
This place is certainly an unexpected find just off the main drag outside of Clarendon. While Jay's is likely to strike some of the crowd around here as novel, it is what I would classify as a pretty standard neighborhood bar in a large part of the country. The "house as bar" architectural movement has always been of great interest to me and Jay's is an excellent example. Does anyone know what goes on upstairs? I don't think there are any windows. A nice piece of working-class Americana, Jay's is adorned with all the license plates, sports league plaques, and tacky semi-customized beer-branded vinyl banners you might expect in such a place (Note, if they haven't mentioned it enough, dogs ARE welcome on the porch. Just in case you didn't notice when you were out there). The beer is served in pitchers by default, and they have yuengling, which is the only beer that matters in my book. The food is ridiculously cheap and runs a fairly comprehensive gamut of flavors. Everything is deep fried and or grilled, as is required of an institution such as Jay's. We ordered some calamari rings (of all the things in the world I could have ordered), and they were quite delicious, as were our burgers and the grilled chicken dinner. Now realize you are not going to get gourmet dining here but, my God, the food is cheap. Burgers are like $5, as are wings, nachos, and a bunch of sandwiches. Their quesadilla is $4. The menu looks like it was printed on a typewriter in 1980-something and I think the prices have stayed the same because they were too lazy to reprint it (although careful manual additions have been added, such as the "eating undercooked meat..." warning on the bottom). Regardless, think of their food not in the sense of ordering a meal, but rather as "american tapas", where everyone order 3 or so items and all members of the party will sure to end up with stomach cramping, colonic rupture, or similar abdominal malaise. A lot of reviewers on yelp and elsewhere express concern that possibly the place will get "discovered" and become overcrowded. I don't think this is going to happen. I have a feeling that we won't be seeing many "dudes" or members of the brown flip-flop set there in the near future.
(4)Steve B.
Jay's isn't the cutest place in the world, but it's a good place to grab a burger and a beer. I don't think its so much a dive bar as much as just a blue collar spot. They don't have much of a beer selection, but what they do have is cold and cheap. Plus, they have an astroturf front porch! What more could you ask for?
(3)