Jak's Grill
Category: Steakhouses [Edit]
Neighborhood: Laurelhurst3701 NE 45th St
Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 985-8545
- Hours:
Mon 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Tue-Thu 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sun 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
23 Reviews for Jak's Grill
Not much to say except that it's pretty damn good. Cool atmosphere, good location, awesome steak. Try getting the potato pancakes instead of mashed or baked potatoes with your steak. Also I was surprised by the large (and quality) wine list. Spendy, but not too spendy. Great service.
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Jak's is pretty much everything a steak house should be.
My ribeye was cooked to perfect doneness. Yet, the thickcut 21 oz. piece was surprisingly tough. I just bet, if the steak had been thincut it would have been more tender.
I really liked the steak's slivered horseradish garnish. Our waiter told us that the horseradish is steeped in vinegar...and at least something else...to give it its unique flavor. We first thought the garnish was jicama, but we were fooled.
Like everybody else, I have to rave about the potato pancakes. Just so you know exactly what they are, potato pancakes are hash brown-size potato strips blended with green onion and cheese and cooked on a griddle to crispy perfection.
Jak's martinis are a tad small, even if they are not expensive. The gin line barely topped the 1/2 way point on my glass...on two separate rounds.
My favorite seattle steakhouse.
Great steaks and no fuss. Not a lot of frills, which is why they're able to keep their costs relatively low, given the quality of the meat. Just some wooden booths, dim lights, a solid bar and fantastic steaks. Because this place is not foo-foo, you can totally get away with jeans and a t-shirt (or dress up if you like!), and i've seen people bring their kids, as long as they're not the type to scream and run around the table the whole time. It's definitely not a "kid's place" but if your little one can behave, its not too fancy for them either.
Steaks come with salad and a side of potatoes and veggies. The salads have recently been upgraded from god-awful to tolerable. you can even upgrade to a solid caesar salad for a few bucks extra. I've never liked the steamed broccli on the side, and i actually LIKE broccli. it's really all about the steak and potatoes.
I recommend getting your potatoes UFO style = mashed potatoes and a potato/onion hash-brown like creation.
i gravitate towards the filet mignon, but those who consider themselves MEAT people swear by the Rib-eye. Their burgers are also really great and very reasonably priced if you're looking for a cheaper meal.
i wouldn't recommend this place for a first date, but it's at the top of my list for 2-4 good friends who want to share an amazing steak at a solid price. You could shove up to 6 people in a booth but you better have tiny asses!
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Love JAKs. The wine is a bit overpriced though. Wish they had a better bar.
Everytime the food is top notch.
Check it for weekend brunch. Never too crowded and always so tasty.
I'd recco this to anyone who likes their steaks....
Steak salad! Whoever thought of that, I owe you one.
I go to Jaks almost every trip to Seattle.
Love it. Great food and service. The potato pancakes are great, the vegetables with the entree are always fresh.
The only complaint is that the salad.
Try eating at the bar if you are alone on business, very casual and comfortable atmosphere.
JaK's has the best quality/value tradeoff of any of the upper end steakhouses around here. I've actually also seen kids and families here, so you don't have any of the faux atmosphere of the power lunch/dinner crowd of Daniel's Broiler or the Met, but it's still nice enough to take a date. This location also seems to be far less busy than at least the Issaquah one so I might actually try to come here on a Friday or Saturday despite the no reservations policy.
Although the filet mignon (~$31 for the "petite" cut) isn't prime (and JaK's, it is a little shady that you advertise some of your meat to be prime on the menu and conspicuously leave it absent on other cuts) it's still excellent, and it comes with salad, potato and a vegetable.
Short of needing to apologize for a major relationship blunder with a long term girlfriend whose other love was the Met, due to the existence of JaK's I really can't justify going there.
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They don't take reservations, so our party of 6 had to wait at the bar for 90 minutes. Then another 30 minutes to get the steak all out. And the steaks were a bit overdone instead of being, you know, what we ordered. But I think it was maybe worth it for that melt-in-your-mouth New York strip.
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Crab stuffed tenderloin? I was curious so I had to give it a try. WOW.
It was well worth the long wait at the bar. Some people mentioned that it's good for groups, but I think that's only true if you're willing to put up with some long wait times (see Laural B.'s review)
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After reading the reviews on long waits, my wife and I decided to go there when they opened for Saturday dinner. I made the mistake of thinking it opened at 4pm, so we waited in the car for 30 min.
Anyway, we were the first ones in and didn't see another patron until 10 minutes later. Even when we were ready to leave around 6pm, there weren't more than 7 or 8 people waiting.
Our appetizer: Calamari were strips of thick calamari steak, not the puny little rounds of tiny squids. My wife and I thought they were under-salted, even after dipped in aioli sauce. I guess it's better than over-seasoned. They were perfectly cooked, though. Very tender.
For dinner, we ordered the 40oz porterhouse because:
1. We only wanted prime cuts. I don't see why you should go for anything less if you are at a steakhouse.
2. There were three prime cuts: top sirloin, Delmonico, and porterhouse. It was an easy choice. :-)
3. We like to share.
The filet part was great. I never was a fan for filet mignon, due to lack of fat and beefy flavor. I was pleasantly surprised by the sashimi-like texture and subtle steak flavor. Awesome!
Of course, I always love the strip. With fat & perfect seasoning and herb butter(?) on the steak, it was like heaven. I'm glad I didn't go for any sauce because I'd not have enjoyed the full natural beef goodness. By the way, we could not finish the whole steak. We had maybe 1/3 of meat left which would make great lunch tomorrow...
The carrot & broccoli were cooked just right and seasoned just enough. Mashed potato was great & we chose to have the option of having mashed potato + potato pancake, just to try more flavors. The potato pancakes were ok.
Our waitress was very pleasant, but lacked in service area like offering drinks, checking in on you, etc. It wasn't busy until we were half way through our steak, so the lack of attentiveness was puzzling to me.
Bottom line: I'd go again just for the great steak, but not on special occasions.
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Bam, I'm doing it, and I'm ready to say it. Jak's is the best steak in the city. I've struggled perhaps because if the bill isn't deep in the triple digits, can it compete with the Met? El Gaucho?
The answer is yes, there is HUGE VALUE here. I think a Jak's steak can easily hold it own against any of the big boys. (Morton's might be able to give them a run) But are you kidding me? A great New York Strip with sides and salad included for around $40? Anywhere else you're going to have enough brocolie for a week but it's going to cost you $15 just for a taste. And I've had some GREAT wine there for around $40 a bottle... are you kidding me? Great everything at a great price.
Further, I think the 45th St location is the best cause the wait is always under an hour, try two of those waiting periods at the West Seattle or the one up the mountain side.
We walked in through the front door and made our table request but were not told that there was a waiting area in the back. I remembered that a previous YELPER stated there is a waiting area in the rear of the restaurant otherwise we would have stood there looking dumb.
The food was very good, steak cooked to perfection and the wonderful company of my husband priceless!
The steak was very tasty and cooked just to my liking, garlic mashed potatoes yummy, side salad could use some added ingredients, only thing in it was lettuce, spinach and some cabbage, could we add some croutons, carrots, cucumber??
My drink, a margarita was so yummy I couldn't stop raving about it!! Mmmmm!!!
I'd go back!!
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Steaks are one thing...
but!!!!!!!
They have an amazing 8.99 or 9.99 Hamburger. Add bacon for a lil more, comes with great fries. This thing is HUGE, I cannot remember but I assume its 1 lbs.
They allow orders to-go!!!!! If you do not want a big ol steak, but want an awesome meal order the burger - to go! I have never been as full then eating one of those burgers. Soooo good!
Also, I have been there a couple times for steak...Along the lines that everyone else said - service is slow, prices are cheaper than downtown, and the meat is fresh/perfect.
For the price..hands down beats other steakhouses, and the burgers destroy anything your used too (red robin sells garbage for the same price)
Go Jak's!
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Before I write a long and drawn out review, I'll save you some time and let you know the food was 5 stars, hands down! But, the service was about 3 stars.
I tried Jak's in West Seattle over a year ago and I was thrilled when I started seeing reviews on Yelp pop up for Jak's! I had completely forgotten about the place and remembered really enjoying their food! I have been craving steak for a while now, and have been whining about wanting to go for a few weeks. But, luckily, whining paid off because I got to go again this weekend!
We walked into Jak's and were told that it'd be a 45 minute (or so) wait. I was expecting that on a Friday night. But, there was really nowhere to sit/stand. I asked the host what we should do in the meantime. He said "We'll find ya". What?! That didn't answer my question at all. Am I supposed to go outside and wander around for 45 minutes? Do I leave and come back?? Do I give you my cell phone number? I stood in the doorway like an idiot for a couple minutes until I noticed there was a bar. I asked him if it was ok if we waited there until our table was ready. He said "If you can find a place to sit". I scurried over hoping there was, so I wouldn't have to deal with the useless host again and luckily there were exactly two seats left. Score! I figured I'd order a glass of wine and sip it while we were waiting. It wasn't until I watched a few people emerge from the back and sent my date to investigate what was going on over there that we realized there was a waiting area!! I was a bit annoyed this was not brought to my attention, for if it was, I wouldn't have bothered ordering a drink in the stuffy bar filled with fat, old, White Zinfandel-drinking, well-done steak ordering Republicans that whispered about my tattoos. But, whatever.
Almost exactly 45 minutes later we were seated. The server was nice enough - but we didn't see much of her. We looked at the menu and decided to get steak, of course. Unlike many steakhouses, the entrees included a side, a salad and bread. The salad was perfectly dressed and came out to the table rather quickly. The bread was of the sourdough variety and was warm and soft and served with some delicious whipped butter.
The entrees came out not too long after. My steak was cooked perfectly and served with some delicious garlic mashers. The side veg was carrots and broccoli. The TWO pieces of carrot (seriously, two little pieces) were perfect and the broccoli, which I normally don't care for, was also cooked perfectly and was well seasoned. I also opted for the "side sauce". There was a choice of four different kinds, each at $3. I stuck with the demi-glace. We almost got one each, but I'm glad we didn't because the demi was served in a gravy boat and there was enough for about 3 steaks.
Overall, the meal was fantastic. My only gripe about the meal is that it was served two measly pieces of carrot. But, it was still very satisfying. The service is obviously lacking a bit - especially in the host/hostess department, and the atmosphere of the restaurant is a bit weird. I noticed the aforementioned Republicans (they were wearing campaign pins), a few yuppie-ish couples, a couple young families and a table of pre-bachelorette party gals. The majority of the crowd was a tad too white-collar for my comfort zone. But, I'll feel uncomfortable every now and then, if it means I'm fed well.
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Nothing beats a good steak, and for my money I bet on Jak's. Nice selection of cuts, fantastic sides (get the latkes) and consistently good meat. I've eaten at Metropolitan Grill, Daniel's Broiler, Morton's, and other finer establishments in other cities, and I still love Jak's the best. My choice is usually the Delmonico or the New York Steak. I've been to the West Seattle and Issaquah locations, and this one is my favorite for convenience, and overall seating availability as the West Seattle one is usually full. One thing that sucks - no reservations, and there's almost always at least an hour wait.
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If you're going to order anything other then steak then why would you go to a steakhouse?
With that caveat in mind, I can only review the fillet mignon, porterhouse, side dishes and the well drinks.
I expect my steak to sizzle and stand alone; I don't believe in steak sauce, marinades or rubs on a choice or prime piece of loin meat. I no longer order it on the hoof, but medium rare so I still expect strong beef flavor from the strip portions and buttery smooth taste from the tenderloin parts. More often then not Jaks delivers this at a very fair price. I did have one mediocre steak that was grainy, somewhat tasteless and with fat pockets (How is that possible on a piece of tenderloin?) On the whole Jaks is batting well above 80% on the beef department hence the four stars.
I think a grease less potato pancake is the highest form of steak side dish and Jaks makes the most consistent and best in town. The steamed veggies are also basic but good.
Most restaurant well drinks seem watered down or too sugary sweet.(I believe in 1,2,3 margaritas without any mix to ruin the taste.) Jaks makes well drinks that have real alcohol, taste OK and are affordable. A great combo.
After trying all three Jaks the last couple of years I'd say they're Seattle's best quality, affordable steak house.
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My impressions
Unclear when you come in through the door on 45th what you should do while waiting for your table. We made our table request and were not told that there was a waiting area until we had stood there for like 3 minutes. It was a bit awkward.
The service was especially slow. At a large table of 8 we only were given one wine list and one specials list. I am sure they had more to spare. We ordered drinks and they mixed up the scotches. I still don't know whether my husband had my drink or not. We ordered appetizers. The crabcakes were great but the steamer clams came in a broth that tasted ultra smoky - almost chemical-like. Too much smoke. We had to ask for them to bring us bread and when it came it was poorly sliced - plus they only brought us two small loaves for 8 people. No refills when we had finished it.
Our salads were completely boring....just a bunch of iceberg lettuce with a few shreds of purple cabbage on top. Come on!
The music was horribly matched for the mood of the place. It was quiet, strange Harry Belafonte stuff that sounded like 5th grade music class. The tables were wobbly and mismatched heights so that a drink which went just slightly over the crack between two tables spilled all over the place.
I liked that all of our entrees came at one time. The potato pancakes were really great - a nice change from the usual choices of baked, garlic mashed or fries. My "fresh" vegetables were not fresh. The carrots tasted burnt and the green beans were soggy and bland. I had the ribeye and it was great though. I liked the horseradish shavings that accompanied the steak however, would have preferred them on the side rather than on the top.
All in all this meal did not impress me.
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Coming here on a near quarterly basis since 2004, Jak's grill has yet to provide me with service or a meal I've never walked away extremely happy from.
Receiving my vote for one of the best "Pound for Pound deals in Seattle" (Value+Taste=Legendary) Jak's grill is one of the very few steak houses that offer high quality prepared steaks while offering non a la carte prices.
The steaks are great, the 40 oz. Porterhouse was average. Because of the large size of meat it was difficult to cook it evenly through out. The Delmonico and New York strip were good(more expensive) but not nearly as good as the Rib Eye (certainly the best overall value)...juicy, succulent, and tasty enough without you having to dip it in au jus or a steak sauce their Rib Eye (like all their other dishes) come equipped with a salad, steamed veggies and your choice of a Garlic Potato Pan cakes or garlic mashed potatoes...can't decide what to get (Since both are "mouth watery" good) get both!!!!
Overall after 2- drinks you may spend up to 50 bucks for yourself...but believe me, it's well worth the great service you get AND the amount of high quality food that is prepared for you.
Admittedly it is not without it's flaws. My father ordered the skewers there (about 20.95) and the meat was rather dry....their wine collection is decent but they can run out of Guinness once and a while.
Also, they do not accept reservations so you'll have to spin the wheel when it comes to getting a table on some nights.
But if you're looking for great steaks and a good dining experience while not dropping 75 dollars for your dish....avoid those plush steak houses in Seattle, come out to Sand Point where Jak's is serving up some of the best meals in town!!!
"You just got served!"- Take care of your wait staff folks!!!
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The original jak's is in west seattle, a skinny hole-in-the-wall, but always awesome steak that won't break your bank. The same is true of this newer location near the U-Village. Be prepared for a night of gluttony!
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It was a dark and stormy night (actually, it was neither but this is my recollection) and a evening which overwhelmingly yelps for a decadent steak accompanied by a sensible salad and at least some frothy companionship (qty: 1+). A slow lumbering stroll down most other sections of 45th while peering through the raindrops on the windshield revealed to our aching and hunger panged stomachs the shocking reality that 45th did, in fact, continue past Montlake. From there a few wrong turns and an ill-advised parking maneuver landed me at one of the best meals I've had in Seattle!
The staff knew their meats, and took great care of us. I'll be back, no doubt.
This is the place to take the date to see if she's REALLY serious about that diet.
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It's OK. A neighborhood joint. Parking around back.
I'd say order the steak salad or a burger. More complex foods are quite mediocre.
Ambiance is not really child friendly.
jak's gives youy high quality steak at outback steakhouse prices.
you can't go wrong here, really
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Deceiving from the outside. Nice ambience inside this neighborhood steak place. Another location which finally found the right occupant. Their steak salad is sooo awesome. As always, I appreciate the full bar!
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