Jak's Grill

Curt hostess who wouldn't seat us even though there were plenty of tables available (this was 9pm on a Tuesday). Was about to leave but heard that this is the only decent place for miles. Asked to speak with manager, who according to the hostess was a male (""He is in this evening""). Waited 15 minutes for waiter to pay us attention and for ""manager"" to come. ""Manager"" was a poorly dressed female in wrinkled cotton high-waisted dress who didn't introduce herself and only robotically apologized. Seemed like she's only standing in for the real manager. Offered nothing by way of making up for the hostess' rudeness, no check-in throughout evening by either stand-in manager, real manager or hostess. Steak was dry, at even medium rare, and waiter didn't even offer sauces. Veggies consisted of a combination of overcooked and undercooked/raw stringy string beans. I would have walked out had I been alone and I would have not eaten half the plate had I not just endured a 12-hour plane trip. No one thanked us for our business. They CLEARLY take their customers for granted. Would not go back for overpriced crap (in management, hospitality, and food). more

Came here on a Saturday night and we found out they don't take reservations.Long wait. But nice mixxed drinks at the bar. Good food and service once we sat down. Disappointing white wine list by the glass. There are so many good wines around, there is not reason a restaurant needs to carry a mediocre Washington wine in this town. Good salmon. Good potatoes and steamed vegetables cooked just right. Can't comment on the steak, which they are known for, but everything else, including dessert was great. more

Good drinks. One excellent steak. One mealy steak. Both ordered the rib-eye, medium rare. Hate to make a scene so we went with it. more

Everyone knows Jaks for their incredible steaks and amazing prices...all true. I have been going to Jaks for years now...and am simply amazed at how they've gotten better and better, expanded, and diversified the menu - all while keeping one thing in mind = me (ok - I'm actually talking about their guests...but they make you feel like it's personalized!) Known for great steaks, big portions, reasonable prices, and great service...I'm most impressed about some non-steak related items. First - brunch; if you have not been for brunch, you are missing out on one of my most anticipated moments of the weekend. An amazing menu to choose from, great atmosphere, and the usual Jaks great service make brunch at Jaks Issaquah a can't miss . Every time we go for brunch we have an amazing meal and a great time! Every SINGLE item on the menu is amazing (yes, I've tried them all.) I also wanted to point out a dinner menu item that many people may not think to try at a place with such great steak, but let me tell you, with my highest recommendation possible, that you have got to try that Pork Chop. Cooked to perfection every time, and whatever they marinate it in gets me a little excited on a handful of different levels - it's that good. I am looking forward to many more meals at my favorite local hang eatery...and can't wait to see what they come up with next! more

We just returned from dining at Jak's in Issaquah, celebrating my husband's job promotion. We have chosen Jak's many times in the past for a steak dinner, and in fact had happily switched from the Metropolitan in Seattle. The Bullitt cocktail for $10 was served cold and was an excellent choice if you enjoy burbon, which I do. We ordered the 40oz. Porterhouse to share and upgraded to a Caesar salad. The salad was colorless and tasteless. Thank goodness we asked for ground pepper. The garlic mashed potatoes were at an acceptable temperature but certainly lacked garlic. Luckily, the beans were of good color, taste and texture. The Porterhouse should be renamed Poorterhouse. The tenderloin side was anything but tender, so nothing compensated for it's lack in taste. The new yourk side did have some flavor but was full of fat and was difficult to chew. Unless you have a medical necessity to exercise the jaw, there is nothing to justify this steak's toughness. The chef should be commended for cooking the meat to a perfect medium rare. Also, our waitress deserves a nod for prompt and efficient service. (reflected in the tip) The glass of Cabernet at $8.50 was perfectly smooth and helped compensate somewhat for the poor quality of the meal. However, it did not compensate enough for us to stick around and experience dessert, so no comment there. The assignment of one star is only for the service, the correct doneness of the steak and the fact that our Golden Retriever will enjoy a steak bone at the cost of over $100.00. more

My wife and I celebrated our 33rd Wedding anniversary tonight at Jak's. What a great choice. We had to wait 45 minutes for a table but there are shops around the restaurant that we spent time browsing through. They called my cell when the table was ready. Waitress was very friendly, attentive, and professional. We had the crab cakes for appetizer. WOW Delicious!! Salad was crisp and cool, just enough dressing. My wife had a Cajun style prawn dish and I had Lobster mac and cheese. Too good!!We will be back before our 34th for sure. Pros: Food,Service,Selection Cons: Usually a wait more

I am going to write on two experiences about Jak's one for my parents who don't do online reviews and one for my husband and I. My parents just this past Sunday thought they would go to Jak's for brunch. They knew it was Mother's Day and were prepared to wait. They opened up at nine and my parents were there at 9:09 AM. My father was told it was going to be 45 minutes for a table, mind you NO ONE was in the restaurant. Figuring a few people must have gotten their names in ahead, he let it go. More people come in. They end up being seated AHEAD of my parents. This happens for 30 minutes until my father goes and asks what the deal is. and received an ""I don't care"" response. I guess my parents didn't fit the proper ""Issaquah profile."" They will never return. Now my husband and I went on a Saturday night. It was a long overdue date night without children. I have no problem waiting for a table for 45 minutes if the food is good, the problem is, IT WASN'T. The server we had was beyond poor, did not come back to check on us, had to flag her down to get anything....Did not offer recommendations. Although she was quite chatty with other tables. We tip very well if we get good service and it was her loss as we left nothing....My husband ordered steak and the potato pancakes as we heard word of mouth that they were good. I ordered pork tenderloin and the potato pancakes. Both of us thought the potato pancakes were extremely greasy. I was only able to eat a couple bites. My pork tenderloin was dry as a bone and not much flavor. The vegetables had obviously sat around as they were cold. My husband's steak was not cooked correctly but he ate it anyway just so we could get out of there. The meat was of poor quality, there was tons of gristle. I will never go back again... more

A co-worker recommended this place. The food was great the first time and we recently went back again. Fun, loud, noisy, and packed with people on a Wednesday night. But why no reservations? Pros: Great Food Cons: No reservations! more

We went to Jak's in Issaquah on a Saturday night (yes, I know that sounds crazy, but we new we'd have a wait so it was fine) and had a great experience. We got to the restaurant at 6pm and had an hour wait for dinner, but were able to get two seats at the bar immediately. We had our favorite steaks (Filet - medium rare for me; medium for my wife) and they rocked. I like to get the UFO, where you get a potatoe pancake topped with garlic mashed potatotes. I keep thinking I'm going to get just the potato pancakes, but I always end up with the UFO. I've never had a bad meal here, which is the reason it's my favorite place. They probably don't want to advertise this, but I get takeout from them when I know the wait is too long for us to wait. Pros: Best Steaks in Seattle or Bellevue; Great Value Cons: no reservations more

We moved close to Jak's and had some good experiences here with friendliness, etc. This may be unusual...but last time we tried they wouldn't seat us because we wanted a few appetizers and drinks - we would have had the table for 45 minutes, just a quick stop. They wouldn't seat us and we had our daughter with us so the bar is not an option. Stunned. We walked up the road to another local and they were friendly - packed, knew we would just be getting appetizers and a cocktail. They bent over backwards. We won't be going back to Jak's ever again. Pros: staff has been friendly Cons: atmosphere, wait and policies more

First, it took me over 4 years to return.Then I thought, why was I so pasionate about not ever dining here again? Not only does this place reek of over the top egos, toss in some rudness topped with extremely slow service and you start to recall. Over an hour for a meal, 20 mins for bread, on a Thursday with ample open seating. I was treated inappropriatly and offended. This 'customer service' trait seems to prevail here at ""JaK's Grill"". How I, and, my out of town guests were treated is nothing to be proud of. The BOLD taste of distain is all I left with ...that and the power of the internet! Word of mouth. I doubt I will have this over-rated establishment quaking in their boots, but ""if I tell 2 friends..."" bad press is not good press. Dining here -take your chances ...NEVER going back! Cons: Everything more

Wow, I was very disappointed with the whole experience. We called to make a reservation but were told they did not take reservations. After showing up we had to wait about an hour to be seated (I've actually since been told this is quick!). We all ordered a steak meal which comes with a salad and bread. The salad was basically iceberg lettuce with a little oil and vinegar dripped on it, not really what I'd expect from this kind of restaurant. The service was poor, we had to ask for refills several times. We got our steaks which came with two small veggies and a tablespoon of potatoes. That's OK I though the steak looks big. I got a third into eating my steak when I realized that the other two thirds was marbled grizzle, I could not eat it. Maybe my dog would have liked it though. I really felt ripped off and to top it off I had to stop and get fast food on the way home. If you're into flushing money down the toilet, Jak's is the place to go! Cons: long wait, bad steak, awful salad, service mediocre more

Jak's has no need of my review - they are already legendary in the area for outstanding fine food, great... more

Jak's has no need of my review - they are already legendary in the area for outstanding fine food, great service, and a funky dark and mysterious a... more

They are now open for lunch. I love to take out-of-town guests there. The steaks and potato pancakes are delicious. Pros: Great food, attentive service, nice wine list Cons: So-so desserts; long wait if you don't go early more

We are great fans of fine meat so we went to Jaks on the basis of word of mouth. The meat here is not of a quality I would say meets even choice grading, much less prime. The meat was firstly overcooked but the quality was substandard so we brought this to the waitress' attention. Next thing we know we have the manager at our table asnd he makes the statement, ""I didn't know you people knew about prime beef!"" We are hispanic and proud. I cannot fathom why we were sunbected to this outrage. We demand you boycott this establishment. Cons: Racial epitaph used by staff! Please do not patronize! more

The wait hee was almost two hours. We orederd our meal only to find the meat substandard. I brought this to the attention of the staff and ended up getting harangued! I mean the manager insulted me as to my knowledge of meat and food prep! I am a customer, damn them! I will not be insulted in this way. I can not recommend this place in any way! Cons: Insulted by manager! more

One cannot imagine a more terrible experience. The food was exceptionally bad in quality, preparation, and presentation. We had steak and each was ill-prepared by the kitchen. No matter really as the meat quality was marginal with lots of gristle and tendons. The wine card was promising but they must be storing it in an oven as we ordered three bottles and each was off. We told our waiter about this and he told us that the wine was fine! The final indignity was the toilet - the bowl was clogged up by someone and the manager accused us of choking it up with fecal matter! That was really enough and we left in disgust. Cons: This was like a circus...we won't be back! more

We went here for dinner. Everything was pretty slow - getting seated, menus, water, food order. Well we're eating our meal, finally, when the waiter is at our table pouring water refills. He suddenly turns, points his butt cheeks at us, and rips off a long, greasy fartt. He then turns back around and resumes pouring us water. We have never been subjected to such rude and crude behavior - we are speechless. I finally ask this kid what is his problem and he tells me that he ate in the kitchen before his shift and he's had bad flatulence all night. He then wanders away from our table without any word of apology. I cannot believe he did not pass gas in our face without intent as it was too contrived. Needless to say we will never eat at this place ever again! Cons: Waiter farted in our faces more

Let's see...bad food but far worse service adds up to the worst place I have ever eaten. We are fond of upscale so we thought we would give this place a try. It took forever to get seated and then only after I asked for a third time. We were a bit miffed but after waiting 20 minutes we thought the rest would be easy. Were we wrong! We ordered appetizers and these took 25 minutes to get to our table. They must have been sitting in the kitchen for that entire time because they were all cold and soggy. Yuck. We told our waiter about this and he just walked away without any comment. Our entrees arrived after another 20 minutes and again these were lukewarm. Is there anything more disheartening than cold chicken and steak? That was enough for us and we started for the door only to have the staff confront us - actually blocking our path. This had to be the most bizarre experience we have ever had in a restaurant. I cannot recommend this place with any conscience. Cons: Poor service and cold food equals terrible meal more