Jax Cafe
Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: (612) 789-7297
Fax: (612) 789-0138
- Price:
- $$$
- Best of Citysearch:
- Brunch 2006, Outdoor Dining 2006, Group Dining 2006
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 10am-9pm
Editorial Review for Jax Cafe – by Annamarie Adkins
In Short
In winter, you'll want to be near the fireplace in the dark Roundtable Room; in summer, request a seat on the patio. Both seating options allow the best chances to enjoy the famous steaks and seafood while not being surrounded by the large groups that Jax hosts so flawlessly. Then there's the popular Sunday brunch of fresh-baked pastries and waffles, chicken salad, egg strata and fruit, when locals clamor for any seat they can get.
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Insider Tips
Save TimeWhen calling for reservations, spell out your name for the reservationist. When you arrive at your table, you'll find matchbooks with your name printed on them.
Where to SitSmokers: Dine and drink on the outdoor patio, which offers a nature view.
When to GoSunday brunch is from 10am to 3pm and last seating is at 1:30pm.
User Reviews for Jax Cafe
06/21/2008 Posted by unclebad
Went to Jax for a biz dinner with clients. 7pm reservation on a Thursday night. Table wasn't ready. Had us stand in the middle of the dining room while they shuffled tables and chairs. After we sat, we noticed that our waitress was nice but overwhelmed, while the menu and wine list was, well, let's just say it was underwhelming. I was expecting a better wine list than one I'd see at a Holiday Inn Room Service menu! Our frazzled waitress poured wine (finally) and then took our order. She told us they were out of prime rib -- which at 7:30 is totally inexcusable! When it was time for us to get soup, they only had enough for 2 of our 3 orders. My guests had to rock paper scissors for their soup!! Our second bottle of wine took 15 minutes to arrive after ordering, so we had no wine with our soups and salads. When the steaks arrived they were not properly cooked -- 3 were perfect as expected, 3 were overdone. A rare steak was cooked medium well and was returned. Then the baby-faced manager named Mike who had been apologizing to us all night tried to tell my guest he did not know what a rare steak looked like, that the lighting was bad, and that we should go back into the kitchen to see what it really looked like. After he was done insulting my guest, I told him to get out of my face and leave us alone to eat our mediocre meal. (I was furious!!) By this time, the waitress was really apologetic, but as well intentioned as people may be, this restaurant was an amateur attempt at a fine steak house. Yes, they comped us a couple of the dinners, but I was on an expense account. I wasn't looking to save money -- I wanted a great meal. If I want apologies and excuses for dinner, I'll eat somewhere cheaper. If I want a good $35 steak in MSP, I'll avoid Jax and will go to Manny's or Murray's, where they hire adults that know what they are doing. After all, if I am paying that much for a meal, I expect professionalism, not sophomorics and apologies.
Pros: plenty of parking
Cons: weak kitchen, weak wine list, weak service
04/29/2008 Posted by nicolemariedaily
I have been to Jax several times for brunch and for corporate parties. I have not been for dinner. The staff has always been kind and attentive, but not pushy or too chatty. The brunch has an excellent variety of dishes.
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