Really good food. I've never been there but I've heard it talked about for years. I had the pot pie and I went there with my mom and she had the lobster po' boy sandwiches. They definitely impress. If you go there around your birthday, tell them and they'll give you a matchbook. If you go around the summer, make sure you get a trout or go out back and check out the trout stream where you can catch your own trout and eat it if you want. read more

Jax Café - Steakhouses Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

We went for the happy hour roast beef sandwich special, and it was...fine. It's a big beer and a sandwich for $14, so the price is right, it just wasn't amazing. the interior is classic-dark pub style (with interesting stained glass windows), lots of tables and a upstairs. the place is BIG and has a huge parking lot. The outdoor space is quaint, with sun and shade, a fireplace and a little brook. It gives German watermill-town vibes, and was a nice surprise since you can't tell from the street (the courtyard is walled). We got the Perogies, which were fantastic. They my favorite thing I ate, just perfectly crisped a tad and savory. The Beef short rib in pastry with brie was also yummy, but small. All the apps are actually apps, so don't expect a ton of food from them. Servers and hosts were very friendly. The place was packed, but it just wasn't my vibe, and I wasn't blown away by the food. read more

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Our server, Jimmy, was so fun! I love it when servers share their personalities. Beginning in 1910 when great-grandfather Stanley Kozlak built the business on the corner of 20th and University Avenue. The building housed his furniture, hardware, and funeral services as well as the local dance hall. When prohibition ended in 1933, a liquor license was obtained and Jax Bar and Cafe was born- in the very part of the building the main bar lives today. What a legacy. For fine dining with linen tablecloths and napkins, you will not be disappointed! Excellent food, no matter what you order. My Half Wedge with Giant Shrimp cocktail was outstanding! Don't miss this wonderful restaurant. read more

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Phenomenal customer service! My friends and I came to celebrate her birthday over happy hour and we had an amazing time. All the staff is so attentive and friendly, there were so many small details such as these match boxes they made us that were so thoughtful. The happy hour deals are great and I recommend the white sangria, it was so delicious. I also got the fries on happy hour which were great, my friends ordered lots of different food and drinks and they loved everything they had. I highly recommend stopping by here for dinner or happy hour, it has such a cute old feel as well. They also have a free coat check! read more

Jax Café - Steakhouses Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

We went to Jax for a brunch, which is a different experience than dinner. (which I haven't had there, so this is specifically about the brunch) FOOD: above average and classy. I had an omelette. I especially like their bottomless mimosas. SERVICE: very professional, accommodating (even with some of my persnickety requests), and friendly. PARKING: easy in their lot AMBIANCE: upscale/formal. Perfect for an upscale brunch with friends, but I could see it also as a very good fancy date night. read more

One of our final stops during last week's trip to Minnesota, Jax was an excellent meal to end on. When my wife and I were researching places we'd like to try in Minneapolis, we were immediately sold by the pictures of Jax's back patio; while the interior provides an elegent and formal dinner setting, the rustic garden is a serene invitation to a slightly more casual autumn lunch date. I might have been content with a chance to dine on the patio alone, but it turns out the service and food were just as strong. We were greeted and thanked the second we walked in and out the door, and we never had to wait too long from first water to final check between. As we sat down and studied the menu, our waiter recommended trying the Fresh Popover with whipped honey butter; we each took a bite, and we were grateful we had the self-control to split just one and not to make this warm, fluffy bread our entire meal. Being a bit earlier in the day, my wife and I decided to split the Apple and Brie Sandwich with a side potato salad, Waldorf Salad and the soup of the day (Heirloom Tomato). So many wonderful textures and flavors were found between these options to create a lunch that was filling, but also refreshing: crisp apple and celery slices, crunchy, sweet candied walnuts, fresh spring mix, and rich,savory potatoes and tomatoes, just to list a few highlights. When first considering Jax, we didn't read into the restaurant's long history; that being said, I'm not surprised it's been a staple of Northeast Minneapolis for over 90 years. A delicious lunch to end our time in Minnesota, and a garden patio I hope to visit again. read more

Was invited to Jax to celebrate a coworkers service anniversary. It had been my first time going, looked like they have a parking lot across the street or street parking. The place was pretty packed for a weekday evening. We were said in a back room with other larger parties. We could see out to the patio & it looked super cute. The interior of the restaurant is a bit dated but I guess that's just the vibe. Kind of reminds me of older banquet rooms or the after church coffee & refreshment rooms after service. The staff were very attentive and handled our party well. I ordered a house salad, pierogis and a chicken pot pie. Food was good. The chicken pot pie crust was light and flaky, which I love. I would definitely come back to check out the patio. read more

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Smothered steak was the best steak I've had in a while! Cooked and seasoned to perfection, but, their à la carte sides are expensive for such small portions. Also bummed the host sat us inside when it was raining out, just to discover their covered patio was dry and continued to remain open. Friendly server & live piano player made up for it! I loved the jazzy supper club vibe. read more

Jax is a Minneapolis institution that can't really do you wrong! While it may not always be your top tier, best in class meal, it's not going to fall far short either. With a beautiful patio and classic, old school interior, Jax is one of a kind in terms of its ambiance. The trout stream out back is just more of the same - and allows you to experience a very unique meal if you choose to catch your own! The food is all very solid, while most dishes may not quite get onto your "Last Meal" list, you're likely to leave with no complaints. The filet (standard and bone-in): both awesome! The prime rib: also great! The appetizers: pretty solid. This is about as true of a 4+ star as you can get and well worth the trip! read more

Fantastic Restaurant! My fiancé and I just went to Jax for a date night and loved every second of the experience. We were seated right away and right at a table on the patio, right next to the stream and tulips. The ambiance was immaculate, 10/10! Our server was also extremely friendly and informative. She let us know so many details, including that on Mother's Day they have a buffet and if you order the trout you can actually fish it out of the pond yourself! So cool. I ordered the special of the day, which was a salmon. It was delicious! Overall I would definitely recommend. It looks run down on the outside, but on the inside it is amazing! Loved it! read more

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Go for the PATIO!!! Omgoodness, the patio is so beautiful and romantic - a must see. Sadly, the food was not great when we ate lunch there today. But on previous trips, we were served great food when we ordered steaks. Our server Mel was kind and attentive. It's not her fault the food was mostly blah. Here's what I ate: Oysters (2/5) French Onion Soup (4/5) Clubhouse Sandwich (3/5) Bailey's Chocolate Cake (2/5) Still a 4 of 5 stars in my book because of the outstanding patio area! read more

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I've passed by Jax Cafe so many times (live in the area) and never expected it to be so fancy inside! Great place to celebrate a special occasion or just have a nice night out. We ordered drinks to start, and I got an old fashioned. For as nice as the place is, I was surprised by the average quality of the drink. It had a lot of ice (instead of one big cube or sphere, which I think is standard) and wasn't mixed very well (sugar at the bottom). I'm glad to say though that everything else we had was amazing, so it only got better from there! Appetizer: artichoke dip (small portion) with toasted bread. Main: New York strip - DELICIOUS! Didn't try any add ons. Mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus on the side-- both pretty standard. Overall it was a really nice experience. The steak was so, so good and our server was fantastic. The service, paired with the atmosphere (live piano music) made all the difference. read more

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We've been here twice so far. First time was amazing, the food and service were on point, we couldn't wait to come back... however the second time, it was a very different experience, and leaving us with a lackluster opinion. It took enough time being seated and not noticed in the initial sit down that the manager had to ask if we've been seen since being seated (which not even our drinks taken). Additionally, the steak was ordered medium rare, yet served very rare, and it took a while for the waitress to come around again and check in us. She seemed to have some confusion as how to rectify the situation, eventually agreeing to recook it, which afterwards just provided it more charred on top . The service was ok. If we find ourselves here a third time, we hope it's better, but no immediate plans to go back after our experience today, which is definitely disappointing. read more

Jax Café - Steakhouses Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Jax Café has been around since before I was a little kid. They are a true test of time. The food is very good and the employees are polite and professional. I have not been here in a while since I have not lived in Minnesota for about 24 years (left right out of high school). It is fancy but classy on the inside. They also have a very nice patio area to enjoy during the warmer months. The patio was closed because of the cold weather but they let a few people in our dinner party go and see it. They also have a nice sized bar. They can accommodate large dinner parties. We had 33 in our party. We went here after a celebration of life for my grandmother who had passed away. Some of the employees even told us, "Sorry for your loss" which made it more of a personable experience. They also had matchbooks with the name of our party on it for every person in the party. The menu has a good variety of food for people to choose from. For an appetizer, I had some of the garlic cheese bread. It was delicious! For my meal, I had the filet mignon. I ordered it medium. For my side I had a loaded baked potato. My steak was well seasoned and cooked to perfection. It has been a long time since I have had a steak cooked that accurately and evenly throughout from anywhere. The loaded potato was cooked thoroughly and was loaded with bacon and cheese (I did not want sour cream or chives). Then came the dessert tray for everyone to see the desserts that they offer. Oh my, the dessert that I had was delicious. I believe what I had was called the Bailey Irish Cream Chocolate Tort. This is my new favorite dessert. I will eat here again, and it is a must eat at if you are in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Be sure to plan a head and make a reservation. read more

Fillet was good cooked med rare as ordered, blue cheese wedge amazing , wine selection very strong and service was average. The gal was board and inattentive That was our first time and will not be back as too many good steak houses in town read more

Had higher expectations and was left underwhelmed Food quality is mediocre and overpriced - the sea bass was a strange piece of filet that looked more like a lobster tail and was overcooked and rubbery,steaks were average Decor is beautiful old worldly and lovely patio in the summer Would return for HH drinks only Staff were friendly but slow service read more

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When you want good food come here. I like the happy hour menu items. The steak bites are great along with shrimp cocktail. They have a free parking lot on the north side of the restaurant. Never disappointed! read more

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Fun Friday Evening Happy Hour! Went out with some friends for snacks and drinks before meeting up with some more friends for a birthday party. We ordered Polish Sausage and Pretzel Bites- Cheese sauce and two different mustards Pierogis - Potato and Cheese Jax Crab Roll Jax House Salad Jax Special- Prime Rib Sandwich & Grain Belt Nordeast Tap Everything was so good, we sat outside and enjoyed the nice weather. read more

We had a gift card to Jax and were able to get seats for 2 in the dining room around 7pm on Friday night with no reservation. However, it seems like getting a reservation ahead of time is the way to go if you have a larger party or if you want to sit by the window to the outdoor patio which is a great seat! The staff was super friendly, personable, and accommodating. The restaurant itself has a cozy, classic elegance with wood-paneled walls, velvet drapes, and soft lighting. It's a perfect setting for a special occasion. Bonus points for the free parking lot across the street. To start, we shared the roasted tomatoes and goat cheese appetizer. I was seriously impressed as I am normally not a huge fan of goat cheese, but the combination of the creamy, earthy cheese with the sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, rosemary, and warm, buttery baguette was phenomenal. Not too heavy either and great for sharing. I'd definitely order it again. For my entrée, I had the pan-seared scallops, which came with sautéed spinach. The plate includes four scallops with a generous portion of spinach in the center (see photo in my review). If you're really hungry, this might not be filling enough on its own so you might want to add an à la carte side. I tend to order scallops whenever I see them on a menu and have become a little picky. These weren't quite there for me. The tops weren't as crispy or golden as I prefer, and while they were heavy on salt, they lacked much flavor otherwise. The spinach was soaked in a buttery sauce that I didn't love as a pairing either. Sadly, the dish was a miss for me. My husband got the 14 oz. slow-roasted prime rib au jus (medium rare), served with creamy horseradish sauce and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were super creamy and buttery. A solid, comforting side for such a hearty entrée. The prime rib itself was juicy, tender, and flavorful. The horseradish sauce had just enough of a kick to complement the meat without overpowering it. Overall, a strong showing. Better than many, bested by few. Also just a heads-up: when ordering, our server asked if we wanted to add a salad or a side, which could easily tack on another $15-$21 per person, depending on what you choose. So just something to keep in mind! One fun highlight was the drink menu. They have an extensive bourbon/whiskey and wine selection. I ordered a glass of Caymus Suisun Grand Durif, which was a fantastically full-bodied, smooth red that would've paired perfectly with the prime rib. My husband got a maple old fashioned. Made with Maker's 46 bourbon, it had toasty oak tones and was fairly vanilla-forward. It came with a thick cut of bacon, which was maple-glazed and heavily peppered, a fun addition to a good old fashioned. For dessert, we tried the bread pudding and the Baileys chocolate cake. They bring around a dessert tray with the night's options, which was a fun, nostalgic touch. According to our server, some desserts are made in-house and some are store-bought, so it's worth asking. From what I remember, the Baileys cake and crème brûlée are house-made. The Baileys cake was light, creamy, and not overly rich. The bread pudding was a bit firmer than we usually prefer, but was infused with white chocolate and had whipped cream on top. For reference, all desserts were $11 (you don't get a menu with prices). Overall, the food was hit-or-miss. We may have just picked the wrong dishes but the ambience, service, and drinks were excellent. Would come back to try a few other menu items! read more

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I prefer this place for brunch rather than dinner but both are good. Its a great place to celebrate something special. I also really suggest sitting outside because its so so so pretty outside. The service is also always amazing. The wait staff is always making sure to complete your needs and make sure your having a good time. It has an old classy old money feel which is really unique and fun. A very professional feeling there and a great choice for a celebration or special event. read more

Jax has classic old-school steakhouse vibes--elegant, dark, and cozy. Service is of course impeccable; these are the pros! read more

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Jax Café is a nod to old school Midwest tradition. They have created a comfortable spot to enjoy first class Prime Rib on their garden patio. Patio features a fully stocked Rainbow Trout stream and water wheel. You're greeted by each staff member finding out your name and wishing you happy birthday. Your table will have personalized matchbooks with your name (when making reservations let them know the guest of honor's name and it'll be done for free). Perfect for special events. Cocktails and entrees all came promptly. My only disappointment was the egg whites weren't fully set for the Benedict. However, everyone said their meal was exceptional. Note: There's a free parking lot next door (only for Jax's customers read more

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Luis is FANTASTIC he is very attentive to all his customers and works hard to make sure they have a wonderful experience read more

Jax Café - Prime Rib and mashed potatoes - Steakhouses Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Everything was wonderful as always! Always like going there regardless the time of year. Sitting outside is like sitting in another world. Always number 10! read more

Service was excellent! Jimmy was very attentive. The crusted seasoning on the steak was waaaay too salty. We couldn't eat it. The crab cake was very mushy and the topping was extremely salty. Dessert was good. The crème brûlée was not custardy.. it was like pudding. Ambience was beautiful. Food not so much. read more

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We had a five star experience...and then we saw the back patio! TEN STARS FOR THE PATIO! We celebrated our engagement here with my partner's family, and before that, Jax wasn't really on my radar. I mistakenly thought this was a coffee cafe - couldn't be further from the truth haha. Now, I want to go here for every special occasion! Our experience was top tier from start to finish - here's the rundown: PATIO: We ate inside, but explored the patio afterwards and oh man, do I wish we would've gotten a spot out there. This was fairytale-level magical! Tulips in bloom, a little watermill feature, and just the most stunning string lights on a quaint hidden gem patio. It's so dreamy! SEATING: They were able to accommodate our 10+ person group comfortably inside. It was busy, but the area is spacious and can seat a lot of folks without feeling crammed. SERVICE: Our waiter was incredible - quippy, great timing, solid recommendations, and charismatic. It was truly service like you expect at a steakhouse - just the right amount! SPECIAL OCCASIONS: Right when we arrived, the waiter acknowledged our special occasion. We got some bubbly for the table to celebrate, and the waiter made us feel so special. He opened them at the table, had me try it first to confirm, and then poured the rest. DRINKS: We all enjoyed our cocktails! I liked the limoncello one, but folks enjoyed the Old Fashioneds and other cocktails too. APPS: We got several apps for the table, and they went fast: we enjoyed the pierogis, green beans, and artichoke dip. STEAK: I mean, you gotta go with the steak here right?! Most of our crew got the filet, the one that made Jax famous, and I had to steal a bite - delish. I opted for the pot roast with horseradish mashed potatoes and I'm still dreaming about it - just incredible. COST: The prices are what you'd expect at a steakhouse - so come prepared. Especially for crab and lobster you'll pay a high price. I can only speak to the steak, and can say that was worth it! read more

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Went for dinner to celebrate a special birthday. The restaurant is classic old school elegance. After having drinks at the bar(cocktail in tiny glass packed to the brim with ice) we were cordially greeted at the host stand and seated at our reserved table. The restaurant was busy and bustling with waitstaff. A pianist was subtly playing tunes in the main dining room where we were seated. We had a very pleasant, attentive server, filling water glasses continuously. My prime rib was excellent and substantial as was my baked potato. Now the negatives for which I subtracted one star: -no bread or rolls were served before our meal -the small slice of cake I ordered, which came with a birthday candle and song from our server, was charged to the bill. After an expensive dinner on a special birthday it would have been a nice, classy gesture if the slice of cake were "on the house". A bit disappointing... and can only be described as "cheap"! read more

Went today for the first time with my fiancé and a few friends. The lobster roll was really good. My fiancé loved her omelette and the beignets were exquisite read more

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Four of us went for dinner. All in all our experience was very positive. The French onion soup was delicious. The wedge and house salads were good though the latter could have used more dressing. The bone-in-fillet and regular fillet were excellently prepared. The crème brûlée was also very good though could have been cooked a little bit longer. Service was excellent. The ambience was most enjoyable, being sufficiently quiet to allow uninterrupted, easily understandable conversation. We will definitely return in the future. read more

Came to Jax for my husbands birthday and had a good time! The food, as always, was delicious. The service could have been better, in my opinion. Making a reservation online same day was easy. The host was extremely friendly when greeting us. And of course there were the classic Jax personalized matches on the table waiting for us. It took a bit before we sat down to be greeted by a server. And throughout the night, two people would take our order and bring us food. Perhaps there were multiple servers per table because it was busy? Either way, it was a bit confusing. Service throughout the night was on the slow side. We also were never told the specials. I ordered the Orange Manhattan and the Filet Mignon with French fries - and I would absolutely order both again! My husband got ribs, which were also great - really flavorful. The food here is so excellent. They really do meat well. Overall the meal was great! But for the price, it would have been nice to been a little more taken care of. read more

Jax Café - Filet Mignon - Steakhouses Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Jax is a trusted neighbor who does not disappoint. Enjoyed a relaxing business lunch at Jax. The steak salad was cooked to perfection. The Waldorf salad was a freshly prepared and thoroughly enjoyed. read more

I've only been here for brunch, but I adore the back patio; there's a small stream/pond and a lot of greenery. The popover is definitely the highlight (I could put the honey butter on everything). Everything else I've tried has been average/good but nothing special. The service is solid, and I believe if you call ahead and tell them you're celebrating something, they'll prepare custom matchbooks, which is a super nice touch :) read more

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Pricey so be ready. Shrimp cocktail was fantastic, prime rib was cooked perfectly, also had salad. Dessert was a delightful Grasshopper for dessert. Excellent wait staff. The place was packed early on a Saturday night, make a reservation. Probably already booked for Valentine's Day. read more

Jax Cafe is a true gem of NE Minneapolis. My husband and I found this while looking for a steakhouse with competitive prices, a cozy ambiance, as well as terrific service. This is THE SPOT for your next Holiday Dinner or celebration. Whether you are here for their smothered steak or a fab brunch you are sure to have a great time. Jax has several private parking lots that have plenty of room year round. You can even request a personalized matchbook for special events. My husband and I have been visiting yearly for holidays for almost 10 years. read more

A true survivor, Jax has proved itself to be the best year over year. Five of us were here for a birthday dinner on a Thursday evening and it was absolutely delightful. It's business casual dress for the most part but the decor is old school elegant. If you make reservations early (suggested) they will print their characteristic matchbooks for the table, which provide a lasting memento of the occasion. Plenty of space between tables, ambient lighting, warm and quiet enough to carry on a conversation with your party while sharing the convivial atmosphere with other restaurant guests. Our wait person was knowledgeable, attentive and friendly -- without being overly familiar or chatty. I see that some previous reviewers had mixed opinions about the quality of their food, but our experience was quite the opposite. There were five of us and our menu selections ranged from seafood to beef, with vegetable sides and salad. All of it was perfectly prepared and the cooked entrees arrived simultaneously at our table while still hot from the kitchen. In particular, a couple of us enjoyed the filet mignon broiled to the exact medium rare. Mashed potatoes, which are ho-hum in most restaurants were elevated to a creamy richness here. Oven roasted asparagus complimented with a savory bearnaise is my choice for a side. Lastly, unlike some downtown venues, their Northeast location allows for ample parking in a flat lot directly across the street. No charge. read more

An institution for a reason. Jax's is such a beautiful venue, and we had the pleasure of enjoying their patio for their awesome happy hour! Tons of food on the happy hour menu, as well as an assortment of drinks. Do not skip the cream cheese stuffed peppers. The patio is spacious, intimate -- feels like you've stepped into the secret garden. Great service from start to finish. Extremely personable and attentive. read more

One of the best restaurants I've been to in the twin cities. Probably the best in Minneapolis. The food is incredible, drinks are amazing and the service is great. It gives old school steak house vibes and the patio area is gorgeous. read more

Nice night last night.. my husband and I would have preferred to sit outside on the patio but it was not available due to a private party. This place is quite big, we sat in a booth in the bar area. I actually have never been on the main level but only upstairs for private events so I was thrilled to be in the actual restaurant. Our server Luis was super chill and respected that we were not in a big hurry to order and that we wanted to enjoy our cocktail and visit. Our shrimp cocktail and wedge salads were great.. unfortunately, after a pretty long delay my beer cheese soup and my husband's tournedos both came to us pretty chilly. Without delay this was corrected. Still all and all...a super nice classic supper club. read more

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Such an classic of Minneapolis - It wouldnt be the same city without Jax. Go for the rib eye, stay for the martinis!

Jax has been around forever and I have always loved their dishes. Not this trip. #1 Their coolers are broke so no tap beer. Ordered the polish nacho's which in the past were one of my dream about foods, tonight I thought they tasted more like a gravy over the top the a cheesy texture, did not like them very much. We had the lobster roll which I have ordered many times over the years, tonight the lobster was chopped so small I tasted no flavor of lobster and there was so much celery that it made the lobster roll actually watery. There house salad was as delicious as ever but how do you screw that up? I think their dressing is like a peppercorn ranch. Our waiter was wonderful and very attentive, We were here on a Thursday night at 5:30 and there were approx 10 cars in the parking lot. Odd for Jax, I think it may be awhile until I will want to go back here if at all. I say this with sincere sadness. read more

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