Great place .. small cozy and right on the water. Great food too,, can't wait for everyone to be able to enjoy themselves after this Covid Pandemic is over read more

Super bummed to be turned away for dinner at 8:15pm when this site says they close at 9. Been looking forward to coming here for a few years and decided to go for birthday dinner after work... guess not read more

My dining companion and I dropped in to Sailor Jack's for lunch yesterday. We were seated in the semi-enclosed outdoor gravel dining area overlooking the water. The server recommended several specials of the day, and they were delicious and well prepared. They have a good selection of oysters. My only concern is, during our lunch, we observed 4 rats scurrying around in our dining area. We saw one rat trying to climb up an empty table. We observed another rat run over a nearby diner's foot (who wearing sandals). Her dining companion complained to their server, who just shrugged, and told them the rodents were active because it was a hot day. I wonder how active the rodents are in the cooler evenings at this restaurant. Overall, our dining experience was dampened by our concern whether the restaurant does any rodent abatement. They should, for the health and safety of their customers and employees. And for food safety. Food is very good. Service is attentive. Rodent abatement questionable. Keep your feet off the ground if you decide to dine in their outdoor seating area! Not sure if we will dine again at Sailor Jack's. And definitely not in their gravel outdoor dining area. read more

Great waterfront Sunday morning Bloody Mary brunch spot. Great food, view and cocktails with plenty of parking area at the end of Benicia.

Left my apple airpods at this place and I have a picture and my find my device app showing the last time I use it. Staff claims they didnt find my airpods read more

Sailor Jack's - My AirPods that I left on our table - Seafood Near Me - Benicia, California

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I was expecting better food at this establishment. My friend and I should have listened to the locals prior to trying this place out. The food was below-par. The only items that had any flavor and tasted fresh was the clam chowder & the crispy brussel sprouts. Both of these items were tasty. My friend ordered the crab melt. She asked the server if it's fresh. The server said "It's Dungeness", which doesn't answer the question. My friend asked "is it fresh, not canned" and the server replied "yes, it's fresh". I ordered the chicken Alfredo because it stated on the menu "homemade alfredo sauce". This restaurant is afraid to season their food. Don't be afraid of salt........ When my meal arrived, the alfredo sauce looked like it separated, and it wasn't cohesive. The sauce was lumpy. To make it worse, the dish was under-seasoned. I had to add salt, pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to make it appealing/tasty. The chicken was cooked perfectly but once again under-seasoned. My friend's crab melt was definitely canned, the crab meat had the texture of baby food (gross) and that canned flavor. If it wasn't for the tomato, cheese & avocado to provide texture, the sandwich would have been in-edible (also under-seasoned). When we asked the server again if it's canned dungeness?, she insisted it was fresh (uhm, o-kay :( . There is no reason to over-mix fresh dungeness crab into oblivion, honor the crab not make it unrecognizable by texture. At least we tried the place but we are never going back. read more

The food is very good but the service is NOT! I've gone twice now and the service is slow, the hostess took forever to find a table when there were plenty open. The first visit we sat upstairs and the bartender was our waiter, rude service. Both visits the server would disappear for a long time we kept flagging others down to bring utensils, bread or napkins. It's a shame that the service is bad because the food has been great. Really enjoyed the cup of chowder, huge portion and hearty. The brussel sprouts are excellent too. The first time I ordered the crab stack which was good too. The restaurant is in desperate need of some server training! I will probably return but not as quick as I would like. The view is gorgeous, try to get a table downstairs at sunset. Highly recommend the spicy cucumber tequila drink, forgot the name. read more

We eat at Sailor Jack's about once a month late spring through early fall. We always sit outdoors in the waterside dining area. Service out there is always hit or miss, and it can take a while to get our check. They don't staff it adequately. But we consider it a trade off for the beautiful setting. Last night, though, the service was terrible, and it was our sever, not just low staffing. We had to get the manager involved and she wasn't much better. It will be a while before we go back. read more

The food here was good and the customer service was awesome! We decided to give this place a visit on a Friday evening around 8:00 PM. When we walked into the restaurant, we were greeted and seated immediately. We were also given a few menus. Our waiter approached our table and asked if we would like something to drink. I ordered an ice water and a margarita on the rocks. The margarita was ok, didn't have much alcohol in it, but that was alright. I browsed the menu and looked over a few items and finally opted for the Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Asparagus, Basil and Balsamic Glaze, and a Green Salad in the side. The salmon was good and the slight taste of basil and balsamic glaze, was different, but still delicious being that I've never had my salmon cooked this way before. The green salad and asparagus were also delicious. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, hence the five star review. This is a nice place to enjoy a lunch or dinner with great views of the bay, which I think adds to the nice ambiance of the place. This restaurant is definitely more of a seafood restaurant, so if you enjoy seafood, you might want to check this place out. read more

Sailor Jack's - Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Aspargus with basil and Balsamic Glaze, and a Green Salad. Margarita and Iced Water - Seafood Near Me - Benicia, California

I drove to Benicia--20 minutes--to have lunch at Lucca's. Sign on the door said they were closed that day, so I kept on down First St. and at the end of the street sat Sailor Jack's. It was 1:15. Parking lot filled with old lady cars and vans. A clue? Got seated on the second floor and checked out the menu. I ordered a bowl of gumbo FOR TWENTY-FIVE BUCKS! It had better be exceptional at that price... I must add that I'm spoiled re: gumbo. I learned to make it properly back in '84, and it's my favorite New Orleans dish. Most authentic in NorCal is Angeline's in Berkeley, and a nice big steaming bowl is $16.00 there; worth every penny, too. Back to Jack's--the parking lot didn't lie...the place was filled with ladies in groups, 50 and up--generally a good sign because women past "raising up their kids" age usually KNOW good cooking. I felt right at home. Bring it on, Mom! Eagerly awaiting my gumbo, I asked for some bread and opted for a ginger beer ($4.50). My expectation was for a hearty meal. Most ginger beer comes in 10 or 12-ounce bottles. You know what they say about "assume". Right? My $4.50 ginger beer was 5 1/2 ounces. The bread was tasty but pathetic--three TINY slices. I mean TINY. More bread (free) more ginger beer ($4.50). Lunch was creeping towards $35.00, sans tip... The gumbo arrived. It wasn't gumbo as I know it. It was more like a thin tomatoey jambalaya. Not a trace of smokey roux flavor. Strong, acidey tomato flavor, like the seeds had been left in and the whole thing wasn't simmered long enough to render it sweet. Three pathetic mussels, a dozen pencil-eraser-sized "scallops" that had obviously come from a freezer bag, and a half-dozen ex-frozen, overcooked (tough!) shrimp. In this case, the ladies were wrong. For over $40, I got a lunch that was lacking in both quality and quantity. Perhaps a mixed drink would have softened the blow, but at Jack's prices, NOPE. Wistfully glanced at Lucca's on my way back up First Street. If only... Sailor Jack's--not recommended. read more

We've eaten at Sailor Jack's for brunch, lunch and dinner. The food is consistently delicious. We enjoy sitting upstairs and watching the Benicia bay waters. Steve, the long-time bartender, knows his stuff! We recommend this neighborhood gem highly. read more

My wife and I visited one of our favorite places in Benicia. It was our first time back since the pandemic and we noticed outside seating in a tented areas. It was a wonderful afternoon warm with a slight breeze. Outside seating was very busy with only one waitress handing both tents. The waitress was very professional and on top of things for the tables she was handling! I would of like see some plants and foliage in and around the tents to make if feel more appealing since I saw lots of couples and elderly dining here. The waitress finally got relief around 3:30 pm and made serving more manageable. read more

Dog friendly, the server brought our dog a bowl of water, came say hi to our dog and felt welcomed. Food is good, service was good, beautiful view. Saw they clean tables each time with cleaners and tables far apart for safety. read more

Sailor Jack's - Seafood Near Me - Benicia, California

My husband ate there this afternoon. We have eaten there before but this time we were very disappointed. We both ordered the fish & chips + a bowl of the clam chowder. The order included french fries & coleslaw. The chips came arrived cold & the coleslaw was bland. The fish was coated with a very heavy cake-like batter with very little fish. We did order a bowl of clam chowder which was just OK (not exceptional whMyich I would expect from a restaurant that specializes in seafood). Our total bill was approximately $65.00 (included one bar drink) which was too much for the quality of food we recieved. Overall, I would not recommend this resturant which is a shame as it is placed in Benicia where we usually like to explore. read more

First time here was on Father's day weekend. We were able to walk in with no reservations. Staff was nice food was good and affordable for seafood. read more

Nice spot. Bria light sweater or jacket and sit outside by the water. Very enjoyable

Sailor Jack's came highly recommended from so many people and I cant say I see the appeal other than friendly service and good views. The food was mediocre. Not bad but not anything I'd come back for. The calamari seemed like more breading than anything, the popcorn shrimp lacked flavor, the Salmon BLT and Yellowfin Tuna sandwiches lacked seasoning. The clam chowder was good though. Sadly, don't think we will be going back. read more

Great local restaurant have very few bad menu items. Their pokey is outstanding, and my husband loves the hamburgers. Oh, and don't forget the clam chowder can't be better! read more

My husband and I hadn't been out to eat in a few months. We decided to splurge a bit on a Saturday afternoon. We got an out door table where we could watch the people go by with their dogs. We ordered a Hen House Beer and a Bloody Mary to start. The cocktail wasn't fancy in presentation but it was delicious. Just the right amount of zest and neither too strong or too watery. The beer was mildly skunky with a clean citrus aftertaste. The appetizer was set down shortly after our drinks and WOW, mussels with a spicy tomato broth piled with garlic fries on top. If you only want to have drinks and a appetizer, this is the one. The fries were crispy and the mussels were both sweet and spicy in their broth. I then had a cup of clam chowder and a Caesar salad. Both were spot on. My husband had the pork chop with mashed potatoes. The pork was seasoned perfectly. The staff had a welcoming attitude and the waitress was attentive and cheerful. Every request was completed promptly. This was the best meal at Sailor Jacks I had ever had. We will come back for more. read more

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My husband & I stopped in for dinner tonight excited for a nice quiet dinner. We were seated, but it wasn't a very prompt process. There is a young kid who I think is a busser- but also gets bread/water for newly seated guests. He asked us if we wanted bread, we said yes & it took him 3 times forgetting, seeings us & saying he would he it for us, before we ever got our bread. This same kid has this nose length hair that hangs in front of his eyes constantly & it looks sloppy. At a restaurant that has an average plate cost of over $30 bucks, I would think they'd want their employees to look a little more together. Anyhow, there was also one bartender. He was making all the drinks for the people at the bar AND the entire restaurant! Because of that, it took our drinks an absurd amount of time. Hiring another bartender wouldn't be a bad idea. Also, we got our food & we got halfway through our meals with empty glasses the entire time. As a former server, glasses- specifically water, should NEVER be empty! Our food was good, so I will give them 3 stars for that & pretty much that alone. They also apparently don't do normal checks now & it's all on a little tablet thing. Well, our waiter just stood over us the entire time we did it- I tip 20% regardless as a baseline, but do you know how uncomfortable it is to be paying your tab with your serve standing right over you?!? Food was good, we are visiting from out of state & we will not come back on our next trip. read more

Great location. Food was just okay - we tried several appetizers and I had the crab melt. I only found 1 identifiable piece of crab - mostly artichokes and very mayonnaisey. Service was slow and never came to refill drinks until the end of the meal. read more

Long time customer of Sailor Jack's since we live in Benicia. Went for lunch today since it was a nice day (70s in mid February). Sat outside since we had our dog with us. Sad to say, service was pretty bad, even considering it is pandemic. Had to ask for water and bread after sitting in the sun for 20 minutes. The bread was nondescript...I think they get it from the local Safeway. DO NOT ORDER THE HOUSE CHARDONNAY IT IS TERRIBLE. We have had it before and apparently they changed purveyors. Food was OK. Nothing to write home about it. Fish and chips were something you could get anywhere and the Shrimp Louis was not exceptional. Seriously, you could go to Dennys and have the same food--maybe better. I hate to rate them this low, but really I wish I had stayed home instead of eating there. read more

It's basically just really, REALLY not that great. Food used to be awesome and it's just gone sharply down hill. The last few times we've went have ranged from okay, to gross. This afternoon I got the egg scramble which was alright, and my girlfriend got the crab melt, which according to her was basically mayonnaise toast with a small amount of crab and gross tomatoes. The ownership really needs to step it up and figure out why their quality is declining. read more

Sunday night. Server leaves water and disappears because the ten customers in the building were too much to handle. His words.Bar tender takes over and has a shit attitude with poor tasting drinks. No bread offered until standing up and leaving...after the meal. Chipped beer glass which cut lip and same bartender says okay and walks away. Fish and chips over cooked. Twice. What the hell happened SJ'S. A bad night is one thing but holy Jesus. I won't give up on you Sailor but for F@&$ sake please get your stuff together. I've never had a night like this in in your restaurant until tonight. So disappointing. read more

Customer service is so slow. My birthday was impacted by their lack of service. Good luck! They at least adjusted the bill to correct their service. read more

We met up with a friend for brunch today. We had made a reservation at 10 for outside but when we arrived it was cold and windy and asked for in inside table instead. They balked at the request and said it would be difficult to accommodate us but the outside had heaters...so we said OK. It was quite chilly and we asked to have the heater turned on...at that moment we noticed a rat scurrying around, not the end of the world but off-putting. We ordered Bloody Marys, which were late coming and very bland. There was one server trying to manage but the outside seating is quite a distance from the restaurant. All of our food arrived cold, even though it had foil over the plates...obviously that did not keep the food warm. Our friend had the Monte Christo, which is usually served with either syrup or jam...this came with ketchup so the sweet/savory concept was diminished. The hash browns were cold and under done. We had asked that that the country potatoes be hot and crispy...arrived cold and not crispy. Then we ordered coffee which took forever to arrive. Can't understand why they don't have a coffee station in the outdoor area. All in all, I would say our experience was sub-par. Even though it is a great location, the slow service and food was very disappointing. Our server was very sweet but obviously was overwhelmed. We will probably go back to Vic's which always serves hot and delicious food. Sailor Jack's needs to step up its game to convince us to return. Maybe management needs to pull an Undercover Boss to share the guest experience...only because we want them to be successful. read more

The food coupled with the new outdoor ambiance has taken this historical spot to another level. I stop what I'm doing to catch their wonderful brunch. Wonderful professional new owners too. read more

Sailor Jack's - Seafood Near Me - Benicia, California

Just walked out of the restaurant to celebrate my dad's birthday. This review is mostly for our server Andrea, who was so delightful and friendly and sweet. She made amazing suggestions with the most darling smile. She even had mermaid colored makeup! She totally made the experience worth it. I ordered a Moscow mule with the house infused cucumber vodka. So refreshing. For my main course, I ordered an appetizer, the ahi tuna poke. With the complimentary bread, I was full in no time. The tuna was so flavorful, and the crispy fried wonton was a fun complement in flavor and texture. My dad got a complimentary peach crisp with ice cream, and it was soooo good. I barely had any stomach capacity left for it, but I made just enough room for a few spoonfuls ANYWAY, THANKS ANDREA. read more

The view was really beautiful, they were so nice to lift the blinds so we could see out! Thankyou! I do not know our servers name but she had a big bright smile and got us anything we needed shes 5 stars in my book white lady wavyish hair light brown i think..We dined downstairs..i was disappointed the Stuffed Salmon was no longer on the menu but has nothing to do with the rating..I ordered the Ahi salad although the Tuna was a nice piece of fish very tender and seared perfectly..I didnt love my salad i didnt like the terriyaki kinda salty taste it had..If i was to come back it would be better with vinegar based dressing...Just my opinion..but the saltiness was a turnoff..We had Crispy Brussel sprouts and Clam chowder to start which was excellent and my boyfriend had Halibut it was ok...also to salty..Overall we had a nice night but not sure if id return.. So the service , location ,and the view was really A+..But the food didnt do a whole lot for me.. Although 3 stars seems maybe harsh thats because i have a broad view of 1 star and 5..a 3 is not terrible.. read more

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Visiting from out of state and Sailor Jack's was a pleasant surprise. Excellent food and drinks. Fransico provided great recommendations and service. The entire staff was friendly and courteous. read more

Fantastic dining experience right on the water in Benicia. Exceptional service (even when we wanted waterside without a reservation for lunch) and especially when we asked to move to a different table. I wasn't in the mood for seafood; the tostada salad was great. Can't recommend highly enough! I hadn't been in a year (what was I thinking?) and found it better than ever. Covid guidelines followed by all; no safety concerns. read more

Sailor Jack's - View from outdoor tables - Seafood Near Me - Benicia, California

Didn't even get past the host stand. We drove 30-mins out of the way to check it out and the weren't seating anyone an hour and a half before close. read more

I like this place. Don't go here often. The clam chowder is definitely worth the trip alone. Unique and tasty. For some reason they don't have oyster crackers though. Haven't tried all the dishes by far, but haven't been disappointed so far. Service is spotty when it's busy. But where isn't it? My wife loves the view from the second floor. Oddly enough, I am finishing up this review after a bowl of chowder while in Boston. Sailor Jack's is far more memorable. Go now read more

Man, this place is a mess. - We were one of four parties in an otherwise empty dining room, and yet each course of our meal took forever to get to us. - Our "dozen" oyster platter had 11 oysters. - The oysters were not very good anyway. - The Caesar salad was pretty bad. - Some of the servers looked like they just rolled out of bed. Seriously. - Overall poor quality of service (not just slow), and forgettable food. read more

What a amazing restaurant, me and my husband celebrated our 10 year Anniversary last night and I'm so glad we decided to come here a good friend recommend it so it was our first time and the service and food are simply amazing! We had the Fanny Bay oysters to start out and they were so fresh and delicious, we had some amazing dirty martinis and for dinner the best part we had the First Mate Surf and Turf everything was cooked to perfection and for desert we had the terimisu it was so good delicious. Our waitress was so amazing her name was Victoria and she did a great job. We definitely will be back great food great view and great employees make for a amazing experience!!!! read more

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A big waste of money. The seafood dish that we ordered we could make at home. But I will give three stars for the atmosphere and the good service. read more

Don't let the face of the building or the name mislead you into thinking that this is a divey hipster bar. When you first walk in you are greeted by wait staff and realize this is an upscale restaurant with stunning views. We sat inside and got lunch. The lunch menu was limited on what I'd really consider lunch items. The appetizers were not small fair to go with lunch but could be a meal in itself. I ordered the crab melt and it was a bit over salted. The staff service was great. I'd go back here for dinner and drinks. read more

Excellent service & food Bisquet delicious with strawberry preserves We had seafood salad pricey but lots of shrimp & crab so worth it read more

Yummy food at a beautiful location! Will definitely be back! Highly recommend the autumn salad and drinks! read more

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Love the food! Drinks, atmosphere and scenery. Being able to sit by the water and enjoy your food is heaven!