Uncle Jack's: Midtown Steakhouse NYC

Definitely can't understand the couple few who had a negative experience eating at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in midtown (unclejacks,com). I eat there all the time for many of the reasons people who enjoyed their experience talked about. Uncle Jack's is definitely first class all the way. From the time you walk through the door to the time you leave, I genuinely feel that the wait staff does there best to give you the ultimate high-end steakhouse experience. Whether for lunch or dinner, you can definitely meet your budget, especially if you stick to prix fix ($40 can nab you beautiful filet mignon as part of your four course meal) or go on Tuesdays for half priced wine (off a list with over 100 wines at priced to suit any and all comers). All in all Uncle Jack's is just as delicious and enjoyable a dining experience as some of the other big name steak joints in NYC, difference is Uncle Jack's caters to a lower budget. All while treating you with the same respect and attention. Often busy though, I would definitely recommend a reservation, especially for dinner!

Pros: top notch service and food without huge $$$

Cons: can be crowded, make reservation if possible!

Posted 11/06/09

I read some of the reviews before going and one thing is clear to me: the over the top rave reviews look like and must be "shills." Funny how they read just like the ones for the other location! The meal itself is one of the biggest ripoffs for a NY steakhouse; there's no shortage of NY steakhouses, and there's absolutely no reason to put this one on the list. The service staff? where to begin? You'd think in this day and age they'd be grateful for someone coming in and laying down siginificant money to eat. But no, the waiters have huge attitude, and the silly flourishes they put on only underscore their disdain for the patrons. Frankly, I find it kind of amazing the place stays in business!

Pros: none

Cons: obnoxious service; mediocre steaks;

Posted 07/19/09

My husband and I stopped in for a quick bite for lunch. We both purchased a lunch special and got portions that certainly filled us. I've never eaten a burger that big and delicious before.

Posted 07/08/09

The Uncle Jack's Steakhouse on West 56th Street is in a great location--by midtown, Broadway, Rockefeller Centre. But even when I'm not in the neighborhood, I keep coming back. Usually we order the Porterhouse, which is rich and red on the inside and nicely crisped on the outside. However, I recently branched out and tried their Kobe beef, and was very impressed (personally, I'm a little confused by the nay-sayers). The wine list is extensive, an in addition to the prime cuts of meat they offer seafood and salads--a quality not often found in steakhouses. The service is enthusiastic and impeccable--they make sure that every meal is a successful one.

Pros: excellent service, perfectly-cooked steak, good location

Posted 07/06/09

Describe Uncle Jack's 56th Street location in one word? Disappointing. The place came recommended by a friend, along with a gift card. The best part of our meal was the sweet potato fries. For a $260 meal I expect more than good fries. The wait staff was professional and cordial, our cocktails well-made, the decor on par for a Manhattan steakhouse. But it was the food, especially the Kobe steak, that was such a disappointment. The Kobe Recession special for two the waiter praised was no longer available. (8pm and you're out of the special? Weak.) We got the Kobe ribeye instead. This wasn't the marbleized, flavorful beef I expected; this was plain, old fatty beef. The portion didn't look like 20 oz. but it didn't really matter because half of it stayed on the side of my plate as grizzle or fat anyway. I've had better steak on my outdoor grill. The tuna tar-tar app tasted OK but looked like sashimi scraps pressed into a mold and served on a plate. Baked clams were good but some were too small to be hanging out on a plate with other, normal sized clams. Wouldn't go back. Wouldn't recommend to a friend.

Pros: Professional wait staff, good martinis

Cons: Kobe beef not worth it at all

Posted 12/31/08

My wife and I took our mothers here for Christmas dinner. The service staff was friendly and prompt ever though they were extremely busy. We have eaten a upper scale steakhouses throughout the USA and Uncle Jacks rates up there with the usual ones, ie Ruth's Chris, Morton's, The Palm etc..., the filets were good, mashed sweet potatoes fantastic and the prime rib chop ok. I wouldnt exactly go out of my way to get here to eat over other steakhouses but wouldnt run from it either.

Pros: good food and ambience

Cons: little pricey

Posted 12/31/08

Went to the Uncle Jacks Midtown a couple weeks ago. While the decor was up to par with some of the better steakhouses such as Morton's or the Palm, the service left something to be desired. The waiter had a chip on his shoulder, extremely sarcastic and berating. The food wasn't terrible but for a steakhouse that is considered the best in the city you would expect the best steaks, which was definitely not the case. If your considering a night out to a good steakhouse head to Ruth Chris or Morton's. But if your looking to get berated by your waiter for not knowing the difference between Kobe and USDA then by all means Uncle Jack's should be your pick.

Pros: Nice decor, decent wine list.

Cons: Rude wait staff, less then stellar steaks.

Posted 11/30/08

This place is terrible, the tuxedo bold waiter thought he is the President of the US. The food was ok...very expensive, the sides were good, desserts average. I like the decor alot.
overall bad experience.

Pros: decor

Posted 07/14/08

If you love steak, and I do, you should love this place. Top class food and service, a bit off the beaten steak house path in NYC but worth the trip if you find your self on the Westside hankering for the tender and juicy. I had a Rib Eye cooked mid rare with mushrooms and steak fries.

Usual steak house prices prevail, the space is not as opulant as some others in that rance such as Ruths Chris or Mortons but still adequate.

Pros: Great Steak, good service.

Cons: Location and decor don't match price range.

Posted 06/14/08

Uncle Jacks was an excellent dining experience. The restaurant has a full bar and a very good wine list to choose from.

The menu offers typical "steakhouse" selections and cuts. My wife and I chose the Porterhouse for 2 (48 oz) and we also ordered sides of steak fries and sauteed mushrooms. The steak was cooked just as we had ordered (Medium). The steak was very thick and had a wonderful flavor. Uncle Jacks has a house steak sauce, but there was no need to use because the flavor of the steak needed no help. The steak fries are actually more like baked potato logs. They are very thick and approximately 4 - 5 inches long. The sauteed mushrooms were tender and made a nice addition to the steak.

Unfortunately we were both so full from the main meal that we were unable to find room for dessert.

The staff was very friendly and the service was prompt.

One note of caution: the prices are high, along the same lines of other top steakhouses in NY, but the quality of the meal is equal or better. We enjoyed it very much and would highly recommend it to others.

Pros: Great steak and dining experience

Posted 05/16/08

A friend (who I trust with steaks), recommended this place to me on my vacation and it did not disappoint. At 48 ounces, the porterhouse did more than just satisfy my cravings for a juicy steak. Cooked exactly how we wanted it and drenched in its succulent juices, the steak sauce (although amazing in its own right) only took away from its natural flavor. Both the sides we ordered were good, however we couldn't finish them in order to devour every ounce of the ginormous cut of meat.

The prices were expensive; as is the case with any prime NY steakhouse, but worth it if you're a steak lover. The waiter came off as kind of arrogant and it surprised me that he knew exactly when to come take my order and bring the bill; I don't know how he figured that out.

Anyways, all in all, this place is a must-eat-at for any person in NY who appreciates a good slice of beef.

Pros: Seriously the best steak house in NYC. Worth every penny.

Posted 05/16/08

My boyfriend and I took his parents there (they used to dine in queens ) figuring they'd love it. For starters, we made reservations 4 weeks in advance and were seated in a cramped little corner. Then the food that was served was cold. When we asked the waiters to heat up the food, we got major attitude! If you decide to go, DON'T HAVE THE CREAM BRULLE we all made the mistake of ordering it. At the end of this terrible dinner, when the bill was paid, the waiter stood right next to our table and counted the $. When he saw that my boyfriend tipped him 25% despite the horrible service, everyone was very friendly and saw us out. Don't waste your money, this restaurant may have been a blast in queens, but there's a good reason why reservations are not necessary at this place!

Pros: decor

Cons: evrything

Posted 05/09/08

I took my wife to Uncle Jack's this past Saturday and the entire experience was first class. Informed the Hostess it was our anniversary and we were seated rather promptly upstairs in a private setting. The wait staff was incredible. The cold seafood platter was top quality although abit pricey. We also had the buffalo mozzarella caprese and it was one of the best we have ever had. We were then served the 16 ounce Filet Mignon that was a very reasonable 45 dollars with some creamed spinach. As we were wrapping up dinner and figured our check would soon be at the table, the waiter came over with a medley of desserts that was complimentary for our anniversary. This is a must stop on your visit to the big apple. You will not be disappointed

Pros: Great Service

Cons: No menu, the waiter just rattles it off to you

Posted 02/24/08

Let me preface my review by stating that I'm an avid lover of steak and have dined at what's considered to be Manhattans top spots. Uncle Jacks (9th ave), Mortons, Benjamin, Ben Bensons, Blair Perrorne (before they closed) Mark Joseph, Bobby Vans, etc. I had high hopes for Uncle Jacks new location and they didn't disappoint. The space is beautiful, and I actually prefer it to their other Manhattan location. Service was excellent and not at all pushy. They have a fantastic mescaline salad with goat cheese and pine nuts, which I definitely recommend. I had the 24oz sirloin which was excellent, nice crust and good flavor. I ordered medium rare +, I should have gone with medium rare, but still excellent. It comes presliced on the plate, which I like. More and more steakhouses seem to be doing this lately. The sauteed mushrooms were excellent as well. My only slight gripe was the creamed spinach, which I was really looking forward to. Their 9th ave location served the best creamed spinach I've ever had, but last night didn't quite measure up. It was good, but not as creamy as usual. Overall, an excellent meal.

Posted 02/18/08

great food,but pricey,the decor is great and the serivce is amazing,great to impress a date.parking is hard to find but its worth the wait.The waitstaff were really on top of things

Pros: great food

Cons: no parking

Posted 11/25/07

Steaks,seafood and real kobe beef ( which i suggest you at least order for the table) were amazing.it is funny how one restaurant can provide such a superior steak.I assume wille the owner spares no expense when buying his food.The atmoshere was both elegant and relaxing. including what i saw of his private rooms.A perfect place for a date or corporate dinner.i know my clients would be incredibly impressed and continue to hold my taste im high regard as well as remain a loyal customer for a long time.it seemed like everyone there including celebrities were talking as they have neve been to an opening with such high level food or service..i am wine lover and the selection was amazing.all the uaual top wines as well as unique wines i could never find anywhere.again a credit to wiilie's pursuit of perfection.overall get in there now before the buzz gets out.i am sure that the usual unsatisfying steakhouses and seafood restaurants will finally have to step up there game fo once.Thanks willie not only for adding a great new mainstay to midtown but also making he rest of your competion realize they must raise the bar or close.

Pros: PERFECT STEAK AMBIANCE PEOPLE WATCHING & TRUE KOBE BEEF

Cons: THE POPULARITY MAY GROW FAST ONCE IT IS OPEN A WEEK OR TWO

Posted 11/10/07