jvreagan "In search of the best steaks..."

As someone from the midwest growing up on great Chicago steakhouses, Jak’s comes very close and is definitely better than the Metropolitan Grill in terms of food and atmosphere. I highly recommend Jak’s.

Jak’s does not take reservations. On the weekends, the wait can be upwards of two hours. We’ve waited as long as three hours to get in, and it is always worth the wait. There is a bar (Room 38) two doors down from Jak’s – my wife and I have drinks there after we put our names on the list. Jak’s will call Room 38 when a table is ready for us.

The wine by the glass list is pretty small, but they do have an excellent selection of bottled wines to compliment their top choice steaks. They do steaks right – Nebraska beef, dry aged for at least a month. Always cooked perfectly.

Ask for their “UFO” side potato dish. It’s no longer on the menu but they still serve it. It’s a potato pancake and a scoop of garlic mashed potatos. Outstanding.

My wife always saves room for desert and loves it; I myself partake in Jak’s cut sizes and fill up on steak!

Perhaps the best part of Jak’s is the atmosphere. Very down to earth, not upscale or uppity feeling that you get at other high end steak houses.

Ok, I’m from Chicago, so I have to lower my pizza expectations for Seattle area pizzarias. I was recommended this place as one of the best “Chicago-style” pizza restaurants in the area.

Wow, was I disappointed. Not even close to Chicago-style pizza. And even then, the pizza simply was not good. Didn’t even bother to take the leftover pizza home. Will not be back, that’s for sure.

In addition, they do not accept credit cards. Quite a sore point with me there too.

While Jak’s does make a better burger, I don’t know of a better burger joint in the Seattle area. While it pains me to admit that a chain actually takes this honor, it’s unfortunately true.

Fatburger sports excellent burgers, chicken sandwiches, chili, and shakes on their menu. A bit pricy for my liking, but I’ve never had a bad meal there.

Go for their chili cheese fries. Real cheese, excellent chili.