Mike and Bruce Go To Lunch, August 10, 2018
Two retired guys go to lunch every Friday in the Twin Cities. Not seeking haute cuisine or a place to take the wives for a perfect night – looking for good burgers and other lunch food, a solid beer selection and a genuine atmosphere.
Restaurant name: Jax Cafe
Address: 1928 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, jaxcafe.com
Style or theme: Supper Club
First Impression:
Mike says: Jax Café has been a Northeast Minneapolis institution for 75+ years. I haven’t been there for (too) many years, and was quite looking forward seeing if it’s changed. The good news is Jax still the offers the same great timeless atmosphere…..it could be 1940 or 1970 or 2018 and you wouldn’t know the difference. The dining room and bar are classic supper club…rich and elegant. This is one of the inviting features of Nordeast….many of the classy older buildings remain compared some other parts of the city where so much is being torn down. We sat in their wonderful secluded patio surrounded by trees, plants and even a little waterway.
Bruce says: The last time I was to Jax was in the winter, and I could only look out the window to see the patio. This time we enjoyed it in the fullest part of summer. The greenery and landscaping give a feeling of serenity before you even have a chance to eat.
Food quality and value:
Mike says: In addition to soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers, there are also steaks and seafood on the lunch menu. They offer Nordeast favorites like pierogis, stuffed cabbage, or polish sausage and sauerkraut. I went for the famous “JAX” sandwich….chilled and thinly sliced prime rib served on a toasted ciabatta bun with lettuce, crispy fried onions, provolone, and horseradish aioli, along with their house potato salad ( a bit spicy) and a local draft beer. It was very good! Most items are under $25, so a bit pricier than many lunch places and well worth it. Service is first rate too!
Bruce says: I had the Prime Rib French Dip sandwich. The prime rib was very tender. I could have been more adventurist and ordered a Prime Rib Bolognese (rigatoni and shaved parmesan) or Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut (a Northeast favorite served with boiled potatoes and sauerkraut). I guess I have to go back.
Would you go back?
Mike says: It won’t take me “too” long again to return to Jax. Jax would be a great play to bring a group to dinner on a cold winter’s night….a warm and friendly place to enjoy an elegant evening.
Bruce says: Yes and soon. Jax is one of the places that makes it good to live in the Twin Cities.
Points rating (good food, good time, glad to go back – 5 is top of the ratings, 0 is really bad)
Mike rates: 5…. Jax is everything it promises to be.
Bruce rates: 5
Mike & Bruce go to Lunch 