10/23/09

Great place to take the boss!

by HauteShopper

Drink - Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice with Cuervo Gold.

Appetizer: Cajun Popcorn

Main Course: It's always a toss-up! You can never go wrong with the Dungeness Crab Leg Saute or the Parmesan Petrole Sole.

Jake's is a not to be missed Portland classic.

• Pros: Fabulously fresh seafood
• Cons: Absolutely none

10/06/09

One of our favorites!

by Beast09

I've been going here for years. Every meal has been beyond tasty. The wine has affordable options if you aren't looking to spend a lot and they come in 8oz pours, too.

We love the stuffed salmon and crab/artichoke/mushroom sauté. The truffle cake is to die for and we have it EVERY time!

Yes, sometime the service is better than others but it's never been bad.

I'm not a fan of the happy hour items and the HH food isn't as good as the regular menu.

• Pros: Delicious food, good service, affordable wine
• Cons: Not a good last minute dinner without a reservation, HH

08/31/09

Best food EVER!!!

by jrwheeler81

I was so disappointed to read the bad reviews that seem to be popping up here. I live in Eugene but go to Jake's everytime I come to town. The food can be expensive, but totally worth it. Last time we were there my boyfriend got the crab stuffed salmon and said it was the best meal he has EVER had. My coconut mahi mahi was moist and flavorful as were the clams we got as an appetizer. I will continue to go back

• Pros: Food, location, ambiance
• Cons: what cons

06/23/09

Don't waste your money.

by freshyfresh

Been here several times over the years with out of towners. This place is running on reputation that it earned years ago, but no longer deserves. Food is wayyy overpriced for what you get. Especially in this town, one can find a truly inspired meal, a dazzling one, for the same price or less. Soup tastes like it came from a can. Service is spotty - can be great or awful - you just never know. Bartender named Bobby is always nice. If you eat outside, expect to be open to harassment by any of the "colorful" characters who wander around this place.

• Pros: Attractive bar
• Cons: Overpriced mediocre food, bad service, bad outside dining

03/20/09

Not a Good Night

by jpirani

On this occassion, I received very poor service. I frequent McCormick restaurants frequently, and this visit was a major dissapointment. We we seated at a very small table, which I believe staff reserve for people of my height. It is a corner table, but the foot space is very small and the chairback, upright, without a cushion. One can feel every movement of the other individual sharing the bench behind. While our waiter was courteous, he served us the longest meal I have had in a LONG time. He left us for a full 1/2 hour before presenting us with the bill and then he hurried off so quickly we could not pay and leave. When we did leave we noticed he seemed to be enjoying the company or other patrons - but didn't have time for us. The food was decent, but the service overwelmed the experience.

• Pros: Ambience, food
• Cons: Service

02/05/09

No Reason To Go Hear

by teflondonn

I've been to Jakes a few times now. I have always found the food to be good as well as the service. However, the food, and especially the wine, is very overpriced. In addition, the ambience it poor in most areas of the restaurant. The exception is the bar area, which is cozy. The last time I went I got the feeling that it was an upscale Applybees. With the all the excellent small restaurants in Portland there is no reason to every go to Jakes. Many have better food, most have better ambience, and most are much cheaper.

01/25/09

Overpriced, okay food. Tourist trap

by carlson_b

Fresh seafood, prepared with less flavor than the menu would suggest and paired with mostly tasteless sides (among other things I am confident my mashed potatoes were instant). The bar has a nice upscale traditional atmosphere but with all the great food in this town I truly don't understand why people rave about the food at this place. Especially for the price.

• Pros: Fresh seafood
• Cons: Overpriced, marginally prepared food, high priced wine list

01/17/09

Yummy, but Snooty with a big S

by sloth07

I visited Jake's last Tuesday. I have visited various McCormicks in the area a number of times. I stood waiting to be attended to while staff stood at the front desk doing their own tasks. I was asked in a snooty manner whether I had a reservation, with very poor eye contact. I had not made a reservation. I did not feel as though I had to mention that I was a preferred member (which allows for seating). We were seated and our hostess was a warm, mature lady, but did not attend to us much. I had the sole and my companion a salmon. Both our meals were good, but VERY over-priced. We opted to have after dinner drinks at home, due to the over-priced entrees. We had to wait forever for the bill, while we tried to locate our server.

Based on several experiences, I feel as though the staff caters to seniors and downtown professionals. Note to the management, you shouldn't make assessments on those who choose to dress casually, you don't know who you are serving.

• Pros: Old fixture in Portland
• Cons: Restaurant needs refurbishing, uncomfortable booths, poor service, poor customer care

01/03/09

Disappointing, Very Disappointing

by 73Johnny73

Went here with my lady friend on New Year?s Eve, so I have taken that into consideration. That said, we WERE promptly seated because we had a reservation but service was otherwise abysmally slow. Drinks: Being in the industry, I could tell you their wine was marked up over 400%...ridiculous! My Guinness was also watered down, which I found infuriating. Food: While our Ahi Tuna was passable- definitely nothing special- our very expensive steak was well below standard for a restaurant of this supposed caliber. I realize that Jake?s specialty is seafood, but I?ve cooked many a better steak at home. Everything Else: The atmosphere was lively enough. Our waitress, well, I understand that it was incredibly busy but if this is the job you?ve chosen, then soldier through it and be a little more upbeat, please! Finally, Jake?s is incredibly overpriced. We simply did not get our value for the money at this Jake?s location.

12/17/08

Jake's Crawfish is always reliable

by boopie

Dined at Jake's last night, it is always good. Great service, good food. This review is in response to the Cajun reviewer. How can you review a restaurant if you don't dine there? You might be surprised at the wonderful selection of restaurants in Portland. Give Portland a chance Cajun boy!

• Pros: consistent
• Cons: n/a