06/30/09

"Jimmy" is a total a__hole

by clfrith

the owner, Jimmy, is a total a__hole

06/25/09

Great music/ Terrible customer service.

by LikaG

My friends and I had the most frustrating experience at this place the other night. It was so bad that I feel compelled to create an account here to let the world know. It is incredibly sad more so because this was starting to become our favorite place to hang out. In fact we had celebrated a friend's birthday here last month.

My friends and I were at Jimmy Mac's to enjoy the Cuban Jazz concert on a Friday night. We were really tired from the week so it seemed like a good place to listen to some music and wind down. We all ordered drinks. Everyone else in the group ordered wine while I ordered mojito. Just my luck, but the mojito came with everything sans the sugar/ cane sugar . Consider me anything, but I do know a good mojito from a bad one. When I complained the server about it, she said she couldn't do anything about it. I told her to taste it herself if she did not trust me or maybe just ask the bartender to do the taste test. She said she could not help because she does not make the drinks. I asked her if she could take it back and maybe just give me a refund - to which she said that that was not possible either. All this said with an exceptionally bad attitude - something that is just not befitting of people in this profession!

Later, our food bill came and one of the entrees was not billed correctly. I pointed that out to her(the server) to which she replied that the menus did not have the correct price. I asked her if she could verify and she said that she did not print the menus and is not responsible for this also. She did not take any effort to go ask the management about it. We paid our check and left the place without saying much.

I am not sure if I will go back and I know you don't care Jimmy Mak.

What I don't understand is, how can bad attitudes survive in this economy. If the customers are disrespected, how is a place supposed to thrive.

I plead to everyone that you support me and get the bad servers out of this customer focused business. We have lot of things going wrong as it is - what with the bad economy and all..we don't need to face humiliation at restaurants too!

If I go back to this place again, I will make sure that I do not order food or drinks. If I do order food/drinks, I will request for a different server. For now, I am NOT a happy camper.

• Pros: music
• Cons: server attitudes - go only if you can deal with the attitude

12/31/08

Worth it, even on a budget...

by nwhappy

I have a tight budget and hardly ever go out, but the 3 times I've been to Jimmy Mak's, I've enjoyed the hell out of myself and didn't feel guilty for spending the $$. I have even learned that Jimmy is a giver, after meeting a former employee who was putting together gift baskets for needy families at Easter. When Jimmy heard that no one donated fresh hams for her baskets, he pitched in fresh meat AND fresh veggies!

Great music and atmosphere, too.

• Pros: Can't single out any one-thing...Nice menu variety and always excellent music!
• Cons: Parking, but right on the trolley line...

12/13/08

Wonderful Time

by Griztou

Having never been to Jimmy Maks. I had read some reviews. Expected from the reviews to have poor service. We wanted to see Intervision so bad, we thought it would be worth the poor service. So we made the reservations and went to Jimmy Maks for the first time. I dont know why these other reviewers gave them such a poor review. But it was a Friday night and I found the service, the music, and all around atmosphere absolutly wonderful! One thing I look at, as service is my water glass never being empty. It never was. I believe a big part of our experience was the fact that we made reservations. The reason I only gave them 4 stars, was simply that the food was good, but it was not as good as I had hoped it would be. So to the other reviewers quit your whinning. And to those wanting to go, make reservations, and have a wonderful time.

• Pros: music , service, atmosphere
• Cons: a little crowded

10/15/08

Great jazz, Great atmosphere, Good Service

by j100n100pdx

I've been going to Jimmy Mak's for about 7 years now, and am always impressed. The weekday acts are great local talents including Dan Balmer on Mondays and various Mel Brown groups on Tuesday through Thursday.

Weekends can get pretty busy, so it pays to have a reservation to avoid standing. But, this is really no fault of the venue - it's just a popular place!

The waitstaff is very nice - I strongly disagree with the negative reviews here. They can have a difficult time when it gets especially busy as the floor layout is tough to navigate when there are too many people standing. But, that benefits the musicians since they're getting more cover charges. It's worth noting that Jimmy Mak's has some of the best jazz in town because they pay musicians well in a town where it can be tough to get a reasonable paying gig.

Definitely worth a stop by. Try it on a weekday first - read the descriptions of the groups on their website first to see which night fits your preference. Many people are diehard Tuesday fans, whereas others are Monday regulars. Then, once you know the vibe, try it for a weekend show.

Don't miss this place!

• Pros: Great music, Atmosphere
• Cons: Can be busy

05/24/08

Don't expect service Friday or Saturday nights; sound needs help

by jazzgsc

I love jazz, and Jimmy Mak's has been THE spot for jazz in Portland for years. But it is no longer a place I take a friend for a night on the town or even go by myself unless I want to stand at the back and drink water. The musicians are top-notch, but the sound can be overamplified to the oint of shrill distortion. Avoid the tables under the overhanging balcony.

Besides the sound problems, there is no service to speak of. After ordering dinner tonight (a Saturiday night; their worst for service, though none are good) and waiting 45 minutes, I canceled the dinner order and asked for the dessert menu. I had taken a friend to introduce her to the place, but the experience left a poor impression. I've been to Jimmy Mak's probably 15 times in the new location, and it isn't getting any better.

It's a fine place to go to hang out in the back and hear great caliber musicians. But dont expect ambiance or service, Best to go on a weeknight. when the music is less likely to be drowned out by the endless chatter of those who think jazz should be background noise, like muzak at the dentist office.

05/05/08

Best service EVER

by fukudr

I am impressed and satisfied with all the hard-working waitress at Jimmy Mak's. I don't even know how they manage hundreds of customers everyday while I can find only 4 waitresses or sometimes less! I enjoyed the excellent customer service, wine list, and an authentic jazz.

• Pros: Service, Waitress

05/02/08

Not the Best Place for a Birthday

by lilladie

My boyfriend made reservations for us here on my 21st birthday. He told them it was my birthday and everything. I was so excited to go because I love jazz and have heard great thing about the regular house band. The music was great, however the service was not. Our waitress was un friendly, my salmon was overcooked and they didn't even mention anything about it being my birthday. Then I saw them bring out somekind of birthday desert. I got all excited thinking it was for me but then the took it to someone two tables down.They sat us in the corner, by the window which was not that great. My boyfreind didn't leave a tip becuase he specifically told them it was my birthday and our waitress was less than satisfactory. Then they over charged his card for our entry fee and they also added their own tip, which is illegal. I wont be going back.

• Pros: Great house band.
• Cons: Service, food, and ambience.

04/05/08

Great music, atmosphere, and servers. Kitchen needs improvement.

by sydneyk

Looking at past reviews, the wait staff has definitely improved, they are really sweet and try hard. But there still seems to be a problem with the kitchen. We waited an hour and a half for our food recently, and I was given fries instead of onion rings saying they were out of onion rings. The next time I was there they were also out of onion rings. Every time I order a burger it tastes burnt. They gyro sandwiches have that processed meat in them, and miniscule amounts of lettuce and tomatoes. The Greek salad is mostly lettuce, not a lot of the other items you look forward to. And I think the wine is too expensive. I miss the old Jimmy Maks where they gave you the yummy pita and olive oil with stuff in it when you sat down. Food was a lot better then. But I still give it 4 stars because the music and atmostphere are so good, and the servers do try. The kitchen needs a lot of improvement. But I still go there.

01/01/08

Good Music and venue / Ridiculously bad customer service

by lvpug

I've been to the club several times with friends, work and family and each time has been mostly enjoyable, save for one. Recently my family and I went to the club and our reservations were lost. We were eventually seated separately with no explaination or apology.

Our experience that night went from frustrating to absolutely aggravating when it took almost a half hour to get a beer, and when our food arrived, it arrived cold. The bartender talked about how much she hated busy nights like that particular Saturday and made me wonder why I was paying money to an establishment that made me feel like I had to compensate for their negativity, disorganization and rude behavior. I don't think that this kind of thing happens all the time here, but after being really forgiving towards this establishment for awhile, I don't think any of our group will be back.

• Pros: Music, atmosphere
• Cons: Poor service