J Alexander's Restaurants

Recommends

skating11

Joined 10 years ago

A great chain restaurant to have in Tampa!. I ate alot at JA when working for a few months in Boca Raton. Found Tampa location by accident and didnt know it was a chain but it doesn't feel like one at all. Salads that come with meals are delicious MEALS in themselves. Tampa ambience much more casual than the formal ambience at the Boca Raton location. I think I'd prefer more formality, especially at these prices. My husband and I love to come here when we're in the Westshore area. He adores their steaks and I love everything else. Despite offering 24 dollar steaks on the menu, they offer something as humble as a burger for $7.95 (same price as say other mass market chains) but even their burgers are dressed up and treated with the same respect and gourmet treatment. I can't comment on desserts as I have never had any space leftover for it.

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treble65

Joined 9 years ago

A pleasant surprise. Our wait time was very short. My first impression of the dinning room was it seemed private. The direct lighting coming down from the ceiling above our table made it seem like we were the only ones there. The service was fast and courteous. We didn't have to wait for anything. Even the drink refills were given before we asked. The salad was amazing. It had many different toppings and was garnished with a honey buttered roll. Our entrees were probably among the best we have had so far in the Tampa Bay Area. I had the chef's special steak tips. They required little chewing because they were quite tender. My husband had the New York Strip. It had a wonderful flavor and was cooked to perfection. All in all it was one of the most enjoyable dinning experiences we have had in a very long time.

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hilltopper

Joined 11 years ago

They RUSHED my order on a Friday night!. It was 5:00 and I wanted a steak, but the other resturants were booked for the evening. They don't take reservations, but I arrived at 6:40 on a Friday and was seated right away. I had plans for later that night and asked them to rush the food. It was out VERY quickly! The Khuna Steak was very tasty, but just a little too much fat for my liking. Also the prime rib was too fatty for me, but I'm very picky about my meat. I loved the salads, it had the works! Not your ordinary "come with the meal salad." They have huge desserts! I was most pleased by the service. I had several people wait on me, so I didn't have to wait around for one particular server. My boyfriend loved it and wanted to go back, and I'd like to give it a second go around.

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steve_barr45

Joined 11 years ago

Fresh, consistant Quality. Start with the salmon dip home made and a real value. The fish sandwich is the best around with great tomato and onion to compliment. Their cheeseburger is the best in town. The Lime chicken is special. When the seasonal special is spaghetti squash is available get it.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

A low-key, low-profile restaurant that offers a relaxing, attractive setting, a skilled, creative kitchen and excellent service.. The Scene
Clubby, pretty finished wood and leather booths and low-lit, modern interior. Light jazz playing in the background. Starched whites on the waiters. Lots of plants to soften the decor. Very calm and cool, but so comfortable, people feel free to talk openly, laugh heartily, and eat as if there was no tomorrow.

The Food
Innovative American cuisine, with a sub-specialty of New Orleans-style dishes.

What to Order
Anything on this menu is going to be super, especially the chef's specials. Though you'll want to snarf down the salad--a huge pile of cold romaine lettuce pocked with confetti-cut tomatoes, red cabbage, bits of carrot and broccoli, save room for the entree. In my case, that meant a perfectly-done dish called "Seafood La Louis," a hearty plateful of scallops and shrimp atop pasta, bathed in a hot-spicy, Cajun cream sauce. Still, moderation is in order; save room for dessert! Mine was the "Very Best Chocolate Cake" that really looked more like a steamed pudding, so smooth and moist, it fell apart charmingly in the mouth, a decadent finish to a fabulous meal.

What to Skip
The margarita was nothing special.

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miss_daemeanor

Joined 10 years ago

Yumyum. I never imagined that a chef could add a little slice of heaven to every baked potato and salad, but somehow they've mastered it at J. Alexanders. I love the ribs, which are fabulous, but once I get through my delightful salad and baked potato, I have to wrap them up and take them home. Excellent service and beautiful bar also, though the drinks are pricey.

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meganski

Joined 10 years ago

YUM!. J. Alexander's has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants. The salads are amazing - dont miss the honey butterred rolls!! All the food is s fresh and tasty - I have yet to be disappointed. Plus, they use all fresh-squeezed juices at the bar (for the best sea breeze you have ever had.)

Doesn't Recommend

hindsight

Joined 10 years ago

worst service in town!!. While celebrating a work anniversary with a group of employeesm I encountered the worst service of my life at J. Alexanders. I ordered a steak. The menu states that it comes with a salad. My dinner came and I asked the waiter for my salad because it hadn't arrived. He said, in a very loud voice across the table, "Well, the salad is FREE, if you wanted the salad, you should have asked for it when you ordered your dinner!" I was taken back by such a rude comment (in front of co-workers). Then he asked me if I wanted it now or if I wanted it to go. Keep in mind, this was at the beginning of our meal! I said to go and didn't eat it for fear of what he did to it before he brought it to the table. I will never ever eat there again!!!!