Jack's Bayer's Lake — Restaurant in Halifax

This bad experience started in the parking lot a few weeks ago, when I couldn't even tell if the restaurant was open or not! I went to the hostess stand and told them your open sign isn't on. She said "what an amateur mistake" and laughed it off. (This never got turned on.)

I decided to get the nachos as I've had them here before years ago. These seemed to be much different. I remember the nachos being in a woven basket, however they came on a plate this time which seemed to be a much smaller serving. The nacho chips were the yellowy-brown with dark black dashes on them(the ones that taste really cheap and corny.) The vegetables and cheese were thrown in the center so only the top layer center part had anything on it. The liquid cheese made the nachos worse in my opinion, I was having a very hard time understanding how these were 23 bucks before tax!

The waitress did the bare minimum. She didn't even bring us our food, another guy did, which was surprising since they didn't seem overly busy (at least in our section)!

Based on this experience, I don't think I'll be coming back for nachos or any food for that matter. There are many different options that are better and far cheaper!

Update Nov 7th, 2023.

I Decided to give Jackastors another chance, I was happy to see the open sign was illuminated this time, and the service was a very positive experience. Unfortunately, comments about the food were still on par this visit. I decided to go for the Clubhouse sandwich. Its price seemed steep at $21.97 plus tax, but a mutiple layer sandwich with italian foccacia bread seemed maybe it would be worth the price. Once I received the sandwich, I realized it wasn't a traditional clubhouse(probably my fault for assuming) and it didn't have any tiers! I felt gyped. I paid $21.97 for a sandwich I would think should be priced at the $15 to $16 mark. I was further disappointed when the chicken seemed to be a lower quality grilled chicken patty(reminded me of the old subway one until they removed it).

The crispy chicken sandwich didn't have any issues, but it wasn't anything I would come back for as it's a pretty common menu item. There are significantly cheaper options that taste around the same quality that can answer the craving.

In my opinon, I still believe there are a lot better options in the city where you can get better, higher quality food at a...

Lawd have mercy, lemme tell y’all somethin’…

I went down to that Jack Astor’s the other day, tryin’ to mind my business and get me a little somethin’ to eat ‘fore I hurt somebody from bein’ hungry — you know what I’m sayin’? Chile… I was NOT ready for the good time I had. I walked in mad, and I left full, happy, and feelin’ like I just left Sunday service AND Big Momma’s kitchen!

Now let me tell you somethin’ about that girl Ashley. Baby, that server Ashley? Mm-hmm! That child got the Holy Spirit of hospitality flowin’ through her! She came over to my table with a smile so bright, I thought she was one of the angels. I said, “Ashley, you must be sent from heaven ‘cause you servin’ me like you my granddaughter and I just came home from the hospital.” I ain’t lyin’!

Ashley didn’t just take care of me — she anticipated what I wanted before I even knew I wanted it! Water stayed full, food came hot, and when I asked for extra napkins ‘cause that burger had me wearin’ it like lipstick, she was there with a whole STACK. I said “Yassss, Ashley, yassss!”

And the food? Ooooh baby! That burger was so juicy, I needed a prayer and a bib. And the fries? I had to fight myself not to ask for more — I said “Self, don’t embarrass yourself in front of Ashley now!”

Listen, if you ain’t been to Jack Astor’s yet, you better get your behind in there. And if you lucky enough to get Ashley as your server? Well, hallelujer, you done been blessed, baby. I’m talkin’ tip-her-twice blessed. I’m talkin’ take-yo-mama-there-next-time blessed!

Ashley, baby, if you readin’ this, Matty love you. Keep doin’ what you doin’, ‘cause you got a gift. And Jack Astor’s? Y’all better hold on to her tight — ‘cause if I open up a restaurant, I’m comin’...

The food isn’t near as good as it used to be, nor is the service. If you are disabled, don’t even bother. My partner is a wheelchair user and we will not be back.

Neither of the automatic door buttons work to get inside. When an employee saw that we were struggling to get into the building, she hurried over - I thought she was coming to help. Instead, she stood in front of the door and watched us, making it significantly harder to get inside.

The host who seated us at first asked us to sit in a booth. Obviously, this would not work, without sitting my partner on the end of the booth like a toddler in a high chair - and why would I pay this much money to sit in a booth alone while my partner sits in the middle of foot traffic?

In leading us to another table, the host dragged us through a long series of tables with crooked chairs that were physically impossible to pass in a wheelchair. A dozen patrons moved seats and high chairs for us to pass while the host stood and watched. He then put our menus down on a table completely blocked from our access, and walked away.

While I was clearing chairs away and physically moving our table, I noticed that there was a completely clear, wide path to our table if the host had lead us through the other side of the restaurant. I don’t know if this is a lack of training, a lack of common sense, or a combination of both?

We ended up staying to eat, after debating leaving, and I wish we wouldn’t have stayed. The food was ok, but not worth it. I would’ve complained privately, but I was lead here to...