Bella Jacks — Restaurant in St. Thomas

Atmosphere - The atmosphere is quite dim. Each table has its own little lamp that you can change the setting by tapping on it. Overall the place is dingy (dark atmosphere) which is a shame as they def have artwork and cool decore that gets lost in the background and hard to see. Unfortunately it was quite dusty on-top of the booths which was a bit off putting as can tell it wasn't wiped in a while.

Drinks - they do give you water in a old tequila bottle which is cool but it's followed by plastic cups that pizza hut use to have. That was kinda disappointing (as with a. Cool tequila like bottle for your water to something like that), definitely dented and chipped. I did order a mojito but unfortunately fell short. They used alot of mint leaves which weren't fresh as alot of the leaves have been browned and at that point loses its potency.

Food - when we arrived we were given chips and salsa. Three different tips of salsa (mild, medium and hot). We weren't asked if we wanted it just was given to us so we thought it was complimentary when waiting for your meal (it was not!). They do charge you 4 dollars for it at the end. It's not a deal breaker but would have been nice to be given the option.

The food was quite good. I got a veggie linguine which was a LOADED with veggies and quite good. However it came out super hot and I burned myself three times. So def give yourself time in it cooling down before eating. But definitely do recommend if your a vegetarian but still eat cheese/meat. Verry good!

My fiance got the triple a steak with fries and one tortilla shell. He did enjoy it but the steak was quite thin not what you would expect a triple A to be. But he thoroughly enjoyed it and was enough food to satisfy him and not overload with food. So he was happy and that's all that mattered.

With that said check the bill!!!! We didn't order the one small tortilla that came with the steak.. but was added to the bill (additional 2.59 and wasn't in the description for the steak but when we seen it just assumed that's how it it). Asked the waitress about it and she did take it off the bill.. same as the salsa and chips as mentioned before.. added to the bill without knowing we are charged for it. So double check the bill before paying.

Service - first and foremost, they DO NOT TAKE reservations on Friday and Saturday. Best time to arrive is 5-530 pm for dinner as once 6pm hits many people are waiting for tables.

Service was okay. Waitress station is right upfront and lot of them being on their phone. Waitress brought dirty silverware which I had her change out but not without and sigh and eyeroll. They keep cleaning supplies on top of the bar and my drunk was placed right up against a cleaning bottle on the bar... Which did gross me out.. just hoping nothing dropped in my drink. I watched several minutes as my mojito sat there and almost got it myself before another person noticed and brought it to me.

Definitely felt rushed out after finishing our meal. As soon as I finished eating the plate got taken away and the waitress came with the bill straight away. Which again, CHECK THE BILL. They did have three parties waiting for tables at this point and this was just after 6pm.

Location - Downtown. There is street parking. We did live close by so did do the 5minute walk. In the summer they do have outdoor patio which I def would like to try.

Overall- the food was really good and do recommend. Service was okay but disappointing. The atmosphere wasn't bad but I just wish they had more lighting to show off the unique decore they have. As that's something you'd want to show off vs hiding?

I am not sure if they have gluten free but there are vegetarian options, but not vegan...

Bella Jack's has been a fantastically consistent experience for more than a decade!

My wife and I have visited Bell Jack's approximately TWO HUNDRED times over the last fifteen or so years.

In that time, we have brought family and friends on numerous occasions, because we knew exactly what we would find: A small, often-noisy restaurant filled with happy customers, attentive staff, and great food.

And really, that is all we ever expect - or want! - from Bella Jack's.

It isn't fancy fine-dining or cutting-edge "haute cuisine" with a constantly-rotating menu of trendy dishes. The servers don't wear black ties and speak with fake enthusiasm about "locally-sourced bison tartar with asparagus glaze."

(Not only are they not snooty...they won't judge you if you want to be cliche and order a margarita or deep-fried ice cream just because you "are in a Mexican place.")

It is casual. It is intimate enough for date night. It is relaxed enough for drinks and apps with friends after work.

We moved 45 minutes away from St.Thomas five years ago, and we still try to make it to Bella Jacks once every week or so.

And that is the really important point: If I had only made ONE visit to this restaurant, I would simply give it a solid four stars and forget about it.

BUT...my wife and I have ordered and paid for literally hundreds of dinners there, and you can count the number of "three star" experiences we've had on two fingers! That level of consistency is quite simply astounding, and keeps us coming back.

I suppose if you don't like Mexican food, there won't be a lot on the menu for you. (But why the heck would you go there if you don't like beans, rice and tortillas?) And if you can't deal with a slightly noisy environment you will definitely have to visit during off-peak hours. Other than that, there is seriously no reason not to give Bella Jack's a try.

TL,DR: Consistently great experience at reasonable prices with local...

Food was pleasant and fresh. Generous with the proteins. We were offered and accepted an "off the menu" appetizer of natcho chips with 2 different salsas (mild or hot) possibly house made, not sure, and a squeeze bottle of a medium mild taco sauce, for $1.50. We also ordered an app a la carte which we split btwn 2 of us and enjoyed. We ordered fajitasfor mains.. Again pleasant and fresh. The wraps had been nicley charred, adding to flavour. Almost all dishes served with guac, salsa, sour cream, and queso fresca, with side of Mexican rice and refried red beans. Most of the food very lightly seasoned and no heat unless indicated on menu. You may wish to add salt. Atmosphere relaxed with colourful but not garrish Mexican themed decor. While the decor was not loud, the restaurant accoustics were extremely so. Arrive after 6:30 if you prefer a mellower experience. Some of the booths in poor shape. I wore a cotton dress and literally slid under the table repeatedly due to steep angle of the bench. My companion who is taller than I and his feet coukd touch the ground to stop the slide kindly changed places with me. Female waitstaff a bit surly and intimidating, male was more engaging and had sense of humour. Dessert and coffee was not offered by the wait staff but we requested the menu. Was worth the effort. Both the deep fried banana with amaretto dish and the brownies were delicious. A little more pricey than Mexican fare in other places but a good place for both "ethic food" beginners and people who want mainly fried but fresh fare. A step above for St Thomas dining and over all would definitely...