Cash & Jack's — Restaurant in Athens

Sweet little spot tucked away in Athens. I'd been wanting to try the food ever since seeing some particularly mouth-watering pictures of the food, so I jumped at the chance while spending some time in the area recently.

I visited for lunch on a Friday in August at around 12:30 while killing time before an appointment. It was Friday during peak hours, but MAN, they were busy and the space inside is pretty limited. I will admit feeling a touch claustrophobic and germaphobic -- not due to a lack of cleanliness on their part, just so many people packed in so tightly. The restaurant is somewhat surprisingly (to me, at least) connected to a small drug store, which gave it a sort of old timey feel.

You stand in line and order at the counter off a tidy blackboard menu. The line moved at a steady amble and the girl working was very sweet when I got to the front. I order a chicken avocado melt (sans avocado -- lol) with sweet potato fries and a tea to drink. I did ultimately manage to snag a spot to sit.

Although the line to order moved at an acceptable pace, I will say, the wait for my order was...pretty long. Long enough that I started getting a little worried about making my appointment. At least 25 minutes, maybe more like 30 -- unfortunately I delayed too long writing this review to remember exactly. Just as I was about to get up to ask if I'd been forgotten, my food was delivered in the manner all their food is -- to go, in a styrofoam container.

In their defense, they were apologetic about the wait time and they were most definitely slammed. I managed to eat quickly enough to make it to my appointment, so I'm not that mad about it.

The food itself was satisfying! The chicken inside the melt was seasoned and cooked very nicely and came in large, neatly cut chunks. The Swiss was also nice and melty. I wish the bacon had been a little crispier and that the ranch had been put on the sandwich rather than sent as a dip, but I get wanting to avoid sogginess and whatnot. The sweet potato fries were a generous portion and scratched a craving I'd had for a while.

Overall, I like their menu and their approach to a slightly healthier, fresher option for lunch. Would definitely return and try additional dishes. They do a lot of call-in/carry-out so u might try that some day to make sure my food is out on time. Give...

Alright, Athens, Alabama. You think you know a decent sandwich? You think you've seen a proper fry? Then you walk into Cash & Jack's, and you might just have to reconsider a few things. My order: the brisket with mushrooms, grilled onions, and Swiss cheese on a hoagie bun. Let's be clear, this isn't some dainty little tea sandwich. This is a beast. The brisket, tender and flavorful, mingled perfectly with the earthy mushrooms and sweet, caramelized onions. The Swiss? Just enough to bind it all together without overwhelming. And the side? French fries. And not just any fries. These were the real deal: crispy on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside, and seasoned perfectly. A dangerous combination, one that leaves you reaching for more even when you know you shouldn't. My wife, ever the astute culinary navigator, went for the Americano Cubano: turkey and brisket with mustard and Swiss. Smart move, ditching the pickle – sometimes less is more. And her side of onion rings? Golden, glistening, a perfect counterpoint to the richness of the sandwich. You can tell they know what they're doing when the basic sides are executed with such precision. Now, the Fired White Cheddar Bites. They came with enough ranch to drown a small badger, which, I'll admit, my wife seemed quite pleased with. For me? They were... well, they were fried. And they were cheese. But the seasoning was just a little off, throwing the whole thing out of whack. A minor misstep, perhaps, but a misstep nonetheless. It's a testament to how subjective taste can be, and how one person's delight can be another's slightly perplexing mouthful. And then, the ice. Or rather, the lack thereof. A casualty of "earlier maintenance," apparently. A minor detail, perhaps, but on a warm Athens day, a cold drink is less a luxury and more a necessity. It’s the kind of small operational hiccup that reminds you that even in a generally good show, there can be a brief intermission. So, Cash & Jack's. It's not perfect. No place ever is. But the sandwiches? The fries? They're damn good. They understand the fundamental truths of a solid, unpretentious meal. It’s a place you can walk into, order something satisfying, and leave feeling like you got your money's worth. Four stars, absolutely. It's an honest joint, and in this world, that's more than you can...

Yesterday, my wife and I ordered two Hula bowls, one with steak and one with chicken on the side.

First off, the food is always delectable here and they tend to be pretty quick with their service.

My wife has a red meat allergy / meat intolerance. So, the Hula bowl with the chicken on the side was for her (and I would eat her chicken).

We got home and received a call from Cash and Jack's. We thought, "Oh, our card must not have gone through or some other person's order was given to us" or something like that.

I answered, and it was the lady behind the counter, telling us our chicken on the side was not included in our to-go and that they had it. We only live 5 minutes from the store, so we just turned around and came back (because it's definitely worth it!).

I walk in and they hand me my chicken, apologized for the inconvenience, and included a card on top of the chicken box. Which had a gift card with enough funds to cover an entree!

It was incredible service and the ladies that work at the front are super sweet and laid-back. I would absolutely recommend the food and the customer service and atmosphere is a big ole plus!

The owner of Cash & Jack's (and Ro's Grille in town) really knows how to foster a welcoming environment...