Sailor Jack's — Restaurant in Benicia

I felt a little underwhelmed by this place, we had to ask the waitress several times for items that should have already been on the table like forks, napkins, water etc. She also told us she could split the check but then didn’t actually write down where the split was and came back with a full bill telling us to then let her know where to split- like what? It was like she didn’t want to do it at all but tried to make us feel like it was beyond her.

I think I read this was an old house, so there are like two bathrooms in the whole place, one in a busy hallway and another in a crowded entryway. Still, the place is popular and they could maybe use a few more. I’m a vegetarian so I probably don’t have a fair opinion but I was underwhelmed by the banana French toast. It just was bland, dry bread, with a couple of bananas on top. I think the dish would have benefited from some spices or nuts. I only really got it because it was $14 compared to the $18 or $20 vegetarian sandwiches.

They were out of milk when we went so we couldn’t get lattes - the waitress said they had been out of milk all day, I know when I worked in a coffee shop, we would go and buy milk and not wait for the usual supplier.

I will say the spinach, artichoke dip was really good and it seems like they give you an entire dessert off the menu for your bday so that’s nice. Biscuits come with the meal. The other people at the table had good things to say about...

Let me start by saying I've been here many times and always loved coming here. Food and service stellar, but tonight, I don't know if it's post Christmas coma, but it was a less than pleasant experience. Waited 20 minutes for another beverage after our first round, our server was also the bartender. When we arrived he was very personable and made an immediate connection with our table. After that our bread was slammed down on the table, my drink spilt on the table when served from that same type of slamming down the glass service. Next up...one of the ladies at our table received the wrong order and when telling the server (not the guy), a lady, blonde hair, headband across her forehead, she gave such an attitude that had us all shocked. No apology for the order being wrong when we all heard her order scallops but she was served lobster. It was if the server was looking to argue, but it was short lived as she walked away to speak the bartender who took our order. Finally my entree, chicken, basic protein to make. Chicken was dry, no flavor and the mashed potatoes tasted like potatoes and water. I salted everything just to be able to eat it. I'm so disappointed as this has always been a favorite of mine when coming over from Napa. I'll likely come back in hopes that the experience is that of what I remember, but as far as the female server I mention, I'll be staying clear of...

The New England Clam Chowder The chowder base has a strong flavor of bay leaf. It is the most herbal Clam chowder I’ve eaten. I think it is excellent. I’ve ordered it twice and the flavor was consistent. The dinner version had a whole clam, in shell, in the center. I will order this dish again.

Prince Edward Mussels in Wine Garlic Sauce The dish was good. There was nothing innovative going on, but it was a surprisingly large portion. I would order the dish again.

Crab Melt with Jack Cheese I tasted the diced red peppers and nothing else. I would place it in the bottom 25% of all the crab melts I’ve eaten. The crab melt at the Boathouse in Oakland is far better.

Niman Ranch Pork Chop with Balsamic Cherry Glaze The dish was very good. I would love it if they Would add a wood smoke flavor to the chop. It would defuse the sweetness of the sauce. I will order this dish again.

The décor of the restaurant is poor. Walking into the two small dining areas leads you past a kitchen view you should never see. The view of the First Street Pier and the Carquinez Bridge is excellent. I desperately wish they would gut the interior and start over. It feels like a late 60’s beach restaurant that has been cobbled together and neglected.

The service on the two occasions I eaten at Sailor Jacks was attentive, but not knowledgeable about...