Mad Jacks Sports Cafe — Restaurant in Brooklyn Park

This place is great... not perfect but it strangely under appreciated and I think it has to do with the awkward service... please note i said awkward... not bad or poor... but to elaborate:

Every time I have shown up, the first thought that comes mind (and please note in have been here more than once) is: is this place open? Did they just forget to lock the doors?

Why? There are no customers.... granted, Im usually popping in for a late lunch so say around 2ish in the afternoon, but always on Fridays. The place is large, perfectly warm and inviting on the interior (the exterior may be detering people because it looks a bit dated) but the interior is very nice... and when you see no people there you immediately get nervous.... the second weird thing has been that there are people there... they are clearly employees but it doesn't appear that they are doing anything work related... they are always just standing in a circle having a very inside conversation and when you enter... no one even looks in your direction... much less acknowledge that an entirely empty business just recieved its first two customers... I mean no one even darts a quick glance in your direction... it almost feels like you just walked into a garage party where its just sort of expected that some strangers are going to show up.

Now that I know the routine, its less awkward but for your first time showing up... you find yourself awkwardly standing there waiting to see if youre supposed to seat yourself, or if the place is closed and you just walked into an employee meeting of some sort.

Let me help you by mentioning... just go up to the bar and seat yourself. Yes... the bar will be completely unstaffed and you will sit there for 5 or 10 minutes until someone comes out of the kitchen and notices you... and yes... when you express interest in eating or drinking there, the initial response will be, again, awkward... you will fully feel like you are interrupting something or someone to get service.......BUT

and here is where the good comes in... once you make it past those initial hurdles you will absolutely get good, attentive service... the awkwardness will melt away and you will enjoy the food, the drinks... and even the employees will warm up to you...

So I know it sounds like I am trashing this place but im not... the food is good, the service is good and the place had a really nice atmosphere... you just need to navigate a couple awkward moments... but it is actually worth it... Im not kidding. ...

Valentine's day lunch instead of dinner. The service was excellent! Our food was super tasty! We ordered a appetizer pretzel sticks, very tasty. Hubby ordered the Jack's signature sandwich with waffle fries -super crispy and not oily tasting and I ordered soup -nice creamy chicken wild rice & salad. We will definitely be back for lunch again

Today 10May2021 I went for a belated mother's day lunch by myself since my husband is deployed and he couldn't take me out. He suggested I return to Jack's since he's always recieved great service. And we had a great belated Valetines day lunch together there (see above review). I do not enjoy dining by myself but when he's gone its something I've gotten used to. The food did not disappoint 👏 I would highly recommend the Jack's signature sandwich. It was the service or more to the point the server. It was not busy so I felt okay about being a solo dinner as i know a solo diner can eat up precious table space, not have a high bill and not always tip well. This is not me. I do not need or want free food. I do however expect a server to want to take my order that is why I didn't just go thu a drive up. I was never asked if I'd like a refill and shouting across the room is my food good and then not waiting for a response and just walking away. You couldn't even be bothered to bring out my bill, I had to go to the bar and ask. The very nice bartender couldn't help and went to go find you, big surprise you seemed annoyed. I paid with cash you gave me change and walked away. I did leave a left less than ideal tip with the bartender for you and expressed my disappointment with the bartender she apologized. I was gonna just leave it at that but i decided to go talk to a manager. As it was not just bad service that I can get to some degree and even understand. This server did not want to provide me service and I suspect had i been my tall very handsome (Army) husband i would of gotten great service. So yes I still recommend the food but will not be going back anytime soon. Especially if this is how solo female diners...

First walked in looked cool! neat!. Then big Not.. Lobster crane game grossed us out... Asked a Coke got a Pepsi hate Pepsi had I known would have asked for something else. A good bartender or waitress would have said you have Pepsi or off brand. Asked for a table 3 times finally got one and there were many open the wait so long for a server decided to leave, which at this time a server acknowledged us from across the room ... We said don't worry we were not staying and I decided to not use the restroom after another gal in my party was grossed out and took pics.. First and last time for this gal to ever enter this place.. We left our beverages on the table half full, we just wanted out.. I washed dishes cooked and waitresses for many years in many places in a booming tourist town. Bad staff, no hostess present except when we first walked in... Bartender nice but should know to say Coke a Cola was not available... When specifically asked for that, not a Cola but a Coke. That would be like giving bourbon when whiskey was requested they are close but not the same... Only spicy cheese served with pretzels sticks come on? pretzels are mustard or cheese not queso, open the purse strings and get a can. You missed out on 4 dinners and drinks not only tonight but will never be recommended.. That is not good.. And the lobster crane YUCK how long are they in that tank in their own yuck and stressing out as they are being grabbed at by a claw game...very poor taste.. Even the eating out shows on cable say that is gross and inhumane..thank God chickens and cows can't fit.... Get it together people... If I could give negative stars for a rating I would. Response to owner I asked for something else for the pretzels and was TOLD BY BARTENDER there was nothing else... The crane game is opinion to do what you wish the other...