Jack Allen's Kitchen — Restaurant in Cedar Park

We recently stopped by the new Jack Allen’s kitchen location in Cedar Park, Texas. We have been to several of JAK‘s locations in the past, but this was our first time visiting the Cedar Park location.

It was a crowded Saturday night, but we were easily able to find a table at the bar.  Even though we were sitting in the bar, the service at the high top tables was great.

We started off with rounds of gin and tonic‘s which were delicious, and perhaps the double shots helped!  LOL

On this visit we decided to split a nice salad and then each get our own entrées. The salad chosen was the wedge salad, which the kitchen split for us prior to bring you to the table. The salad was delicious perfect blend of lettuce onions tomatoes blue cheese bacon bleu cheese crumbles, definitely hard to beat.  One of the best wedge salads we’ve had in the last decade.

For entrées we got the crispy salmon and the chicken fried steak.  Obviously, the fish dish was the healthier of the two, it had good vegetables and other items on the side. The chicken fried steak was to die for, probably one of the best chicken fried steaks we’ve ever had in Austin. Definitely a top 10, maybe even a top three in the whole time. If you like a good chicken fried steak, with a mess of mashed potatoes and white cream gravy, this is the place!

So, it was a nice visit to JFK‘s location, we were in and out in about an hour and a half, which was nice, the drinks, the food, the service, everything was terrific. We will definitely be back.

PS we also hear there is another Salt Coast Traders restaurant coming in and around the same area, and affiliate of Jack Allen’s kitchen, cannot wait for that to come as well.

​Jack Allen’s in Cedar Park was ​our choice for dinner on a ​recent ​Sunday evening. Even at 7 PM on a Sunday, the place was hopping! We ordered “skinny “margaritas to start the evening, and sipped on those delicious drinks while having a bite of the ​complimentary ​house​-​made pimento cheese​. Personally, I’m not a fan of pimento cheese, but it does bring back vivid memories from childhood, mostly trying to avoid eating​ it! LOL ​That said, I must admit that JA's offering is pretty good! ​For dinner, we had the chicken fried steak, which is one of the best in the Austin area, IMHO. Light​ly breaded, cooked to perfection. The gravy was great and the mashed potatoes plentiful. We also had the wedge salad, topped with the skin-on crispy salmon. Another fantastic meal, all of the components were super fresh, and even the salad bowl was cold! J​A is a winner any time of any day...

Great Dinner. Our first visit to this new restaurant, Jack Allen's Kitchen, will not be our last. Locally owned and sourced, you are not only getting an amazing meal, but you're supporting Texas and Texas workers like our waiter Alex. He did an outstanding job talking us through the menu, highlighting food specials to include top shelf drink options.

We started with the Jalapeño Crab Dip (sorry about the picture, but I had to dig in once it arrived) and the Chips and Salsa. The Dip was an awesome start, light and fluffy with a taste that is truly Texas. The crab, cream cheese and bacon gratin were blended throughly and toasted to perfection with a crown of jalapeños to add that Texas kick. The chips are uniquely shaped and have that homemade taste and texture, very delicious with the perfect crispy crunch.

The main courses were timed to perfection and arrived at the temperature that was exact for each food item.

First, the Pesto-Marinated Crab Stuffed Chicken, I know a unique twist on surf and turf. I would have to say this dish is nothing short of a flavor bomb for your taste buds. The chicken and crab along with the other ingredients were expertly combined to making this a dish for my favorites. The sides were prepared as described with the pan seared potato cake brought me bake to my Mom's cooking. The Cajun cream sauce, well.....it's fantastic.

Our other dish was the New York Strip Chicken Fried Steak. I had to take a picture, you can see it below, of the steak. I've eaten chicken fried steaks almost my entire life and this item was lightly breaded, fat trimmed and cooked to perfection, becoming my favorite place to get a great Texas style chicken fried steak. The steak, no joke, melted in my mouth with a deliciously buttery flavor that enhanced the idea of the breaded coating. I know the vegetables and potatoes were delicious, I ate them all, but I will go to sleep tonight dreaming of that chicken fried steak.

There was no way I could eat dessert, but asked Alex if we could see a dessert menu, so I could take a picture to show everyone. They don't have a dessert menu, but ask for it. Alex explained our dessert options and I couldn't help but order one. I'm going to let you get the rundown the way I did, so your imagination can try and match what you order. Alex's description enticed me to order one, but even his outstanding description and my active imagination feel short. Leave room...

What a great way to end 2021! My detailed review is broken down below for your ease of convenience. You personal experience will be based on personal standards, my expectations were met and at times surpassed by the wait staff, and crew.

Great management and organization by Jack Allen GIlmore's team! His passion to bring "local farmers and purveyors" tastes and food to our finger tips in a clean, organized, and customer service focused environment is in-fact epitome of a restaurateur.

Customer Service 5/5: Food arrived as ordered, such as appetizers, alcoholic beverages, and entrée. The front staff were energetic, and accommodating.

Location 5/5: Nestled in the 1890 Ranch shopping complex, this restaurant is convenience galore.

Seating, Aesthetics, and Atmosphere 5/5: Lively, fun, family friendly, clean, modern with a beachy twist. All the booths looks fresh and sleek. The lights inside the restaurant take you back to a pier feel. The patio dinning is staged with comfortable furniture and smooth ventilation.

Bar Area 5/5: Ordered two drinks from the menu, tasted just like advertised! I ate outside in the covered patio, and it was great weather with cool breeze, felt like I was at the beach. Regardless, the bar set up was indeed very attractive.

Food 4/5: The presentation, and warmth was perfect! One personal taste is spicy, I tend to be a bit more on the spicier end of cuisine. Regardless, the food was enjoyable and hit the spot!

Organization 5/5: Napkins, and appetizer plates were strategically organized on the corner of each table, across the restaurant. Talk about attention to detail, this was a great management flex.

COVID-19 Safety 4/5: Parts of the restaurant was socially distanced, but still provided a sense of comfortability.

Bathroom and Amenities 5/5: High end motion sensor water fixtures, with decorate premium end mirrors, and soap that smells like heaven.

Looking forward to be back here soon! Great job to Jaqueline and Jack Allen's Team...