Jak's Grill — Restaurant in Issaquah

I've dined at JaK's uncountable times and recently decided to try their happy hour - unfortunately after an incredibly rude encounter with their Manager Kirk I will never go back.

My Dad (who introduced me to JaK's over 15 years ago) and I enjoyed our first drink with the filet tidbits and onion rings - and with our second drink I got a side salad. When we were on our third we asked for the check and a box for the salad as I filled up on the other apps. The Waitress told me that I could not take my salad as it's "dine-in only" at happy hour. When I asked her for an exception - it was my first time at their happy hour and I didn't know their policy - she said she would ask the Manager. The Manager told her no so I asked to speak with to him. Kirk came over and I explained that I now saw on the fine print of the menu that you cannot take items "to-go" but that was not my original intention and I simply wanted to take my leftovers. I told Kirk that it was not like we came and ordered one drink and a bunch of food to-go - we had paid for 3 drinks and 3 appetizers.

Kirk: "Wow I'm concerned you've had 3 drinks? We've only been open an hour". My Dad: "Actually it's been 1 hr 15 minutes and we've consumed 2 drinks - we haven't even touched our third." Kirk: "Wow - that's a lot to consume - I'm concerned... Maybe you should eat your salad... I'm concerned about you driving."

Key points: If Kirk is concerned about the amount we've consumed at JaK's happy hour he should consult his Waitress and Bartender. We were not hailing her down for drinks and she was the one that asked us each time if we were ready for another. If Kirk is concerned about our alcohol consumption he may want to recommend we soak it up with bread not a green leafy salad. If Kirk is concerned about us driving under the influence he should call us a cab. He didn't - he allowed us to finish our third drink and leave.

I was and continue to be completely appalled by the way we were treated by Kirk. JaK's considers themselves a first-class restaurant and this is truly the rudest service I've ever had. I called the next day to share my experience with management. When the Host answered I asked who the Shift Manager was last night and he told me it was Kirk. When I asked to speak to the Restaurant Manager he told me that Kirk was actually working today and I could talk to him - I said I didn't want to speak to Kirk as he was the one that provided a poor experience. The Host then put me on hold and when he came back he told me that Kirk actually is the Restaurant Manager (which I have since learned he's not). Kirk then started talking in the background saying he knew who I was and he would talk to me and that the owners were there last night and knew about the salad. I explained to the Host that while I was initially frustrated by the salad situation the purpose of my call was in regards to the awful experience Kirk provided. I have called the restaurant three times and left two messages for the GM and have never heard back.

The bottom line is Kirk was incredibly rude and offensive and the upper management has endorsed his behavior by not responding to me. Needless to say they have lost a loyal customer in me and many of my friends, family and colleagues. If you're looking for a great steakhouse with an amazing happy hour you should check out Daniel's, Ruth's Chris, John...

Derek, I am going to be as nice as I can, but in 20 plus years of going to Jaks, I have never been treated so rudely. My wife and I came in tonight and your hostess was the worst customer service person I have ever met. I asked if Janie or Jenny was in, I got, there not here do you see them. I said how long of wait she said 30 -45 min. I said that's fine. I then said do you want my name and how long if I want to wait for one of the 2 bald guys. She said are you willing to wait. I said yes. I'll wait. I said am i good to wait and I got, Yes I'm done with you. I let your manager know about the horrible attitude. I know most of your staff and maybe even you. I am in there 1 to 2 times a week. So we had a drink at the bar and I let the 2 guys know I was waiting for there sections, they said great and they let the hostess know i would wait. 45 min later she seated us but a female server came over and we said sorry but we've been waiting for one of these guys. She said you can go back up front and continue to wait. We said really, this is embarrassing. I asked for the manager again and before he could get there your wonderful hostess comes over with attitude again and says I thought you just want to be seated. And now my wife said to her what did you not hear 2 clear times we would wait. She said great go back up front and wait, could be another hour. My wife told her I am 47 years old and I don't need a teenage girl talking to us like this, your attitude is horrible, please get the manager. He came over and we let him know we have never been so embarrassed, or treated so rudely by a staff member ever at jaks in 20 years. He said let me help you, we said just give us our bar bill and we will just go home. He paid that bill and apologized for the second time. So we wasted with driving 3 hours of our night because of the person you put and the front door. 2 of your staff even apologized as we walked out. I really felt bad for them. I hope this becomes a true learning experience. I did tell your hostess on the way out with her attitude she should probably get a different job or change the attitude. I am 51 years old and have never had a young hostess ever make us feel so bad or ruin are night. They should have left us seated and maybe have a server switch a table. I have ran some of the biggest restaurants in the country and this would never be ok with my staff. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Response: NONE

I had to call the manager back 3 days later to not have him apologize but instead turn it around as miscommunication on all parts and accuse us of saying something totally untrue. Like I said in my email to the GM, I am in there at least weekly and been going there for over 20 years and to get this response is absolutely wrong. I am in shock over the way this was handled. All of Jaks management, you should be embarrassed of your way of handling this and your hostesses unprofessionalism. I will be sure to share with all family and friends about this horrible...

Jak's...what happened?! One of the things you proudly promoted on your menu was "All our portions are large & dinners come complete with a fresh green salad, seasonal veggies, fresh bread, and your chose of potato". I get restaurants have to change with the times, but do you have to completely change who you are?! This has been of our favorite date night restaurant. Good food, good prices, good portions. Or that's what it used to be. It used to always be a wait to get a seat on a weekend night. We made reservations for Friday night at 6pm. While we were there around 7 we noticed a lot of empty tables - maybe they were between dinners?

We've been going here for over 10 years (Over 15 years if you include the location by UW). We've sung your praises to everyone over the years. We used to be able to get a full meal for one price. That included bread, salad, huge side of vegetable, potato, and steak. Now we've had to ask for bread the last few times (it's always been served ahead of time, so not sure if they've "forgot" or what but we've had to ask the last few times for it). The vegetable has been removed from the base price and so has the salad. Prices used to be a lot more reasonable, especially since it included everything. I get prices have gone up (from $28 for a NY Steak 11 years ago to $60 for a NY Steak). Now a New York steak is only $12 less than the New York you would get at the Metropolitan Grill - both include a potato side.

You used to have a "Jaks size" and a normal size for steaks. Now it is one size only.

You must have just removed the artichoke dip as it's still on the website menu but not the menu in restaurant - we always got this! We were looking forward to getting this again. We asked the waitress about it and got a fairly short answer that they don't have it anymore. This set you apart from Melrose for us (since I don't eat seafood) as Melrose doesn't have any appetizers. Now for about the same price you can get a steak, veggie, salad, and potato at Melrose for the same price as your steak and potato.

Don't get me wrong, the steak is still great (and whoever seasoned it and cooked it last night did a great job - a lot better than the last few times we went and it was missing some flavor), the service overall is great (our waitress was a bit short but may have been a cultural attitude - everyone else was great), wine options are great. We just miss the value the restaurant used to provide (and the artichoke dip - can you bring...