JK's Restaurant — Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills

No Table for You!! My wife and I have enjoyed eating at this restaurant before. The food is very, very good, so we decided to dine at JK’s for our wedding anniversary. We called to make reservations and the pre-recorded message said that they do not take reservations and it’s a first come, first served experience. So, we headed to JK’s at 5pm when they opened, hoping to be one of the first seated. We arrived before opening and the line was fairly long. We thought about going to another restaurant but we decided that it was our anniversary, and our previous experience was so wonderful that we could enjoy a drink in the bar if we had to wait. Little did we know that our drink in the bar would turn into a two hour wait while many, many, many others were seated ahead of us. The bartender even felt sorry for us and kept offering free drinks. The host was straight out of a Jerry Seinfeld soup episode. If he knew you, you got a table. If not, no table for you!!! When we arrived, we were told it would be a 20 to 30 minute wait, which made perfect sense. We were first people into the bar, so we got our choice of bar seats and enjoyed a cocktail. Then, the bar cleared out as well as the waiting area, yet we had no table… Now, we are a very patient couple but there is a limit. My wife went to check in with the host to see where we were in line. Low and behold, the book was open and it was clear that many folks, over a page worth of names, who arrived after us were already seated. The host was talking to another staff member and was heard saying he seated others because he knew them. When my wife inquired and was told it would be a little while before a table opened up. Mind you, at this point we had waited an hour for a table. Twenty minutes later the host offers to buy us a free round of drinks, if we would dine at the bar, instead of getting a table. We chose to continue our wait for a table but in hindsight, we should have just left the restaurant and called it a night. Finally, at long last, the host tells us our table is ready. He asks us to wait in the lobby instead of leading us to a table. As we wait in the lobby, John gives our bars seats to another couple, and proceeds to tell them they have “best seats” at the bar as he will get them a table very soon. The host then small talks with them for 4 minutes while we wait in the lobby. Yes, I timed it, I’m a glut for punishment. After that conversation ended and we waited in the lobby, the host returned to greeting new guests. He offered one couple a table in 10 minutes but asked them in whispered tones “not to tell anyone”. Keep in mind that the lobby is full of people waiting and we are standing right behind him, still waiting!! Then almost as an epiphany, John turns to us, realizes we are still waiting and says “Oh…. come this way, I have a table, please feel free to stay as long as you want.” Once we were seated, we were reunited with a couple we met at the bar. They were at the table next to ours. Lucky for us we were just in time to tell them goodbye as they were paying the check and getting ready to leave. Remember we were the first into the bar, since we had waited in line to enter the restaurant at 5pm. Several of the folks that we saw enter the bar after us were either already finished with their dinners or finishing up… Definitely not first come, first served! In summary, the food is pretty good, the wait can be really, really long depending on the circumstance. Perhaps it might be wise to tip the host, else there is “No...

My wife and I have been coming to the Outer banks for around 40 years. Last night, 09/29/2021, we had one of the worst dining experiences during that period. We arrived at JKs at 5:15, about 15 minutes after opening. Several parties were ahead of us, and each was told there would be about a 45-minute wait. We were told the same and offered a place to sit next to the Host’s station. Over the next 15 minutes, many more parties arrived, and were told the same. Then a couple showed up and asked for a table for two. They were also told there would be a 45-minute wait. At that time, the man asked if so and so was working. He was told no. He then said that so and so said to mention his name. At that point they were immediately seated. We took note but did not say anything. About 5 to 10 more minutes passed during which time several more parties arrived and were told there would be a 45-minute wait. Then a young lady and her mother showed up. She asked the Host if he remembered her, and they embraced. She asked for a table for two. He said to sit in the Bar, and he would try and get them a table shortly. After performing various other tasks, the Host spoke to another gentleman, I assumed to be a supervisor or owner. They began talking in front of us but decided to move away. Evidently, they still felt uncomfortable, so the went around the corner into the Bar where I could not see or hear them. When the Host returned, he proceeded to get the two ladies and sit them. At that time, we had been waiting about 30 minutes, the same as many other guests, and we had had enough of their hospitality and left. We told the Host to remove our name and why, and he then stated we were next on the list. This had to be a lie because he had never called a single party to be seated, and no one had left the restaurant. It was evident that the owners and or Host place higher esteem on locals rather than anyone they consider to be a tourist. I know the loss of our business will never be felt, but I also recognize there are many restaurants in the Outer Banks who appreciate the business and treat all customers equally. We went to another favorite of ours where the waitstaff knows us. We were told a 35-minute wait, which turned out to be 25 minutes, and due to our continued patronage, they comped our appetizer. If you go to JKs, you should keep an eye on who gets...

Can't believe we missed out on this restaurant for so many years! My husband and I had been told over the years by so many that this restaurant was amazing. We just made our first visit Dec. 22, 2017. We came in on the late side, about 8:30 pm and were greeted so warmly. When you walk in the door, straight past the hostess station, there is a window where you can watch the magic - the grilling of the steak. While looking over the menu, which included a list of specials for just that day, we ordered wine. We were surprised to receive a generous glass and not just 1/2 glass that so many restaurants are moving towards these days. We did not know that the steaks are what this restaurant is known for but our absolutely fantastic waiter kindly let us know there is no better steak out there. We took his advice and both ordered a steak, a ribeye (the waiters favorite) for my husband and a sirloin for me. Both were cooked exactly as ordered. I never have steak without steak sauce but when I say these melted in your mouth, that is exactly what happened (no steak sauce needed). The rich and complex, smoky flavors were incredible! On the side we ordered cream spinach, succotash, broccoli with hollandaise (my favorite), and baked potato. Since we ended up eating almost everything (only took home a small amount of steak for breakfast steak & eggs), we had no room for dessert. We will come back sometime to make sure we order dessert as they are all made in house. One thing that has nothing to do with the food is the very interesting art that is hanging on the walls. We faced out into the restaurant and could see across from us what looked like some Indian canvasses. Next to them were old photos of pony express riders we believe. These really added to the already warm and cozy feel of the restaurant and added to it character. Really to top off the wonderful food and relaxing atmosphere was our top notch waiter. We were one of the last customers to come in for dinner and he did not rush us and took his time and talked to us several times during dinner. Taking everything all in - this was a more than a 5 star...