Jim & Pete's — Restaurant in Leyden Township

I went there 5 years ago . We went there for an event. And now we booked for another , this time it was for all of us for my bday. The ambiance is nice. The manager and gm were very nice. The food was not good at all, there were 7 adults 3 children. I had a chicken franchise. I can't believe it, but it was actually dry, not too many spices at all. I dont recommend that plate. My daughter had salmon hers, which was very dry as well. My hubby had a taste for pizza, so he had the anchovies on it. There weren't many. He didn't eat it. The mac and cheese was also dry and crusty. The grandkids liked there's though, they had a small pizza. I felt bad because I had some ppl travel 2 hours to go there and mostly we were disappointed in the quality of food. Obviously, we must have gotten some leftovers. I would not go back. Not for the amount of money that you pay for, no. The server had not picked up plates, and I think she had an issue with her shoulder. We also had to flag her down to get refills ( I did ask the manager) . Sadly, when we were younger, we went there all the time. Last time, it was my nephew s bday. My kids haven't been there in years. Oh yeah, the clams are a joke. omg, drowning in butter , now don't get me wrong. we all love butter on clams, but we actually had to play find a clam. And yes, barely anything in them we had more fun making fun of them than eating them (and no, we pretty much only had 3 out of 12 . Yes, it is quite a lesson. See pics. The antipasto tray was ok, barley any vinegar on it, though. On the nice side, they did...

I have been dining at J & P for 50 plus years on and off...regularly when I lived in Oak Park and in recent years whenever I visit Chicago from my home in Denver. Until MLK weekend last month my experiences at this wonderful restaurant have been stellar. This visit was dreadful...no other way to describe it. A number of my friends and I routinely come over when I'm in town. This trip I brought another friend to join the group. I had raved about Jim and Pete's to her many times but until this visit she had been unable to attend. Imagine my disappointment (and that of our entire party) when we had a very bad experience. The large sausage pizza was awful. It seemed liked it was a rewarmed pizza, not the freshly baked ones I expect. There was a paucity of sausage on the pie and it just didn't measure up. Add to the poor tasting pizza the service was not up to par, not so much our wait staff gal but the busser pushed us as if they were anxious to get us out of the place. The restaurant had a goodly number of diners but plenty of available tables available so you can't blame the need for a table on the way we were rushed to finish. The telling aspect of this visit was that normally we leave no pizza behind. This trip there were at least five pieces of the pie left on the tray and no one wanted a take home box. I suppose you could criticize me for not complaining at the time but I was just so unimpressed and surprised that I didn't want to spend the time to say something.

Jim & Pete's you failed five customers this year and you need to know...

Place is over priced and in need of cleaning. Plastic plants for the patio that dusty and have wrappers and dirt in them. The candle holders at the table are filthy. Silverware was dirty. There was carbon build up (soot?) from the outdoor fireplace that just made what ever brick work look horrible.

The chicken was dry and overly salted. The bread was hard almost like the keep it in a bread warmer all day and the soup was bland. The Bruschetta was good though, but if you run a rustic Italian restaurant and cant do that then just sell pizzas.

The last thing was the service, the waitress was nice friendly and formal but kind of slow. When we were sat there were no tables inside just on the patio a total of (1). We were her only table, I ordered a Moscow Mule and it took close to 10 minutes. Apps took 15 but the entrees we were told would be a wait because of the chicken. Then when we requested the check it took 15 minutes. The total of table went form 2 to 5, so not sure what happened there.

Not to mention the loud carts coming in and out of the dining room, I can hear them from the kitchen door. I feel bad for the wait staff because to get them on the patio they have to lift the front to avoid the the bump from the addition.

So just skip and go to New Star or even go for Olive Garden down the street, at least there quick and its...