Uncle Jack's Steakhouse - Westside — Restaurant in New York

Uncle Jack's Steakhouse almost got 5 Stars. This restaurant has a great location only a few blocks from New York Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, not very far from other attractions such as Broadway or Empire State building. I've always wanted to check this place out as it is only a few hundred feet away from the B and H Superstore on the 9th Avenue. I finally got a chance to try it before heading off to the Billy Joel concert at MSG. Like another reviewer, I got there right before the dinner rush with my wife and niece. We were able to snag a table without any issues. However, I did notice that 45 minutes later around 6:30 PM people having difficulty getting a table without a wait.

Before I get to areas that were negative and there were only a few (major ones if you have a disability), let's accentuate the positive. The staff were super gracious and attentive.The food, was excellent. We had the Wagyu Kobe Meatballs as the App. and they were melt in your mouth delicious.

The entrees did not disappoint. My wife had the salmon (I know, salmon in a steak place?) and my niece and I had the boneless aged NY strip. All were cooked to perfection and one would expect nothing less from a landmark steakhouse. We shared the sides, loaded mash potatoes, Sauteed asparagus and a creamy corn dish. Seasoning and temperature all on point.

Some Observations

– This restaurant is wheelchair accessible from the street to the main seating area and bar are accessible for wheelchairs or scooters. Tables were large and could easily handle multiple wheelchairs. The staff appeared to be familiar with wheelchair seating as they mentioned providing the right kind of table. We were seated but soon found out that there was a slight leak in the roof when my wife noticed water droplets on my shirt and napkin. We moved the table over and they were very apologetic, however when I looked up at the ceiling it appears that this has been a long-standing issue as the paint peeled around the park that was leaking and you could tell there was water damage that had been there for a while. This is surprising for such a high-end restaurant. —The restrooms to this restaurant are upstairs and they are in accessible to wheelchairs or people with mobility issues or devices. If using a restroom is super important to you you may want to skip this restaurant. — Like most restaurant in this area especially since the development of the Hi-Line and Billionaires Row things are pricey. This is not a budget restaurant, as an example 5 small appetizer meatballs cost $25. The most expensive protein item on the menu is the Kobe beef steak, 16 ounces for $300 (sides not included). There are options such as the ones that we chose network $35, however, if you are coming to this place or any other place in New York City and our meeting someone who may not be able to afford these prices, please be cognizant of...

First, the positive. Uncle Jack's 9th St. Location was close to our hotel and was a beautiful restaurant. I chose it because of proximity and the good reviews. My 16-year old daughter and I both ordered Prime Filet Mignon 8oz, hers medium rare and mine medium. We figured since this was a high-end steakhouse they'd hit it right in the mark. My daughter ordered a Caesar Salad and I ordered the garlic mashed potatoes. My daughter has a peanut and tree nut allergy, and our waiter was quick to note the croutons on the salad couldn't be served, which was perfectly fine and appreciated. After a minute in the kitchen, the waiter returned to say the garlic mash had nuts in it (odd, but ok), asked if I wanted them anyway or offered a baked potato instead. I chose the baked potato since I thought my daughter might want to have some, plus we don't eat nuts around her. The baked potato was delicious, but I was a little shocked that the waiter brought the garlic mash to the table anyway. They went uneaten. Now the bad, the steaks... The steaks came out dry and overcooked. The flavoring was ok, but overcooked meat is just the pits. Especially at steakhouse prices. When we pointed out that they were overcooked, the waiter looked at the steaks and offered me au jus. We aren't big complainers and try to be accommodating, so I agreed. He came back with the au jus, poured some over my steak and walked away without offering my daughter a drop. Almost as if he were annoyed. Well, let's just say she is her mother's kid and she didn't like that one bit! I said I would get him back, and she had already made her mind up - nope, she was done. She felt overlooked. This was after I was offered lemon for my water earlier in the meal and she wasn't offered any. Just because she's a 16-year old 'kid', she shouldn't be overlooked. At that point, we decided the au jus wasn't helping, and I was paying for a nice meal, I decided to say something again about the steak being overcooked. The waiter stated the steaks looked to be cooked ok and made no offer to make us new ones (I somewhat expect there was a slight language barrier). I was shocked. We ate less than half our steaks. I paid our bill (against my better judgement), and we left. I should have asked for a manager before leaving, but I was so mad it wouldn't have been productive that night. My opinion - it may be worth considering an alternative steakhouse. I hope they were just having an "off" night, but we don't get to NYC often, and $100/person should be a SOLID steak dinner and a really nice...

Another less than stellar visit to this restaurant. Where do I start? Made the reservation for 4 people a week ago. We show up, the restaurant is not full and the hostess brings us downstairs to a stuffy, claustrophobia-inducing basement that looks like it's reserved for private parties. No moving air, ceiling almost touching my head, and no sound of people except the table of 6 that immediately went silent as we arrived. Not to mention we were given the most extremely tight table in the corner. We immediately refused the seating, all while listening to the waiter make snarky comments asking us why we did not like eating in the basement (not funny at all). They took us back upstairs and low and behold, there are quite a few tables available. (why did she do this?)

Now on to the food. First there was a member of my party that preferred well done steak, the NEW waiter kept making comments to him about how he liked his steak, so much so that another member of our party had to scold him to cut it out, I mean WTH can't he eat his expensive steak the way he likes it? Uncle Jack usually makes great steaks and I ordered the 20oz bone in filet mignon which came with a 10 oz bone so I would have better off saving $20 and getting the 12 oz filet. Most steakhouses I've been to offer shared sides for the table, not this place, 1/2 -3/4 cup of spinach or potatoes for $12 each is just silly. So overall, for $500+ we spent this place just ain't worth it and you are better off going to Ruth's Chris for a steakhouse experience. A note to self, re-read my own reviews before giving a place another shot!

Oh, and they don't have a coat check, so we had to maneuver around with our winter coats and keep them at the table with us. That in itself makes one feel as if they're at a high school gymnasium for a dance and everyone's stuff piles on the bleachers. This is the polar opposite of a fine-dining experience. I guess don't go in the cold weather? BTW, we had every intention of buying our parents a gift certificate for Christmas, but we refuse to subject...