Jack's Grill — Restaurant in Redding

Still the Best Steak in the World – 40 Years Later at Jack’s

In 1988, fresh out of training and suited up for my very first day on the job, I found myself sweating through a worsted wool suit in Redding, California—on what turned out to be one of the hottest days on record at a sweltering 118 degrees. A young African American kid from the inner city of Flint, Michigan, I felt completely out of place. My boss gave me one piece of advice before I called it a night: “Promise me you’ll grab a steak at Jack’s.”

So I did.

I walked into a packed Jack’s Grill, and the first thing I saw behind the bar wasn’t a wine list or a maître d’—it was bull riding on TV. Bull riding! I nearly turned right around. But a promise is a promise.

The host told me the wait would be 45 minutes to an hour—a perfect excuse to retreat to the comfort of my hotel and order room service. But something made me stay. When my name was called, I discovered Jack’s had a policy I’d never heard of before: if you were a party of one or two, they seated you with other solo diners to fill a table. Yet again, I almost bailed. But everyone had been surprisingly friendly, so I stuck it out.

And thank God I did.

That night I ordered the filet mignon—and it wasn’t just good, it was life-changing. Perfectly cooked, seasoned with something magical, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. It was hands down the best steak I’d ever had. That night marked the beginning of a love affair. For over a decade, every time work took me to Redding, Jack’s was my non-negotiable dinner stop. And when I no longer traveled there for work? I’d still occasionally make the 2-hour drive from Sacramento just for that steak.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of dining at some of the most renowned steakhouses in the world: New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, Hong Kong, Tokyo (even Kobe), Montreal, Vancouver, Rome, Paris, Saint-Tropez, you name it. The only place that even came close was a little gem in Rome’s Jewish Ghetto—but even that couldn’t quite top Jack’s.

Fast forward nearly 40 years later. I took my father to the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, and mid-track meet, a wild idea hit me: “If we head out right after this ends, we can make it to Jack’s before they close at 10 PM.” Five hours later, we pulled into Redding.

Jack’s looked almost exactly the same. And the steak? Still flawless. Still the best I’ve had anywhere on the planet.

Funny thing is—I can’t recall what happened on that first day of my now long and successful career. But I remember every single detail about that first steak at Jack’s.

So here’s my advice: if you’re ever within 100 miles of Redding and love a great steak, don’t miss Jack’s. Trust me, it’s not just a meal—it’s a memory waiting to happen.

Jack’s isn’t just the best steakhouse in Redding—it’s the best steakhouse...

GO HERE IF YOU WANT TO BE DISAPPOINTED….. if you hate somebody send them to this restaurant…. Theylll hate you back…. And never talk to you again…. I swear I’m not going toooo far….

CHEAPER than the DOLLAR STORE…. Total SCAM……. THEY NEED TO TAKE THE “ CHOICE STEAK “ SIGN OFF THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING…

Was given water then we Ordered a 40$ sirloin with salad and a baked potatoe….. 60$ Filet mignon with salad and fries 35$ Fried chicken made in house with salad and fries she left without taking our order for drinks… Went downhill when the “poorboy salad” arrived… I asked what was on top of the salad… she said FRENCHSTYLE CUT GREEN BEANS……like it was fancy… mind you it’s just ICEBERG LETTUCE WITH CANNED GREENBEANS ON TOP……nothings else on the salad except for sauce…..then the table next to us his steak arrives and we look over at it…. It’s black…… immediately my bf got up and asked to cancel the order…. She refused to let us cancel told us to sit down it would be right out…. We gave them the benefit of doubt it was brought out and it was full of fat and burnt…. The chicken was also over cooked and low quality chicken…. We told them we weren’t happy and she told us she would bring out boxes to take it home and bring out the bill… my bf told her we would not be taking it home…. She did not offer to remake it or refund it …. It was almost like a routine for her she knew we weren’t gonna like it when we tried to cancel the first time….. he told her he wasn’t gonna pay for it and she said she was gonna call the cops… we left all the food. Do yourself a favor and go to Pete’s by the mall they know how to cook a steak 🥩…. I’ve had a better steak at dennys…. This place been scamming for 68 years…. The food was horrible I could only imagine what the kitchen looks like… poor service poor food I would give 0 stars if I could… the food looks like the outside of the building…. Cheap… 68 years and you couldn’t afford a nicer building or upgrades… with all the penny pinching, cutting corners, and price gouging this place does it’s amazing they’re still in business… I love to support small businesses…. But this place needs to be shut down… immediately… we have no problem spending money I give 20- 80$ dollar tips when I receive great service… when somebody asks me where to get a steak I’m gonna tell them DO NOT go to JACKS GRILL skip that place and …… GO TO PETES, CR GIBBS, or...

I would love to speak with the owner or manager of Jack's. My husband and I have been eating at Jack's for about 25 years. We Travel to Redding from the coast occasionally just to have a great steak. Our experience this weekend was so bad, not because of the food. I do know that there is no reservation accepted, there has never been since we have been coming there. We except that. The food is well worth the wait. We came into Jack's put our name on the list and took a set at the bar as usual. Well as we were sitting at bar time went by and people were seated and we see people coming in putting name on list,then sitting at bar as we did. After as long long wait we noticed that the girl at checkin,( I believe her name was Selena, tall young dark short hair) was setting people who came in after us. As we were sitting there she came up to my husband and I and said we were going to be seated next. We said ok. Well as we were waiting she sat 3 other couples (couples who came in after us). Another couple looked at us and said we have been here as long as you and the hostess is setting people that have just put name on list and just sat at bar. I observed this for about 5 more minutes and approached her and asked her what is up. We have been here way before those people and you are setting them first. And all she could say was Iam sorry. I asked for a explanation and she just said sorry again. Then she offered to bye us a drink to make up for it. I was very upset and well as 2 other couples that this was happening too. Both other couples said they were going to complain too. I guess the hostess knew the people that were getting seated before us. Probably they come in more frequent then us out of towners. I thought no reservations accepted means first come first serve. So again I would love to speak with owner or manager. It's a great restaurant but if you go with no reservations, make sure...