Jackson’s Hole
When I wrote this post about the Downtown Frederick Gift Cards, I was actually looking for information about Jackson’s Restaurant (one of the gift card participants). Jackson’s is where the Westside Cafe was, at the corner of Market and 2nd Streets. I was looking for information because, after we went to That Cuban Place a few weeks ago, it was such a nice night so we decided to walk around downtown and noticed signs for Jackson’s Hole. It’s the bar that’s below Jackson’s Restaurant. Since we had already eaten dinner, we went down the stairs to the bar area. It was small and friendly and dark, perfect on a warm, sunny evening.
I ordered a glass of wine which, at $6.00, I thought was kind of high for what it was, but hey, it was a nice July Saturday night and since we weren’t ordering food, I figured I could handle it. That’s when the bartender told me about a new law in Maryland where a customer can buy a bottle of wine and if they don’t finish it, they can take it home with them. The wine I ordered was $6.00/glass, but $13.00 for the bottle. Since bottles hold about 4 glasses, I decided to buy the bottle (Frog ended up asking for a wine glass so there wasn’t any to take home anyways).
We looked at the bar menu just for the heck of it but we weren’t hungry so I don’t really remember much except it was pretty standard bar fare. I went upstairs to the restroom, which is in the main restaurant and it’s a very pretty restaurant. Small but well laid out. I saw some friends of ours who were there for the second time and they raved about the food. At the time (July 21st) they had only been open for three weeks.
Anyone been? Care to comment on either Jackson’s or Jackson’s Hole?
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I’ve been curious about it. What’s more: why did West Side close? I went there a lot.
I have the same question as Sarah. I’m assuming the rent was too stiff, as I believe that’s the same reason Market St Jewelry moved to an upstairs location with appointment only hours (same owners as West Side). I really miss the Torte Provencale at West Side, so I’m looking forward to hearing some specifics about the food at Jackson’s.
Thanks for sharing. I will have to stop buy sometime and check it out. The way you describe it makes it sound inviting. Interesting about that new law.
The ‘recorking’ law was passed in Maryland about a year ago under Gov. Ehrlich. But it seems to have taken a while for a lot of local restaurants to start offering it. Be sure to ask where ever you are dining since the wording appears to say that it is the restaurant’s option if they will recork, although I suspect most will.
Americans are so fruity about alcohol.
Thanks for the info Nils.
By the way, I have no idea why West side closed. I never got the chance to go there while it was still open.
I had lunch at Jacksons about a week or two ago with some coworkers. We all agreed it wasn’t that great. Food was decent, but it’s the same kind of stuff prepared the same kind of way as most stuff on market street. The only thing it really had going for it was the outdoor seating. So I say stick to TCP for lunch in that area.
I’m drawing a blank. Josh, what’s TCP?
Tam, I’ll answer that if it’s ok. He means That Cuban Place.
Ah, thanks Liz. I haven’t eaten there yet. I probably should so I can make the connection next time
Went there for dinner and drinks (ate at the Bar)- really enjoyed it! The French Dip was incredible and they has serve the good thin shoe-string fries that I love!
I have only eaten in the bar one time and I enjoyed the chili. But I was marveling at the menu today trying to decide if I wanted to spend $9.50 for a cheeseburger ($8.00 burger). Ultimately I decided no and went someplace else. But I still think it would have to be one heck of a burger for that price, especially with Acacia, Wags and Five Guys nearby.
I ate at The Cuban Place and wasn’t all that impressed, first of all the young man behind the counter was slow and took forever, not my idea of a quick lunch. Not to mention not very clean, can’t see the attraction
I had the best time and food at Jackson’s, the service was great and i am def. goin back soon!
Free jazz saturday nights! can’t beat that. the burger is good and juicy, and finally found a place to cook it as rare as i like it! Also tried the filet mignon which is much cheaper and much better than even the Tasting Room, believe it! Bar is ok, a little dank and dirty, but maybe thats how you like it. Had some free food down there last friday, and it was worth the money!
Looks like the menu has changed a bit since some of you posted last.
I went to dinner on November 10, 2007 with two other girlfriends for a lady’s night out. I had called ahead to make reservations. I was looking for a different kind of dining experience and was looking forward to an evening dining and listening to jazz. We were not disappointed! The wait staff was very friendly and courteous and the food was fabulous! I ordered the grilled salmon over risotto, one friend ordered duck and the other friend ordered the lump crabmeat soup as a starter and the stacked eggplant as her entree. We all shared a bottle of wine with dinner. The food was wonderfully prepared and presented and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We were also entertained by a wonderful three piece jazz band. It was a very relaxing dinner and I would definitely highly recommend dining at this fine restaurant!
The only complaint I have about Jackson’s is the cost of a martini ($12). The martini was good but not that good. The beer was appropriately priced ($2 for a Corona). The food was very good – not quite Acacia or the Tasting Room – but still good, and was priced less than Acacia/TR. We plan on going back. We’ve heard rumors that the place was oriented towards those having an alternative lifestyle – we didn’t see that, and it won’t stop us from visiting again. Good food, appropriately priced (except for the f’n martinis).
I heard from friends who used to go there a lot that they no longer have a chef working there. Recently I ate there and the steak was undercooked and did not taste fresh. I think the dessert was from Safeway – that would be my guess . The server was not great – nothing special, save your money.
Blah!!!!
Dropped into the bar for a cheeseburger, medium rare please. Friendly bartender, juicy burger, hot crispy fries. what more could you ask for? I’ll definitely be back and after looking at the bar, wonder why anyone would order a $12 martini there! get a burger and get a grip!
My wife and I had dinner there a couple of times and not only was the food terrible but the overall attitude of the server was poor. You get the feeling that it won’t be long before they close the doors. Which is too bad, we liked the westside cafe, maybe not the poor service at the counter but for the price it wasn’t bad. I have to agree about the steaks, we had a hamburger and it was cut in half, as the server told us that the cooks don’t know how to check temperatures of meat so they cut it. I don’t know why they can’t figure out how to cook a medium burger but it’s clear that they no one in the kitchen who knows how to cook. My suggestion is to try Wags for a burger or something from the Cuban place which has gotten better and better. The bar downstairs is nice but not worth the bother. Save your time and money. We hear they are closing soon anyway.
I couldn’t agree more with Wil’s statement, just who is working in the kitchen???? The crab soup was awful, tasted like the used old crab meat. The smell when you walk down to the bar reminds me of raw sewage or and open garbage can left out all summer. I heard the owner was the guy who ran Baltimore Seafood years ago (where the tasting room is now) and he left town like the colts in baltimore, hopefully he will do the same soon. Try wags for a good burger now that you don’t have to smell all the smoke from the bar.
What’s up with Jacksons, it was closed sunday, anyone know if they will open up again???
My wife and I have been regulars on Saturday nights to see the free Jazz. Always have had a great time. Agree that at times the kitchen has seemed a bit off, finally got the scoop from the owner. Recently fired the manager and hired a new chef!!! to run the kitchen. He said to look for an updated menu in the next few weeks. Last saturday tried a great special of rockfish over risotto. Probably half the price of the Tasting R0om’s.
As for others comments I surely take them with a grain of salt. “Wil” had such a terrible experience but ate there on quite a few occasions??? why would you go back? “Alicia’s”comments also sound like “She” is pretty darn familiar with Jackson’s and hates it so much. Hmm. I’d highly recommend checking out the new guy in the kitchen named Dave I think, who ran the kitchen at the Turning Point Inn for years. Make up your own mind aside from these supposed impartial “Haters”.
I wonder if the chef from Griff’s has gone over to Jacksons? Years ago, I remember reading that the chef from the Turning Point had gone to Griff’s when Turning Point closed. Interesting. Hopefully these apparent inconsistencies are a thing of the past for Jackson’s. I still need to get there to see for myself!
i went to jackson’s saturday march 1, and discovered that the establishment has ‘lost’ its liquor license.
the jazz ensemble that was in residence was really sweet, but my party ordered some desert to try and soften the blow to the establishment, and everything we ordered was emminently forgetable – while the jazz is great, one can only hope that the business issues and issues in the kitchen get resolved or we’ll be listenening to our jazz at home.
Here’s the deal on the problems with the liquor license at Jackson’s:
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyID=72000
I am looking for a web-site for Jacksons on second st for more info on when they will reopen. Went there last night and their bar was closed, food was great but looking forward to enjoying a glass of wine with my dinner. I have not had a chance to stop by on sat. nights, but here the Jazz is great. I have been to the bar a few times and not sure how a bar like that could lose the license. When they reopen stop by the bar.
Chester, if you look at that article I linked to right above your comment, there’s an explanation for the liquor license problem at Jackson’s. The 30-day suspension started March 3rd.
I’ve been by jacksons, no one is ever there if you don’t count the kitchen staff hanging out front smoking. As for the food my friends and I have had dinner there a couple of times, both times the food was OK nothing great.. As for Rob I believe you are probably a close friend of the owner, who by reading the article linked above sounds like he doesn’t care about anything other than making money, maybe not such a nice guy.
You have to be real careful with that site though. I dont have a common last name – and when you look it up on there – there are 3 other people with the exact first and last name in MD. Luckily I am not in there but I can say if someone was not looking to hard they would possibly think I have three different offenses that I was not responsible for.
I deleted all messages related to a person’s name and their criminal past. While they may be 100% true I don’t feel like getting sued for slander or any other kind of legal trouble in this sue happy society we live in.
So I will continue to police these kinds of messages. I try and leave all messages up no matter how heated a debate gets, but when it comes to listing a person’s possible criminal history out by name I get that oogy feeling like a lawyer is looking over my shoulder and seeing how much they can drain from my bank accounts.
I just can’t risk that. Sorry folks!
I dont blame you guy. definetly not hte place to put someone’s buisness out there…especially if you dont know 100% sure…
It sounds crazy but the more informed you are the better off you can be, now that doesn’t excuse people from making statements be it false or correct. Just how are we to know, is the big question. Tv news and newspapers have all admited at one point to making up a story to get headlines. Granted you can find sex offender websites all over the place and some even supported by the state (in our case maryland does have a site run by the state for just this purpose). It is a tough topic and I salute the people running this site to not let things get out of hand. It sounds like this restaurant has some pretty vocal fans and some pretty vocal non-fans, that is what makes this country great. Each has a voice and one can choose to listen or not.
What that article related to liquor license doesn’t tell you is that a former employee turned the establishment in for the charged infractions and probably had something to do with causing them. Wouldn’t be surprised if that is where most of these negative comments come from too. Of course that is the nature of the beast on an ANONYMOUS comment board.
I have no idea what’s going on at Jackson’s, but this thread is becoming very entertaining.
I disagree on the entertaining part, Tam. I think we should give it a rest and let the situation play out without all this speculation.