Jim’s Steak House
2307 E Washington St, Bloomington, IL, 61704
Jim’s Steak House Menu
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Address :
2307 E Washington St
Bloomington, IL, 61704 - Phone (309) 663-4142
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Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Very Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
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Mary N.
Went last night for my anniversary. Service was good . Food ok. My husband ordered coffee and the cup came out with a BiG lipstick mark on the side. Ordered dessert and the spoon was sticky and clearly hadn't been washed! Strike 2. Asked to speak with a manager and he said sorry he would check with the kitchen. Never again! $$$$ Not worth the $
(1)Nate G.
As a longtime resident of Bloomington-Normal (15 years), I've given this place 3 chances and things have gotten progressively worse. The steaks are decent but nothing special at all, the seafood was mediocre at best and the sides were basic. The thing which has motivated me to finally write a review however is the horrible decor. Was there last night and eating was impossible due to the smell of bleach and urine emanating from the place. The dark, smelly and drab environment is horrible and I will never go back. I honestly do not understand how this place is still in business.
(1)J T.
If I could give a zero or negative I would. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE. 1) Decor is just disgusting. It's no longer "outdated", I think it's a health hazard. Dust, dark, cob webs, mold, just nasty, nasty, nasty. 2) Price is outrageous for just mediocre steak. $99 for a "surf and turf" - 12 oz lobster with 8 oz filet. REALLY. Lobster was dry as the dessert and no amount of butter could revive it. Steak was ... read on.... 3) Service was ok, but the one guy we had for a table of 16 was just too much for him. Food came out and lots of missed orders, missing sides, and basically it was ALL cold. Probably because the poor server had to walk up and down a crazy stupid layout of stairs and fake wood paneling. Yuck. 4) Table setting. LOL. My chair was broken, chipped, and basically looked like a left over chair from a Perkins or 3am bar somewhere. Our tables didn't even come close to lining up and there were huge gaps where we had a least one drink spill....which took about 15 minutes to clean up. 5) Restroom. There are tiles literally falling off the wall laying on the ground and the smell is just gross. The "linen supply closet" was left wide open. Nice when I'm getting ready for a meal. I usually use the bathroom and main dining room as a judgement for how clean the kitchen is. If I do that for Jim's I'm afraid I may be sick all over my keyboard. 6) Appetizers. Greasy balls of snot - calamari and spinach dip with 4 pitas. The "grilled" ahem Microwaved mushrooms were filled with canned lobster bits that tasted so bad I wanted to gag. It was like they took it right out of the can, threw some dill on it and called it a stuffing. Then they were topped with a glob of some sort of cheese that was just more snot. 7) Steaks. Supposedly these are "aged" steaks. ha. Aged steaks usually have a rich flavor and require just the minimal seasoning. These had to be the least flavorful steaks I've had in my life. When people can't pass the A-1 sauce fast enough or order ketchup on the side, you know the flavor sucks. Plus the chef's or short order cooks more like, couldn't decide what Medium-Rare was because they all came out Medium Well or Rare. Mine was actually well done near the edge and raw near the bone....don't know how that's even possible.... There was absolutely zero sear on the outside despite the warning on the 100 year old menus (they are so old the restaurant's name has faded off the cover and the pages actually have black moldy looking grease stains on them) stating the steaks sometimes "char" due to the aging process.. HAHAHAHAHA. I will say the cut of meat was good, i.e. no gristle. It was juicy. It was just not cooked properly and had zero flavor. I wish I could have taken it home and cooked it myself. Conclusion: AVOID THIS PLACE We had been there 10 years ago and swore never to return, but this was a friend's party so we said, maybe they have improved. Well no. We will NEVER return unless that place is demolished (yes, it's that bad on the inside), and a new steak place put up in it's place...a Western Sizzlin' would be an improvement... Again, WAY OVER PRICED and just not worth your money. You're better off getting your own cut from one of the nice meat shops in town and cooking it yourself...the broiler in your over could probably do better.
(1)Nicole W.
The decor is shabby and it stunk of urine. We left before ordering. Yuck, one star is too generous.
(1)Glenn W.
I've had nothing but great food, excellent service, and a wonderful time here. I don't understand the negative ratings.
(5)Azsure D.
I am so torn on this rating. This is a steak joint. The food, all around, was fab. I have been traveling a lot lately and have plenty of quality establishments with which to compare. The salad, as other Yelpers mention, has a very creative sweet bacon dressing. The bread (possibly stock doughballs) was warm and sweet and wonderful. My baked tater was humongous and good. And the steak: classic. I had the New York strip. It was juicy and tender deliciousness. Oh, yes, deliciousness. I wish I had room left for dessert. They boast a housemade cheesecake. On the other hand, the staff were not well trained. The building is, well, retro. As in they need help. Yelpers talk about the low lighting which I learned is low so you can't see the myriad of problems. The bathroom is downright scary. And the decor... For example. There was an odd painting of a nude woman in our area. The woman was wearing a doo rag style head cloth. I was so confused as to why she would be nude and wearing a head cloth. It was such an odd selection in this seating area. A party of 6 sat down next to us and commented on the oddness of the painting. That's just weird. The silverware is old cheap buffet restaurant silverware. The glasses are old and foggy. The steak dinners are in the $22-30 range for the most part. And the place was jammed full. Reservations only. So you can see my dilemma on the rating. I settled on 4 stars because I value the quality of food over the weirdness of everything else. If nothing else, do come eat here because you will have a delightful story to tell later.
(4)Joe K.
The menu said the place has been in business since the 1960's. Well, everything about the place still looks like the 1960's. The menu was extremely worn and hard to read along with the wine list. I don't get how restaurants can allow this when everyone has a computer and printer. The restaurant was extremely dark. I think this is to cover up the dirty ceilings and walls. I do give props to the staff. Our waitress was attentive and extremely on top of things. The food was sub par. We had scallops and stuffed mushrooms for appetizers. Scallops were extremely salty and the mushrooms were rubbery. The salad was very good but this is a steak house. The salad should not be the main attraction. I ordered a filet medium rare. I got a medium well piece of steak. The mashed potatoes were cold and the "fresh" green beans were drenched in butter and bacon. The desert was good but nothing to talk about. It is really sad because I was there on business with my coworkers. My project manager was scoping out restaurants for our team dinner. We would have brought in at least a party of 10+ people for dinner. After last nights meal, I don't want to ever step back into that place again.
(1)Carmello J.
One of my favorites in Bloomington. Best steak house in my opinion, the filet is always delicious. The menu could be a little deeper and some may not enjoy the dim atmosphere. I personally love the look but agree it could use a slight upgrade.
(5)Stacy V.
We found this place by accident I should have known that most accidents are bad and kept going but I didn't must not have been dressed up enough the service was sub par the food "after a one hour ten minute wait "was cold instant mashed potatoes microwaved scalding hot pot roast just very disappointed would not recommend the manager offered a free after dinner drink"I had Pepsi the whole time " very very disappointed !!!
(1)Bob L.
I don't understand why everyone raves about this place. Dark and old looking motiff. The main reason for my 1 star review is the food and the service. Took my wife out here for dinner on a friends recommendation. The dinner started fine but went south in a hurry. My wife ordered a steak after which I ordered the Ribeye medium as always. Her meal arrived and looked good. She gets hers medium well always. She said her steak was good but not great. My steak on the other hand looked like a charcol bricket. I cut one bite off of it and tried to flag over the waiter. He took his sweet time coming back to the table. When he came back I said the steak was totally unacceptable and tasted burnt. He said that it was seared on the outside and this was how they were always prepared. I said well take it back and I had lost my appetite so I did not order anything else. My wife finished her meal and once again we waited for the waiter to finally come back to our table. We asked for the ticket so that we could go do our other activities we had planned. Upon returning and handing me the check, I noticed that my $20+ dollar steak was still on the bill. I inquired as to why it was still on the bill. He stated you ordered it so I have to charge you for it. I said I took one little bite of it. He then said I am sorry sir but there is nothing I can do. I then proceeded to say go ahead charge me for it. This will be the last (expletive) time I will eat here. I will never come back and will tell my friends about my experience. We haven't eaten here since.
(1)Stacey W.
I can't believe Jim's has only 3 stars. I wish we had one here in NH because I have never had anything at Jim's I didn't love. I get out maybe twice a year and always pay a visit. I love the house dressing, I've never had anything so good. I wish I had the recipe! I usually order the Bone-in Fillet, best steak I've ever had, hands down. The oysters Rockefeller are great and the twice baked potato. They make a good kettle one dirty martini and one if the only places I can order Beaujolais. If you go on a piano night you will love it, I miss the other guy they uses to have but it's nice to have entertainment. Prices are up there but worth it. I'd rather have a great meal for more than a mediocre meal for less. I have some great memories at Jim's. They should be rated 5 stars. They also have very good lunch specials that are great.
(5)Christina Z.
This is a place that is certainly past it's prime. Very run down, we could not even find it, as the only sign was hidden in the trees. The front was so run down, we were almost surprised the front door opened. Interior very dated, but place was recommended so we decided to stay. Mistake. The waitress could not describe the seasoning in a bruschetta style appetizer. She kept saying the specials were delicious, but did not know what was in them. I ordered a "classic wedge." It was crazy, a huge, over-garnished plate which did mask watery blue cheese and fake bacon. Biggest disappointment, within 60 seconds of clearing my salad, here comes my ribeye, requested rare. It was obvious that it had been sitting under a not-so-hot plate. Even the juices on the plate were semi solid. Upon cutting into it, zero marbling, no flavor and cold. When I told the waitress, she said "You ordered rare." Yes, for $20+ a steak, I want a freshly fired piece of meat. After that, service curt, borderline rude. I would not recommend.
(1)BloNo Foodie F.
This place has gotten a few 5 star reviews - which I can't understand why. First off, they char/really burn the outside of their steaks - I know that there are some places that do this (I don't know why) but it ruins an otherwise great cut of meat. I will cede to the fact that they have great cuts of meat to offer - but burning it like that should be an option and NOT the norm. I haven't been there in a year - things may have changed but I doubt it. I refuse to go back to a restaurant that the bill was in the triple digits on my anniversary (we're just talking dinner and a drink) burns a steak without forewarning. Yes, they do have a great house dressing for salads! Can't deny that one bit. I've not had the bug/waiter/waitress problem others have. Yes, the decor is dated and the clientele is a little aged . . . But the bar is pretty awesome if you like piano/singer artists. The night we went the bar staff was attentive - the player (I'm a musician myself) was a good player-singer-and could deal with people like us plus the 20 something crowd as well that would filter in over the night. We stayed until close and talked/hung out with the musician that night. Nice touch - he came over, sat at our table and talked with us during his breaks. I should also add the bar staff would also come over and talk . . . nice "bedside" manor IMHO. I have since learned that you can order their steaks without it being destroyed by burning the outside. I'm going to give it another chance - I'll update when I have. Happy Eating!
(3)Michael L.
As a child i can remember my parents used to go out to eat at Jim's. As an adult i looked forward to the same experience. We were disappointed with our last trip here. Steaks were a little too overcooked, and not as tender as they should have been for the price. I also thought my ribeye would be a little more flavorful. They did have a piano player that really added to the ambiance! Love the bar setting!
(2)Ted W.
Big fan of this restaurant. I started eating here when this was the Brittany. I love the steaks, I've never had a bad one here (although as I've aged I like less blood than I used to). The biggest drawback is the decor hasn't changed at all in the past 30 years. It's not very handicapped friendly with tons of stairs to different levels and the low lighting, which was trendy then, is no longer "in." I saw a few single star reviews for Jims complaining about the food. I can only imagine they both went on the same night and were there when a new chef was being auditioned because, as far as food quality goes, I've eaten at high class restaurants from Lutece to Puck's and this has always compared very favorably as far as taste. My wife adores the au gratin potatoes.
(4)Underhill T.
I have eaten at Jim's twice. Both times were just ok. My steak, as well as my co-workers, were overcooked and not seasoned well. The steaks are high priced for what you get. Augratin potatoes were the highlight of my meal. Next time I am in Bloomington I am going to try a different place for dinner.
(3)Tim L.
I travel A LOT for work. I've been to numerous name brand and other top steakhouses across the country. I can honestly say that Jim's Steakhouse is in my top 5 of all time. I drink bottled beer and wine by choice. On this occasion my wife was with me and Jim's actually had one if my wife's favorite Pinot Niors, Acacia. We came with 2 other couples and apparently the martinis were very goos as well. The bottled Coors Light was also amazing... But that should go without saying. I had their special of the evening, bone in tenderloin. Awesome. My wide had the filet and it was also amazing. Another person had the sea bass special and said it was the best he had in a long time. No other complaints throughout. To end the night, we headed to their bar. After a couple drinks the owner of this fine establishment came by our table and offered to buy us a round. Obviously doing some marketing but I can't think if a better way to get me to come back! I would and will come back when I am back in this area.
(5)Todd T.
Food was good it was very slow to get anything we was the first people in there and took :40 min to get food
(2)Julia S.
We haven't been to Jim's for a long time! After tonight we will be coming back very soon. I ordered the big momma NY cut steak medium rare with asparagus. My steak was cooked perfectly and was huge! It was seared perfectly on the outside and juicy in the inside. Tons of flavor. You can get the asparagus grilled or steamed. My other half got filet with twice baked potato and French onion soup. He loved everything especially the twice baked potato! We finished off with the raspberry cheesecake with a delicious chocolate crust. Also had a big glass of cabernet. Everything was perfect. They turned on the fireplace and even put my fat off my steak in a doggie bag for our Dalmatians. Five stars all the way!
(5)Jenny H.
I went here for a business lunch. My blackened chicken salad was good, very big and not too pricy. The things my companions got looked good as well. Service was GREAT. Very on top of refills, asked how things were but not intrusively or too often. The place needs a face lift but it wasn't dirty-old, and I've spent more at worse places.
(4)Alex P.
Ate here a couple of times with co-workers. Notthing exceptional for a steak house. A bit overpriced. Guess I was lucky I was on an expense account.
(2)Patti F.
Went with a large group - disappointing. Waited forever for food, alot of orders were wrong, sides coming out when entree was done. Poor quality, smells dank. Staff was very nice, but I could never go back not even for a 2nd chance. The piano player asked my 13 YO to watch her drink while she went to bathroom, and then said "forget I don't give a shit". Wacky place
(1)Jamie L.
I've been to Jim's many times. From what my parents say, it used to be nice. I've never had a good meal here. The highlight of my meal is always the salad with brittany dressing, but I'm able to make that at home so it's no big whoop. I've had chicken, fish, steak, shrimp and none have been better than what I can get elsewhere for less. If I'm paying $30/person, I expect the food to taste better than if we were to make it at home. This place is usually pretty busy late afternoon/early evening for the older folks. You can usually get a seat without a problem around 8:00pm. It's a very dated atmosphere and the crowd is always full of grandparents. The restaurant smells musty and doesn't look very clean, this could be from the very old decor. The restrooms also have a foul order when you pass them on your way to the dining area.
(1)Bill A.
I travel for a living and have dined all over the world. I've been to Jim's a number of times and I think this is an excellent example of a steakhouse. The experienced waitstaff is super attentive, very personable. Simple menu, done extremely well with no pretense. Service and quality elevates when the owner is there, but I've never had what I would consider a bad meal. Most recently, I had a large salad with the special house (bacon based) dressing- fantastic. Followed by a bone in NY strip (on special that night) that I ordered 'Pittsburgh medium rare'. Perfectly executed. Had the Lyonaise potatoes- excellent. Desert was cheesecake (what else would you get at a steakhouse?) that was also excellent. After dinner, hung out in the piano bar and had a great time. Bar service was outstanding, johnny on the spot. I have never understood why some bars make you wait for a drink. Not at Jim's- i was served instantly. The owner came over and introduced himself, very nice. Spent a few minutes talking politics, news of the day, etc. Try getting that at The Outback, or Ruth's Chris, etc, etc. Overall an outstanding, personalized experience, well priced- I won't hesitate to go back.
(5)Chef B.
I so want to have a great steakhouse in b/n. I gladly will pay top dollar for USDA Prime beef, classic side dishes for sharing, caesar salad made tableside, mobster-style cocktails and a wine list longer than the We Are The World music video. I'm talking Ruth's Chris, Mortons, Sullivans, Capital Grille, Lawry's . . . for the love of all things foodie, I really want that in this part of the state. And this town is just snootie enough and just rich enough to support a real steakhouse. But instead, we have a place with overrated food, unattentive service and inflated prices because they have a corner on the market for white tablecloth steak place. And what's Jim's chief competition? A place where you pay to cook your own steak and a franchise themed after Crocodile friggin' Dundee. Before I go any further, let me apologize to Outback. They have quality food but at least they stay in their lane. They have good food at reasonable prices. They don't pretend to be an elite steakhouse. They're a family restaraunt that sells a lot of steak and has a fully-stocked bar. The best steak in b/n is found on the grill in our backyards, boys and girls. Just go to the College Hills Meat Shop or Bloomington Meats, get the exact cut you want, and make it exactly how you like it. Don't pay for elite steakhouse dining when you're getting sub-standard fare. Beyond that . . . I'll hang with Mick Dundee or be out on the deck enjoying a steak i just grilled, mobster drink in hand and hope that one day, Ruth, Chris and all their friends decide they can turn a profit in our fine suburb without a city attached to it.
(1)Melissa D.
Jim's is good. The salad dressing (bacon something or other) is incredible. I would go there and just eat salads, but it IS a steak house. So of course, I've tried their steak. Very, very flavorful and always cooked to my Medium Rare temperature request. I always get the petite filet butterflied, and it always arrives perfect. The macaroni and cheese was satisfying and we ordered it as an appetizer and everyone was able to grab a forkful. The bacon wrapped scallops were pretty good. I like my scallops a little more well done, but they were still ok. The cheesy potatoes are really, really good. But my favorite side dish has to be their baked potatoes. Just cooked awesomely. The service is always great. The place gets a bit loud, but I think it's kind of fun like that. Kid friendly.
(4)Meghan G.
After reading all the bad review of Jim's, I have to chime in and get the record straight. I grew up in Bloomington so I can tell you that if you have taste buds, Jim's is THE best steak around. (this doesn't sound like much of q complement given the horribly long list of chain restaurants in Bton.) whenever we go back to visit my folks, we get our fix for a delicious steak. I don't bother to look at the menu, I almost always order the same, petite filet medium, twice baked potato (not on the menu but trust me order one, amazing and yes heart attack on a plate but you're at a steak joint) and salad with the must have Brittany dressing...to continue the heart attack on a pate. Sometimes I do order the crab legs which are also unbelievable. There are several servers who have worked here for over 15 years which is truly a sign of a great restaurant. I live in Chicago and have traveled much but I still say THE best aged steak is at Jims in Bloomington. Yes the place is dated as hell and the grandparents sing in drunken stupor around the piano bar in the late pm, but come on people, open your taste buds and people watching skills. Don't forget the twice baked potato!
(5)Jayne H.
One of the best steakhouses in town. Dark, white tablecloths, and knowledgeable staff who know when to help & when to leave you alone. We had a romantic date night with perfect filet mignon, buttery-soft potatoes, fresh salad, and a favorite wine. Can't say anything bad, other than the fact that I wouldn't want to ruin my memory & dine there in daylight.
(5)David P.
Jim's is just okay. I went for lunch today and I wasn't over- or underwhelmed. Decent size lunch menu but somewhat slow staff. I had the baked french onion soup and tossed salad with vinaigrette. The salad dressing was outstanding and the cheese on the soup was salty and stringy (just the way I like it). I did go with 9 others. They chose to order hot items and when the items arrived most of them were cold. I was satisfied with my meal but the others were not so happy.
(3)Ryan S.
I wish I could say this place is better, but I can't. The food is not bad, that would probably get three stars if that was the only thing that mattered. Unfortunately, other things matter. The place is really rather dirty and I'm not going to comment about all of the very nasty stories I've heard about what goes on behind the scenes. The staff is indifferent, at a place like this they should wow you, but they don't do that all. The one nice touch is the musician in the bar. More places should have live entertainment like that. I would go there for drinks if someone twisted my arm, but NOT to eat.
(1)Kelly M.
Have only been once, but really enjoyed the ambiance and meal when I was there. The parking lot is always incredibly full; always a good sign. Another local staple in Bloomington/Normal.
(5)Liz A.
Came to Bloomington for business and after one heck of a day, I decided the best way to shake the travel blues was to head out to a good steak. Heck, I was in cow-country! :) Upon the recommendation of a friend who grew up here, decided to check out Jim's Steak House, and I'm sure glad I did. When I parked in the private lot, I could clearly already tell it was a slower night, and when I entered the restaurant, that came quite clear. Took a seat at the bar when Iris, the bartender, immediately came over to ask my drink order and if I wanted a dinner menu. Glass of wine was in front of me within 1 min and I had placed my order within 5. Decided to go with the wedge salad and the New York Strip, after my first choice of Prime Rib was out for the evening. Now normally this would lower my rating of a restaurant, but I didn't actually get to the place until 8:45 pm, so it's only my own fault for not heading over there sooner. After placing my order, Iris immediately showed up with my own loaf of hot bread which I held off after eating 1 piece, to save my appetite. Salad was within my grasp a couple mins later and can we say "blue cheese crumbles" together?! Awesomeness on a plate and I had to push it away 1/2 way in just to even consider eating the rest of my meal. Steak and potato arrived a couple mins later - steak was melt-in-my-mouth tender and the potato was smooth and creamy. Or course I only finish about a 1/4 of each but SO yummy. Overall the restaurant was a great delight - the company, the food, the atmosphere. Definitely a treat and I would recommend to any traveler rolling through Bloomington, IL!
(5)Bre L.
Great service good food but the lady at the piano can't song but does the job lol
(4)Sean M.
In Bloomington on business and this place was close to the hotel. From the outside it looks like your standard old school 1970's steak house and not a lot changes once you get inside. The bar was small and empty, but the main dinning room was packed for a Sunday night. It was very cold outside so the large fireplace was very welcoming. The decor is dark wood/red and a bit run down, but it sort of suites the place. Sort of like that old coat your Grandfather wears. Service was friendly but a bit green. She checked on us but didn't ask about our needs without coaching. (Ordered the prime rib but she didn't ask if I wanted horseradish.) Also had little knowledge of the wine list. Drinks were small and a little weak. The food really was the saving grace. Without the food I'd be giving it 2 or 3 stars. This is a steak house and they serve meat. That's what they do. I did order the house special salad which had a cream bacon dressing and more beacon crumbles than I think I've eaten in the last 4 years. Very tasty. The prime rib was done to perfection. The potato side left something to be desired but with the salad and prime rib I didn't really notice.
(4)David C.
The atmosphere at Jim's is way dated. To say it needs a face lift is the understatement of the decade. That being said, you will have trouble finding a finer steak in Bloomington-Normal than what is served at Jim's. Their appetizer platters are killer. Here's where I am going to get a little ugly--fasten your seatbelts. I have had lunch here once. I ordered beef stroganoff. I swear the meat in the beef strokin' off was left over cooked meat from a night or three before. Oh no you didn't just serve me some left over slop from three nights ago. I will NEVER go back to Jim's unless it is for a business function that I cannot miss.
(2)Tj M.
In reading all the negatives reviews on this i have to ask why? We dined here tonight and i could not wait and give this place a great review. I can say that i wanted to avoid this place on the weekend because i know this is a popular place and very busy at night.I ordered a marinated sirloin and had a bowl of there chicken noodle soup and it was delicious. The steak was cooked medium and just how i liked it and it was so good , that i highly recommend getting it. My Honey got nightly special which included a lobster tail & stuffed butterfly shrimp & a big well decorated salad.Her lobster was excellent and really hit the spot. Our service was great as well and our waitress checked on us quite often and we didn't have to ask for refills which is a plus in my book. For the both of us without dessert we spent a lil over $40.00 and i was happy with that.I normally don't give a lot of 5 stars,But i feel this place deserves it.Bloomington does not have a lot of fine dining places so this would be a place in its own category. I mean this place is more of a fine dining type and it was a good experience. I would recommend this local steakhouse and i know i would go again.
(3)Nicole W.
I couldn't decide between 2 or 3 stars. I would have given this place 3 stars if I was retired, had 3 hours to kill, and loved dark dining. They really need to get some new lights, dust off the ones they have, and turn on the air conditioner. It wasn't that hot of an evening outside (75), but was stifling indoors. Service: although with a smile, the waitress didn't know the wine (or port) lists, and all our potato options arrived incomplete or missing. Not a terrible place, but for the money, I'll go elsewhere.
(2)Andrew S.
Jim's is an institution in BloNo. Before the chain steakhouses infiltrated the twin cities, Jim's was *the* place to go. Yes, the exterior can use some sprucing up and the interior decor is dated, but the food is tasty and the servers treat you like family. I visited there today for their September $5 hamburger special. And while most restaurants will say their 1/4 lb burger is the weight before cooking, at Jim's, it's the weight of burger served to the customer. And the chefs here know how to properly cook a medium-rare burger. The fries were slightly undercooked, but I suspect they cut them to order; they were very fresh and unsalted. The typical customer is older and I'm sure the salt-less fries is for their benefit. My server was friendly and attentive. The manager was also around to ensure a good dining experience. I did notice some poor reviews posted earlier this year, but I didn't encounter anything today which would support those prior comments.
(4)Kira K.
This was the worst steakhouse I've ever been to in my life. We started out by ordering a bottle of wine. When the waiter brought it to the table, the bottle was opened, and I had to ask why it was opened. He said they just opened it. I told him to get a new bottle and open in front of me. I've never heard of search bad manners. The scallop appetizer was way over-priced (2 pieces for $12), and the salad came too late. The steak was extremely mediocre and we waited long periods of time between seeing the waiter in a dimly lit restaurant. Perhaps they keep it dark to obscure the look of the food. Dessert was complementary to make up for the bottle opening fiasco, but by then, was too late. I will never go back to Jim's and I still don't understand why the people here think it's so good. Our triple digit bill was so not worth it. Never again.
(1)Russ C.
Tell someone in Bloomington that there are no real steak houses in Bloomington, and Jim's will be at the top of a long list including Texas Roadhouse, Logans Roadhouse, Lone Star, and Outback, to which I respond, I meant a traditional upscale steak house. Apparently, no one in Bloomington has every been to New York, Chicago, or any other large city that has actual traditional upscale steakhouses. There are much better chains than Jims in other cities (Sullivans, Flemings, Ruth Chris, Mortons, Weber Grill, etc). Just to be clear, Jim's is not upscale, nor is it a traditional steakhouse. It is simply decent. Decent service, decent steak, disappointing desserts, and horribly outdated decor. Baxer's is as close as you get to an upscale steakhouse in Bloomington and Swingers in Normal.
(3)Jessica S.
Looking for a good burger? They are made from scratch, seasoned well with buttery buns... the mushroom swiss is fantastic. Fries are nothing special, and you don't get free refills on drinks. The atmosphere/lighting is a little weird too. But if you appreciate a good burger this is at the top of the list in central illinois for made from scratch goodness.
(3)L F.
This place is good but a little over priced for Bloomington. The Brittany Salad Dressing is so YUMMY and the steaks are pretty good. Last time I was there my steak was a little over cooked but I still enjoyed my dining experience.
(3)Asaf O.
I went twice while I was at ISU and once it was great. Great service and great food. The next time it was awful. The food was bland and unflavorful and the service was poor. Maybe they had an off night the second time or were unusually ontop of their game the first night, I don't now. I know the parking lot was always full when I drove by and so I figured it must have been one off night when I went the second time but I prefer Jumers (although they have an inconsistency problem too).
(3)Jenna M.
Tender, marinated meat is excellent; lunch sandwiches actually run around $6 and are huge portions, drinks are obviously made by veteran bartenders. Evening musical artists in the bar, expansive seating inside so that you are not quite on top of each other, but you can tell the place is large and well-populated. Dinner will run around $20 per person with drinks and desserts on top of that. I have had seafood, steaks, and sandwiches here without a complaint for any of them. Don't count on getting a seat any night Thursday-Sunday. Expansive wine selection, servers who spoil and pamper you while also understanding the amount of space needed not to stalk customers. Great for dates or taking out parents. Up-scale for just a friendly dinner.
(5)Kristi R.
I will admit, I have not been to Jim's in several years, but that is because I saw it go from one of the nicest places I had ever been to run down, dirty, and poor service. Last time I was there, we had a large bug (and you know which one I mean) run across our table. Needless to say, I decided not to return. It's too bad - I loved their bacon dressing, horseshoe sandwiches, and their steaks used to be amazing. But the lack of cleanliness turns my stomach. I know that all restaurants have issues, and I'm not going to comment on things I've just heard, but what I've personally seen decided it for me.
(2)