Trendy chain restaurant with food that is good, but not spectacular.
(3)
Deen W.
J. Alexander's is almost like a Houston's....but there are a lot of little things that keep them just a few notches behind. There was an hour wait on a Friday night (to be expected) so my husband ordered us drinks and we staked out a place to sit and wait for our name. The menu is good. I saw some additional items that were not there last time we dined at a J. Alexander's. My husband got the prime rib sandwich, my daughter got the kid's grilled chicken sandwich & subbed a loaded potato for fries, and I got the steak burger. Prime rib sandwich was delicious! My daughter's "kid's meal" looked just like an adult portion. I was thoroughly impressed to see her get down on the mountain that was the loaded baked potato. My steak burger was disappointing. While it was tasty enough (think fancy big mac), I was perplexed at why it was served on a hard baguette. I would have rather had a normal bun like my daughter's. If they are going to stray from something as basic and expected as a hamburger bun for a hamburger, I suggest they put it on the menu. I ended up ditching the bread and eating my burger "open faced". There are a few menu items that can not be beat: creamy chicken pasta soup, prime rib sandwich, smoked salmon dip, and carrot cake. Other than that, I could really take or leave J.Alexander's.
(3)
Mohun K.
Lunch on 1/30/14. We arrived at 1140am and the place was packed - that's usually a good thing. We were seated after 15 minutes. We had great prompt service from our waiter. I ordered the fennel sausage pizza and was blown away. Just the right amount of chewiness and the homemade sausage was excellent. This was my first visit and I would love to try this place again.
(4)
Jonny M.
J Alexander's has Good food, a nice vibe, And great service. It has a little bit of a business meeting feel, which keeps me from coming more often. But it is a great place for sure. Its a little on the finer side don't expect to pay a little more than your average restaurant.
(4)
Trace S.
For quite a while I told people who ask me what my favorite burger in Nashville is that it was J Alexanders. For quite some time I was amazed with the quality cheeseburger they were making. I'm pretty sure they grill the burgers over their wood fired grill. Unfortunately, the constancy has become pretty spotty. My last few experiences at the Cool Springs location have definitely be ok, but there's no way i can continue pointing people to them as the best burger in Nashville. Once or twice my burger wasn't very hot when it was served. The grilling of the sliced part of the bun seems to be elective and at least once it was cooked beyond what I ordered. I'm not giving up on it, but I'm a little leery.
(4)
Alex V.
Well, I was in Nashville and some friends decided to make a visit to this great establishment. I always forget to review this place. It is awesome. We walked in with 6 people and we sat pretty quick. It was lunch time and it was pretty busy. I had the french dip BAM!!! off the chain. The sandwich is a very nice size, we order some artichoke appetizer that I did not understand how to eat, but it was good. My wife and friends raved about how good their lunch was too. I like this place because it gives a good portion of food, the flavors are always delicious and the services is very good. When in Franklin, Tn. you need to stop here.
(4)
Chris J.
Went there tonight for dinner while in town on business. I go to their location in Atlanta often and the food is consistent between the two locations. Their queso is awesome and their ribs are usually my go-to selection, but tonight I got the rotisserie chicken. Everything was as expected...excellent. The only reason why they didn't get 5 stars is because I felt a bit rushed. I dined alone and it was at the begining of the dinner rush and the server seemed to want me out of there ASAP so the table can be used by more than one person.
(4)
Moni F.
The food is always very tasty upscale restaurant without overly upscale pricing. You can come in wearing shorts or jeans or you can come in wearing a suit. Servers are always extremely professional yet friendly. They don't serve half glasses of wine that's the only downfall but the upside is when you order a martini you get what they call a sidecar and it's almost a second martini but not quite. I like that the crafted martinis and drinks have some fresh ingredients like grapefruit or fresh squeezed orange. Would be nice to see them elaborate on the fresh citrus. The bartenders are extremely nice - my top three would be Jenna ,Libby, and Lisa. Those three make the best drinks hands-down! They also understand catering to customers. Some of the others might be more franchise oriented. The most impressive location in Tennessee is definitely the one in cool springs. It's not uncommon to run across celebrities I've seen quite a few. The handcrafted stone heated pizzas have a thin crust yet an amazing fresh almost chewy yet flaky crust. Their Scottish salmon is a winner, try pairing it with the baby kale salad or the Alex'a salad. Their white bean soup is undeniably the best anywhere and it comes with a small square of out of this world cornbread!
(5)
Rheonna W.
Not the best meal I've ever had at J's, the steak was cooked right, however it was not tender. I should have known to order a Ribeye if I wanted steak. Service was good, as usual.
(3)
Joshua B.
Whoa - really? I've never reviewed J Alexander's? Wow...Ok! Time to review them then! So - here's the lowdown : It's pretty damn great. Yes, it's a chain - but, I've never seen a chain run this well this consistently. My most recent trip to J's was a week or so ago for lunch. I was working the 'late' that day at work and I had to come in early that morning for some meetings. My work will allow us to take extended time off if we have to work more hours in a day than normal. So, since I have to be in to work 2 hours early - I took a 3 hour lunch and drove to Cool Springs to have lunch. I sat at the bar and had my lunch. The service at the bar was incredible. I was wearing a black shirt and they got me a black napkin because they thought it would be better in case the white linen napkins had any fuzz on them. This way - it wouldn't rub off on me. Think about that. How many times does a server even think about that? This is just one example of the service they give. They really go out of their way and do things I'd never even expect. Has your drink gone dry? Not for long. These servers were on top of it. But - really - you can have the best service in the world - but, if the food isn't up to snuff then is it really worth it? Good news - the food is just as good as the service. I have never had anything bad there. Of course - I have my favorites. My most favorite item on the menu, bar none, is the Mac and Cheese. I have tried to recreate it at home to no avail. There is just something about it - although its hard to put my finger on it. I honestly wish I had the recipe. Also, the Carrot Cake is meant to be shared. I got a piece nearly as big as my head! And then they have hot melted cream cheese frosting they pour over the whole damn thing. It's all warm and gooey and wonderful. I didn't have it on this particular trip to J's - but, I thought I should mention it at least. It is not to be missed! In summary - the Mac and Cheese and Carrot Cake are not to be missed. But, really - everything on the menu I have had has been a home run in my eyes. J Alexanders is a great restaurant - chain or not. It's just damn good food with damn good service.
(5)
Chris P.
***Update: the service has gotten better and they have been getting the prime rib sandwich temperature correct pretty consistently*** Easy tidbits: 1. Service is cold and infrequent 2. They abhor splitting dishes 3. Value for price may perhaps be on point, but they serve entirely too much food 4. The atmosphere is bonkers (like loud jazz club without the live jazz) 5. The food is touch and go (good & bad) I would like coming here if it weren't for the people who work here. I don't like poor service, poor attitudes, and a bad atmosphere. Maybe because they serve over priced food they feel a bit entitled. I'm not really sure why there is such a pervasively cold attitude. Sometimes the food makes up for it but then the bill kills it all for you at the end of the meal. I have been told that a prime rib was as rare as possible when it was clearly medium well. If you charge $18 for a steak, you best get the temperature right or at least keep trying until you do. Aside from temperature on the steak, it's like a cardinal sin against humanity to split dishes here. My family has noticed that if you order a single serving per person it's way too much food. If you split the dish, they will "split" it for you and basically give you around 3/4 or under of the original portion. They also refuse to wait on you because the bill will be less than $50. The atmosphere and ambiance is actually one of the most important considerations, for me, when I decide whether or not to go back. Also, it takes a whole lot to have a bad atmosphere, because you can find any place to be pleasant in its own right. However, blaring music, an open kitchen, and yelling/obnoxious table neighbors will bother me every time. The aesthetics are dark rustic and high-class, but the music and the people BECAUSE of the music are a good restaurant's worst nightmare. Sometimes, if it's not just you and Little Bo Peep seated ACROSS THE RESTAURANT, you have to just smile and nod at the waiters and pretend like you understood what they were asking. People shout because they can't hear each other and it's just a bloody mess. I would rather walk over hot coals than have to sit at a table full of people and not have pleasant conversation because no one can hear or the worse alternative shout so the whole restaurant can hear what I have to say. Usually, it's just not that important. I ordered the fish dish of the day, which I have ordered twice now and enjoyed. It's a red fish over a bed of rice topped with a rich sauce. The sauce may be excessive as well as the portion size. Perhaps instead of a 3,500 calorie portion size for 26$, maybe serve a 700 calorie version for 16$. Feed me less and charge me less, please. The prime rib sandwich is a pretty great deal because basically you are getting a full cut of prime rib thrown on a crispy baguette. The major flaw with this dish is I have to spend 15 minutes performing surgery cutting fat marbling off the meat to ACTUALLY eat it like a sandwich. Otherwise, good luck with a dry cleaner. Oh! And it will NEVER and I repeat NEVER come to the table rare. Don't even attempt to order this rare because it will NEVER happen. They cook the prime rib all day and when they cut it it is usually medium and at best medium rare. Seared Tuna is good but pricey. One of the major revisions to this review is that I had a good experience with management this past check-in. I'm not sure if they saw me checking into Yelp or if they have attempted major changes, but when I asked if the cut was as rare as it could be, they actually cut the loin in the middle and brought me the rarest piece. This is seriously a first for me after eating here all my life. We will see if this sort of managerial empathy will stick and trickle down through the wait staff or not. We're still at 3 stars because the ambiance is horrific as is the service usually (-1), the food is usually mediocre (-1), price is high for "new" American food, although there is nothing new about the food they serve (-1). Aside: This is owned and managed by the same restaurant group that owns Wendy's, if that tells you anything. All I can say is typical Franklin. If people hold their stare too long, don't wonder. They are judging you.
(3)
Steven L.
This remains on my top five Franklin restaurants list (Saffire, Red Pony, Stoney River, J. Alexander's, Bonefish Grill, and an honorable mention to Cork & Cow). We just consistently enjoy this restaurant. The Cypress Salad is always a favorite I'm happy to recommend. And I BEG the restaurant to bring back the tequilla beans side!
(5)
Sejal M.
Great service every time. I love the veggie burger. I would love to see more veggie options/flexibility reflected on the menu. Great bar area too.
(5)
Michael M.
I've been to both the West End & Galleria location multiple times. You can NOT get a bad meal here. Period. The decor alone screams it loud and the service compliments it. This is the perfect business lunch to take clients. They don't rush you, the staff is knowledgeable about the menu, and the fish is always fresh. The kicker is the freaking coffee; wow brings a tear to my eyes - a press. I made the mistake of ordering an espresso one visit.......not good. I ordered it short but it came full to the brim and room temperature; they would hang them for that in Sicily.
(4)
matt s.
There's something very special going on at this restaurant. Here with a party of seven. Everything is not only wonderful, it's flawlessly magnificent. The croutons on the salad make you want to order extra croutons. Everyone was sharing dishes. The steaks were cooked perfectly and medium was bright pink. Medium well had a tiny pink line. The cole slaw was a mountain of fresh veggies in an amazing dressing. Pork tenderloin with bang bang sauce was a surprising favorite. I had an Alex salad with may tag blue cheese and .... Well, there was nothing we ordered that wasn't the best we'd ever had. Someone in the kitchen is an absolute fanatic for making the amazing. OMG almost forgot to rave over the ribs!! Dessert is coming. It's called "Powerful Stuff". We are expecting a foot tall mountain of amazing caramel cream gooeyness.
(5)
Christina H.
Excellent food. Had the French dip which was very large and delicious. Attentive wait staff. Be sure to get the carrot cake for dessert. You won't regret it. Big enough for 3-4 people.
(5)
Miranda P.
Just another J Alexanders location that I love had a fantistatic waitress and everything came out perfect. Alexanders is always so consistent. Never disappoints.
(5)
D B.
J Alexander's occupies that space between Outback and legitimate fine dining. Simply put, the experience should be better for the amount of time and money you invest to eat here. Based on their prices, it appears that they are trying to compete with the elite restaurants in town. They don't measure up. Why wait for an hour and a half to eat average food? To put it in the words of our server when she was asked about one of the entrees, "You can get that anywhere."
(2)
Ken K.
Had lunch at J Alexander's today. The food was excellent and the service was right on the mark. For a lite lunch try the fish tacos and ask for the fish to be grilled instead of fried as the menu only offers fried fish tacos.
(5)
BT M.
This is a hidden gem. It's not "hidden" because people don't know about it, but because it's not in a premier spot with easy ingress and egress. It's still a gem. I have never had a bad meal here. I have never been with anyone who said their meal was bad. More often, someone gets a dish different from mine and I want their meal, despite the delicious meal I have on my plate. Pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken...it's all been awesome. You'll be comfortable there in a suit and tie, or jeans and a Polo...or shorts and a t-shirt. Okay, just wear clothes, that'll work. The service is incredible.
(4)
Amy D.
This is my go to breakfast spot, granted its good so you WILL wait but Oh Man is it worth it! I love this place the food is delicious and its super filling, I have a Sunday ritual of going here and stuff my face then I go to whole foods immediately after and walk it off. It's the only way i can handle eating all the food I'm going to get. The service is also great So WIN all around so worth the 35 minute drive it takes to get here
(5)
Seth O.
The prices are really quite high. I ordered some chicken and fries, with Mac and Cheese. My Wife ordered pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes. I got quite a bit of food for the price I paid. The chicken was quite nice, but it is not as good as longhorn. The fries were good, but they were very thin. Shoestring fries. This was quite annoying for having dipping sauce for it. The Mac and cheese was made with Alfredo sauce, and was quite frankly, gross. The total was 18 bucks. My wife had the pork tenderloin and mashed potatoes. This costed 20 bucks. He plate seemed quite empty, for that price. The mashed potatoes were somewhat dry, and had a really odd aftertaste, I can't quite describe. The pork was pretty good, but not fantastic. The place was pretty good, but for these prices, you could eat cheaper at Longhorn, and better. Which is something I never expected I would say. The food was good, but I won't be back.
(4)
Gee M.
The place is too dark for me and the food is ok.
(2)
Tom G.
Very friendly staff and consistently good food! I have eaten there for a casual bite as well as for a business dinner and would recommend this place to anyone. No surprise that it is as popular as it is.
(5)
Lauren M.
Wait staff is bad... Food here is good but nothing to write home about... And it's super dark in here!
(2)
Rob W.
You can't go wrong eating here. I love this place, its calm and quiet and the food is always great. Sometimes we go out just to go out, but J Alexander's is always worth the trip and the money.
(5)
Danny W.
Amazing food! Great customer service! Good decor! What more could you ask for!? Our waitress made a personal connection with us which is the sincerest form of customer service. Thanks Nicole!
(5)
Rambo C.
Great service... Great food. The salmon appetizer is the best we ever had. Ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and the prime rib done perfectly and melt in your mouth. Not a bad thing to say...
(5)
Joe M.
Could not eat here. The waitress at the bar told me that they would not guarantee anything here is gluten. So the others at our business meeting ate and I did not. They must have awful quality control in the kitchen if they can't cook a piece of fish and not guarantee it's gluten free. I have a major allergy to gluten. So can't take a chance.
(1)
Mark W.
Went her for a nice dinner had to wait on Saturday nite as expedited. Found two seats at bar and had beer and my wife had an awesome manhattan. Finally seated at table and ordered pizza and side salad which took over 30 minutes to come to table Very slow service. Should have stuck with roasted chicken as usual.
(3)
Cole C.
I had a late lunch with two family members, we sat in a booth in the bar area. The service staff was polite, professional, and I would say fairly knowledgable of the food/drink. Although we did give our server a heads up that we were not in a rush, I felt like the pace of the food and drinks coming out was good. We shared a bottle of white wine and some bloody marry's which were awesome. We had a variety of apps and entrees, all were tasty and filling. My only issue, though a minor one, was more of a presentation/convenience matter. I ordered the prime rib sandwich, which while being tasty and cooked as ordered, my expectations differed from what I received. It was a large portion of prime rib, with two slices of bread on the side. Once I put it together, it was literally difficult to eat because of the size. Yes, I could have just sliced it myself. But being a lunch promoted item, this could prove inconvenient for those in a time crunch or eating on the go. I would suggest that instead they use a several smaller pieces. There was a side au jus, but I think offering some caramelized onions and/or some creamy horseradish sauce, would really bring the dish together. Again, minor issue, but my overall experience was quite enjoyable.
(4)
Sarah B.
I happened to notice just now that I had never reviewed this J. Alexander's - and that just amazes me. Hubby and I are regulars, yes; we have a favorite table, the combo half booth/half table on the back side - #17 in hostess speak; we have favorite entrees, favorite appetizers, and favorite desserts; and I can't tell you how many times we've visited. When we first introduced our two parents, we all came to this J.'s as we call it. December hubby and I celebrated 20 years of marriage. We've seen this restaurant through many renovations, additions, layout changes, etc. - and we still love it. Having loved in Cool Springs forever, the one positive thing I can say about all the growth and traffic here now is that the wait for a table during prime time is here is SLIGHTLY less. Yes, they do offer call ahead seating, and we use it. Have the phone number for this location as well as the two Nashville lcoations programmed in our cell phones. Like I said, folks, we're regulars, we just don't always check in to yelp on our phones when we're here, this is our time. Favorite appetizers rotate between the Spinach Queso (yummy, except for the brief time where the jalapenos are super fresh and a bit too much for me spice-challenged self) hint: your server is happy to bring you more chips if needed; and the salmon dip. Ditto the hint on the toast points, too with that app. Hubby's favorite entree usually is the Chicken Tenders. He loves them, and if they're not on the menu - it's OK, they have it anyway. Sometimes he'll opt for ribs or prime rib or a pork chop - all have been awesome. My favorite entree usually is the salmon with orzo salad. I love salmon, especially their mesquite grilled variety, and the orzo salad is such an addiction for me I have learned to (almost) replicate it. It's unlike any other orzo and wild rice salad you'll encounter - has cranberries, raisins, corn, black beans, cillantro, and a light yet pefect oil dressing that makes everything pop. Seriously, it's that good. I also love the prime rib if I'm feeling iron-deprived and their salads if it's summer-y. And the chicken pasta soup is always welcome, also. For dessert, if I pick, it's the carrot cake. It's just perfect, I'm sorry. I've had lots of other good carrot cakes, but this one is it unless my husband is making one for me. (using J's simple syrup tactics, mind you.) Hubby's dessert of choise is the Very Best Chocolate Cake. It is an awesome, rich, moist dark chocolate cake drizzled with extra chocolate syrup and coupled up with a scoop of really good vanilla ice cream. REALLY good, don't get me wrong. Just because I love carrot cake does not mean this isn't also the bomb. This is not a budget night out, let me be clear. Pretty consistenly whatever hubby and I order, we end up spending about $80 for dinner. Sometimes we might have a cocktail, others not, sometimes the app, or the dessert, etc. Like I said, no matter what we do, it ends up about $80. Not our cheapest dinner, but not the most expensive either, but always a great night. If you are wanting take out, you have to order from the bar. You cannot call in an order for pick up. They are busy as they want to be as it is, and do not wish to risk a bad guest experience by over-extending themselves. If you have someone at home ill, go here for dinner and order the chicken pasta soup to go for them. It heals things. I have visited J.'s locations in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga - and this franchise is consistent no matter what. If you haven't been, well, I can only assume you were waiting for this review, so go now.
(5)
Alishah N.
I've gone to J Alexanders over the course of a few years since moving to Nashville - I've tried them for lunch and dinner, and in all honesty, I've never been impressed with it. In fact, I've been put off from my experiences. I've seen that others have been rating it strong 4s and 5s, which instantly puts me in the minority - but that being said, my review isn't based on one bad experience. I've given them a few shots, and I'm always left feeling exactly what the 2 star rating says: "Meh. I've experienced better." I've tried a number of things on the menu, and the food's been good - good, but not great. For the type of establishment it is, for the price I'm paying, it's disappointing. The pasta dishes I found to be alright - not good enough for me to order again, but alright enough for me to return to try something else on the menu. Their burgers, which are normally a safe bet at any place, are - again, alright. There's no question the burgers are better than a fast-food burger, but if you rank them against a similar establishment, then I really don't think compare. What's more, I've found their salads to be weirdly oily. In the few times when I'm on a health kick and wound up at J Alexander's (it's happened 3 or 4 times now) I've always found it odd to be served a salad so oily it's shining. Perhaps I could have ordered less dressing, or the dressing on the side...but again, my expectations are higher for the type of place that it is. I appreciate that J Alexander's is locally owned, and I've found the staff being helpful on most occasions - though there have been a few bad moments too: a vegetarian friend ordering a side of broccoli, and having it served to them with a piece of bacon. After asking the waiter if the broccoli normally comes with bacon on it, and finding out it doesn't, my friend then had to point at the plate of broccoli with the bacon sitting right on top of it all. The response: "Oh... it must have fallen on to your plate. Let me go get you another plate of broccoli." That's great - they fixed the problem without hesitation. But at the same time, I'm left with the humorous vision of bacon just being thrown around in the kitchen... Will I return to J Alexanders? Probably, but at someone else's suggestion. I've been there easily over 10 times now, and as I said earlier, I'm left with lackluster impressions. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It's just: I've experienced better.
(2)
Jan S.
Never a bad meal there, nor bad service! I know it is a chain, but it is always top-notch coupled with excellent service. The open-faced chicken salad sandwich and french dip are my usuals. But you simply cannot go wrong with anything there. The carrot cake is served warm with thick icing dripping off. Unbeatable. Highly recommend.
(5)
Su I.
I was impressed with the ambiance, the food, and the friendly staff. The place gets a little busy during lunch, it is usually a 15-25 minutes wait so get there early. I had the Scottish grilled salmon with orzo wild rice pilaf and I have no idea what was in the rice, it was a mixture of cranberry, raisins, corn, and something else but it was the most tasting wild rice I had ever had. Also their wine selection is incredible. I will definitely go back.
(5)
Katie B.
I ate a Sunday lunch there with my mom and daughter and we had fantastic service. This restaurant has always been one of my favorites. I've always loved the club sandwich and fries. I tried the veggie burger today and it was the best veggie burger I've ever had. So good!! You can't go wrong eating at J. Alexander's!
(5)
Nancy P.
First visit on 6/14/14. It was 4:30 and already crowded. We did get a seat, and 45 minutes later when we were leaving there were people waiting. This is just FYI stuff. When we pulled in to the parking lot there was a very young guy in a suit cleaning up in the parking lot with a broom and dust pan. That was a good sign to me. So many business owners miss this. Its a nice atmosphere, lots of smiling faces and plenty of people taking care of you. They do nice things like bring a bottle of cold water so you are not sitting there with nothing to drink. My husband ordered a steak burger. I got the prime rib, and my son got the pork tenderloin with the spicy sauce. He loved his, and it had a pretty good kick. My prime rib was cooked to order, very good. The mashed potatoes were slightly dry, but not bad. My husbands burger was really tasty, but kind of small. He said there was not much too it, and I agree. The fries, no one liked those. They were so skinny, and just not to our liking. Any skinnier and they would have been like straw. Here is where they lose major points. We were hungry when we went in, and so we attacked our salads. I would say we eat fairly quickly, and we were still eating them when the food came. For all of their politeness they don't even blink when they are putting the food down, and they wait for you to move your dang salad out of the way. I have seen other people have the same complaint, so they have an issue there. A true fine dining restaurant would never do that. And a true fine dining restaurant would also have black napkins for people who are wearing dark clothes. My husband and I both had white fuzz all over our clothes. It sucked and we had to go home after that. It's so dark in there you can't see it until you get outside. It's pricey. Their teas and sodas are $3. That's nuts. Three dinners, no apps, $100. If you were to order wine and an appetizer it would be up there with some of the priciest around. So there you have it, the good, bad and ugly.
(3)
David O.
Stopped in for lunch after Buca Di Beppo wouldn't seat us while the computers were down. As with all J Alexanders I've been to, the ambiance is quite nice. Staff was friendly, and there was no wait for a table. It filled up quite a bit while we were there though, and there was a noticeable slowdown in the appearance of our waiter. I really love the food, but it always feels a bit pricey. If I had one complaint it would be that.
(4)
Will M.
I would recommend for out of towners because they have really good food. You can always tell when the staff is so serious and Professional, that none of the cookstaff is smiling. Conversely the relaxed atmosphere for any gathering and friendly servers always bring a smile, and are happy to serve you. I had a really good burger and the alex salad is a meal in itself. I'm sure their seafood and steaks are just as great. A bit upper class, but the prices aren't too expensive. Dark ambiance is really awesome. I can seriously doubt anyone will complain about the service or food or atmosphere. Solid choice, not one I will go to by myself because I cook at home, but if friends and family visit, they can always treat me to a nice meal here.
(5)
Greg K.
Server poorly trained. Server was incorrect on beer and wine information. Food incorrectly delivered but straightened out. Steaks okay, not great. Shrimp good. Smoked salmon dip good but not all of us liked it. Pizza dry and little flavor. Not worth the tab.
(2)
Tim M.
1 of my favorite J Alexander locations (been to 3 different ones) Wait times here can be horrendous - 60-90 min on Saturday night and Sunday brunch. Called ahead to get on the list - this takes 30 min off your wait time once you ARRIVE! Didn't know this and thought the estimate of 60-75 min was a direct quote but basically we needed to arrive, check-in to wait 30-45 min. Had my usual prime rib. The portion felt a bit smaller than I'm use to but cooked to order and the baked potato was huge. Got worried that I might not finish. Overall, definitely good. Dessert - Triple chocolate cake was heavy enough to be an entree. Coupled with the ice cream and it was the perfect finish to dinner. Service was alright on this occasion. Haven't been on a Saturday night so wonder if this is common.
(4)
Lydia B.
We've eaten here three times and always come away happy. Staff seems willing to accommodate, they'll do special servings for kids even if it's not on the menu, good flavor in the food and sauces, nice atmosphere. We'll definitely go back!
(4)
Claire H.
Wow that was amazing. In TN for the weekend and just happened to see it and I'm so glad I did! I had the salmon and rice and it was superb! I'm going to search for the recipe for that orzo rice because it's fantastic! Service was even better! Loved it and I cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Mark C.
Highly recommend J's! The food is excellent and the service is usually very good. My go to eatery when nothing better comes to mind.
(4)
Jeremy E.
Had a great meal here. I started with a Dos Perros and brick oven pizza. The brick oven pizza had a perfect crust and was topped with sausage, ricotta, and carmelized onions. It was perfect. I had a filet with mac and cheese. Delicious as always. My uncle had the Tuscan steak, which is a rosemary infused NY strip. Also very tasty. Service was great as always. Total bill was around $85 and I left full and happy. This is still the best bang for your buck in town.
(4)
Heath S.
Have been there 2-3 times in the last several months. This place is top notch. Have not had anything bad yet, great wine selection, friendly wait staff, higher end pricing - but worth the $$$
(5)
Kevin K.
I am a huge fan of J. Alexander's restaurants. I'm a regular at one in Livonia, MI, and have been to at least 4 different J. Alexander's locations. I ate here on a business trip to the Nashville area and it was excellent as it usually is. I had the Filet Kebab which might be my new favorite at JA's. (I also love the Steak Brazzo, Crispy Chicken Platter, Grilled Salmon, and many others entrees!) The service was excellent as is usually the case. They actually bring drink refills so often that my friends and I joke about it ... we probably end up eating more iced tea or soda than we normally would just because it comes so often. I also had the Carrot Cake for dessert which was also excellent. It's served warm and has an excellent cream cheese frosting. I highly recommend J. Alexander's restaurants and this one was no exception. (Keep in mind that I wouldn't compare JA's to a "true" 5-star restaurant, but for an upscale restaurant this is among the best.)
(5)
Otis R.
Like a upscale TGI Fridays or Applebees. Nice wide variety of typical american food. Nice selection and everything was quite tasty. Clean and very attentive wait staff.
(3)
Brandon L.
amazing!
(5)
Ann M.
Frankly, I was really surprised during my Sunday night visit to JA's, and my surprise had nothing to do with the "sorry we're under re-construction". The place was packed, I met friends from out of town who suggested we meet there, ended up being their guest so they heard none of the following! I praised the place to my friends for staff training, good menu & good food...what a surprise on all counts. But first, this new ambiance (at the Franklin location)? What are they thinking? I needed my flashlight! Going to the table, on the farthest side of the room, was like finding my way back to my cabin at camp! Then, once seated, I quipped, "I can't see who's sitting opposite me...who are those people, do I know them?" We all laughed, but seriously, 4 flashlight-like lamps shining down & only on the table, everything else around the patron is dark, cave-dark...Then our server, was one of those "how are we this evening?" she wasn't in the party, none of us liked the "we" thing, and frankly, that is so dated, or like one is treated at the local diner or the doctor's office. She was a nice person, but overly attentive at first, not tuned in to our wanting to visit, a lot, before wanting to order, and was s-l-o-w on our drinks (none of them complicated: a draft, a Tanquerey (sp?) martini, straight up, a Stoli dirty martini, shaken); then at order time, we couldn't find her. The others who whisked out our waters (please place that milk jar jug of water inTO the table, not on the edge of the table), served our salads, et al, were more friendly and helpful. Okay, food: Grilled artichokes w/some kind of cold butter were unimpressive, the butter paste was, well, supposed to have herbs, but what and why, am not sure (no taste). Why not just melt it for dipping the leaves? I think all we ended up w/was char between our teeth; this idea is more form over function. The Caesar salad, ordered "small" and Faucon salad, also ordered "small" - well "small" to them is like an extra large lunch portion. (One of my friends & I both said, upon receiving the salads "THIS is 'small??'") both salads were chopped, & pre-made, cold bowls are a giveaway, were predressed, and VERY salty...save for the tiny crunchy croutons, I was not impressed. Faucon? well, they tried, but go back to the drawing board, gang. Not many folks do that as well as the original, which I believe is attributed to the Belle Meade Country Club in N'ville & then Jimmy Kelly's follows a close 2nd (though theirs is not as good as it used to be). Two of us ordered the pizza w/pancetta, the other ordered Rattlesnake Pasta. The pasta plate was enough for 2 truck drivers, the diner ate only a portion, copious amounts left in the bowl (why serve so much, you all??). The pizza had an over-size clump or arugula plopped in the middle (that was well past it's sharpness factor which I happen to love) and was again VERY salty (too much of that pancetta?); crust was thin-crispy, tasted fine, not sure what else on pizza, had to ask server for Parmesan. The pepper grinder on table was empty, she seemed unbothered by that, and just looked around for another available grinder, 'try this" was the response...The bottle of wine selected was great, but then that service was off-par for JA"s. The sever asked do you want me to go through the steps (w/the one who had ordered) or just pour? Strange, I thought as highly trained as JA serves are in wines, & w/the $$$ JA's invests in training their staff in this regard, that we would get the full presentation. Not so. We agreed to skip it, & the orderer did get his obligatory "taste" pour, but again, (to server:) don't ask the guests, just "do"...so she poured for my friend, then for me, and forgot topping off glass for friend's husband, leaving him only w/the small sampling. ...we caught her as she was about to leave, she quickly covered for her gaff. (Because my friends were traveling, they sent all the leftovers home w/me - the extra pasta was enought to fill two 16 oz. containers i used to take to the ofc., then gave both to two colleagues who were thrilled to have their lunch provided on Monday.) Bottom line, if you've made it this far, you're glad I'm winding down I bet, I was embarrassed - I had extolled the virtues & food of the place to my friends, who had never been there, who then treated me to dinner. It will be a long time before I bother going again, or suggest that others do the same. We have way too many choices of places to eat in our area (N'ville, Franklin, surrounding areas), and fortunately for us locals, many are "non-chain" & excellent. This place & experience was not; it was, as I said initially, a big surprise, to boot!
(2)
Brian C.
You can't go wrong EVER with J Alexanders for a business lunch or a dinner night with friends. For lunch, I'm a huge fan of the chicken sandwich. For dinner, the pork loin and rattlesnake pasta are always solid choices. J Alexander's wait staff understand the art of stealth service. You rarely see them drop off a refill and they never insert themselves into the conversation. Each are obviously trained to be efficient, kind and thorough. Dessert. Oh my, the desserts. Two of my favorite desserts in the Nashville area are here. Carrot Cake. Chocolate Bar Cake. It's a hard choice, but the carrot cake typically wins. My only criticism is the dining room is way too dark for lunch. It hurts walking outside in the sun after. Also, I've had a few hit or miss meals, but by far, the majority of the meals have been great.
(4)
Tiffany K.
Disappointment. I order the Filet Mignon with Bearnaise, medium. I was told that if I wanted the steak cooked anything more that medium, it would need to be filleted. When my steak arrived, I cut it down the middle and it was rare. The waitress was quite kind and agreed with me, that the steak was not cooked medium. As my husband and child at their meals, I waited for my steak to return. Round two with the steak was better, but the center was still medium rare. I was hungry, unhappy and did not want the hassle of sending my steak back a second time. In addition to that, my 4 year old ordered a grilled cheese. He took one bite and spit it out, saying it was disgusting. I took a bite, thinking he was crazy. Green peppers had somehow been cooked in with some of the cheese. Obviously he is not a fan of a green pepper and grilled cheese sandwich. Thankfully the green peppers were only in part of the sandwich. The restaurant is getting 3 stars for their portion size, my husband's dinner (rattlesnake pasta), and my fabulous Blackberry Volcano martini. It will be awhile before I venture back to J Alexanders.
(3)
Krifka S.
I've been to this J Alexanders before and also the one in Tampa, FL. But my recent visit here was just ok--the food was good, but the service was terrible! #1 I can't even tell you how many servers we had--seemed like they kept switching up on us. #2 They couldn't seem to get didn't our Alex's salad right, first it came out with croutons, then when it came back again it had no dressing #3 we never got refills on drinks until I went up to the bar to get refills (yes, I am THAT person). However the rest of the food we had was good, and the quality I expect from J. Alexanders--You can never go wrong with the Hyde Park Chicken Sandwich. The Alex's Salad is really good and is REALLLLLLLLY good if you combine the vinaigrette that comes on it with some of their ranch (my MIL-showed me this trick-it is AWESOME!) F For those GF folks out there, J Alexanders does not have a GF menu nor are many of their items GF with out some major modification's, so beware, you may be stuck to the 1/2 roast chicken I had (although it was good).
(3)
Ted D.
OMG the carrot cake is something to behold...IT IS SO DANG GOOD! I also enjoyed the tuna steak, didn't actually eat beef...Service was excellent during my visit!
(4)
Jessica B.
Best place in Cool Springs for a business lunch. Wait staff is incredible and attention to detail is their specialty. My favorite is the California Burger.
(4)
Jessica W.
This is one of our absolute faves! Great, reliable, classic American food. There is nothing bad on the menu, the service is always exceptional, and it doesn't break the bank! Would only recommend bringing well-behaved children here.
(5)
Erin J.
What can I say? The keys here for me are consistency, fabulous service, nice-sized portions, and high-quality food. Yes, it's pretty standard American food, but it's done very well. We usually sit at the bar, and I love that when you're ready to order they place a nice white napkin in front of you. I also love that you get chilled water with no ice (not an ice-water gal, but like it chilled. Perfect). All the bartenders and servers I've come in contact with are very professional, and surprisingly never seem frustrated - even with the bar hopping! There was once that my order was wrong (I requested no bacon), and they whisked the dish away & came right back with another. Love it! Just as a note....this J Alex has brick oven pizza, as well as some of the older menu items (half chicken, chicken tenders, others). The J's on West End does not, and that's the one I used to frequent. Now that we're in Franklin this is our "new" location, and it's nice to see some of those old items again! **Also important to note....they have the BEST veggie burger I've ever had!
(5)
Dip C.
The best thing about this place is the service. The food is good too. The only thing I am not happy about is its inability to hold large groups. We were a group of 9 and we struggled with the seating. This is good for lunch too but the ambiance will be perfect for dinner.
(4)
Philip l.
I can not understand the great reviews this place has recieved. My wife and I went there on our 25th aniversary. I was expecting to spend about $150 for the evening so the price of the food wasnt the issue. To spend $30, each, on a steak and it NOT come with a salad was cheap of the place. Our food was delayed because they ran out of bernaise. How do you run out of bernaise? Once we got the steaks, My steak knife was so dirty even the waiter noticed it, he took it back before I could pick it up. A few days later we went to Logan Roadhouse, it steak was just as good. It came with a salad and we even got peanuts to snack on.
(2)
David G.
I'm just not that into you... Have you ever heard that line? Used that line yourself to break up with someone? Well, J. Alexander's, I'm just not that into you. We used to have good time together when I was a teenager and my palate hadn't expanded beyond the chain restaurant phase of my life. We used to go out all the time and eat prime rib open faced sandwiches or salad bowls the size of my rear end. But, now I enjoy independent restaurants with really good food, actual creativity (not faux conic shaped french fry designs or conic shaped mashed potatoes on my plate), and properly portioned food. I just need to move on and away from you. You really don't offer much to me. I know, I know. We used to have such good times. But, like I've said, I'm just not that into you. Your food is not all that well-spiced, your servers are trying to be something they're not, and your food might as well be O'Charley's. Blah
(2)
John F.
Eight adults and 2 kids gathered at J Alexander's to celebrate 2 birthdays on a Friday night at 6pm. The wait was short and the wait staff was very attentive...at first. Water glasses kept full, beer/wine glasses not so much. Order was taken and food delivered in a very respectfully time. My steak was warm, no were near hot as was another order of crab cakes. To be fair to the restaurant we did not complain...did not want to ruin the evening for the other couples by complaining about our meal. Service quickly fell off after the food was delivered. Plates piled up that we had to start stacking them on the floor. Dessert orders were placed and over 20 minutes passed until it came out. Dessert was huge and very good. another 20 minutes and we were handed the bill...and yes another 20 minutes it was picked up and...you guessed it another 20 minutes change and credit cards returned. Remember the part above about the 2 kids....8 adults?? This night went from fun family and food to waiting, screaming kids, and more waiting. The bill for just us two was 80 dollars...that's not a problem if the food and service was "Great"...but it fell way short. Not sure if we will ever go back....defiantly not with a group larger than 4. jf
(3)
Tim G.
Great rolls. Carrot cake is excellent. Service always rocks. Nice place to go if you are into chains. I'm just not a huge fan.
(3)
Luke S.
They have very good food. We've tried a lot of dishes on their menu, and they're all delicious. Portions are good, and service is also good. One of our favorite dishes is the Steak and Fries. It's simple, tasty, and fulfilling.
(4)
Mel P.
I have been a customer at J's for many years. The location on West End in Nashville always seems like a nice night out.......that is because of the staff. However, after moving to Franklin, TN, the closest J's is in Cool Springs. Unfortunately, this particular location will turn you against J Alexanders. They are located close to the Mall and all the hustle and bustle. This is not the problem. The problem is that they seem to just not care anymore. I'm sure they deal with the "mall crowd" all the time and it has made their attention to detail lacking. I'll give you an example of my last visit (a saturday at 3 p.m). This may be the first time that I have looked at the menu and just realized how tired and outdated it is. After slowly picking my way through the dishes over the years, I usually am limited to about five meals that I'll eat. Perhaps I'm being overly critical, but if it were my place I would work on the customer service as a first priority. We usually encounter a hostess that is less than enthusiastic about even being alive, much less working.......kinda snobby......that comes from who you have to deal with, not who the server is. I went straight for the specials when I was seated. Imagine that, I've seen all these specials many many times before. The servers, no matter where you're seated or what time of day, seem as if they're doing you a favor by waiting on you.......and most do not have a good working knowledge of the menu items themselves. But mostly you wait........for everything. It truly is hard to get a fresh glass of iced tea in a timely manner. And the food..........basic. You can tell it's made without much care at all. Lots of contradicting flavors and just trying too hard to be a swank place to eat. I kind of laugh when they bring out a giant pile of those dry and tasteless "smashed potatoes" or they carefully construct that foot-high mountain of cheap fries on your plate. And the carrot cake that everyone just loves?? I've had it at least fifty times over the years. It's not enough to make me spend money for the rest of the meal just to get the carrot cake............which has also gone way downhill. If you want a really good carrot cake, go to the Puckett's Boathouse in Franklin. As for me, if I visit a J's again, it won't be the one in Cool Springs.
(3)
Hailey T.
"Dark, rare and yummy!" It was dark as others have said. However please note this was one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had! The wine was delicious, my prime rib was as rare as can be (I asked for it :-)) now for the grand finale CORN BREAD! My whole group still talks about it a year later!
(5)
Shonnie T.
I have been eating at J's for years. Absolutely love it everytime. They have renovated their patio and installed an indoor/outdoor fireplace. Consider the seat next to it taken! Good food, service, and atmosphere!
(5)
Kyna M.
We LOVE this place. ALL the food is good and portions big so we share. New pizza awesome.
(5)
Michael L.
I try not to write long reviews for chains since you know what the hell you're getting, but I'll give it 3 since it's definitely a chain in another bracket above your typical Applebees/Fridays/Outback. Good Service. Decent food. I see no reason not to come back.
(3)
Lana O.
stopped by here for a quick lunch. It was seriously so yummy! The food was delicious. ambiance was great, and the service was incredibly attentive. It's a little more pricey, but I definitely think that the quality and service speak for themselves.
(4)
Laurie N.
I usually avoid chain restaurants, but J Alexander's is an exception to my food snob tendencies - it's that good. I've only been here for lunch, and I am impressed with the extensive menu, with everything from great salads to burgers to fish tacos (which were very fresh and flavorful). The cocktail menu is wonderful and generous as well. A great place for lunch in the over-saturated-with-restaurants Cool Springs area.
(4)
Heather L T.
First time at J.Alexander's as of yesterday. I had heard this place had a pretty good rep. for quality, quantity, and excellence in general. We were greeted by a more than pleasant hostess and quickly lead to huge table that was half-booth, half-table, very unique. The lighting was just right and the service was pretty much impeccable. I ordered a Honeysuckle sparkling wine type of drink and although a little strong for my taste, it was still satisfying and less expensive than I would have guessed. The spinach queso dip was delicious for an appetizer, not too heavy or creamy. I ordered the Steak Maui and Smashed..now I am not typically a huge steak fan, but the sauce on this steak created a succulent masterpiece and what I like to refer to as a "mouth-gasm" (orgasm of the mouth). The steak was cooked just right and the potatoes delicious as well. Last but not least, a good list of desserts to choose from..now the crew I was with were feeling a little too shy for dessert, but not this gal. I ordered up the Creme Brulee..and this is a tough dish to master, but this dessert was PERFECTION..so creamy and perfectly sugared and hardened on top..with a warm outer and cool inner. Once my friends got a glimpse of this bowl of heaven, they too partook in it. Big portion and the best part of my night. I would definitely return for not only the service, ambiance, and entrees..but also, the dessert!:)
(4)
Fonda W.
I had the slow roasted prime rib and it was the BEST STEAK EVER!! It was tender, juicy & just perfect!! It came with smashed potato's; I also got broccoli on the side & it was steamed right. It wasn't too soft. The Mac & cheese was ok, I've had better. If you're a steak lover, this is place is a must.
(5)
Kristyna R.
I have been here 4 times and every time I literally have a religious dining experience. Start off with the Alex Salad - warm, crunchy bacon, buttery homemade croutons...DELISH! For the entree, it has to be the Filet Mignon with bernaise with the mac & cheese for the side. First of all, the meat is so tender you could literally cut it with a spoon....melt in your mouth. Now on to the mac & cheese....I personally am not a fan of restaurant mac & cheese. It's always too heavy and rich and usually pretty bland (and totally not worth the calories). That's how I felt until I had the mac & cheese at J's. HOLY CRAP....it's tangy & creamy with a crunchy baked top...it's divine, and worth every single calorie. Finally, my meal at J's is never complete unless I have the CARROT CAKE. It's soaked in butter overnight and served warm with gooey, melted icing over the top....I'm telling you, there are no words to properly convey how absolutely heavenly it is. The incredible food aside, the servers and bartenders are top-notch; friendly, charismatic, attentive. Needless to say, I'm a fan.
(5)
Stacey M.
Great atmosphere with a variety of cuisine. I prefer their steak with baked mac & cheese. The bar area is great and they know how to make drinks the right way.
(5)
Bryan H.
Our favorite place in Nashville. The chicken fingers are better than most places, steaks are good, but I always get the Cypress Salad which is excellent. Ask for the croissants. A little pricey at times and I wish they had a better and cheaper kid's menu though .
(5)
Teresa D.
Having read the reviews I had very high expectations of the food. I ordered the prime rib at our servers suggestion since she said it was what they were known for. One bite and had to return it. It tasted as though it had been in the refrigerator uncovered for a couple days with all the rest of the uncovered food and had picked up that awful "refrigerator taste". It was by far the worst prime rib I've ever had. I chose the crab cakes for the second go around. They were very tasty but way over priced at $28.99 with one side and no bread. My husband ordered the pork loin. It was tender but lacked in flavor and the sauce that was poured over it tasted like it came from a can. If you are going to drop $75 on dinner, opt not to eat here and go across the street to Stoney River....much better food there!!! I did notice most of the favorable reviews were with their sandwiches and salads. We might go back once more to give those a try but only after we are tired of every other restaurant in the Cool Springs or Franklin area which we will a very long time. On the positive side, the server was ok, not great but ok.
(2)
Thomas M.
Great place. Reminds me a bit of a "Houston's" restaurant for those of you familiar with that chain. Has a patio for some outdoor dining.
(4)
J. W.
J Alexander's is one of my favorite places to eat! They have a small menu which is nice, and you can't go wrong with whatever you pick. I've never had a bad meal.
(5)
rob h.
It's hard to go wrong at J's. Great salads.
(5)
Sarah S.
I came here for dinner with a medium-sized group, none of whom were local, because our hotel concierge recommended it. Because of its shopping center pad location, I was expecting something akin to an Outback Steakhouse or maybe an Elephant Grill. I was pleasantly surprised to find a flare-free restaurant with a great drink and wine selection, a solid menu, and great service. You know how some burger joints give you the extra milkshake in the stainless steel mixing glass? They do that here with cocktails, putting the extra in a little glass floating in a bowl of ice water. This effectively turns your Manhattan into a Manhattan-and-a-half. Everyone was pleased with their meals. I ordered cilantro shrimp over rice with coleslaw. It was great, and the shrimp were properly cooked (i.e., not rubbery). The service was efficient and accommodating. When we were finished with dessert, our server asked us if all 11 of us would like our own, separate checks. Now where I live, this has never happened. You can split a bill, but the server will act like it's a big deal. Bay Area servers would never provide 11 separate checks, especially not voluntarily. Next time I'm in Nashville, I'll go back.
(4)
Imelda M.
Have dined along with my husband three times at Js going through Nashville.........we've only sat at the bar, as we enjoy talking & meeting new people. Have eaten, salmon, chicken, salad, artichoke appetizer, sandwich {BLT] never have we had one complained. Find the restaurant extremely clean, service [at the bar] excellent, ambience vry good, a little noisey, but who cares. The Galleria area very clean, safe & wakable to several hotels. Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Cate C.
J Alexanders is my favorite Happy Place located in the Cool Springs Galleria of Franklin, Tennessee, They are an upscale eatery with a great wine list and rival many places locally in the bay area hands down. The service is excellent and they have no problem accomodating handicapped/wheelchairs, either. There homemade soup is to die for with it;s accompanyments, it can be a meal in itself. EVERYTHING you order is well made, scrumptious and made with fresh ingredients..they hve everything icluding sandwiches, full meals and seafood as well as steak.. Whenever I want to impres someone. I take them to this local eatery with its flair for food, sevice and ambience..
(4)
Austin G.
I had the most disgusting veggie burger I have ever tasted at this place, and I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers. I wasn't expecting many vegan options at a place like this (and I'm not convinced that was vegan, pretty sure there was butter on the bun), but usually a kitchen can figure out something edible. Not the case here. It was mushy and had a weird glaze on the patty. Ick.
(1)
Nathan C.
Prime rib sandwich is delicious. Fast and friendly service for a busy venue. Good sized interior that was packed with hungry people.
(5)
Buddy T.
The food here is always pretty good. The reasons for the one star is that they have the worst beer selection in all of Nashville. Everything today is about selection and knowledge. They have neither. The bartenders are attractive but wow they have no knowledge. I was dumbfounded when I requested an IPA and she did not know what that was! I would encourage the management to take a fresh look at the bar.
(1)
Shelly A.
Very pleased! Traveling for business and J Alexander's was recommended by a customer. We started with the queso and it was rich and creamy with spinach and thin crispy warm tortilla chips. Next I had the Cilantro Shrimp...it was very good and a very good value. 10 large tiger shrimp with rice and a very tasty slaw for $18. My co-worker had the steak and fries and was equally pleased....and the dinner salad...oh my goodness...it was HUGE!!! You could have added some chicken or shrimp to it and called it a meal on it's own!!! Not just your regular lettuce and tomato and some dressing. It was loaded. We wanted to try the highly recommended carrot cake but we were absolutely stuffed. Service was friendly, informative and prompt. Atmosphere was pleasant and inviting. I wish there was a location in the Dallas/Fort Worth area!
(5)
Scott M.
I completely love this place. The prime rib is awesome and actually very reasonably priced. The ambience is great. I typically don't care for chain restaurants but this one is really good. Wait time is extremely long on Friday and Saturday nights. Call ahead! But the food is worth the wait!
(5)
Mrs M.
What a wonderful dinner. We had dined last night at a steakhouse across the street and were, let's say, less than thrilled.... Here, the service is top notch. On a super busy night, a call ahead is a definate. Otherwise, the wait would have been 45-60 mins. We called ahead and the wait was only 20 mins upon arrival. The steaks were seasoned to perfection & cooked to order perfectly. The fries are so yummy! Thin and crispy! The macncheese is Def enough for 2 to share. They did a nice cut of prime for our 6yr old at a cost of $15. All in all the value is supurb! Will absolutely return.
(5)
Jane H.
Worst service ever at this or any J. Alexander's. Waiter rushed us through our meal. Food was good, but nothing special. Would not recommend this location.
Ordered the classic hamburger cooked well done. EXCELLENT. Huge burger. Very well seasoned. The Ahi Tuna burger really good!! Very well seasoned. The macaroni and cheese was really good and cheesy. Their coffee is really fresh and robust. The polish gumbo soup was very good too. I dont think there is a bad dish on this menu!!! Ordered the famous carrot cake..about fell off the table. DELICIOUS... The lighting is really low in here for lunch as well as super busy. You can see the chefs cooking and this place is well staffed. Courteous waiter. Would recommend!! 5 star..
(5)
Gabriela F.
Great place to eat- awesome ambiance and fast service. I had the rotisserie chicken and the Mexican cheese and artichoke dip. Both great options and lots of flavor
(5)
Neema C.
I was craving for a French Dip that day. The other food we ordered were alright, but the French Dip was soggy and the bread was really chewy. If we came back, I would not order the French Dip again.
(3)
John W.
Hey... How about a separate kids section???? Such a nice place with great food. It fairly expensive, so it would be nice to be able to enjoy a meal without screaming kids next to you. Can you guys separate the sections?
(2)
Fred P.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. My wife and I were on a little tour of Tennessee and while staying in Franklin we chanced upon J Alexander's. I wish we'd stayed a few days longer to check out the rest of the menu. I had a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth prime rib and my wife had something with lettuce in it. Yes, she came to a steakhouse and ordered a salad, so I mock! The ambiance was very romantic, the service was wonderful and the food amazing. We'd visited the Palm the previous night and spend 3 times what we spent here for similar fare.
(4)
AmiBeth O.
This place is the JAM!!! You can't order a bad item from the menu--though I recommend one of their salads and an appetizer! Mmm, so good that I wish I was there right now! Or waitress was absolutely adorable, friendly, super attentive and very sweet!!! Loved her so much!!!! Gosh, I really want their Thai Salad right now. Mmm, and their cheesey dip was sooooo good. I feel like a five year old writing this review!!!
(5)
Phil M.
I don't know what the deal is with this place but it's exactly the same as Houston's in New York. Looks the same same menu same pretty much everything. That's a good thing though because I love Houston's and I love this place also. The dark cozy interior is a great place to go especially on a date or just for a good quality meal. People dress more up then down if you're looking like a slob. Love the salads ... it's not the cheap iceberg lettuce and the champagne vinaigrette is to die for. Prime rib was excellent mashed potatoes extremely good. You can eat cheap or expensive depending on what you pick on the menu ... there's a wide variety in prices. My service was excellent as typical in Houstons don't miss a meal here when in the area.
(4)
Jane H.
Worst service ever at this or any J. Alexander's. Waiter rushed us through our meal. Food was good, but nothing special. Would not recommend this location.
(2)
Fred P.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. My wife and I were on a little tour of Tennessee and while staying in Franklin we chanced upon J Alexander's. I wish we'd stayed a few days longer to check out the rest of the menu. I had a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth prime rib and my wife had something with lettuce in it. Yes, she came to a steakhouse and ordered a salad, so I mock! The ambiance was very romantic, the service was wonderful and the food amazing. We'd visited the Palm the previous night and spend 3 times what we spent here for similar fare.
(4)
Neema C.
I was craving for a French Dip that day. The other food we ordered were alright, but the French Dip was soggy and the bread was really chewy. If we came back, I would not order the French Dip again.
(3)
John W.
Hey... How about a separate kids section???? Such a nice place with great food. It fairly expensive, so it would be nice to be able to enjoy a meal without screaming kids next to you. Can you guys separate the sections?
(2)
Mrs M.
What a wonderful dinner. We had dined last night at a steakhouse across the street and were, let's say, less than thrilled.... Here, the service is top notch. On a super busy night, a call ahead is a definate. Otherwise, the wait would have been 45-60 mins. We called ahead and the wait was only 20 mins upon arrival. The steaks were seasoned to perfection & cooked to order perfectly. The fries are so yummy! Thin and crispy! The macncheese is Def enough for 2 to share. They did a nice cut of prime for our 6yr old at a cost of $15. All in all the value is supurb! Will absolutely return.
(5)
AmiBeth O.
This place is the JAM!!! You can't order a bad item from the menu--though I recommend one of their salads and an appetizer! Mmm, so good that I wish I was there right now! Or waitress was absolutely adorable, friendly, super attentive and very sweet!!! Loved her so much!!!! Gosh, I really want their Thai Salad right now. Mmm, and their cheesey dip was sooooo good. I feel like a five year old writing this review!!!
(5)
Phil M.
I don't know what the deal is with this place but it's exactly the same as Houston's in New York. Looks the same same menu same pretty much everything. That's a good thing though because I love Houston's and I love this place also. The dark cozy interior is a great place to go especially on a date or just for a good quality meal. People dress more up then down if you're looking like a slob. Love the salads ... it's not the cheap iceberg lettuce and the champagne vinaigrette is to die for. Prime rib was excellent mashed potatoes extremely good. You can eat cheap or expensive depending on what you pick on the menu ... there's a wide variety in prices. My service was excellent as typical in Houstons don't miss a meal here when in the area.
Ordered the classic hamburger cooked well done. EXCELLENT. Huge burger. Very well seasoned. The Ahi Tuna burger really good!! Very well seasoned. The macaroni and cheese was really good and cheesy. Their coffee is really fresh and robust. The polish gumbo soup was very good too. I dont think there is a bad dish on this menu!!! Ordered the famous carrot cake..about fell off the table. DELICIOUS... The lighting is really low in here for lunch as well as super busy. You can see the chefs cooking and this place is well staffed. Courteous waiter. Would recommend!! 5 star..
(5)
Gabriela F.
Great place to eat- awesome ambiance and fast service. I had the rotisserie chicken and the Mexican cheese and artichoke dip. Both great options and lots of flavor
(5)
Seth O.
The prices are really quite high. I ordered some chicken and fries, with Mac and Cheese. My Wife ordered pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes. I got quite a bit of food for the price I paid. The chicken was quite nice, but it is not as good as longhorn. The fries were good, but they were very thin. Shoestring fries. This was quite annoying for having dipping sauce for it. The Mac and cheese was made with Alfredo sauce, and was quite frankly, gross. The total was 18 bucks. My wife had the pork tenderloin and mashed potatoes. This costed 20 bucks. He plate seemed quite empty, for that price. The mashed potatoes were somewhat dry, and had a really odd aftertaste, I can't quite describe. The pork was pretty good, but not fantastic. The place was pretty good, but for these prices, you could eat cheaper at Longhorn, and better. Which is something I never expected I would say. The food was good, but I won't be back.
(4)
Gee M.
The place is too dark for me and the food is ok.
(2)
matt s.
There's something very special going on at this restaurant. Here with a party of seven. Everything is not only wonderful, it's flawlessly magnificent. The croutons on the salad make you want to order extra croutons. Everyone was sharing dishes. The steaks were cooked perfectly and medium was bright pink. Medium well had a tiny pink line. The cole slaw was a mountain of fresh veggies in an amazing dressing. Pork tenderloin with bang bang sauce was a surprising favorite. I had an Alex salad with may tag blue cheese and .... Well, there was nothing we ordered that wasn't the best we'd ever had. Someone in the kitchen is an absolute fanatic for making the amazing. OMG almost forgot to rave over the ribs!! Dessert is coming. It's called "Powerful Stuff". We are expecting a foot tall mountain of amazing caramel cream gooeyness.
(5)
Christina H.
Excellent food. Had the French dip which was very large and delicious. Attentive wait staff. Be sure to get the carrot cake for dessert. You won't regret it. Big enough for 3-4 people.
(5)
Miranda P.
Just another J Alexanders location that I love had a fantistatic waitress and everything came out perfect. Alexanders is always so consistent. Never disappoints.
(5)
D B.
J Alexander's occupies that space between Outback and legitimate fine dining. Simply put, the experience should be better for the amount of time and money you invest to eat here. Based on their prices, it appears that they are trying to compete with the elite restaurants in town. They don't measure up. Why wait for an hour and a half to eat average food? To put it in the words of our server when she was asked about one of the entrees, "You can get that anywhere."
(2)
Jane H.
Worst service ever at this or any J. Alexander's. Waiter rushed us through our meal. Food was good, but nothing special. Would not recommend this location.
(2)
Fred P.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. My wife and I were on a little tour of Tennessee and while staying in Franklin we chanced upon J Alexander's. I wish we'd stayed a few days longer to check out the rest of the menu. I had a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth prime rib and my wife had something with lettuce in it. Yes, she came to a steakhouse and ordered a salad, so I mock! The ambiance was very romantic, the service was wonderful and the food amazing. We'd visited the Palm the previous night and spend 3 times what we spent here for similar fare.
(4)
Neema C.
I was craving for a French Dip that day. The other food we ordered were alright, but the French Dip was soggy and the bread was really chewy. If we came back, I would not order the French Dip again.
(3)
John W.
Hey... How about a separate kids section???? Such a nice place with great food. It fairly expensive, so it would be nice to be able to enjoy a meal without screaming kids next to you. Can you guys separate the sections?
(2)
Ken K.
Had lunch at J Alexander's today. The food was excellent and the service was right on the mark. For a lite lunch try the fish tacos and ask for the fish to be grilled instead of fried as the menu only offers fried fish tacos.
(5)
BT M.
This is a hidden gem. It's not "hidden" because people don't know about it, but because it's not in a premier spot with easy ingress and egress. It's still a gem. I have never had a bad meal here. I have never been with anyone who said their meal was bad. More often, someone gets a dish different from mine and I want their meal, despite the delicious meal I have on my plate. Pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken...it's all been awesome. You'll be comfortable there in a suit and tie, or jeans and a Polo...or shorts and a t-shirt. Okay, just wear clothes, that'll work. The service is incredible.
(4)
Amy D.
This is my go to breakfast spot, granted its good so you WILL wait but Oh Man is it worth it! I love this place the food is delicious and its super filling, I have a Sunday ritual of going here and stuff my face then I go to whole foods immediately after and walk it off. It's the only way i can handle eating all the food I'm going to get. The service is also great So WIN all around so worth the 35 minute drive it takes to get here
(5)
Tom G.
Very friendly staff and consistently good food! I have eaten there for a casual bite as well as for a business dinner and would recommend this place to anyone. No surprise that it is as popular as it is.
(5)
Lauren M.
Wait staff is bad... Food here is good but nothing to write home about... And it's super dark in here!
(2)
Rob W.
You can't go wrong eating here. I love this place, its calm and quiet and the food is always great. Sometimes we go out just to go out, but J Alexander's is always worth the trip and the money.
(5)
Danny W.
Amazing food! Great customer service! Good decor! What more could you ask for!? Our waitress made a personal connection with us which is the sincerest form of customer service. Thanks Nicole!
(5)
Cole C.
I had a late lunch with two family members, we sat in a booth in the bar area. The service staff was polite, professional, and I would say fairly knowledgable of the food/drink. Although we did give our server a heads up that we were not in a rush, I felt like the pace of the food and drinks coming out was good. We shared a bottle of white wine and some bloody marry's which were awesome. We had a variety of apps and entrees, all were tasty and filling. My only issue, though a minor one, was more of a presentation/convenience matter. I ordered the prime rib sandwich, which while being tasty and cooked as ordered, my expectations differed from what I received. It was a large portion of prime rib, with two slices of bread on the side. Once I put it together, it was literally difficult to eat because of the size. Yes, I could have just sliced it myself. But being a lunch promoted item, this could prove inconvenient for those in a time crunch or eating on the go. I would suggest that instead they use a several smaller pieces. There was a side au jus, but I think offering some caramelized onions and/or some creamy horseradish sauce, would really bring the dish together. Again, minor issue, but my overall experience was quite enjoyable.
(4)
Deen W.
J. Alexander's is almost like a Houston's....but there are a lot of little things that keep them just a few notches behind. There was an hour wait on a Friday night (to be expected) so my husband ordered us drinks and we staked out a place to sit and wait for our name. The menu is good. I saw some additional items that were not there last time we dined at a J. Alexander's. My husband got the prime rib sandwich, my daughter got the kid's grilled chicken sandwich & subbed a loaded potato for fries, and I got the steak burger. Prime rib sandwich was delicious! My daughter's "kid's meal" looked just like an adult portion. I was thoroughly impressed to see her get down on the mountain that was the loaded baked potato. My steak burger was disappointing. While it was tasty enough (think fancy big mac), I was perplexed at why it was served on a hard baguette. I would have rather had a normal bun like my daughter's. If they are going to stray from something as basic and expected as a hamburger bun for a hamburger, I suggest they put it on the menu. I ended up ditching the bread and eating my burger "open faced". There are a few menu items that can not be beat: creamy chicken pasta soup, prime rib sandwich, smoked salmon dip, and carrot cake. Other than that, I could really take or leave J.Alexander's.
(3)
Mohun K.
Lunch on 1/30/14. We arrived at 1140am and the place was packed - that's usually a good thing. We were seated after 15 minutes. We had great prompt service from our waiter. I ordered the fennel sausage pizza and was blown away. Just the right amount of chewiness and the homemade sausage was excellent. This was my first visit and I would love to try this place again.
(4)
Jonny M.
J Alexander's has Good food, a nice vibe, And great service. It has a little bit of a business meeting feel, which keeps me from coming more often. But it is a great place for sure. Its a little on the finer side don't expect to pay a little more than your average restaurant.
(4)
Trace S.
For quite a while I told people who ask me what my favorite burger in Nashville is that it was J Alexanders. For quite some time I was amazed with the quality cheeseburger they were making. I'm pretty sure they grill the burgers over their wood fired grill. Unfortunately, the constancy has become pretty spotty. My last few experiences at the Cool Springs location have definitely be ok, but there's no way i can continue pointing people to them as the best burger in Nashville. Once or twice my burger wasn't very hot when it was served. The grilling of the sliced part of the bun seems to be elective and at least once it was cooked beyond what I ordered. I'm not giving up on it, but I'm a little leery.
(4)
Alex V.
Well, I was in Nashville and some friends decided to make a visit to this great establishment. I always forget to review this place. It is awesome. We walked in with 6 people and we sat pretty quick. It was lunch time and it was pretty busy. I had the french dip BAM!!! off the chain. The sandwich is a very nice size, we order some artichoke appetizer that I did not understand how to eat, but it was good. My wife and friends raved about how good their lunch was too. I like this place because it gives a good portion of food, the flavors are always delicious and the services is very good. When in Franklin, Tn. you need to stop here.
(4)
Chris J.
Went there tonight for dinner while in town on business. I go to their location in Atlanta often and the food is consistent between the two locations. Their queso is awesome and their ribs are usually my go-to selection, but tonight I got the rotisserie chicken. Everything was as expected...excellent. The only reason why they didn't get 5 stars is because I felt a bit rushed. I dined alone and it was at the begining of the dinner rush and the server seemed to want me out of there ASAP so the table can be used by more than one person.
(4)
Moni F.
The food is always very tasty upscale restaurant without overly upscale pricing. You can come in wearing shorts or jeans or you can come in wearing a suit. Servers are always extremely professional yet friendly. They don't serve half glasses of wine that's the only downfall but the upside is when you order a martini you get what they call a sidecar and it's almost a second martini but not quite. I like that the crafted martinis and drinks have some fresh ingredients like grapefruit or fresh squeezed orange. Would be nice to see them elaborate on the fresh citrus. The bartenders are extremely nice - my top three would be Jenna ,Libby, and Lisa. Those three make the best drinks hands-down! They also understand catering to customers. Some of the others might be more franchise oriented. The most impressive location in Tennessee is definitely the one in cool springs. It's not uncommon to run across celebrities I've seen quite a few. The handcrafted stone heated pizzas have a thin crust yet an amazing fresh almost chewy yet flaky crust. Their Scottish salmon is a winner, try pairing it with the baby kale salad or the Alex'a salad. Their white bean soup is undeniably the best anywhere and it comes with a small square of out of this world cornbread!
(5)
Rheonna W.
Not the best meal I've ever had at J's, the steak was cooked right, however it was not tender. I should have known to order a Ribeye if I wanted steak. Service was good, as usual.
(3)
Rambo C.
Great service... Great food. The salmon appetizer is the best we ever had. Ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and the prime rib done perfectly and melt in your mouth. Not a bad thing to say...
(5)
Joe M.
Could not eat here. The waitress at the bar told me that they would not guarantee anything here is gluten. So the others at our business meeting ate and I did not. They must have awful quality control in the kitchen if they can't cook a piece of fish and not guarantee it's gluten free. I have a major allergy to gluten. So can't take a chance.
(1)
Mark W.
Went her for a nice dinner had to wait on Saturday nite as expedited. Found two seats at bar and had beer and my wife had an awesome manhattan. Finally seated at table and ordered pizza and side salad which took over 30 minutes to come to table Very slow service. Should have stuck with roasted chicken as usual.
(3)
Mark D.
Trendy chain restaurant with food that is good, but not spectacular.
(3)
Joshua B.
Whoa - really? I've never reviewed J Alexander's? Wow...Ok! Time to review them then! So - here's the lowdown : It's pretty damn great. Yes, it's a chain - but, I've never seen a chain run this well this consistently. My most recent trip to J's was a week or so ago for lunch. I was working the 'late' that day at work and I had to come in early that morning for some meetings. My work will allow us to take extended time off if we have to work more hours in a day than normal. So, since I have to be in to work 2 hours early - I took a 3 hour lunch and drove to Cool Springs to have lunch. I sat at the bar and had my lunch. The service at the bar was incredible. I was wearing a black shirt and they got me a black napkin because they thought it would be better in case the white linen napkins had any fuzz on them. This way - it wouldn't rub off on me. Think about that. How many times does a server even think about that? This is just one example of the service they give. They really go out of their way and do things I'd never even expect. Has your drink gone dry? Not for long. These servers were on top of it. But - really - you can have the best service in the world - but, if the food isn't up to snuff then is it really worth it? Good news - the food is just as good as the service. I have never had anything bad there. Of course - I have my favorites. My most favorite item on the menu, bar none, is the Mac and Cheese. I have tried to recreate it at home to no avail. There is just something about it - although its hard to put my finger on it. I honestly wish I had the recipe. Also, the Carrot Cake is meant to be shared. I got a piece nearly as big as my head! And then they have hot melted cream cheese frosting they pour over the whole damn thing. It's all warm and gooey and wonderful. I didn't have it on this particular trip to J's - but, I thought I should mention it at least. It is not to be missed! In summary - the Mac and Cheese and Carrot Cake are not to be missed. But, really - everything on the menu I have had has been a home run in my eyes. J Alexanders is a great restaurant - chain or not. It's just damn good food with damn good service.
(5)
Chris P.
***Update: the service has gotten better and they have been getting the prime rib sandwich temperature correct pretty consistently*** Easy tidbits: 1. Service is cold and infrequent 2. They abhor splitting dishes 3. Value for price may perhaps be on point, but they serve entirely too much food 4. The atmosphere is bonkers (like loud jazz club without the live jazz) 5. The food is touch and go (good & bad) I would like coming here if it weren't for the people who work here. I don't like poor service, poor attitudes, and a bad atmosphere. Maybe because they serve over priced food they feel a bit entitled. I'm not really sure why there is such a pervasively cold attitude. Sometimes the food makes up for it but then the bill kills it all for you at the end of the meal. I have been told that a prime rib was as rare as possible when it was clearly medium well. If you charge $18 for a steak, you best get the temperature right or at least keep trying until you do. Aside from temperature on the steak, it's like a cardinal sin against humanity to split dishes here. My family has noticed that if you order a single serving per person it's way too much food. If you split the dish, they will "split" it for you and basically give you around 3/4 or under of the original portion. They also refuse to wait on you because the bill will be less than $50. The atmosphere and ambiance is actually one of the most important considerations, for me, when I decide whether or not to go back. Also, it takes a whole lot to have a bad atmosphere, because you can find any place to be pleasant in its own right. However, blaring music, an open kitchen, and yelling/obnoxious table neighbors will bother me every time. The aesthetics are dark rustic and high-class, but the music and the people BECAUSE of the music are a good restaurant's worst nightmare. Sometimes, if it's not just you and Little Bo Peep seated ACROSS THE RESTAURANT, you have to just smile and nod at the waiters and pretend like you understood what they were asking. People shout because they can't hear each other and it's just a bloody mess. I would rather walk over hot coals than have to sit at a table full of people and not have pleasant conversation because no one can hear or the worse alternative shout so the whole restaurant can hear what I have to say. Usually, it's just not that important. I ordered the fish dish of the day, which I have ordered twice now and enjoyed. It's a red fish over a bed of rice topped with a rich sauce. The sauce may be excessive as well as the portion size. Perhaps instead of a 3,500 calorie portion size for 26$, maybe serve a 700 calorie version for 16$. Feed me less and charge me less, please. The prime rib sandwich is a pretty great deal because basically you are getting a full cut of prime rib thrown on a crispy baguette. The major flaw with this dish is I have to spend 15 minutes performing surgery cutting fat marbling off the meat to ACTUALLY eat it like a sandwich. Otherwise, good luck with a dry cleaner. Oh! And it will NEVER and I repeat NEVER come to the table rare. Don't even attempt to order this rare because it will NEVER happen. They cook the prime rib all day and when they cut it it is usually medium and at best medium rare. Seared Tuna is good but pricey. One of the major revisions to this review is that I had a good experience with management this past check-in. I'm not sure if they saw me checking into Yelp or if they have attempted major changes, but when I asked if the cut was as rare as it could be, they actually cut the loin in the middle and brought me the rarest piece. This is seriously a first for me after eating here all my life. We will see if this sort of managerial empathy will stick and trickle down through the wait staff or not. We're still at 3 stars because the ambiance is horrific as is the service usually (-1), the food is usually mediocre (-1), price is high for "new" American food, although there is nothing new about the food they serve (-1). Aside: This is owned and managed by the same restaurant group that owns Wendy's, if that tells you anything. All I can say is typical Franklin. If people hold their stare too long, don't wonder. They are judging you.
(3)
Steven L.
This remains on my top five Franklin restaurants list (Saffire, Red Pony, Stoney River, J. Alexander's, Bonefish Grill, and an honorable mention to Cork & Cow). We just consistently enjoy this restaurant. The Cypress Salad is always a favorite I'm happy to recommend. And I BEG the restaurant to bring back the tequilla beans side!
(5)
Sejal M.
Great service every time. I love the veggie burger. I would love to see more veggie options/flexibility reflected on the menu. Great bar area too.
(5)
Michael M.
I've been to both the West End & Galleria location multiple times. You can NOT get a bad meal here. Period. The decor alone screams it loud and the service compliments it. This is the perfect business lunch to take clients. They don't rush you, the staff is knowledgeable about the menu, and the fish is always fresh. The kicker is the freaking coffee; wow brings a tear to my eyes - a press. I made the mistake of ordering an espresso one visit.......not good. I ordered it short but it came full to the brim and room temperature; they would hang them for that in Sicily.
(4)
Cher Y.
What can I say? J Alexander's has not disappointed me yet on all my visits. And yes, I am talking about a chain restaurant! Tasty food that is well prepared and generous in proportions, nice ambiance, excellent friendly service, good drink and desert selections. Yum yum and yum! 4.5 stars (rounded to 5), minus 1/2 star cause it is always jam-packed regardless of lunch/dinner and the wait lines (20-30 min each time) are just not cut out for hungry people. Even if you have a reservation, there is always a wait time as people just like to linger.... PROS: Great selection of food (meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarian entrees) Generous proportions, well prepared, and fresh Ample parking Nice ambiance of modern, warm & cozy (great for dates, family or corporate) Good selection of drinks and appetizers and deserts Great waiting staff CONS: The wait time to get a table .... :( On the pricey side but well worth it compared to other similar options
(5)
Keith C.
Had s great steak here. It was a great steak and cooked to perfection. A good steak house will serve a medium rare steak that way. A lesser quality place will tend to over cook it. They got it right.
(5)
Tim G.
Great rolls. Carrot cake is excellent. Service always rocks. Nice place to go if you are into chains. I'm just not a huge fan.
(3)
Luke S.
They have very good food. We've tried a lot of dishes on their menu, and they're all delicious. Portions are good, and service is also good. One of our favorite dishes is the Steak and Fries. It's simple, tasty, and fulfilling.
(4)
Lana O.
stopped by here for a quick lunch. It was seriously so yummy! The food was delicious. ambiance was great, and the service was incredibly attentive. It's a little more pricey, but I definitely think that the quality and service speak for themselves.
(4)
Laurie N.
I usually avoid chain restaurants, but J Alexander's is an exception to my food snob tendencies - it's that good. I've only been here for lunch, and I am impressed with the extensive menu, with everything from great salads to burgers to fish tacos (which were very fresh and flavorful). The cocktail menu is wonderful and generous as well. A great place for lunch in the over-saturated-with-restaurants Cool Springs area.
(4)
Lydia B.
We've eaten here three times and always come away happy. Staff seems willing to accommodate, they'll do special servings for kids even if it's not on the menu, good flavor in the food and sauces, nice atmosphere. We'll definitely go back!
(4)
Heather L T.
First time at J.Alexander's as of yesterday. I had heard this place had a pretty good rep. for quality, quantity, and excellence in general. We were greeted by a more than pleasant hostess and quickly lead to huge table that was half-booth, half-table, very unique. The lighting was just right and the service was pretty much impeccable. I ordered a Honeysuckle sparkling wine type of drink and although a little strong for my taste, it was still satisfying and less expensive than I would have guessed. The spinach queso dip was delicious for an appetizer, not too heavy or creamy. I ordered the Steak Maui and Smashed..now I am not typically a huge steak fan, but the sauce on this steak created a succulent masterpiece and what I like to refer to as a "mouth-gasm" (orgasm of the mouth). The steak was cooked just right and the potatoes delicious as well. Last but not least, a good list of desserts to choose from..now the crew I was with were feeling a little too shy for dessert, but not this gal. I ordered up the Creme Brulee..and this is a tough dish to master, but this dessert was PERFECTION..so creamy and perfectly sugared and hardened on top..with a warm outer and cool inner. Once my friends got a glimpse of this bowl of heaven, they too partook in it. Big portion and the best part of my night. I would definitely return for not only the service, ambiance, and entrees..but also, the dessert!:)
(4)
Fonda W.
I had the slow roasted prime rib and it was the BEST STEAK EVER!! It was tender, juicy & just perfect!! It came with smashed potato's; I also got broccoli on the side & it was steamed right. It wasn't too soft. The Mac & cheese was ok, I've had better. If you're a steak lover, this is place is a must.
(5)
Kristyna R.
I have been here 4 times and every time I literally have a religious dining experience. Start off with the Alex Salad - warm, crunchy bacon, buttery homemade croutons...DELISH! For the entree, it has to be the Filet Mignon with bernaise with the mac & cheese for the side. First of all, the meat is so tender you could literally cut it with a spoon....melt in your mouth. Now on to the mac & cheese....I personally am not a fan of restaurant mac & cheese. It's always too heavy and rich and usually pretty bland (and totally not worth the calories). That's how I felt until I had the mac & cheese at J's. HOLY CRAP....it's tangy & creamy with a crunchy baked top...it's divine, and worth every single calorie. Finally, my meal at J's is never complete unless I have the CARROT CAKE. It's soaked in butter overnight and served warm with gooey, melted icing over the top....I'm telling you, there are no words to properly convey how absolutely heavenly it is. The incredible food aside, the servers and bartenders are top-notch; friendly, charismatic, attentive. Needless to say, I'm a fan.
(5)
Stacey M.
Great atmosphere with a variety of cuisine. I prefer their steak with baked mac & cheese. The bar area is great and they know how to make drinks the right way.
(5)
Bryan H.
Our favorite place in Nashville. The chicken fingers are better than most places, steaks are good, but I always get the Cypress Salad which is excellent. Ask for the croissants. A little pricey at times and I wish they had a better and cheaper kid's menu though .
(5)
Summer S.
We've been here twice now and really appreciate. Romantic hush lighting ambiance, very delicious meals (burger is amaaazing, steaks and basically, anything!) I would highly suggest their pizzas! Adore the thin crusts and flavorful toppings! Wish there was some in CA!
(4)
Cher Y.
What can I say? J Alexander's has not disappointed me yet on all my visits. And yes, I am talking about a chain restaurant! Tasty food that is well prepared and generous in proportions, nice ambiance, excellent friendly service, good drink and desert selections. Yum yum and yum! 4.5 stars (rounded to 5), minus 1/2 star cause it is always jam-packed regardless of lunch/dinner and the wait lines (20-30 min each time) are just not cut out for hungry people. Even if you have a reservation, there is always a wait time as people just like to linger.... PROS: Great selection of food (meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarian entrees) Generous proportions, well prepared, and fresh Ample parking Nice ambiance of modern, warm & cozy (great for dates, family or corporate) Good selection of drinks and appetizers and deserts Great waiting staff CONS: The wait time to get a table .... :( On the pricey side but well worth it compared to other similar options
(5)
Keith C.
Had s great steak here. It was a great steak and cooked to perfection. A good steak house will serve a medium rare steak that way. A lesser quality place will tend to over cook it. They got it right.
(5)
Abby R.
I went to j Alexander's last night for dinner. It was great. However, I ordered a piece of carrot cake which I love to take home with me for dessert today! Well I went to bite into it this morning and it tasted like garlic. It was horrible. I feel like the to go box they gave me had pizza in it prior or something as it was really greasy. Anyway I had to spit it out and I have to say I'm extremely disappointed!
(2)
Steve S.
Poor service, still eating salad when main course came, server didn't care steak over cooked waitress too busy to care. When she knew they did a poor job she ignored us......won't go back
(1)
Rich R.
Really good food. A bastard child I Applebee's and Mortons had a baby. Service was outstanding but the beer lost was "limited" at best. Nonetheless, food was solid and service great. Atmosphere was very crowded and busy but warm and welcoming if you can combine all of that. Recommended!
(4)
Meredith R.
If I get to pick where we are eating, this place is always my first choice. It's my favorite cheeseburger in town. The fries are those thinner crispy delicious type that I crave. They have a great wine selection. I love the darker atmosphere and big comfy booths. Amazing!!!!
(5)
Sarah B.
I happened to notice just now that I had never reviewed this J. Alexander's - and that just amazes me. Hubby and I are regulars, yes; we have a favorite table, the combo half booth/half table on the back side - #17 in hostess speak; we have favorite entrees, favorite appetizers, and favorite desserts; and I can't tell you how many times we've visited. When we first introduced our two parents, we all came to this J.'s as we call it. December hubby and I celebrated 20 years of marriage. We've seen this restaurant through many renovations, additions, layout changes, etc. - and we still love it. Having loved in Cool Springs forever, the one positive thing I can say about all the growth and traffic here now is that the wait for a table during prime time is here is SLIGHTLY less. Yes, they do offer call ahead seating, and we use it. Have the phone number for this location as well as the two Nashville lcoations programmed in our cell phones. Like I said, folks, we're regulars, we just don't always check in to yelp on our phones when we're here, this is our time. Favorite appetizers rotate between the Spinach Queso (yummy, except for the brief time where the jalapenos are super fresh and a bit too much for me spice-challenged self) hint: your server is happy to bring you more chips if needed; and the salmon dip. Ditto the hint on the toast points, too with that app. Hubby's favorite entree usually is the Chicken Tenders. He loves them, and if they're not on the menu - it's OK, they have it anyway. Sometimes he'll opt for ribs or prime rib or a pork chop - all have been awesome. My favorite entree usually is the salmon with orzo salad. I love salmon, especially their mesquite grilled variety, and the orzo salad is such an addiction for me I have learned to (almost) replicate it. It's unlike any other orzo and wild rice salad you'll encounter - has cranberries, raisins, corn, black beans, cillantro, and a light yet pefect oil dressing that makes everything pop. Seriously, it's that good. I also love the prime rib if I'm feeling iron-deprived and their salads if it's summer-y. And the chicken pasta soup is always welcome, also. For dessert, if I pick, it's the carrot cake. It's just perfect, I'm sorry. I've had lots of other good carrot cakes, but this one is it unless my husband is making one for me. (using J's simple syrup tactics, mind you.) Hubby's dessert of choise is the Very Best Chocolate Cake. It is an awesome, rich, moist dark chocolate cake drizzled with extra chocolate syrup and coupled up with a scoop of really good vanilla ice cream. REALLY good, don't get me wrong. Just because I love carrot cake does not mean this isn't also the bomb. This is not a budget night out, let me be clear. Pretty consistenly whatever hubby and I order, we end up spending about $80 for dinner. Sometimes we might have a cocktail, others not, sometimes the app, or the dessert, etc. Like I said, no matter what we do, it ends up about $80. Not our cheapest dinner, but not the most expensive either, but always a great night. If you are wanting take out, you have to order from the bar. You cannot call in an order for pick up. They are busy as they want to be as it is, and do not wish to risk a bad guest experience by over-extending themselves. If you have someone at home ill, go here for dinner and order the chicken pasta soup to go for them. It heals things. I have visited J.'s locations in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga - and this franchise is consistent no matter what. If you haven't been, well, I can only assume you were waiting for this review, so go now.
(5)
Michelle C.
As always, our meals were outstanding. The service is like non other. I have never had a bad meal there, in fact the quality (for it being a chain) is superb. I usually get the salmon and it's wild caught with great flavor. My friend always gets the tuna and its just as good. We typically get either the grilled artichoke appetizer, guacamole or chips and queso. All SOO great!!! Never had a bad meal, service is some of the best I've seen and they have wonderful wines. Highly recommend J Alexander's. Also the ambiance is dark, sexy and romantic.
(5)
Alishah N.
I've gone to J Alexanders over the course of a few years since moving to Nashville - I've tried them for lunch and dinner, and in all honesty, I've never been impressed with it. In fact, I've been put off from my experiences. I've seen that others have been rating it strong 4s and 5s, which instantly puts me in the minority - but that being said, my review isn't based on one bad experience. I've given them a few shots, and I'm always left feeling exactly what the 2 star rating says: "Meh. I've experienced better." I've tried a number of things on the menu, and the food's been good - good, but not great. For the type of establishment it is, for the price I'm paying, it's disappointing. The pasta dishes I found to be alright - not good enough for me to order again, but alright enough for me to return to try something else on the menu. Their burgers, which are normally a safe bet at any place, are - again, alright. There's no question the burgers are better than a fast-food burger, but if you rank them against a similar establishment, then I really don't think compare. What's more, I've found their salads to be weirdly oily. In the few times when I'm on a health kick and wound up at J Alexander's (it's happened 3 or 4 times now) I've always found it odd to be served a salad so oily it's shining. Perhaps I could have ordered less dressing, or the dressing on the side...but again, my expectations are higher for the type of place that it is. I appreciate that J Alexander's is locally owned, and I've found the staff being helpful on most occasions - though there have been a few bad moments too: a vegetarian friend ordering a side of broccoli, and having it served to them with a piece of bacon. After asking the waiter if the broccoli normally comes with bacon on it, and finding out it doesn't, my friend then had to point at the plate of broccoli with the bacon sitting right on top of it all. The response: "Oh... it must have fallen on to your plate. Let me go get you another plate of broccoli." That's great - they fixed the problem without hesitation. But at the same time, I'm left with the humorous vision of bacon just being thrown around in the kitchen... Will I return to J Alexanders? Probably, but at someone else's suggestion. I've been there easily over 10 times now, and as I said earlier, I'm left with lackluster impressions. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It's just: I've experienced better.
(2)
Jan S.
Never a bad meal there, nor bad service! I know it is a chain, but it is always top-notch coupled with excellent service. The open-faced chicken salad sandwich and french dip are my usuals. But you simply cannot go wrong with anything there. The carrot cake is served warm with thick icing dripping off. Unbeatable. Highly recommend.
(5)
Su I.
I was impressed with the ambiance, the food, and the friendly staff. The place gets a little busy during lunch, it is usually a 15-25 minutes wait so get there early. I had the Scottish grilled salmon with orzo wild rice pilaf and I have no idea what was in the rice, it was a mixture of cranberry, raisins, corn, and something else but it was the most tasting wild rice I had ever had. Also their wine selection is incredible. I will definitely go back.
(5)
Katie B.
I ate a Sunday lunch there with my mom and daughter and we had fantastic service. This restaurant has always been one of my favorites. I've always loved the club sandwich and fries. I tried the veggie burger today and it was the best veggie burger I've ever had. So good!! You can't go wrong eating at J. Alexander's!
(5)
Greg K.
Server poorly trained. Server was incorrect on beer and wine information. Food incorrectly delivered but straightened out. Steaks okay, not great. Shrimp good. Smoked salmon dip good but not all of us liked it. Pizza dry and little flavor. Not worth the tab.
(2)
Tim M.
1 of my favorite J Alexander locations (been to 3 different ones) Wait times here can be horrendous - 60-90 min on Saturday night and Sunday brunch. Called ahead to get on the list - this takes 30 min off your wait time once you ARRIVE! Didn't know this and thought the estimate of 60-75 min was a direct quote but basically we needed to arrive, check-in to wait 30-45 min. Had my usual prime rib. The portion felt a bit smaller than I'm use to but cooked to order and the baked potato was huge. Got worried that I might not finish. Overall, definitely good. Dessert - Triple chocolate cake was heavy enough to be an entree. Coupled with the ice cream and it was the perfect finish to dinner. Service was alright on this occasion. Haven't been on a Saturday night so wonder if this is common.
(4)
Nancy P.
First visit on 6/14/14. It was 4:30 and already crowded. We did get a seat, and 45 minutes later when we were leaving there were people waiting. This is just FYI stuff. When we pulled in to the parking lot there was a very young guy in a suit cleaning up in the parking lot with a broom and dust pan. That was a good sign to me. So many business owners miss this. Its a nice atmosphere, lots of smiling faces and plenty of people taking care of you. They do nice things like bring a bottle of cold water so you are not sitting there with nothing to drink. My husband ordered a steak burger. I got the prime rib, and my son got the pork tenderloin with the spicy sauce. He loved his, and it had a pretty good kick. My prime rib was cooked to order, very good. The mashed potatoes were slightly dry, but not bad. My husbands burger was really tasty, but kind of small. He said there was not much too it, and I agree. The fries, no one liked those. They were so skinny, and just not to our liking. Any skinnier and they would have been like straw. Here is where they lose major points. We were hungry when we went in, and so we attacked our salads. I would say we eat fairly quickly, and we were still eating them when the food came. For all of their politeness they don't even blink when they are putting the food down, and they wait for you to move your dang salad out of the way. I have seen other people have the same complaint, so they have an issue there. A true fine dining restaurant would never do that. And a true fine dining restaurant would also have black napkins for people who are wearing dark clothes. My husband and I both had white fuzz all over our clothes. It sucked and we had to go home after that. It's so dark in there you can't see it until you get outside. It's pricey. Their teas and sodas are $3. That's nuts. Three dinners, no apps, $100. If you were to order wine and an appetizer it would be up there with some of the priciest around. So there you have it, the good, bad and ugly.
(3)
David O.
Stopped in for lunch after Buca Di Beppo wouldn't seat us while the computers were down. As with all J Alexanders I've been to, the ambiance is quite nice. Staff was friendly, and there was no wait for a table. It filled up quite a bit while we were there though, and there was a noticeable slowdown in the appearance of our waiter. I really love the food, but it always feels a bit pricey. If I had one complaint it would be that.
(4)
Will M.
I would recommend for out of towners because they have really good food. You can always tell when the staff is so serious and Professional, that none of the cookstaff is smiling. Conversely the relaxed atmosphere for any gathering and friendly servers always bring a smile, and are happy to serve you. I had a really good burger and the alex salad is a meal in itself. I'm sure their seafood and steaks are just as great. A bit upper class, but the prices aren't too expensive. Dark ambiance is really awesome. I can seriously doubt anyone will complain about the service or food or atmosphere. Solid choice, not one I will go to by myself because I cook at home, but if friends and family visit, they can always treat me to a nice meal here.
(5)
Sarah S.
I came here for dinner with a medium-sized group, none of whom were local, because our hotel concierge recommended it. Because of its shopping center pad location, I was expecting something akin to an Outback Steakhouse or maybe an Elephant Grill. I was pleasantly surprised to find a flare-free restaurant with a great drink and wine selection, a solid menu, and great service. You know how some burger joints give you the extra milkshake in the stainless steel mixing glass? They do that here with cocktails, putting the extra in a little glass floating in a bowl of ice water. This effectively turns your Manhattan into a Manhattan-and-a-half. Everyone was pleased with their meals. I ordered cilantro shrimp over rice with coleslaw. It was great, and the shrimp were properly cooked (i.e., not rubbery). The service was efficient and accommodating. When we were finished with dessert, our server asked us if all 11 of us would like our own, separate checks. Now where I live, this has never happened. You can split a bill, but the server will act like it's a big deal. Bay Area servers would never provide 11 separate checks, especially not voluntarily. Next time I'm in Nashville, I'll go back.
(4)
Claire H.
Wow that was amazing. In TN for the weekend and just happened to see it and I'm so glad I did! I had the salmon and rice and it was superb! I'm going to search for the recipe for that orzo rice because it's fantastic! Service was even better! Loved it and I cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Mark C.
Highly recommend J's! The food is excellent and the service is usually very good. My go to eatery when nothing better comes to mind.
(4)
Jeremy E.
Had a great meal here. I started with a Dos Perros and brick oven pizza. The brick oven pizza had a perfect crust and was topped with sausage, ricotta, and carmelized onions. It was perfect. I had a filet with mac and cheese. Delicious as always. My uncle had the Tuscan steak, which is a rosemary infused NY strip. Also very tasty. Service was great as always. Total bill was around $85 and I left full and happy. This is still the best bang for your buck in town.
(4)
Heath S.
Have been there 2-3 times in the last several months. This place is top notch. Have not had anything bad yet, great wine selection, friendly wait staff, higher end pricing - but worth the $$$
(5)
Kevin K.
I am a huge fan of J. Alexander's restaurants. I'm a regular at one in Livonia, MI, and have been to at least 4 different J. Alexander's locations. I ate here on a business trip to the Nashville area and it was excellent as it usually is. I had the Filet Kebab which might be my new favorite at JA's. (I also love the Steak Brazzo, Crispy Chicken Platter, Grilled Salmon, and many others entrees!) The service was excellent as is usually the case. They actually bring drink refills so often that my friends and I joke about it ... we probably end up eating more iced tea or soda than we normally would just because it comes so often. I also had the Carrot Cake for dessert which was also excellent. It's served warm and has an excellent cream cheese frosting. I highly recommend J. Alexander's restaurants and this one was no exception. (Keep in mind that I wouldn't compare JA's to a "true" 5-star restaurant, but for an upscale restaurant this is among the best.)
(5)
Brian C.
You can't go wrong EVER with J Alexanders for a business lunch or a dinner night with friends. For lunch, I'm a huge fan of the chicken sandwich. For dinner, the pork loin and rattlesnake pasta are always solid choices. J Alexander's wait staff understand the art of stealth service. You rarely see them drop off a refill and they never insert themselves into the conversation. Each are obviously trained to be efficient, kind and thorough. Dessert. Oh my, the desserts. Two of my favorite desserts in the Nashville area are here. Carrot Cake. Chocolate Bar Cake. It's a hard choice, but the carrot cake typically wins. My only criticism is the dining room is way too dark for lunch. It hurts walking outside in the sun after. Also, I've had a few hit or miss meals, but by far, the majority of the meals have been great.
(4)
Imelda M.
Have dined along with my husband three times at Js going through Nashville.........we've only sat at the bar, as we enjoy talking & meeting new people. Have eaten, salmon, chicken, salad, artichoke appetizer, sandwich {BLT] never have we had one complained. Find the restaurant extremely clean, service [at the bar] excellent, ambience vry good, a little noisey, but who cares. The Galleria area very clean, safe & wakable to several hotels. Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Cate C.
J Alexanders is my favorite Happy Place located in the Cool Springs Galleria of Franklin, Tennessee, They are an upscale eatery with a great wine list and rival many places locally in the bay area hands down. The service is excellent and they have no problem accomodating handicapped/wheelchairs, either. There homemade soup is to die for with it;s accompanyments, it can be a meal in itself. EVERYTHING you order is well made, scrumptious and made with fresh ingredients..they hve everything icluding sandwiches, full meals and seafood as well as steak.. Whenever I want to impres someone. I take them to this local eatery with its flair for food, sevice and ambience..
(4)
Austin G.
I had the most disgusting veggie burger I have ever tasted at this place, and I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers. I wasn't expecting many vegan options at a place like this (and I'm not convinced that was vegan, pretty sure there was butter on the bun), but usually a kitchen can figure out something edible. Not the case here. It was mushy and had a weird glaze on the patty. Ick.
(1)
Nathan C.
Prime rib sandwich is delicious. Fast and friendly service for a busy venue. Good sized interior that was packed with hungry people.
(5)
Buddy T.
The food here is always pretty good. The reasons for the one star is that they have the worst beer selection in all of Nashville. Everything today is about selection and knowledge. They have neither. The bartenders are attractive but wow they have no knowledge. I was dumbfounded when I requested an IPA and she did not know what that was! I would encourage the management to take a fresh look at the bar.
(1)
Shelly A.
Very pleased! Traveling for business and J Alexander's was recommended by a customer. We started with the queso and it was rich and creamy with spinach and thin crispy warm tortilla chips. Next I had the Cilantro Shrimp...it was very good and a very good value. 10 large tiger shrimp with rice and a very tasty slaw for $18. My co-worker had the steak and fries and was equally pleased....and the dinner salad...oh my goodness...it was HUGE!!! You could have added some chicken or shrimp to it and called it a meal on it's own!!! Not just your regular lettuce and tomato and some dressing. It was loaded. We wanted to try the highly recommended carrot cake but we were absolutely stuffed. Service was friendly, informative and prompt. Atmosphere was pleasant and inviting. I wish there was a location in the Dallas/Fort Worth area!
(5)
Scott M.
I completely love this place. The prime rib is awesome and actually very reasonably priced. The ambience is great. I typically don't care for chain restaurants but this one is really good. Wait time is extremely long on Friday and Saturday nights. Call ahead! But the food is worth the wait!
(5)
Krifka S.
I've been to this J Alexanders before and also the one in Tampa, FL. But my recent visit here was just ok--the food was good, but the service was terrible! #1 I can't even tell you how many servers we had--seemed like they kept switching up on us. #2 They couldn't seem to get didn't our Alex's salad right, first it came out with croutons, then when it came back again it had no dressing #3 we never got refills on drinks until I went up to the bar to get refills (yes, I am THAT person). However the rest of the food we had was good, and the quality I expect from J. Alexanders--You can never go wrong with the Hyde Park Chicken Sandwich. The Alex's Salad is really good and is REALLLLLLLLY good if you combine the vinaigrette that comes on it with some of their ranch (my MIL-showed me this trick-it is AWESOME!) F For those GF folks out there, J Alexanders does not have a GF menu nor are many of their items GF with out some major modification's, so beware, you may be stuck to the 1/2 roast chicken I had (although it was good).
(3)
Ted D.
OMG the carrot cake is something to behold...IT IS SO DANG GOOD! I also enjoyed the tuna steak, didn't actually eat beef...Service was excellent during my visit!
(4)
Jessica B.
Best place in Cool Springs for a business lunch. Wait staff is incredible and attention to detail is their specialty. My favorite is the California Burger.
(4)
Jessica W.
This is one of our absolute faves! Great, reliable, classic American food. There is nothing bad on the menu, the service is always exceptional, and it doesn't break the bank! Would only recommend bringing well-behaved children here.
(5)
Erin J.
What can I say? The keys here for me are consistency, fabulous service, nice-sized portions, and high-quality food. Yes, it's pretty standard American food, but it's done very well. We usually sit at the bar, and I love that when you're ready to order they place a nice white napkin in front of you. I also love that you get chilled water with no ice (not an ice-water gal, but like it chilled. Perfect). All the bartenders and servers I've come in contact with are very professional, and surprisingly never seem frustrated - even with the bar hopping! There was once that my order was wrong (I requested no bacon), and they whisked the dish away & came right back with another. Love it! Just as a note....this J Alex has brick oven pizza, as well as some of the older menu items (half chicken, chicken tenders, others). The J's on West End does not, and that's the one I used to frequent. Now that we're in Franklin this is our "new" location, and it's nice to see some of those old items again! **Also important to note....they have the BEST veggie burger I've ever had!
(5)
Dip C.
The best thing about this place is the service. The food is good too. The only thing I am not happy about is its inability to hold large groups. We were a group of 9 and we struggled with the seating. This is good for lunch too but the ambiance will be perfect for dinner.
(4)
Philip l.
I can not understand the great reviews this place has recieved. My wife and I went there on our 25th aniversary. I was expecting to spend about $150 for the evening so the price of the food wasnt the issue. To spend $30, each, on a steak and it NOT come with a salad was cheap of the place. Our food was delayed because they ran out of bernaise. How do you run out of bernaise? Once we got the steaks, My steak knife was so dirty even the waiter noticed it, he took it back before I could pick it up. A few days later we went to Logan Roadhouse, it steak was just as good. It came with a salad and we even got peanuts to snack on.
(2)
David G.
I'm just not that into you... Have you ever heard that line? Used that line yourself to break up with someone? Well, J. Alexander's, I'm just not that into you. We used to have good time together when I was a teenager and my palate hadn't expanded beyond the chain restaurant phase of my life. We used to go out all the time and eat prime rib open faced sandwiches or salad bowls the size of my rear end. But, now I enjoy independent restaurants with really good food, actual creativity (not faux conic shaped french fry designs or conic shaped mashed potatoes on my plate), and properly portioned food. I just need to move on and away from you. You really don't offer much to me. I know, I know. We used to have such good times. But, like I've said, I'm just not that into you. Your food is not all that well-spiced, your servers are trying to be something they're not, and your food might as well be O'Charley's. Blah
(2)
Mel P.
I have been a customer at J's for many years. The location on West End in Nashville always seems like a nice night out.......that is because of the staff. However, after moving to Franklin, TN, the closest J's is in Cool Springs. Unfortunately, this particular location will turn you against J Alexanders. They are located close to the Mall and all the hustle and bustle. This is not the problem. The problem is that they seem to just not care anymore. I'm sure they deal with the "mall crowd" all the time and it has made their attention to detail lacking. I'll give you an example of my last visit (a saturday at 3 p.m). This may be the first time that I have looked at the menu and just realized how tired and outdated it is. After slowly picking my way through the dishes over the years, I usually am limited to about five meals that I'll eat. Perhaps I'm being overly critical, but if it were my place I would work on the customer service as a first priority. We usually encounter a hostess that is less than enthusiastic about even being alive, much less working.......kinda snobby......that comes from who you have to deal with, not who the server is. I went straight for the specials when I was seated. Imagine that, I've seen all these specials many many times before. The servers, no matter where you're seated or what time of day, seem as if they're doing you a favor by waiting on you.......and most do not have a good working knowledge of the menu items themselves. But mostly you wait........for everything. It truly is hard to get a fresh glass of iced tea in a timely manner. And the food..........basic. You can tell it's made without much care at all. Lots of contradicting flavors and just trying too hard to be a swank place to eat. I kind of laugh when they bring out a giant pile of those dry and tasteless "smashed potatoes" or they carefully construct that foot-high mountain of cheap fries on your plate. And the carrot cake that everyone just loves?? I've had it at least fifty times over the years. It's not enough to make me spend money for the rest of the meal just to get the carrot cake............which has also gone way downhill. If you want a really good carrot cake, go to the Puckett's Boathouse in Franklin. As for me, if I visit a J's again, it won't be the one in Cool Springs.
(3)
Hailey T.
"Dark, rare and yummy!" It was dark as others have said. However please note this was one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had! The wine was delicious, my prime rib was as rare as can be (I asked for it :-)) now for the grand finale CORN BREAD! My whole group still talks about it a year later!
(5)
Shonnie T.
I have been eating at J's for years. Absolutely love it everytime. They have renovated their patio and installed an indoor/outdoor fireplace. Consider the seat next to it taken! Good food, service, and atmosphere!
(5)
Kyna M.
We LOVE this place. ALL the food is good and portions big so we share. New pizza awesome.
(5)
Michael L.
I try not to write long reviews for chains since you know what the hell you're getting, but I'll give it 3 since it's definitely a chain in another bracket above your typical Applebees/Fridays/Outback. Good Service. Decent food. I see no reason not to come back.
(3)
John F.
Eight adults and 2 kids gathered at J Alexander's to celebrate 2 birthdays on a Friday night at 6pm. The wait was short and the wait staff was very attentive...at first. Water glasses kept full, beer/wine glasses not so much. Order was taken and food delivered in a very respectfully time. My steak was warm, no were near hot as was another order of crab cakes. To be fair to the restaurant we did not complain...did not want to ruin the evening for the other couples by complaining about our meal. Service quickly fell off after the food was delivered. Plates piled up that we had to start stacking them on the floor. Dessert orders were placed and over 20 minutes passed until it came out. Dessert was huge and very good. another 20 minutes and we were handed the bill...and yes another 20 minutes it was picked up and...you guessed it another 20 minutes change and credit cards returned. Remember the part above about the 2 kids....8 adults?? This night went from fun family and food to waiting, screaming kids, and more waiting. The bill for just us two was 80 dollars...that's not a problem if the food and service was "Great"...but it fell way short. Not sure if we will ever go back....defiantly not with a group larger than 4. jf
(3)
AmiBeth O.
This place is the JAM!!! You can't order a bad item from the menu--though I recommend one of their salads and an appetizer! Mmm, so good that I wish I was there right now! Or waitress was absolutely adorable, friendly, super attentive and very sweet!!! Loved her so much!!!! Gosh, I really want their Thai Salad right now. Mmm, and their cheesey dip was sooooo good. I feel like a five year old writing this review!!!
(5)
Phil M.
I don't know what the deal is with this place but it's exactly the same as Houston's in New York. Looks the same same menu same pretty much everything. That's a good thing though because I love Houston's and I love this place also. The dark cozy interior is a great place to go especially on a date or just for a good quality meal. People dress more up then down if you're looking like a slob. Love the salads ... it's not the cheap iceberg lettuce and the champagne vinaigrette is to die for. Prime rib was excellent mashed potatoes extremely good. You can eat cheap or expensive depending on what you pick on the menu ... there's a wide variety in prices. My service was excellent as typical in Houstons don't miss a meal here when in the area.
Ordered the classic hamburger cooked well done. EXCELLENT. Huge burger. Very well seasoned. The Ahi Tuna burger really good!! Very well seasoned. The macaroni and cheese was really good and cheesy. Their coffee is really fresh and robust. The polish gumbo soup was very good too. I dont think there is a bad dish on this menu!!! Ordered the famous carrot cake..about fell off the table. DELICIOUS... The lighting is really low in here for lunch as well as super busy. You can see the chefs cooking and this place is well staffed. Courteous waiter. Would recommend!! 5 star..
(5)
Gabriela F.
Great place to eat- awesome ambiance and fast service. I had the rotisserie chicken and the Mexican cheese and artichoke dip. Both great options and lots of flavor
(5)
Mrs M.
What a wonderful dinner. We had dined last night at a steakhouse across the street and were, let's say, less than thrilled.... Here, the service is top notch. On a super busy night, a call ahead is a definate. Otherwise, the wait would have been 45-60 mins. We called ahead and the wait was only 20 mins upon arrival. The steaks were seasoned to perfection & cooked to order perfectly. The fries are so yummy! Thin and crispy! The macncheese is Def enough for 2 to share. They did a nice cut of prime for our 6yr old at a cost of $15. All in all the value is supurb! Will absolutely return.
(5)
Seth O.
The prices are really quite high. I ordered some chicken and fries, with Mac and Cheese. My Wife ordered pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes. I got quite a bit of food for the price I paid. The chicken was quite nice, but it is not as good as longhorn. The fries were good, but they were very thin. Shoestring fries. This was quite annoying for having dipping sauce for it. The Mac and cheese was made with Alfredo sauce, and was quite frankly, gross. The total was 18 bucks. My wife had the pork tenderloin and mashed potatoes. This costed 20 bucks. He plate seemed quite empty, for that price. The mashed potatoes were somewhat dry, and had a really odd aftertaste, I can't quite describe. The pork was pretty good, but not fantastic. The place was pretty good, but for these prices, you could eat cheaper at Longhorn, and better. Which is something I never expected I would say. The food was good, but I won't be back.
(4)
Gee M.
The place is too dark for me and the food is ok.
(2)
matt s.
There's something very special going on at this restaurant. Here with a party of seven. Everything is not only wonderful, it's flawlessly magnificent. The croutons on the salad make you want to order extra croutons. Everyone was sharing dishes. The steaks were cooked perfectly and medium was bright pink. Medium well had a tiny pink line. The cole slaw was a mountain of fresh veggies in an amazing dressing. Pork tenderloin with bang bang sauce was a surprising favorite. I had an Alex salad with may tag blue cheese and .... Well, there was nothing we ordered that wasn't the best we'd ever had. Someone in the kitchen is an absolute fanatic for making the amazing. OMG almost forgot to rave over the ribs!! Dessert is coming. It's called "Powerful Stuff". We are expecting a foot tall mountain of amazing caramel cream gooeyness.
(5)
Christina H.
Excellent food. Had the French dip which was very large and delicious. Attentive wait staff. Be sure to get the carrot cake for dessert. You won't regret it. Big enough for 3-4 people.
(5)
Miranda P.
Just another J Alexanders location that I love had a fantistatic waitress and everything came out perfect. Alexanders is always so consistent. Never disappoints.
(5)
Ken K.
Had lunch at J Alexander's today. The food was excellent and the service was right on the mark. For a lite lunch try the fish tacos and ask for the fish to be grilled instead of fried as the menu only offers fried fish tacos.
(5)
D B.
J Alexander's occupies that space between Outback and legitimate fine dining. Simply put, the experience should be better for the amount of time and money you invest to eat here. Based on their prices, it appears that they are trying to compete with the elite restaurants in town. They don't measure up. Why wait for an hour and a half to eat average food? To put it in the words of our server when she was asked about one of the entrees, "You can get that anywhere."
(2)
BT M.
This is a hidden gem. It's not "hidden" because people don't know about it, but because it's not in a premier spot with easy ingress and egress. It's still a gem. I have never had a bad meal here. I have never been with anyone who said their meal was bad. More often, someone gets a dish different from mine and I want their meal, despite the delicious meal I have on my plate. Pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken...it's all been awesome. You'll be comfortable there in a suit and tie, or jeans and a Polo...or shorts and a t-shirt. Okay, just wear clothes, that'll work. The service is incredible.
(4)
Amy D.
This is my go to breakfast spot, granted its good so you WILL wait but Oh Man is it worth it! I love this place the food is delicious and its super filling, I have a Sunday ritual of going here and stuff my face then I go to whole foods immediately after and walk it off. It's the only way i can handle eating all the food I'm going to get. The service is also great So WIN all around so worth the 35 minute drive it takes to get here
(5)
Tom G.
Very friendly staff and consistently good food! I have eaten there for a casual bite as well as for a business dinner and would recommend this place to anyone. No surprise that it is as popular as it is.
(5)
Lauren M.
Wait staff is bad... Food here is good but nothing to write home about... And it's super dark in here!
(2)
Rob W.
You can't go wrong eating here. I love this place, its calm and quiet and the food is always great. Sometimes we go out just to go out, but J Alexander's is always worth the trip and the money.
(5)
Danny W.
Amazing food! Great customer service! Good decor! What more could you ask for!? Our waitress made a personal connection with us which is the sincerest form of customer service. Thanks Nicole!
(5)
Cole C.
I had a late lunch with two family members, we sat in a booth in the bar area. The service staff was polite, professional, and I would say fairly knowledgable of the food/drink. Although we did give our server a heads up that we were not in a rush, I felt like the pace of the food and drinks coming out was good. We shared a bottle of white wine and some bloody marry's which were awesome. We had a variety of apps and entrees, all were tasty and filling. My only issue, though a minor one, was more of a presentation/convenience matter. I ordered the prime rib sandwich, which while being tasty and cooked as ordered, my expectations differed from what I received. It was a large portion of prime rib, with two slices of bread on the side. Once I put it together, it was literally difficult to eat because of the size. Yes, I could have just sliced it myself. But being a lunch promoted item, this could prove inconvenient for those in a time crunch or eating on the go. I would suggest that instead they use a several smaller pieces. There was a side au jus, but I think offering some caramelized onions and/or some creamy horseradish sauce, would really bring the dish together. Again, minor issue, but my overall experience was quite enjoyable.
(4)
Deen W.
J. Alexander's is almost like a Houston's....but there are a lot of little things that keep them just a few notches behind. There was an hour wait on a Friday night (to be expected) so my husband ordered us drinks and we staked out a place to sit and wait for our name. The menu is good. I saw some additional items that were not there last time we dined at a J. Alexander's. My husband got the prime rib sandwich, my daughter got the kid's grilled chicken sandwich & subbed a loaded potato for fries, and I got the steak burger. Prime rib sandwich was delicious! My daughter's "kid's meal" looked just like an adult portion. I was thoroughly impressed to see her get down on the mountain that was the loaded baked potato. My steak burger was disappointing. While it was tasty enough (think fancy big mac), I was perplexed at why it was served on a hard baguette. I would have rather had a normal bun like my daughter's. If they are going to stray from something as basic and expected as a hamburger bun for a hamburger, I suggest they put it on the menu. I ended up ditching the bread and eating my burger "open faced". There are a few menu items that can not be beat: creamy chicken pasta soup, prime rib sandwich, smoked salmon dip, and carrot cake. Other than that, I could really take or leave J.Alexander's.
(3)
Mohun K.
Lunch on 1/30/14. We arrived at 1140am and the place was packed - that's usually a good thing. We were seated after 15 minutes. We had great prompt service from our waiter. I ordered the fennel sausage pizza and was blown away. Just the right amount of chewiness and the homemade sausage was excellent. This was my first visit and I would love to try this place again.
(4)
Jonny M.
J Alexander's has Good food, a nice vibe, And great service. It has a little bit of a business meeting feel, which keeps me from coming more often. But it is a great place for sure. Its a little on the finer side don't expect to pay a little more than your average restaurant.
(4)
Trace S.
For quite a while I told people who ask me what my favorite burger in Nashville is that it was J Alexanders. For quite some time I was amazed with the quality cheeseburger they were making. I'm pretty sure they grill the burgers over their wood fired grill. Unfortunately, the constancy has become pretty spotty. My last few experiences at the Cool Springs location have definitely be ok, but there's no way i can continue pointing people to them as the best burger in Nashville. Once or twice my burger wasn't very hot when it was served. The grilling of the sliced part of the bun seems to be elective and at least once it was cooked beyond what I ordered. I'm not giving up on it, but I'm a little leery.
(4)
Alex V.
Well, I was in Nashville and some friends decided to make a visit to this great establishment. I always forget to review this place. It is awesome. We walked in with 6 people and we sat pretty quick. It was lunch time and it was pretty busy. I had the french dip BAM!!! off the chain. The sandwich is a very nice size, we order some artichoke appetizer that I did not understand how to eat, but it was good. My wife and friends raved about how good their lunch was too. I like this place because it gives a good portion of food, the flavors are always delicious and the services is very good. When in Franklin, Tn. you need to stop here.
(4)
Chris J.
Went there tonight for dinner while in town on business. I go to their location in Atlanta often and the food is consistent between the two locations. Their queso is awesome and their ribs are usually my go-to selection, but tonight I got the rotisserie chicken. Everything was as expected...excellent. The only reason why they didn't get 5 stars is because I felt a bit rushed. I dined alone and it was at the begining of the dinner rush and the server seemed to want me out of there ASAP so the table can be used by more than one person.
(4)
Moni F.
The food is always very tasty upscale restaurant without overly upscale pricing. You can come in wearing shorts or jeans or you can come in wearing a suit. Servers are always extremely professional yet friendly. They don't serve half glasses of wine that's the only downfall but the upside is when you order a martini you get what they call a sidecar and it's almost a second martini but not quite. I like that the crafted martinis and drinks have some fresh ingredients like grapefruit or fresh squeezed orange. Would be nice to see them elaborate on the fresh citrus. The bartenders are extremely nice - my top three would be Jenna ,Libby, and Lisa. Those three make the best drinks hands-down! They also understand catering to customers. Some of the others might be more franchise oriented. The most impressive location in Tennessee is definitely the one in cool springs. It's not uncommon to run across celebrities I've seen quite a few. The handcrafted stone heated pizzas have a thin crust yet an amazing fresh almost chewy yet flaky crust. Their Scottish salmon is a winner, try pairing it with the baby kale salad or the Alex'a salad. Their white bean soup is undeniably the best anywhere and it comes with a small square of out of this world cornbread!
(5)
Rheonna W.
Not the best meal I've ever had at J's, the steak was cooked right, however it was not tender. I should have known to order a Ribeye if I wanted steak. Service was good, as usual.
(3)
Rambo C.
Great service... Great food. The salmon appetizer is the best we ever had. Ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and the prime rib done perfectly and melt in your mouth. Not a bad thing to say...
(5)
Joe M.
Could not eat here. The waitress at the bar told me that they would not guarantee anything here is gluten. So the others at our business meeting ate and I did not. They must have awful quality control in the kitchen if they can't cook a piece of fish and not guarantee it's gluten free. I have a major allergy to gluten. So can't take a chance.
(1)
Mark W.
Went her for a nice dinner had to wait on Saturday nite as expedited. Found two seats at bar and had beer and my wife had an awesome manhattan. Finally seated at table and ordered pizza and side salad which took over 30 minutes to come to table Very slow service. Should have stuck with roasted chicken as usual.
(3)
Mark D.
Trendy chain restaurant with food that is good, but not spectacular.
(3)
Joshua B.
Whoa - really? I've never reviewed J Alexander's? Wow...Ok! Time to review them then! So - here's the lowdown : It's pretty damn great. Yes, it's a chain - but, I've never seen a chain run this well this consistently. My most recent trip to J's was a week or so ago for lunch. I was working the 'late' that day at work and I had to come in early that morning for some meetings. My work will allow us to take extended time off if we have to work more hours in a day than normal. So, since I have to be in to work 2 hours early - I took a 3 hour lunch and drove to Cool Springs to have lunch. I sat at the bar and had my lunch. The service at the bar was incredible. I was wearing a black shirt and they got me a black napkin because they thought it would be better in case the white linen napkins had any fuzz on them. This way - it wouldn't rub off on me. Think about that. How many times does a server even think about that? This is just one example of the service they give. They really go out of their way and do things I'd never even expect. Has your drink gone dry? Not for long. These servers were on top of it. But - really - you can have the best service in the world - but, if the food isn't up to snuff then is it really worth it? Good news - the food is just as good as the service. I have never had anything bad there. Of course - I have my favorites. My most favorite item on the menu, bar none, is the Mac and Cheese. I have tried to recreate it at home to no avail. There is just something about it - although its hard to put my finger on it. I honestly wish I had the recipe. Also, the Carrot Cake is meant to be shared. I got a piece nearly as big as my head! And then they have hot melted cream cheese frosting they pour over the whole damn thing. It's all warm and gooey and wonderful. I didn't have it on this particular trip to J's - but, I thought I should mention it at least. It is not to be missed! In summary - the Mac and Cheese and Carrot Cake are not to be missed. But, really - everything on the menu I have had has been a home run in my eyes. J Alexanders is a great restaurant - chain or not. It's just damn good food with damn good service.
(5)
Chris P.
***Update: the service has gotten better and they have been getting the prime rib sandwich temperature correct pretty consistently*** Easy tidbits: 1. Service is cold and infrequent 2. They abhor splitting dishes 3. Value for price may perhaps be on point, but they serve entirely too much food 4. The atmosphere is bonkers (like loud jazz club without the live jazz) 5. The food is touch and go (good & bad) I would like coming here if it weren't for the people who work here. I don't like poor service, poor attitudes, and a bad atmosphere. Maybe because they serve over priced food they feel a bit entitled. I'm not really sure why there is such a pervasively cold attitude. Sometimes the food makes up for it but then the bill kills it all for you at the end of the meal. I have been told that a prime rib was as rare as possible when it was clearly medium well. If you charge $18 for a steak, you best get the temperature right or at least keep trying until you do. Aside from temperature on the steak, it's like a cardinal sin against humanity to split dishes here. My family has noticed that if you order a single serving per person it's way too much food. If you split the dish, they will "split" it for you and basically give you around 3/4 or under of the original portion. They also refuse to wait on you because the bill will be less than $50. The atmosphere and ambiance is actually one of the most important considerations, for me, when I decide whether or not to go back. Also, it takes a whole lot to have a bad atmosphere, because you can find any place to be pleasant in its own right. However, blaring music, an open kitchen, and yelling/obnoxious table neighbors will bother me every time. The aesthetics are dark rustic and high-class, but the music and the people BECAUSE of the music are a good restaurant's worst nightmare. Sometimes, if it's not just you and Little Bo Peep seated ACROSS THE RESTAURANT, you have to just smile and nod at the waiters and pretend like you understood what they were asking. People shout because they can't hear each other and it's just a bloody mess. I would rather walk over hot coals than have to sit at a table full of people and not have pleasant conversation because no one can hear or the worse alternative shout so the whole restaurant can hear what I have to say. Usually, it's just not that important. I ordered the fish dish of the day, which I have ordered twice now and enjoyed. It's a red fish over a bed of rice topped with a rich sauce. The sauce may be excessive as well as the portion size. Perhaps instead of a 3,500 calorie portion size for 26$, maybe serve a 700 calorie version for 16$. Feed me less and charge me less, please. The prime rib sandwich is a pretty great deal because basically you are getting a full cut of prime rib thrown on a crispy baguette. The major flaw with this dish is I have to spend 15 minutes performing surgery cutting fat marbling off the meat to ACTUALLY eat it like a sandwich. Otherwise, good luck with a dry cleaner. Oh! And it will NEVER and I repeat NEVER come to the table rare. Don't even attempt to order this rare because it will NEVER happen. They cook the prime rib all day and when they cut it it is usually medium and at best medium rare. Seared Tuna is good but pricey. One of the major revisions to this review is that I had a good experience with management this past check-in. I'm not sure if they saw me checking into Yelp or if they have attempted major changes, but when I asked if the cut was as rare as it could be, they actually cut the loin in the middle and brought me the rarest piece. This is seriously a first for me after eating here all my life. We will see if this sort of managerial empathy will stick and trickle down through the wait staff or not. We're still at 3 stars because the ambiance is horrific as is the service usually (-1), the food is usually mediocre (-1), price is high for "new" American food, although there is nothing new about the food they serve (-1). Aside: This is owned and managed by the same restaurant group that owns Wendy's, if that tells you anything. All I can say is typical Franklin. If people hold their stare too long, don't wonder. They are judging you.
(3)
Steven L.
This remains on my top five Franklin restaurants list (Saffire, Red Pony, Stoney River, J. Alexander's, Bonefish Grill, and an honorable mention to Cork & Cow). We just consistently enjoy this restaurant. The Cypress Salad is always a favorite I'm happy to recommend. And I BEG the restaurant to bring back the tequilla beans side!
(5)
Sejal M.
Great service every time. I love the veggie burger. I would love to see more veggie options/flexibility reflected on the menu. Great bar area too.
(5)
Michael M.
I've been to both the West End & Galleria location multiple times. You can NOT get a bad meal here. Period. The decor alone screams it loud and the service compliments it. This is the perfect business lunch to take clients. They don't rush you, the staff is knowledgeable about the menu, and the fish is always fresh. The kicker is the freaking coffee; wow brings a tear to my eyes - a press. I made the mistake of ordering an espresso one visit.......not good. I ordered it short but it came full to the brim and room temperature; they would hang them for that in Sicily.
(4)
Summer S.
We've been here twice now and really appreciate. Romantic hush lighting ambiance, very delicious meals (burger is amaaazing, steaks and basically, anything!) I would highly suggest their pizzas! Adore the thin crusts and flavorful toppings! Wish there was some in CA!
(4)
Cher Y.
What can I say? J Alexander's has not disappointed me yet on all my visits. And yes, I am talking about a chain restaurant! Tasty food that is well prepared and generous in proportions, nice ambiance, excellent friendly service, good drink and desert selections. Yum yum and yum! 4.5 stars (rounded to 5), minus 1/2 star cause it is always jam-packed regardless of lunch/dinner and the wait lines (20-30 min each time) are just not cut out for hungry people. Even if you have a reservation, there is always a wait time as people just like to linger.... PROS: Great selection of food (meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarian entrees) Generous proportions, well prepared, and fresh Ample parking Nice ambiance of modern, warm & cozy (great for dates, family or corporate) Good selection of drinks and appetizers and deserts Great waiting staff CONS: The wait time to get a table .... :( On the pricey side but well worth it compared to other similar options
(5)
Keith C.
Had s great steak here. It was a great steak and cooked to perfection. A good steak house will serve a medium rare steak that way. A lesser quality place will tend to over cook it. They got it right.
(5)
Abby R.
I went to j Alexander's last night for dinner. It was great. However, I ordered a piece of carrot cake which I love to take home with me for dessert today! Well I went to bite into it this morning and it tasted like garlic. It was horrible. I feel like the to go box they gave me had pizza in it prior or something as it was really greasy. Anyway I had to spit it out and I have to say I'm extremely disappointed!
(2)
Steve S.
Poor service, still eating salad when main course came, server didn't care steak over cooked waitress too busy to care. When she knew they did a poor job she ignored us......won't go back
(1)
Rich R.
Really good food. A bastard child I Applebee's and Mortons had a baby. Service was outstanding but the beer lost was "limited" at best. Nonetheless, food was solid and service great. Atmosphere was very crowded and busy but warm and welcoming if you can combine all of that. Recommended!
(4)
Meredith R.
If I get to pick where we are eating, this place is always my first choice. It's my favorite cheeseburger in town. The fries are those thinner crispy delicious type that I crave. They have a great wine selection. I love the darker atmosphere and big comfy booths. Amazing!!!!
(5)
Michelle C.
As always, our meals were outstanding. The service is like non other. I have never had a bad meal there, in fact the quality (for it being a chain) is superb. I usually get the salmon and it's wild caught with great flavor. My friend always gets the tuna and its just as good. We typically get either the grilled artichoke appetizer, guacamole or chips and queso. All SOO great!!! Never had a bad meal, service is some of the best I've seen and they have wonderful wines. Highly recommend J Alexander's. Also the ambiance is dark, sexy and romantic.
(5)
Greg K.
Server poorly trained. Server was incorrect on beer and wine information. Food incorrectly delivered but straightened out. Steaks okay, not great. Shrimp good. Smoked salmon dip good but not all of us liked it. Pizza dry and little flavor. Not worth the tab.
(2)
Tim M.
1 of my favorite J Alexander locations (been to 3 different ones) Wait times here can be horrendous - 60-90 min on Saturday night and Sunday brunch. Called ahead to get on the list - this takes 30 min off your wait time once you ARRIVE! Didn't know this and thought the estimate of 60-75 min was a direct quote but basically we needed to arrive, check-in to wait 30-45 min. Had my usual prime rib. The portion felt a bit smaller than I'm use to but cooked to order and the baked potato was huge. Got worried that I might not finish. Overall, definitely good. Dessert - Triple chocolate cake was heavy enough to be an entree. Coupled with the ice cream and it was the perfect finish to dinner. Service was alright on this occasion. Haven't been on a Saturday night so wonder if this is common.
(4)
Sarah B.
I happened to notice just now that I had never reviewed this J. Alexander's - and that just amazes me. Hubby and I are regulars, yes; we have a favorite table, the combo half booth/half table on the back side - #17 in hostess speak; we have favorite entrees, favorite appetizers, and favorite desserts; and I can't tell you how many times we've visited. When we first introduced our two parents, we all came to this J.'s as we call it. December hubby and I celebrated 20 years of marriage. We've seen this restaurant through many renovations, additions, layout changes, etc. - and we still love it. Having loved in Cool Springs forever, the one positive thing I can say about all the growth and traffic here now is that the wait for a table during prime time is here is SLIGHTLY less. Yes, they do offer call ahead seating, and we use it. Have the phone number for this location as well as the two Nashville lcoations programmed in our cell phones. Like I said, folks, we're regulars, we just don't always check in to yelp on our phones when we're here, this is our time. Favorite appetizers rotate between the Spinach Queso (yummy, except for the brief time where the jalapenos are super fresh and a bit too much for me spice-challenged self) hint: your server is happy to bring you more chips if needed; and the salmon dip. Ditto the hint on the toast points, too with that app. Hubby's favorite entree usually is the Chicken Tenders. He loves them, and if they're not on the menu - it's OK, they have it anyway. Sometimes he'll opt for ribs or prime rib or a pork chop - all have been awesome. My favorite entree usually is the salmon with orzo salad. I love salmon, especially their mesquite grilled variety, and the orzo salad is such an addiction for me I have learned to (almost) replicate it. It's unlike any other orzo and wild rice salad you'll encounter - has cranberries, raisins, corn, black beans, cillantro, and a light yet pefect oil dressing that makes everything pop. Seriously, it's that good. I also love the prime rib if I'm feeling iron-deprived and their salads if it's summer-y. And the chicken pasta soup is always welcome, also. For dessert, if I pick, it's the carrot cake. It's just perfect, I'm sorry. I've had lots of other good carrot cakes, but this one is it unless my husband is making one for me. (using J's simple syrup tactics, mind you.) Hubby's dessert of choise is the Very Best Chocolate Cake. It is an awesome, rich, moist dark chocolate cake drizzled with extra chocolate syrup and coupled up with a scoop of really good vanilla ice cream. REALLY good, don't get me wrong. Just because I love carrot cake does not mean this isn't also the bomb. This is not a budget night out, let me be clear. Pretty consistenly whatever hubby and I order, we end up spending about $80 for dinner. Sometimes we might have a cocktail, others not, sometimes the app, or the dessert, etc. Like I said, no matter what we do, it ends up about $80. Not our cheapest dinner, but not the most expensive either, but always a great night. If you are wanting take out, you have to order from the bar. You cannot call in an order for pick up. They are busy as they want to be as it is, and do not wish to risk a bad guest experience by over-extending themselves. If you have someone at home ill, go here for dinner and order the chicken pasta soup to go for them. It heals things. I have visited J.'s locations in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga - and this franchise is consistent no matter what. If you haven't been, well, I can only assume you were waiting for this review, so go now.
(5)
Alishah N.
I've gone to J Alexanders over the course of a few years since moving to Nashville - I've tried them for lunch and dinner, and in all honesty, I've never been impressed with it. In fact, I've been put off from my experiences. I've seen that others have been rating it strong 4s and 5s, which instantly puts me in the minority - but that being said, my review isn't based on one bad experience. I've given them a few shots, and I'm always left feeling exactly what the 2 star rating says: "Meh. I've experienced better." I've tried a number of things on the menu, and the food's been good - good, but not great. For the type of establishment it is, for the price I'm paying, it's disappointing. The pasta dishes I found to be alright - not good enough for me to order again, but alright enough for me to return to try something else on the menu. Their burgers, which are normally a safe bet at any place, are - again, alright. There's no question the burgers are better than a fast-food burger, but if you rank them against a similar establishment, then I really don't think compare. What's more, I've found their salads to be weirdly oily. In the few times when I'm on a health kick and wound up at J Alexander's (it's happened 3 or 4 times now) I've always found it odd to be served a salad so oily it's shining. Perhaps I could have ordered less dressing, or the dressing on the side...but again, my expectations are higher for the type of place that it is. I appreciate that J Alexander's is locally owned, and I've found the staff being helpful on most occasions - though there have been a few bad moments too: a vegetarian friend ordering a side of broccoli, and having it served to them with a piece of bacon. After asking the waiter if the broccoli normally comes with bacon on it, and finding out it doesn't, my friend then had to point at the plate of broccoli with the bacon sitting right on top of it all. The response: "Oh... it must have fallen on to your plate. Let me go get you another plate of broccoli." That's great - they fixed the problem without hesitation. But at the same time, I'm left with the humorous vision of bacon just being thrown around in the kitchen... Will I return to J Alexanders? Probably, but at someone else's suggestion. I've been there easily over 10 times now, and as I said earlier, I'm left with lackluster impressions. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It's just: I've experienced better.
(2)
Jan S.
Never a bad meal there, nor bad service! I know it is a chain, but it is always top-notch coupled with excellent service. The open-faced chicken salad sandwich and french dip are my usuals. But you simply cannot go wrong with anything there. The carrot cake is served warm with thick icing dripping off. Unbeatable. Highly recommend.
(5)
Su I.
I was impressed with the ambiance, the food, and the friendly staff. The place gets a little busy during lunch, it is usually a 15-25 minutes wait so get there early. I had the Scottish grilled salmon with orzo wild rice pilaf and I have no idea what was in the rice, it was a mixture of cranberry, raisins, corn, and something else but it was the most tasting wild rice I had ever had. Also their wine selection is incredible. I will definitely go back.
(5)
Katie B.
I ate a Sunday lunch there with my mom and daughter and we had fantastic service. This restaurant has always been one of my favorites. I've always loved the club sandwich and fries. I tried the veggie burger today and it was the best veggie burger I've ever had. So good!! You can't go wrong eating at J. Alexander's!
(5)
Nancy P.
First visit on 6/14/14. It was 4:30 and already crowded. We did get a seat, and 45 minutes later when we were leaving there were people waiting. This is just FYI stuff. When we pulled in to the parking lot there was a very young guy in a suit cleaning up in the parking lot with a broom and dust pan. That was a good sign to me. So many business owners miss this. Its a nice atmosphere, lots of smiling faces and plenty of people taking care of you. They do nice things like bring a bottle of cold water so you are not sitting there with nothing to drink. My husband ordered a steak burger. I got the prime rib, and my son got the pork tenderloin with the spicy sauce. He loved his, and it had a pretty good kick. My prime rib was cooked to order, very good. The mashed potatoes were slightly dry, but not bad. My husbands burger was really tasty, but kind of small. He said there was not much too it, and I agree. The fries, no one liked those. They were so skinny, and just not to our liking. Any skinnier and they would have been like straw. Here is where they lose major points. We were hungry when we went in, and so we attacked our salads. I would say we eat fairly quickly, and we were still eating them when the food came. For all of their politeness they don't even blink when they are putting the food down, and they wait for you to move your dang salad out of the way. I have seen other people have the same complaint, so they have an issue there. A true fine dining restaurant would never do that. And a true fine dining restaurant would also have black napkins for people who are wearing dark clothes. My husband and I both had white fuzz all over our clothes. It sucked and we had to go home after that. It's so dark in there you can't see it until you get outside. It's pricey. Their teas and sodas are $3. That's nuts. Three dinners, no apps, $100. If you were to order wine and an appetizer it would be up there with some of the priciest around. So there you have it, the good, bad and ugly.
(3)
David O.
Stopped in for lunch after Buca Di Beppo wouldn't seat us while the computers were down. As with all J Alexanders I've been to, the ambiance is quite nice. Staff was friendly, and there was no wait for a table. It filled up quite a bit while we were there though, and there was a noticeable slowdown in the appearance of our waiter. I really love the food, but it always feels a bit pricey. If I had one complaint it would be that.
(4)
Will M.
I would recommend for out of towners because they have really good food. You can always tell when the staff is so serious and Professional, that none of the cookstaff is smiling. Conversely the relaxed atmosphere for any gathering and friendly servers always bring a smile, and are happy to serve you. I had a really good burger and the alex salad is a meal in itself. I'm sure their seafood and steaks are just as great. A bit upper class, but the prices aren't too expensive. Dark ambiance is really awesome. I can seriously doubt anyone will complain about the service or food or atmosphere. Solid choice, not one I will go to by myself because I cook at home, but if friends and family visit, they can always treat me to a nice meal here.
(5)
Claire H.
Wow that was amazing. In TN for the weekend and just happened to see it and I'm so glad I did! I had the salmon and rice and it was superb! I'm going to search for the recipe for that orzo rice because it's fantastic! Service was even better! Loved it and I cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Sarah S.
I came here for dinner with a medium-sized group, none of whom were local, because our hotel concierge recommended it. Because of its shopping center pad location, I was expecting something akin to an Outback Steakhouse or maybe an Elephant Grill. I was pleasantly surprised to find a flare-free restaurant with a great drink and wine selection, a solid menu, and great service. You know how some burger joints give you the extra milkshake in the stainless steel mixing glass? They do that here with cocktails, putting the extra in a little glass floating in a bowl of ice water. This effectively turns your Manhattan into a Manhattan-and-a-half. Everyone was pleased with their meals. I ordered cilantro shrimp over rice with coleslaw. It was great, and the shrimp were properly cooked (i.e., not rubbery). The service was efficient and accommodating. When we were finished with dessert, our server asked us if all 11 of us would like our own, separate checks. Now where I live, this has never happened. You can split a bill, but the server will act like it's a big deal. Bay Area servers would never provide 11 separate checks, especially not voluntarily. Next time I'm in Nashville, I'll go back.
(4)
Mark C.
Highly recommend J's! The food is excellent and the service is usually very good. My go to eatery when nothing better comes to mind.
(4)
Jeremy E.
Had a great meal here. I started with a Dos Perros and brick oven pizza. The brick oven pizza had a perfect crust and was topped with sausage, ricotta, and carmelized onions. It was perfect. I had a filet with mac and cheese. Delicious as always. My uncle had the Tuscan steak, which is a rosemary infused NY strip. Also very tasty. Service was great as always. Total bill was around $85 and I left full and happy. This is still the best bang for your buck in town.
(4)
Heath S.
Have been there 2-3 times in the last several months. This place is top notch. Have not had anything bad yet, great wine selection, friendly wait staff, higher end pricing - but worth the $$$
(5)
Kevin K.
I am a huge fan of J. Alexander's restaurants. I'm a regular at one in Livonia, MI, and have been to at least 4 different J. Alexander's locations. I ate here on a business trip to the Nashville area and it was excellent as it usually is. I had the Filet Kebab which might be my new favorite at JA's. (I also love the Steak Brazzo, Crispy Chicken Platter, Grilled Salmon, and many others entrees!) The service was excellent as is usually the case. They actually bring drink refills so often that my friends and I joke about it ... we probably end up eating more iced tea or soda than we normally would just because it comes so often. I also had the Carrot Cake for dessert which was also excellent. It's served warm and has an excellent cream cheese frosting. I highly recommend J. Alexander's restaurants and this one was no exception. (Keep in mind that I wouldn't compare JA's to a "true" 5-star restaurant, but for an upscale restaurant this is among the best.)
(5)
Brian C.
You can't go wrong EVER with J Alexanders for a business lunch or a dinner night with friends. For lunch, I'm a huge fan of the chicken sandwich. For dinner, the pork loin and rattlesnake pasta are always solid choices. J Alexander's wait staff understand the art of stealth service. You rarely see them drop off a refill and they never insert themselves into the conversation. Each are obviously trained to be efficient, kind and thorough. Dessert. Oh my, the desserts. Two of my favorite desserts in the Nashville area are here. Carrot Cake. Chocolate Bar Cake. It's a hard choice, but the carrot cake typically wins. My only criticism is the dining room is way too dark for lunch. It hurts walking outside in the sun after. Also, I've had a few hit or miss meals, but by far, the majority of the meals have been great.
(4)
Imelda M.
Have dined along with my husband three times at Js going through Nashville.........we've only sat at the bar, as we enjoy talking & meeting new people. Have eaten, salmon, chicken, salad, artichoke appetizer, sandwich {BLT] never have we had one complained. Find the restaurant extremely clean, service [at the bar] excellent, ambience vry good, a little noisey, but who cares. The Galleria area very clean, safe & wakable to several hotels. Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Cate C.
J Alexanders is my favorite Happy Place located in the Cool Springs Galleria of Franklin, Tennessee, They are an upscale eatery with a great wine list and rival many places locally in the bay area hands down. The service is excellent and they have no problem accomodating handicapped/wheelchairs, either. There homemade soup is to die for with it;s accompanyments, it can be a meal in itself. EVERYTHING you order is well made, scrumptious and made with fresh ingredients..they hve everything icluding sandwiches, full meals and seafood as well as steak.. Whenever I want to impres someone. I take them to this local eatery with its flair for food, sevice and ambience..
(4)
Austin G.
I had the most disgusting veggie burger I have ever tasted at this place, and I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers. I wasn't expecting many vegan options at a place like this (and I'm not convinced that was vegan, pretty sure there was butter on the bun), but usually a kitchen can figure out something edible. Not the case here. It was mushy and had a weird glaze on the patty. Ick.
(1)
Nathan C.
Prime rib sandwich is delicious. Fast and friendly service for a busy venue. Good sized interior that was packed with hungry people.
(5)
Buddy T.
The food here is always pretty good. The reasons for the one star is that they have the worst beer selection in all of Nashville. Everything today is about selection and knowledge. They have neither. The bartenders are attractive but wow they have no knowledge. I was dumbfounded when I requested an IPA and she did not know what that was! I would encourage the management to take a fresh look at the bar.
(1)
Shelly A.
Very pleased! Traveling for business and J Alexander's was recommended by a customer. We started with the queso and it was rich and creamy with spinach and thin crispy warm tortilla chips. Next I had the Cilantro Shrimp...it was very good and a very good value. 10 large tiger shrimp with rice and a very tasty slaw for $18. My co-worker had the steak and fries and was equally pleased....and the dinner salad...oh my goodness...it was HUGE!!! You could have added some chicken or shrimp to it and called it a meal on it's own!!! Not just your regular lettuce and tomato and some dressing. It was loaded. We wanted to try the highly recommended carrot cake but we were absolutely stuffed. Service was friendly, informative and prompt. Atmosphere was pleasant and inviting. I wish there was a location in the Dallas/Fort Worth area!
(5)
Scott M.
I completely love this place. The prime rib is awesome and actually very reasonably priced. The ambience is great. I typically don't care for chain restaurants but this one is really good. Wait time is extremely long on Friday and Saturday nights. Call ahead! But the food is worth the wait!
(5)
Krifka S.
I've been to this J Alexanders before and also the one in Tampa, FL. But my recent visit here was just ok--the food was good, but the service was terrible! #1 I can't even tell you how many servers we had--seemed like they kept switching up on us. #2 They couldn't seem to get didn't our Alex's salad right, first it came out with croutons, then when it came back again it had no dressing #3 we never got refills on drinks until I went up to the bar to get refills (yes, I am THAT person). However the rest of the food we had was good, and the quality I expect from J. Alexanders--You can never go wrong with the Hyde Park Chicken Sandwich. The Alex's Salad is really good and is REALLLLLLLLY good if you combine the vinaigrette that comes on it with some of their ranch (my MIL-showed me this trick-it is AWESOME!) F For those GF folks out there, J Alexanders does not have a GF menu nor are many of their items GF with out some major modification's, so beware, you may be stuck to the 1/2 roast chicken I had (although it was good).
(3)
Ted D.
OMG the carrot cake is something to behold...IT IS SO DANG GOOD! I also enjoyed the tuna steak, didn't actually eat beef...Service was excellent during my visit!
(4)
Jessica B.
Best place in Cool Springs for a business lunch. Wait staff is incredible and attention to detail is their specialty. My favorite is the California Burger.
(4)
Shonnie T.
I have been eating at J's for years. Absolutely love it everytime. They have renovated their patio and installed an indoor/outdoor fireplace. Consider the seat next to it taken! Good food, service, and atmosphere!
(5)
Kyna M.
We LOVE this place. ALL the food is good and portions big so we share. New pizza awesome.
(5)
Michael L.
I try not to write long reviews for chains since you know what the hell you're getting, but I'll give it 3 since it's definitely a chain in another bracket above your typical Applebees/Fridays/Outback. Good Service. Decent food. I see no reason not to come back.
(3)
Erin J.
What can I say? The keys here for me are consistency, fabulous service, nice-sized portions, and high-quality food. Yes, it's pretty standard American food, but it's done very well. We usually sit at the bar, and I love that when you're ready to order they place a nice white napkin in front of you. I also love that you get chilled water with no ice (not an ice-water gal, but like it chilled. Perfect). All the bartenders and servers I've come in contact with are very professional, and surprisingly never seem frustrated - even with the bar hopping! There was once that my order was wrong (I requested no bacon), and they whisked the dish away & came right back with another. Love it! Just as a note....this J Alex has brick oven pizza, as well as some of the older menu items (half chicken, chicken tenders, others). The J's on West End does not, and that's the one I used to frequent. Now that we're in Franklin this is our "new" location, and it's nice to see some of those old items again! **Also important to note....they have the BEST veggie burger I've ever had!
(5)
Dip C.
The best thing about this place is the service. The food is good too. The only thing I am not happy about is its inability to hold large groups. We were a group of 9 and we struggled with the seating. This is good for lunch too but the ambiance will be perfect for dinner.
(4)
Philip l.
I can not understand the great reviews this place has recieved. My wife and I went there on our 25th aniversary. I was expecting to spend about $150 for the evening so the price of the food wasnt the issue. To spend $30, each, on a steak and it NOT come with a salad was cheap of the place. Our food was delayed because they ran out of bernaise. How do you run out of bernaise? Once we got the steaks, My steak knife was so dirty even the waiter noticed it, he took it back before I could pick it up. A few days later we went to Logan Roadhouse, it steak was just as good. It came with a salad and we even got peanuts to snack on.
(2)
Lydia B.
We've eaten here three times and always come away happy. Staff seems willing to accommodate, they'll do special servings for kids even if it's not on the menu, good flavor in the food and sauces, nice atmosphere. We'll definitely go back!
(4)
Mel P.
I have been a customer at J's for many years. The location on West End in Nashville always seems like a nice night out.......that is because of the staff. However, after moving to Franklin, TN, the closest J's is in Cool Springs. Unfortunately, this particular location will turn you against J Alexanders. They are located close to the Mall and all the hustle and bustle. This is not the problem. The problem is that they seem to just not care anymore. I'm sure they deal with the "mall crowd" all the time and it has made their attention to detail lacking. I'll give you an example of my last visit (a saturday at 3 p.m). This may be the first time that I have looked at the menu and just realized how tired and outdated it is. After slowly picking my way through the dishes over the years, I usually am limited to about five meals that I'll eat. Perhaps I'm being overly critical, but if it were my place I would work on the customer service as a first priority. We usually encounter a hostess that is less than enthusiastic about even being alive, much less working.......kinda snobby......that comes from who you have to deal with, not who the server is. I went straight for the specials when I was seated. Imagine that, I've seen all these specials many many times before. The servers, no matter where you're seated or what time of day, seem as if they're doing you a favor by waiting on you.......and most do not have a good working knowledge of the menu items themselves. But mostly you wait........for everything. It truly is hard to get a fresh glass of iced tea in a timely manner. And the food..........basic. You can tell it's made without much care at all. Lots of contradicting flavors and just trying too hard to be a swank place to eat. I kind of laugh when they bring out a giant pile of those dry and tasteless "smashed potatoes" or they carefully construct that foot-high mountain of cheap fries on your plate. And the carrot cake that everyone just loves?? I've had it at least fifty times over the years. It's not enough to make me spend money for the rest of the meal just to get the carrot cake............which has also gone way downhill. If you want a really good carrot cake, go to the Puckett's Boathouse in Franklin. As for me, if I visit a J's again, it won't be the one in Cool Springs.
(3)
David G.
I'm just not that into you... Have you ever heard that line? Used that line yourself to break up with someone? Well, J. Alexander's, I'm just not that into you. We used to have good time together when I was a teenager and my palate hadn't expanded beyond the chain restaurant phase of my life. We used to go out all the time and eat prime rib open faced sandwiches or salad bowls the size of my rear end. But, now I enjoy independent restaurants with really good food, actual creativity (not faux conic shaped french fry designs or conic shaped mashed potatoes on my plate), and properly portioned food. I just need to move on and away from you. You really don't offer much to me. I know, I know. We used to have such good times. But, like I've said, I'm just not that into you. Your food is not all that well-spiced, your servers are trying to be something they're not, and your food might as well be O'Charley's. Blah
(2)
Hailey T.
"Dark, rare and yummy!" It was dark as others have said. However please note this was one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had! The wine was delicious, my prime rib was as rare as can be (I asked for it :-)) now for the grand finale CORN BREAD! My whole group still talks about it a year later!
(5)
John F.
Eight adults and 2 kids gathered at J Alexander's to celebrate 2 birthdays on a Friday night at 6pm. The wait was short and the wait staff was very attentive...at first. Water glasses kept full, beer/wine glasses not so much. Order was taken and food delivered in a very respectfully time. My steak was warm, no were near hot as was another order of crab cakes. To be fair to the restaurant we did not complain...did not want to ruin the evening for the other couples by complaining about our meal. Service quickly fell off after the food was delivered. Plates piled up that we had to start stacking them on the floor. Dessert orders were placed and over 20 minutes passed until it came out. Dessert was huge and very good. another 20 minutes and we were handed the bill...and yes another 20 minutes it was picked up and...you guessed it another 20 minutes change and credit cards returned. Remember the part above about the 2 kids....8 adults?? This night went from fun family and food to waiting, screaming kids, and more waiting. The bill for just us two was 80 dollars...that's not a problem if the food and service was "Great"...but it fell way short. Not sure if we will ever go back....defiantly not with a group larger than 4. jf
(3)
Tim G.
Great rolls. Carrot cake is excellent. Service always rocks. Nice place to go if you are into chains. I'm just not a huge fan.
(3)
Luke S.
They have very good food. We've tried a lot of dishes on their menu, and they're all delicious. Portions are good, and service is also good. One of our favorite dishes is the Steak and Fries. It's simple, tasty, and fulfilling.
(4)
Lana O.
stopped by here for a quick lunch. It was seriously so yummy! The food was delicious. ambiance was great, and the service was incredibly attentive. It's a little more pricey, but I definitely think that the quality and service speak for themselves.
(4)
Laurie N.
I usually avoid chain restaurants, but J Alexander's is an exception to my food snob tendencies - it's that good. I've only been here for lunch, and I am impressed with the extensive menu, with everything from great salads to burgers to fish tacos (which were very fresh and flavorful). The cocktail menu is wonderful and generous as well. A great place for lunch in the over-saturated-with-restaurants Cool Springs area.
(4)
Bryan H.
Our favorite place in Nashville. The chicken fingers are better than most places, steaks are good, but I always get the Cypress Salad which is excellent. Ask for the croissants. A little pricey at times and I wish they had a better and cheaper kid's menu though .
(5)
Jessica W.
This is one of our absolute faves! Great, reliable, classic American food. There is nothing bad on the menu, the service is always exceptional, and it doesn't break the bank! Would only recommend bringing well-behaved children here.
(5)
Heather L T.
First time at J.Alexander's as of yesterday. I had heard this place had a pretty good rep. for quality, quantity, and excellence in general. We were greeted by a more than pleasant hostess and quickly lead to huge table that was half-booth, half-table, very unique. The lighting was just right and the service was pretty much impeccable. I ordered a Honeysuckle sparkling wine type of drink and although a little strong for my taste, it was still satisfying and less expensive than I would have guessed. The spinach queso dip was delicious for an appetizer, not too heavy or creamy. I ordered the Steak Maui and Smashed..now I am not typically a huge steak fan, but the sauce on this steak created a succulent masterpiece and what I like to refer to as a "mouth-gasm" (orgasm of the mouth). The steak was cooked just right and the potatoes delicious as well. Last but not least, a good list of desserts to choose from..now the crew I was with were feeling a little too shy for dessert, but not this gal. I ordered up the Creme Brulee..and this is a tough dish to master, but this dessert was PERFECTION..so creamy and perfectly sugared and hardened on top..with a warm outer and cool inner. Once my friends got a glimpse of this bowl of heaven, they too partook in it. Big portion and the best part of my night. I would definitely return for not only the service, ambiance, and entrees..but also, the dessert!:)
(4)
Fonda W.
I had the slow roasted prime rib and it was the BEST STEAK EVER!! It was tender, juicy & just perfect!! It came with smashed potato's; I also got broccoli on the side & it was steamed right. It wasn't too soft. The Mac & cheese was ok, I've had better. If you're a steak lover, this is place is a must.
(5)
Kristyna R.
I have been here 4 times and every time I literally have a religious dining experience. Start off with the Alex Salad - warm, crunchy bacon, buttery homemade croutons...DELISH! For the entree, it has to be the Filet Mignon with bernaise with the mac & cheese for the side. First of all, the meat is so tender you could literally cut it with a spoon....melt in your mouth. Now on to the mac & cheese....I personally am not a fan of restaurant mac & cheese. It's always too heavy and rich and usually pretty bland (and totally not worth the calories). That's how I felt until I had the mac & cheese at J's. HOLY CRAP....it's tangy & creamy with a crunchy baked top...it's divine, and worth every single calorie. Finally, my meal at J's is never complete unless I have the CARROT CAKE. It's soaked in butter overnight and served warm with gooey, melted icing over the top....I'm telling you, there are no words to properly convey how absolutely heavenly it is. The incredible food aside, the servers and bartenders are top-notch; friendly, charismatic, attentive. Needless to say, I'm a fan.
(5)
Stacey M.
Great atmosphere with a variety of cuisine. I prefer their steak with baked mac & cheese. The bar area is great and they know how to make drinks the right way.
(5)
Kyle P.
The food was excellent, however the service was atrocious. The waitress spilled water in my meal, and then brought out the wrong replacement for my ruined meal. No refunds or compensations were offered for the ruined meal. It's a shame that good food can be ruined by careless servers.
(2)
Teresa D.
Having read the reviews I had very high expectations of the food. I ordered the prime rib at our servers suggestion since she said it was what they were known for. One bite and had to return it. It tasted as though it had been in the refrigerator uncovered for a couple days with all the rest of the uncovered food and had picked up that awful "refrigerator taste". It was by far the worst prime rib I've ever had. I chose the crab cakes for the second go around. They were very tasty but way over priced at $28.99 with one side and no bread. My husband ordered the pork loin. It was tender but lacked in flavor and the sauce that was poured over it tasted like it came from a can. If you are going to drop $75 on dinner, opt not to eat here and go across the street to Stoney River....much better food there!!! I did notice most of the favorable reviews were with their sandwiches and salads. We might go back once more to give those a try but only after we are tired of every other restaurant in the Cool Springs or Franklin area which we will a very long time. On the positive side, the server was ok, not great but ok.
(2)
Thomas M.
Great place. Reminds me a bit of a "Houston's" restaurant for those of you familiar with that chain. Has a patio for some outdoor dining.
(4)
J. W.
J Alexander's is one of my favorite places to eat! They have a small menu which is nice, and you can't go wrong with whatever you pick. I've never had a bad meal.
(5)
rob h.
It's hard to go wrong at J's. Great salads.
(5)
Otis R.
Like a upscale TGI Fridays or Applebees. Nice wide variety of typical american food. Nice selection and everything was quite tasty. Clean and very attentive wait staff.
(3)
Brandon L.
amazing!
(5)
Ann M.
Frankly, I was really surprised during my Sunday night visit to JA's, and my surprise had nothing to do with the "sorry we're under re-construction". The place was packed, I met friends from out of town who suggested we meet there, ended up being their guest so they heard none of the following! I praised the place to my friends for staff training, good menu & good food...what a surprise on all counts. But first, this new ambiance (at the Franklin location)? What are they thinking? I needed my flashlight! Going to the table, on the farthest side of the room, was like finding my way back to my cabin at camp! Then, once seated, I quipped, "I can't see who's sitting opposite me...who are those people, do I know them?" We all laughed, but seriously, 4 flashlight-like lamps shining down & only on the table, everything else around the patron is dark, cave-dark...Then our server, was one of those "how are we this evening?" she wasn't in the party, none of us liked the "we" thing, and frankly, that is so dated, or like one is treated at the local diner or the doctor's office. She was a nice person, but overly attentive at first, not tuned in to our wanting to visit, a lot, before wanting to order, and was s-l-o-w on our drinks (none of them complicated: a draft, a Tanquerey (sp?) martini, straight up, a Stoli dirty martini, shaken); then at order time, we couldn't find her. The others who whisked out our waters (please place that milk jar jug of water inTO the table, not on the edge of the table), served our salads, et al, were more friendly and helpful. Okay, food: Grilled artichokes w/some kind of cold butter were unimpressive, the butter paste was, well, supposed to have herbs, but what and why, am not sure (no taste). Why not just melt it for dipping the leaves? I think all we ended up w/was char between our teeth; this idea is more form over function. The Caesar salad, ordered "small" and Faucon salad, also ordered "small" - well "small" to them is like an extra large lunch portion. (One of my friends & I both said, upon receiving the salads "THIS is 'small??'") both salads were chopped, & pre-made, cold bowls are a giveaway, were predressed, and VERY salty...save for the tiny crunchy croutons, I was not impressed. Faucon? well, they tried, but go back to the drawing board, gang. Not many folks do that as well as the original, which I believe is attributed to the Belle Meade Country Club in N'ville & then Jimmy Kelly's follows a close 2nd (though theirs is not as good as it used to be). Two of us ordered the pizza w/pancetta, the other ordered Rattlesnake Pasta. The pasta plate was enough for 2 truck drivers, the diner ate only a portion, copious amounts left in the bowl (why serve so much, you all??). The pizza had an over-size clump or arugula plopped in the middle (that was well past it's sharpness factor which I happen to love) and was again VERY salty (too much of that pancetta?); crust was thin-crispy, tasted fine, not sure what else on pizza, had to ask server for Parmesan. The pepper grinder on table was empty, she seemed unbothered by that, and just looked around for another available grinder, 'try this" was the response...The bottle of wine selected was great, but then that service was off-par for JA"s. The sever asked do you want me to go through the steps (w/the one who had ordered) or just pour? Strange, I thought as highly trained as JA serves are in wines, & w/the $$$ JA's invests in training their staff in this regard, that we would get the full presentation. Not so. We agreed to skip it, & the orderer did get his obligatory "taste" pour, but again, (to server:) don't ask the guests, just "do"...so she poured for my friend, then for me, and forgot topping off glass for friend's husband, leaving him only w/the small sampling. ...we caught her as she was about to leave, she quickly covered for her gaff. (Because my friends were traveling, they sent all the leftovers home w/me - the extra pasta was enought to fill two 16 oz. containers i used to take to the ofc., then gave both to two colleagues who were thrilled to have their lunch provided on Monday.) Bottom line, if you've made it this far, you're glad I'm winding down I bet, I was embarrassed - I had extolled the virtues & food of the place to my friends, who had never been there, who then treated me to dinner. It will be a long time before I bother going again, or suggest that others do the same. We have way too many choices of places to eat in our area (N'ville, Franklin, surrounding areas), and fortunately for us locals, many are "non-chain" & excellent. This place & experience was not; it was, as I said initially, a big surprise, to boot!
(2)
Tiffany K.
Disappointment. I order the Filet Mignon with Bearnaise, medium. I was told that if I wanted the steak cooked anything more that medium, it would need to be filleted. When my steak arrived, I cut it down the middle and it was rare. The waitress was quite kind and agreed with me, that the steak was not cooked medium. As my husband and child at their meals, I waited for my steak to return. Round two with the steak was better, but the center was still medium rare. I was hungry, unhappy and did not want the hassle of sending my steak back a second time. In addition to that, my 4 year old ordered a grilled cheese. He took one bite and spit it out, saying it was disgusting. I took a bite, thinking he was crazy. Green peppers had somehow been cooked in with some of the cheese. Obviously he is not a fan of a green pepper and grilled cheese sandwich. Thankfully the green peppers were only in part of the sandwich. The restaurant is getting 3 stars for their portion size, my husband's dinner (rattlesnake pasta), and my fabulous Blackberry Volcano martini. It will be awhile before I venture back to J Alexanders.
(3)
Abby R.
I went to j Alexander's last night for dinner. It was great. However, I ordered a piece of carrot cake which I love to take home with me for dessert today! Well I went to bite into it this morning and it tasted like garlic. It was horrible. I feel like the to go box they gave me had pizza in it prior or something as it was really greasy. Anyway I had to spit it out and I have to say I'm extremely disappointed!
(2)
Steve S.
Poor service, still eating salad when main course came, server didn't care steak over cooked waitress too busy to care. When she knew they did a poor job she ignored us......won't go back
(1)
Rich R.
Really good food. A bastard child I Applebee's and Mortons had a baby. Service was outstanding but the beer lost was "limited" at best. Nonetheless, food was solid and service great. Atmosphere was very crowded and busy but warm and welcoming if you can combine all of that. Recommended!
(4)
Meredith R.
If I get to pick where we are eating, this place is always my first choice. It's my favorite cheeseburger in town. The fries are those thinner crispy delicious type that I crave. They have a great wine selection. I love the darker atmosphere and big comfy booths. Amazing!!!!
(5)
Summer S.
We've been here twice now and really appreciate. Romantic hush lighting ambiance, very delicious meals (burger is amaaazing, steaks and basically, anything!) I would highly suggest their pizzas! Adore the thin crusts and flavorful toppings! Wish there was some in CA!
(4)
Michelle C.
As always, our meals were outstanding. The service is like non other. I have never had a bad meal there, in fact the quality (for it being a chain) is superb. I usually get the salmon and it's wild caught with great flavor. My friend always gets the tuna and its just as good. We typically get either the grilled artichoke appetizer, guacamole or chips and queso. All SOO great!!! Never had a bad meal, service is some of the best I've seen and they have wonderful wines. Highly recommend J Alexander's. Also the ambiance is dark, sexy and romantic.
(5)
Teresa D.
Having read the reviews I had very high expectations of the food. I ordered the prime rib at our servers suggestion since she said it was what they were known for. One bite and had to return it. It tasted as though it had been in the refrigerator uncovered for a couple days with all the rest of the uncovered food and had picked up that awful "refrigerator taste". It was by far the worst prime rib I've ever had. I chose the crab cakes for the second go around. They were very tasty but way over priced at $28.99 with one side and no bread. My husband ordered the pork loin. It was tender but lacked in flavor and the sauce that was poured over it tasted like it came from a can. If you are going to drop $75 on dinner, opt not to eat here and go across the street to Stoney River....much better food there!!! I did notice most of the favorable reviews were with their sandwiches and salads. We might go back once more to give those a try but only after we are tired of every other restaurant in the Cool Springs or Franklin area which we will a very long time. On the positive side, the server was ok, not great but ok.
(2)
Thomas M.
Great place. Reminds me a bit of a "Houston's" restaurant for those of you familiar with that chain. Has a patio for some outdoor dining.
(4)
J. W.
J Alexander's is one of my favorite places to eat! They have a small menu which is nice, and you can't go wrong with whatever you pick. I've never had a bad meal.
(5)
rob h.
It's hard to go wrong at J's. Great salads.
(5)
Otis R.
Like a upscale TGI Fridays or Applebees. Nice wide variety of typical american food. Nice selection and everything was quite tasty. Clean and very attentive wait staff.
(3)
Brandon L.
amazing!
(5)
Ann M.
Frankly, I was really surprised during my Sunday night visit to JA's, and my surprise had nothing to do with the "sorry we're under re-construction". The place was packed, I met friends from out of town who suggested we meet there, ended up being their guest so they heard none of the following! I praised the place to my friends for staff training, good menu & good food...what a surprise on all counts. But first, this new ambiance (at the Franklin location)? What are they thinking? I needed my flashlight! Going to the table, on the farthest side of the room, was like finding my way back to my cabin at camp! Then, once seated, I quipped, "I can't see who's sitting opposite me...who are those people, do I know them?" We all laughed, but seriously, 4 flashlight-like lamps shining down & only on the table, everything else around the patron is dark, cave-dark...Then our server, was one of those "how are we this evening?" she wasn't in the party, none of us liked the "we" thing, and frankly, that is so dated, or like one is treated at the local diner or the doctor's office. She was a nice person, but overly attentive at first, not tuned in to our wanting to visit, a lot, before wanting to order, and was s-l-o-w on our drinks (none of them complicated: a draft, a Tanquerey (sp?) martini, straight up, a Stoli dirty martini, shaken); then at order time, we couldn't find her. The others who whisked out our waters (please place that milk jar jug of water inTO the table, not on the edge of the table), served our salads, et al, were more friendly and helpful. Okay, food: Grilled artichokes w/some kind of cold butter were unimpressive, the butter paste was, well, supposed to have herbs, but what and why, am not sure (no taste). Why not just melt it for dipping the leaves? I think all we ended up w/was char between our teeth; this idea is more form over function. The Caesar salad, ordered "small" and Faucon salad, also ordered "small" - well "small" to them is like an extra large lunch portion. (One of my friends & I both said, upon receiving the salads "THIS is 'small??'") both salads were chopped, & pre-made, cold bowls are a giveaway, were predressed, and VERY salty...save for the tiny crunchy croutons, I was not impressed. Faucon? well, they tried, but go back to the drawing board, gang. Not many folks do that as well as the original, which I believe is attributed to the Belle Meade Country Club in N'ville & then Jimmy Kelly's follows a close 2nd (though theirs is not as good as it used to be). Two of us ordered the pizza w/pancetta, the other ordered Rattlesnake Pasta. The pasta plate was enough for 2 truck drivers, the diner ate only a portion, copious amounts left in the bowl (why serve so much, you all??). The pizza had an over-size clump or arugula plopped in the middle (that was well past it's sharpness factor which I happen to love) and was again VERY salty (too much of that pancetta?); crust was thin-crispy, tasted fine, not sure what else on pizza, had to ask server for Parmesan. The pepper grinder on table was empty, she seemed unbothered by that, and just looked around for another available grinder, 'try this" was the response...The bottle of wine selected was great, but then that service was off-par for JA"s. The sever asked do you want me to go through the steps (w/the one who had ordered) or just pour? Strange, I thought as highly trained as JA serves are in wines, & w/the $$$ JA's invests in training their staff in this regard, that we would get the full presentation. Not so. We agreed to skip it, & the orderer did get his obligatory "taste" pour, but again, (to server:) don't ask the guests, just "do"...so she poured for my friend, then for me, and forgot topping off glass for friend's husband, leaving him only w/the small sampling. ...we caught her as she was about to leave, she quickly covered for her gaff. (Because my friends were traveling, they sent all the leftovers home w/me - the extra pasta was enought to fill two 16 oz. containers i used to take to the ofc., then gave both to two colleagues who were thrilled to have their lunch provided on Monday.) Bottom line, if you've made it this far, you're glad I'm winding down I bet, I was embarrassed - I had extolled the virtues & food of the place to my friends, who had never been there, who then treated me to dinner. It will be a long time before I bother going again, or suggest that others do the same. We have way too many choices of places to eat in our area (N'ville, Franklin, surrounding areas), and fortunately for us locals, many are "non-chain" & excellent. This place & experience was not; it was, as I said initially, a big surprise, to boot!
(2)
Tiffany K.
Disappointment. I order the Filet Mignon with Bearnaise, medium. I was told that if I wanted the steak cooked anything more that medium, it would need to be filleted. When my steak arrived, I cut it down the middle and it was rare. The waitress was quite kind and agreed with me, that the steak was not cooked medium. As my husband and child at their meals, I waited for my steak to return. Round two with the steak was better, but the center was still medium rare. I was hungry, unhappy and did not want the hassle of sending my steak back a second time. In addition to that, my 4 year old ordered a grilled cheese. He took one bite and spit it out, saying it was disgusting. I took a bite, thinking he was crazy. Green peppers had somehow been cooked in with some of the cheese. Obviously he is not a fan of a green pepper and grilled cheese sandwich. Thankfully the green peppers were only in part of the sandwich. The restaurant is getting 3 stars for their portion size, my husband's dinner (rattlesnake pasta), and my fabulous Blackberry Volcano martini. It will be awhile before I venture back to J Alexanders.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Mark D.
Trendy chain restaurant with food that is good, but not spectacular.
(3)Deen W.
J. Alexander's is almost like a Houston's....but there are a lot of little things that keep them just a few notches behind. There was an hour wait on a Friday night (to be expected) so my husband ordered us drinks and we staked out a place to sit and wait for our name. The menu is good. I saw some additional items that were not there last time we dined at a J. Alexander's. My husband got the prime rib sandwich, my daughter got the kid's grilled chicken sandwich & subbed a loaded potato for fries, and I got the steak burger. Prime rib sandwich was delicious! My daughter's "kid's meal" looked just like an adult portion. I was thoroughly impressed to see her get down on the mountain that was the loaded baked potato. My steak burger was disappointing. While it was tasty enough (think fancy big mac), I was perplexed at why it was served on a hard baguette. I would have rather had a normal bun like my daughter's. If they are going to stray from something as basic and expected as a hamburger bun for a hamburger, I suggest they put it on the menu. I ended up ditching the bread and eating my burger "open faced". There are a few menu items that can not be beat: creamy chicken pasta soup, prime rib sandwich, smoked salmon dip, and carrot cake. Other than that, I could really take or leave J.Alexander's.
(3)Mohun K.
Lunch on 1/30/14. We arrived at 1140am and the place was packed - that's usually a good thing. We were seated after 15 minutes. We had great prompt service from our waiter. I ordered the fennel sausage pizza and was blown away. Just the right amount of chewiness and the homemade sausage was excellent. This was my first visit and I would love to try this place again.
(4)Jonny M.
J Alexander's has Good food, a nice vibe, And great service. It has a little bit of a business meeting feel, which keeps me from coming more often. But it is a great place for sure. Its a little on the finer side don't expect to pay a little more than your average restaurant.
(4)Trace S.
For quite a while I told people who ask me what my favorite burger in Nashville is that it was J Alexanders. For quite some time I was amazed with the quality cheeseburger they were making. I'm pretty sure they grill the burgers over their wood fired grill. Unfortunately, the constancy has become pretty spotty. My last few experiences at the Cool Springs location have definitely be ok, but there's no way i can continue pointing people to them as the best burger in Nashville. Once or twice my burger wasn't very hot when it was served. The grilling of the sliced part of the bun seems to be elective and at least once it was cooked beyond what I ordered. I'm not giving up on it, but I'm a little leery.
(4)Alex V.
Well, I was in Nashville and some friends decided to make a visit to this great establishment. I always forget to review this place. It is awesome. We walked in with 6 people and we sat pretty quick. It was lunch time and it was pretty busy. I had the french dip BAM!!! off the chain. The sandwich is a very nice size, we order some artichoke appetizer that I did not understand how to eat, but it was good. My wife and friends raved about how good their lunch was too. I like this place because it gives a good portion of food, the flavors are always delicious and the services is very good. When in Franklin, Tn. you need to stop here.
(4)Chris J.
Went there tonight for dinner while in town on business. I go to their location in Atlanta often and the food is consistent between the two locations. Their queso is awesome and their ribs are usually my go-to selection, but tonight I got the rotisserie chicken. Everything was as expected...excellent. The only reason why they didn't get 5 stars is because I felt a bit rushed. I dined alone and it was at the begining of the dinner rush and the server seemed to want me out of there ASAP so the table can be used by more than one person.
(4)Moni F.
The food is always very tasty upscale restaurant without overly upscale pricing. You can come in wearing shorts or jeans or you can come in wearing a suit. Servers are always extremely professional yet friendly. They don't serve half glasses of wine that's the only downfall but the upside is when you order a martini you get what they call a sidecar and it's almost a second martini but not quite. I like that the crafted martinis and drinks have some fresh ingredients like grapefruit or fresh squeezed orange. Would be nice to see them elaborate on the fresh citrus. The bartenders are extremely nice - my top three would be Jenna ,Libby, and Lisa. Those three make the best drinks hands-down! They also understand catering to customers. Some of the others might be more franchise oriented. The most impressive location in Tennessee is definitely the one in cool springs. It's not uncommon to run across celebrities I've seen quite a few. The handcrafted stone heated pizzas have a thin crust yet an amazing fresh almost chewy yet flaky crust. Their Scottish salmon is a winner, try pairing it with the baby kale salad or the Alex'a salad. Their white bean soup is undeniably the best anywhere and it comes with a small square of out of this world cornbread!
(5)Rheonna W.
Not the best meal I've ever had at J's, the steak was cooked right, however it was not tender. I should have known to order a Ribeye if I wanted steak. Service was good, as usual.
(3)Joshua B.
Whoa - really? I've never reviewed J Alexander's? Wow...Ok! Time to review them then! So - here's the lowdown : It's pretty damn great. Yes, it's a chain - but, I've never seen a chain run this well this consistently. My most recent trip to J's was a week or so ago for lunch. I was working the 'late' that day at work and I had to come in early that morning for some meetings. My work will allow us to take extended time off if we have to work more hours in a day than normal. So, since I have to be in to work 2 hours early - I took a 3 hour lunch and drove to Cool Springs to have lunch. I sat at the bar and had my lunch. The service at the bar was incredible. I was wearing a black shirt and they got me a black napkin because they thought it would be better in case the white linen napkins had any fuzz on them. This way - it wouldn't rub off on me. Think about that. How many times does a server even think about that? This is just one example of the service they give. They really go out of their way and do things I'd never even expect. Has your drink gone dry? Not for long. These servers were on top of it. But - really - you can have the best service in the world - but, if the food isn't up to snuff then is it really worth it? Good news - the food is just as good as the service. I have never had anything bad there. Of course - I have my favorites. My most favorite item on the menu, bar none, is the Mac and Cheese. I have tried to recreate it at home to no avail. There is just something about it - although its hard to put my finger on it. I honestly wish I had the recipe. Also, the Carrot Cake is meant to be shared. I got a piece nearly as big as my head! And then they have hot melted cream cheese frosting they pour over the whole damn thing. It's all warm and gooey and wonderful. I didn't have it on this particular trip to J's - but, I thought I should mention it at least. It is not to be missed! In summary - the Mac and Cheese and Carrot Cake are not to be missed. But, really - everything on the menu I have had has been a home run in my eyes. J Alexanders is a great restaurant - chain or not. It's just damn good food with damn good service.
(5)Chris P.
***Update: the service has gotten better and they have been getting the prime rib sandwich temperature correct pretty consistently*** Easy tidbits: 1. Service is cold and infrequent 2. They abhor splitting dishes 3. Value for price may perhaps be on point, but they serve entirely too much food 4. The atmosphere is bonkers (like loud jazz club without the live jazz) 5. The food is touch and go (good & bad) I would like coming here if it weren't for the people who work here. I don't like poor service, poor attitudes, and a bad atmosphere. Maybe because they serve over priced food they feel a bit entitled. I'm not really sure why there is such a pervasively cold attitude. Sometimes the food makes up for it but then the bill kills it all for you at the end of the meal. I have been told that a prime rib was as rare as possible when it was clearly medium well. If you charge $18 for a steak, you best get the temperature right or at least keep trying until you do. Aside from temperature on the steak, it's like a cardinal sin against humanity to split dishes here. My family has noticed that if you order a single serving per person it's way too much food. If you split the dish, they will "split" it for you and basically give you around 3/4 or under of the original portion. They also refuse to wait on you because the bill will be less than $50. The atmosphere and ambiance is actually one of the most important considerations, for me, when I decide whether or not to go back. Also, it takes a whole lot to have a bad atmosphere, because you can find any place to be pleasant in its own right. However, blaring music, an open kitchen, and yelling/obnoxious table neighbors will bother me every time. The aesthetics are dark rustic and high-class, but the music and the people BECAUSE of the music are a good restaurant's worst nightmare. Sometimes, if it's not just you and Little Bo Peep seated ACROSS THE RESTAURANT, you have to just smile and nod at the waiters and pretend like you understood what they were asking. People shout because they can't hear each other and it's just a bloody mess. I would rather walk over hot coals than have to sit at a table full of people and not have pleasant conversation because no one can hear or the worse alternative shout so the whole restaurant can hear what I have to say. Usually, it's just not that important. I ordered the fish dish of the day, which I have ordered twice now and enjoyed. It's a red fish over a bed of rice topped with a rich sauce. The sauce may be excessive as well as the portion size. Perhaps instead of a 3,500 calorie portion size for 26$, maybe serve a 700 calorie version for 16$. Feed me less and charge me less, please. The prime rib sandwich is a pretty great deal because basically you are getting a full cut of prime rib thrown on a crispy baguette. The major flaw with this dish is I have to spend 15 minutes performing surgery cutting fat marbling off the meat to ACTUALLY eat it like a sandwich. Otherwise, good luck with a dry cleaner. Oh! And it will NEVER and I repeat NEVER come to the table rare. Don't even attempt to order this rare because it will NEVER happen. They cook the prime rib all day and when they cut it it is usually medium and at best medium rare. Seared Tuna is good but pricey. One of the major revisions to this review is that I had a good experience with management this past check-in. I'm not sure if they saw me checking into Yelp or if they have attempted major changes, but when I asked if the cut was as rare as it could be, they actually cut the loin in the middle and brought me the rarest piece. This is seriously a first for me after eating here all my life. We will see if this sort of managerial empathy will stick and trickle down through the wait staff or not. We're still at 3 stars because the ambiance is horrific as is the service usually (-1), the food is usually mediocre (-1), price is high for "new" American food, although there is nothing new about the food they serve (-1). Aside: This is owned and managed by the same restaurant group that owns Wendy's, if that tells you anything. All I can say is typical Franklin. If people hold their stare too long, don't wonder. They are judging you.
(3)Steven L.
This remains on my top five Franklin restaurants list (Saffire, Red Pony, Stoney River, J. Alexander's, Bonefish Grill, and an honorable mention to Cork & Cow). We just consistently enjoy this restaurant. The Cypress Salad is always a favorite I'm happy to recommend. And I BEG the restaurant to bring back the tequilla beans side!
(5)Sejal M.
Great service every time. I love the veggie burger. I would love to see more veggie options/flexibility reflected on the menu. Great bar area too.
(5)Michael M.
I've been to both the West End & Galleria location multiple times. You can NOT get a bad meal here. Period. The decor alone screams it loud and the service compliments it. This is the perfect business lunch to take clients. They don't rush you, the staff is knowledgeable about the menu, and the fish is always fresh. The kicker is the freaking coffee; wow brings a tear to my eyes - a press. I made the mistake of ordering an espresso one visit.......not good. I ordered it short but it came full to the brim and room temperature; they would hang them for that in Sicily.
(4)matt s.
There's something very special going on at this restaurant. Here with a party of seven. Everything is not only wonderful, it's flawlessly magnificent. The croutons on the salad make you want to order extra croutons. Everyone was sharing dishes. The steaks were cooked perfectly and medium was bright pink. Medium well had a tiny pink line. The cole slaw was a mountain of fresh veggies in an amazing dressing. Pork tenderloin with bang bang sauce was a surprising favorite. I had an Alex salad with may tag blue cheese and .... Well, there was nothing we ordered that wasn't the best we'd ever had. Someone in the kitchen is an absolute fanatic for making the amazing. OMG almost forgot to rave over the ribs!! Dessert is coming. It's called "Powerful Stuff". We are expecting a foot tall mountain of amazing caramel cream gooeyness.
(5)Christina H.
Excellent food. Had the French dip which was very large and delicious. Attentive wait staff. Be sure to get the carrot cake for dessert. You won't regret it. Big enough for 3-4 people.
(5)Miranda P.
Just another J Alexanders location that I love had a fantistatic waitress and everything came out perfect. Alexanders is always so consistent. Never disappoints.
(5)D B.
J Alexander's occupies that space between Outback and legitimate fine dining. Simply put, the experience should be better for the amount of time and money you invest to eat here. Based on their prices, it appears that they are trying to compete with the elite restaurants in town. They don't measure up. Why wait for an hour and a half to eat average food? To put it in the words of our server when she was asked about one of the entrees, "You can get that anywhere."
(2)Ken K.
Had lunch at J Alexander's today. The food was excellent and the service was right on the mark. For a lite lunch try the fish tacos and ask for the fish to be grilled instead of fried as the menu only offers fried fish tacos.
(5)BT M.
This is a hidden gem. It's not "hidden" because people don't know about it, but because it's not in a premier spot with easy ingress and egress. It's still a gem. I have never had a bad meal here. I have never been with anyone who said their meal was bad. More often, someone gets a dish different from mine and I want their meal, despite the delicious meal I have on my plate. Pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken...it's all been awesome. You'll be comfortable there in a suit and tie, or jeans and a Polo...or shorts and a t-shirt. Okay, just wear clothes, that'll work. The service is incredible.
(4)Amy D.
This is my go to breakfast spot, granted its good so you WILL wait but Oh Man is it worth it! I love this place the food is delicious and its super filling, I have a Sunday ritual of going here and stuff my face then I go to whole foods immediately after and walk it off. It's the only way i can handle eating all the food I'm going to get. The service is also great So WIN all around so worth the 35 minute drive it takes to get here
(5)Seth O.
The prices are really quite high. I ordered some chicken and fries, with Mac and Cheese. My Wife ordered pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes. I got quite a bit of food for the price I paid. The chicken was quite nice, but it is not as good as longhorn. The fries were good, but they were very thin. Shoestring fries. This was quite annoying for having dipping sauce for it. The Mac and cheese was made with Alfredo sauce, and was quite frankly, gross. The total was 18 bucks. My wife had the pork tenderloin and mashed potatoes. This costed 20 bucks. He plate seemed quite empty, for that price. The mashed potatoes were somewhat dry, and had a really odd aftertaste, I can't quite describe. The pork was pretty good, but not fantastic. The place was pretty good, but for these prices, you could eat cheaper at Longhorn, and better. Which is something I never expected I would say. The food was good, but I won't be back.
(4)Gee M.
The place is too dark for me and the food is ok.
(2)Tom G.
Very friendly staff and consistently good food! I have eaten there for a casual bite as well as for a business dinner and would recommend this place to anyone. No surprise that it is as popular as it is.
(5)Lauren M.
Wait staff is bad... Food here is good but nothing to write home about... And it's super dark in here!
(2)Rob W.
You can't go wrong eating here. I love this place, its calm and quiet and the food is always great. Sometimes we go out just to go out, but J Alexander's is always worth the trip and the money.
(5)Danny W.
Amazing food! Great customer service! Good decor! What more could you ask for!? Our waitress made a personal connection with us which is the sincerest form of customer service. Thanks Nicole!
(5)Rambo C.
Great service... Great food. The salmon appetizer is the best we ever had. Ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and the prime rib done perfectly and melt in your mouth. Not a bad thing to say...
(5)Joe M.
Could not eat here. The waitress at the bar told me that they would not guarantee anything here is gluten. So the others at our business meeting ate and I did not. They must have awful quality control in the kitchen if they can't cook a piece of fish and not guarantee it's gluten free. I have a major allergy to gluten. So can't take a chance.
(1)Mark W.
Went her for a nice dinner had to wait on Saturday nite as expedited. Found two seats at bar and had beer and my wife had an awesome manhattan. Finally seated at table and ordered pizza and side salad which took over 30 minutes to come to table Very slow service. Should have stuck with roasted chicken as usual.
(3)Cole C.
I had a late lunch with two family members, we sat in a booth in the bar area. The service staff was polite, professional, and I would say fairly knowledgable of the food/drink. Although we did give our server a heads up that we were not in a rush, I felt like the pace of the food and drinks coming out was good. We shared a bottle of white wine and some bloody marry's which were awesome. We had a variety of apps and entrees, all were tasty and filling. My only issue, though a minor one, was more of a presentation/convenience matter. I ordered the prime rib sandwich, which while being tasty and cooked as ordered, my expectations differed from what I received. It was a large portion of prime rib, with two slices of bread on the side. Once I put it together, it was literally difficult to eat because of the size. Yes, I could have just sliced it myself. But being a lunch promoted item, this could prove inconvenient for those in a time crunch or eating on the go. I would suggest that instead they use a several smaller pieces. There was a side au jus, but I think offering some caramelized onions and/or some creamy horseradish sauce, would really bring the dish together. Again, minor issue, but my overall experience was quite enjoyable.
(4)Sarah B.
I happened to notice just now that I had never reviewed this J. Alexander's - and that just amazes me. Hubby and I are regulars, yes; we have a favorite table, the combo half booth/half table on the back side - #17 in hostess speak; we have favorite entrees, favorite appetizers, and favorite desserts; and I can't tell you how many times we've visited. When we first introduced our two parents, we all came to this J.'s as we call it. December hubby and I celebrated 20 years of marriage. We've seen this restaurant through many renovations, additions, layout changes, etc. - and we still love it. Having loved in Cool Springs forever, the one positive thing I can say about all the growth and traffic here now is that the wait for a table during prime time is here is SLIGHTLY less. Yes, they do offer call ahead seating, and we use it. Have the phone number for this location as well as the two Nashville lcoations programmed in our cell phones. Like I said, folks, we're regulars, we just don't always check in to yelp on our phones when we're here, this is our time. Favorite appetizers rotate between the Spinach Queso (yummy, except for the brief time where the jalapenos are super fresh and a bit too much for me spice-challenged self) hint: your server is happy to bring you more chips if needed; and the salmon dip. Ditto the hint on the toast points, too with that app. Hubby's favorite entree usually is the Chicken Tenders. He loves them, and if they're not on the menu - it's OK, they have it anyway. Sometimes he'll opt for ribs or prime rib or a pork chop - all have been awesome. My favorite entree usually is the salmon with orzo salad. I love salmon, especially their mesquite grilled variety, and the orzo salad is such an addiction for me I have learned to (almost) replicate it. It's unlike any other orzo and wild rice salad you'll encounter - has cranberries, raisins, corn, black beans, cillantro, and a light yet pefect oil dressing that makes everything pop. Seriously, it's that good. I also love the prime rib if I'm feeling iron-deprived and their salads if it's summer-y. And the chicken pasta soup is always welcome, also. For dessert, if I pick, it's the carrot cake. It's just perfect, I'm sorry. I've had lots of other good carrot cakes, but this one is it unless my husband is making one for me. (using J's simple syrup tactics, mind you.) Hubby's dessert of choise is the Very Best Chocolate Cake. It is an awesome, rich, moist dark chocolate cake drizzled with extra chocolate syrup and coupled up with a scoop of really good vanilla ice cream. REALLY good, don't get me wrong. Just because I love carrot cake does not mean this isn't also the bomb. This is not a budget night out, let me be clear. Pretty consistenly whatever hubby and I order, we end up spending about $80 for dinner. Sometimes we might have a cocktail, others not, sometimes the app, or the dessert, etc. Like I said, no matter what we do, it ends up about $80. Not our cheapest dinner, but not the most expensive either, but always a great night. If you are wanting take out, you have to order from the bar. You cannot call in an order for pick up. They are busy as they want to be as it is, and do not wish to risk a bad guest experience by over-extending themselves. If you have someone at home ill, go here for dinner and order the chicken pasta soup to go for them. It heals things. I have visited J.'s locations in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga - and this franchise is consistent no matter what. If you haven't been, well, I can only assume you were waiting for this review, so go now.
(5)Alishah N.
I've gone to J Alexanders over the course of a few years since moving to Nashville - I've tried them for lunch and dinner, and in all honesty, I've never been impressed with it. In fact, I've been put off from my experiences. I've seen that others have been rating it strong 4s and 5s, which instantly puts me in the minority - but that being said, my review isn't based on one bad experience. I've given them a few shots, and I'm always left feeling exactly what the 2 star rating says: "Meh. I've experienced better." I've tried a number of things on the menu, and the food's been good - good, but not great. For the type of establishment it is, for the price I'm paying, it's disappointing. The pasta dishes I found to be alright - not good enough for me to order again, but alright enough for me to return to try something else on the menu. Their burgers, which are normally a safe bet at any place, are - again, alright. There's no question the burgers are better than a fast-food burger, but if you rank them against a similar establishment, then I really don't think compare. What's more, I've found their salads to be weirdly oily. In the few times when I'm on a health kick and wound up at J Alexander's (it's happened 3 or 4 times now) I've always found it odd to be served a salad so oily it's shining. Perhaps I could have ordered less dressing, or the dressing on the side...but again, my expectations are higher for the type of place that it is. I appreciate that J Alexander's is locally owned, and I've found the staff being helpful on most occasions - though there have been a few bad moments too: a vegetarian friend ordering a side of broccoli, and having it served to them with a piece of bacon. After asking the waiter if the broccoli normally comes with bacon on it, and finding out it doesn't, my friend then had to point at the plate of broccoli with the bacon sitting right on top of it all. The response: "Oh... it must have fallen on to your plate. Let me go get you another plate of broccoli." That's great - they fixed the problem without hesitation. But at the same time, I'm left with the humorous vision of bacon just being thrown around in the kitchen... Will I return to J Alexanders? Probably, but at someone else's suggestion. I've been there easily over 10 times now, and as I said earlier, I'm left with lackluster impressions. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It's just: I've experienced better.
(2)Jan S.
Never a bad meal there, nor bad service! I know it is a chain, but it is always top-notch coupled with excellent service. The open-faced chicken salad sandwich and french dip are my usuals. But you simply cannot go wrong with anything there. The carrot cake is served warm with thick icing dripping off. Unbeatable. Highly recommend.
(5)Su I.
I was impressed with the ambiance, the food, and the friendly staff. The place gets a little busy during lunch, it is usually a 15-25 minutes wait so get there early. I had the Scottish grilled salmon with orzo wild rice pilaf and I have no idea what was in the rice, it was a mixture of cranberry, raisins, corn, and something else but it was the most tasting wild rice I had ever had. Also their wine selection is incredible. I will definitely go back.
(5)Katie B.
I ate a Sunday lunch there with my mom and daughter and we had fantastic service. This restaurant has always been one of my favorites. I've always loved the club sandwich and fries. I tried the veggie burger today and it was the best veggie burger I've ever had. So good!! You can't go wrong eating at J. Alexander's!
(5)Nancy P.
First visit on 6/14/14. It was 4:30 and already crowded. We did get a seat, and 45 minutes later when we were leaving there were people waiting. This is just FYI stuff. When we pulled in to the parking lot there was a very young guy in a suit cleaning up in the parking lot with a broom and dust pan. That was a good sign to me. So many business owners miss this. Its a nice atmosphere, lots of smiling faces and plenty of people taking care of you. They do nice things like bring a bottle of cold water so you are not sitting there with nothing to drink. My husband ordered a steak burger. I got the prime rib, and my son got the pork tenderloin with the spicy sauce. He loved his, and it had a pretty good kick. My prime rib was cooked to order, very good. The mashed potatoes were slightly dry, but not bad. My husbands burger was really tasty, but kind of small. He said there was not much too it, and I agree. The fries, no one liked those. They were so skinny, and just not to our liking. Any skinnier and they would have been like straw. Here is where they lose major points. We were hungry when we went in, and so we attacked our salads. I would say we eat fairly quickly, and we were still eating them when the food came. For all of their politeness they don't even blink when they are putting the food down, and they wait for you to move your dang salad out of the way. I have seen other people have the same complaint, so they have an issue there. A true fine dining restaurant would never do that. And a true fine dining restaurant would also have black napkins for people who are wearing dark clothes. My husband and I both had white fuzz all over our clothes. It sucked and we had to go home after that. It's so dark in there you can't see it until you get outside. It's pricey. Their teas and sodas are $3. That's nuts. Three dinners, no apps, $100. If you were to order wine and an appetizer it would be up there with some of the priciest around. So there you have it, the good, bad and ugly.
(3)David O.
Stopped in for lunch after Buca Di Beppo wouldn't seat us while the computers were down. As with all J Alexanders I've been to, the ambiance is quite nice. Staff was friendly, and there was no wait for a table. It filled up quite a bit while we were there though, and there was a noticeable slowdown in the appearance of our waiter. I really love the food, but it always feels a bit pricey. If I had one complaint it would be that.
(4)Will M.
I would recommend for out of towners because they have really good food. You can always tell when the staff is so serious and Professional, that none of the cookstaff is smiling. Conversely the relaxed atmosphere for any gathering and friendly servers always bring a smile, and are happy to serve you. I had a really good burger and the alex salad is a meal in itself. I'm sure their seafood and steaks are just as great. A bit upper class, but the prices aren't too expensive. Dark ambiance is really awesome. I can seriously doubt anyone will complain about the service or food or atmosphere. Solid choice, not one I will go to by myself because I cook at home, but if friends and family visit, they can always treat me to a nice meal here.
(5)Greg K.
Server poorly trained. Server was incorrect on beer and wine information. Food incorrectly delivered but straightened out. Steaks okay, not great. Shrimp good. Smoked salmon dip good but not all of us liked it. Pizza dry and little flavor. Not worth the tab.
(2)Tim M.
1 of my favorite J Alexander locations (been to 3 different ones) Wait times here can be horrendous - 60-90 min on Saturday night and Sunday brunch. Called ahead to get on the list - this takes 30 min off your wait time once you ARRIVE! Didn't know this and thought the estimate of 60-75 min was a direct quote but basically we needed to arrive, check-in to wait 30-45 min. Had my usual prime rib. The portion felt a bit smaller than I'm use to but cooked to order and the baked potato was huge. Got worried that I might not finish. Overall, definitely good. Dessert - Triple chocolate cake was heavy enough to be an entree. Coupled with the ice cream and it was the perfect finish to dinner. Service was alright on this occasion. Haven't been on a Saturday night so wonder if this is common.
(4)Lydia B.
We've eaten here three times and always come away happy. Staff seems willing to accommodate, they'll do special servings for kids even if it's not on the menu, good flavor in the food and sauces, nice atmosphere. We'll definitely go back!
(4)Claire H.
Wow that was amazing. In TN for the weekend and just happened to see it and I'm so glad I did! I had the salmon and rice and it was superb! I'm going to search for the recipe for that orzo rice because it's fantastic! Service was even better! Loved it and I cannot wait to go back.
(5)Mark C.
Highly recommend J's! The food is excellent and the service is usually very good. My go to eatery when nothing better comes to mind.
(4)Jeremy E.
Had a great meal here. I started with a Dos Perros and brick oven pizza. The brick oven pizza had a perfect crust and was topped with sausage, ricotta, and carmelized onions. It was perfect. I had a filet with mac and cheese. Delicious as always. My uncle had the Tuscan steak, which is a rosemary infused NY strip. Also very tasty. Service was great as always. Total bill was around $85 and I left full and happy. This is still the best bang for your buck in town.
(4)Heath S.
Have been there 2-3 times in the last several months. This place is top notch. Have not had anything bad yet, great wine selection, friendly wait staff, higher end pricing - but worth the $$$
(5)Kevin K.
I am a huge fan of J. Alexander's restaurants. I'm a regular at one in Livonia, MI, and have been to at least 4 different J. Alexander's locations. I ate here on a business trip to the Nashville area and it was excellent as it usually is. I had the Filet Kebab which might be my new favorite at JA's. (I also love the Steak Brazzo, Crispy Chicken Platter, Grilled Salmon, and many others entrees!) The service was excellent as is usually the case. They actually bring drink refills so often that my friends and I joke about it ... we probably end up eating more iced tea or soda than we normally would just because it comes so often. I also had the Carrot Cake for dessert which was also excellent. It's served warm and has an excellent cream cheese frosting. I highly recommend J. Alexander's restaurants and this one was no exception. (Keep in mind that I wouldn't compare JA's to a "true" 5-star restaurant, but for an upscale restaurant this is among the best.)
(5)Otis R.
Like a upscale TGI Fridays or Applebees. Nice wide variety of typical american food. Nice selection and everything was quite tasty. Clean and very attentive wait staff.
(3)Brandon L.
amazing!
(5)Ann M.
Frankly, I was really surprised during my Sunday night visit to JA's, and my surprise had nothing to do with the "sorry we're under re-construction". The place was packed, I met friends from out of town who suggested we meet there, ended up being their guest so they heard none of the following! I praised the place to my friends for staff training, good menu & good food...what a surprise on all counts. But first, this new ambiance (at the Franklin location)? What are they thinking? I needed my flashlight! Going to the table, on the farthest side of the room, was like finding my way back to my cabin at camp! Then, once seated, I quipped, "I can't see who's sitting opposite me...who are those people, do I know them?" We all laughed, but seriously, 4 flashlight-like lamps shining down & only on the table, everything else around the patron is dark, cave-dark...Then our server, was one of those "how are we this evening?" she wasn't in the party, none of us liked the "we" thing, and frankly, that is so dated, or like one is treated at the local diner or the doctor's office. She was a nice person, but overly attentive at first, not tuned in to our wanting to visit, a lot, before wanting to order, and was s-l-o-w on our drinks (none of them complicated: a draft, a Tanquerey (sp?) martini, straight up, a Stoli dirty martini, shaken); then at order time, we couldn't find her. The others who whisked out our waters (please place that milk jar jug of water inTO the table, not on the edge of the table), served our salads, et al, were more friendly and helpful. Okay, food: Grilled artichokes w/some kind of cold butter were unimpressive, the butter paste was, well, supposed to have herbs, but what and why, am not sure (no taste). Why not just melt it for dipping the leaves? I think all we ended up w/was char between our teeth; this idea is more form over function. The Caesar salad, ordered "small" and Faucon salad, also ordered "small" - well "small" to them is like an extra large lunch portion. (One of my friends & I both said, upon receiving the salads "THIS is 'small??'") both salads were chopped, & pre-made, cold bowls are a giveaway, were predressed, and VERY salty...save for the tiny crunchy croutons, I was not impressed. Faucon? well, they tried, but go back to the drawing board, gang. Not many folks do that as well as the original, which I believe is attributed to the Belle Meade Country Club in N'ville & then Jimmy Kelly's follows a close 2nd (though theirs is not as good as it used to be). Two of us ordered the pizza w/pancetta, the other ordered Rattlesnake Pasta. The pasta plate was enough for 2 truck drivers, the diner ate only a portion, copious amounts left in the bowl (why serve so much, you all??). The pizza had an over-size clump or arugula plopped in the middle (that was well past it's sharpness factor which I happen to love) and was again VERY salty (too much of that pancetta?); crust was thin-crispy, tasted fine, not sure what else on pizza, had to ask server for Parmesan. The pepper grinder on table was empty, she seemed unbothered by that, and just looked around for another available grinder, 'try this" was the response...The bottle of wine selected was great, but then that service was off-par for JA"s. The sever asked do you want me to go through the steps (w/the one who had ordered) or just pour? Strange, I thought as highly trained as JA serves are in wines, & w/the $$$ JA's invests in training their staff in this regard, that we would get the full presentation. Not so. We agreed to skip it, & the orderer did get his obligatory "taste" pour, but again, (to server:) don't ask the guests, just "do"...so she poured for my friend, then for me, and forgot topping off glass for friend's husband, leaving him only w/the small sampling. ...we caught her as she was about to leave, she quickly covered for her gaff. (Because my friends were traveling, they sent all the leftovers home w/me - the extra pasta was enought to fill two 16 oz. containers i used to take to the ofc., then gave both to two colleagues who were thrilled to have their lunch provided on Monday.) Bottom line, if you've made it this far, you're glad I'm winding down I bet, I was embarrassed - I had extolled the virtues & food of the place to my friends, who had never been there, who then treated me to dinner. It will be a long time before I bother going again, or suggest that others do the same. We have way too many choices of places to eat in our area (N'ville, Franklin, surrounding areas), and fortunately for us locals, many are "non-chain" & excellent. This place & experience was not; it was, as I said initially, a big surprise, to boot!
(2)Brian C.
You can't go wrong EVER with J Alexanders for a business lunch or a dinner night with friends. For lunch, I'm a huge fan of the chicken sandwich. For dinner, the pork loin and rattlesnake pasta are always solid choices. J Alexander's wait staff understand the art of stealth service. You rarely see them drop off a refill and they never insert themselves into the conversation. Each are obviously trained to be efficient, kind and thorough. Dessert. Oh my, the desserts. Two of my favorite desserts in the Nashville area are here. Carrot Cake. Chocolate Bar Cake. It's a hard choice, but the carrot cake typically wins. My only criticism is the dining room is way too dark for lunch. It hurts walking outside in the sun after. Also, I've had a few hit or miss meals, but by far, the majority of the meals have been great.
(4)Tiffany K.
Disappointment. I order the Filet Mignon with Bearnaise, medium. I was told that if I wanted the steak cooked anything more that medium, it would need to be filleted. When my steak arrived, I cut it down the middle and it was rare. The waitress was quite kind and agreed with me, that the steak was not cooked medium. As my husband and child at their meals, I waited for my steak to return. Round two with the steak was better, but the center was still medium rare. I was hungry, unhappy and did not want the hassle of sending my steak back a second time. In addition to that, my 4 year old ordered a grilled cheese. He took one bite and spit it out, saying it was disgusting. I took a bite, thinking he was crazy. Green peppers had somehow been cooked in with some of the cheese. Obviously he is not a fan of a green pepper and grilled cheese sandwich. Thankfully the green peppers were only in part of the sandwich. The restaurant is getting 3 stars for their portion size, my husband's dinner (rattlesnake pasta), and my fabulous Blackberry Volcano martini. It will be awhile before I venture back to J Alexanders.
(3)Krifka S.
I've been to this J Alexanders before and also the one in Tampa, FL. But my recent visit here was just ok--the food was good, but the service was terrible! #1 I can't even tell you how many servers we had--seemed like they kept switching up on us. #2 They couldn't seem to get didn't our Alex's salad right, first it came out with croutons, then when it came back again it had no dressing #3 we never got refills on drinks until I went up to the bar to get refills (yes, I am THAT person). However the rest of the food we had was good, and the quality I expect from J. Alexanders--You can never go wrong with the Hyde Park Chicken Sandwich. The Alex's Salad is really good and is REALLLLLLLLY good if you combine the vinaigrette that comes on it with some of their ranch (my MIL-showed me this trick-it is AWESOME!) F For those GF folks out there, J Alexanders does not have a GF menu nor are many of their items GF with out some major modification's, so beware, you may be stuck to the 1/2 roast chicken I had (although it was good).
(3)Ted D.
OMG the carrot cake is something to behold...IT IS SO DANG GOOD! I also enjoyed the tuna steak, didn't actually eat beef...Service was excellent during my visit!
(4)Jessica B.
Best place in Cool Springs for a business lunch. Wait staff is incredible and attention to detail is their specialty. My favorite is the California Burger.
(4)Jessica W.
This is one of our absolute faves! Great, reliable, classic American food. There is nothing bad on the menu, the service is always exceptional, and it doesn't break the bank! Would only recommend bringing well-behaved children here.
(5)Erin J.
What can I say? The keys here for me are consistency, fabulous service, nice-sized portions, and high-quality food. Yes, it's pretty standard American food, but it's done very well. We usually sit at the bar, and I love that when you're ready to order they place a nice white napkin in front of you. I also love that you get chilled water with no ice (not an ice-water gal, but like it chilled. Perfect). All the bartenders and servers I've come in contact with are very professional, and surprisingly never seem frustrated - even with the bar hopping! There was once that my order was wrong (I requested no bacon), and they whisked the dish away & came right back with another. Love it! Just as a note....this J Alex has brick oven pizza, as well as some of the older menu items (half chicken, chicken tenders, others). The J's on West End does not, and that's the one I used to frequent. Now that we're in Franklin this is our "new" location, and it's nice to see some of those old items again! **Also important to note....they have the BEST veggie burger I've ever had!
(5)Dip C.
The best thing about this place is the service. The food is good too. The only thing I am not happy about is its inability to hold large groups. We were a group of 9 and we struggled with the seating. This is good for lunch too but the ambiance will be perfect for dinner.
(4)Philip l.
I can not understand the great reviews this place has recieved. My wife and I went there on our 25th aniversary. I was expecting to spend about $150 for the evening so the price of the food wasnt the issue. To spend $30, each, on a steak and it NOT come with a salad was cheap of the place. Our food was delayed because they ran out of bernaise. How do you run out of bernaise? Once we got the steaks, My steak knife was so dirty even the waiter noticed it, he took it back before I could pick it up. A few days later we went to Logan Roadhouse, it steak was just as good. It came with a salad and we even got peanuts to snack on.
(2)David G.
I'm just not that into you... Have you ever heard that line? Used that line yourself to break up with someone? Well, J. Alexander's, I'm just not that into you. We used to have good time together when I was a teenager and my palate hadn't expanded beyond the chain restaurant phase of my life. We used to go out all the time and eat prime rib open faced sandwiches or salad bowls the size of my rear end. But, now I enjoy independent restaurants with really good food, actual creativity (not faux conic shaped french fry designs or conic shaped mashed potatoes on my plate), and properly portioned food. I just need to move on and away from you. You really don't offer much to me. I know, I know. We used to have such good times. But, like I've said, I'm just not that into you. Your food is not all that well-spiced, your servers are trying to be something they're not, and your food might as well be O'Charley's. Blah
(2)John F.
Eight adults and 2 kids gathered at J Alexander's to celebrate 2 birthdays on a Friday night at 6pm. The wait was short and the wait staff was very attentive...at first. Water glasses kept full, beer/wine glasses not so much. Order was taken and food delivered in a very respectfully time. My steak was warm, no were near hot as was another order of crab cakes. To be fair to the restaurant we did not complain...did not want to ruin the evening for the other couples by complaining about our meal. Service quickly fell off after the food was delivered. Plates piled up that we had to start stacking them on the floor. Dessert orders were placed and over 20 minutes passed until it came out. Dessert was huge and very good. another 20 minutes and we were handed the bill...and yes another 20 minutes it was picked up and...you guessed it another 20 minutes change and credit cards returned. Remember the part above about the 2 kids....8 adults?? This night went from fun family and food to waiting, screaming kids, and more waiting. The bill for just us two was 80 dollars...that's not a problem if the food and service was "Great"...but it fell way short. Not sure if we will ever go back....defiantly not with a group larger than 4. jf
(3)Tim G.
Great rolls. Carrot cake is excellent. Service always rocks. Nice place to go if you are into chains. I'm just not a huge fan.
(3)Luke S.
They have very good food. We've tried a lot of dishes on their menu, and they're all delicious. Portions are good, and service is also good. One of our favorite dishes is the Steak and Fries. It's simple, tasty, and fulfilling.
(4)Mel P.
I have been a customer at J's for many years. The location on West End in Nashville always seems like a nice night out.......that is because of the staff. However, after moving to Franklin, TN, the closest J's is in Cool Springs. Unfortunately, this particular location will turn you against J Alexanders. They are located close to the Mall and all the hustle and bustle. This is not the problem. The problem is that they seem to just not care anymore. I'm sure they deal with the "mall crowd" all the time and it has made their attention to detail lacking. I'll give you an example of my last visit (a saturday at 3 p.m). This may be the first time that I have looked at the menu and just realized how tired and outdated it is. After slowly picking my way through the dishes over the years, I usually am limited to about five meals that I'll eat. Perhaps I'm being overly critical, but if it were my place I would work on the customer service as a first priority. We usually encounter a hostess that is less than enthusiastic about even being alive, much less working.......kinda snobby......that comes from who you have to deal with, not who the server is. I went straight for the specials when I was seated. Imagine that, I've seen all these specials many many times before. The servers, no matter where you're seated or what time of day, seem as if they're doing you a favor by waiting on you.......and most do not have a good working knowledge of the menu items themselves. But mostly you wait........for everything. It truly is hard to get a fresh glass of iced tea in a timely manner. And the food..........basic. You can tell it's made without much care at all. Lots of contradicting flavors and just trying too hard to be a swank place to eat. I kind of laugh when they bring out a giant pile of those dry and tasteless "smashed potatoes" or they carefully construct that foot-high mountain of cheap fries on your plate. And the carrot cake that everyone just loves?? I've had it at least fifty times over the years. It's not enough to make me spend money for the rest of the meal just to get the carrot cake............which has also gone way downhill. If you want a really good carrot cake, go to the Puckett's Boathouse in Franklin. As for me, if I visit a J's again, it won't be the one in Cool Springs.
(3)Hailey T.
"Dark, rare and yummy!" It was dark as others have said. However please note this was one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had! The wine was delicious, my prime rib was as rare as can be (I asked for it :-)) now for the grand finale CORN BREAD! My whole group still talks about it a year later!
(5)Shonnie T.
I have been eating at J's for years. Absolutely love it everytime. They have renovated their patio and installed an indoor/outdoor fireplace. Consider the seat next to it taken! Good food, service, and atmosphere!
(5)Kyna M.
We LOVE this place. ALL the food is good and portions big so we share. New pizza awesome.
(5)Michael L.
I try not to write long reviews for chains since you know what the hell you're getting, but I'll give it 3 since it's definitely a chain in another bracket above your typical Applebees/Fridays/Outback. Good Service. Decent food. I see no reason not to come back.
(3)Lana O.
stopped by here for a quick lunch. It was seriously so yummy! The food was delicious. ambiance was great, and the service was incredibly attentive. It's a little more pricey, but I definitely think that the quality and service speak for themselves.
(4)Laurie N.
I usually avoid chain restaurants, but J Alexander's is an exception to my food snob tendencies - it's that good. I've only been here for lunch, and I am impressed with the extensive menu, with everything from great salads to burgers to fish tacos (which were very fresh and flavorful). The cocktail menu is wonderful and generous as well. A great place for lunch in the over-saturated-with-restaurants Cool Springs area.
(4)Heather L T.
First time at J.Alexander's as of yesterday. I had heard this place had a pretty good rep. for quality, quantity, and excellence in general. We were greeted by a more than pleasant hostess and quickly lead to huge table that was half-booth, half-table, very unique. The lighting was just right and the service was pretty much impeccable. I ordered a Honeysuckle sparkling wine type of drink and although a little strong for my taste, it was still satisfying and less expensive than I would have guessed. The spinach queso dip was delicious for an appetizer, not too heavy or creamy. I ordered the Steak Maui and Smashed..now I am not typically a huge steak fan, but the sauce on this steak created a succulent masterpiece and what I like to refer to as a "mouth-gasm" (orgasm of the mouth). The steak was cooked just right and the potatoes delicious as well. Last but not least, a good list of desserts to choose from..now the crew I was with were feeling a little too shy for dessert, but not this gal. I ordered up the Creme Brulee..and this is a tough dish to master, but this dessert was PERFECTION..so creamy and perfectly sugared and hardened on top..with a warm outer and cool inner. Once my friends got a glimpse of this bowl of heaven, they too partook in it. Big portion and the best part of my night. I would definitely return for not only the service, ambiance, and entrees..but also, the dessert!:)
(4)Fonda W.
I had the slow roasted prime rib and it was the BEST STEAK EVER!! It was tender, juicy & just perfect!! It came with smashed potato's; I also got broccoli on the side & it was steamed right. It wasn't too soft. The Mac & cheese was ok, I've had better. If you're a steak lover, this is place is a must.
(5)Kristyna R.
I have been here 4 times and every time I literally have a religious dining experience. Start off with the Alex Salad - warm, crunchy bacon, buttery homemade croutons...DELISH! For the entree, it has to be the Filet Mignon with bernaise with the mac & cheese for the side. First of all, the meat is so tender you could literally cut it with a spoon....melt in your mouth. Now on to the mac & cheese....I personally am not a fan of restaurant mac & cheese. It's always too heavy and rich and usually pretty bland (and totally not worth the calories). That's how I felt until I had the mac & cheese at J's. HOLY CRAP....it's tangy & creamy with a crunchy baked top...it's divine, and worth every single calorie. Finally, my meal at J's is never complete unless I have the CARROT CAKE. It's soaked in butter overnight and served warm with gooey, melted icing over the top....I'm telling you, there are no words to properly convey how absolutely heavenly it is. The incredible food aside, the servers and bartenders are top-notch; friendly, charismatic, attentive. Needless to say, I'm a fan.
(5)Stacey M.
Great atmosphere with a variety of cuisine. I prefer their steak with baked mac & cheese. The bar area is great and they know how to make drinks the right way.
(5)Bryan H.
Our favorite place in Nashville. The chicken fingers are better than most places, steaks are good, but I always get the Cypress Salad which is excellent. Ask for the croissants. A little pricey at times and I wish they had a better and cheaper kid's menu though .
(5)Teresa D.
Having read the reviews I had very high expectations of the food. I ordered the prime rib at our servers suggestion since she said it was what they were known for. One bite and had to return it. It tasted as though it had been in the refrigerator uncovered for a couple days with all the rest of the uncovered food and had picked up that awful "refrigerator taste". It was by far the worst prime rib I've ever had. I chose the crab cakes for the second go around. They were very tasty but way over priced at $28.99 with one side and no bread. My husband ordered the pork loin. It was tender but lacked in flavor and the sauce that was poured over it tasted like it came from a can. If you are going to drop $75 on dinner, opt not to eat here and go across the street to Stoney River....much better food there!!! I did notice most of the favorable reviews were with their sandwiches and salads. We might go back once more to give those a try but only after we are tired of every other restaurant in the Cool Springs or Franklin area which we will a very long time. On the positive side, the server was ok, not great but ok.
(2)Thomas M.
Great place. Reminds me a bit of a "Houston's" restaurant for those of you familiar with that chain. Has a patio for some outdoor dining.
(4)J. W.
J Alexander's is one of my favorite places to eat! They have a small menu which is nice, and you can't go wrong with whatever you pick. I've never had a bad meal.
(5)rob h.
It's hard to go wrong at J's. Great salads.
(5)Sarah S.
I came here for dinner with a medium-sized group, none of whom were local, because our hotel concierge recommended it. Because of its shopping center pad location, I was expecting something akin to an Outback Steakhouse or maybe an Elephant Grill. I was pleasantly surprised to find a flare-free restaurant with a great drink and wine selection, a solid menu, and great service. You know how some burger joints give you the extra milkshake in the stainless steel mixing glass? They do that here with cocktails, putting the extra in a little glass floating in a bowl of ice water. This effectively turns your Manhattan into a Manhattan-and-a-half. Everyone was pleased with their meals. I ordered cilantro shrimp over rice with coleslaw. It was great, and the shrimp were properly cooked (i.e., not rubbery). The service was efficient and accommodating. When we were finished with dessert, our server asked us if all 11 of us would like our own, separate checks. Now where I live, this has never happened. You can split a bill, but the server will act like it's a big deal. Bay Area servers would never provide 11 separate checks, especially not voluntarily. Next time I'm in Nashville, I'll go back.
(4)Imelda M.
Have dined along with my husband three times at Js going through Nashville.........we've only sat at the bar, as we enjoy talking & meeting new people. Have eaten, salmon, chicken, salad, artichoke appetizer, sandwich {BLT] never have we had one complained. Find the restaurant extremely clean, service [at the bar] excellent, ambience vry good, a little noisey, but who cares. The Galleria area very clean, safe & wakable to several hotels. Would definitely recommend.
(4)Cate C.
J Alexanders is my favorite Happy Place located in the Cool Springs Galleria of Franklin, Tennessee, They are an upscale eatery with a great wine list and rival many places locally in the bay area hands down. The service is excellent and they have no problem accomodating handicapped/wheelchairs, either. There homemade soup is to die for with it;s accompanyments, it can be a meal in itself. EVERYTHING you order is well made, scrumptious and made with fresh ingredients..they hve everything icluding sandwiches, full meals and seafood as well as steak.. Whenever I want to impres someone. I take them to this local eatery with its flair for food, sevice and ambience..
(4)Austin G.
I had the most disgusting veggie burger I have ever tasted at this place, and I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers. I wasn't expecting many vegan options at a place like this (and I'm not convinced that was vegan, pretty sure there was butter on the bun), but usually a kitchen can figure out something edible. Not the case here. It was mushy and had a weird glaze on the patty. Ick.
(1)Nathan C.
Prime rib sandwich is delicious. Fast and friendly service for a busy venue. Good sized interior that was packed with hungry people.
(5)Buddy T.
The food here is always pretty good. The reasons for the one star is that they have the worst beer selection in all of Nashville. Everything today is about selection and knowledge. They have neither. The bartenders are attractive but wow they have no knowledge. I was dumbfounded when I requested an IPA and she did not know what that was! I would encourage the management to take a fresh look at the bar.
(1)Shelly A.
Very pleased! Traveling for business and J Alexander's was recommended by a customer. We started with the queso and it was rich and creamy with spinach and thin crispy warm tortilla chips. Next I had the Cilantro Shrimp...it was very good and a very good value. 10 large tiger shrimp with rice and a very tasty slaw for $18. My co-worker had the steak and fries and was equally pleased....and the dinner salad...oh my goodness...it was HUGE!!! You could have added some chicken or shrimp to it and called it a meal on it's own!!! Not just your regular lettuce and tomato and some dressing. It was loaded. We wanted to try the highly recommended carrot cake but we were absolutely stuffed. Service was friendly, informative and prompt. Atmosphere was pleasant and inviting. I wish there was a location in the Dallas/Fort Worth area!
(5)Scott M.
I completely love this place. The prime rib is awesome and actually very reasonably priced. The ambience is great. I typically don't care for chain restaurants but this one is really good. Wait time is extremely long on Friday and Saturday nights. Call ahead! But the food is worth the wait!
(5)Mrs M.
What a wonderful dinner. We had dined last night at a steakhouse across the street and were, let's say, less than thrilled.... Here, the service is top notch. On a super busy night, a call ahead is a definate. Otherwise, the wait would have been 45-60 mins. We called ahead and the wait was only 20 mins upon arrival. The steaks were seasoned to perfection & cooked to order perfectly. The fries are so yummy! Thin and crispy! The macncheese is Def enough for 2 to share. They did a nice cut of prime for our 6yr old at a cost of $15. All in all the value is supurb! Will absolutely return.
(5)Jane H.
Worst service ever at this or any J. Alexander's. Waiter rushed us through our meal. Food was good, but nothing special. Would not recommend this location.
(2)Charline H.
What in the world happened?! Is this place at J Alexanders?! I was so upset by this location's service that I had to step away from writing this review and come back. I refuse to lump this location in with the other ones around Nashville because our family and friends have always thought of J Alexander's as a go to for great food and incredible service. The two stars of this review we allocated to the food bc it was delicious. We entered to celebrate my mom's birthday on a Monday night, not a busy weekend day, to receive service that felt like I was sitting at O'Charleys on the lunch hour rush. Five of us ordered a starter/salads and entrées. The waiter highlighted the prime rib as a special, but to be honest it's what some of us would've chosen, and he asked if we had any questions. I did. I asked: 1)what size is the wood fire pizza [the answer I got: "oh it's big"] 2) what is the veggie burger made up of? [its a black bean base] These answers were snapped back at me like he didn't ask originally if we had questions. When I said I needed a minute to make up my mind he rudely said "When you're ready, stack all of the menus up in a pile in the middle so I don't have to keep coming back and forth". Then before the entire table was able to enjoy a few bites of salad, our entrées were brought out by table runners, that proceeded to slam the dishes down and shove our salads out of the way - mind you we were mid bite. Haha!! I mean seriously, I understand how restaurants waiters/kitchens work bc my husband was in the biz for over 10yrs. Sometimes food comes out early, and sometimes a waiter is trying to flip tables as quickly as possible to make a buck. It was so rude and a only more terrible when the waiter announced at the end [probably happy to see us go] that bc we ordered the prime rib we helped him get more points than the other waiters! I reiterate, what in the world happened?! Is this place at J Alexanders?! After running through that turnstile, I think we'll be making the drive to Nashville for the service we trust.
(2)Lori W.
Ordered the classic hamburger cooked well done. EXCELLENT. Huge burger. Very well seasoned. The Ahi Tuna burger really good!! Very well seasoned. The macaroni and cheese was really good and cheesy. Their coffee is really fresh and robust. The polish gumbo soup was very good too. I dont think there is a bad dish on this menu!!! Ordered the famous carrot cake..about fell off the table. DELICIOUS... The lighting is really low in here for lunch as well as super busy. You can see the chefs cooking and this place is well staffed. Courteous waiter. Would recommend!! 5 star..
(5)Gabriela F.
Great place to eat- awesome ambiance and fast service. I had the rotisserie chicken and the Mexican cheese and artichoke dip. Both great options and lots of flavor
(5)Neema C.
I was craving for a French Dip that day. The other food we ordered were alright, but the French Dip was soggy and the bread was really chewy. If we came back, I would not order the French Dip again.
(3)John W.
Hey... How about a separate kids section???? Such a nice place with great food. It fairly expensive, so it would be nice to be able to enjoy a meal without screaming kids next to you. Can you guys separate the sections?
(2)Fred P.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. My wife and I were on a little tour of Tennessee and while staying in Franklin we chanced upon J Alexander's. I wish we'd stayed a few days longer to check out the rest of the menu. I had a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth prime rib and my wife had something with lettuce in it. Yes, she came to a steakhouse and ordered a salad, so I mock! The ambiance was very romantic, the service was wonderful and the food amazing. We'd visited the Palm the previous night and spend 3 times what we spent here for similar fare.
(4)AmiBeth O.
This place is the JAM!!! You can't order a bad item from the menu--though I recommend one of their salads and an appetizer! Mmm, so good that I wish I was there right now! Or waitress was absolutely adorable, friendly, super attentive and very sweet!!! Loved her so much!!!! Gosh, I really want their Thai Salad right now. Mmm, and their cheesey dip was sooooo good. I feel like a five year old writing this review!!!
(5)Phil M.
I don't know what the deal is with this place but it's exactly the same as Houston's in New York. Looks the same same menu same pretty much everything. That's a good thing though because I love Houston's and I love this place also. The dark cozy interior is a great place to go especially on a date or just for a good quality meal. People dress more up then down if you're looking like a slob. Love the salads ... it's not the cheap iceberg lettuce and the champagne vinaigrette is to die for. Prime rib was excellent mashed potatoes extremely good. You can eat cheap or expensive depending on what you pick on the menu ... there's a wide variety in prices. My service was excellent as typical in Houstons don't miss a meal here when in the area.
(4)Jane H.
Worst service ever at this or any J. Alexander's. Waiter rushed us through our meal. Food was good, but nothing special. Would not recommend this location.
(2)Fred P.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. My wife and I were on a little tour of Tennessee and while staying in Franklin we chanced upon J Alexander's. I wish we'd stayed a few days longer to check out the rest of the menu. I had a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth prime rib and my wife had something with lettuce in it. Yes, she came to a steakhouse and ordered a salad, so I mock! The ambiance was very romantic, the service was wonderful and the food amazing. We'd visited the Palm the previous night and spend 3 times what we spent here for similar fare.
(4)Neema C.
I was craving for a French Dip that day. The other food we ordered were alright, but the French Dip was soggy and the bread was really chewy. If we came back, I would not order the French Dip again.
(3)John W.
Hey... How about a separate kids section???? Such a nice place with great food. It fairly expensive, so it would be nice to be able to enjoy a meal without screaming kids next to you. Can you guys separate the sections?
(2)Mrs M.
What a wonderful dinner. We had dined last night at a steakhouse across the street and were, let's say, less than thrilled.... Here, the service is top notch. On a super busy night, a call ahead is a definate. Otherwise, the wait would have been 45-60 mins. We called ahead and the wait was only 20 mins upon arrival. The steaks were seasoned to perfection & cooked to order perfectly. The fries are so yummy! Thin and crispy! The macncheese is Def enough for 2 to share. They did a nice cut of prime for our 6yr old at a cost of $15. All in all the value is supurb! Will absolutely return.
(5)AmiBeth O.
This place is the JAM!!! You can't order a bad item from the menu--though I recommend one of their salads and an appetizer! Mmm, so good that I wish I was there right now! Or waitress was absolutely adorable, friendly, super attentive and very sweet!!! Loved her so much!!!! Gosh, I really want their Thai Salad right now. Mmm, and their cheesey dip was sooooo good. I feel like a five year old writing this review!!!
(5)Phil M.
I don't know what the deal is with this place but it's exactly the same as Houston's in New York. Looks the same same menu same pretty much everything. That's a good thing though because I love Houston's and I love this place also. The dark cozy interior is a great place to go especially on a date or just for a good quality meal. People dress more up then down if you're looking like a slob. Love the salads ... it's not the cheap iceberg lettuce and the champagne vinaigrette is to die for. Prime rib was excellent mashed potatoes extremely good. You can eat cheap or expensive depending on what you pick on the menu ... there's a wide variety in prices. My service was excellent as typical in Houstons don't miss a meal here when in the area.
(4)Charline H.
What in the world happened?! Is this place at J Alexanders?! I was so upset by this location's service that I had to step away from writing this review and come back. I refuse to lump this location in with the other ones around Nashville because our family and friends have always thought of J Alexander's as a go to for great food and incredible service. The two stars of this review we allocated to the food bc it was delicious. We entered to celebrate my mom's birthday on a Monday night, not a busy weekend day, to receive service that felt like I was sitting at O'Charleys on the lunch hour rush. Five of us ordered a starter/salads and entrées. The waiter highlighted the prime rib as a special, but to be honest it's what some of us would've chosen, and he asked if we had any questions. I did. I asked: 1)what size is the wood fire pizza [the answer I got: "oh it's big"] 2) what is the veggie burger made up of? [its a black bean base] These answers were snapped back at me like he didn't ask originally if we had questions. When I said I needed a minute to make up my mind he rudely said "When you're ready, stack all of the menus up in a pile in the middle so I don't have to keep coming back and forth". Then before the entire table was able to enjoy a few bites of salad, our entrées were brought out by table runners, that proceeded to slam the dishes down and shove our salads out of the way - mind you we were mid bite. Haha!! I mean seriously, I understand how restaurants waiters/kitchens work bc my husband was in the biz for over 10yrs. Sometimes food comes out early, and sometimes a waiter is trying to flip tables as quickly as possible to make a buck. It was so rude and a only more terrible when the waiter announced at the end [probably happy to see us go] that bc we ordered the prime rib we helped him get more points than the other waiters! I reiterate, what in the world happened?! Is this place at J Alexanders?! After running through that turnstile, I think we'll be making the drive to Nashville for the service we trust.
(2)Lori W.
Ordered the classic hamburger cooked well done. EXCELLENT. Huge burger. Very well seasoned. The Ahi Tuna burger really good!! Very well seasoned. The macaroni and cheese was really good and cheesy. Their coffee is really fresh and robust. The polish gumbo soup was very good too. I dont think there is a bad dish on this menu!!! Ordered the famous carrot cake..about fell off the table. DELICIOUS... The lighting is really low in here for lunch as well as super busy. You can see the chefs cooking and this place is well staffed. Courteous waiter. Would recommend!! 5 star..
(5)Gabriela F.
Great place to eat- awesome ambiance and fast service. I had the rotisserie chicken and the Mexican cheese and artichoke dip. Both great options and lots of flavor
(5)Seth O.
The prices are really quite high. I ordered some chicken and fries, with Mac and Cheese. My Wife ordered pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes. I got quite a bit of food for the price I paid. The chicken was quite nice, but it is not as good as longhorn. The fries were good, but they were very thin. Shoestring fries. This was quite annoying for having dipping sauce for it. The Mac and cheese was made with Alfredo sauce, and was quite frankly, gross. The total was 18 bucks. My wife had the pork tenderloin and mashed potatoes. This costed 20 bucks. He plate seemed quite empty, for that price. The mashed potatoes were somewhat dry, and had a really odd aftertaste, I can't quite describe. The pork was pretty good, but not fantastic. The place was pretty good, but for these prices, you could eat cheaper at Longhorn, and better. Which is something I never expected I would say. The food was good, but I won't be back.
(4)Gee M.
The place is too dark for me and the food is ok.
(2)matt s.
There's something very special going on at this restaurant. Here with a party of seven. Everything is not only wonderful, it's flawlessly magnificent. The croutons on the salad make you want to order extra croutons. Everyone was sharing dishes. The steaks were cooked perfectly and medium was bright pink. Medium well had a tiny pink line. The cole slaw was a mountain of fresh veggies in an amazing dressing. Pork tenderloin with bang bang sauce was a surprising favorite. I had an Alex salad with may tag blue cheese and .... Well, there was nothing we ordered that wasn't the best we'd ever had. Someone in the kitchen is an absolute fanatic for making the amazing. OMG almost forgot to rave over the ribs!! Dessert is coming. It's called "Powerful Stuff". We are expecting a foot tall mountain of amazing caramel cream gooeyness.
(5)Christina H.
Excellent food. Had the French dip which was very large and delicious. Attentive wait staff. Be sure to get the carrot cake for dessert. You won't regret it. Big enough for 3-4 people.
(5)Miranda P.
Just another J Alexanders location that I love had a fantistatic waitress and everything came out perfect. Alexanders is always so consistent. Never disappoints.
(5)D B.
J Alexander's occupies that space between Outback and legitimate fine dining. Simply put, the experience should be better for the amount of time and money you invest to eat here. Based on their prices, it appears that they are trying to compete with the elite restaurants in town. They don't measure up. Why wait for an hour and a half to eat average food? To put it in the words of our server when she was asked about one of the entrees, "You can get that anywhere."
(2)Jane H.
Worst service ever at this or any J. Alexander's. Waiter rushed us through our meal. Food was good, but nothing special. Would not recommend this location.
(2)Fred P.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. My wife and I were on a little tour of Tennessee and while staying in Franklin we chanced upon J Alexander's. I wish we'd stayed a few days longer to check out the rest of the menu. I had a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth prime rib and my wife had something with lettuce in it. Yes, she came to a steakhouse and ordered a salad, so I mock! The ambiance was very romantic, the service was wonderful and the food amazing. We'd visited the Palm the previous night and spend 3 times what we spent here for similar fare.
(4)Neema C.
I was craving for a French Dip that day. The other food we ordered were alright, but the French Dip was soggy and the bread was really chewy. If we came back, I would not order the French Dip again.
(3)John W.
Hey... How about a separate kids section???? Such a nice place with great food. It fairly expensive, so it would be nice to be able to enjoy a meal without screaming kids next to you. Can you guys separate the sections?
(2)Ken K.
Had lunch at J Alexander's today. The food was excellent and the service was right on the mark. For a lite lunch try the fish tacos and ask for the fish to be grilled instead of fried as the menu only offers fried fish tacos.
(5)BT M.
This is a hidden gem. It's not "hidden" because people don't know about it, but because it's not in a premier spot with easy ingress and egress. It's still a gem. I have never had a bad meal here. I have never been with anyone who said their meal was bad. More often, someone gets a dish different from mine and I want their meal, despite the delicious meal I have on my plate. Pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken...it's all been awesome. You'll be comfortable there in a suit and tie, or jeans and a Polo...or shorts and a t-shirt. Okay, just wear clothes, that'll work. The service is incredible.
(4)Amy D.
This is my go to breakfast spot, granted its good so you WILL wait but Oh Man is it worth it! I love this place the food is delicious and its super filling, I have a Sunday ritual of going here and stuff my face then I go to whole foods immediately after and walk it off. It's the only way i can handle eating all the food I'm going to get. The service is also great So WIN all around so worth the 35 minute drive it takes to get here
(5)Tom G.
Very friendly staff and consistently good food! I have eaten there for a casual bite as well as for a business dinner and would recommend this place to anyone. No surprise that it is as popular as it is.
(5)Lauren M.
Wait staff is bad... Food here is good but nothing to write home about... And it's super dark in here!
(2)Rob W.
You can't go wrong eating here. I love this place, its calm and quiet and the food is always great. Sometimes we go out just to go out, but J Alexander's is always worth the trip and the money.
(5)Danny W.
Amazing food! Great customer service! Good decor! What more could you ask for!? Our waitress made a personal connection with us which is the sincerest form of customer service. Thanks Nicole!
(5)Cole C.
I had a late lunch with two family members, we sat in a booth in the bar area. The service staff was polite, professional, and I would say fairly knowledgable of the food/drink. Although we did give our server a heads up that we were not in a rush, I felt like the pace of the food and drinks coming out was good. We shared a bottle of white wine and some bloody marry's which were awesome. We had a variety of apps and entrees, all were tasty and filling. My only issue, though a minor one, was more of a presentation/convenience matter. I ordered the prime rib sandwich, which while being tasty and cooked as ordered, my expectations differed from what I received. It was a large portion of prime rib, with two slices of bread on the side. Once I put it together, it was literally difficult to eat because of the size. Yes, I could have just sliced it myself. But being a lunch promoted item, this could prove inconvenient for those in a time crunch or eating on the go. I would suggest that instead they use a several smaller pieces. There was a side au jus, but I think offering some caramelized onions and/or some creamy horseradish sauce, would really bring the dish together. Again, minor issue, but my overall experience was quite enjoyable.
(4)Deen W.
J. Alexander's is almost like a Houston's....but there are a lot of little things that keep them just a few notches behind. There was an hour wait on a Friday night (to be expected) so my husband ordered us drinks and we staked out a place to sit and wait for our name. The menu is good. I saw some additional items that were not there last time we dined at a J. Alexander's. My husband got the prime rib sandwich, my daughter got the kid's grilled chicken sandwich & subbed a loaded potato for fries, and I got the steak burger. Prime rib sandwich was delicious! My daughter's "kid's meal" looked just like an adult portion. I was thoroughly impressed to see her get down on the mountain that was the loaded baked potato. My steak burger was disappointing. While it was tasty enough (think fancy big mac), I was perplexed at why it was served on a hard baguette. I would have rather had a normal bun like my daughter's. If they are going to stray from something as basic and expected as a hamburger bun for a hamburger, I suggest they put it on the menu. I ended up ditching the bread and eating my burger "open faced". There are a few menu items that can not be beat: creamy chicken pasta soup, prime rib sandwich, smoked salmon dip, and carrot cake. Other than that, I could really take or leave J.Alexander's.
(3)Mohun K.
Lunch on 1/30/14. We arrived at 1140am and the place was packed - that's usually a good thing. We were seated after 15 minutes. We had great prompt service from our waiter. I ordered the fennel sausage pizza and was blown away. Just the right amount of chewiness and the homemade sausage was excellent. This was my first visit and I would love to try this place again.
(4)Jonny M.
J Alexander's has Good food, a nice vibe, And great service. It has a little bit of a business meeting feel, which keeps me from coming more often. But it is a great place for sure. Its a little on the finer side don't expect to pay a little more than your average restaurant.
(4)Trace S.
For quite a while I told people who ask me what my favorite burger in Nashville is that it was J Alexanders. For quite some time I was amazed with the quality cheeseburger they were making. I'm pretty sure they grill the burgers over their wood fired grill. Unfortunately, the constancy has become pretty spotty. My last few experiences at the Cool Springs location have definitely be ok, but there's no way i can continue pointing people to them as the best burger in Nashville. Once or twice my burger wasn't very hot when it was served. The grilling of the sliced part of the bun seems to be elective and at least once it was cooked beyond what I ordered. I'm not giving up on it, but I'm a little leery.
(4)Alex V.
Well, I was in Nashville and some friends decided to make a visit to this great establishment. I always forget to review this place. It is awesome. We walked in with 6 people and we sat pretty quick. It was lunch time and it was pretty busy. I had the french dip BAM!!! off the chain. The sandwich is a very nice size, we order some artichoke appetizer that I did not understand how to eat, but it was good. My wife and friends raved about how good their lunch was too. I like this place because it gives a good portion of food, the flavors are always delicious and the services is very good. When in Franklin, Tn. you need to stop here.
(4)Chris J.
Went there tonight for dinner while in town on business. I go to their location in Atlanta often and the food is consistent between the two locations. Their queso is awesome and their ribs are usually my go-to selection, but tonight I got the rotisserie chicken. Everything was as expected...excellent. The only reason why they didn't get 5 stars is because I felt a bit rushed. I dined alone and it was at the begining of the dinner rush and the server seemed to want me out of there ASAP so the table can be used by more than one person.
(4)Moni F.
The food is always very tasty upscale restaurant without overly upscale pricing. You can come in wearing shorts or jeans or you can come in wearing a suit. Servers are always extremely professional yet friendly. They don't serve half glasses of wine that's the only downfall but the upside is when you order a martini you get what they call a sidecar and it's almost a second martini but not quite. I like that the crafted martinis and drinks have some fresh ingredients like grapefruit or fresh squeezed orange. Would be nice to see them elaborate on the fresh citrus. The bartenders are extremely nice - my top three would be Jenna ,Libby, and Lisa. Those three make the best drinks hands-down! They also understand catering to customers. Some of the others might be more franchise oriented. The most impressive location in Tennessee is definitely the one in cool springs. It's not uncommon to run across celebrities I've seen quite a few. The handcrafted stone heated pizzas have a thin crust yet an amazing fresh almost chewy yet flaky crust. Their Scottish salmon is a winner, try pairing it with the baby kale salad or the Alex'a salad. Their white bean soup is undeniably the best anywhere and it comes with a small square of out of this world cornbread!
(5)Rheonna W.
Not the best meal I've ever had at J's, the steak was cooked right, however it was not tender. I should have known to order a Ribeye if I wanted steak. Service was good, as usual.
(3)Rambo C.
Great service... Great food. The salmon appetizer is the best we ever had. Ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and the prime rib done perfectly and melt in your mouth. Not a bad thing to say...
(5)Joe M.
Could not eat here. The waitress at the bar told me that they would not guarantee anything here is gluten. So the others at our business meeting ate and I did not. They must have awful quality control in the kitchen if they can't cook a piece of fish and not guarantee it's gluten free. I have a major allergy to gluten. So can't take a chance.
(1)Mark W.
Went her for a nice dinner had to wait on Saturday nite as expedited. Found two seats at bar and had beer and my wife had an awesome manhattan. Finally seated at table and ordered pizza and side salad which took over 30 minutes to come to table Very slow service. Should have stuck with roasted chicken as usual.
(3)Mark D.
Trendy chain restaurant with food that is good, but not spectacular.
(3)Joshua B.
Whoa - really? I've never reviewed J Alexander's? Wow...Ok! Time to review them then! So - here's the lowdown : It's pretty damn great. Yes, it's a chain - but, I've never seen a chain run this well this consistently. My most recent trip to J's was a week or so ago for lunch. I was working the 'late' that day at work and I had to come in early that morning for some meetings. My work will allow us to take extended time off if we have to work more hours in a day than normal. So, since I have to be in to work 2 hours early - I took a 3 hour lunch and drove to Cool Springs to have lunch. I sat at the bar and had my lunch. The service at the bar was incredible. I was wearing a black shirt and they got me a black napkin because they thought it would be better in case the white linen napkins had any fuzz on them. This way - it wouldn't rub off on me. Think about that. How many times does a server even think about that? This is just one example of the service they give. They really go out of their way and do things I'd never even expect. Has your drink gone dry? Not for long. These servers were on top of it. But - really - you can have the best service in the world - but, if the food isn't up to snuff then is it really worth it? Good news - the food is just as good as the service. I have never had anything bad there. Of course - I have my favorites. My most favorite item on the menu, bar none, is the Mac and Cheese. I have tried to recreate it at home to no avail. There is just something about it - although its hard to put my finger on it. I honestly wish I had the recipe. Also, the Carrot Cake is meant to be shared. I got a piece nearly as big as my head! And then they have hot melted cream cheese frosting they pour over the whole damn thing. It's all warm and gooey and wonderful. I didn't have it on this particular trip to J's - but, I thought I should mention it at least. It is not to be missed! In summary - the Mac and Cheese and Carrot Cake are not to be missed. But, really - everything on the menu I have had has been a home run in my eyes. J Alexanders is a great restaurant - chain or not. It's just damn good food with damn good service.
(5)Chris P.
***Update: the service has gotten better and they have been getting the prime rib sandwich temperature correct pretty consistently*** Easy tidbits: 1. Service is cold and infrequent 2. They abhor splitting dishes 3. Value for price may perhaps be on point, but they serve entirely too much food 4. The atmosphere is bonkers (like loud jazz club without the live jazz) 5. The food is touch and go (good & bad) I would like coming here if it weren't for the people who work here. I don't like poor service, poor attitudes, and a bad atmosphere. Maybe because they serve over priced food they feel a bit entitled. I'm not really sure why there is such a pervasively cold attitude. Sometimes the food makes up for it but then the bill kills it all for you at the end of the meal. I have been told that a prime rib was as rare as possible when it was clearly medium well. If you charge $18 for a steak, you best get the temperature right or at least keep trying until you do. Aside from temperature on the steak, it's like a cardinal sin against humanity to split dishes here. My family has noticed that if you order a single serving per person it's way too much food. If you split the dish, they will "split" it for you and basically give you around 3/4 or under of the original portion. They also refuse to wait on you because the bill will be less than $50. The atmosphere and ambiance is actually one of the most important considerations, for me, when I decide whether or not to go back. Also, it takes a whole lot to have a bad atmosphere, because you can find any place to be pleasant in its own right. However, blaring music, an open kitchen, and yelling/obnoxious table neighbors will bother me every time. The aesthetics are dark rustic and high-class, but the music and the people BECAUSE of the music are a good restaurant's worst nightmare. Sometimes, if it's not just you and Little Bo Peep seated ACROSS THE RESTAURANT, you have to just smile and nod at the waiters and pretend like you understood what they were asking. People shout because they can't hear each other and it's just a bloody mess. I would rather walk over hot coals than have to sit at a table full of people and not have pleasant conversation because no one can hear or the worse alternative shout so the whole restaurant can hear what I have to say. Usually, it's just not that important. I ordered the fish dish of the day, which I have ordered twice now and enjoyed. It's a red fish over a bed of rice topped with a rich sauce. The sauce may be excessive as well as the portion size. Perhaps instead of a 3,500 calorie portion size for 26$, maybe serve a 700 calorie version for 16$. Feed me less and charge me less, please. The prime rib sandwich is a pretty great deal because basically you are getting a full cut of prime rib thrown on a crispy baguette. The major flaw with this dish is I have to spend 15 minutes performing surgery cutting fat marbling off the meat to ACTUALLY eat it like a sandwich. Otherwise, good luck with a dry cleaner. Oh! And it will NEVER and I repeat NEVER come to the table rare. Don't even attempt to order this rare because it will NEVER happen. They cook the prime rib all day and when they cut it it is usually medium and at best medium rare. Seared Tuna is good but pricey. One of the major revisions to this review is that I had a good experience with management this past check-in. I'm not sure if they saw me checking into Yelp or if they have attempted major changes, but when I asked if the cut was as rare as it could be, they actually cut the loin in the middle and brought me the rarest piece. This is seriously a first for me after eating here all my life. We will see if this sort of managerial empathy will stick and trickle down through the wait staff or not. We're still at 3 stars because the ambiance is horrific as is the service usually (-1), the food is usually mediocre (-1), price is high for "new" American food, although there is nothing new about the food they serve (-1). Aside: This is owned and managed by the same restaurant group that owns Wendy's, if that tells you anything. All I can say is typical Franklin. If people hold their stare too long, don't wonder. They are judging you.
(3)Steven L.
This remains on my top five Franklin restaurants list (Saffire, Red Pony, Stoney River, J. Alexander's, Bonefish Grill, and an honorable mention to Cork & Cow). We just consistently enjoy this restaurant. The Cypress Salad is always a favorite I'm happy to recommend. And I BEG the restaurant to bring back the tequilla beans side!
(5)Sejal M.
Great service every time. I love the veggie burger. I would love to see more veggie options/flexibility reflected on the menu. Great bar area too.
(5)Michael M.
I've been to both the West End & Galleria location multiple times. You can NOT get a bad meal here. Period. The decor alone screams it loud and the service compliments it. This is the perfect business lunch to take clients. They don't rush you, the staff is knowledgeable about the menu, and the fish is always fresh. The kicker is the freaking coffee; wow brings a tear to my eyes - a press. I made the mistake of ordering an espresso one visit.......not good. I ordered it short but it came full to the brim and room temperature; they would hang them for that in Sicily.
(4)Cher Y.
What can I say? J Alexander's has not disappointed me yet on all my visits. And yes, I am talking about a chain restaurant! Tasty food that is well prepared and generous in proportions, nice ambiance, excellent friendly service, good drink and desert selections. Yum yum and yum! 4.5 stars (rounded to 5), minus 1/2 star cause it is always jam-packed regardless of lunch/dinner and the wait lines (20-30 min each time) are just not cut out for hungry people. Even if you have a reservation, there is always a wait time as people just like to linger.... PROS: Great selection of food (meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarian entrees) Generous proportions, well prepared, and fresh Ample parking Nice ambiance of modern, warm & cozy (great for dates, family or corporate) Good selection of drinks and appetizers and deserts Great waiting staff CONS: The wait time to get a table .... :( On the pricey side but well worth it compared to other similar options
(5)Keith C.
Had s great steak here. It was a great steak and cooked to perfection. A good steak house will serve a medium rare steak that way. A lesser quality place will tend to over cook it. They got it right.
(5)Tim G.
Great rolls. Carrot cake is excellent. Service always rocks. Nice place to go if you are into chains. I'm just not a huge fan.
(3)Luke S.
They have very good food. We've tried a lot of dishes on their menu, and they're all delicious. Portions are good, and service is also good. One of our favorite dishes is the Steak and Fries. It's simple, tasty, and fulfilling.
(4)Lana O.
stopped by here for a quick lunch. It was seriously so yummy! The food was delicious. ambiance was great, and the service was incredibly attentive. It's a little more pricey, but I definitely think that the quality and service speak for themselves.
(4)Laurie N.
I usually avoid chain restaurants, but J Alexander's is an exception to my food snob tendencies - it's that good. I've only been here for lunch, and I am impressed with the extensive menu, with everything from great salads to burgers to fish tacos (which were very fresh and flavorful). The cocktail menu is wonderful and generous as well. A great place for lunch in the over-saturated-with-restaurants Cool Springs area.
(4)Lydia B.
We've eaten here three times and always come away happy. Staff seems willing to accommodate, they'll do special servings for kids even if it's not on the menu, good flavor in the food and sauces, nice atmosphere. We'll definitely go back!
(4)Heather L T.
First time at J.Alexander's as of yesterday. I had heard this place had a pretty good rep. for quality, quantity, and excellence in general. We were greeted by a more than pleasant hostess and quickly lead to huge table that was half-booth, half-table, very unique. The lighting was just right and the service was pretty much impeccable. I ordered a Honeysuckle sparkling wine type of drink and although a little strong for my taste, it was still satisfying and less expensive than I would have guessed. The spinach queso dip was delicious for an appetizer, not too heavy or creamy. I ordered the Steak Maui and Smashed..now I am not typically a huge steak fan, but the sauce on this steak created a succulent masterpiece and what I like to refer to as a "mouth-gasm" (orgasm of the mouth). The steak was cooked just right and the potatoes delicious as well. Last but not least, a good list of desserts to choose from..now the crew I was with were feeling a little too shy for dessert, but not this gal. I ordered up the Creme Brulee..and this is a tough dish to master, but this dessert was PERFECTION..so creamy and perfectly sugared and hardened on top..with a warm outer and cool inner. Once my friends got a glimpse of this bowl of heaven, they too partook in it. Big portion and the best part of my night. I would definitely return for not only the service, ambiance, and entrees..but also, the dessert!:)
(4)Fonda W.
I had the slow roasted prime rib and it was the BEST STEAK EVER!! It was tender, juicy & just perfect!! It came with smashed potato's; I also got broccoli on the side & it was steamed right. It wasn't too soft. The Mac & cheese was ok, I've had better. If you're a steak lover, this is place is a must.
(5)Kristyna R.
I have been here 4 times and every time I literally have a religious dining experience. Start off with the Alex Salad - warm, crunchy bacon, buttery homemade croutons...DELISH! For the entree, it has to be the Filet Mignon with bernaise with the mac & cheese for the side. First of all, the meat is so tender you could literally cut it with a spoon....melt in your mouth. Now on to the mac & cheese....I personally am not a fan of restaurant mac & cheese. It's always too heavy and rich and usually pretty bland (and totally not worth the calories). That's how I felt until I had the mac & cheese at J's. HOLY CRAP....it's tangy & creamy with a crunchy baked top...it's divine, and worth every single calorie. Finally, my meal at J's is never complete unless I have the CARROT CAKE. It's soaked in butter overnight and served warm with gooey, melted icing over the top....I'm telling you, there are no words to properly convey how absolutely heavenly it is. The incredible food aside, the servers and bartenders are top-notch; friendly, charismatic, attentive. Needless to say, I'm a fan.
(5)Stacey M.
Great atmosphere with a variety of cuisine. I prefer their steak with baked mac & cheese. The bar area is great and they know how to make drinks the right way.
(5)Bryan H.
Our favorite place in Nashville. The chicken fingers are better than most places, steaks are good, but I always get the Cypress Salad which is excellent. Ask for the croissants. A little pricey at times and I wish they had a better and cheaper kid's menu though .
(5)Summer S.
We've been here twice now and really appreciate. Romantic hush lighting ambiance, very delicious meals (burger is amaaazing, steaks and basically, anything!) I would highly suggest their pizzas! Adore the thin crusts and flavorful toppings! Wish there was some in CA!
(4)Cher Y.
What can I say? J Alexander's has not disappointed me yet on all my visits. And yes, I am talking about a chain restaurant! Tasty food that is well prepared and generous in proportions, nice ambiance, excellent friendly service, good drink and desert selections. Yum yum and yum! 4.5 stars (rounded to 5), minus 1/2 star cause it is always jam-packed regardless of lunch/dinner and the wait lines (20-30 min each time) are just not cut out for hungry people. Even if you have a reservation, there is always a wait time as people just like to linger.... PROS: Great selection of food (meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarian entrees) Generous proportions, well prepared, and fresh Ample parking Nice ambiance of modern, warm & cozy (great for dates, family or corporate) Good selection of drinks and appetizers and deserts Great waiting staff CONS: The wait time to get a table .... :( On the pricey side but well worth it compared to other similar options
(5)Keith C.
Had s great steak here. It was a great steak and cooked to perfection. A good steak house will serve a medium rare steak that way. A lesser quality place will tend to over cook it. They got it right.
(5)Abby R.
I went to j Alexander's last night for dinner. It was great. However, I ordered a piece of carrot cake which I love to take home with me for dessert today! Well I went to bite into it this morning and it tasted like garlic. It was horrible. I feel like the to go box they gave me had pizza in it prior or something as it was really greasy. Anyway I had to spit it out and I have to say I'm extremely disappointed!
(2)Steve S.
Poor service, still eating salad when main course came, server didn't care steak over cooked waitress too busy to care. When she knew they did a poor job she ignored us......won't go back
(1)Rich R.
Really good food. A bastard child I Applebee's and Mortons had a baby. Service was outstanding but the beer lost was "limited" at best. Nonetheless, food was solid and service great. Atmosphere was very crowded and busy but warm and welcoming if you can combine all of that. Recommended!
(4)Meredith R.
If I get to pick where we are eating, this place is always my first choice. It's my favorite cheeseburger in town. The fries are those thinner crispy delicious type that I crave. They have a great wine selection. I love the darker atmosphere and big comfy booths. Amazing!!!!
(5)Sarah B.
I happened to notice just now that I had never reviewed this J. Alexander's - and that just amazes me. Hubby and I are regulars, yes; we have a favorite table, the combo half booth/half table on the back side - #17 in hostess speak; we have favorite entrees, favorite appetizers, and favorite desserts; and I can't tell you how many times we've visited. When we first introduced our two parents, we all came to this J.'s as we call it. December hubby and I celebrated 20 years of marriage. We've seen this restaurant through many renovations, additions, layout changes, etc. - and we still love it. Having loved in Cool Springs forever, the one positive thing I can say about all the growth and traffic here now is that the wait for a table during prime time is here is SLIGHTLY less. Yes, they do offer call ahead seating, and we use it. Have the phone number for this location as well as the two Nashville lcoations programmed in our cell phones. Like I said, folks, we're regulars, we just don't always check in to yelp on our phones when we're here, this is our time. Favorite appetizers rotate between the Spinach Queso (yummy, except for the brief time where the jalapenos are super fresh and a bit too much for me spice-challenged self) hint: your server is happy to bring you more chips if needed; and the salmon dip. Ditto the hint on the toast points, too with that app. Hubby's favorite entree usually is the Chicken Tenders. He loves them, and if they're not on the menu - it's OK, they have it anyway. Sometimes he'll opt for ribs or prime rib or a pork chop - all have been awesome. My favorite entree usually is the salmon with orzo salad. I love salmon, especially their mesquite grilled variety, and the orzo salad is such an addiction for me I have learned to (almost) replicate it. It's unlike any other orzo and wild rice salad you'll encounter - has cranberries, raisins, corn, black beans, cillantro, and a light yet pefect oil dressing that makes everything pop. Seriously, it's that good. I also love the prime rib if I'm feeling iron-deprived and their salads if it's summer-y. And the chicken pasta soup is always welcome, also. For dessert, if I pick, it's the carrot cake. It's just perfect, I'm sorry. I've had lots of other good carrot cakes, but this one is it unless my husband is making one for me. (using J's simple syrup tactics, mind you.) Hubby's dessert of choise is the Very Best Chocolate Cake. It is an awesome, rich, moist dark chocolate cake drizzled with extra chocolate syrup and coupled up with a scoop of really good vanilla ice cream. REALLY good, don't get me wrong. Just because I love carrot cake does not mean this isn't also the bomb. This is not a budget night out, let me be clear. Pretty consistenly whatever hubby and I order, we end up spending about $80 for dinner. Sometimes we might have a cocktail, others not, sometimes the app, or the dessert, etc. Like I said, no matter what we do, it ends up about $80. Not our cheapest dinner, but not the most expensive either, but always a great night. If you are wanting take out, you have to order from the bar. You cannot call in an order for pick up. They are busy as they want to be as it is, and do not wish to risk a bad guest experience by over-extending themselves. If you have someone at home ill, go here for dinner and order the chicken pasta soup to go for them. It heals things. I have visited J.'s locations in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga - and this franchise is consistent no matter what. If you haven't been, well, I can only assume you were waiting for this review, so go now.
(5)Michelle C.
As always, our meals were outstanding. The service is like non other. I have never had a bad meal there, in fact the quality (for it being a chain) is superb. I usually get the salmon and it's wild caught with great flavor. My friend always gets the tuna and its just as good. We typically get either the grilled artichoke appetizer, guacamole or chips and queso. All SOO great!!! Never had a bad meal, service is some of the best I've seen and they have wonderful wines. Highly recommend J Alexander's. Also the ambiance is dark, sexy and romantic.
(5)Alishah N.
I've gone to J Alexanders over the course of a few years since moving to Nashville - I've tried them for lunch and dinner, and in all honesty, I've never been impressed with it. In fact, I've been put off from my experiences. I've seen that others have been rating it strong 4s and 5s, which instantly puts me in the minority - but that being said, my review isn't based on one bad experience. I've given them a few shots, and I'm always left feeling exactly what the 2 star rating says: "Meh. I've experienced better." I've tried a number of things on the menu, and the food's been good - good, but not great. For the type of establishment it is, for the price I'm paying, it's disappointing. The pasta dishes I found to be alright - not good enough for me to order again, but alright enough for me to return to try something else on the menu. Their burgers, which are normally a safe bet at any place, are - again, alright. There's no question the burgers are better than a fast-food burger, but if you rank them against a similar establishment, then I really don't think compare. What's more, I've found their salads to be weirdly oily. In the few times when I'm on a health kick and wound up at J Alexander's (it's happened 3 or 4 times now) I've always found it odd to be served a salad so oily it's shining. Perhaps I could have ordered less dressing, or the dressing on the side...but again, my expectations are higher for the type of place that it is. I appreciate that J Alexander's is locally owned, and I've found the staff being helpful on most occasions - though there have been a few bad moments too: a vegetarian friend ordering a side of broccoli, and having it served to them with a piece of bacon. After asking the waiter if the broccoli normally comes with bacon on it, and finding out it doesn't, my friend then had to point at the plate of broccoli with the bacon sitting right on top of it all. The response: "Oh... it must have fallen on to your plate. Let me go get you another plate of broccoli." That's great - they fixed the problem without hesitation. But at the same time, I'm left with the humorous vision of bacon just being thrown around in the kitchen... Will I return to J Alexanders? Probably, but at someone else's suggestion. I've been there easily over 10 times now, and as I said earlier, I'm left with lackluster impressions. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It's just: I've experienced better.
(2)Jan S.
Never a bad meal there, nor bad service! I know it is a chain, but it is always top-notch coupled with excellent service. The open-faced chicken salad sandwich and french dip are my usuals. But you simply cannot go wrong with anything there. The carrot cake is served warm with thick icing dripping off. Unbeatable. Highly recommend.
(5)Su I.
I was impressed with the ambiance, the food, and the friendly staff. The place gets a little busy during lunch, it is usually a 15-25 minutes wait so get there early. I had the Scottish grilled salmon with orzo wild rice pilaf and I have no idea what was in the rice, it was a mixture of cranberry, raisins, corn, and something else but it was the most tasting wild rice I had ever had. Also their wine selection is incredible. I will definitely go back.
(5)Katie B.
I ate a Sunday lunch there with my mom and daughter and we had fantastic service. This restaurant has always been one of my favorites. I've always loved the club sandwich and fries. I tried the veggie burger today and it was the best veggie burger I've ever had. So good!! You can't go wrong eating at J. Alexander's!
(5)Greg K.
Server poorly trained. Server was incorrect on beer and wine information. Food incorrectly delivered but straightened out. Steaks okay, not great. Shrimp good. Smoked salmon dip good but not all of us liked it. Pizza dry and little flavor. Not worth the tab.
(2)Tim M.
1 of my favorite J Alexander locations (been to 3 different ones) Wait times here can be horrendous - 60-90 min on Saturday night and Sunday brunch. Called ahead to get on the list - this takes 30 min off your wait time once you ARRIVE! Didn't know this and thought the estimate of 60-75 min was a direct quote but basically we needed to arrive, check-in to wait 30-45 min. Had my usual prime rib. The portion felt a bit smaller than I'm use to but cooked to order and the baked potato was huge. Got worried that I might not finish. Overall, definitely good. Dessert - Triple chocolate cake was heavy enough to be an entree. Coupled with the ice cream and it was the perfect finish to dinner. Service was alright on this occasion. Haven't been on a Saturday night so wonder if this is common.
(4)Nancy P.
First visit on 6/14/14. It was 4:30 and already crowded. We did get a seat, and 45 minutes later when we were leaving there were people waiting. This is just FYI stuff. When we pulled in to the parking lot there was a very young guy in a suit cleaning up in the parking lot with a broom and dust pan. That was a good sign to me. So many business owners miss this. Its a nice atmosphere, lots of smiling faces and plenty of people taking care of you. They do nice things like bring a bottle of cold water so you are not sitting there with nothing to drink. My husband ordered a steak burger. I got the prime rib, and my son got the pork tenderloin with the spicy sauce. He loved his, and it had a pretty good kick. My prime rib was cooked to order, very good. The mashed potatoes were slightly dry, but not bad. My husbands burger was really tasty, but kind of small. He said there was not much too it, and I agree. The fries, no one liked those. They were so skinny, and just not to our liking. Any skinnier and they would have been like straw. Here is where they lose major points. We were hungry when we went in, and so we attacked our salads. I would say we eat fairly quickly, and we were still eating them when the food came. For all of their politeness they don't even blink when they are putting the food down, and they wait for you to move your dang salad out of the way. I have seen other people have the same complaint, so they have an issue there. A true fine dining restaurant would never do that. And a true fine dining restaurant would also have black napkins for people who are wearing dark clothes. My husband and I both had white fuzz all over our clothes. It sucked and we had to go home after that. It's so dark in there you can't see it until you get outside. It's pricey. Their teas and sodas are $3. That's nuts. Three dinners, no apps, $100. If you were to order wine and an appetizer it would be up there with some of the priciest around. So there you have it, the good, bad and ugly.
(3)David O.
Stopped in for lunch after Buca Di Beppo wouldn't seat us while the computers were down. As with all J Alexanders I've been to, the ambiance is quite nice. Staff was friendly, and there was no wait for a table. It filled up quite a bit while we were there though, and there was a noticeable slowdown in the appearance of our waiter. I really love the food, but it always feels a bit pricey. If I had one complaint it would be that.
(4)Will M.
I would recommend for out of towners because they have really good food. You can always tell when the staff is so serious and Professional, that none of the cookstaff is smiling. Conversely the relaxed atmosphere for any gathering and friendly servers always bring a smile, and are happy to serve you. I had a really good burger and the alex salad is a meal in itself. I'm sure their seafood and steaks are just as great. A bit upper class, but the prices aren't too expensive. Dark ambiance is really awesome. I can seriously doubt anyone will complain about the service or food or atmosphere. Solid choice, not one I will go to by myself because I cook at home, but if friends and family visit, they can always treat me to a nice meal here.
(5)Sarah S.
I came here for dinner with a medium-sized group, none of whom were local, because our hotel concierge recommended it. Because of its shopping center pad location, I was expecting something akin to an Outback Steakhouse or maybe an Elephant Grill. I was pleasantly surprised to find a flare-free restaurant with a great drink and wine selection, a solid menu, and great service. You know how some burger joints give you the extra milkshake in the stainless steel mixing glass? They do that here with cocktails, putting the extra in a little glass floating in a bowl of ice water. This effectively turns your Manhattan into a Manhattan-and-a-half. Everyone was pleased with their meals. I ordered cilantro shrimp over rice with coleslaw. It was great, and the shrimp were properly cooked (i.e., not rubbery). The service was efficient and accommodating. When we were finished with dessert, our server asked us if all 11 of us would like our own, separate checks. Now where I live, this has never happened. You can split a bill, but the server will act like it's a big deal. Bay Area servers would never provide 11 separate checks, especially not voluntarily. Next time I'm in Nashville, I'll go back.
(4)Claire H.
Wow that was amazing. In TN for the weekend and just happened to see it and I'm so glad I did! I had the salmon and rice and it was superb! I'm going to search for the recipe for that orzo rice because it's fantastic! Service was even better! Loved it and I cannot wait to go back.
(5)Mark C.
Highly recommend J's! The food is excellent and the service is usually very good. My go to eatery when nothing better comes to mind.
(4)Jeremy E.
Had a great meal here. I started with a Dos Perros and brick oven pizza. The brick oven pizza had a perfect crust and was topped with sausage, ricotta, and carmelized onions. It was perfect. I had a filet with mac and cheese. Delicious as always. My uncle had the Tuscan steak, which is a rosemary infused NY strip. Also very tasty. Service was great as always. Total bill was around $85 and I left full and happy. This is still the best bang for your buck in town.
(4)Heath S.
Have been there 2-3 times in the last several months. This place is top notch. Have not had anything bad yet, great wine selection, friendly wait staff, higher end pricing - but worth the $$$
(5)Kevin K.
I am a huge fan of J. Alexander's restaurants. I'm a regular at one in Livonia, MI, and have been to at least 4 different J. Alexander's locations. I ate here on a business trip to the Nashville area and it was excellent as it usually is. I had the Filet Kebab which might be my new favorite at JA's. (I also love the Steak Brazzo, Crispy Chicken Platter, Grilled Salmon, and many others entrees!) The service was excellent as is usually the case. They actually bring drink refills so often that my friends and I joke about it ... we probably end up eating more iced tea or soda than we normally would just because it comes so often. I also had the Carrot Cake for dessert which was also excellent. It's served warm and has an excellent cream cheese frosting. I highly recommend J. Alexander's restaurants and this one was no exception. (Keep in mind that I wouldn't compare JA's to a "true" 5-star restaurant, but for an upscale restaurant this is among the best.)
(5)Brian C.
You can't go wrong EVER with J Alexanders for a business lunch or a dinner night with friends. For lunch, I'm a huge fan of the chicken sandwich. For dinner, the pork loin and rattlesnake pasta are always solid choices. J Alexander's wait staff understand the art of stealth service. You rarely see them drop off a refill and they never insert themselves into the conversation. Each are obviously trained to be efficient, kind and thorough. Dessert. Oh my, the desserts. Two of my favorite desserts in the Nashville area are here. Carrot Cake. Chocolate Bar Cake. It's a hard choice, but the carrot cake typically wins. My only criticism is the dining room is way too dark for lunch. It hurts walking outside in the sun after. Also, I've had a few hit or miss meals, but by far, the majority of the meals have been great.
(4)Imelda M.
Have dined along with my husband three times at Js going through Nashville.........we've only sat at the bar, as we enjoy talking & meeting new people. Have eaten, salmon, chicken, salad, artichoke appetizer, sandwich {BLT] never have we had one complained. Find the restaurant extremely clean, service [at the bar] excellent, ambience vry good, a little noisey, but who cares. The Galleria area very clean, safe & wakable to several hotels. Would definitely recommend.
(4)Cate C.
J Alexanders is my favorite Happy Place located in the Cool Springs Galleria of Franklin, Tennessee, They are an upscale eatery with a great wine list and rival many places locally in the bay area hands down. The service is excellent and they have no problem accomodating handicapped/wheelchairs, either. There homemade soup is to die for with it;s accompanyments, it can be a meal in itself. EVERYTHING you order is well made, scrumptious and made with fresh ingredients..they hve everything icluding sandwiches, full meals and seafood as well as steak.. Whenever I want to impres someone. I take them to this local eatery with its flair for food, sevice and ambience..
(4)Austin G.
I had the most disgusting veggie burger I have ever tasted at this place, and I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers. I wasn't expecting many vegan options at a place like this (and I'm not convinced that was vegan, pretty sure there was butter on the bun), but usually a kitchen can figure out something edible. Not the case here. It was mushy and had a weird glaze on the patty. Ick.
(1)Nathan C.
Prime rib sandwich is delicious. Fast and friendly service for a busy venue. Good sized interior that was packed with hungry people.
(5)Buddy T.
The food here is always pretty good. The reasons for the one star is that they have the worst beer selection in all of Nashville. Everything today is about selection and knowledge. They have neither. The bartenders are attractive but wow they have no knowledge. I was dumbfounded when I requested an IPA and she did not know what that was! I would encourage the management to take a fresh look at the bar.
(1)Shelly A.
Very pleased! Traveling for business and J Alexander's was recommended by a customer. We started with the queso and it was rich and creamy with spinach and thin crispy warm tortilla chips. Next I had the Cilantro Shrimp...it was very good and a very good value. 10 large tiger shrimp with rice and a very tasty slaw for $18. My co-worker had the steak and fries and was equally pleased....and the dinner salad...oh my goodness...it was HUGE!!! You could have added some chicken or shrimp to it and called it a meal on it's own!!! Not just your regular lettuce and tomato and some dressing. It was loaded. We wanted to try the highly recommended carrot cake but we were absolutely stuffed. Service was friendly, informative and prompt. Atmosphere was pleasant and inviting. I wish there was a location in the Dallas/Fort Worth area!
(5)Scott M.
I completely love this place. The prime rib is awesome and actually very reasonably priced. The ambience is great. I typically don't care for chain restaurants but this one is really good. Wait time is extremely long on Friday and Saturday nights. Call ahead! But the food is worth the wait!
(5)Krifka S.
I've been to this J Alexanders before and also the one in Tampa, FL. But my recent visit here was just ok--the food was good, but the service was terrible! #1 I can't even tell you how many servers we had--seemed like they kept switching up on us. #2 They couldn't seem to get didn't our Alex's salad right, first it came out with croutons, then when it came back again it had no dressing #3 we never got refills on drinks until I went up to the bar to get refills (yes, I am THAT person). However the rest of the food we had was good, and the quality I expect from J. Alexanders--You can never go wrong with the Hyde Park Chicken Sandwich. The Alex's Salad is really good and is REALLLLLLLLY good if you combine the vinaigrette that comes on it with some of their ranch (my MIL-showed me this trick-it is AWESOME!) F For those GF folks out there, J Alexanders does not have a GF menu nor are many of their items GF with out some major modification's, so beware, you may be stuck to the 1/2 roast chicken I had (although it was good).
(3)Ted D.
OMG the carrot cake is something to behold...IT IS SO DANG GOOD! I also enjoyed the tuna steak, didn't actually eat beef...Service was excellent during my visit!
(4)Jessica B.
Best place in Cool Springs for a business lunch. Wait staff is incredible and attention to detail is their specialty. My favorite is the California Burger.
(4)Jessica W.
This is one of our absolute faves! Great, reliable, classic American food. There is nothing bad on the menu, the service is always exceptional, and it doesn't break the bank! Would only recommend bringing well-behaved children here.
(5)Erin J.
What can I say? The keys here for me are consistency, fabulous service, nice-sized portions, and high-quality food. Yes, it's pretty standard American food, but it's done very well. We usually sit at the bar, and I love that when you're ready to order they place a nice white napkin in front of you. I also love that you get chilled water with no ice (not an ice-water gal, but like it chilled. Perfect). All the bartenders and servers I've come in contact with are very professional, and surprisingly never seem frustrated - even with the bar hopping! There was once that my order was wrong (I requested no bacon), and they whisked the dish away & came right back with another. Love it! Just as a note....this J Alex has brick oven pizza, as well as some of the older menu items (half chicken, chicken tenders, others). The J's on West End does not, and that's the one I used to frequent. Now that we're in Franklin this is our "new" location, and it's nice to see some of those old items again! **Also important to note....they have the BEST veggie burger I've ever had!
(5)Dip C.
The best thing about this place is the service. The food is good too. The only thing I am not happy about is its inability to hold large groups. We were a group of 9 and we struggled with the seating. This is good for lunch too but the ambiance will be perfect for dinner.
(4)Philip l.
I can not understand the great reviews this place has recieved. My wife and I went there on our 25th aniversary. I was expecting to spend about $150 for the evening so the price of the food wasnt the issue. To spend $30, each, on a steak and it NOT come with a salad was cheap of the place. Our food was delayed because they ran out of bernaise. How do you run out of bernaise? Once we got the steaks, My steak knife was so dirty even the waiter noticed it, he took it back before I could pick it up. A few days later we went to Logan Roadhouse, it steak was just as good. It came with a salad and we even got peanuts to snack on.
(2)David G.
I'm just not that into you... Have you ever heard that line? Used that line yourself to break up with someone? Well, J. Alexander's, I'm just not that into you. We used to have good time together when I was a teenager and my palate hadn't expanded beyond the chain restaurant phase of my life. We used to go out all the time and eat prime rib open faced sandwiches or salad bowls the size of my rear end. But, now I enjoy independent restaurants with really good food, actual creativity (not faux conic shaped french fry designs or conic shaped mashed potatoes on my plate), and properly portioned food. I just need to move on and away from you. You really don't offer much to me. I know, I know. We used to have such good times. But, like I've said, I'm just not that into you. Your food is not all that well-spiced, your servers are trying to be something they're not, and your food might as well be O'Charley's. Blah
(2)Mel P.
I have been a customer at J's for many years. The location on West End in Nashville always seems like a nice night out.......that is because of the staff. However, after moving to Franklin, TN, the closest J's is in Cool Springs. Unfortunately, this particular location will turn you against J Alexanders. They are located close to the Mall and all the hustle and bustle. This is not the problem. The problem is that they seem to just not care anymore. I'm sure they deal with the "mall crowd" all the time and it has made their attention to detail lacking. I'll give you an example of my last visit (a saturday at 3 p.m). This may be the first time that I have looked at the menu and just realized how tired and outdated it is. After slowly picking my way through the dishes over the years, I usually am limited to about five meals that I'll eat. Perhaps I'm being overly critical, but if it were my place I would work on the customer service as a first priority. We usually encounter a hostess that is less than enthusiastic about even being alive, much less working.......kinda snobby......that comes from who you have to deal with, not who the server is. I went straight for the specials when I was seated. Imagine that, I've seen all these specials many many times before. The servers, no matter where you're seated or what time of day, seem as if they're doing you a favor by waiting on you.......and most do not have a good working knowledge of the menu items themselves. But mostly you wait........for everything. It truly is hard to get a fresh glass of iced tea in a timely manner. And the food..........basic. You can tell it's made without much care at all. Lots of contradicting flavors and just trying too hard to be a swank place to eat. I kind of laugh when they bring out a giant pile of those dry and tasteless "smashed potatoes" or they carefully construct that foot-high mountain of cheap fries on your plate. And the carrot cake that everyone just loves?? I've had it at least fifty times over the years. It's not enough to make me spend money for the rest of the meal just to get the carrot cake............which has also gone way downhill. If you want a really good carrot cake, go to the Puckett's Boathouse in Franklin. As for me, if I visit a J's again, it won't be the one in Cool Springs.
(3)Hailey T.
"Dark, rare and yummy!" It was dark as others have said. However please note this was one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had! The wine was delicious, my prime rib was as rare as can be (I asked for it :-)) now for the grand finale CORN BREAD! My whole group still talks about it a year later!
(5)Shonnie T.
I have been eating at J's for years. Absolutely love it everytime. They have renovated their patio and installed an indoor/outdoor fireplace. Consider the seat next to it taken! Good food, service, and atmosphere!
(5)Kyna M.
We LOVE this place. ALL the food is good and portions big so we share. New pizza awesome.
(5)Michael L.
I try not to write long reviews for chains since you know what the hell you're getting, but I'll give it 3 since it's definitely a chain in another bracket above your typical Applebees/Fridays/Outback. Good Service. Decent food. I see no reason not to come back.
(3)John F.
Eight adults and 2 kids gathered at J Alexander's to celebrate 2 birthdays on a Friday night at 6pm. The wait was short and the wait staff was very attentive...at first. Water glasses kept full, beer/wine glasses not so much. Order was taken and food delivered in a very respectfully time. My steak was warm, no were near hot as was another order of crab cakes. To be fair to the restaurant we did not complain...did not want to ruin the evening for the other couples by complaining about our meal. Service quickly fell off after the food was delivered. Plates piled up that we had to start stacking them on the floor. Dessert orders were placed and over 20 minutes passed until it came out. Dessert was huge and very good. another 20 minutes and we were handed the bill...and yes another 20 minutes it was picked up and...you guessed it another 20 minutes change and credit cards returned. Remember the part above about the 2 kids....8 adults?? This night went from fun family and food to waiting, screaming kids, and more waiting. The bill for just us two was 80 dollars...that's not a problem if the food and service was "Great"...but it fell way short. Not sure if we will ever go back....defiantly not with a group larger than 4. jf
(3)AmiBeth O.
This place is the JAM!!! You can't order a bad item from the menu--though I recommend one of their salads and an appetizer! Mmm, so good that I wish I was there right now! Or waitress was absolutely adorable, friendly, super attentive and very sweet!!! Loved her so much!!!! Gosh, I really want their Thai Salad right now. Mmm, and their cheesey dip was sooooo good. I feel like a five year old writing this review!!!
(5)Phil M.
I don't know what the deal is with this place but it's exactly the same as Houston's in New York. Looks the same same menu same pretty much everything. That's a good thing though because I love Houston's and I love this place also. The dark cozy interior is a great place to go especially on a date or just for a good quality meal. People dress more up then down if you're looking like a slob. Love the salads ... it's not the cheap iceberg lettuce and the champagne vinaigrette is to die for. Prime rib was excellent mashed potatoes extremely good. You can eat cheap or expensive depending on what you pick on the menu ... there's a wide variety in prices. My service was excellent as typical in Houstons don't miss a meal here when in the area.
(4)Charline H.
What in the world happened?! Is this place at J Alexanders?! I was so upset by this location's service that I had to step away from writing this review and come back. I refuse to lump this location in with the other ones around Nashville because our family and friends have always thought of J Alexander's as a go to for great food and incredible service. The two stars of this review we allocated to the food bc it was delicious. We entered to celebrate my mom's birthday on a Monday night, not a busy weekend day, to receive service that felt like I was sitting at O'Charleys on the lunch hour rush. Five of us ordered a starter/salads and entrées. The waiter highlighted the prime rib as a special, but to be honest it's what some of us would've chosen, and he asked if we had any questions. I did. I asked: 1)what size is the wood fire pizza [the answer I got: "oh it's big"] 2) what is the veggie burger made up of? [its a black bean base] These answers were snapped back at me like he didn't ask originally if we had questions. When I said I needed a minute to make up my mind he rudely said "When you're ready, stack all of the menus up in a pile in the middle so I don't have to keep coming back and forth". Then before the entire table was able to enjoy a few bites of salad, our entrées were brought out by table runners, that proceeded to slam the dishes down and shove our salads out of the way - mind you we were mid bite. Haha!! I mean seriously, I understand how restaurants waiters/kitchens work bc my husband was in the biz for over 10yrs. Sometimes food comes out early, and sometimes a waiter is trying to flip tables as quickly as possible to make a buck. It was so rude and a only more terrible when the waiter announced at the end [probably happy to see us go] that bc we ordered the prime rib we helped him get more points than the other waiters! I reiterate, what in the world happened?! Is this place at J Alexanders?! After running through that turnstile, I think we'll be making the drive to Nashville for the service we trust.
(2)Lori W.
Ordered the classic hamburger cooked well done. EXCELLENT. Huge burger. Very well seasoned. The Ahi Tuna burger really good!! Very well seasoned. The macaroni and cheese was really good and cheesy. Their coffee is really fresh and robust. The polish gumbo soup was very good too. I dont think there is a bad dish on this menu!!! Ordered the famous carrot cake..about fell off the table. DELICIOUS... The lighting is really low in here for lunch as well as super busy. You can see the chefs cooking and this place is well staffed. Courteous waiter. Would recommend!! 5 star..
(5)Gabriela F.
Great place to eat- awesome ambiance and fast service. I had the rotisserie chicken and the Mexican cheese and artichoke dip. Both great options and lots of flavor
(5)Mrs M.
What a wonderful dinner. We had dined last night at a steakhouse across the street and were, let's say, less than thrilled.... Here, the service is top notch. On a super busy night, a call ahead is a definate. Otherwise, the wait would have been 45-60 mins. We called ahead and the wait was only 20 mins upon arrival. The steaks were seasoned to perfection & cooked to order perfectly. The fries are so yummy! Thin and crispy! The macncheese is Def enough for 2 to share. They did a nice cut of prime for our 6yr old at a cost of $15. All in all the value is supurb! Will absolutely return.
(5)Seth O.
The prices are really quite high. I ordered some chicken and fries, with Mac and Cheese. My Wife ordered pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes. I got quite a bit of food for the price I paid. The chicken was quite nice, but it is not as good as longhorn. The fries were good, but they were very thin. Shoestring fries. This was quite annoying for having dipping sauce for it. The Mac and cheese was made with Alfredo sauce, and was quite frankly, gross. The total was 18 bucks. My wife had the pork tenderloin and mashed potatoes. This costed 20 bucks. He plate seemed quite empty, for that price. The mashed potatoes were somewhat dry, and had a really odd aftertaste, I can't quite describe. The pork was pretty good, but not fantastic. The place was pretty good, but for these prices, you could eat cheaper at Longhorn, and better. Which is something I never expected I would say. The food was good, but I won't be back.
(4)Gee M.
The place is too dark for me and the food is ok.
(2)matt s.
There's something very special going on at this restaurant. Here with a party of seven. Everything is not only wonderful, it's flawlessly magnificent. The croutons on the salad make you want to order extra croutons. Everyone was sharing dishes. The steaks were cooked perfectly and medium was bright pink. Medium well had a tiny pink line. The cole slaw was a mountain of fresh veggies in an amazing dressing. Pork tenderloin with bang bang sauce was a surprising favorite. I had an Alex salad with may tag blue cheese and .... Well, there was nothing we ordered that wasn't the best we'd ever had. Someone in the kitchen is an absolute fanatic for making the amazing. OMG almost forgot to rave over the ribs!! Dessert is coming. It's called "Powerful Stuff". We are expecting a foot tall mountain of amazing caramel cream gooeyness.
(5)Christina H.
Excellent food. Had the French dip which was very large and delicious. Attentive wait staff. Be sure to get the carrot cake for dessert. You won't regret it. Big enough for 3-4 people.
(5)Miranda P.
Just another J Alexanders location that I love had a fantistatic waitress and everything came out perfect. Alexanders is always so consistent. Never disappoints.
(5)Ken K.
Had lunch at J Alexander's today. The food was excellent and the service was right on the mark. For a lite lunch try the fish tacos and ask for the fish to be grilled instead of fried as the menu only offers fried fish tacos.
(5)D B.
J Alexander's occupies that space between Outback and legitimate fine dining. Simply put, the experience should be better for the amount of time and money you invest to eat here. Based on their prices, it appears that they are trying to compete with the elite restaurants in town. They don't measure up. Why wait for an hour and a half to eat average food? To put it in the words of our server when she was asked about one of the entrees, "You can get that anywhere."
(2)BT M.
This is a hidden gem. It's not "hidden" because people don't know about it, but because it's not in a premier spot with easy ingress and egress. It's still a gem. I have never had a bad meal here. I have never been with anyone who said their meal was bad. More often, someone gets a dish different from mine and I want their meal, despite the delicious meal I have on my plate. Pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken...it's all been awesome. You'll be comfortable there in a suit and tie, or jeans and a Polo...or shorts and a t-shirt. Okay, just wear clothes, that'll work. The service is incredible.
(4)Amy D.
This is my go to breakfast spot, granted its good so you WILL wait but Oh Man is it worth it! I love this place the food is delicious and its super filling, I have a Sunday ritual of going here and stuff my face then I go to whole foods immediately after and walk it off. It's the only way i can handle eating all the food I'm going to get. The service is also great So WIN all around so worth the 35 minute drive it takes to get here
(5)Tom G.
Very friendly staff and consistently good food! I have eaten there for a casual bite as well as for a business dinner and would recommend this place to anyone. No surprise that it is as popular as it is.
(5)Lauren M.
Wait staff is bad... Food here is good but nothing to write home about... And it's super dark in here!
(2)Rob W.
You can't go wrong eating here. I love this place, its calm and quiet and the food is always great. Sometimes we go out just to go out, but J Alexander's is always worth the trip and the money.
(5)Danny W.
Amazing food! Great customer service! Good decor! What more could you ask for!? Our waitress made a personal connection with us which is the sincerest form of customer service. Thanks Nicole!
(5)Cole C.
I had a late lunch with two family members, we sat in a booth in the bar area. The service staff was polite, professional, and I would say fairly knowledgable of the food/drink. Although we did give our server a heads up that we were not in a rush, I felt like the pace of the food and drinks coming out was good. We shared a bottle of white wine and some bloody marry's which were awesome. We had a variety of apps and entrees, all were tasty and filling. My only issue, though a minor one, was more of a presentation/convenience matter. I ordered the prime rib sandwich, which while being tasty and cooked as ordered, my expectations differed from what I received. It was a large portion of prime rib, with two slices of bread on the side. Once I put it together, it was literally difficult to eat because of the size. Yes, I could have just sliced it myself. But being a lunch promoted item, this could prove inconvenient for those in a time crunch or eating on the go. I would suggest that instead they use a several smaller pieces. There was a side au jus, but I think offering some caramelized onions and/or some creamy horseradish sauce, would really bring the dish together. Again, minor issue, but my overall experience was quite enjoyable.
(4)Deen W.
J. Alexander's is almost like a Houston's....but there are a lot of little things that keep them just a few notches behind. There was an hour wait on a Friday night (to be expected) so my husband ordered us drinks and we staked out a place to sit and wait for our name. The menu is good. I saw some additional items that were not there last time we dined at a J. Alexander's. My husband got the prime rib sandwich, my daughter got the kid's grilled chicken sandwich & subbed a loaded potato for fries, and I got the steak burger. Prime rib sandwich was delicious! My daughter's "kid's meal" looked just like an adult portion. I was thoroughly impressed to see her get down on the mountain that was the loaded baked potato. My steak burger was disappointing. While it was tasty enough (think fancy big mac), I was perplexed at why it was served on a hard baguette. I would have rather had a normal bun like my daughter's. If they are going to stray from something as basic and expected as a hamburger bun for a hamburger, I suggest they put it on the menu. I ended up ditching the bread and eating my burger "open faced". There are a few menu items that can not be beat: creamy chicken pasta soup, prime rib sandwich, smoked salmon dip, and carrot cake. Other than that, I could really take or leave J.Alexander's.
(3)Mohun K.
Lunch on 1/30/14. We arrived at 1140am and the place was packed - that's usually a good thing. We were seated after 15 minutes. We had great prompt service from our waiter. I ordered the fennel sausage pizza and was blown away. Just the right amount of chewiness and the homemade sausage was excellent. This was my first visit and I would love to try this place again.
(4)Jonny M.
J Alexander's has Good food, a nice vibe, And great service. It has a little bit of a business meeting feel, which keeps me from coming more often. But it is a great place for sure. Its a little on the finer side don't expect to pay a little more than your average restaurant.
(4)Trace S.
For quite a while I told people who ask me what my favorite burger in Nashville is that it was J Alexanders. For quite some time I was amazed with the quality cheeseburger they were making. I'm pretty sure they grill the burgers over their wood fired grill. Unfortunately, the constancy has become pretty spotty. My last few experiences at the Cool Springs location have definitely be ok, but there's no way i can continue pointing people to them as the best burger in Nashville. Once or twice my burger wasn't very hot when it was served. The grilling of the sliced part of the bun seems to be elective and at least once it was cooked beyond what I ordered. I'm not giving up on it, but I'm a little leery.
(4)Alex V.
Well, I was in Nashville and some friends decided to make a visit to this great establishment. I always forget to review this place. It is awesome. We walked in with 6 people and we sat pretty quick. It was lunch time and it was pretty busy. I had the french dip BAM!!! off the chain. The sandwich is a very nice size, we order some artichoke appetizer that I did not understand how to eat, but it was good. My wife and friends raved about how good their lunch was too. I like this place because it gives a good portion of food, the flavors are always delicious and the services is very good. When in Franklin, Tn. you need to stop here.
(4)Chris J.
Went there tonight for dinner while in town on business. I go to their location in Atlanta often and the food is consistent between the two locations. Their queso is awesome and their ribs are usually my go-to selection, but tonight I got the rotisserie chicken. Everything was as expected...excellent. The only reason why they didn't get 5 stars is because I felt a bit rushed. I dined alone and it was at the begining of the dinner rush and the server seemed to want me out of there ASAP so the table can be used by more than one person.
(4)Moni F.
The food is always very tasty upscale restaurant without overly upscale pricing. You can come in wearing shorts or jeans or you can come in wearing a suit. Servers are always extremely professional yet friendly. They don't serve half glasses of wine that's the only downfall but the upside is when you order a martini you get what they call a sidecar and it's almost a second martini but not quite. I like that the crafted martinis and drinks have some fresh ingredients like grapefruit or fresh squeezed orange. Would be nice to see them elaborate on the fresh citrus. The bartenders are extremely nice - my top three would be Jenna ,Libby, and Lisa. Those three make the best drinks hands-down! They also understand catering to customers. Some of the others might be more franchise oriented. The most impressive location in Tennessee is definitely the one in cool springs. It's not uncommon to run across celebrities I've seen quite a few. The handcrafted stone heated pizzas have a thin crust yet an amazing fresh almost chewy yet flaky crust. Their Scottish salmon is a winner, try pairing it with the baby kale salad or the Alex'a salad. Their white bean soup is undeniably the best anywhere and it comes with a small square of out of this world cornbread!
(5)Rheonna W.
Not the best meal I've ever had at J's, the steak was cooked right, however it was not tender. I should have known to order a Ribeye if I wanted steak. Service was good, as usual.
(3)Rambo C.
Great service... Great food. The salmon appetizer is the best we ever had. Ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and the prime rib done perfectly and melt in your mouth. Not a bad thing to say...
(5)Joe M.
Could not eat here. The waitress at the bar told me that they would not guarantee anything here is gluten. So the others at our business meeting ate and I did not. They must have awful quality control in the kitchen if they can't cook a piece of fish and not guarantee it's gluten free. I have a major allergy to gluten. So can't take a chance.
(1)Mark W.
Went her for a nice dinner had to wait on Saturday nite as expedited. Found two seats at bar and had beer and my wife had an awesome manhattan. Finally seated at table and ordered pizza and side salad which took over 30 minutes to come to table Very slow service. Should have stuck with roasted chicken as usual.
(3)Mark D.
Trendy chain restaurant with food that is good, but not spectacular.
(3)Joshua B.
Whoa - really? I've never reviewed J Alexander's? Wow...Ok! Time to review them then! So - here's the lowdown : It's pretty damn great. Yes, it's a chain - but, I've never seen a chain run this well this consistently. My most recent trip to J's was a week or so ago for lunch. I was working the 'late' that day at work and I had to come in early that morning for some meetings. My work will allow us to take extended time off if we have to work more hours in a day than normal. So, since I have to be in to work 2 hours early - I took a 3 hour lunch and drove to Cool Springs to have lunch. I sat at the bar and had my lunch. The service at the bar was incredible. I was wearing a black shirt and they got me a black napkin because they thought it would be better in case the white linen napkins had any fuzz on them. This way - it wouldn't rub off on me. Think about that. How many times does a server even think about that? This is just one example of the service they give. They really go out of their way and do things I'd never even expect. Has your drink gone dry? Not for long. These servers were on top of it. But - really - you can have the best service in the world - but, if the food isn't up to snuff then is it really worth it? Good news - the food is just as good as the service. I have never had anything bad there. Of course - I have my favorites. My most favorite item on the menu, bar none, is the Mac and Cheese. I have tried to recreate it at home to no avail. There is just something about it - although its hard to put my finger on it. I honestly wish I had the recipe. Also, the Carrot Cake is meant to be shared. I got a piece nearly as big as my head! And then they have hot melted cream cheese frosting they pour over the whole damn thing. It's all warm and gooey and wonderful. I didn't have it on this particular trip to J's - but, I thought I should mention it at least. It is not to be missed! In summary - the Mac and Cheese and Carrot Cake are not to be missed. But, really - everything on the menu I have had has been a home run in my eyes. J Alexanders is a great restaurant - chain or not. It's just damn good food with damn good service.
(5)Chris P.
***Update: the service has gotten better and they have been getting the prime rib sandwich temperature correct pretty consistently*** Easy tidbits: 1. Service is cold and infrequent 2. They abhor splitting dishes 3. Value for price may perhaps be on point, but they serve entirely too much food 4. The atmosphere is bonkers (like loud jazz club without the live jazz) 5. The food is touch and go (good & bad) I would like coming here if it weren't for the people who work here. I don't like poor service, poor attitudes, and a bad atmosphere. Maybe because they serve over priced food they feel a bit entitled. I'm not really sure why there is such a pervasively cold attitude. Sometimes the food makes up for it but then the bill kills it all for you at the end of the meal. I have been told that a prime rib was as rare as possible when it was clearly medium well. If you charge $18 for a steak, you best get the temperature right or at least keep trying until you do. Aside from temperature on the steak, it's like a cardinal sin against humanity to split dishes here. My family has noticed that if you order a single serving per person it's way too much food. If you split the dish, they will "split" it for you and basically give you around 3/4 or under of the original portion. They also refuse to wait on you because the bill will be less than $50. The atmosphere and ambiance is actually one of the most important considerations, for me, when I decide whether or not to go back. Also, it takes a whole lot to have a bad atmosphere, because you can find any place to be pleasant in its own right. However, blaring music, an open kitchen, and yelling/obnoxious table neighbors will bother me every time. The aesthetics are dark rustic and high-class, but the music and the people BECAUSE of the music are a good restaurant's worst nightmare. Sometimes, if it's not just you and Little Bo Peep seated ACROSS THE RESTAURANT, you have to just smile and nod at the waiters and pretend like you understood what they were asking. People shout because they can't hear each other and it's just a bloody mess. I would rather walk over hot coals than have to sit at a table full of people and not have pleasant conversation because no one can hear or the worse alternative shout so the whole restaurant can hear what I have to say. Usually, it's just not that important. I ordered the fish dish of the day, which I have ordered twice now and enjoyed. It's a red fish over a bed of rice topped with a rich sauce. The sauce may be excessive as well as the portion size. Perhaps instead of a 3,500 calorie portion size for 26$, maybe serve a 700 calorie version for 16$. Feed me less and charge me less, please. The prime rib sandwich is a pretty great deal because basically you are getting a full cut of prime rib thrown on a crispy baguette. The major flaw with this dish is I have to spend 15 minutes performing surgery cutting fat marbling off the meat to ACTUALLY eat it like a sandwich. Otherwise, good luck with a dry cleaner. Oh! And it will NEVER and I repeat NEVER come to the table rare. Don't even attempt to order this rare because it will NEVER happen. They cook the prime rib all day and when they cut it it is usually medium and at best medium rare. Seared Tuna is good but pricey. One of the major revisions to this review is that I had a good experience with management this past check-in. I'm not sure if they saw me checking into Yelp or if they have attempted major changes, but when I asked if the cut was as rare as it could be, they actually cut the loin in the middle and brought me the rarest piece. This is seriously a first for me after eating here all my life. We will see if this sort of managerial empathy will stick and trickle down through the wait staff or not. We're still at 3 stars because the ambiance is horrific as is the service usually (-1), the food is usually mediocre (-1), price is high for "new" American food, although there is nothing new about the food they serve (-1). Aside: This is owned and managed by the same restaurant group that owns Wendy's, if that tells you anything. All I can say is typical Franklin. If people hold their stare too long, don't wonder. They are judging you.
(3)Steven L.
This remains on my top five Franklin restaurants list (Saffire, Red Pony, Stoney River, J. Alexander's, Bonefish Grill, and an honorable mention to Cork & Cow). We just consistently enjoy this restaurant. The Cypress Salad is always a favorite I'm happy to recommend. And I BEG the restaurant to bring back the tequilla beans side!
(5)Sejal M.
Great service every time. I love the veggie burger. I would love to see more veggie options/flexibility reflected on the menu. Great bar area too.
(5)Michael M.
I've been to both the West End & Galleria location multiple times. You can NOT get a bad meal here. Period. The decor alone screams it loud and the service compliments it. This is the perfect business lunch to take clients. They don't rush you, the staff is knowledgeable about the menu, and the fish is always fresh. The kicker is the freaking coffee; wow brings a tear to my eyes - a press. I made the mistake of ordering an espresso one visit.......not good. I ordered it short but it came full to the brim and room temperature; they would hang them for that in Sicily.
(4)Summer S.
We've been here twice now and really appreciate. Romantic hush lighting ambiance, very delicious meals (burger is amaaazing, steaks and basically, anything!) I would highly suggest their pizzas! Adore the thin crusts and flavorful toppings! Wish there was some in CA!
(4)Cher Y.
What can I say? J Alexander's has not disappointed me yet on all my visits. And yes, I am talking about a chain restaurant! Tasty food that is well prepared and generous in proportions, nice ambiance, excellent friendly service, good drink and desert selections. Yum yum and yum! 4.5 stars (rounded to 5), minus 1/2 star cause it is always jam-packed regardless of lunch/dinner and the wait lines (20-30 min each time) are just not cut out for hungry people. Even if you have a reservation, there is always a wait time as people just like to linger.... PROS: Great selection of food (meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarian entrees) Generous proportions, well prepared, and fresh Ample parking Nice ambiance of modern, warm & cozy (great for dates, family or corporate) Good selection of drinks and appetizers and deserts Great waiting staff CONS: The wait time to get a table .... :( On the pricey side but well worth it compared to other similar options
(5)Keith C.
Had s great steak here. It was a great steak and cooked to perfection. A good steak house will serve a medium rare steak that way. A lesser quality place will tend to over cook it. They got it right.
(5)Abby R.
I went to j Alexander's last night for dinner. It was great. However, I ordered a piece of carrot cake which I love to take home with me for dessert today! Well I went to bite into it this morning and it tasted like garlic. It was horrible. I feel like the to go box they gave me had pizza in it prior or something as it was really greasy. Anyway I had to spit it out and I have to say I'm extremely disappointed!
(2)Steve S.
Poor service, still eating salad when main course came, server didn't care steak over cooked waitress too busy to care. When she knew they did a poor job she ignored us......won't go back
(1)Rich R.
Really good food. A bastard child I Applebee's and Mortons had a baby. Service was outstanding but the beer lost was "limited" at best. Nonetheless, food was solid and service great. Atmosphere was very crowded and busy but warm and welcoming if you can combine all of that. Recommended!
(4)Meredith R.
If I get to pick where we are eating, this place is always my first choice. It's my favorite cheeseburger in town. The fries are those thinner crispy delicious type that I crave. They have a great wine selection. I love the darker atmosphere and big comfy booths. Amazing!!!!
(5)Michelle C.
As always, our meals were outstanding. The service is like non other. I have never had a bad meal there, in fact the quality (for it being a chain) is superb. I usually get the salmon and it's wild caught with great flavor. My friend always gets the tuna and its just as good. We typically get either the grilled artichoke appetizer, guacamole or chips and queso. All SOO great!!! Never had a bad meal, service is some of the best I've seen and they have wonderful wines. Highly recommend J Alexander's. Also the ambiance is dark, sexy and romantic.
(5)Greg K.
Server poorly trained. Server was incorrect on beer and wine information. Food incorrectly delivered but straightened out. Steaks okay, not great. Shrimp good. Smoked salmon dip good but not all of us liked it. Pizza dry and little flavor. Not worth the tab.
(2)Tim M.
1 of my favorite J Alexander locations (been to 3 different ones) Wait times here can be horrendous - 60-90 min on Saturday night and Sunday brunch. Called ahead to get on the list - this takes 30 min off your wait time once you ARRIVE! Didn't know this and thought the estimate of 60-75 min was a direct quote but basically we needed to arrive, check-in to wait 30-45 min. Had my usual prime rib. The portion felt a bit smaller than I'm use to but cooked to order and the baked potato was huge. Got worried that I might not finish. Overall, definitely good. Dessert - Triple chocolate cake was heavy enough to be an entree. Coupled with the ice cream and it was the perfect finish to dinner. Service was alright on this occasion. Haven't been on a Saturday night so wonder if this is common.
(4)Sarah B.
I happened to notice just now that I had never reviewed this J. Alexander's - and that just amazes me. Hubby and I are regulars, yes; we have a favorite table, the combo half booth/half table on the back side - #17 in hostess speak; we have favorite entrees, favorite appetizers, and favorite desserts; and I can't tell you how many times we've visited. When we first introduced our two parents, we all came to this J.'s as we call it. December hubby and I celebrated 20 years of marriage. We've seen this restaurant through many renovations, additions, layout changes, etc. - and we still love it. Having loved in Cool Springs forever, the one positive thing I can say about all the growth and traffic here now is that the wait for a table during prime time is here is SLIGHTLY less. Yes, they do offer call ahead seating, and we use it. Have the phone number for this location as well as the two Nashville lcoations programmed in our cell phones. Like I said, folks, we're regulars, we just don't always check in to yelp on our phones when we're here, this is our time. Favorite appetizers rotate between the Spinach Queso (yummy, except for the brief time where the jalapenos are super fresh and a bit too much for me spice-challenged self) hint: your server is happy to bring you more chips if needed; and the salmon dip. Ditto the hint on the toast points, too with that app. Hubby's favorite entree usually is the Chicken Tenders. He loves them, and if they're not on the menu - it's OK, they have it anyway. Sometimes he'll opt for ribs or prime rib or a pork chop - all have been awesome. My favorite entree usually is the salmon with orzo salad. I love salmon, especially their mesquite grilled variety, and the orzo salad is such an addiction for me I have learned to (almost) replicate it. It's unlike any other orzo and wild rice salad you'll encounter - has cranberries, raisins, corn, black beans, cillantro, and a light yet pefect oil dressing that makes everything pop. Seriously, it's that good. I also love the prime rib if I'm feeling iron-deprived and their salads if it's summer-y. And the chicken pasta soup is always welcome, also. For dessert, if I pick, it's the carrot cake. It's just perfect, I'm sorry. I've had lots of other good carrot cakes, but this one is it unless my husband is making one for me. (using J's simple syrup tactics, mind you.) Hubby's dessert of choise is the Very Best Chocolate Cake. It is an awesome, rich, moist dark chocolate cake drizzled with extra chocolate syrup and coupled up with a scoop of really good vanilla ice cream. REALLY good, don't get me wrong. Just because I love carrot cake does not mean this isn't also the bomb. This is not a budget night out, let me be clear. Pretty consistenly whatever hubby and I order, we end up spending about $80 for dinner. Sometimes we might have a cocktail, others not, sometimes the app, or the dessert, etc. Like I said, no matter what we do, it ends up about $80. Not our cheapest dinner, but not the most expensive either, but always a great night. If you are wanting take out, you have to order from the bar. You cannot call in an order for pick up. They are busy as they want to be as it is, and do not wish to risk a bad guest experience by over-extending themselves. If you have someone at home ill, go here for dinner and order the chicken pasta soup to go for them. It heals things. I have visited J.'s locations in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga - and this franchise is consistent no matter what. If you haven't been, well, I can only assume you were waiting for this review, so go now.
(5)Alishah N.
I've gone to J Alexanders over the course of a few years since moving to Nashville - I've tried them for lunch and dinner, and in all honesty, I've never been impressed with it. In fact, I've been put off from my experiences. I've seen that others have been rating it strong 4s and 5s, which instantly puts me in the minority - but that being said, my review isn't based on one bad experience. I've given them a few shots, and I'm always left feeling exactly what the 2 star rating says: "Meh. I've experienced better." I've tried a number of things on the menu, and the food's been good - good, but not great. For the type of establishment it is, for the price I'm paying, it's disappointing. The pasta dishes I found to be alright - not good enough for me to order again, but alright enough for me to return to try something else on the menu. Their burgers, which are normally a safe bet at any place, are - again, alright. There's no question the burgers are better than a fast-food burger, but if you rank them against a similar establishment, then I really don't think compare. What's more, I've found their salads to be weirdly oily. In the few times when I'm on a health kick and wound up at J Alexander's (it's happened 3 or 4 times now) I've always found it odd to be served a salad so oily it's shining. Perhaps I could have ordered less dressing, or the dressing on the side...but again, my expectations are higher for the type of place that it is. I appreciate that J Alexander's is locally owned, and I've found the staff being helpful on most occasions - though there have been a few bad moments too: a vegetarian friend ordering a side of broccoli, and having it served to them with a piece of bacon. After asking the waiter if the broccoli normally comes with bacon on it, and finding out it doesn't, my friend then had to point at the plate of broccoli with the bacon sitting right on top of it all. The response: "Oh... it must have fallen on to your plate. Let me go get you another plate of broccoli." That's great - they fixed the problem without hesitation. But at the same time, I'm left with the humorous vision of bacon just being thrown around in the kitchen... Will I return to J Alexanders? Probably, but at someone else's suggestion. I've been there easily over 10 times now, and as I said earlier, I'm left with lackluster impressions. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It's just: I've experienced better.
(2)Jan S.
Never a bad meal there, nor bad service! I know it is a chain, but it is always top-notch coupled with excellent service. The open-faced chicken salad sandwich and french dip are my usuals. But you simply cannot go wrong with anything there. The carrot cake is served warm with thick icing dripping off. Unbeatable. Highly recommend.
(5)Su I.
I was impressed with the ambiance, the food, and the friendly staff. The place gets a little busy during lunch, it is usually a 15-25 minutes wait so get there early. I had the Scottish grilled salmon with orzo wild rice pilaf and I have no idea what was in the rice, it was a mixture of cranberry, raisins, corn, and something else but it was the most tasting wild rice I had ever had. Also their wine selection is incredible. I will definitely go back.
(5)Katie B.
I ate a Sunday lunch there with my mom and daughter and we had fantastic service. This restaurant has always been one of my favorites. I've always loved the club sandwich and fries. I tried the veggie burger today and it was the best veggie burger I've ever had. So good!! You can't go wrong eating at J. Alexander's!
(5)Nancy P.
First visit on 6/14/14. It was 4:30 and already crowded. We did get a seat, and 45 minutes later when we were leaving there were people waiting. This is just FYI stuff. When we pulled in to the parking lot there was a very young guy in a suit cleaning up in the parking lot with a broom and dust pan. That was a good sign to me. So many business owners miss this. Its a nice atmosphere, lots of smiling faces and plenty of people taking care of you. They do nice things like bring a bottle of cold water so you are not sitting there with nothing to drink. My husband ordered a steak burger. I got the prime rib, and my son got the pork tenderloin with the spicy sauce. He loved his, and it had a pretty good kick. My prime rib was cooked to order, very good. The mashed potatoes were slightly dry, but not bad. My husbands burger was really tasty, but kind of small. He said there was not much too it, and I agree. The fries, no one liked those. They were so skinny, and just not to our liking. Any skinnier and they would have been like straw. Here is where they lose major points. We were hungry when we went in, and so we attacked our salads. I would say we eat fairly quickly, and we were still eating them when the food came. For all of their politeness they don't even blink when they are putting the food down, and they wait for you to move your dang salad out of the way. I have seen other people have the same complaint, so they have an issue there. A true fine dining restaurant would never do that. And a true fine dining restaurant would also have black napkins for people who are wearing dark clothes. My husband and I both had white fuzz all over our clothes. It sucked and we had to go home after that. It's so dark in there you can't see it until you get outside. It's pricey. Their teas and sodas are $3. That's nuts. Three dinners, no apps, $100. If you were to order wine and an appetizer it would be up there with some of the priciest around. So there you have it, the good, bad and ugly.
(3)David O.
Stopped in for lunch after Buca Di Beppo wouldn't seat us while the computers were down. As with all J Alexanders I've been to, the ambiance is quite nice. Staff was friendly, and there was no wait for a table. It filled up quite a bit while we were there though, and there was a noticeable slowdown in the appearance of our waiter. I really love the food, but it always feels a bit pricey. If I had one complaint it would be that.
(4)Will M.
I would recommend for out of towners because they have really good food. You can always tell when the staff is so serious and Professional, that none of the cookstaff is smiling. Conversely the relaxed atmosphere for any gathering and friendly servers always bring a smile, and are happy to serve you. I had a really good burger and the alex salad is a meal in itself. I'm sure their seafood and steaks are just as great. A bit upper class, but the prices aren't too expensive. Dark ambiance is really awesome. I can seriously doubt anyone will complain about the service or food or atmosphere. Solid choice, not one I will go to by myself because I cook at home, but if friends and family visit, they can always treat me to a nice meal here.
(5)Claire H.
Wow that was amazing. In TN for the weekend and just happened to see it and I'm so glad I did! I had the salmon and rice and it was superb! I'm going to search for the recipe for that orzo rice because it's fantastic! Service was even better! Loved it and I cannot wait to go back.
(5)Sarah S.
I came here for dinner with a medium-sized group, none of whom were local, because our hotel concierge recommended it. Because of its shopping center pad location, I was expecting something akin to an Outback Steakhouse or maybe an Elephant Grill. I was pleasantly surprised to find a flare-free restaurant with a great drink and wine selection, a solid menu, and great service. You know how some burger joints give you the extra milkshake in the stainless steel mixing glass? They do that here with cocktails, putting the extra in a little glass floating in a bowl of ice water. This effectively turns your Manhattan into a Manhattan-and-a-half. Everyone was pleased with their meals. I ordered cilantro shrimp over rice with coleslaw. It was great, and the shrimp were properly cooked (i.e., not rubbery). The service was efficient and accommodating. When we were finished with dessert, our server asked us if all 11 of us would like our own, separate checks. Now where I live, this has never happened. You can split a bill, but the server will act like it's a big deal. Bay Area servers would never provide 11 separate checks, especially not voluntarily. Next time I'm in Nashville, I'll go back.
(4)Mark C.
Highly recommend J's! The food is excellent and the service is usually very good. My go to eatery when nothing better comes to mind.
(4)Jeremy E.
Had a great meal here. I started with a Dos Perros and brick oven pizza. The brick oven pizza had a perfect crust and was topped with sausage, ricotta, and carmelized onions. It was perfect. I had a filet with mac and cheese. Delicious as always. My uncle had the Tuscan steak, which is a rosemary infused NY strip. Also very tasty. Service was great as always. Total bill was around $85 and I left full and happy. This is still the best bang for your buck in town.
(4)Heath S.
Have been there 2-3 times in the last several months. This place is top notch. Have not had anything bad yet, great wine selection, friendly wait staff, higher end pricing - but worth the $$$
(5)Kevin K.
I am a huge fan of J. Alexander's restaurants. I'm a regular at one in Livonia, MI, and have been to at least 4 different J. Alexander's locations. I ate here on a business trip to the Nashville area and it was excellent as it usually is. I had the Filet Kebab which might be my new favorite at JA's. (I also love the Steak Brazzo, Crispy Chicken Platter, Grilled Salmon, and many others entrees!) The service was excellent as is usually the case. They actually bring drink refills so often that my friends and I joke about it ... we probably end up eating more iced tea or soda than we normally would just because it comes so often. I also had the Carrot Cake for dessert which was also excellent. It's served warm and has an excellent cream cheese frosting. I highly recommend J. Alexander's restaurants and this one was no exception. (Keep in mind that I wouldn't compare JA's to a "true" 5-star restaurant, but for an upscale restaurant this is among the best.)
(5)Brian C.
You can't go wrong EVER with J Alexanders for a business lunch or a dinner night with friends. For lunch, I'm a huge fan of the chicken sandwich. For dinner, the pork loin and rattlesnake pasta are always solid choices. J Alexander's wait staff understand the art of stealth service. You rarely see them drop off a refill and they never insert themselves into the conversation. Each are obviously trained to be efficient, kind and thorough. Dessert. Oh my, the desserts. Two of my favorite desserts in the Nashville area are here. Carrot Cake. Chocolate Bar Cake. It's a hard choice, but the carrot cake typically wins. My only criticism is the dining room is way too dark for lunch. It hurts walking outside in the sun after. Also, I've had a few hit or miss meals, but by far, the majority of the meals have been great.
(4)Imelda M.
Have dined along with my husband three times at Js going through Nashville.........we've only sat at the bar, as we enjoy talking & meeting new people. Have eaten, salmon, chicken, salad, artichoke appetizer, sandwich {BLT] never have we had one complained. Find the restaurant extremely clean, service [at the bar] excellent, ambience vry good, a little noisey, but who cares. The Galleria area very clean, safe & wakable to several hotels. Would definitely recommend.
(4)Cate C.
J Alexanders is my favorite Happy Place located in the Cool Springs Galleria of Franklin, Tennessee, They are an upscale eatery with a great wine list and rival many places locally in the bay area hands down. The service is excellent and they have no problem accomodating handicapped/wheelchairs, either. There homemade soup is to die for with it;s accompanyments, it can be a meal in itself. EVERYTHING you order is well made, scrumptious and made with fresh ingredients..they hve everything icluding sandwiches, full meals and seafood as well as steak.. Whenever I want to impres someone. I take them to this local eatery with its flair for food, sevice and ambience..
(4)Austin G.
I had the most disgusting veggie burger I have ever tasted at this place, and I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers. I wasn't expecting many vegan options at a place like this (and I'm not convinced that was vegan, pretty sure there was butter on the bun), but usually a kitchen can figure out something edible. Not the case here. It was mushy and had a weird glaze on the patty. Ick.
(1)Nathan C.
Prime rib sandwich is delicious. Fast and friendly service for a busy venue. Good sized interior that was packed with hungry people.
(5)Buddy T.
The food here is always pretty good. The reasons for the one star is that they have the worst beer selection in all of Nashville. Everything today is about selection and knowledge. They have neither. The bartenders are attractive but wow they have no knowledge. I was dumbfounded when I requested an IPA and she did not know what that was! I would encourage the management to take a fresh look at the bar.
(1)Shelly A.
Very pleased! Traveling for business and J Alexander's was recommended by a customer. We started with the queso and it was rich and creamy with spinach and thin crispy warm tortilla chips. Next I had the Cilantro Shrimp...it was very good and a very good value. 10 large tiger shrimp with rice and a very tasty slaw for $18. My co-worker had the steak and fries and was equally pleased....and the dinner salad...oh my goodness...it was HUGE!!! You could have added some chicken or shrimp to it and called it a meal on it's own!!! Not just your regular lettuce and tomato and some dressing. It was loaded. We wanted to try the highly recommended carrot cake but we were absolutely stuffed. Service was friendly, informative and prompt. Atmosphere was pleasant and inviting. I wish there was a location in the Dallas/Fort Worth area!
(5)Scott M.
I completely love this place. The prime rib is awesome and actually very reasonably priced. The ambience is great. I typically don't care for chain restaurants but this one is really good. Wait time is extremely long on Friday and Saturday nights. Call ahead! But the food is worth the wait!
(5)Krifka S.
I've been to this J Alexanders before and also the one in Tampa, FL. But my recent visit here was just ok--the food was good, but the service was terrible! #1 I can't even tell you how many servers we had--seemed like they kept switching up on us. #2 They couldn't seem to get didn't our Alex's salad right, first it came out with croutons, then when it came back again it had no dressing #3 we never got refills on drinks until I went up to the bar to get refills (yes, I am THAT person). However the rest of the food we had was good, and the quality I expect from J. Alexanders--You can never go wrong with the Hyde Park Chicken Sandwich. The Alex's Salad is really good and is REALLLLLLLLY good if you combine the vinaigrette that comes on it with some of their ranch (my MIL-showed me this trick-it is AWESOME!) F For those GF folks out there, J Alexanders does not have a GF menu nor are many of their items GF with out some major modification's, so beware, you may be stuck to the 1/2 roast chicken I had (although it was good).
(3)Ted D.
OMG the carrot cake is something to behold...IT IS SO DANG GOOD! I also enjoyed the tuna steak, didn't actually eat beef...Service was excellent during my visit!
(4)Jessica B.
Best place in Cool Springs for a business lunch. Wait staff is incredible and attention to detail is their specialty. My favorite is the California Burger.
(4)Shonnie T.
I have been eating at J's for years. Absolutely love it everytime. They have renovated their patio and installed an indoor/outdoor fireplace. Consider the seat next to it taken! Good food, service, and atmosphere!
(5)Kyna M.
We LOVE this place. ALL the food is good and portions big so we share. New pizza awesome.
(5)Michael L.
I try not to write long reviews for chains since you know what the hell you're getting, but I'll give it 3 since it's definitely a chain in another bracket above your typical Applebees/Fridays/Outback. Good Service. Decent food. I see no reason not to come back.
(3)Erin J.
What can I say? The keys here for me are consistency, fabulous service, nice-sized portions, and high-quality food. Yes, it's pretty standard American food, but it's done very well. We usually sit at the bar, and I love that when you're ready to order they place a nice white napkin in front of you. I also love that you get chilled water with no ice (not an ice-water gal, but like it chilled. Perfect). All the bartenders and servers I've come in contact with are very professional, and surprisingly never seem frustrated - even with the bar hopping! There was once that my order was wrong (I requested no bacon), and they whisked the dish away & came right back with another. Love it! Just as a note....this J Alex has brick oven pizza, as well as some of the older menu items (half chicken, chicken tenders, others). The J's on West End does not, and that's the one I used to frequent. Now that we're in Franklin this is our "new" location, and it's nice to see some of those old items again! **Also important to note....they have the BEST veggie burger I've ever had!
(5)Dip C.
The best thing about this place is the service. The food is good too. The only thing I am not happy about is its inability to hold large groups. We were a group of 9 and we struggled with the seating. This is good for lunch too but the ambiance will be perfect for dinner.
(4)Philip l.
I can not understand the great reviews this place has recieved. My wife and I went there on our 25th aniversary. I was expecting to spend about $150 for the evening so the price of the food wasnt the issue. To spend $30, each, on a steak and it NOT come with a salad was cheap of the place. Our food was delayed because they ran out of bernaise. How do you run out of bernaise? Once we got the steaks, My steak knife was so dirty even the waiter noticed it, he took it back before I could pick it up. A few days later we went to Logan Roadhouse, it steak was just as good. It came with a salad and we even got peanuts to snack on.
(2)Lydia B.
We've eaten here three times and always come away happy. Staff seems willing to accommodate, they'll do special servings for kids even if it's not on the menu, good flavor in the food and sauces, nice atmosphere. We'll definitely go back!
(4)Mel P.
I have been a customer at J's for many years. The location on West End in Nashville always seems like a nice night out.......that is because of the staff. However, after moving to Franklin, TN, the closest J's is in Cool Springs. Unfortunately, this particular location will turn you against J Alexanders. They are located close to the Mall and all the hustle and bustle. This is not the problem. The problem is that they seem to just not care anymore. I'm sure they deal with the "mall crowd" all the time and it has made their attention to detail lacking. I'll give you an example of my last visit (a saturday at 3 p.m). This may be the first time that I have looked at the menu and just realized how tired and outdated it is. After slowly picking my way through the dishes over the years, I usually am limited to about five meals that I'll eat. Perhaps I'm being overly critical, but if it were my place I would work on the customer service as a first priority. We usually encounter a hostess that is less than enthusiastic about even being alive, much less working.......kinda snobby......that comes from who you have to deal with, not who the server is. I went straight for the specials when I was seated. Imagine that, I've seen all these specials many many times before. The servers, no matter where you're seated or what time of day, seem as if they're doing you a favor by waiting on you.......and most do not have a good working knowledge of the menu items themselves. But mostly you wait........for everything. It truly is hard to get a fresh glass of iced tea in a timely manner. And the food..........basic. You can tell it's made without much care at all. Lots of contradicting flavors and just trying too hard to be a swank place to eat. I kind of laugh when they bring out a giant pile of those dry and tasteless "smashed potatoes" or they carefully construct that foot-high mountain of cheap fries on your plate. And the carrot cake that everyone just loves?? I've had it at least fifty times over the years. It's not enough to make me spend money for the rest of the meal just to get the carrot cake............which has also gone way downhill. If you want a really good carrot cake, go to the Puckett's Boathouse in Franklin. As for me, if I visit a J's again, it won't be the one in Cool Springs.
(3)David G.
I'm just not that into you... Have you ever heard that line? Used that line yourself to break up with someone? Well, J. Alexander's, I'm just not that into you. We used to have good time together when I was a teenager and my palate hadn't expanded beyond the chain restaurant phase of my life. We used to go out all the time and eat prime rib open faced sandwiches or salad bowls the size of my rear end. But, now I enjoy independent restaurants with really good food, actual creativity (not faux conic shaped french fry designs or conic shaped mashed potatoes on my plate), and properly portioned food. I just need to move on and away from you. You really don't offer much to me. I know, I know. We used to have such good times. But, like I've said, I'm just not that into you. Your food is not all that well-spiced, your servers are trying to be something they're not, and your food might as well be O'Charley's. Blah
(2)Hailey T.
"Dark, rare and yummy!" It was dark as others have said. However please note this was one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had! The wine was delicious, my prime rib was as rare as can be (I asked for it :-)) now for the grand finale CORN BREAD! My whole group still talks about it a year later!
(5)John F.
Eight adults and 2 kids gathered at J Alexander's to celebrate 2 birthdays on a Friday night at 6pm. The wait was short and the wait staff was very attentive...at first. Water glasses kept full, beer/wine glasses not so much. Order was taken and food delivered in a very respectfully time. My steak was warm, no were near hot as was another order of crab cakes. To be fair to the restaurant we did not complain...did not want to ruin the evening for the other couples by complaining about our meal. Service quickly fell off after the food was delivered. Plates piled up that we had to start stacking them on the floor. Dessert orders were placed and over 20 minutes passed until it came out. Dessert was huge and very good. another 20 minutes and we were handed the bill...and yes another 20 minutes it was picked up and...you guessed it another 20 minutes change and credit cards returned. Remember the part above about the 2 kids....8 adults?? This night went from fun family and food to waiting, screaming kids, and more waiting. The bill for just us two was 80 dollars...that's not a problem if the food and service was "Great"...but it fell way short. Not sure if we will ever go back....defiantly not with a group larger than 4. jf
(3)Tim G.
Great rolls. Carrot cake is excellent. Service always rocks. Nice place to go if you are into chains. I'm just not a huge fan.
(3)Luke S.
They have very good food. We've tried a lot of dishes on their menu, and they're all delicious. Portions are good, and service is also good. One of our favorite dishes is the Steak and Fries. It's simple, tasty, and fulfilling.
(4)Lana O.
stopped by here for a quick lunch. It was seriously so yummy! The food was delicious. ambiance was great, and the service was incredibly attentive. It's a little more pricey, but I definitely think that the quality and service speak for themselves.
(4)Laurie N.
I usually avoid chain restaurants, but J Alexander's is an exception to my food snob tendencies - it's that good. I've only been here for lunch, and I am impressed with the extensive menu, with everything from great salads to burgers to fish tacos (which were very fresh and flavorful). The cocktail menu is wonderful and generous as well. A great place for lunch in the over-saturated-with-restaurants Cool Springs area.
(4)Bryan H.
Our favorite place in Nashville. The chicken fingers are better than most places, steaks are good, but I always get the Cypress Salad which is excellent. Ask for the croissants. A little pricey at times and I wish they had a better and cheaper kid's menu though .
(5)Jessica W.
This is one of our absolute faves! Great, reliable, classic American food. There is nothing bad on the menu, the service is always exceptional, and it doesn't break the bank! Would only recommend bringing well-behaved children here.
(5)Heather L T.
First time at J.Alexander's as of yesterday. I had heard this place had a pretty good rep. for quality, quantity, and excellence in general. We were greeted by a more than pleasant hostess and quickly lead to huge table that was half-booth, half-table, very unique. The lighting was just right and the service was pretty much impeccable. I ordered a Honeysuckle sparkling wine type of drink and although a little strong for my taste, it was still satisfying and less expensive than I would have guessed. The spinach queso dip was delicious for an appetizer, not too heavy or creamy. I ordered the Steak Maui and Smashed..now I am not typically a huge steak fan, but the sauce on this steak created a succulent masterpiece and what I like to refer to as a "mouth-gasm" (orgasm of the mouth). The steak was cooked just right and the potatoes delicious as well. Last but not least, a good list of desserts to choose from..now the crew I was with were feeling a little too shy for dessert, but not this gal. I ordered up the Creme Brulee..and this is a tough dish to master, but this dessert was PERFECTION..so creamy and perfectly sugared and hardened on top..with a warm outer and cool inner. Once my friends got a glimpse of this bowl of heaven, they too partook in it. Big portion and the best part of my night. I would definitely return for not only the service, ambiance, and entrees..but also, the dessert!:)
(4)Fonda W.
I had the slow roasted prime rib and it was the BEST STEAK EVER!! It was tender, juicy & just perfect!! It came with smashed potato's; I also got broccoli on the side & it was steamed right. It wasn't too soft. The Mac & cheese was ok, I've had better. If you're a steak lover, this is place is a must.
(5)Kristyna R.
I have been here 4 times and every time I literally have a religious dining experience. Start off with the Alex Salad - warm, crunchy bacon, buttery homemade croutons...DELISH! For the entree, it has to be the Filet Mignon with bernaise with the mac & cheese for the side. First of all, the meat is so tender you could literally cut it with a spoon....melt in your mouth. Now on to the mac & cheese....I personally am not a fan of restaurant mac & cheese. It's always too heavy and rich and usually pretty bland (and totally not worth the calories). That's how I felt until I had the mac & cheese at J's. HOLY CRAP....it's tangy & creamy with a crunchy baked top...it's divine, and worth every single calorie. Finally, my meal at J's is never complete unless I have the CARROT CAKE. It's soaked in butter overnight and served warm with gooey, melted icing over the top....I'm telling you, there are no words to properly convey how absolutely heavenly it is. The incredible food aside, the servers and bartenders are top-notch; friendly, charismatic, attentive. Needless to say, I'm a fan.
(5)Stacey M.
Great atmosphere with a variety of cuisine. I prefer their steak with baked mac & cheese. The bar area is great and they know how to make drinks the right way.
(5)Kyle P.
The food was excellent, however the service was atrocious. The waitress spilled water in my meal, and then brought out the wrong replacement for my ruined meal. No refunds or compensations were offered for the ruined meal. It's a shame that good food can be ruined by careless servers.
(2)Teresa D.
Having read the reviews I had very high expectations of the food. I ordered the prime rib at our servers suggestion since she said it was what they were known for. One bite and had to return it. It tasted as though it had been in the refrigerator uncovered for a couple days with all the rest of the uncovered food and had picked up that awful "refrigerator taste". It was by far the worst prime rib I've ever had. I chose the crab cakes for the second go around. They were very tasty but way over priced at $28.99 with one side and no bread. My husband ordered the pork loin. It was tender but lacked in flavor and the sauce that was poured over it tasted like it came from a can. If you are going to drop $75 on dinner, opt not to eat here and go across the street to Stoney River....much better food there!!! I did notice most of the favorable reviews were with their sandwiches and salads. We might go back once more to give those a try but only after we are tired of every other restaurant in the Cool Springs or Franklin area which we will a very long time. On the positive side, the server was ok, not great but ok.
(2)Thomas M.
Great place. Reminds me a bit of a "Houston's" restaurant for those of you familiar with that chain. Has a patio for some outdoor dining.
(4)J. W.
J Alexander's is one of my favorite places to eat! They have a small menu which is nice, and you can't go wrong with whatever you pick. I've never had a bad meal.
(5)rob h.
It's hard to go wrong at J's. Great salads.
(5)Otis R.
Like a upscale TGI Fridays or Applebees. Nice wide variety of typical american food. Nice selection and everything was quite tasty. Clean and very attentive wait staff.
(3)Brandon L.
amazing!
(5)Ann M.
Frankly, I was really surprised during my Sunday night visit to JA's, and my surprise had nothing to do with the "sorry we're under re-construction". The place was packed, I met friends from out of town who suggested we meet there, ended up being their guest so they heard none of the following! I praised the place to my friends for staff training, good menu & good food...what a surprise on all counts. But first, this new ambiance (at the Franklin location)? What are they thinking? I needed my flashlight! Going to the table, on the farthest side of the room, was like finding my way back to my cabin at camp! Then, once seated, I quipped, "I can't see who's sitting opposite me...who are those people, do I know them?" We all laughed, but seriously, 4 flashlight-like lamps shining down & only on the table, everything else around the patron is dark, cave-dark...Then our server, was one of those "how are we this evening?" she wasn't in the party, none of us liked the "we" thing, and frankly, that is so dated, or like one is treated at the local diner or the doctor's office. She was a nice person, but overly attentive at first, not tuned in to our wanting to visit, a lot, before wanting to order, and was s-l-o-w on our drinks (none of them complicated: a draft, a Tanquerey (sp?) martini, straight up, a Stoli dirty martini, shaken); then at order time, we couldn't find her. The others who whisked out our waters (please place that milk jar jug of water inTO the table, not on the edge of the table), served our salads, et al, were more friendly and helpful. Okay, food: Grilled artichokes w/some kind of cold butter were unimpressive, the butter paste was, well, supposed to have herbs, but what and why, am not sure (no taste). Why not just melt it for dipping the leaves? I think all we ended up w/was char between our teeth; this idea is more form over function. The Caesar salad, ordered "small" and Faucon salad, also ordered "small" - well "small" to them is like an extra large lunch portion. (One of my friends & I both said, upon receiving the salads "THIS is 'small??'") both salads were chopped, & pre-made, cold bowls are a giveaway, were predressed, and VERY salty...save for the tiny crunchy croutons, I was not impressed. Faucon? well, they tried, but go back to the drawing board, gang. Not many folks do that as well as the original, which I believe is attributed to the Belle Meade Country Club in N'ville & then Jimmy Kelly's follows a close 2nd (though theirs is not as good as it used to be). Two of us ordered the pizza w/pancetta, the other ordered Rattlesnake Pasta. The pasta plate was enough for 2 truck drivers, the diner ate only a portion, copious amounts left in the bowl (why serve so much, you all??). The pizza had an over-size clump or arugula plopped in the middle (that was well past it's sharpness factor which I happen to love) and was again VERY salty (too much of that pancetta?); crust was thin-crispy, tasted fine, not sure what else on pizza, had to ask server for Parmesan. The pepper grinder on table was empty, she seemed unbothered by that, and just looked around for another available grinder, 'try this" was the response...The bottle of wine selected was great, but then that service was off-par for JA"s. The sever asked do you want me to go through the steps (w/the one who had ordered) or just pour? Strange, I thought as highly trained as JA serves are in wines, & w/the $$$ JA's invests in training their staff in this regard, that we would get the full presentation. Not so. We agreed to skip it, & the orderer did get his obligatory "taste" pour, but again, (to server:) don't ask the guests, just "do"...so she poured for my friend, then for me, and forgot topping off glass for friend's husband, leaving him only w/the small sampling. ...we caught her as she was about to leave, she quickly covered for her gaff. (Because my friends were traveling, they sent all the leftovers home w/me - the extra pasta was enought to fill two 16 oz. containers i used to take to the ofc., then gave both to two colleagues who were thrilled to have their lunch provided on Monday.) Bottom line, if you've made it this far, you're glad I'm winding down I bet, I was embarrassed - I had extolled the virtues & food of the place to my friends, who had never been there, who then treated me to dinner. It will be a long time before I bother going again, or suggest that others do the same. We have way too many choices of places to eat in our area (N'ville, Franklin, surrounding areas), and fortunately for us locals, many are "non-chain" & excellent. This place & experience was not; it was, as I said initially, a big surprise, to boot!
(2)Tiffany K.
Disappointment. I order the Filet Mignon with Bearnaise, medium. I was told that if I wanted the steak cooked anything more that medium, it would need to be filleted. When my steak arrived, I cut it down the middle and it was rare. The waitress was quite kind and agreed with me, that the steak was not cooked medium. As my husband and child at their meals, I waited for my steak to return. Round two with the steak was better, but the center was still medium rare. I was hungry, unhappy and did not want the hassle of sending my steak back a second time. In addition to that, my 4 year old ordered a grilled cheese. He took one bite and spit it out, saying it was disgusting. I took a bite, thinking he was crazy. Green peppers had somehow been cooked in with some of the cheese. Obviously he is not a fan of a green pepper and grilled cheese sandwich. Thankfully the green peppers were only in part of the sandwich. The restaurant is getting 3 stars for their portion size, my husband's dinner (rattlesnake pasta), and my fabulous Blackberry Volcano martini. It will be awhile before I venture back to J Alexanders.
(3)Abby R.
I went to j Alexander's last night for dinner. It was great. However, I ordered a piece of carrot cake which I love to take home with me for dessert today! Well I went to bite into it this morning and it tasted like garlic. It was horrible. I feel like the to go box they gave me had pizza in it prior or something as it was really greasy. Anyway I had to spit it out and I have to say I'm extremely disappointed!
(2)Steve S.
Poor service, still eating salad when main course came, server didn't care steak over cooked waitress too busy to care. When she knew they did a poor job she ignored us......won't go back
(1)Rich R.
Really good food. A bastard child I Applebee's and Mortons had a baby. Service was outstanding but the beer lost was "limited" at best. Nonetheless, food was solid and service great. Atmosphere was very crowded and busy but warm and welcoming if you can combine all of that. Recommended!
(4)Meredith R.
If I get to pick where we are eating, this place is always my first choice. It's my favorite cheeseburger in town. The fries are those thinner crispy delicious type that I crave. They have a great wine selection. I love the darker atmosphere and big comfy booths. Amazing!!!!
(5)Summer S.
We've been here twice now and really appreciate. Romantic hush lighting ambiance, very delicious meals (burger is amaaazing, steaks and basically, anything!) I would highly suggest their pizzas! Adore the thin crusts and flavorful toppings! Wish there was some in CA!
(4)Michelle C.
As always, our meals were outstanding. The service is like non other. I have never had a bad meal there, in fact the quality (for it being a chain) is superb. I usually get the salmon and it's wild caught with great flavor. My friend always gets the tuna and its just as good. We typically get either the grilled artichoke appetizer, guacamole or chips and queso. All SOO great!!! Never had a bad meal, service is some of the best I've seen and they have wonderful wines. Highly recommend J Alexander's. Also the ambiance is dark, sexy and romantic.
(5)Teresa D.
Having read the reviews I had very high expectations of the food. I ordered the prime rib at our servers suggestion since she said it was what they were known for. One bite and had to return it. It tasted as though it had been in the refrigerator uncovered for a couple days with all the rest of the uncovered food and had picked up that awful "refrigerator taste". It was by far the worst prime rib I've ever had. I chose the crab cakes for the second go around. They were very tasty but way over priced at $28.99 with one side and no bread. My husband ordered the pork loin. It was tender but lacked in flavor and the sauce that was poured over it tasted like it came from a can. If you are going to drop $75 on dinner, opt not to eat here and go across the street to Stoney River....much better food there!!! I did notice most of the favorable reviews were with their sandwiches and salads. We might go back once more to give those a try but only after we are tired of every other restaurant in the Cool Springs or Franklin area which we will a very long time. On the positive side, the server was ok, not great but ok.
(2)Thomas M.
Great place. Reminds me a bit of a "Houston's" restaurant for those of you familiar with that chain. Has a patio for some outdoor dining.
(4)J. W.
J Alexander's is one of my favorite places to eat! They have a small menu which is nice, and you can't go wrong with whatever you pick. I've never had a bad meal.
(5)rob h.
It's hard to go wrong at J's. Great salads.
(5)Otis R.
Like a upscale TGI Fridays or Applebees. Nice wide variety of typical american food. Nice selection and everything was quite tasty. Clean and very attentive wait staff.
(3)Brandon L.
amazing!
(5)Ann M.
Frankly, I was really surprised during my Sunday night visit to JA's, and my surprise had nothing to do with the "sorry we're under re-construction". The place was packed, I met friends from out of town who suggested we meet there, ended up being their guest so they heard none of the following! I praised the place to my friends for staff training, good menu & good food...what a surprise on all counts. But first, this new ambiance (at the Franklin location)? What are they thinking? I needed my flashlight! Going to the table, on the farthest side of the room, was like finding my way back to my cabin at camp! Then, once seated, I quipped, "I can't see who's sitting opposite me...who are those people, do I know them?" We all laughed, but seriously, 4 flashlight-like lamps shining down & only on the table, everything else around the patron is dark, cave-dark...Then our server, was one of those "how are we this evening?" she wasn't in the party, none of us liked the "we" thing, and frankly, that is so dated, or like one is treated at the local diner or the doctor's office. She was a nice person, but overly attentive at first, not tuned in to our wanting to visit, a lot, before wanting to order, and was s-l-o-w on our drinks (none of them complicated: a draft, a Tanquerey (sp?) martini, straight up, a Stoli dirty martini, shaken); then at order time, we couldn't find her. The others who whisked out our waters (please place that milk jar jug of water inTO the table, not on the edge of the table), served our salads, et al, were more friendly and helpful. Okay, food: Grilled artichokes w/some kind of cold butter were unimpressive, the butter paste was, well, supposed to have herbs, but what and why, am not sure (no taste). Why not just melt it for dipping the leaves? I think all we ended up w/was char between our teeth; this idea is more form over function. The Caesar salad, ordered "small" and Faucon salad, also ordered "small" - well "small" to them is like an extra large lunch portion. (One of my friends & I both said, upon receiving the salads "THIS is 'small??'") both salads were chopped, & pre-made, cold bowls are a giveaway, were predressed, and VERY salty...save for the tiny crunchy croutons, I was not impressed. Faucon? well, they tried, but go back to the drawing board, gang. Not many folks do that as well as the original, which I believe is attributed to the Belle Meade Country Club in N'ville & then Jimmy Kelly's follows a close 2nd (though theirs is not as good as it used to be). Two of us ordered the pizza w/pancetta, the other ordered Rattlesnake Pasta. The pasta plate was enough for 2 truck drivers, the diner ate only a portion, copious amounts left in the bowl (why serve so much, you all??). The pizza had an over-size clump or arugula plopped in the middle (that was well past it's sharpness factor which I happen to love) and was again VERY salty (too much of that pancetta?); crust was thin-crispy, tasted fine, not sure what else on pizza, had to ask server for Parmesan. The pepper grinder on table was empty, she seemed unbothered by that, and just looked around for another available grinder, 'try this" was the response...The bottle of wine selected was great, but then that service was off-par for JA"s. The sever asked do you want me to go through the steps (w/the one who had ordered) or just pour? Strange, I thought as highly trained as JA serves are in wines, & w/the $$$ JA's invests in training their staff in this regard, that we would get the full presentation. Not so. We agreed to skip it, & the orderer did get his obligatory "taste" pour, but again, (to server:) don't ask the guests, just "do"...so she poured for my friend, then for me, and forgot topping off glass for friend's husband, leaving him only w/the small sampling. ...we caught her as she was about to leave, she quickly covered for her gaff. (Because my friends were traveling, they sent all the leftovers home w/me - the extra pasta was enought to fill two 16 oz. containers i used to take to the ofc., then gave both to two colleagues who were thrilled to have their lunch provided on Monday.) Bottom line, if you've made it this far, you're glad I'm winding down I bet, I was embarrassed - I had extolled the virtues & food of the place to my friends, who had never been there, who then treated me to dinner. It will be a long time before I bother going again, or suggest that others do the same. We have way too many choices of places to eat in our area (N'ville, Franklin, surrounding areas), and fortunately for us locals, many are "non-chain" & excellent. This place & experience was not; it was, as I said initially, a big surprise, to boot!
(2)Tiffany K.
Disappointment. I order the Filet Mignon with Bearnaise, medium. I was told that if I wanted the steak cooked anything more that medium, it would need to be filleted. When my steak arrived, I cut it down the middle and it was rare. The waitress was quite kind and agreed with me, that the steak was not cooked medium. As my husband and child at their meals, I waited for my steak to return. Round two with the steak was better, but the center was still medium rare. I was hungry, unhappy and did not want the hassle of sending my steak back a second time. In addition to that, my 4 year old ordered a grilled cheese. He took one bite and spit it out, saying it was disgusting. I took a bite, thinking he was crazy. Green peppers had somehow been cooked in with some of the cheese. Obviously he is not a fan of a green pepper and grilled cheese sandwich. Thankfully the green peppers were only in part of the sandwich. The restaurant is getting 3 stars for their portion size, my husband's dinner (rattlesnake pasta), and my fabulous Blackberry Volcano martini. It will be awhile before I venture back to J Alexanders.
(3)