Every year, my wife and I visit her extended family for Fourth of July weekend. I learned that Memphis has a lot of good places to eat other than just BBQ. After several meals of ribs and pulled pork, we wanted to something different and dined at J Alexander's. The interior is clean and sophisticated with a nice ambience. It's a large restaurant that can hold a lot of people. Once you walk in, you know that you are going to be dining well with good service. Even though I love Memphis BBQ, one of the things that I crave the most when I'm there is actually J Alexander's Not Your Ordinary Mac and Cheese. Although they have other locations, the Memphis location's mac and cheese is something remarkable. This is a side dish that is simply a must have. It's so good that I'm tempted to order it to go just by itself. I don't have the recipe but I have an idea of what is it in. My guess is that they use more than one type of cheese since it was creamy, gooey, and had the right cheese flavor. It's almost as if they used some aged cheese for an extra kick. It also had some Latin flavors that made it unique. I think I tasted smoked poblano peppers for some heat and cilantro which really blew my mind. These additions really made it beyond the ordinary. After I tried the mac and cheese for the first time, I was determined to contact their corporate office to convince them to change the name to Out of this World Mac and Cheese or something that was more suiting to the taste. I tried ordering it at their location in Northbrook, IL but was sadly disappointed since it wasn't the same recipe. It was still good but it didn't have as much of an out of body experience as the location in Memphis. If you live in the Memphis area or have a J Alexander's around you, I would definitely recommend dining here. The prices are what you expect for a restaurant of this caliber and you will be satisfied with the quality of the food and service.
(4)
G H.
This is a chain place that I'll gladly go to. I've tried nearly everything on their menu. Everything is fantastic, but one dish stands out among the rest. Their prime rib is so tender, you can cut it with a fork. It's so juicy, you might need a bib. The chicken... Wow, perfectly seasoned and also juicy a flavorful. The smashed potatoes are a treat. They don't skimp on the serving size for them either. Last but not least, their "Not Your Ordinary Mac and Cheese" POW! The blend of a creamy texture, rich yet subtle taste, topped with bread crumbs is magnificent. ( be careful, it's hot) I've eaten prime rib all over the nation, this one easily ranks inside my top 3. Side note.... The service has always been on point, but do take your wallet cause for 2 people, it'll cost $55+ easily for dinner.
(5)
Angel F.
My first time here. I oredered fish tachos. They were OK, but nothing to come running back for. Also the price $15 is a little steep for 2 tachos and some rice. Atmosphere is nice if you like a dark, cozy enviroment.
(3)
Chris G.
This place easily has the best prime rib in Memphis. It also has the best mashed potatoes that I have ever put into my mouth. The atmosphere is very nice (great place for a date or a romantic dinner) and the service is polished and professional. The prices are a litte steep, but you get what you pay for. The dinner salads are HUGE so if you are ordering one with your entree, consider sharing.
(5)
Rebecca S.
Always delicious food&drink and exceptional service. If dining at the bar ask for the pimento cheese!
(5)
Ian P.
Different tasting steak on wood fire stove but good. Didn't care for the baked potato. Good wine selection
(3)
Kevin M.
Sunday Lunch with family was a really good experience all way around. Service was on top of their game at every turn. We ordered the spinich dip to start off and after 15min realized it had not made it to the table . The Manager, not our server, came out to apologize for the delay. He explained that a larger order had delayed the dip but that it was on its way and at no charge. He came back during our meal to check in on how the food was prepared and to see if we were enjoying our meals. The food here is better than average b but the service from the front desk person, the wait staff, and the Managers make this place 5 Stars. I love good d food but really love great service.
A crowd favorite that never disappoints. An awesome experience that satisfies again and again. Perfect date atmosphere, in case you were wondering. Go and life is good. Ooh yeah... Chocolate cake. That. Is. All!
Hailey was our server tonight, she was so attentive and polite and made excellent recommendations. I had the ahi tuna salad and an iced coffee, delicious! Don't leave without having the chocolate cake!
(5)
Raechel P.
My colleagues and I were in town for a work training nearby. Since we are all from different states we relied on other yelp reviews to make our decision on where to dine. We were tired of bbq and wanted to try something else so we went to J Alexander's. They gave us a warm welcome and seated us right away. Our server was Mark and he was fantastic. He was knowledgable about the menu, gave great recommendations and was very patient with all of our questions and special requests. Not to mention he was very friendly and funny. The food was delicious!!!!! The Mac and cheese, chicken Milanese, coffee crusted rib eye and sushi rolls were some of the tables favorites! We had a great experience and would highly recommend it to anyone coming to town! Thanks Mark!!
(5)
Rebecca C.
I always love this place. The food is great, and the staff are excellent. I usually get the prime rib, will say that the staff needs to be trained to offer horseradish up front. Prime rib, in my mind, always comes with creamed horseradish so it's a but disappointing to get this awesome plate and then have to wait for your server to leave and come back with horseradish after you ask. If you are in the mood for dessert, do yourself a favor and order the carrot cake. It is seriously to die for, served hot, and can feed like four people for $6-$7. Love this place, will be back!
(5)
Jackie K.
They don't take to-go orders over the phone. Ordering the food at the bar then waiting at the restaurant defeats the purpose of getting a portable quick meal. How disappointing! I'll call Firebirds next door. They'll be happy to take my money.
(1)
Kimberly D.
Great food! Love the atmosphere! Chocolate cake is the worlds best! I love this place.
(5)
Emily R.
The creamy chicken soup with white meat chicken and penne pasta is yummy.i also love the crispy fresh house salad with the tangy champagne vinaigrette . The cheese burger is huge and it has a nice smokey flavor from the grl. The server is constantly refilling beverages and cleaning the table. The service is above average. The decor is warm and upscale. Prices are reasonable
(4)
Jason D.
We were in town for the holidays and haven't been here in years so we remembered we liked it and thought we'd stop in and have a nice dinner. We called to check on the wait and were told 30 mins and that we could be put on call ahead to be seated. We arrived and had to wait another 45 mins. After getting seated we were rushed. We ordered an appetizer because we were starving but our salads came out before it, then our meal arrived after we were done with out Salads so we ate our steak. As we finished our steak our waitress came up and asked to box up our appetizer and we hadn't had any of it, so we were frustrated and annoyed so we said yes. When we got home we found less than half of our cheese dip and no salsa. We were at our table for 35 minutes with a $70+ check for 2. Extremely upset and warning everyone to stay away, try something else and spend your money on a place that respects you and takes good care of you. Firebirds, Rafferty's, just about anywhere else at this price point. Paris our waitress seemed to be in another world, disconnected, and lost. I know they have to turn tables but my goodness!! I will say this, everything we had was really good. The Steak Maui and Side Salad and Queso (which we ate when we got home) was really good. No bread but... the sweet tea was good as well.
(1)
Andrea G.
They have changed their name to "Redland's Grill" -- per the staff nothing else has changed - ownership, menu ect. - still the same. Just new name.
(5)
Deborah D.
If I want a good meal in a relaxing atmosphere, J. Alexander's is a great place for lunch and dinner. The first few years, the service was excellent, but inconsistent now. The food is still great and you can't beat the prime rib and the fried chicken salad! (There is plenty for another meal.
(4)
Steven L.
I haven't been to J Alexanders in awhile and decided to come here with a group of guys to just hang out. Our server was very attentive and made sure everyone got their food and if we needed a refill on our drinks. Majority of us ordered steak and prime rib. My filet was cooked just right (med rare) while my other friends had the ribeye. One had a slightly overcooked ribeye (med well) and was offered an apology and a new steak. Even the manager came to apologize afterwards. Our table was rewarded with some chocolate cake and ice cream for the trouble afterwards. That just hit the spot at the end of our meal and was much appreciated.
(3)
Shana D.
The Shrimp Tacos were really good. It was too much food for lunch time though. I wish they had smaller portions available on a lunch menu.
(4)
Dermesh M.
The server was very nice & attentive, the food was awesome..I ordered steak & mac n cheese which tasted so good. Lemonade was refreshing also.
(5)
Phil K.
Stopped in here after 8 hours drive from Dallas. What a great storke of luck finding this top shelf eatery. I had the Filet Ctr Cut medium rare cooked perfectly. Wife had the Scottish Salmon just great - both entries are winners. Seat at the bar and had very attentive service.
(5)
M M.
Visited on a Monday evening.. seated right away. I had the most delightful waitress. who wore the most beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. I ordered, at her suggestion, a lemon drop martini.. delish My dinner was a New York Strip with the N.Y.O. mac n cheese.. not your ordinary is absolutely accurate. deliciously prepared fresh to order. I could only eat a small portion because I absolutely had to try the key lime pie. Heart stopper. . amazing with graham cracker and pecan crust.. mouth watering. .check Overall... a perfect visit. Could only be better if my husband were able to join me. Definitely on the re-visit list.
(4)
Ted J.
Generally very good food and entrees. I've dined there perhaps a dozen times and usually enjoyed my meal. Watch out as some of the side items are not as described! They push orzo and wild rice as the default side item. It is not listed on the menu as being served cold-- but it is. Very cold. And it tastes terrible. Maybe I'm alone, but I need to know if a soup is going to be served cold as well as any side-items. While the waitress offered to replace it very late in my meal I was having trouble getting the taste of this item out of my mouth. I'll give them 3 stars because 90% of the food is good. But this item is not good, not well described, and is for select tastes. Blew the $70 meal for me.
(3)
Gary H.
Had a business lunch that was not the best experience. The waiter forgot my beverage and my food order. Even though there was food in fron tof the rest of the party - he could not figure out that there was something amiss. He then tried to blame the kitchen, saying they overcooked the food the first time and had to recook it - it came out refridgerator cold. The manager came by to make sure everything was OK and I explained what had happened and that the waiter lied to me. We all make mistakes - own up to it - take responsibility. The manager then mumbled as he walked "maybe the rest of your party can have a positive experience". No - I did not dare eat the leftovers No - they did not comp my lunch
(1)
Danielle M.
Decided to go here while looking for another steakhouse besides Outback near Wolfchase mall. had the Steak Brazzo, and it was pretty good, the gravy was a tad bit more acidic than perfect, but it isn't anything to complain about. My son had the mac and cheese, I finished what he did not and as other reviewers have said, it's pretty damn good. A bit pricier, it's trying to sell itself as a classy atmosphere so that's why. I'll return soon to try more of the menu.
(4)
J Penelope Walkininit S.
I love the Salmon Dip. It was great enough to be a stand alone meal. The pomegranate martini was the best I have had to date and you definitely get your money's worth. I also had a lemon drop martini and it was good as well. The Mauhi rib eye was good, it had a teriyaki glaze that was nice. I asked for a side of seasoning to satisfy my rational steak taste bud but I found myself using the glaze on the side versus the steak sauce. In all I spent $80 but I got a steak entree, two martinis, appetizer and a $10 tip. If you are on a budget this probably shouldn't be your first choice but the food, service and ambiance was worth it.
(5)
Jessica M.
I'm a big fan of J Alexander. At one point I would eat here once a week. For the most part the service is normally terrific. Every once in a while you run into someone who doesn't live up to your expectation. Now to the food :) I'm a big fan of the Spanish queso I decided to try something different tonight. I tried the BBQ flatbread and it was totally not a good idea. I took one bite and realized it wasn't for me. Maybe you'll like it but yuck! OAN: if your in the mood for pasta...go with the rattlesnake pasta. I will warn you it's spicy. Desert: try the carrot cake! Yummy
(4)
Teri C.
Awesome food!! And waiter Adam very polite & professional!! Atmosphere 100!!! LVE everything!!
(5)
Thuy H.
I came here on a Tuesday evening with a group of friends without a reservation and luckily, I was seated immediately. Our server was very nice. She was very patient and helpful. I ordered the Ahi Steak Tuna. I have to admit that it was the best ahi steak tuna I've ever had! The texture, taste, and everything were perfect! Overall, the food and service were amazing. I can't wait to pay J.Alexander's another visit!
(5)
Patrick P.
Love coming here when in Memphis. Veggie burger is good, gluten free ahi tuna is good, kids menu if u ask!
(5)
Jaronica S.
It would have been a 5 but we had a crappy waitress. It was the end of her shift so I'm guessing she was burnt out. The food was amazing. I got the steak and fries (I traded the fries for a loaded baked potato). The potato was the largest I've ever seen in a restaurant and it was amazing. It has dim lighting and a great place for a date.
(4)
John L.
Sunday evening my wife and I went there for dinner. Atmosphere was great food was so so. Not much to brag about. I had the filet with mushroom sauce which was salty and my wife had the NY strip with Mac and cheese. Mac and cheese was salty also. Waitress was not too attentive. Brought drinks again after dinner was done. We left with the bill of about $100 with tip. Food was so so service was little below average. Prices was ok. Won't go back again.
(2)
Dawn M.
We rarely eat here for dinner because the prices are very high. Tonight an old friend invited us out. I had the steak Brazzo and they both had the Scottish salmon. My steak was medium and a bit tough but they enjoyed the salmon and orzo . The ambience, service and sourdough bread is great but I will stick with lunch.
(4)
Mitch Z.
one of my regular spots,great service and excellent food Prime rib sandwich ,Mahi Tuna.BIG salads,great burgers and excellent mac and cheese,,,huge drinks also..
(5)
Doug S.
We have eaten at J alexander's twice in the last month. In both cases we were disappointed in the food and the service. In the first case one of our guests got an inedible steak. The first time it was not prepared properly, and the second time when prepared properly was not fit to eat.The restaurant did remove the charge for the steak off of our bill, after we strongly suggested that to them. Most recently we received very poor service. We asked for Bread and were told we needed to buy it. We asked for extra plates to share a salad with Others and they never brought them.we asked about the spiciness of a meal, and were told that it was not spicy at all. When it came it was terribly spicy even for those of us who enjoys spicy food. The waitress was unprofessional and became angry when we complained. It used to be that this was a decent restaurant to go to. We will not be returning.
(1)
Raymond B.
I really like J. Alexander's for a few reasons: consistency, quality, and the overwhelming number of refills that are brought to your table. I don't know why it's not 5 stars... just something says "not 5 stars." It's a little dark, so I like to sit by the windows, and when it comes to a place to have a 'nice' lunch or bring clients / work colleagues, J. Alexander's can't be beat. I recommend the fish tacos... because I always recommend fish tacos. You want some iced tea... unsweet... and need 5 million refills? This is your place. Service is great, drinks are solid, food is consistent and quality. Give it a go.
(4)
Robert C.
Probably the best steakhouse/upscale American place in that part of town. The food is consistently excellent, as is the service. Nice atmosphere without being stuffy- it's a notch below the top steakhouses in town, but it feels like they're very comfortable with that and understand their niche. Prices accordingly as well. Great place to go on "date night" when you want a nice meal without dropping a couple hundred dollars. The sandwiches and salads are great as well. French Dip is outstanding. Desserts very good as well. Overall, one of my favorite places in this part of town.
(4)
Katie M.
Absolutely phenomenal!!! Service is top notch and the food is cooked to perfection. The restaurant pays close attention to detail and I've never ever left hungry. The new York strip is melt in your mouth delicious and DO NOT miss out on the "not your ordinary Mac n cheese" I could seriously eat the Mac n cheese everyday of my life if possible!! And if you're already full, order the carrot cake to go, I've never once been a fan of carrot cake but DAMN it's served warm with icing it would suit anyone with a sweet tooth, regardless if u like carrot cake or not. Cannot come up with any critisism. Bring your friends and split the food because there's plenty to go around!
(5)
T B.
Everyone, regardless ethnicity, should be treated equally. This includes bad behavior too. Management is too afraid to maintain a nice quiet atmosphere. This place is too expensive for me to feel like I am eating at Chuck e Cheese.
(1)
Dean D.
First time here and very happy. Food was great and so was the service. Had their Salmon Sandwich for lunch with a side of fries. My buddy had the Prime Rib Sandwich which looked great. We finished up with their outstanding carrot cake for desert. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Mark D.
Called 2 days ahead for reservations for party of 10; hostess said they didn't take reservations but we shouldn't have any problem getting seated...on a Friday night...at 7 pm. So I called again on the Friday and spoke to the manager and he confirmed their no-reservation policy but assured us they would "take care of us". So we waited an hour and a half for a cramped booth that we had to scramble into like a jungle gym. Worst of all, one of our party's wallet was stolen and she started getting warning texts from her banks during our meal about unauthorized transactions. The meal itself was forgettable; the pork tenderloin with bang-bang sauce was cloying and artificial-tasting. The carrot cake was syrupy sweet with a mushy texture. Crowded, mediocre, and unsafe experience. Will not repeat!
(1)
Ash L.
I love this place. It is so good! The steaks are delicious. The baked potato is good. The Mac-n-cheese is out of this world. The spinach queso dip is so yummy. Steak tacos are delicious too. Everything I have tried here is great. The service is wonderful too. I've never had a bad experience here.
(5)
Joe W.
I recommend J Alexander's as a nice place for a good steak and good conversation. After visiting here a few times, I expect to spend $25-ish a person, get great service, and have everything turn out perfectly. The restaurant is tasteful and upscale but no problem wearing your casual clothes if you feel like it. I'm not a big dessert guy with my meals, but everybody says their carrot cake is amazing too.
(5)
Karen I.
We have always received wonderful service and the food has never disappointed. The rattlesnake pasta is one of my favorites. If you are looking for a great hamburger I promise you will happy.
(5)
Chris J.
I have not been to J. Alexander's in years because I moved to a location that didn't have one. My wife and I used to love frequenting this place. Although I have been here several times, I have never had their prime rib. I must say that the prime rib here is possibly one of the best that I have ever tasted, particularly when it is paired with a good Pinot Noir!
(5)
Erica B.
J. Alexanders isn't a very memorable place for me. Aside from their mac and cheese- which is the sole winner of those 3 points above- nothing here is anything short of mediocre. It isn't delicious, yet it also isn't inedible. The food is standard for a chain that leans towards the upscale side. The staff here has always been above average on my visits. I haven't encountered the negativity that most have. I just feel like everything here from the menu to the decor is pretty generic which doesn't reflect on the price point. I can think of a dozen Memphis establishments I would prefer to dine in when paying a price tag like this. Restaurants that are locally owned and have a more diverse menu for that price. The mac and cheese? Yeah- they get a high five for that one. I have no clue what they put in it, but the crusty top and the creamy cheese combo is out of this world ridiculous. Go for this alone.
(3)
Samantha B.
I went here for my wedding and one other special occasion. The food is really good, but I do not feel like it is my cup of tea. My husband loves it, but I'm good. It's really expensive and the food is just ok.
(3)
Jeremy T.
Great steak, drinks, and service. I typically go here in the winter. I don't know why. I just do.
(4)
Natalie L.
I LOVE this restaurant! The grilled chicken salad with tortilla strips is amazing. i've also had the prime rib sandwich with au jus and it never disappoints. I know no one really looks to restaurants like these for fried chicken but their chicken fingers are some of the best I've ever had. They also have those amazing french fries that are so tiny but so full of flavor. I definitely recommend this restaurant for a nice family dinner or date night.
(5)
Michael H.
Enjoyed a birthday meal here this evening. Food and service was excellent! Waitresses were friendly. The atmosphere is nice, but quite dark. Makes for more intimate conversation. I ordered the old fashioned cheeseburger - delicious! The portions are quite large so plan on taking some to go! That means two meals for the price of one! (Which is good because this place isn't exactly cheap.) I recommend you try this place out!
(5)
Jungle J.
Thought we would give them a second chance. Mac & Cheese is delicious. The steak was too fatty for the price. Service was a little better than last time so I'll give it one more star. I'm just not impressed...
(3)
N. P.
I really enjoyed J. Alexander's. I liked the environment -- big windows with darkly upholstered seating and lots of rich wood decor. A bustling crowd -- we arrived without a reservation and were able to get a table at the bar. I ordered salmon with smashed potatoes. The wait for the food was not that long, given how crowded the place was. Let me just write that the smashed potatoes are amazing. So creamy, rich, and filling. And the salmon was high-quality, and tasted fresh. Really loved the meal, and I had plenty for lunch the next day. The service was friendly and attentive, without feeling rushed. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Brandi B.
Great Service. Great atmosphere. Great food. Highly recommend Alex's Salad.
(5)
Keith K.
I wish we had one of these in SC...... A must eat at place for me when I am in memphis.
(5)
Penny N.
Yuck, yuck, yuck! Steak and fries was horrible!! I couldn't have been more disappointed and was very sad to taste my food once I received it. Not a pleasant experience. No bread with salad. Hubby ordered the steak burger and it was excellent, so if you are forced to choose something to eat, try that.
(2)
Erica K.
There is plenty to love about this restaurant! A good selection of very tasty food (appetizers, entrees, and desserts included), experienced bartenders serving well-made drinks, and excellent customer service. It is a little pricy, but that helps limit the number of kids, and makes it a special occasion restaurant. Highly recommend.
(5)
Perry M.
The lunch crew was on its way for burgers Friday and decided to drop the few extra bucks for one at Alexander's. Three of us ordered the Pierre, Alexander's cutesy name for a burger with grilled onions and Gruyere cheese. The burger didn't disappoint. The grilled onions and gruyere are naturals, having long ago become a couple in French onion soup. (I can't give J. Alex's a big shout-out for creativity, but they deserve one for capitalizing on the obvious.) The burger was cooked to perfection. I asked for mine to be cooked just enough to be safe. Salute to the grillmaster. It was perfect. Alexander's thin-cut potato straw fries come with the burger at no extra charge. The other dude in our lunch crew ordered the Thai Kai salad, which I've had before. But because three of us went carnivorous and only one ordered a (by comparison) healthy choice, we made merciless fun of him the entire meal, including suggesting to the waiter that he put a little paper parasol to plant in the salad, like in a fru-fru cocktail. The J. Alex's burger is--again--a little pricey as burgers go. I've had pricier--Ruth's Chris in KC comes to mind. Still, it was delicious and memorable.
(5)
Robert W.
Food for this visit was excellent, price was reasonable, many menu items are unreasonable. Don't waste your money on the lukewarm coffee. It is ALWAYS lukewarm or cold and is horrible. Go across the street and get a Starbucks coffee. Service is generally excellent, this visit it was outstanding. Rattlesnake Pasta is greasy, almost impossible to eat. Hamburgers are great, if you like french fries, baked potato, mashed potatoes, you'll love it I haven't eaten here much since they stopped the "cornbread pan" and lied and said it was a "corporate decision". I called "corporate" and was told this was decided by the individual units1 Why lie about it? This visit, the salad and my hamburger were wonderful, so I may forgive them and start coming back. However, they will need to do something about that lukewarm, poor quality coffee.
(3)
Don C.
Best fish tacos I've had this year. Wine served at cellar temperature. Service was great!
(4)
Matthew N.
We enjoyed a great family lunch on a Saturday. There were six of us, and we each enjoyed our meals. We were pleasantly surprised when the manager comped us for two salads in our party due to the salads arriving four minutes after the rest of the food. We would not have complained about this, but are impressed they noticed and acted on this. Great food, great service.
(5)
Daemon W.
This place has the best macaroni-and-cheese dish I've ever tasted. The wait staff is extremely friendly (at least in my experience), and whenever family is is town for an event I always make sure I bring them here.
(4)
Colleen G.
So I've only been here once. But the experience I had was enough to steer me away. I went a few months ago, later on a Saturday evening. I ordered the pork tenderloin, and my fiance ordered a ribeye. When we got our food, mine was cold, and his steak had plastic wrap stuck to the bottom of it. Tried finding our server to address the issue, but she was severely missing in action. The manager came over and gave us a generic response: "Oh sorry... these things do happen..." Yeeeahh... For all the hype that J's gets, I really didn't see it that evening. I will say they make a decent martini. UPDATE 8/21/11: Went back. Food was MUCH better this time. The prime rib was excellent, and therefore changes my rating from 2 stars to 3. I will say that the service was still on the pretentious side; I felt like I was being talked down to a lot. I *do* know what haricot vert means, thanks. I guess I'll go back, but not very often.
(3)
David L.
Had a glass of the tilton malbeck red. Pretty good wine for $7. The Alexander salad was pretty sized. The chicken malanese was nicely cooked and breaded. The mashed potato came with the butter unmelted which was pretty unappetizing and was too salted. The wait staff at the bar was pretty attentive and nice. No happy hour. The last time I had the prime rib and it was pretty dry. But then again it was in a different city.
(3)
Roup P.
In my opinion, the BEST restaurant in Memphis. Always great service and fantastic food. A better version of Houston's and Houston's is very good!
(5)
K-Dawg A.
J.Alexander's is AMAZING. I've eaten at J's in 5 locations & they never let me down. Food & service is impeccable. Go now!!
(5)
Loran L.
Enjoy eating here. Food and service are consistently good.
(5)
Phillip F.
Impressed again, this time for dinner instead of lunch. The experience was outstanding, especially when you consider the cost! Everything from the complimentary pimento dip at the bar (excellent) to the grilled artichoke appetizer to the perfectly grilled filet that was better than one that cost me 3 times as much at Folks Folly bespoke quality ingredients and careful attention. Beer/wine selection is quality vice quantity. Not an overwhelming number of choices, but all are good through the various price ranges with some "off the beaten path" options that pleasantly surprise. Service was prompt and attentive without being overbearing. Atmosphere is nice, but not pretentious. I guess a true 5 star restaurant would have 5 star attitude and clientele, which this place does not. But that is why I am giving it 5 stars. If you compare what you get for the price you can not beat this place. PERIOD!
(5)
Misty R.
J. Alexander's reminds me a lot of Houston's- good, consistent service, offering fresh, quality food. It's a little on the pricey side, but you are guaranteed a good meal with excellent service every time, I have never been disappointed. The portions are huge, I usually share an entree or take half (or more) of it home. My favorites are the prime rib, ahi tuna, the salads (all of the veggies are chopped up very finely and the dressings are great). If you have a sweet tooth the carrot cake is a must (they almost serve you the whole cake!) and the so darn good chocolate cake. If you go for lunch, the bar service is good and quick. There is a nice sized outdoor patio and they offer a good wine list.
(3)
Cathy S.
Food was great and plentiful. Our table of 4 ordered 4 different entrees and 2 different desserts. I got the Thai Kai Salad. Really good but they forgot the peanuts. Having had it with and now without, it really is MADE with the peanuts! Chocolate cake was good, too.
(4)
Carol M.
The food is good (carrot cake is great!), ambiance is okay (a little too dark for me, personally), and the service is always consistently great. The portions do tend to tip the larger end of the scale. If you have a hang up with the prices being on the high side then you can always justify it as having 2 meals.
(3)
Jeremy B.
I was having trouble thinking of something to write to be honest. My first thought was to be a snob and say this is a typical American style restaurant. It gives the appearance of being fancy, but in reality its just a plain old chain restaurant. The reason I am giving this place an AOK is, I would not say Im a fan, which puts visions of me in the stands wearing a fur coat and holding a little banner with J Alexanders on it, like I was rooting for Harvard in the 1930s. I would not say Meh, I've experienced better because that seems to be too dismissal. I would say that J Alexanders fills the needed niche of good for lunch meetings and good for not in the mood to experiment with new places. Our waiter was great, which made it better and the food was good. Now just to clarify, I have no problem with chain restaurants, have worked in them and have eaten in them all my life. The way I see this place is..if I were 17 and going to the prom and wanted to find a place that gives the appearance of romantic, then this is where I would go. Large booths, low lighting, and a nice price range of food. So, in conclusion, I thought the place had good food and service, and was exactly as expected.
(3)
Katie K.
favorite restaraunt by the woldchase mall, but in memphis you can definately find better restaraunts. i would recommend ordering the rattlesnake pasta. The atmosphere is nice.
(3)
Elle S.
Screw Ruth's chris and houston's this place has the best filet and orzo and wild rice and mashed potatos.. YUM YUM.. and house salad dressing and the managers are nazis when it comes to good service!
(5)
Deen W.
J. Alexanders may be a little pricy to most, but anyone with a little self control can easily just eat half and take the rest home for another meal. I have a few favorites...the prime rib sandwich, the Hawaiian ribeye, and the Hyde Park chicken sandwich come to mind. Oh yes, and the cheeseburger! Their macaroni and cheese is OUTSTANDING. (I wish I could figure out what they put in it!) The smashed potatoes and shoestring fries are good as well. I think this place pales in comparison to Ruth's Chris, but it is very comparable to Houston's. And keep in mind that if you take half home, that $24 dollar entree equals out to 2 wonderful meals. (I can talk myself into anything)
(4)
LK S.
Most people can't go here without putting it in the budget. As a Memphis special occasion dinner, this is difficult to beat. Saturday evening, I had the grilled salmon with herb butter and the wild rice and orzo side. (It was a special and not on the menu.) Every dish, from appetizer to salad to side to main to dessert is top notch. A trip to J.Alex is a preview of heaven. Please do not eat for two days prior to visiting. The portions are supersized (as are prices). Saturday instead of a normal piece of carrot cake, I think the piece dropped at my table weighed seven pounds. The starter salad was almost the size of a volleyball. The salmon was at least 16 square inches. The rice and orzo side (wow, I can't even begin to describe the tastebud wonderment) was the size of a softball. Lisa the server dropped by the right amount of times and made great suggestions. Of course I'll be back, after I save up my money for a year.
(5)
Suzanne M.
One of my favorite restaurants. It is a bit pricey so we don't go there but once or twice a year but we love it. My fave is the prime rib and they have the best side salad of any restaurant I have ever been to. I have also always gotten good service there.
(5)
Bryan N.
Fantastic food! I have only been here once, but I was impressed with the quality of their food. I ordered a prime rib sandwich, I believe, and it was amazingly delicious. I was a little worried the prices would be ridiculous, but they were fair for the type of dining that it fits into. The sandwiches range anywhere from $11 to $19, and their other entrees are in the $20 range. A very fair deal for the quality of food and service. Speaking of service, the service staff was excellent. Our waiter arrived at just the right times to bring us a new glass of tea or more condiments. Fantastic service. I was very impressed to say the least. The dining experience is definitely for folks on dates. The dining room is very dimly lit in the evening and the tables are spaced fairly far apart to give the impression of isolation. I highly recommend this locale for folks looking for a nice, quiet date place.
(5)
Ali B.
A big group of friends and I decided to dine at J Alexander's . The atmosphere was wonderful. Not having dined here before, I asked our server for recoomendations. I was recommended the fillet kabobs by my server, Janice. The food was excellent! The service was wonderful. Janice was attentive, caring, and able to answer any questions we might have had. My friends and I will definitly be going back , as long as we can have Janice as our waitress again!
(5)
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Address :2670 N Germantown Pkwy
Memphis, TN, 38133
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Pari P.
Every year, my wife and I visit her extended family for Fourth of July weekend. I learned that Memphis has a lot of good places to eat other than just BBQ. After several meals of ribs and pulled pork, we wanted to something different and dined at J Alexander's. The interior is clean and sophisticated with a nice ambience. It's a large restaurant that can hold a lot of people. Once you walk in, you know that you are going to be dining well with good service. Even though I love Memphis BBQ, one of the things that I crave the most when I'm there is actually J Alexander's Not Your Ordinary Mac and Cheese. Although they have other locations, the Memphis location's mac and cheese is something remarkable. This is a side dish that is simply a must have. It's so good that I'm tempted to order it to go just by itself. I don't have the recipe but I have an idea of what is it in. My guess is that they use more than one type of cheese since it was creamy, gooey, and had the right cheese flavor. It's almost as if they used some aged cheese for an extra kick. It also had some Latin flavors that made it unique. I think I tasted smoked poblano peppers for some heat and cilantro which really blew my mind. These additions really made it beyond the ordinary. After I tried the mac and cheese for the first time, I was determined to contact their corporate office to convince them to change the name to Out of this World Mac and Cheese or something that was more suiting to the taste. I tried ordering it at their location in Northbrook, IL but was sadly disappointed since it wasn't the same recipe. It was still good but it didn't have as much of an out of body experience as the location in Memphis. If you live in the Memphis area or have a J Alexander's around you, I would definitely recommend dining here. The prices are what you expect for a restaurant of this caliber and you will be satisfied with the quality of the food and service.
(4)G H.
This is a chain place that I'll gladly go to. I've tried nearly everything on their menu. Everything is fantastic, but one dish stands out among the rest. Their prime rib is so tender, you can cut it with a fork. It's so juicy, you might need a bib. The chicken... Wow, perfectly seasoned and also juicy a flavorful. The smashed potatoes are a treat. They don't skimp on the serving size for them either. Last but not least, their "Not Your Ordinary Mac and Cheese" POW! The blend of a creamy texture, rich yet subtle taste, topped with bread crumbs is magnificent. ( be careful, it's hot) I've eaten prime rib all over the nation, this one easily ranks inside my top 3. Side note.... The service has always been on point, but do take your wallet cause for 2 people, it'll cost $55+ easily for dinner.
(5)Angel F.
My first time here. I oredered fish tachos. They were OK, but nothing to come running back for. Also the price $15 is a little steep for 2 tachos and some rice. Atmosphere is nice if you like a dark, cozy enviroment.
(3)Chris G.
This place easily has the best prime rib in Memphis. It also has the best mashed potatoes that I have ever put into my mouth. The atmosphere is very nice (great place for a date or a romantic dinner) and the service is polished and professional. The prices are a litte steep, but you get what you pay for. The dinner salads are HUGE so if you are ordering one with your entree, consider sharing.
(5)Rebecca S.
Always delicious food&drink and exceptional service. If dining at the bar ask for the pimento cheese!
(5)Ian P.
Different tasting steak on wood fire stove but good. Didn't care for the baked potato. Good wine selection
(3)Kevin M.
Sunday Lunch with family was a really good experience all way around. Service was on top of their game at every turn. We ordered the spinich dip to start off and after 15min realized it had not made it to the table . The Manager, not our server, came out to apologize for the delay. He explained that a larger order had delayed the dip but that it was on its way and at no charge. He came back during our meal to check in on how the food was prepared and to see if we were enjoying our meals. The food here is better than average b but the service from the front desk person, the wait staff, and the Managers make this place 5 Stars. I love good d food but really love great service.
(5)Kayla B.
My most recent experience here was great! From the moment I stepped on, it was apparent that customer service is supposed to be at the forefront of the minds of the staff. Someone ged the door open for me, asked how my day was, and immediately led me to a nice booth even though I was eating alone. From there my waiter (Ryan Herd, I learned from my receipt), immediately came to get my drink order, then again to ask if I wanted an appetizer or salad to start. I opted-out. I explained that I hadn't been to this restaurant in quite some time and that I may need some help choosing my meal. Ryan was more than happy to go through the ingredients and preparations of the menu items I was interested in. With his help, I finally decided on the veggie burger. It was fantastic!!! It actually takes the cake as my new favorite veggie burger (followed by the oat burger at Otherlands). The thick, juicy burger was oat based and was comprised of a whole host of other veggies including beets (BEETS!!!!). It came with lettuce, cheese, red onion, tomato, and pickle on a delicious toasted bun. I chose broccoli (which came sprinkled with parmesan! Yum!) as my side. I finished held my meal, then got the rest wrapped to go. I decided to follow this up with the Creme brûlée, which was the special desert of the day. It was absolutely perfect. It was creamy and decadent, filled with vanilla beans, and topped with that perfectly crisp sugar crust that Creme brûlée is known for. Then they put a dollop of whipped cream on top with berries and mint. It was a huge and heavenly; I went to bed dreaming of having it again. Other things to note: My waiter was so attentive. I can't remember a moment that my water glass had less than a sip missing from it. My mom has gone with a group of friends and had the same waiter. She had nothing but high praise for him! Other people brought out my creme brûlée and answered questions I had with a smile! I really enjoyed the customer service and the food. It was a fantastic overall experience!
(5)L W.
A crowd favorite that never disappoints. An awesome experience that satisfies again and again. Perfect date atmosphere, in case you were wondering. Go and life is good. Ooh yeah... Chocolate cake. That. Is. All!
(4)Stefan K.
Best Alexanders I've been too, regular Prime rib is excellent, Cajun Prime rib special was way too salty. Atlanta needs to step because I've this one puts them too shame. In other news I've gained 10 lbs since my special assignment too Tennessee. Thanks a lot Tennessee it's clearly your fault. And yes I'll have the crème brûlée. Duh... Why would you even ask?
(5)Hoda A.
Hailey was our server tonight, she was so attentive and polite and made excellent recommendations. I had the ahi tuna salad and an iced coffee, delicious! Don't leave without having the chocolate cake!
(5)Raechel P.
My colleagues and I were in town for a work training nearby. Since we are all from different states we relied on other yelp reviews to make our decision on where to dine. We were tired of bbq and wanted to try something else so we went to J Alexander's. They gave us a warm welcome and seated us right away. Our server was Mark and he was fantastic. He was knowledgable about the menu, gave great recommendations and was very patient with all of our questions and special requests. Not to mention he was very friendly and funny. The food was delicious!!!!! The Mac and cheese, chicken Milanese, coffee crusted rib eye and sushi rolls were some of the tables favorites! We had a great experience and would highly recommend it to anyone coming to town! Thanks Mark!!
(5)Rebecca C.
I always love this place. The food is great, and the staff are excellent. I usually get the prime rib, will say that the staff needs to be trained to offer horseradish up front. Prime rib, in my mind, always comes with creamed horseradish so it's a but disappointing to get this awesome plate and then have to wait for your server to leave and come back with horseradish after you ask. If you are in the mood for dessert, do yourself a favor and order the carrot cake. It is seriously to die for, served hot, and can feed like four people for $6-$7. Love this place, will be back!
(5)Jackie K.
They don't take to-go orders over the phone. Ordering the food at the bar then waiting at the restaurant defeats the purpose of getting a portable quick meal. How disappointing! I'll call Firebirds next door. They'll be happy to take my money.
(1)Kimberly D.
Great food! Love the atmosphere! Chocolate cake is the worlds best! I love this place.
(5)Emily R.
The creamy chicken soup with white meat chicken and penne pasta is yummy.i also love the crispy fresh house salad with the tangy champagne vinaigrette . The cheese burger is huge and it has a nice smokey flavor from the grl. The server is constantly refilling beverages and cleaning the table. The service is above average. The decor is warm and upscale. Prices are reasonable
(4)Jason D.
We were in town for the holidays and haven't been here in years so we remembered we liked it and thought we'd stop in and have a nice dinner. We called to check on the wait and were told 30 mins and that we could be put on call ahead to be seated. We arrived and had to wait another 45 mins. After getting seated we were rushed. We ordered an appetizer because we were starving but our salads came out before it, then our meal arrived after we were done with out Salads so we ate our steak. As we finished our steak our waitress came up and asked to box up our appetizer and we hadn't had any of it, so we were frustrated and annoyed so we said yes. When we got home we found less than half of our cheese dip and no salsa. We were at our table for 35 minutes with a $70+ check for 2. Extremely upset and warning everyone to stay away, try something else and spend your money on a place that respects you and takes good care of you. Firebirds, Rafferty's, just about anywhere else at this price point. Paris our waitress seemed to be in another world, disconnected, and lost. I know they have to turn tables but my goodness!! I will say this, everything we had was really good. The Steak Maui and Side Salad and Queso (which we ate when we got home) was really good. No bread but... the sweet tea was good as well.
(1)Andrea G.
They have changed their name to "Redland's Grill" -- per the staff nothing else has changed - ownership, menu ect. - still the same. Just new name.
(5)Deborah D.
If I want a good meal in a relaxing atmosphere, J. Alexander's is a great place for lunch and dinner. The first few years, the service was excellent, but inconsistent now. The food is still great and you can't beat the prime rib and the fried chicken salad! (There is plenty for another meal.
(4)Steven L.
I haven't been to J Alexanders in awhile and decided to come here with a group of guys to just hang out. Our server was very attentive and made sure everyone got their food and if we needed a refill on our drinks. Majority of us ordered steak and prime rib. My filet was cooked just right (med rare) while my other friends had the ribeye. One had a slightly overcooked ribeye (med well) and was offered an apology and a new steak. Even the manager came to apologize afterwards. Our table was rewarded with some chocolate cake and ice cream for the trouble afterwards. That just hit the spot at the end of our meal and was much appreciated.
(3)Shana D.
The Shrimp Tacos were really good. It was too much food for lunch time though. I wish they had smaller portions available on a lunch menu.
(4)Dermesh M.
The server was very nice & attentive, the food was awesome..I ordered steak & mac n cheese which tasted so good. Lemonade was refreshing also.
(5)Phil K.
Stopped in here after 8 hours drive from Dallas. What a great storke of luck finding this top shelf eatery. I had the Filet Ctr Cut medium rare cooked perfectly. Wife had the Scottish Salmon just great - both entries are winners. Seat at the bar and had very attentive service.
(5)M M.
Visited on a Monday evening.. seated right away. I had the most delightful waitress. who wore the most beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. I ordered, at her suggestion, a lemon drop martini.. delish My dinner was a New York Strip with the N.Y.O. mac n cheese.. not your ordinary is absolutely accurate. deliciously prepared fresh to order. I could only eat a small portion because I absolutely had to try the key lime pie. Heart stopper. . amazing with graham cracker and pecan crust.. mouth watering. .check Overall... a perfect visit. Could only be better if my husband were able to join me. Definitely on the re-visit list.
(4)Ted J.
Generally very good food and entrees. I've dined there perhaps a dozen times and usually enjoyed my meal. Watch out as some of the side items are not as described! They push orzo and wild rice as the default side item. It is not listed on the menu as being served cold-- but it is. Very cold. And it tastes terrible. Maybe I'm alone, but I need to know if a soup is going to be served cold as well as any side-items. While the waitress offered to replace it very late in my meal I was having trouble getting the taste of this item out of my mouth. I'll give them 3 stars because 90% of the food is good. But this item is not good, not well described, and is for select tastes. Blew the $70 meal for me.
(3)Gary H.
Had a business lunch that was not the best experience. The waiter forgot my beverage and my food order. Even though there was food in fron tof the rest of the party - he could not figure out that there was something amiss. He then tried to blame the kitchen, saying they overcooked the food the first time and had to recook it - it came out refridgerator cold. The manager came by to make sure everything was OK and I explained what had happened and that the waiter lied to me. We all make mistakes - own up to it - take responsibility. The manager then mumbled as he walked "maybe the rest of your party can have a positive experience". No - I did not dare eat the leftovers No - they did not comp my lunch
(1)Danielle M.
Decided to go here while looking for another steakhouse besides Outback near Wolfchase mall. had the Steak Brazzo, and it was pretty good, the gravy was a tad bit more acidic than perfect, but it isn't anything to complain about. My son had the mac and cheese, I finished what he did not and as other reviewers have said, it's pretty damn good. A bit pricier, it's trying to sell itself as a classy atmosphere so that's why. I'll return soon to try more of the menu.
(4)J Penelope Walkininit S.
I love the Salmon Dip. It was great enough to be a stand alone meal. The pomegranate martini was the best I have had to date and you definitely get your money's worth. I also had a lemon drop martini and it was good as well. The Mauhi rib eye was good, it had a teriyaki glaze that was nice. I asked for a side of seasoning to satisfy my rational steak taste bud but I found myself using the glaze on the side versus the steak sauce. In all I spent $80 but I got a steak entree, two martinis, appetizer and a $10 tip. If you are on a budget this probably shouldn't be your first choice but the food, service and ambiance was worth it.
(5)Jessica M.
I'm a big fan of J Alexander. At one point I would eat here once a week. For the most part the service is normally terrific. Every once in a while you run into someone who doesn't live up to your expectation. Now to the food :) I'm a big fan of the Spanish queso I decided to try something different tonight. I tried the BBQ flatbread and it was totally not a good idea. I took one bite and realized it wasn't for me. Maybe you'll like it but yuck! OAN: if your in the mood for pasta...go with the rattlesnake pasta. I will warn you it's spicy. Desert: try the carrot cake! Yummy
(4)Teri C.
Awesome food!! And waiter Adam very polite & professional!! Atmosphere 100!!! LVE everything!!
(5)Thuy H.
I came here on a Tuesday evening with a group of friends without a reservation and luckily, I was seated immediately. Our server was very nice. She was very patient and helpful. I ordered the Ahi Steak Tuna. I have to admit that it was the best ahi steak tuna I've ever had! The texture, taste, and everything were perfect! Overall, the food and service were amazing. I can't wait to pay J.Alexander's another visit!
(5)Patrick P.
Love coming here when in Memphis. Veggie burger is good, gluten free ahi tuna is good, kids menu if u ask!
(5)Jaronica S.
It would have been a 5 but we had a crappy waitress. It was the end of her shift so I'm guessing she was burnt out. The food was amazing. I got the steak and fries (I traded the fries for a loaded baked potato). The potato was the largest I've ever seen in a restaurant and it was amazing. It has dim lighting and a great place for a date.
(4)John L.
Sunday evening my wife and I went there for dinner. Atmosphere was great food was so so. Not much to brag about. I had the filet with mushroom sauce which was salty and my wife had the NY strip with Mac and cheese. Mac and cheese was salty also. Waitress was not too attentive. Brought drinks again after dinner was done. We left with the bill of about $100 with tip. Food was so so service was little below average. Prices was ok. Won't go back again.
(2)Dawn M.
We rarely eat here for dinner because the prices are very high. Tonight an old friend invited us out. I had the steak Brazzo and they both had the Scottish salmon. My steak was medium and a bit tough but they enjoyed the salmon and orzo . The ambience, service and sourdough bread is great but I will stick with lunch.
(4)Mitch Z.
one of my regular spots,great service and excellent food Prime rib sandwich ,Mahi Tuna.BIG salads,great burgers and excellent mac and cheese,,,huge drinks also..
(5)Doug S.
We have eaten at J alexander's twice in the last month. In both cases we were disappointed in the food and the service. In the first case one of our guests got an inedible steak. The first time it was not prepared properly, and the second time when prepared properly was not fit to eat.The restaurant did remove the charge for the steak off of our bill, after we strongly suggested that to them. Most recently we received very poor service. We asked for Bread and were told we needed to buy it. We asked for extra plates to share a salad with Others and they never brought them.we asked about the spiciness of a meal, and were told that it was not spicy at all. When it came it was terribly spicy even for those of us who enjoys spicy food. The waitress was unprofessional and became angry when we complained. It used to be that this was a decent restaurant to go to. We will not be returning.
(1)Raymond B.
I really like J. Alexander's for a few reasons: consistency, quality, and the overwhelming number of refills that are brought to your table. I don't know why it's not 5 stars... just something says "not 5 stars." It's a little dark, so I like to sit by the windows, and when it comes to a place to have a 'nice' lunch or bring clients / work colleagues, J. Alexander's can't be beat. I recommend the fish tacos... because I always recommend fish tacos. You want some iced tea... unsweet... and need 5 million refills? This is your place. Service is great, drinks are solid, food is consistent and quality. Give it a go.
(4)Robert C.
Probably the best steakhouse/upscale American place in that part of town. The food is consistently excellent, as is the service. Nice atmosphere without being stuffy- it's a notch below the top steakhouses in town, but it feels like they're very comfortable with that and understand their niche. Prices accordingly as well. Great place to go on "date night" when you want a nice meal without dropping a couple hundred dollars. The sandwiches and salads are great as well. French Dip is outstanding. Desserts very good as well. Overall, one of my favorite places in this part of town.
(4)Katie M.
Absolutely phenomenal!!! Service is top notch and the food is cooked to perfection. The restaurant pays close attention to detail and I've never ever left hungry. The new York strip is melt in your mouth delicious and DO NOT miss out on the "not your ordinary Mac n cheese" I could seriously eat the Mac n cheese everyday of my life if possible!! And if you're already full, order the carrot cake to go, I've never once been a fan of carrot cake but DAMN it's served warm with icing it would suit anyone with a sweet tooth, regardless if u like carrot cake or not. Cannot come up with any critisism. Bring your friends and split the food because there's plenty to go around!
(5)T B.
Everyone, regardless ethnicity, should be treated equally. This includes bad behavior too. Management is too afraid to maintain a nice quiet atmosphere. This place is too expensive for me to feel like I am eating at Chuck e Cheese.
(1)Dean D.
First time here and very happy. Food was great and so was the service. Had their Salmon Sandwich for lunch with a side of fries. My buddy had the Prime Rib Sandwich which looked great. We finished up with their outstanding carrot cake for desert. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Mark D.
Called 2 days ahead for reservations for party of 10; hostess said they didn't take reservations but we shouldn't have any problem getting seated...on a Friday night...at 7 pm. So I called again on the Friday and spoke to the manager and he confirmed their no-reservation policy but assured us they would "take care of us". So we waited an hour and a half for a cramped booth that we had to scramble into like a jungle gym. Worst of all, one of our party's wallet was stolen and she started getting warning texts from her banks during our meal about unauthorized transactions. The meal itself was forgettable; the pork tenderloin with bang-bang sauce was cloying and artificial-tasting. The carrot cake was syrupy sweet with a mushy texture. Crowded, mediocre, and unsafe experience. Will not repeat!
(1)Ash L.
I love this place. It is so good! The steaks are delicious. The baked potato is good. The Mac-n-cheese is out of this world. The spinach queso dip is so yummy. Steak tacos are delicious too. Everything I have tried here is great. The service is wonderful too. I've never had a bad experience here.
(5)Joe W.
I recommend J Alexander's as a nice place for a good steak and good conversation. After visiting here a few times, I expect to spend $25-ish a person, get great service, and have everything turn out perfectly. The restaurant is tasteful and upscale but no problem wearing your casual clothes if you feel like it. I'm not a big dessert guy with my meals, but everybody says their carrot cake is amazing too.
(5)Karen I.
We have always received wonderful service and the food has never disappointed. The rattlesnake pasta is one of my favorites. If you are looking for a great hamburger I promise you will happy.
(5)Chris J.
I have not been to J. Alexander's in years because I moved to a location that didn't have one. My wife and I used to love frequenting this place. Although I have been here several times, I have never had their prime rib. I must say that the prime rib here is possibly one of the best that I have ever tasted, particularly when it is paired with a good Pinot Noir!
(5)Erica B.
J. Alexanders isn't a very memorable place for me. Aside from their mac and cheese- which is the sole winner of those 3 points above- nothing here is anything short of mediocre. It isn't delicious, yet it also isn't inedible. The food is standard for a chain that leans towards the upscale side. The staff here has always been above average on my visits. I haven't encountered the negativity that most have. I just feel like everything here from the menu to the decor is pretty generic which doesn't reflect on the price point. I can think of a dozen Memphis establishments I would prefer to dine in when paying a price tag like this. Restaurants that are locally owned and have a more diverse menu for that price. The mac and cheese? Yeah- they get a high five for that one. I have no clue what they put in it, but the crusty top and the creamy cheese combo is out of this world ridiculous. Go for this alone.
(3)Samantha B.
I went here for my wedding and one other special occasion. The food is really good, but I do not feel like it is my cup of tea. My husband loves it, but I'm good. It's really expensive and the food is just ok.
(3)Jeremy T.
Great steak, drinks, and service. I typically go here in the winter. I don't know why. I just do.
(4)Natalie L.
I LOVE this restaurant! The grilled chicken salad with tortilla strips is amazing. i've also had the prime rib sandwich with au jus and it never disappoints. I know no one really looks to restaurants like these for fried chicken but their chicken fingers are some of the best I've ever had. They also have those amazing french fries that are so tiny but so full of flavor. I definitely recommend this restaurant for a nice family dinner or date night.
(5)Michael H.
Enjoyed a birthday meal here this evening. Food and service was excellent! Waitresses were friendly. The atmosphere is nice, but quite dark. Makes for more intimate conversation. I ordered the old fashioned cheeseburger - delicious! The portions are quite large so plan on taking some to go! That means two meals for the price of one! (Which is good because this place isn't exactly cheap.) I recommend you try this place out!
(5)Jungle J.
Thought we would give them a second chance. Mac & Cheese is delicious. The steak was too fatty for the price. Service was a little better than last time so I'll give it one more star. I'm just not impressed...
(3)N. P.
I really enjoyed J. Alexander's. I liked the environment -- big windows with darkly upholstered seating and lots of rich wood decor. A bustling crowd -- we arrived without a reservation and were able to get a table at the bar. I ordered salmon with smashed potatoes. The wait for the food was not that long, given how crowded the place was. Let me just write that the smashed potatoes are amazing. So creamy, rich, and filling. And the salmon was high-quality, and tasted fresh. Really loved the meal, and I had plenty for lunch the next day. The service was friendly and attentive, without feeling rushed. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Brandi B.
Great Service. Great atmosphere. Great food. Highly recommend Alex's Salad.
(5)Keith K.
I wish we had one of these in SC...... A must eat at place for me when I am in memphis.
(5)Penny N.
Yuck, yuck, yuck! Steak and fries was horrible!! I couldn't have been more disappointed and was very sad to taste my food once I received it. Not a pleasant experience. No bread with salad. Hubby ordered the steak burger and it was excellent, so if you are forced to choose something to eat, try that.
(2)Erica K.
There is plenty to love about this restaurant! A good selection of very tasty food (appetizers, entrees, and desserts included), experienced bartenders serving well-made drinks, and excellent customer service. It is a little pricy, but that helps limit the number of kids, and makes it a special occasion restaurant. Highly recommend.
(5)Perry M.
The lunch crew was on its way for burgers Friday and decided to drop the few extra bucks for one at Alexander's. Three of us ordered the Pierre, Alexander's cutesy name for a burger with grilled onions and Gruyere cheese. The burger didn't disappoint. The grilled onions and gruyere are naturals, having long ago become a couple in French onion soup. (I can't give J. Alex's a big shout-out for creativity, but they deserve one for capitalizing on the obvious.) The burger was cooked to perfection. I asked for mine to be cooked just enough to be safe. Salute to the grillmaster. It was perfect. Alexander's thin-cut potato straw fries come with the burger at no extra charge. The other dude in our lunch crew ordered the Thai Kai salad, which I've had before. But because three of us went carnivorous and only one ordered a (by comparison) healthy choice, we made merciless fun of him the entire meal, including suggesting to the waiter that he put a little paper parasol to plant in the salad, like in a fru-fru cocktail. The J. Alex's burger is--again--a little pricey as burgers go. I've had pricier--Ruth's Chris in KC comes to mind. Still, it was delicious and memorable.
(5)Robert W.
Food for this visit was excellent, price was reasonable, many menu items are unreasonable. Don't waste your money on the lukewarm coffee. It is ALWAYS lukewarm or cold and is horrible. Go across the street and get a Starbucks coffee. Service is generally excellent, this visit it was outstanding. Rattlesnake Pasta is greasy, almost impossible to eat. Hamburgers are great, if you like french fries, baked potato, mashed potatoes, you'll love it I haven't eaten here much since they stopped the "cornbread pan" and lied and said it was a "corporate decision". I called "corporate" and was told this was decided by the individual units1 Why lie about it? This visit, the salad and my hamburger were wonderful, so I may forgive them and start coming back. However, they will need to do something about that lukewarm, poor quality coffee.
(3)Don C.
Best fish tacos I've had this year. Wine served at cellar temperature. Service was great!
(4)Matthew N.
We enjoyed a great family lunch on a Saturday. There were six of us, and we each enjoyed our meals. We were pleasantly surprised when the manager comped us for two salads in our party due to the salads arriving four minutes after the rest of the food. We would not have complained about this, but are impressed they noticed and acted on this. Great food, great service.
(5)Daemon W.
This place has the best macaroni-and-cheese dish I've ever tasted. The wait staff is extremely friendly (at least in my experience), and whenever family is is town for an event I always make sure I bring them here.
(4)Colleen G.
So I've only been here once. But the experience I had was enough to steer me away. I went a few months ago, later on a Saturday evening. I ordered the pork tenderloin, and my fiance ordered a ribeye. When we got our food, mine was cold, and his steak had plastic wrap stuck to the bottom of it. Tried finding our server to address the issue, but she was severely missing in action. The manager came over and gave us a generic response: "Oh sorry... these things do happen..." Yeeeahh... For all the hype that J's gets, I really didn't see it that evening. I will say they make a decent martini. UPDATE 8/21/11: Went back. Food was MUCH better this time. The prime rib was excellent, and therefore changes my rating from 2 stars to 3. I will say that the service was still on the pretentious side; I felt like I was being talked down to a lot. I *do* know what haricot vert means, thanks. I guess I'll go back, but not very often.
(3)David L.
Had a glass of the tilton malbeck red. Pretty good wine for $7. The Alexander salad was pretty sized. The chicken malanese was nicely cooked and breaded. The mashed potato came with the butter unmelted which was pretty unappetizing and was too salted. The wait staff at the bar was pretty attentive and nice. No happy hour. The last time I had the prime rib and it was pretty dry. But then again it was in a different city.
(3)Roup P.
In my opinion, the BEST restaurant in Memphis. Always great service and fantastic food. A better version of Houston's and Houston's is very good!
(5)K-Dawg A.
J.Alexander's is AMAZING. I've eaten at J's in 5 locations & they never let me down. Food & service is impeccable. Go now!!
(5)Loran L.
Enjoy eating here. Food and service are consistently good.
(5)Phillip F.
Impressed again, this time for dinner instead of lunch. The experience was outstanding, especially when you consider the cost! Everything from the complimentary pimento dip at the bar (excellent) to the grilled artichoke appetizer to the perfectly grilled filet that was better than one that cost me 3 times as much at Folks Folly bespoke quality ingredients and careful attention. Beer/wine selection is quality vice quantity. Not an overwhelming number of choices, but all are good through the various price ranges with some "off the beaten path" options that pleasantly surprise. Service was prompt and attentive without being overbearing. Atmosphere is nice, but not pretentious. I guess a true 5 star restaurant would have 5 star attitude and clientele, which this place does not. But that is why I am giving it 5 stars. If you compare what you get for the price you can not beat this place. PERIOD!
(5)Misty R.
J. Alexander's reminds me a lot of Houston's- good, consistent service, offering fresh, quality food. It's a little on the pricey side, but you are guaranteed a good meal with excellent service every time, I have never been disappointed. The portions are huge, I usually share an entree or take half (or more) of it home. My favorites are the prime rib, ahi tuna, the salads (all of the veggies are chopped up very finely and the dressings are great). If you have a sweet tooth the carrot cake is a must (they almost serve you the whole cake!) and the so darn good chocolate cake. If you go for lunch, the bar service is good and quick. There is a nice sized outdoor patio and they offer a good wine list.
(3)Cathy S.
Food was great and plentiful. Our table of 4 ordered 4 different entrees and 2 different desserts. I got the Thai Kai Salad. Really good but they forgot the peanuts. Having had it with and now without, it really is MADE with the peanuts! Chocolate cake was good, too.
(4)Carol M.
The food is good (carrot cake is great!), ambiance is okay (a little too dark for me, personally), and the service is always consistently great. The portions do tend to tip the larger end of the scale. If you have a hang up with the prices being on the high side then you can always justify it as having 2 meals.
(3)Jeremy B.
I was having trouble thinking of something to write to be honest. My first thought was to be a snob and say this is a typical American style restaurant. It gives the appearance of being fancy, but in reality its just a plain old chain restaurant. The reason I am giving this place an AOK is, I would not say Im a fan, which puts visions of me in the stands wearing a fur coat and holding a little banner with J Alexanders on it, like I was rooting for Harvard in the 1930s. I would not say Meh, I've experienced better because that seems to be too dismissal. I would say that J Alexanders fills the needed niche of good for lunch meetings and good for not in the mood to experiment with new places. Our waiter was great, which made it better and the food was good. Now just to clarify, I have no problem with chain restaurants, have worked in them and have eaten in them all my life. The way I see this place is..if I were 17 and going to the prom and wanted to find a place that gives the appearance of romantic, then this is where I would go. Large booths, low lighting, and a nice price range of food. So, in conclusion, I thought the place had good food and service, and was exactly as expected.
(3)Katie K.
favorite restaraunt by the woldchase mall, but in memphis you can definately find better restaraunts. i would recommend ordering the rattlesnake pasta. The atmosphere is nice.
(3)Elle S.
Screw Ruth's chris and houston's this place has the best filet and orzo and wild rice and mashed potatos.. YUM YUM.. and house salad dressing and the managers are nazis when it comes to good service!
(5)Deen W.
J. Alexanders may be a little pricy to most, but anyone with a little self control can easily just eat half and take the rest home for another meal. I have a few favorites...the prime rib sandwich, the Hawaiian ribeye, and the Hyde Park chicken sandwich come to mind. Oh yes, and the cheeseburger! Their macaroni and cheese is OUTSTANDING. (I wish I could figure out what they put in it!) The smashed potatoes and shoestring fries are good as well. I think this place pales in comparison to Ruth's Chris, but it is very comparable to Houston's. And keep in mind that if you take half home, that $24 dollar entree equals out to 2 wonderful meals. (I can talk myself into anything)
(4)LK S.
Most people can't go here without putting it in the budget. As a Memphis special occasion dinner, this is difficult to beat. Saturday evening, I had the grilled salmon with herb butter and the wild rice and orzo side. (It was a special and not on the menu.) Every dish, from appetizer to salad to side to main to dessert is top notch. A trip to J.Alex is a preview of heaven. Please do not eat for two days prior to visiting. The portions are supersized (as are prices). Saturday instead of a normal piece of carrot cake, I think the piece dropped at my table weighed seven pounds. The starter salad was almost the size of a volleyball. The salmon was at least 16 square inches. The rice and orzo side (wow, I can't even begin to describe the tastebud wonderment) was the size of a softball. Lisa the server dropped by the right amount of times and made great suggestions. Of course I'll be back, after I save up my money for a year.
(5)Suzanne M.
One of my favorite restaurants. It is a bit pricey so we don't go there but once or twice a year but we love it. My fave is the prime rib and they have the best side salad of any restaurant I have ever been to. I have also always gotten good service there.
(5)Bryan N.
Fantastic food! I have only been here once, but I was impressed with the quality of their food. I ordered a prime rib sandwich, I believe, and it was amazingly delicious. I was a little worried the prices would be ridiculous, but they were fair for the type of dining that it fits into. The sandwiches range anywhere from $11 to $19, and their other entrees are in the $20 range. A very fair deal for the quality of food and service. Speaking of service, the service staff was excellent. Our waiter arrived at just the right times to bring us a new glass of tea or more condiments. Fantastic service. I was very impressed to say the least. The dining experience is definitely for folks on dates. The dining room is very dimly lit in the evening and the tables are spaced fairly far apart to give the impression of isolation. I highly recommend this locale for folks looking for a nice, quiet date place.
(5)Ali B.
A big group of friends and I decided to dine at J Alexander's . The atmosphere was wonderful. Not having dined here before, I asked our server for recoomendations. I was recommended the fillet kabobs by my server, Janice. The food was excellent! The service was wonderful. Janice was attentive, caring, and able to answer any questions we might have had. My friends and I will definitly be going back , as long as we can have Janice as our waitress again!
(5)