caution with coupons (unfair use)
Beware: they will deduct the $4 childs meal with a coupon and the large pasta dishes don't count as a meal ($14)
on a recent visit...very poor service from an experienced waitress. rude and inattentive...she never acknowledged requests, though she would bring the item 5 minutes later.
she had the nerve to then add an 18%grat, of which she deserved about 2.
She charged for sodas that should come with child's meals..never offered the ice cream.    [28 Mar 2003 13:13:18]

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     ­Anonymous   

Great time in a comfortable atmosphere with good food
Jack's restaurant has good food at reasonable prices. The decor is not much to look at, but it does have a kind of comfortable homelike charm, a place where you can relax and not worry about how you're dressed. I ate there in Feb/March, at which time they had lots of St Patrick's day shamrocks and leprechauns strewn about the walls, hanging from the ceilings. I imagine these had recently replaced an equal number of hearts and cupids in honor of Valentines day. Soon to be replaced again with Easter bunnies and colored eggs.
The wine list is small but decent for the type of place it is. I was delighted that they serve Calina Merlot, a favorite of mine. I recall seeing a Kendall Jackson on the list and a decent red zinfandel that I can't recall the name of. They have a full bar, from beer to martinis.
Jack's has been a local favorite for years, but newcomers won't feel out of place when walking in the door. The atmosphere I think can best be described as friendly and unpretentious. I hesitate to call it a "family restaurant" because that always evokes for me a vision of screaming kids and crying babies, which I did not experience there, but I imagine it could happen. On the last visit to Jack's I was with a party of 12. We had 3 teenagers with us and 4 couples. There was something on the menu for everyone. The teenagers ordered huge hamburgers.
The place was packed on a Saturday night. It's not the first place I'd choose for a special quiet romantic evening. It seems like it could get loud in there with many people talking, but I was able to hear and have a conversation with the people in my party. I've been in other similar places where I can't hear the person next to me. So it seems the room acoustics at Jack's allow for conversation even when crowded.
The service was provided by a friendly young waiter named Brian. He was delightful, had a fun sense of humor, and was there whenever we needed him.
Jack's specializes in seafood: fried, baked, broiled, grilled, marinated... They also serve just about any other kind of protein you'd like: beef, pork, chicken.... My husband ordered the pan fried trout. He enjoyed it. I happen to love fried smelts, which were excelent, as they were small and not overly battered. They are the one fried food I can eat, I was able to substitute a fresh medley of vegetables instead of french fries. The kale soup was very good, about the best I've had in a restaurant. I had a Caesar salad with my meal that was also good.
The list of specials included things like Grilled Salmon with a pineapple salsa, Cajun swordfish, Mahi Mahi prepared in some unusual way I can't recall...
All in all I'd say if you want good food (even a decent glass of wine) in a relaxed, no frils atmosphere without spending too much, Jack's is a great choice.    [27 Feb 2005 08:52:08]

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     ­M Hunt,   

Just go
My friends and I have been going to Jack's for over 25 years, and always order the same thing...red or white clam sauce (not the special), fried smelts with special topping, baked clams, antipasto, clams casino and clams in garlic/oil. There is no better food than this and it doesn't hurt the wallet. I have eaten in some of the area's finest restaurants and the food here can't be beat. Sure the food at Cappricco's, The Old Canteen and other's is great, but this is different; unpretentious atmosphere, homestyle cooking that is equal to if not better!(Believe it or not)

As far as the other dishes on the menu are concerned, I haven't ever tried them, but they all look fine. By the way, call ahead to reserve a table, the wait can be very long.

So- Food- A+
Atmosphere - C (it's true, what can I say)
Drinks- B (the pitchers of beer are fine)
   [17 Nov 2006 15:27:22]

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Recommended Dishes: pasta with clams

     ­Anonymous   

#1 restaurant in Rhode Island
My family and have been going to Jack's since we can remember. It's my dad's favorite restaurant and has given us many memories. Whether its just the family or a group of 30. The menu is expansive and everyone finds something. The atmosphere is home-like and makes you feel comfortable. The service is great and the customers come first. The staff is polite and very well put together. My favorite restaurant for a casual dinner, birthday party, get together, or date. Give it a try. I wouldn't recommend going on a Saturday night. It's always packed and make sure you reserve a table. Enjoy.    [18 Mar 2007 09:01:58]

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Recommended Dishes: Fried Smelts, Eggplant parmesean, clam boil, linguine with clams sauce, buffalo tanders, garlic bread

     ­Anonymous   

This is a true family restaurant
I've heard fairly positive reviews of Jack's over the years and finally decided to see what the hype was about. I dragged my wife and daughter into the car for the thirty minute trek there and I fell in love with the place. We've been every weekend for the last two months. The menu is huge, with everything from Seafood to Portuguese to Italian and so much more. My only gripe is that I wish they took reservations for smaller tables as we recently had to wait 45 minutes for a table on a Friday night. But hey, it was worth the wait.    [10 Jul 2007 08:36:55]

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Recommended Dishes: Smelts, The Godfather Platter, Jack's White Seafood Special Pasta, Buffalo Wings, Portuguese Style Pork Chops

     ­Owen RIley