Critic's Review

*** JAX was forced to close by the landlord and they are looking for a new location. For Catering info check their web site ****

I saw this place on my way to the Frog and Toad Pub last week, and I vaguely recall reading some good reviews. I was surprised at the size of the place, given the dollhouse proportions of Jenkin’s and Texas Hold’em. My plan to eat on Las Olas got trounced by the cold weather, so I took the opportunity to try out JAX.

Now this place isn’t on the way to anything other than the Frog and the Toad, so you’ll likely have to go out of your way to come here. Its fairly convenient as its not too far from the Commercial exit on 95.

When you walk in there’s a sense of chaos, even when it isn’t too busy. There are blackboard’s with specials all over, and pictures of the mascot pig. There’s a dining room with actual booths to the right, and the kitchen and the take out counter to the left. You place your order and you wait. I suppose you can call ahead but I didn’t.

They have specials on their web site, and you’ll have to print out the pig to get it. While this is good for marketing tracking, if you’re staying in a hotel or find the place on your cell phone you can’t get the special. Hopefully they’ll re-think this eventually. The owner seems like an allright guy so if you explain he’ll probaby give it to you anyway. I ordered the March special, a “sampler” thats supposed to be 1/2 rack of baby back ribs, 3 St. Louis Ribs, 2 sides and either corn or garlic bread.

As you can see its a ridiculous amount of food for $9.95. They gave me 4 ribs; I’m not sure if it was a mistake but its always good business to give too much than 2 little. The sides are double what you get elsewhere, and they also gave me 2 containers of a smokey BBQ sauce that I forgot to put into the picture. The food is gone now so its too late.

If the food looks good, it tastes at least as good. This is really good stuff. The ribs themselves are just fantastic; they are dryish and you put just as much sauce on as you like. I’m not a big sauce guy so they’re great with or without the sauce. The garlic bread is soft with the taste baked in; the cole slaw is creamy but a little too sweet for my taste, the beans are excellent and obviously home made with firm beans and a smooth sauce that goes perfectly with ribs. Make sure you get the beans.

Their website is a bit clunky as is the operation, but the food is first rate and the price is more than fair for what you get. Its a bit out of the way but well worth the trip.