J. Alexander’s (Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach Gardens, Plantation, Tampa, Orlando)
***** J. Alexander’s, 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 (561) 347-9875.
J. Alexanders is an “American Style” national chain joint…over the years, I have eaten in the Boca Raton location twice and once in the Plantation joint. Check J. Alexander’s website www.jalexanders.com for menu/prices/locations.
Let’s do– “chain pecking order” on food quality…from the bottom-up, we got (joints like most of the) You Name It Sports Bar, Applebee’s…then we got guys like Friday’s–Ruby Tuesday’s–Chili’s, then we got players like Houston’s-The Cheesecake Factory…just roughing this out for you.
I’m gonna put J. Alexanders one notch down the old totem pole from Houston’s and The Cheesecake Factory
J. Alexander’s menu is loaded with appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, meat-seafood-chicken entrees. As for price-point, roughly in the same range as Houston’s or The Cheesecake Factory.
Yesterday’s outing netted me…bacon cheeseburger, crab cakes, roast chicken, babyback ribs (there were 4 of us) and everything was just fine.
To be perfectly honest with you, when I am “thinking” American-Style stuff, I am not usually “thinking” J. Alexanders. Personally, in the chain-category, I prefer The Cheesecake Factory…just off the top of my head, I can name three “mom & pop” American-joints which “get” my business faster than any chain out there…in no particular order, J. Mark’s Restaurant & Bar (12/7/08)–Big Pink Restaurant (7/14/08)–Granger’s Bar & Grill (2/9/08).
J. Alexander’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
I live in Boca Raton. Within a 1/2 mile of my home there is a Chessecake, J. Alexanders and Grand Luxe. Cheesecake is always busy as is J. Alexanders. Grand Luxe is usually empty. Of the three I like J. Alexander’s. You should take a look at Stir Crazy which is jamming all the time.
Jeff —
There’s a big gap between Big Pink in Miami Beach and J.Marks in Pompano. Got anything good in the South Broward area?
And, sorta along the same lines, could your reviews ever be searchable by city? You already put the city in the headline of the article. Let’s face it, usually where I go to eat is determined by how close it is to me, rather than the style of food or — and I’ll admit it — the quality. Many of your reviews stress the ‘neighborhood’ factor, warning that this one or that one is no different than others throughout the area. It would be helpful to search for a city to find decent joints.
SouthOcean: Just had a chance to read your post.
Just a coincidence…but we are working on our search engine so that lists like you suggest exist.
On picks, don’t know if it is close enough to you, but a real good local joint is Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill in Fort Lauderdale (6/24/09). You may also like Brimstone Woodfire Grill in Pembroke Pines (2/23/09).
Thanks for reading…
BIG PINK??? HAVE YOU BEEN DRINKING? GARBAGIO.
J Alexanders is costly and beautiful but the food is not quite up to the price and ambience… the prime rib was nothing special. I sent mine back because I wasn’t going to pay top dollar for a prime rib full of fat and gristle. The flavor was just not there.
As for places to eat in Hwd/Ft.Laud. …try Timpanos for top of the line delicious food and great live entertainment..on LasOlas in Ft.Lauderdale. Absolutely worth the money to eat in this place. In Hoillywood ~ the Moonlight diner in Oakwood Shopping Center has great food open 24/7. Try Dandee Donut on Hollywood Blvd and 28th. Great little New York style ‘joint’. Delicious sandwiches, …sausage, egg and melted cheese on a roll or bagel and delicious donuts and coffee.. .. miss that place, Great pizza. . slice or whole pie. Also, nice restaurant inside Dave and Busters.. set like in the turn of the century…food is great. Islamarada Seafood in Hollywood..off Stirling near Bass Pro…the best sea food. .. also burgers, etc. Have fun ! Lived the area for 40 years …
Went to Boca J, Alexanders last nite 2/29/12. Had the king Cut Prime Rib.
It stated cooked to ordeer on the Menu.
A large slab of meat came to the table and was trimmed , not to much fat.
It was cold, the baked potatoe was small, it was cold as well. The manager came over and I told him it was cold. He said can I warm it up. I said if it was cooked to order , how could it be cold. No answer. I asked him how he was going to warm it up without burning it, he said I could try. I decided to eat it because you can just warm up a two inch prime rib. My suggestion , go to the alehouse , know you are paying 11.00 dollars instead of 29.00 and just accept it , better value
Boca ok but nothing special
Houston’s BBQ ribs can’t be beat.