Jacob's steakhouse isn't what it used to be.

[Spacealien2]

I went back to Jacob's after a few years hoping for a good meal, I had one the last time and the service was good.

Things seem to have changed. Half of the staff had visible tattoos. Didn't expect that at a upscale restaurant. Service was lackluster.

Food was okay. Didn't seem to be as good as a few years ago.

I'm mad because they just wasted my time!

 

[JackBurton]

That’s a shame to hear. I’ve loved that place for years but once the nonsense of the King St no car thing, which I can’t seem to get a straight answer on, I just avoid that whole area now.

The food was always top quality and I’m shocked about the tattooed servers. Maybe it’s had its time?

 

[shack]

Didn't seem to be as good as a few years ago.

It's like rewatching TV shows from when you were ten years old. They are never as good as when you were younger.

 

[Ref]

It's like rewatching TV shows from when you were ten years old. They are never as good as when you were younger.

I didn't think TV was around when you were 10 years old.

 

[doggystyle99]

I went back to Jacob's after a few years hoping for a good meal, I had one the last time and the service was good.

Things seem to have changed. Half of the staff had visible tattoos. Didn't expect that at a upscale restaurant. Service was lackluster.

Food was okay. Didn't seem to be as good as a few years ago.

I'm mad because they just wasted my time!

I eat out often and the quality of steaks at Jacob's hasn't changed over the years and it's still one of the best steakhouses this city has. Some other steakhouses that have been the same in quality over the years are Morton's, La Castille and Barbarians.
Sounds like you were more disappointed with the staff having visible tattoos and decided that everything else was bad.

 

[shack]

I didn't think TV was round when you were 10 years old.

Those round TV's were very futuristic looking.

 

[Spacealien2]

I eat out often and the quality of steaks at Jacob's hasn't changed over the years and it's still one of the best steakhouses this city has. Some other steakhouses that have been the same in quality over the years are Morton's, La Castille and Barbarians.
Sounds like you were more disappointed with the staff having visible tattoos and decided that everything else was bad.

The bread, cheese puff or whatever they gave me, tasted burnt.

 

[Fun For All]

It's like rewatching TV shows from when you were ten years old. They are never as good as when you were younger.

That's true...I've been watching the original Mission Impossible in the afternoon, just not as good as I remember.

 

[shack]

That's true...I've been watching the original Mission Impossible in the afternoon, just not as good as I remember.

That one is not as bad as some:
Wild, Wild West
Lost in Space
F Troop
Get Smart
Time Tunnel

 

[K Douglas]

I've always found Jacob & Co to be the most overrated steak house in the city. Give me Barberians or Bardi's over them any day.

 

[hesikia]

Personally I prefer Harbour 60 over Jacobs. Nothing wrong with Jacob’s but I just find it over-rated.

 

[bluecolt]

I've always found Jacob & Co to be the most overrated steak house in the city. Give me Barberians or Bardi's over them any day.

I have had the privilege of visiting the wine cellar of Barberian's and have been amazed with the width and breadth of the wine collection. Apart from the considerable number of excellent locals, Californian and Australian bottles, Barberian's also has an extensive selection of First Growth Bordeaux wines comprising the four old vineyards, five, if you consider Mouton-Cadet First Growth. These would be priced in the higher four figures with some bottles exceeding ten large. Jacob's wine cellar is not as extensive and varied. In fact, only a handful of wine cellars in North America would be as impressive as Barberian's. By the way, the steaks are pretty good, too.

 

[kkelso]

Personally I prefer Harbour 60 over Jacobs. Nothing wrong with Jacob’s but I just find it over-rated.

I was a Harbour 60 guy for so many years, but the last time I went back I had very much the experience that the OP had at Jacob's. The place hadn't been kept up, and the servers were so-so.

KK

 

[wigglee]

who judges a restaurant based on whether the waiters have tats???????????

 

[gcostanza]

who judges a restaurant based on whether the waiters have tats???????????

This.
Who cares?

 

[Spacealien2]

who judges a restaurant based on whether the waiters have tats???????????

Do you like being served by a dirty bum at a fast food restaurant?

Same thing.

The waitress called me "hon" like it was some shitty dive bar. That was at Jacobs. I expected to be called "Sir" or "Mister". I just gave them a few dollar tips because that's what they deserved.

 

[essguy_]

Do you like being served by a dirty bum at a fast food restaurant?

Same thing.

The waitress called me "hon" like it was some shitty dive bar. That was at Jacobs. I expected to be called "Sir" or "Mister". I just gave them a few dollar tips because that's what they deserved.

Not sure if you’ve noticed but tattoos are not worn by just “dirty bums at a fast food restaurant”. In fact having a tattoo is almost a uniform in any kitchen these days. Shitty service is one thing, but it had nothing to do with the tats.

 

[Caspertheghost]

Jacobs over rated and over priced since day one. Paying for the cachet and location, plus attitude. But their management is amateurish. Been there 20 times so I would know (paying both personally and with corporate groups). One time their manager actually complained to me that my corporate group “didn’t drink enough tonight” to justify 2 waiters and a private room. Fuck off. It was a weeknight and the rims were otherwise not booked, and we spent a ton on food, with a couple of drinks each of reasonable wines. It was a working meeting on a big deal, not a closing where we get sloshed. I couldn’t believe what he was saying to me. They pulled a waiter off our group and so the poor waitress left was running ragged and I asked where the other one went. She sheepishlybtold me we weren’t spending enough according to the sommelier, and then when I spoke to manager he repeated that. I called different manager next day and he apologized profusely but didn’t do anything else about it. They realized who I was and how much I had spent there in past and woke up a bit. But still. As for Harbour 60, they buy WALMART beef. I have seen the cases and the truck in the back in the mornings!

 

[Spacealien2]

Not sure if you’ve noticed but tattoos are not worn by just “dirty bums at a fast food restaurant”. In fact having a tattoo is almost a uniform in any kitchen these days. Shitty service is one thing, but it had nothing to do with the tats.

People don't like to say it. But tattoos are usually found in people of a lower social class. That's what I meant by dirty bums in a fast food restaurant.

Jacobs over rated and over priced since day one. Paying for the cachet and location, plus attitude. But their management is amateurish. Been there 20 times so I would know (paying both personally and with corporate groups). One time their manager actually complained to me that my corporate group “didn’t drink enough tonight” to justify 2 waiters and a private room. Fuck off. It was a weeknight and the rims were otherwise not booked, and we spent a ton on food, with a couple of drinks each of reasonable wines. It was a working meeting on a big deal, not a closing where we get sloshed. I couldn’t believe what he was saying to me. They pulled a waiter off our group and so the poor waitress left was running ragged and I asked where the other one went. She sheepishlybtold me we weren’t spending enough according to the sommelier, and then when I spoke to manager he repeated that. I called different manager next day and he apologized profusely but didn’t do anything else about it. They realized who I was and how much I had spent there in past and woke up a bit. But still. As for Harbour 60, they buy WALMART beef. I have seen the cases and the truck in the back in the mornings!

Is there a bona fide upscale restaurant in toronto anymore? I was horrified to hear what you said.

 

[New World]

Jacobs over rated and over priced since day one. Paying for the cachet and location, plus attitude. But their management is amateurish. Been there 20 times so I would know (paying both personally and with corporate groups). One time their manager actually complained to me that my corporate group “didn’t drink enough tonight” to justify 2 waiters and a private room. Fuck off. It was a weeknight and the rims were otherwise not booked, and we spent a ton on food, with a couple of drinks each of reasonable wines. It was a working meeting on a big deal, not a closing where we get sloshed. I couldn’t believe what he was saying to me. They pulled a waiter off our group and so the poor waitress left was running ragged and I asked where the other one went. She sheepishlybtold me we weren’t spending enough according to the sommelier, and then when I spoke to manager he repeated that. I called different manager next day and he apologized profusely but didn’t do anything else about it. They realized who I was and how much I had spent there in past and woke up a bit. But still. As for Harbour 60, they buy WALMART beef. I have seen the cases and the truck in the back in the mornings!

I have been to Jacobs once and thought the food was good but pricey.. Have not been back since. On a side note i was thinking of hosting our Company holiday party there but will rethink that based on your intel / experience.