Federal Bar and Grill

By reading some of the comments from other patrons that have a problem with paying cash for their food at Jack-n-Grill. I say, if Jack-n-Grill took only gold or silver, the food is well worth it! More and more restaurants are not taking credit cards just for the same reason the owners of Jack-n-Grill do not. (There are explanations in 8x10 frames around the restaurant) My God! the food is wonderful, and these people cry that they cannot CHARGE a meal on a card, obviously, they cannot afford to eat out. I have been a loyal customer with Jack-n-Grill since it opened in 2000. I have seen this great restaurant grow with all its loyal followers. I even have my own table named after my family when we dine there. The enchiladas are to die for and my kids love the burgers and onion rings. Me and my buddies go their every other friday for happy-hour. Parking is a challenge on weekends but well worth the wait for a table at this great little restaurant. Again, I say to all the non-believers, who feel upset that Jack-n-Grill should accept credit cards, Taco-Bell accepts them, leave this fantastic little restaurant to all us cash paying customers. Its well worth it. Cash, Credit, Checks, who cares? This is the finest New Mexican restaurant around. more

After reading the reviews, I wanted to try out this restaurant. Have been living in denver yet traveled throughout the southwest I have tried several New Mexican restaurants. Always looking for that right taste. I must admit that the food was exceptional. The flavor is somewhat like my family was cooking in the back. Service was busy in nature but personably pleasant. This small facility echoes a character all its own. I had the New Mexican enchilada plate with christmas (red and green chile) and two eggs on top. WOW! also tried a vaquero (bbq) beef taco and a Relleno al-a carte, green. The relleno was notably fresh made and the green chile was not like any green chile I've had in denver restaurants. This food has the taste of freshly made, not canned, I asked the waitress who was most helpful in all my questions and she confirmed my taste buds. I asked her what the secret was and with out a thought she exclaimed that "it was the love the owners have instilled in the cooks and staff that hopefully prevails". My hat goes out to the owners and staff at this facility. It's hard to find friendly people with good hearts this day and age and after meeting the owner and manager's (family) I felt like I was home with my own. Thanks Jack and grill for trying to bring good food with such admiration for it. If the parking and ATM inside is such a bother to some, I suggest spending your credit card fees in a less tasteful place. Best of luck on your expansion efforts!. P.S. hours are posted 7:00 am-9:00pm Sun-Thur, Fri,Sat-7:00am-10:00pm Pros: Service, Food Cons: Parking more

Do not accept cr cards. Cost over $7 to withdraw $40 from their ATM. If you go add $7 to your bill to determine whether it's a good value. Very small-minded ownership portraying themselves as victims of the credit card companies, which they take out on guests. Pros: above avg food, convenient to us Cons: Inhospitable mgmt., Wait staff pays price more

The food was good, but diminished by the fact that the restaurant decided that they don't want to be bothered by credit card fees so they now only accept cash, while making money off the ATM machine that charges you a fee for getting cash. I find that food isn't worth the hassle or the additional fees. Cons: Cash Only more

I have been here several times and it just keeps getting better. Highly recommend the green chili. If you're in a hurry the breakfast burrito takes only a couple of minutes and is the best deal you'll ever get for $2.00. I plan on buying them once a week for the entire office. Pros: Quick, clean, fresh Cons: small more

Living all my life in Denver, I have traveled far and wide and use my chow-hound ability to taste all the great mexican food that the southwest has to offer. A friend of mine recommended Jack-n-Grill, once their, I could tell this was not Mexican. New Mexican food has its own unique wonderful flavor. Jack-n-Grill has got to be the best New Mexican style in the Southwest, its like "homestyle", very comforting, hot, delicious. Great chile, huge green chile cheese burgers, one plate burritos, and the shrimp tacos are to die for. Don't forget the corn-n-a-cup, its wonderful. The Martinez family does it right. Go early for seating, and weekends, make reservations. Highly recommended ! Pros: Cheap Eats, Huge portions, Great staff Cons: parking more

I had heard so much about this restaurant and was excited to try it for myself. It was very disappointing. One reviewer talked about how hot and spicy the food was. Not mine! I ordered the burrito carne adovada and it was completely tasteless. I had to add salt and tabasco just to get a little flavor. The margs were average and overpriced. I'd have to be really convinced that this dinner was an anomole to make me go back and try again. more

I am a native New Mexican, and Jack-n-Grill is authentic New Mexican food. A reviewer said the chile was hot or too hot. That's the whole point-- the hotter the better!! What keeps Jack-n-Grill authentic unlike so many other "Mexican" restaurants, including restaurants in New Mexico, is that they have not watered down the chile. If you dont like hot food, you don't like New Mexican food. But if you do, this is the place to go! One negative though is that since the expansion, the service is not as good. Long waits. Pros: CHILE, AUTHENTIC, BIG PORTIONS Cons: LONG WAIT, DISORGANIZED HOST more

Most expensive and worst mexican restaurant I have been to in denver, and I have been to a lot. Granted they give you twice as much food (and three times the cheese), but who wants it? Tried several things and none were great except the chips. Pros: Chips Cons: Taste, $$$ more

My family and I went to the new Jack-n-Grill in Arvada. After leaving I felt I covered the new lease cost for 1 month. Your welcome!!! My family and I had 2 green chile burgers and a hot dog with drink to the tune of $28.00. If this is what you call cheap eats, I need to open my own Jack-n-Grill. Are they offering franchise opportunities? more

Although I used to LOVE going to this place, last time I went I was kept waiting well over an hour for my food while others who came in after me were seated & served as I watched. The manager & staff made no attempts to rectify the situation or compensate for the service failure. If you don't mind waiting, the food is some of the best in town. But otherwise the waiting & lack of customer service is a shame. Pros: Originality, Flavor, Green & Red Chilis Cons: Seating Arrangement, Waiting, Customer Service more

I love Jack's! Even back in the day when it was runed down. I love their burgers and their cup of corn. Pros: food, liquor , good looking guys who Cons: decor , close early more

Jack's has one of the best burgers in town. It's sheer size puts it over the top in my book, especially for the price! By far the best burger deal you will find in the city....and it isn't GREASY like most "great burgers" are. Excellent! Give Jack's a try....and be sure to try the excellent New Mexican and Mexican food too! Pros: VERY FRIENDLY!, FAST SERVICE! Cons: patio faces Federal, can be noisy more

Strange name for a Mexican restaurant, but so be it. This little gem on Federal serves the best Mexican in Denver. Always packed with returning customers, Jack n Grill doesn't disappoint! The tacos, freshly made in chewy homemade tortilla shells are insane!! Burritos are huge and beyond filling. While the decor is pretty bland and the lighting in the bar is way too bright, the service is awesome and the food to die for. Pros: Food Cons: Decor more

Jack N Grill is one of my favorite cheap eats in Denver (the other being Jerusalem). Where else can two eat amazing food for under $20? The service can be questionable, and from time to time, they will run out of ingredients - but I keep coming back for the shrimp tacos. You will not regret a visit to this restaurant. Pros: Inexpensive, Tacos Cons: Service more

11 reviews and no mention of the cup'o'corn? It go's exceptionally well with a platter of shrimp taco's, and pitcher of margarita. Jack's added a full service bar some time ago and has a fantastic selection of tequilas. The food is outstanding up and down the very large menu, the usual suspects are all on the menu and they are accompanied by some unique dishes that are really, really good, not just 'unique.' The restaurant is always busy but and the servers are super nice and eye-contact attentive. It has been noted in previous reviews that Jack's closed early or they ran out of something on another occasion, I have been there and seen people turned away as they simply ran out (multiple) foods, you may be thinking - poor planning - what you should be asking yourself is how many restaurants do you know that can literally sell out? Pros: Excellent staff, Outstanding food, Real, happy people more

I'm from Albuquerque and so are the owners of J-n-G, well-- let me tell you, this place is absolutely the closest to " New Mexican" food you will find in Denver-- possibly Colorado-- my displaced friends from Santa Fe agree. It rocks-- and the people are so super nice I feel like I'm home! Pros: inexspensive, good food, super nice service Cons: , possible wait more

GREAT green chile, GREAT guacamole, GREAT tacos! The humongous breakfast burrito makes 4 meals for me, but my favorite thing on the menu is the breakfast tacos! My boyfriend and I eat here a couple times a month, it's that good. Pros: Tasty Food, Value, Fresh Ingredients more

If you are lucky enough to eat here , DO IT! The shrimp tacos are so delicious, they just beg to get eaten. I myself have yet to eat the breakfast burrito all the way,when I am there. It's massive & very tasty! more

Okay, I have NEVER been a red chile/enchilada fan in my life BUT I LOVE the red chile at Jack & Grill. I crave it all of the time. Get either the chicken enchiladas smothered "Christmas" (red and green) or the New Mexican cheese enchiladas with a fried egg on top. Also, I have never encountered a restaurant with calabasitas on the menu--zucchini with corn and onion and spices--truly a house specialty. The chile is the best in Denver on all counts and it is family run--what more could you want? Diet Dr. Pepper and a liquor license? They've got it! I LOVE this place...service is a little slow but worth the wait. There is parking in the lot across the alley too! Pros: SO good, Inexpensive, homemade chips Cons: , have to wait at times, Frito pie-no sauce more