J Alexander's Restaurants

I love every opportunity we get to go to J. Alexanders. Service is generally very good, food is most always DELICIOUS and consistent. Even though it's a chain it would be one of my favorite spots to dine. I appreciate their call ahead seating for small parties. My favorite items are their salads, salmon, french fries, CARROT CAKE! \r \r Not a great place for any large gathering. Restaurant can be a little loud for any quiet conversation. Prices are high. more

My husband has never left a plate of food. However, the food was horrible. He nor I could stomach it. We will never go to this restaurant again. We chose this restaurant to celebrate our 12th anniversary, BIG MISTAKE. Cons: food, and service more

First off, you have to understand the settting. Franklin, Tennessee is the W.A.S.P. capital of the south. They're all monied, they're all pushy, and the sense of entitlement is so heavy in the air, you could bottle it. The place was full to the rafters, but the only ethnic minorities work in the kitchen. \r On a Tuesday night, we waited 40 minutes for a table before leaving in disgust. But the best part (tongue in cheek) was when a local celebrity walked through the door. Now, in Franklin, Tennessee, a well-known NASCAR driver is something akin to the second coming of Christ. So, naturally, he sashays in, is stopped by an obviously adoring hostess and another male employee, who proceed to fawn over this knucklehead without regard to appearances. The dozen or so folks waiting to be seated proceed to roll eyes and smirk. I approached the hostess and asked why this guy was ushered so quickly to a table. She snapped back, ""We take call ahead seating for parties of four or less,"" and looked at me with obvious contempt. I threw my pager down on the hostess station, and walked out with my party.\r NEVER again in a million years will I ever go back there. If you MUST go to one of these WASPY joints, go to West End or White Bridge Road in Nashville. I've never had a bad experience there. But when you're in Franklin, Tennessee, you're in a WASPY jungle of another sort. Be prepared to be treated like a hunchback peasant if you're not somebody famous (and white). Pros: None. Cons: How long do you have? more

We went for a birthday, thinking it would be a nice treat, having been there once before, for dessert, we had been impressed enough to return and ended up this time-leaving with a UNPLEASANT experience! WE WILL NOT GO BACK! The food is average-- fresh, but average-- HIGH priced for what you get. The SERVICE WAS NOT GOOD!!! The guy who dropped off the salad basically threw it on the table and ran. The person who took our credit card to ring us up, did a fast walk-by and grabbed the credit card off the table like a criminal, never once pausing to say a word, this was someone we hadn't seen before-- luckily they did work there and brought our card back! LOL! The waitress and co-waitress, never came back after checking on us once. We did get a credit back for our side dishes which we complained about. But they did not ever ask us how our meal was!!!!! Which was NOT worth even $15, let alone $40 (for two of us) nothing fancy. It was like an about face from when we went there for dessert. It was NOT a good time especially for a birthday. I can say, I like the environment, but definitely not worth the money for that alone. BTW: their mac & cheese is NOT CLASSIC-- it has ham and bacon and croutons and several ""upscale"" uncommon cheeses used-- she said similar to swiss-- anyway if that's your style then great, other wise if you were expecting an upscale cheddar style-- then you will be as disappointed as we were. The main issue I have with that is that is said NOTHING about that on their menu. And the waitress did not say-- ""just so you know"".... ""it has this and that in it"".... so it was a total surprise when it came.\r So, basically, for a nicer restaurant, you will pay higher prices; however I expected better food and service in exchange for paying $40 for two sandwiches and sodas. (I've had better food at a deli) Pros: nice dark environment Cons: terrible value, insincere service, lack of details on menu, did i say- terrible value more

I am a big advocate of independent restaurants I believe if you don't support them you won't have any. J. Alexander's is good and the food is consistant. The prices are alittle high on the side items and the side salad. My only issue with J. is the wait time and the fact they won't take reservations or call aheads, why??\r \r They do have a good bar area and food is consistant. Pros: consistency on the food Cons: always a wait 30 + minutes, wine is over priced by $1.00 per glass more

I was at J. Alexanders Sunday Feb 17,08 \r I was very disappointed.\r My husband notice the waiters used their hands to clean off the tables, taking plates, glasses and silverware off the tables.\r When the waiter brougth our food, his finger was in my husbands salad.\r For Entress, again the waiter brought our steaks with his finger in the plate\r while eating, a young man was sweeping the floor in our direction, dust and germs airbourne. \r For desert I order key Lime pie, I asked the waiter if the crust have nuts in it, he stated no,I discovered that the crust did have walnuts in it.\r So I can honestly say I was totatly disapointed.\r Why can't they use trays anymore? or put bowls on a plate, so you won't have fingers in your food,\r This is one of the many ways of getting ill from these germs. And disease from handling dirty plates, glasses and silver ware.\r Please clean up your act before innocent people get sick.\r Marilyn Hollins more

Truly a great steakhouse restaurant. Their filet mignon is one of the best I've tasted. My wife swears by their crab cakes. Also everything from starters to entrees and sides are superbly prepared. Highly recommend the crab bisque if its on the menu selection (changes with daily soups), by far one of the best versions I've had. They also have a great variation of macaroni and cheese as a side dish (using Asiago cheese). The prices can add up quickly so keep an eye on that (we average $75 for 2 without alcohol). Definitely worthy of a special occasion. Call ahead for priority seating (they do not do reservations) as you can have a considerable wait otherwise on busy nights). Pros: Great steaks. Huge portions (will typicall need take away) Cons: Can get pricey. No reservations. Extremely busy on wkends. more

For a chain, the food is always excellent. Portions are very substantial. Most of the time a carryout container is needed. The service is professional and efficient. You really can't go wrong. more

They do NOT take reservations. They DO have call ahead seating for parties of 4 or less. more

While all of the food is good, the cheeseburger is one of the best I have ever had... And consistently... Almost too much to eat... more

A very pleasant experience. The steaks were great. The fries may have been the best I've ever had - very similiar to Ruth's Christ - thin and crispy. I can tell that a premium is placed on service. We did not have to ask for anything. Pros: service, food more

Steak, chicken, shrimp, salads - you name it. It's good. More importantly, their committment to customer service is outstanding!! Even though they don't have a kids menu, my kids love the place. Now, that's pleasing a critic Cons: Loud more

They have great steaks and the atomosphere is perfect for a typical dinner out with friends. more

The prime rib is one of the best I have eaten. The smashed tators are great. more

My finacee's parents came in from out of town and this is the first place we decided to take them. Everyone loved their food. I would highly recommend trying the Lime Chicken, it's my favorite. The service was great and the ambience was just right, not too casual and not too fancy. Pros: great food, great service, great ambience more