Jack's Oyster House

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great raw oysters and cool sweatshirts for sale. more

Everything is perfect at Jack's, the autmosphere, the food and the service. A little bit of NYC in Albany. Pros: Everything Cons: Everythings perfect. more

My wife and I had the fortunate opportunity to dine at Jacks Oyster House on Saturday September 29th 2007, and what a fantastic experience this turned out to be. From the most friendly greeting at the door to a very nice romantic corner table, and our waiter Brian, the entire staff was most attentive but not overbearing. I was completely taken back by the exquisite service we received, considering that I had only made the reservation earlier that morning for dinner, and while they explained to me that getting a reservation that afternoon was going to be quite difficult in view of the fact that there was an Alan Jackson Concert at 7:30 pm at the Times Union Arena just around the corner, that we were also attending, they still went above and beyond and did accommodate us. Yet the best was yet to come........The fabulous food. My wife and I travel quite often and have been to many restaurants throughout the country, from the tip of Florida and as far north as Canada, as far west as Arizona and we have eaten in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, and Jacks not only stacks up to all of them but far surpasses them in many ways. If you like oysters this is the place. After the appetizer of Oysters Rockefeller, we immediately concluded that not only were the best we had ever had but none of the others even came close. The porterhouse steak was done to perfection and the sauce was to die for. My wife ordered the shrimp ( prawns) cocktail and received four that were about the size of a small lobster tail, and also ordered a mixed fish grill in a raspberry sauce that would be impossible to describe except make sure someone in your party orders it because it is simply amazing. All in all we can't recommend Jacks enough and while we live 50 miles away we will probably visit now several times a month. Like the heading says it is worth the drive and reasonable too. One of our finest dining experiences ever. Our suggestion go enjoy Albany's hidden treasure. Go To Jacks Pros: Everything about Jacks Oyster House is pro. Cons: None ! more

I went here a long time ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I loved the flapper-era interior, with dark wood, tiled floors, and simple elegance. It doesn't have any extravagant decorative features, which is refreshing for a fine restaurant. The place features is an Oyster House, and the Shrimp Cocktail was amazing. Two ~1/2 foot long shrimp on ice were outstanding with a delicious dipping sauce. The chicken lunch entree was pretty good, with a nice sauce. Plus, the lunch prices were affordable, with most, if not all, options under $13. Call them to find out where to park; I parked nearby, but if I parked in the right lot, then they would have validated the parking. A gem in downtown Albany. Pros: Great lunch prices, Time capsule early 20th century decor, Seafood Cons: 3.5 hours away from me more

I have been visiting Jack's since 1978 and it is my favorite restaurant. Everything about it is perfect. From the service to the drinks, dinner rolls, salad, steaks, seafood, desserts, and coffee, it doesn't get any better than this. Pros: Service, consistency, quality Cons: Parking more

Went for lobster, not steak. Expected better service for $60 a lobster. Nice inside but very noisy and cramped. Ask for a booth when making reservation. Not a place for romance on weekend, try weekdays. Great blue cheese salad dressing & desserts. more

Jack's is not romantic, and was so noisy it was difficult to focus on my own conversation. The raw oysters that I had where excellent. The salad was very bitter and was like dandelions and grass. The flavor of the steaks was disappointing. They where bland with almost no flavor at all and the potatoes were watery. I thought it would be more like Chianti's or D'Raymond's, but was mistaken. Jack's is a place with a lot of hype to the name, but nothing to back it up. So if you are thinking of Jack's for the next time out try another place instead, and if you are already on your way there then go one more block and stop by McDonald's - you'll save a few bucks and get a better meal and it may offer a little more romance than Jack's. Pros: friendly staff, prompt seating Cons: not romantic, noisy, below average food more

Great fare selection, all top drawer, nice staff. true albany restaurant. fair prices. Highest recommendation. Is in the government area near nice capitol buildings too. more

The environment at Jack's is a class act, but you've got to be willing to pay for it. I found the food to be bland as well as over priced and the service was reasonable, minus the bartender who didn't know the difference between a White Russian and a Long Island Iced Tea. Although I was not impressed with the restaurant overall, Jack's does have a certain charm that may make one visit worth while. Pros: Charming, Relaxing Cons: Pricing more

this is a mainstay in the capital district. the food is tops, prices are VERY fair (would be much higher in another city), portions are generous, service is amazing, the restaurant itself is located near beautiful old government buildings. the only downside is on a crowded weekend night you might get sandwiched in between other tables. more

Good food, adequate service...astronomical prices for a dying ""down-the-hill"" Albany neighborhood. If it wasn't for the New York State Capitol proximity these prices would never survive. Guess there is something to be said for location, location, location. Fun to see the great, near-great and them that think themselves great along with the lobbyists and influence seekers in part of the ""Albany Ballet."" Pros: Food, Panorama Cons: Price, Crowded more

My grandfather ate here in the 1940's - and now three generations have enjoyed this classic restaurant. The Ambience is excellent, one feels like royalty. The wait staff is attentive but unobtrusive. The servings are a perfect size, so there is plenty of room left for one of their elegant desserts. Pros: Attentive staff, Food as ordered, quiet Cons: parking more