Jack’s Urban Eats Review- Home Style Fast Casual Eating
By Katelyn Ryan
Late one evening past our normal eating hour, my partner and I were absolutely starving. Because of our hungry stomachs continuous rumbling, my partner and I wanted nothing more than a fast delicious meal. Only a place with fresh ingredients and plentiful options to choose from would satisfy. Jack’s Urban Eats delivered on all levels.
Due to multiple locations throughout the area and a familiar name to the locals, Jack’s Urban Eats is thriving. We visited the midtown location late on a Friday night. The line was not nearly as long as we’ve seen it in the past at lunch time, so we were able to order right away. On days when you aren’t so lucky with the line there are plentiful menus throughout the waiting area, so that you can figure out exactly what you would like before getting up to the counter. Jack’s Urban Eats is a fast casual joint where you order at the counter and the employees bring the food out to you with your appropriate number. Service is fast and friendly on every visit.
After sifting through the tempting options, I knew exactly the salad I wanted: the kale and quinoa salad. It came equipped with a robust mixture of fresh kale, quinoa, cucumber, cherry tomato, mixed olives, bell pepper, and onion. The whole salad is tossed in a homemade vinaigrette before being sprinkled with feta cheese crumbles. The resulting product was light, complexly flavored, and texturally satisfying. Other salad options include the Thai salmon, santa fe chicken, and the Western BBQ Steak. Or you can create your own salad by building it from the base to the toppings.
The sandwich selection was not quite as easy. With options like BBQ tri-tip, Jack’s classic steak, turkey berry, and California cheese steak, it becomes incredibly difficult to decide on just one. We came to an agreement and ordered the banh mi with grilled steak, julienne daikon and carrots, jalapenos, and cilantro served with house-made sriracha lime mayo on a french bread roll. Every banh mi sandwich I have tried in the past has been different than the last. Every restaurant seems to put their own spin on this complex sandwich. In the banh mi here, the mayo was the star. Paired with the fresh veggies, tender steak, and spicy jalapeno slices, the sriracha lime mayo acted like the cherry on top of this delicious medley.
It is hard not to order at least a few of the homey sides at Jack’s Urban Eats, especially when they are on the bar counter right in front of your face. From mashed potatoes to mac and cheese, there was not one side that did not sound amazing. We chose the cheesy mashed potatoes and gravy and two slices of the cheesy bread to go alongside. You cannot go wrong with cheesy anything.
The mashed potatoes were heavenly complete with little bits of potato skin and velvety gravy. The cheesy bread tasted like the kind my mom used to make. It was cheesy carbohydrate goodness in every bite. We almost ordered the popular urban fries covered in spicy chili oil, blue cheese, and chili flakes, but we decided to stay classic with our side selection at Jack’s Urban Eats.
Entree plates include items like Mediterranean salmon, certified angus tri-tip, and lemon thyme chicken. There is even the Thanksgiving classic of oven roasted turkey with mashed potatoes and house-made cranberry pomegranate sauce. You can order any one of these flavorful plates for an impressively affordable price.
Jack’s Urban Eats is the perfect place for friends and family to come together for a comforting meal with a casual atmosphere. The comfortable vibe shines through in all the food they prepare here making it a go-to place for a fast delicious homemade meal. The large selection of options to choose from on the menu allow you to try something new every time you come in. Embrace the fast casual eats for yourself at Jack’s Urban Eats.