Swagger on in. A brand new bar and your very own mahogany booth await you-along with the finest cut of steak in the neighborhood. Just follow the green neon sign (and your nose) to JaK's Grill.

Named for the first initial of each of the founders' first names (Jeff Page and Ken Hughes), JaK's Grill has been a rare find on the Westside since day one.

"We started from humble beginnings," recalls Hughes. "With 10 tables in a small space in Admiral, we were as tiny as you could imagine. But our core philosophy of great steak & great service really helped us grow."

Since the original location in Admiral, JaK's has since moved to a spacious spot in the heart of the Junction and opened other locations in Issaquah and Laurelhurst.

"Our vision was to take downtown, white table cloth service and the allure of a high-end steakhouse and bring it to the neighborhood at a neighborhood price," says Hughes.

Even with rising meat costs, the value remains. At JaK's, everything's included with your entr/e-salad, bread, a side dish and vegetables, not to mention free parking. Compare it to a similar experience downtown and it's roughly half the price-plus a couple extra ounces a la JaK.

"People come for the steaks," nods Hughes. "We serve 100% Nebraska corn-fed beef aged for 28 days, charbroiled and finished with our full-flavored steak butter. And the portion sizes are larger than most with a petite weighing in at 10oz. and a 'JaK's cut' at 16 oz. (unless of course you can handle our 21-oz porterhouse)."

The crowd favorite is the Filet Mignon, followed by the Smoked Rib Eye and the Beef Skewers specials. But if you have a beef with beef, do not fret. JaK's also serves up Wild King Salmon, Ancho Chili Grilled Prawns with chipotle cream sauce as well as Caribbean Pork Medallions and grilled vegetable specialties. For lighter appetites, burgers and salads are also available.

And the just the potato portions of a typical meat and potatoes meal are a guilty pleasure all their own. In fact, locals ask for the best of both worlds with a garlic mash and potato pancake combo called the "UFO."

Another Westside secret is that, even though JaK's doesn't take reservations, locals can stop by at 5 p.m., put their name on the list (and a cell number), and come back later to get right in.

And for newcomers to JaK's, or those who've been away for a bit, the restaurant has recently remodeled its bathrooms, kitchen floors, the blinds upstairs (switching from pink to a tasteful mahogany), and more. But perhaps the most noticeable and intriguing change is the establishment's new entry. The backbar martini-making has been moved up front and a long, stand-up cocktail table adds more lingerability for Sapphire sippers. So whether you want to come for pre-dinner drinks or make JaK's a cocktail destination in and of itself, the scene is now set to do so. Just add it to the list as another classy, new bar in the neighborhood. But also somewhere you just may bump into old friends.

"At least half our guests are regulars, kind of like Cheers in that perspective," smiles Hughes. "You're always going to know somebody here; it feels sort of like a cocktail party."

So whether you're set on a superior steak dinner, looking to sip 'n socialize, or simply want a nice city-caliber meal in the comfort of your own neighborhood, saunter on by JaK's Grill.

What:

JaK's Grill

Where:

4548 California Ave SW

www.jaksgrill.com

206.937.7809

When:

Hours are Mon. 5-9 p.m.; Tue.-Thur. 5-10 p.m.; Fri. 4:30-11 p.m.; Sat. 4-11 p.m.; Sun. 4-9 p.m. Rumor has it JaK's may start lunch this fall, check back for details!

Price:

Entrees run $13.95-49.95

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