Jack's Lounge

I don't care if it is fine dining, family restaurant, or pizza joint. I hate it when I see a beer list of twenty or so beers and they all either suck or are mediocre at best. The managers are being suckered by the sales reps from the distributors. Unfortunately, they're missing an opportunity to make their establishment stand out from the rest.

Life is too short for bad beer....

We're hovering around 40 beers right now, and the only "bad" one is PBR (draft and bottle). I offer it as a cheap beer alternative for those who are low on funds. They deserve an option too! Newcastle is our second worst option.

My husband I and enjoyed our Anniversary dinner at Equus a couple of months ago. We were by FAR the youngest people in the building, but that did not at all deter from our dining experience. The evening was perfect from the second we walked in, until the second we left, and the food was to die for. We also had the worst car in the lot. When we pulled up, there was a gorgeous Aston Martin Vantage in front of the building. Made our little Altima pale in comparison!

The age gap has never detered our dining experience either, it is just strange. I have never been in any other place that seems to be full of "older" people with no younger people in sight. There are usually a few people from each age group in any given restaurant.

We found the parking lot situation quite hilarious. Benz, BMW, Lexus, Caddy, Benz, Jag, Benz, BMW ......Toyota Corolla. These observations probably have nothing to do with the quality of food or service, I just found them interesting.

I'm 29 (wife is 27), and I have to concur. We've dined at Equus twice, and both times the food, service, execution, etc. etc. etc. was near perfect. No complaints, and I'd dine there every night if I could. However, on both trips, we were the youngest by a long shot, and the same was true when having a drink at Jack's before dinner (both experiences were before the new layout). It doesn't deter me, but it is odd. It's also odd that we dine out a lot at the nicer spots with groups and other couples, but have only gone on "date nights" to Equus. I've been to Corbett's for dinner and lunch, and on both trips the demographic was much more varied.

Justin, Michelle, maybe the three of us and our significant others should dine there together sometime. Wouldn't that be a sight? We can try to park our 2 Altimas and 1 Corolla right next to each other.

My husband I and enjoyed our Anniversary dinner at Equus a couple of months ago. We were by FAR the youngest people in the building, but that did not at all deter from our dining experience. The evening was perfect from the second we walked in, until the second we left, and the food was to die for. We also had the worst car in the lot. When we pulled up, there was a gorgeous Aston Martin Vantage in front of the building. Made our little Altima pale in comparison!

The age gap has never detered our dining experience either, it is just strange. I have never been in any other place that seems to be full of "older" people with no younger people in sight. There are usually a few people from each age group in any given restaurant.

We found the parking lot situation quite hilarious. Benz, BMW, Lexus, Caddy, Benz, Jag, Benz, BMW ......Toyota Corolla. These observations probably have nothing to do with the quality of food or service, I just found them interesting.

I'm 29 (wife is 27), and I have to concur. We've dined at Equus twice, and both times the food, service, execution, etc. etc. etc. was near perfect. No complaints, and I'd dine there every night if I could. However, on both trips, we were the youngest by a long shot, and the same was true when having a drink at Jack's before dinner (both experiences were before the new layout). It doesn't deter me, but it is odd. It's also odd that we dine out a lot at the nicer spots with groups and other couples, but have only gone on "date nights" to Equus. I've been to Corbett's for dinner and lunch, and on both trips the demographic was much more varied.

Justin, Michelle, maybe the three of us and our significant others should dine there together sometime. Wouldn't that be a sight? We can try to park our 2 Altimas and 1 Corolla right next to each other.

Holy shit, I think the place might catch fire if more than 2 people under 30 were there at the same time.
We could blow the demo's of customers age and car values out of the water.

I'm down for a beer and S'more anytime.

You've obviously not been there on the nights when my Ford Focus wagon is in the lot. You just can't beat Joy's martini and a Jack's burger.

Maybe I'm older than I think.

It just hit me that I am 28, not 29, and my wife is 26, not 27. Sheesh.

You've obviously not been there on the nights when my Ford Focus wagon is in the lot. You just can't beat Joy's martini and a Jack's burger.

The wife loves those $10 pineapple martinis.

It took everything I had not to go over and pet the Aston Martin. It was preeeetty.

I feel sorry for all the young folks like us who have not gotten to experience Equus. I have to admit, I was pretty dazzled. We were treated like royalty. Easily some of the best food and service I have ever had. Maybe next time we'll rent a Ferrari so we won't feel out of place!

[Robin Garr]

The age gap has never detered our dining experience either, it is just strange. I have never been in any other place that seems to be full of "older" people with no younger people in sight. There are usually a few people from each age group in any given restaurant.

I've loved Equus and Jack's since the beginning, and would agree that it tends to be a Baby Boomer hangout and suspect that the atmosphere fosters that. But elderly? Define "elderly." I've been to Equus a couple of times in recent months, loved it both times, and have been in a group of generally Baby Boomers (a threesome on one occasion, a twelve-some on another, that group probably ranging from 40s to early 60s). I would certainly recommend it for any foodie of any age, have never seen it looking like a retirement home, and frankly, prefer it when I'm in a group where conversation is at a premium because it's not incredibly noisy with yelling, drunks and high-decibel music. I don't know if this is an age thing or not, but the Baby Boom ain't elderly yet, you kids! (Shaking cane!)

We found the parking lot situation quite hilarious. Benz, BMW, Lexus, Caddy, Benz, Jag, Benz, BMW ......Toyota Corolla.

Justin, Michelle, maybe the three of us and our significant others should dine there together sometime. Wouldn't that be a sight? We can try to park our 2 Altimas and 1 Corolla right next to each other.

Ditto the above: It was a pricey restaurant (not so much with the new menu) and it attracts an affluent crowd. That being said, we drive a cheap Toyota, and the friends we've been there with don't have ostentatious cars.

I know you guys are having fun, but you're giving a little bit of a bum rap to a great place that's earned a lot of respect for its food and atmosphere and its head guy, Dean Corbett, and maintained that reputation over 25 years on the Equus side.

... I know you guys are having fun, but you're giving a little bit of a bum rap to a great place that's earned a lot of respect for its food and atmosphere and its head guy, Dean Corbett, and maintained that reputation over 25 years on the Equus side.

Your right, all in good fun. The age and luxury car observations just stand out like a sore thumb. I wasn't, and don't like Brad or Michelle were trying to give the place a bad rap. We all seem to love the place and are curious why so few other "young" people are not enjoying it. I was just hoping someone could shed some light on the situation. Dean always seems so young and hip when I see him on television and the clientele doesn't seem to reflect his style.

Justin,

I think it's a generational thing. Often people just kind of naturally gravitate towards people of their own age and/or socio-economic levels. On the other side of the observations made about Jack's there are some very vibrant and trendy places in town that simply hold no appeal for Becky and I (or people like us) simply because of the demographics. Some restaurants and entertainment venues seem to be able to transcend this natural tendency more than others (for one reason or another).

I'll take Jack's loaded nachos and calamari with a Bud Lite over a headache-inducing micro-brew from some little "envious of Chef Dean's success" place any day of the week.

I love the beer talk and understand the passion behind alll the choices and morality behind buying small and local, but I buy what sells, and with a limited space for cooling, I stick with Stella, Bass, Rolling Rock, Shafleys, Blue Moon, Red Hook, and yes, Bud Light. I'm into selling what the public wants, and we are way to busy to educate the masses. When they complain, I'll revise and update my list. Just give us small guys a break... we are trying to survive in a cut throat business. I just can't imagine not going to a place because of a percieved lack of Beer choices. Eat and be merry.

Schlafly is a start. My job is to continue educating the masses so they'll "want" better beer.

... I know you guys are having fun, but you're giving a little bit of a bum rap to a great place that's earned a lot of respect for its food and atmosphere and its head guy, Dean Corbett, and maintained that reputation over 25 years on the Equus side.

Your right, all in good fun. The age and luxury car observations just stand out like a sore thumb. I wasn't, and don't like Brad or Michelle were trying to give the place a bad rap. We all seem to love the place and are curious why so few other "young" people are not enjoying it. I was just hoping someone could shed some light on the situation. Dean always seems so young and hip when I see him on television and the clientele doesn't seem to reflect his style.

Oh, I certainly didn't mean to give Equus a bum rap! I'm just curious as to why there aren't more people my age there, and I found it comical to pull into the parking lot in an Altima, only to be surrounded by very nice cars. The "renting a Ferrari" comment was completely meant as a joke! I have since recommended Equus to several of my friends.

The elderly folks who were there on the night of our anniversary were just that, elderly. They were probably every bit of 70+, but they were a riot!

I agree that Dean always seems very hip, and it does seem odd that people under 40 haven't embraced Jack's and Equus. I can't wait to find any excuse to go back!

The age gap has never detered our dining experience either, it is just strange. I have never been in any other place that seems to be full of "older" people with no younger people in sight. There are usually a few people from each age group in any given restaurant.

Just FYI, the above quote wasn't my quote. . .