J. Alexander's, Northbrook

J Alexander's 4077 Lake Cook Rd Northbrook 847-564-3093

I had a biz lunch there today, so I can't really give you justice on the whole menu, but it was a pretty good lunch.

Companions had salmon and seared tuna salads (the latter served with gari, and sent back for being raw (sigh)), the chicken salad sandwich, which looked pretty good with a nice orzo salad on the side, and my sales guy and I had the French Dip.

I was attracted to that by the waiter's assertion that it was made from their prime rib, which is alleged to be excellent. It was indeed very tasty and tender. The bread was probably the biggest problem. It was a narrow baguette, sliced on the diagonal, leaving an awkward narrow point with meat falling out. A wider, shorter piece of bread (like the chicken salad's ciabatta) or even just sliced directly across would have been better. Jus and horseradish sauce were provided. The bread was already a decent wetness, and I've always liked horseradish cream with my prime rib. Very tasty.

The frites with the sammy were not my favorites: tiny shoestrings were both too narrow to have much flavor besides fried, and too short to pick up and put in the ketchup or horsey sauce.

Overall, pretty good, but $15 for French Dip?

I've been to the J Alexander in Oak Brook and enjoyed it each time...even when the waitress dumped an entire tray of drinks on my sister (het as long as nobody's hurt, it was kinda funny...for once, the drinks WERE really on her!).

As for the $15 french dip, sounds like they are following Houston's lead...they do the same thing...and I gotta say the restaurants are very similar. The price of beef the last 5 years has shot up, especially for upper end stuff, and if it is from prime rib, that explains the $$$.

My buddy's bro in law worked there for a while. While I can't vouch for the food in general, I dream of the sweet croissants the serve on the side.

eaten there a coupke times with people form work. Although the food is ok I do beleive the lunches are way overpriced for what you get. Just my opinion anyway

Hi,

I have never been to J. Alexanders ... lunch and afteer work I see the parking lot is filled. Not having gone in, I guessed it was like a TGIF watering hole type of place with an emphasis on bar food. Does this estimate apply here?

Regards,

No, definitely more upscale than TGIF. Closer to an old-fashioned steakhouse, but not nearly so much as, say, Wildfire. Focus is on the bar (about half the square footage), which features numerous counter seats for solo diners.

The focus is steak, which is usually just waaaay too much ($ and volume) for lunch for me.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I have never been to J. Alexanders ... lunch and afteer work I see the parking lot is filled. Not having gone in, I guessed it was like a TGIF watering hole type of place with an emphasis on bar food. Does this estimate apply here?

Regards,

Nah - the food is actually a priority at J Alexanders. Pretty high quality ingredients and some of their dishes are actually really tasty (roasted chicken, Maytag Blue Coleslaw, prime rib sandwich, filet)... of course, it is a chain and plenty of the kitsch you'd expect comes along with that. Canned but good service, somewhat predictable options. Great bar tho, good wines (cakebread among others) and they make a good martinis. They are one of the few who still use a carafe to serve your martini...

Not cheap, but huge portions.

I've gone plenty to the Chicago location, for a pretty "safe"-menu chain, I give it high marks.