Jake's Downtown

Here we are, first trip to Montana and our first stop for dinner was Jake’s Downtown. Very nice restaurant and great staff. Had a great selection of food items for all the picky eaters. We choose the pot stickers (not pictured) for our appetizer. A cup of French Onion soup was a side item for our entree and it was the best soup we’ve had in a while. We had shrimp tacos, beartooth burger and a Cowboy burger. The burgers taste so fresh and cooked just the right way. The shrimp tacos were okay as well but now I know to stick to the beef type selection since seafood is not the local favorites since landlocked, seafood is not fresh like the meats are.

So we are having to make a trip from the west coast to chicago and we decided to stop in Billing’s. So we looked for a good steak. So we found Jake’s Downtown. So this place is right on a corner in the small downtown and when you walk in it is nice. As you walk up you will see one of the bars they have which was very busy on Thursday at 5pm. We checked in the the host and then took a seat at the bar and had a glass of wine. Happy hour we believe was 4 to 6:30 which was nice. We then went back to host and was going to take our table but gave it away to a older couple that wanted to not sit in the bar area. So we took a high top there and we were happy we did. We had this lady as our server . We forgot her name but she was not one of the young ones and had about shoulder length dirty brown hair. She was so pleasant and happy. We started with the pork potstickers and the chicken wings. Wow were the chicken wings great. We could have just had a few orders of those. The pot stickers were good as well but not as in the same level as the wings. Next we both had a salad. My wife had a house salad nothing special but was fresh. I had the wedge and they give you more then enough toppings on this wedge. I also had the French Onion soup. Great flavors but not the best out of a 5 I would give it a 3. Needs work. Next my wife had the Ribs which had a great BBQ sauce that they make in house. Unfortunately that was the best part of the ribs. They were very dry. So sad. I had the rib eye which was amazing and we also had the elk medallions and well a little over cooked. They were supposed to be medium rare but were more medium. They all came with sides. We choose garlic mashed potatoes and the broccoli. Both were amazing. Next was a dessert which was great. So we would love to go back and try some other stuff but we would only if we could have the same server we had

We were in MT visiting our son and went here for our anniversary. It was outstanding, seriously delicious!! Clean, atmosphere was great and staff was super friendly and attentive. Food was SO good. There were four of us and everyone had something different and we all loved our food. The French onion soup was some of the best we’ve ever eaten. The Chicken Oscar was so incredibly delicious! My husband had it and said it was some of best chicken he’s ever had. It looked so good I want it next time we go because were definitely going to go back. The other 3 of us all had steaks which we thoroughly enjoyed. We would highly recommend.

So, nice place and not too busy Tuesday night. Server very nice and attentive. House Chardonnay was good. I ordered the steaks Oscar with the French onion soup. First the French onion soup had a decent broth but with lumps of mozzarella thrown in, not broiled or toasted, just laying on top of the soup…didn’t finish. A 2nd server brought my main meal out 4 sips into my soup. Most people would expect steaks Oscar to have fillet medallions topped with a bernaise sauce with asparagus and lump crab. Jake’s version is sirloin steak topped with very little of what I think was bernaise sauce with artichoke hearts and can shredded crab, oh, and mushrooms…didn’t finish. The side of a potato pancake takes me bake to when I cooked for my son, but unlike mine, it was soggy and lacked flavor even though it was supposed to be “spicy”…didn’t finish. I always want to try specialty dishes rather than the standards, here at Jakes just stick to the basics or be disappointed.