Kitchen Nightmares: Jack's Waterfront Restaurant
The episode wherein Gordon Ramsey visited Jack's Waterfront Restaurant in St. Clair Shores finally aired last night. Judging from the snow on the ground in it, the episode was actually filmed last winter. It was interesting to see the behind-the-scenes politics of restaurant ownership at a familiar locale. As always, Gordon Ramsey seemed to zero in on the underlying problem: Jack's new owners had no clear management structure, which resulted in no one taking responsibility for bad food.
Unlike most Kitchen Nightmares episodes, there was no clear happy ending, but the owners took steps based on Ramsey's advice. They also received some cosmetic changes via Ramsey that helped to give the restaurant more character -- you can apparently thank him for the restaurant's now multiple aquariums, corrugated-metal walls and hanging dinghies.
Jack's Waterfront Restaurant in St. Clair Shores
Photo © Sara Weagel
Having dined there this last summer, the owners seem to be on the right track with the food and at least one of Ramsey's new dishes, the poached salmon, remains on the menu. What do you think? Does anyone else have any experiences before, during or after the new ownership at Jack's and/or the Kitchen Nightmares visit?
More Information:
- Review of Jack's Waterfront Restaurant (from after Ramsey's visit, but before the episode actually aired)
- Other Restaurant Reviews in the Metro Detroit Area
Comments
I took about six out of town guests to dinner there in August and we all found the food, service and atmosphere pretty damned good. Then, right after dinner the place turned into a loud, raucous, deejay jammin’ night club. And everyone enjoyed that too.
I’m not a regular, but the few times I’ve been to Jack’s all aspects were more than adequate.
I didn’t see the Kitchen Nightmares episode, but from what I’ve seen, I wouldn’t let that arrogant host anywhere near my kitchen. On second thought, any publicity is good publicity.
I’m from St. Clair Shores MI and currently live in Southern California. During my visit back this past summer, I of course visited my past local hangout, Jack’s, and noticed the change of the menu had expanded and the food was great, including the decor!
Good job and well overdue!
Long time veteran of Jacks, always had great food and service. Looking forward to experiencing the new changes when visiting this holiday season.
…[The owner's] dad – amazing cook. You can thank good food to him probably
I hear that the old owner from years ago bought Jack’s again. I was told that he brought in a new chef who is supposed to be great. I guess they are supposed to open back up some day between 3-9-09 and 3-14-09. I’m looking forward to the new menu.
I heard that the -old/new owners just did some really cool changes inside.. removed the wall.. expaned the dance floor… and all new bathrooms! Hopefully the Chef can measure up!
went to jacks after they reopened before easter got a menu that was printed like a newspaper – quite tacky. selections were ok prices are high. got a golorifed dinner salad that was 8.99 most dinner salads are around 3.50, no homemade dressings favorite cucumber dressing is no longer available food is not as good as before. will try one more time.
Would love to see the 11/7/08 episode aired again. Is that possible, or can that episode be purchased?
“Would love to see the 11/7/08 episode aired again. Is that possible, or can that episode be purchased?”
Hulu.com, you can watch dozens of episodes for free and with for commercials.
You can watch every episode of Kitchen Nightmares US on fox.com. Here’s the link to Jack’s Waterfront episode: http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=nightmares&ep=3815
What a horrible restaurant! The inside of it looks dirty and dingy. The food was awful. All the tables seated around us complained about their food. One person was even served lamb that was completely raw. I was excited to try this place out after watching Kitchen Nightmares, and I was extremely disappointed. I will never go back to Jack’s and will tell everyone how completely awful it is. What a waste.