Jack Saloon’s opening night was touted as a not to be missed event. We received invites from two different sources welcoming us to Montreal’s next big eatery. A few weeks ago the restaurant, located in the heart of Old Montreal, rolled out the black carpet for a western inspired event like we’ve never experienced before.
She did her job, I suppose, because there were plenty of pretty girls. There were people crammed into every corner and onto just about every surface available. Service was consequently glacially slow and there was no real direction to the event. Lining up to get a drink was near impossible since the crowd that had gotten there first laid claim to the bar and didn’t move all evening. A restaurant can’t help how people congregate this but the gaggle of people at the bar also blocked circulation, keeping the room stagnant, without flow. Some direction here would have been appreciated; strike two.
Jack Saloon is the type of place you go where you don’t want to make tough choices about where and what to eat. I admit the food was good but only in the sense that it’s a no brainer; you can’t mess up saloon grub. Greasy ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and wings made their way past the kitchen but only once another swarm of people who had been camped out in front of the kitchen got their fill. Jack Saloon is not reinventing the wheel with their food but it works in their favor, choosing instead to stick to a menu that will not take too much time to prepare and make it easier for customers to choose. In consequence it will also turn over tables quicker, making them more money.
Jack Saloon will probably do well due to the location and the 1000’s of tourists that flow into our city on a daily basis. People will come for miles around and eat here because of its familiarity. They will have their quick 5a7 in the evening and take to the streets, the tunnels and bridges to be home by dinnertime. I’m a fan of giving restaurants the benefit of the doubt and giving them a second shot but after the opening I experienced at Jack Saloon I will gladly take my time and my money elsewhere.
Photo Credit: David Major-Lapierre