Bill Rapaport's Buffalo Restaurant Guide

Alphabetical Listing of Restaurants: J

[—] [m] Just Pizza

Key:

[—], , ,	Bill's rankings
[XXX]	recommendation from contributor whose initials are XXX
[a+]	on UB Amherst Campus (in the UB Commons)
[a]	near UB Amherst Campus (within 2 miles)
[m]	near UB Main St. Campus (within 2 miles)

(For more info on locations, see Geography)

All phone numbers are in area code 716, unless otherwise indicated.

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Jack Astor's.
2000 Walden Ave. (in the Walden Galleria), Cheektowaga.
684-7693.

Part of the chain.

[ABi, 9/06] says: "The best part is the semi-naughty name, but Jack Astor's is still a good choice for hungry Galleria patrons desiring a meal that one doesn't have to carry on a tray. The atmosphere and menu are each epitomes of family casual, and, although there's a bar, this would be a fun place to bring children. It's the sort of establishment that lays large sheets of paper out on the tables so youngsters and immature adults can color with the provided crayons while waiting for entrees. The servers are sassy by design and are willing to show a little personality, particularly compared to generic chains or ones outfitted with flair and phony enthusiasm; they'll engage you in conversation or offer a bit of sarcasm if you're up for it, a style almost refreshing in a world of test-marketed automatons and passive-aggressive surliness. The offerings are similar to other informal eateries, with items like chicken and beef sandwiches, melted cheese on tortillas, and a few Asian-themed entrees. The lady and I both got cheeseburgers, which were agreeably juicy and savory. I realize that about two-thirds of my reviews describe hamburgers in general and their doneness in particular, so here's another: Jack Astor's will cook patties rare if ordered such, which is grand news to the carnivores amongst us who don't want to stop at halfway. My girlfriend got hers cooked as such and got a tremblingly blushing center; if it were a steak, the burger would have been classified as black and blue. I went semi-bloody and got mine medium, and it was precisely scarlet enough. They also feature crispy and nicely-seasoned fries, a good beer selection, and the requisite offbeat stuff on the wall, such as signs claiming that Elvis ate there; same sign also challenges the reader to prove them wrong, which I was unable to do. Jack Astor's was fun, and I hope the busboys liked the robot I drew on the paper covering our table."

Jacobi's Restaurant. WARNING: Website is obnoxiously LOUD!
1404 Abbott Rd., Lackawanna.
825-5544.

[AFN, 9/06] says: "I had lunch at Jacobi's on Friday, 9/22, during our break while attending a conference in South Buffalo. Lunch specials included a sandwich and beverage for $3.95. I had a very good meatball sub. The lunch, tax, and tip totaled $5. Nice atmosphere as well."

Jade Garden.
4161 Transit Rd. (Transitown Plaza), Clarence.
633-5801 or 1748.

[TWi, 7/05] says: "Jade Garden is by far the worst Chinese take-out I have ever had--the fact that it was Friday night around seven-thirty or so, and I was the only customer in the place, should've been my first clue. I ordered spring rolls, shrimp egg rolls, house special fried rice, and beef with broccoli. The spring rolls were so greasy that I could only stand two bites before I threw them away. The shrimp egg rolls were chewy and doughy on the inside and not very crispy on the outside--my husband thinks they were probably previously frozen. Needless to say, they ended up in the garbage, too. The beef with broccoli was more like broccoli with beef--heavy on the broccoli with token pieces of beef which were sliced as thin as paper. The house special fried rice was about the only thing that was borderline average. I certainly have had better, but it was palatable. It included small shrimp, pieces of chicken and pork, and various veggies like peas and carrots. At a cost of almost twenty dollars, it was also one of the biggest wastes of money on food I've encountered in a while, considering more of it ended up in the garbage than not. I won't be back; in the future, I think I will suck up the drive down Transit and hit up China King instead."

[a] Jasmine Thai Restaurant.
1330 Niagara Falls Blvd. (across from Boulevard Mall), Tonawanda. 838-3011.

[9/06] I hadn't been here in a very long time till a recent lunch here. I was not disappointed. I began with wonton soup: three large, perfectly chewy (not soggy) wontons in a broth filled with large chunks of celery and bean sprouts(?). For the main course, I had panang chicken: chicken and veggies in a peanut sauce, served in a bowl, accompanied by white rice in a separate bowl, both on a large platter, so that one could eat them either separately, or mixed together. A tasty and inexpensive meal (about $12 with tip).

[1994-1996] I have had many exquisite meals here though it's not a typical, big-city Thai restaurant. I have never been disappointed, nor have I gotten bored, even after eating here several days in a row during the Summer Institute in Cognitive Science (where we took many visitors, all of whom liked it very much).

[AFN] says:

[12/07] "My sister, niece, and I returned to Jasmine for lunch despite our recent bad experience. This time, we avoided the daily special and started with curry rolls and spring rolls. Then I had my favorite dish, Panang Curry Chicken. My sister and niece both had Pad Thai, and my niece also ordered fried rice. It was way too much food, but everything was delicious. All is forgiven, but I'll never order the Amazing Chicken again."

[11/07] "My sister and I had lunch at Jasmine recently. Their luncheon special was a choice of Tom Yum chicken soup or a spring roll as an appetizer, with Amazing Chicken as the main course. The soup and spring roll were excellent, but the Amazing Chicken was unlike anything I've ever had at Jasmine or any Thai restaurant—cut-up chicken covered with a sickeningly sweet brown sauce. The worst meal I've ever had at Jasmine. Amazing in an unexpected way—horrible."

[KE, 1/07] says: "Traditional Thai can actually be tough for vegetarians, because they use fish sauce in almost everything. I recently had a bad experience with Jasmine Thai: After going there twice and being assured that there wasn't any fish sauce in my dishes, I was told by someone who seemed more knowledgeable there that they have a "master sauce" that is used with everything and has fish in it. Good thing I wasn't allergic."

[WHN] says:

[10/06]: "Returning from a weekend trip, we decided to get take-out from Jasmine. We ordered three items&#nbsp;Prig Khing Chicken, Panang Curry Chicken, and Garlic & Black Pepper Pork, all hot. The first two were excellent, but the pork dish was completely different from the last time we had had it at Jasmine, and was bland and flavorless. Maybe the kitchen got our order mixed up, or left out some key ingredient. In any case, this won't stop us from returning to Jasmine, but we will probably not order the Garlic and Black Pepper stir fry again."

[2/06] "We used to rate Jasmine a big step below King and I, but began to frequent it on a more regular basis during the long period when King & I was closed. Now I would say that Jasmine is at least K & I's equal, if not better. Apparently a lot of people agree, because last night (Wednesday 2/16) there was a 45 minute wait—not for seating, but for food service from the kitchen. The hostess did say this would be the case to arriving guests, so it was not an unexpected wait. The meal was absolutely delicious, perfectly spicy-hot, as requested. Well-deserving of its 3-star rating."

[PDe, 3/05] says: "I felt like I needed to add a positive review for this restaurant, which is one of my favorites. My husband & I have lunch or dinner here about twice a month, and we've never had any complaints about cleanliness or service. I love their Pad Thai—it has a much more complex flavor than most. Try the Bangkok Pasta, too—it's wide, thick rice noodles, and a bean-paste-based sauce. Very flavorful. About a year ago, they expanded their space, and the place is often full when we go there for dinner, so they must be doing it right."

[ETB, 12/00] says: "I also noticed that you are giving Jasmine Thai Restaurant three stars. Have you eaten there lately? We were not impressed, and they have the worst tea that I have ever had at a Thai restautant, plus they actually make you pay for it by the cup!"

[MEL, 12/98] says: "I had a delicious plate of pad thai here."

[DN, 8/96] says: "The last couple of times I went there, I was put off by the fact that if you ask them to make a dish spicier than usual, they simply sprinkle raw ground chili pepper on top of the food. This completely ruins the flavors in the original dish. Also, during one visit, a cockroach crawled across our table, and when I complained to the manager, he treated it as an everyday occurrence—no apologies, just a shrug. I don't recommend the place any longer."

[a] Jenny's Ice Cream.
78 E. Spring St., Williamsville. 633-2424.

Good ice cream, sandwiches, and salads, in a nice setting, near the pastoral Glen Park (worth a visit for its waterfall and duck pond). Outdoor dining in summer. WARNING: No rest room!

Jimmy's.
53 E. Eagle (downtown), Buffalo. 853-6454.

[MEL, 3/99] says: "A old fashioned luncheonette in the heart of downtown Buffalo, complete with cramped seating--if you don't have another person with you, they don't even let you use the booths (not that I consider this a positive). I had a fairly good chicken souvlaki salad here; of course, that dish is pretty hard to ruin."

Jim's SteakOut.
938 Elmwood Ave. (between Allentown & Buff State), Buffalo; 885-2900.
194 Allen St. (in Allentown), Buffalo; 886-2222
92 W. Chippewa St. (downtown), Buffalo; 854-6666
5651 Transit Rd., Clarence; 688-8300.

[JKBr, 11/07] says: "Our family went to Jim's Steak Out at 938 Elmwood last weekend. The food may be good, but the rest rooms are gross. The rest room, which serves both men and women, was covered with sexually explicit graffiti. I called the manager to complain about it, but got a brush off—he said he couldn't do anything about it. Our family will never eat there again—there are plenty of other good, clean, family restaurants in Buffalo."

[LCo, 11/07] says: "Jim's SteakOut claims the best steak "hoagy" in Buffalo, but I've never tried it. What Jim's SteakOut should tout is "Buffalo's best steak hoagy and French fries", because I have tried their fries, and they're easily the most delicious fry in the greater Buffalo area. The fries are thick and cooked to a delightful crisp, without being overly oily. The only other menu item I've tried at Jim's is the veggie burger. It's about as exciting as veggie burgers go. It's not the kind that tries to taste like meat; it's the kind that's just a mashed up vegetable patty. They don't make them fresh there, and I'd say all but one time that I've ordered it, it has been cold in the center. I still keep eating there, though; I just get the veggie burger to go with the fries."

[WHN, 8/07] says: "They now have 8 locations according to their website. The new Transit Road location is fairly close to home, so we decided to try it for lunch on Saturday. I've heard a lot of people, plus the above review, say how good their steak hoagy is, so that's what we tried. It was finely chopped, stringy, fatty "steak", greasy, and left us wondering what all the fuss is about. To each his own."

[PH, 12/01] says: "I love this place! I grew up on the "parkway", so the [Elmwood] strip will always be dear to me. Jim's Steak Out has the best, sloppiest steak hoagies known to man. The juice drips off your chin, and the meat and extras will fall onto your lap if you are the lusty type of consumer. I think I would ask for a steak hoagie for my last meal!"

Jin Lan Chinese Restaurant.
2789 Delaware Ave., Kenmore.
877-5553.

[DaB, 3/07] says: "I would have to say that this place is the most mysterious, crazy, unexplainable restaurant in Buffalo. It is a complete mystery in every way imaginable. It has been there as long as I can remember (been here for almost 16 years) and from the outside has always had an amazing, ornate appearance, as if it were a palace or something. The outdoor decorations take up two whole floors, with even more decor up in the second-story windows. I always wanted to try it, but never really bothered until a few months ago. When I fist walked in, I was truly shocked. It was like being on the set of some grand opera. Very dark entrance, which opens onto an enourmous restaurant. Vines creeping through the rafters, with blossoming flowers, a bridge over a lake, statues everywhere, enormous paintings and exquisite wodwork all over. There is a gigantic bar, and I am very curious as to how long the bar alone has been there. It looks very, very old. The lanterns, lights, everything...look untouched and ancient. After waiting to be seated and having nobody come to greet me, I got discouraged and left. Eventually, my curiosity returned, and, the next weekend, so did I. This time, I was greeted by a very kind and cheerful waitress, who seated me next to the large fish tank in the back. I then realized that there were several more dining rooms, filled with just as many things! The aromatic aroma made me hungry, and I started off with a delicious plate of sesame noodles. They were homemade, with a smooth and tangy peanut chili sauce, topped with fresh bean sprouts, sliced cold cucumber, and sesame seeds. Simply delicious. I then had the moo shoo vegetables, which came with plenty of fresh-made pancakes and were served in a refreshing, filling, stir-fry sauce, with brown rice on the side. With a drink, that came to about eighteen dollars, and was well worth it. I returned with a friend on several more occasions and also sampled the vegetables in garlic sauce and vegetable lo mein. Fantastic. I really have no clue when it coms to Jin Lan. I have never once seen another customer there in my entire life, never known anyone else who's eaten there before, and most people haven't even heard if it, though it is quite ornate and noticeable. This place could be turned into a museum and could seat the entire block, but no...always deserted. Even late at night, though, the parking lot for customers out back is packed with cars, suggesting that the staff is quite large. The family who runs it is incredibly friendly and fun, but, unfortunately, the restaurant recieves many prank calls whenever I'm eating there, some of which sound quite insulting or threatening. They must be doing a pretty good job though, being open as long as they have, and I'm sure they'd love to see yet more loyal customers. Spread the word of Jin Lan, for it is a good word indeed!"

J.J.'s Cafe House of Breakfast.
265 Kenmore Ave., Kenmore.
837-2310.

[GMK, 6/07] says: "Have I just missed a review for this place, or am I the first? This institution has been on Kenmore by University for 20+ years, and for college students and locals has been the best place to go for breakfast. The place is tiny, the food is good and cheap, the service excellent. You walk in and see the cook at work almost immediately, are seated, and get your coffee. And maybe you'll see why this is really a home away from home for the regulars. There is friendly banter, self-service coffee, people moving from table to table. Expats who come home make sure to visit JJ's on each trip. The menu is mostly breakfast (standard fare: home fries (plain or spicy—go spicy), toast, cereal, eggs, pancakes, etc.) and light lunch (BLTs, hot dogs, peppersteak (the best thing on the menu). There are also "off the menu" items, like a "garbage plate" (never the same twice). It's not a "classy" place, but an honest one and one of the best places in town to be a regular. The only thing I could find to complain about if pressed is the bacon is not the best. Warning: They are normally very busy, so if you are in a rush, think twice, or if you have a large party, plan on a wait."

Joe's NY Style Pizzeria & Restaurant.
345 Amherst St. (at Grant St.), Buffalo.
447-0165.

[CP, 3/08] says: "I recently moved to Buffalo from Nashville and dont like the typical Western NY pizza here. My husband and I decided to try Joe's NY Style Pizzeria and Restaurant today, 03/14/2008. It was the pizza I had been longing for. It is hand stretched and tossed, has a flavorful sauce, and not too much cheese like the typical pizzas around here. They have a large menu with everything from strombolis and your typical subs and wings to pasta dishes such as Eggplant Parmigiana and Veal Caprese, and all are reasonably priced. An XL cheese pizza is $12. We had a large Pepperoni, and it was huge. You can get pizza by the slice, and they have a large selection of pizzas on the counter under glass to choose from, and they all looked so delicious. When I walked in and saw the pizzas, I knew it was what I was looking for. The owner is friendly, and he looked like an authentic Italian out of NYC. The dining room is simple and spacious, clean and modern. I can't wait to bring my in-laws there. This will be the only pizza I will eat here in Buffalo now, if I can help it. I highly recommend it."

John & Mary's.
2374 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda.
696-6160.
Also other locations; see their website.

[MER, 2/07] says: "Great place for a sub. I have had them, and they are yummy. I give them a thumbs up."

Johnny J's Lancaster Pizza.
231 Aurora, Lancaster.
681-1111.

Formerly called "No Anchovies Pizzeria and Bakery", but because the review of that place is quite old, I won't repeat it here. Instead...

[JSc, 5/08] says: "Pizza is above average. The antipasta and subs are good, too. The delivery time is decent, as well. With coupons, its a good place to go in Lancaster."

J.P. Bullfeathers.
1010 Elmwood Ave. (between Allentown and Buff State), Buffalo.
885-3892.

[MKe, 11/06] says: "I recently came across your restaurant guide, and was extremely surprised to find no reviews for JP Bullfeathers. It is one of my favorite restaurants in Buffalo. I haven't had the chance to go there for a while, but I still remember my dining experiences there from the year 2001. The fact that they call themselves a wine cellar may have kept people from recognizing it as one of the top restaurants in the city. The interior of the restaurant is done in red brick, blonde woodwork, and brass accents. When you first enter, you are greeted by a large semi-circular bar area, which also has individual tables for dining; further in, there are dining rooms on the first and second floors. Both of the meals I enjoyed there were perfect. The first was a tuna steak, which was interestingly seasoned and just the right doneness. The dinner came with mouth-watering, garlic mashed potatoes and the most unique presentation of vegetables I have experienced. They were cut into long thin strips, almost like spaghetti, and sauteed with herbs#&151;delicious! My second visit was rather late on a weekend, so I had Chicken Quesadillas at the bar. The serving was big enough for a meal, the chicken well seasoned and tender, the vegetables crisp, with plenty of melted cheese. It was also enjoyable to mingle with the young professionals and college students who were enjoying the fine beverages. It did get a bit boisterous, but I'm sure the dining rooms are situated far enough from the bar that the din wouldn't intrude on your experience. I highly recommend a visit to JP Bullfeathers. I'm sure you'll find it as charming as I did. Prices are in the middle to high range, and absolutely worth every penny!"

J.T. Wheatfield's.
6935 Ward Rd. (near Niagara Falls Blvd., in Wheatfield), Niagara Falls, NY.
695-8888.

[LG, 2/08] writes: "We just finished a Friday evening meal at J.T. Wheatfields. When we were seated, we were told that it would be a while before we were served because there were only 2 servers for about 15-20 tables. In fact, it was 25 minutes after being seated before we were served our drinks. We tried the stuffed hot peppers, which this establishment is supposedly known for. The flavor was good, but the stuffing was cold. I had the pan-seared rib eye (19.99), which was cooked OK, but was mostly fat and gristle. It was served with mushy, canned, green beans; salty, overcooked mushrooms; and crunchy rice. The salad that was supposed to arrive before my steak never came. When I asked for my salad, I was brought a plate of iceberg lettuce, nothing more. The draft lite beer I ordered tasted strangely like vinegar, so I asked for a bottle, which then took another 10 minutes into my meal to arrive. My wife ordered the Friday fish fry (10.99). Her breaded haddock was fine, but was served with soggy French fries. The service was terrible. The waitress seemed angry, and, whenever we asked for anything (like steak sauce), she heaved a big sigh and stormed off. This was our first and last visit to J.T. Wheatfields. The entire room reeked of stale beer and was nothing more than a dark sectioned-off portion of a banquet room. The restaurant looks nice from outside—a nice sign and lighting—but I was shocked when we got inside. This might be a nice place to get a (bottled) beer at the bar, but I would never eat there!"

A long time ago, [DRJo, 1/98] said: "Magnificent food, served in an atmosphere that can only be described as "pre-post-brass&fern-with-oak-accents." It's located on the site of the legendary Janik's Steak House in Wheatfield on Nia Falls Blvd. It does indeed continue the tradition of Janik's at that location."

Johnny's Lunch.
966 Fairmount Ave., Lakewood (near Jamestown).
664-2881.

A Jamestown tradition since 1936. Serves Texas Hots (tiny hot dogs with a special sauce), burgers, chicken sandwiches, shakes, etc. Very friendly counter service. Always busy. Eat in, take out, or buy the sauce in a jar.

Johnston's.
2575 Academy St., Ransomville.
791-3511.

[AG, 3/05] says: "Homey place that serves good steaks and neighborhood ambiance. A cup of chicken rice soup featured flavorful broth, a chunk of chicken, and vegetables including peas, corn, carrots, and celery. A twice-baked potato was nicely moist, featuring bacon and parsley. We also enjoyed unusually crisp honey-garlic wings."

[—] [m] Just Pizza.
3172 Main St., Buffalo. 831-9979.
2189 Seneca St., Buffalo. 826-2222.
5445 Transit Rd. (near Dairy Queen), Clarence. 688-7500.

[10/03] Besides the glowing reviews below, [SLD] has also told me that she likes Just Pizza's pizza, so I tried both their veggie pizza and their pepperoni pizza. The former was inedible; their definition of "veggie" seems to be mostly green olives, a few black olives, and onions. The pepperoni pizza was overly salty, overly cheesy, and overly crispy. I am downgrading Just Pizza to [—].

[JI, 1/07] says: "We eat at the Transit Road location of Just Pizza quite regularly. The only pizza we ever order is their "Old Italian Sauce Pie." I have never been to another pizza joint that makes one like this. It comes with either pepperoni or sausage, and onions. The unusual thing about it is that there is no cheese on it. They put the sauce down, then the meat and onions, and just a sprinkle of grated romano. No mozzarella at all. We love it. Don't knock it until you try it. The wings are good. My daughter has gotten the fish fry, and it was quite good too...for a pizza joint. They have a dining room, but, for now, it's best to think of it as a place to sit down if you want to eat there. Service can be difficult to come by. There is no wait staff. Usually, whoever is working the pickup counter has to double as the waiter. So, if their counter is busy, don't expect good service."

Of the new Transit Road location on the Clarence/East Amherst border, [WHN, 9/05] says: "I was going to say their pizza was really good, despite your bad review, but our last two (pepperoni and Italian sausage) were just plain awful. I have yet to find a place that consistently makes good pizzas."

[VR, 7/02] says: "The food is delicious, worth the money, but they have raised their prices without [providing] new menus."

[MEL, 3/98] says: "Probably the best I've been to, because of its combination of variety and quality. The pepperoni pizza tastes like pizza should: sweet, a little salty, a little spicy, and a little greasy. But there are also hundreds of other flavors (e.g., jerk chicken pizza). The best pizza in Buffalo, period."