J. Alexander’s
My mom and I had lunch at J. Alexander’s about two weeks ago and she was totally disappointed. I’ve been to this place a total of four times and I’ve been disappointed all those times except for my first visit which was maybe 3 years ago when I had their famous prime rib. This Nashville-based restaurant reminds me so much of Houston’s. They pretty much have the same look and feel. But it stops there. Food-wise, I prefer Houston’s where food is consistently good.
We started off with the seafood gumbo. It had a nice, bold broth, a good amount of seafood, and not a whole lot of rice. It also had just enough heat that you can feel it in your tongue but not enough to make you sweat. Overall a good soup.
I chose the Special Of The Day which was a grilled sea bass topped with a lime-pesto sauce and mango salsa. The fish, pesto sauce, and salsa all tasted fresh but I got tired of the taste of this dish after a few bites. It’s like when a dessert is so rich that you can’t eat it after a few bites. That’s how I felt about it. The couscous pasta provided to temper the dish and mellow it out, but on its own, it was saltish and dry. It must have been the very sweet, syrupy salsa that ruined this dish. Disappointing, nevertheless.
My mom had the Grilled Pork Loin with Bang Bang Sauce which is nothing but barbecue sauce. This dish was so bad we both couldn’t swallow the first bite and literally had to throw it out in a napkin. The pork tasted boiled and the sauce was a pathetic excuse for a Thai barbecue sauce. They really need to remove this from the menu.
For me, the execution of the dishes here just falls short. In an attempt at inventiveness, the combination of ingredients on a dish just doesn’t make sense — a combination of syrupy sweet with salty doesn’t always make a good combination. I’d rather spend my money on Houston’s any day.
Insider tip:
Right next door to The Forum Shops.
The scoop:
J. Alexander’s
5245 Peachtree Pkwy
Norcross, GA 30092
(770) 263-9755
Technorati Tags: J Alexander’s, American-Asian cuisine, fusion, steaks
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16 responses so far ↓
1 Meeya // Nov 11, 2008 at 2:32 pm
we have one branch right beside our home but i’ve never tried dining there, ever.
too bad.
2 Chloe // Nov 11, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Meeya — don’t even bother. Lunch at $60 isn’t worth it. Highway robbery!!!
3 Laurie // Aug 17, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I’m surprised. I love this restaurant and eat here all the time. The service is always great, I love the food and people are so friendly
4 Alison // Aug 26, 2009 at 11:54 am
I agree Laurie… my husband and I are big foodies and we love this place. Maybe you should try a different location. We live in Chattanooga and it is always wonderful!
5 Mary // Sep 28, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I’m totally surprised at this review.
6 Mary // Sep 28, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I’ve dined at J. Alexander’s in Nashville numerous times. As a matter of fact, the pork tenderloin is a favorite of my family’s. Either you encountered a bad chef, or your taste pallet is a little too big for your britches.
7 Terry // Jul 2, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I had the pork with bang bang sauce last night in Orlando, and it was amazing. Don’t let one bad review keep you from trying this.
Everybody in our party loved what they had.
8 confused // Mar 25, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Chloe…..you just sound bitter about houstons. J Alexanders is great and the pork tenderloin is fantastic. BBQ sauce……not so much.
Might i ask your culinary qualifications?
9 Chloe // Mar 26, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@ confused: I love Houston’s. I grew up in Atlanta eating their food.
Never knew you needed culinary qualifications to eat? Or have an opinion about what you ate?
Might I ask what planet you are from?
10 chris g. // Mar 26, 2011 at 8:10 pm
I love the pork tenderloin. It’s my favorite at J. Alexanders. Just like movies, one critic’s opinion doesn’t mean he likes what I like. You hate it, I love it. What?
11 Jeanie // May 4, 2011 at 12:36 am
We ate at J Alexander tonight in Memphis & everyones food was wonderful. My husband had the Pork Tenderloin with bang bang sauce. It was 7 of us & we all tasted each others. We all loved the pork. Take it from the BBQ capital of the world – it doesn’t have BBQ sauce on it – it’s as Asian chile sauce. Everything was delicious!!!:)
12 Linda // May 9, 2011 at 9:55 am
Sounds like Chloe is one of those people that if you dont agree with her she gets a little twisted… She went in comparing it to Houstons (which it is not) and was going to be disappointed from the start with that attitude…I have recommended this place to several guest from the Hotel I used to work, people from all over the US, and everyone usually really liked it, even if it is indeed a little pricey …Chloe is entitled to her opinion, just seems we are not, lol
13 Linda // May 9, 2011 at 10:02 am
Oh, and not to mention, if you notice, who gets on a review site and comments on other peoples review of their review, and quite snidely, I may add? And the dates are far apart as if she gets on to see what people say to her review so she can bash you if you dont agree with her. Seems a little shady to say the least! Houstons fan? Or employee? Hmmmm
14 Kwon // Jul 11, 2011 at 6:28 pm
The grilled pork tenderloin is quite good, actually. And I usually don’t like pork much at all. The Thai sauce hardly resembles generic BBQ sauce. There are enough chile flakes and hint of citrus to clearly give it the zing it requires to set itself apart. Although the menu stated “grilled,” it almost tastes smoked each time I try it. Just a detail, not a complaint, of course.
15 Randy Smith // Oct 30, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Wow, bummer! I had this in Baton Rouge on the night of the Louisiana Book Festival. The pork was delicious as was the sauce. Portion was generous. My only complaint was when they brought my pork to me, it was rare. YOU NEVER EAT RARE PORK. I politely sent it back and it was back a few minutes later cooked properly. Having once worked in a Safety department I had to give the young manager the lowdown about Trichinosis and raw pork. Other wise was great, will go back
16 Jason // Dec 12, 2011 at 7:31 pm
The pork tenderloin is cured, for being in the food safety field, you are poorly informed. Cured pork can be served MidRare, which is how the Tenderloin is served. It has a smoked flavor because it is grilled over an open wood-fire grill.
I worker for J. Alexander’s, I should know.
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