Jimmy Kelly's

We went to Jimmy Kelly's for my birthday on Saturday... worst birthday dinner ever! The waiter brushed us off from the time we sat down until the time we left the table. He refilled our glasses once and the rest of the meal they stayed empty. The decor upstairs was very basic and ancient...not sure about the first level. My fiancé ordered the 20 oz Cowboy steak with broccoli and I had the steak and lobster tail combo with Mac and cheese. I didn't think that it was possible to go wrong with broccoli, but of course they found a way to mess that up. The lobster tail was the best part of my meal. The steaks and Mac and cheese were very bland. To make a long story short I will never in life eat at this restaurant or any restaurant affiliated with it again. There was another customer there celebrating her birthday, so the waiter brought her a birthday cake with candle. Well all I received for mine was a crappy meal and my fiancé received a $120 ticket for a meal that wasn't worth it.

Little-known fact: Most teachers do not go into teaching for the money. Hard to believe, given the exorbitant salaries and sweet benefits (you know...sexy cars, free concert tickets, occasionally the chocolate milk that the cafeteria didn't manage to sell that day). Given my bountiful cash, I tend to frequent many expensive restaurants.

But seriously. Given how rarely I can afford to go to a restaurant that doesn't feature free chips and salsa, I want to be wowed when I shell out for a meal. And Jimmy Kelly's does require you to shell out.

The steak was good. But was it incredible? Was it forty dollars worth of beefy heaven? No. It was good. (The twice-baked potato, however, may have been an ethereal, carb-laden gift from above.) It is also my understanding that the tiny pancake-y bread that is served is also good (not gluten-free though).

To be honest, my favorite part of the meal was our server, John, who had the fantastic personality you would expect from a retired guy who's just working because he wants to. We had a jolly old time. But did we have two hundred dollars for four people eating worth of a time? Eh.

If you have a bottomless wallet, then go here! It has great atmosphere, and the bet filet mignon in town!

Thanks so much for Saturday night. The food, and service were fantastic, and our server was terrific.

While we were eating our appetizers and salads, our waiters made certain that we never certain that we never ran out of another Jimmy Kelly's calling cards- Corn Cakes. As Claude told us, these cold water ho'cakes are the best around ; and you know something, he just may be right.

My meal was clearly FIVE STARS. The shrimp with remoulade sauce was great. The shrimp were large and fresh (and you get six of 'em), and the remoulade sauce was some of the best I've ever had. Jimmy Kelly's is one of the last steakhouses left that includes a salad and baked potato with the entrée. My salad was unlike anything I remember previously. It was fresh, an assortment of lettuces and other items, and delicious. The baked potato was fresh and flavorful. I ordered the filet mignon, extra cut. It was a large, center cut piece of meat; tender and flavorful

Started the night at a Networking social as part of a seminar held in the outdoor covered veranda. Apps were delicious! Transitioned to a table inside and enjoyed a great steak dinner and decadent Apple Walnut Tart. The Fried Oysters were extremely good as well. Would go again.

Jimmy Kelly's is probably one of the oldest fine dining restaurants in Nashville . i saw its rating in an magazine on an airplane a few months ago. It was was rated in the top ten steak places in the United States so I had to try it. Steak was amazing, service was awesome. It's small and quaint in basically an old house. Had a wonderful time. My only complaint was the parking . There isn't much so if you aren't there by 5 you pretty much have to do valet park which is what you have to do a lot of places anyways. If the charity place is closed across the store you can park there for free but it fills up fast too. Will definitely go back.

Been coming here 1-2 times yearly for 40+ years. I go there for a steak and I find I can get a better one for the money at other places now. They seem to be living on their past and every time they get a national review it seems the prices rise.

The steak was good. My favorite part of the meal was our server, John, who had the fantastic personality you would expect from a retired guy who's just working because he wants to. We had a jolly old time.

Excellent service and great food!

Recommended by a friend that comes to Nashville a lot, and the recommendation was well worth it. Great atmosphere, not 'snobby' at all, great service from the hostess and I assume the manager, and our server. We enjoy a good dining experience and this place is well worth the hype. Located near Vanderbilt University in a very quite neighborhood.



The fried green tomatoes, twice baked potatoes and steaks were great. Our server was attentive but, not 'in your space' attentive. We really enjoyed our evening here. Already talking about coming back for cocktails and desserts, too much food to have dessert this time!



Read all the reviews, we experienced everything the good ones have to offer and nothing that the bad ones experienced! Enjoy!

I've heard various reports on JK's over the years. Finally I had to try it for myself. I enjoyed dinner here with my Dad, abd I've been to a lot of steakhouses in various cities. And I understand that different people value different things. Personally, at a place like this, I want good service, good atmosphere, and high quality food. All three were achieved at JK's. It's a throwback, Plantation-house style dining experience. It's a little cramped, but that' part of the charm. It's reasonably priced for a higher-end restaurant. Our steaks were cooked perfectly. The sides were well prepared. Our waiter was excellent with very good "feel" for when he needed to come by. I also like this restaurant because it has a very local feel. It's not right on West End or 21st. You have to be actively seeking it out to find it. A great dining experience and I'm sure I'll be back.

I've heard that their steak is pretty delicious too, just can't recommend it!

I almost felt ashamed for having lived in Nashville for over ten years without taking in Jimmy Kelly's. A beautiful building and a warm environment welcomed us.

We visited for the first time in seven years. I was worried by some of the recent posts which were negative. I think these are folks who don't understand non-corporate or 'old south' dining. Our experience was identical to previous visits and I believe consistent with the JK brand. The old house has a wonderful charm and atmosphere. The food and service are outstanding. This is the kind of place where waiters will work for 20 years. The little guy behind the bar looks like the guy I remember from the mid 90s. Many of the servers are older men whose intimate service and manners are hallmarks of a largely lost era; Yankees and liberals may be offended at the degree of deference they show. Their interest in your choice and happiness is not a front, but a sincere desire for your happiness. The Wife had a caprese salad which disappeared quickly and blue cheese stuffed filet which was grilled to perfection, along with the famous twice baked potato, and creme brulee (which she loved). I had a ceasar salad and asked our waiter, Marcus, to surprise me with an entree. He brought a perfectly grilled rib eye and twice baked potato. Delicious, although I have heard amazing things about the sea bass and will try this next time. You can certainly spend less for a decent steak. You can spend less and have a good time. But Jimmy Kelly's is the kind of place you take an out of town guest or a business associate whom you'd like to impress, because it's unique, special, memorable and extraordinary. It's the kind of place where waiters are professionals who are not merely moonlighting between jobs and pandering for a tip but who are true servants and want to make your night out special. You remember their names and hope they'll be available the next time you visit. I've you've never been here, you must go. If you're deliberating about where to go for an incredible steak and/or outstanding service, you must go. The tables are a little close if you're looking for intimacy-ask for upstairs seating if you value privacy, but the ambiance is unbeatable. Valet parking as well.

The steak fries were crispy and yummy. I usually hate steak fries because at most places, they come to you soggy, but not here!

Our server, J.R., was hands down one of the best we've ever had, anywhere.

We plan to go back, and go back often, but next time we'll make sure that when we order, we will request that the salmon is grilled, per the menu. If you haven't tried Jimmy Kelly's Steakhouse in a while, I highly recommend you give it another shot. And ask for J.R.!

Excellent steak house seeped in whiskey and steeped in history

Took son to Jimmy Kellys to celebrate end of college finals. The building has an old club type atmosphere with comfortable seating and lighting. The staff seemed very experienced and our waiter provided excellent service. My steak had a bit too much bleu cheese for my tastes, but the meat and sides were excellent and prepared precisely as ordered. It's always nice to find an independent local restaurant of this calibre.