JK's Restaurant

No Table for You!!
My wife and I have enjoyed eating at this restaurant before. The food is very, very good, so we decided to dine at JK’s for our wedding anniversary. We called to make reservations and the pre-recorded message said that they do not take reservations and it’s a first come, first served experience. So, we headed to JK’s at 5pm when they opened, hoping to be one of the first seated.
We arrived before opening and the line was fairly long. We thought about going to another restaurant but we decided that it was our anniversary, and our previous experience was so wonderful that we could enjoy a drink in the bar if we had to wait. Little did we know that our drink in the bar would turn into a two hour wait while many, many, many others were seated ahead of us. The bartender even felt sorry for us and kept offering free drinks.
The host was straight out of a Jerry Seinfeld soup episode. If he knew you, you got a table. If not, no table for you!!!
When we arrived, we were told it would be a 20 to 30 minute wait, which made perfect sense. We were first people into the bar, so we got our choice of bar seats and enjoyed a cocktail. Then, the bar cleared out as well as the waiting area, yet we had no table… Now, we are a very patient couple but there is a limit. My wife went to check in with the host to see where we were in line. Low and behold, the book was open and it was clear that many folks, over a page worth of names, who arrived after us were already seated. The host was talking to another staff member and was heard saying he seated others because he knew them. When my wife inquired and was told it would be a little while before a table opened up. Mind you, at this point we had waited an hour for a table.
Twenty minutes later the host offers to buy us a free round of drinks, if we would dine at the bar, instead of getting a table. We chose to continue our wait for a table but in hindsight, we should have just left the restaurant and called it a night.
Finally, at long last, the host tells us our table is ready. He asks us to wait in the lobby instead of leading us to a table. As we wait in the lobby, John gives our bars seats to another couple, and proceeds to tell them they have “best seats” at the bar as he will get them a table very soon. The host then small talks with them for 4 minutes while we wait in the lobby. Yes, I timed it, I’m a glut for punishment. After that conversation ended and we waited in the lobby, the host returned to greeting new guests. He offered one couple a table in 10 minutes but asked them in whispered tones “not to tell anyone”. Keep in mind that the lobby is full of people waiting and we are standing right behind him, still waiting!! Then almost as an epiphany, John turns to us, realizes we are still waiting and says “Oh…. come this way, I have a table, please feel free to stay as long as you want.”
Once we were seated, we were reunited with a couple we met at the bar. They were at the table next to ours. Lucky for us we were just in time to tell them goodbye as they were paying the check and getting ready to leave. Remember we were the first into the bar, since we had waited in line to enter the restaurant at 5pm. Several of the folks that we saw enter the bar after us were either already finished with their dinners or finishing up… Definitely not first come, first served!
In summary, the food is pretty good, the wait can be really, really long depending on the circumstance. Perhaps it might be wise to tip the host, else there is “No soup for you!”

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 1

Dining room manager said my food was cold because I spent too much time in the bathroom. Rude and insensitive. Expensive and food was cold.

Wheelchair accessibility: Terrible, rocky parking lot

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

When we first got to our table, our waiter Chance was attentive but as the night went on he disappeared. The host (Billy Goat Bob with the grey raggedy hair) was very rude and seemed miffed when we asked for our COLD shrimp & bloody rare steak (was supposed to be medium well) to be cooked more/heated up. The host accused us of taking a really long time in the restroom. My mom and I had gone to the restroom for maybe 3-5 minutes and there is NO WAY the shrimp went from hot to cold in that time. Also the green beans tasted weird and were cold. The only things that tasted good were the mashed potatoes, bread, and Caesar salad. This dinner sucked. Save your wallet and go to Owen’s. It’s really unfortunate because my mom raved about JK’s and loved their food in the past. The only saving grace of our night was our waiter’s cute butt. (Sorry lol)

Parking: The handicapped parking was VERY far from the ramp going to the entrance. Also the asphalt was extremely hard to walk over with my walker. Parking lot should be resurfaced. Put your money where your mouth is Billy goat bob.

Wheelchair accessibility: The ramp was very steep and not user friendly. There were no handicap bathroom stalls.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Baguette, Caesar Salad

The food was absolutely amazing and our waiter was stellar!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Ribeye Steak Twice Baked Potato, Creamed Spinach

What a wonderful place. The owner John was welcoming, Shanna our server was fabulous and food spectacular.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great service and the steaks were amazing.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is a first class restaurant in every aspect. When you enter, you are immediately greeted with a warm and friendly smile. The atmosphere of the restaurant is unique and very nice. The wait staff is always friendly, and ready to meet your every need. We have tried many items on the menu and have been most satisfied with every entree. The desserts are great also. If you come to the Outer Banks and would like a first class experience, I highly recommend this fine restaurant.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Always a great meal.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Ribeye Steak Twice Baked Potato, Seafood Bisque, Rib and Chicken Combo, Fried Shrimp, Petite Filet

Well worth the wait! Delicious food! You won't be disappointed!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Seafood Bisque, Petite Filet

So excited for first burger night of the season. Unfortunately after 20+ years enjoying JKs this, will have to be my last visit. I simply can not justify paying $24.00 for a burger.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Great food and service. Specializing in high quality steak, but also known for their baby back ribs and chicken too. Always a local seafood option along with rotating fresh veggies. Nice bar as well.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Ribeye Steak Twice Baked Potato, Seafood Bisque

Vegetarian options: The waiting and cost is worth it. Better than the Angus Barn in Raleigh NC.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We live in Kill Devil Hills for the off season. Until now, JK’s has been one of our favorite dinner spots. This time was a letdown, but we’ll give them another try later. Oysters Rockefeller (app) were tiny, poorly accented, and flavorless! Medium rib-eye came rare. Julie’s ribs were dry and flavorless. Inattentive service. We had no wait time to get seated… I wonder if that should have been a sign?

We had our best meal on the OBX at JKs last night! The rack of lamb was very generously proportioned (8 ribs), tender, juicy and cooked to perfection. The chimichurri sauce added to the flavors. This was accompanied by delicious snap peas, and a perfectly done baked potato, substituted for mashed. My wife loved the shrimp skewers - not on the menu, but made special at her request. Even the bread was amazing. Wonderful desserts of Pot de Creme and Blueberry Cobler finished the meal on a high note. Can't wait to return!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great place and fantastic service. They got our large party in without a reservation, and kept on top of orders, requests, refills, and everything else. Everyone's food was absolutely delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5