Jonesys Famous Steak House (and Coffee Shop), Napa Airport
Jonesys Steak House, founded in 1946, has been one of the areas most well-known restaurants. Yet there have been few, if any, mentions on this board. Located in the Napa County Airport terminal, the view of the runway and the steaks are the draws here. Otherwise, the décor is more diner-esque than fine dining with white paper mats protecting the table cloths and clunky dinnerware.
My three lunches in the main dining room, Ive had the top sirloin steak sandwich each time. Griddled under the weight of river rocks, the eight-ounce steaks have been perfectly rare as ordered and buttery tender. A choice of potatoes is available, but the special potatoes is the signature dish. A golden rectangle of shredded hash brown-like potatoes is topped with a square of melted American cheese, a grilled onion slice, and a sprinkle of scallions. The first time I saw this, I marveled at the perfect alignment to create the bulls eye effect. Its greasy, salty, cheese-y, crispiness is one of those guilty pleasures that must be indulged from time to time.
This indulgence is easier and cheaper to obtain in the coffee shop and lounge adjoining the busy dining room. Unlike its famous parent, the coffee shop appears to be little known and is rarely full for lunch. At the counter, my favorite stool is at the base of the U-shape where you can watch the meat cutters in the kitchen. Remodeled in the last year, the dark lounge area has been fitted with 50s-style turquoise upholstered benches and round formica-topped tables. A limited menu is served here, prepared by the same kitchen, at reduced prices. Theres only one waitress, Patty, and service can be slow, especially in the lounge, at times.
Shown below is the top sirloin steak sandwich as served in the lounge with garlic toast and special potatoes. Its a terrific lunch for $7.75, and 1/3 less than the price in the restaurant. On the coffee shop menu, its supposed to be accompanied by fries. But I just ask Patty if I can have the special potatoes, and she goes through the ritual of checking with the cook for the substitution. So far, theyve never said no. The steak might be a bit smaller and doesnt seem to be quite as tender as what Ive been served in the restaurant, but that might be my imagination.
The other good deal is the lite lunch salad and a bowl of soup for $5. This is best on Fridays, when the famous Boston clam chowder is offered. I wish it werent thickened so much, yet its still pretty tasty with tender chunks of clams, potatoes, celery, and bell pepper. The salad is made from chopped romaine and garnished with garbanzos, canned beets, and a dollop of cottage cheese. I always order the time-honored blue cheese dressing made with vinegar and oil and freshly crumbled blue cheese.
The burgers are also a specialty here, but I havent been able to tear myself away from the special potatoes and sirloin sandwich to try one yet.
Jonesys Famous Steak House
Napa County Airport Terminal
http://www.jonesysfamoussteakhouse.com/
Closed Mondays
By Melanie Wong
on Feb 4, 2004 04:06 AM
View »
melanie---i'm worried that you are eating too much beef lately. by the way, the "special potatoes" you mentioned used to be made all over the valley---jonseys is probably the last to carry on the tradition. rich
Permalink | Reply
Naw, you're still the leading beefeater. I haven't had a burger for almost two months now...not that it was ever a big part of my diet. Almost went to Jonesy's for one yesterday but thought better of it.
The dining room has a double steak sandwich for something like $14. Too much food for me, but might be up your alley. The coffee shop/lounge suits me, hidden away from the crowds. This is one place that is the exception to the chow rule of not ordering a steak in a diner or coffee shop.
Interesting about the "special potatoes", I'd not run across these before. Still amazed at the precision of the assembly, reminds me of a landing pad. And, I can't imagine them tasting any better if American weren't the cheese of choice. It's hard to find good hash browns these days, guess these have fallen by the wayside as well. Too bad.
Apparently the coffee shop serves breakfast too. Wonder how the hash browns are...
No comments on my post on Trancas?
Image: http://www.jonesysfamoussteakhouse.co...
Permalink | Reply
melanie---the trancas steakhouse is just fine---but you can't patronize all of them---which reminds me---you mentioning burgers---on monday, fume bistro (right above marie callanders) sells their 1/2 lb ten buck chuck for 5 bucks---i take a little salad in place of the bun and fries---and i guarantee that you will enjoy it. they also have their well drinks on sale from 4:30 to 6 for 2 dollars, so one can eat and drink very reasonably. go easy on the booze and your out under ten dollars before a nice tip for toby. rich
Permalink | Reply
Good rec, rich. Had a first visit to Fume Bistro tonight for the five buck chuck (with blue cheese for 50¢ more) - quite a deal for that price including bistro fries (sprinkled with parsley and parmesan). Will mention that it's only available at the bar. Also tried a glass of El Felino Mendoza Malbec ($7.50), a Paul Hobbs wine, which had lovely polished raspberry fruit but was too tarted up with french vanilla oak. Nice wine list here, and the corkage fee is $10, waived one for one for each bottle purchased from the list.
Permalink | Reply
Oh my, just looked at Jonesy's website, and it's had a full remodel! Anyone been there lately?
-----
Jonesy's Famous Steak House
2044 Airport Rd, Napa, CA 94558
Permalink | Reply
Boy Jonesy's is a blast from the past. I used to go there over 15 years ago when a friend who grew up in Napa recommended it as a great place to take my dad and uncle when they were visiting from the Midwest. Palby's was another spot that we used to go to and the divey breakfast joint on 29 near by. Driving back from St Helena, I noticed that the breakfast joint had changed hands.
Permalink | Reply
Ohh... I miss Palby's. When I was growing up, we used to go to Palby's every Sunday for their special steak dinner (I think it was $5.99 for steak, an enormous baked potato, and their wonderful cheese toast). The best part was shopping in the cheesy gift store while you waited for your table. Our house was full of porcelain dogs from that store ;) Jonesy's was our "special night out" steak restaurant. Boy... that was long before Napa really took off... before Auberge and Tra Vigne came to town.
Permalink | Reply
You forgot to mention the peacocks at Palby's (in the aviary, not to eat!).
Sounds like it's time that you returned to Jonesy's to check it out for us.
Permalink | Reply
This may be another case of what's old is new again. According to this article, Hwy-29's original owner bought it back,
http://www.napavalleyregister.com/art...
Was never a fan of the place, thought Canyon Cafe down the road had better food but less atmosphere.
-----
Hwy-29 Cafe
101 Cafe Ct, Napa, CA 94558
Canyon Cafe
3845 Broadway St, American Canyon, CA 94503
Permalink | Reply