Mid Rivers Newsmagazine JJ's Restaurant Review

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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine Restaurant Spotlight Archive

There's No Debate, JJ's The Place

By Mary Ann O'Toole Holley

Should we go Italian, Mexican or American cuisine? The debate about dining out disappears at JJ's Restaurant in O'Fallon.

JJ's is a global restaurant of sorts, featuring a bit of the most popular of food fare - whether you're feeling like an Italian dinner for two, a Mexican fiesta for four or an all-American steak and potato dinner for the entire family.

JJ's Restaurant has it all under one beautifully decorated roof.

JJ's is a staple in O'Fallon, born in a strip mall 12 years ago when the burgeoning city of O'Fallon was just a few blacktop roads and a couple of stoplights.

"When we arrived here we were maybe one of three restaurants," said Jerry Spies, who owns JJ's Restaurant with his brother, Mike Spies. "And we've been busy since Day One."

JJ's Restaurant is a family matter, with Jerry switching from a post behind the grill to greeting customers at the door. His wife Laura and his mother, Sharon, wait tables, and when staff is short, his son busses tables. His daughter helps critique the restaurant's advertising end.

"Someone from the family is always here," said Spies. "We keep a close hand in the business and work to make our customers feel welcome and comfortable."

The weighty menu brings to the table "Little Italy," featuring cannelloni with red or white sauce ($9.25), shrimp Alfredo ($13.25), chicken broccoli Alfredo ($9.59) and more.

Cast your eyes on JJ's "South of the Border" section and you'll find tamales and chili ($8.49) featuring two old-fashioned tamales cooked in cornhusks, topped with chili and cheese and served with rice and pico de gallo. There's steak quesadilla, featuring a flour tortilla filled with cheese, bacon, tomatoes, onions, peppers and strips of steak served with sour cream and Mexi-ranch sauce ($7.49) and other Mexican entrees sure to spice up your dining experience.

"We're known for our baby-back ribs ($9.29 half; $15.49 whole)," said Spies, refraining from revealing his secret-recipe sauce and unique preparation method. "And everybody loves their complimentary popcorn here at JJ's. When the popcorn machine breaks down, we're in big trouble."

Spies says his Rueben sandwiches ($6.79) always garner praise and guests tell him his Alfredo sauce is the best in town.

"Cajun chicken ($6.79) is my favorite," Spies said of the juicy chicken breast topped with bacon, cheddar cheese and hot sauce with Cajun spices. "I have to have one at least once a week or I'm just not complete."

If a burger is on your mind, JJ's can help overdose your craving.

Try the triple cheeseburger (about $7.55) featuring 18 ounces of fresh-never-frozen ground beef with toppings like bacon, barbecue bacon, mushroom Swiss and chili. There is even a bison burger to bring about change, and an old favorite, the patty melt, featuring both Swiss and American cheeses, grilled onions and grilled rye bread.

"That triple cheeseburger is about the size of four or more McDonald's burgers," Spies said. "But you'd be surprised. We get more requests than you can imagine."

Even pizza is a slice above at JJ's, with pies that stretch the envelope offering of barbecue chicken, taco and vegetarian pizza ($9.99 to $13.29). There are plenty of extra toppings like traditional sausage, pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms, black olives and jalapenos.

"We sell a lot of fresh fish here, too," said Spies. "My brother makes crab cakes himself, and we bring in coconut shrimp as an occasional special."

Spies says their 16-ounce porterhouse steak is a big seller at ($15.99), including any two sides from the long list of extras.

Four nicely divided sections cordon off the restaurant providing privacy and comfort in an environment of forest greens and natural wood accents. There are cozy booths and large tables for eight, although two, four or 12 diners are comfortably accommodated.

Families can dine, stay late and mom and dad can send the children off to JJ's video game room with a pocketful of quarters while they chat quietly. Everybody is happy, Spies said, and it gives parents some time to talk.

Though JJ's has no bar as such, drinks are served.

"Our banquet rooms are our bread and butter," Spies said of the two rooms available that accommodate between 20 and 100 guests.

Spies says he is filling a niche for parties, rehearsal dinners and wedding showers since traditional banquet halls are looking for larger numbers of people.

"Folks can use the banquet halls any time of the day or night," said Spies. "I let them pick three menu items and let their guests choose from the three."

Banquet prices are based on menu options, he said. Whether it's a small birthday party, an office gathering or a neighborhood food fest, Spies has plenty of plans for the perfect party.

"For birthday parties we often will do an appetizer buffet with buffalo wings, cheese sticks and potato skins," Spies said. "It works out well for most people."

JJ's Restaurant is located at 200 Fort Zumwalt Square in O'Fallon, off Veteran's Memorial Parkway. Take Hwy. K exit; head west on Veteran's Memorial Parkway to the restaurant on the south side of the road. Look for the perky blue awnings.

For banquets, parties or a reservation for a large dinner group, call JJ's at 636-978-1737. Carryouts are also available.

JJ's is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., except for four holidays each year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Fourth of July.

JJ's Restaurant

200 Fort Zumwalt Square

O'Fallon, Missouri

Phone 636-978-1737

Carryouts available