OPEN FOR BUSINESS • Monday-Saturday 4pm to 10pm | Closed Sunday
​— NO RESERVATIONS --

A History of Jack's

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The old adage that looks can be deceiving was
never truer than ​in the case of Jack's Grill.

The retro atmosphere is one of its draws, but people come to
Jack's for one very good reason: its choice steaks.

The history of Jack's Grill is a colorful one.

Built in 1935 by Bill Morrison, the two-story structure on
California Street originally housed a second-hand store.

In 1938, Morrison leased the downstairs to Jack Young.

​At that time, Redding was a boom town filled with thousands ​of men
who had come to work on the railroads, on the construction of
​Shasta Dam or in the mines. 

​In the best Old West tradition, it was also a raucous, wide-open town and California Street was an infamous strip of bars,
hotels, restaurants and several houses of prostitution (including the upstairs of Jack's Grill for a brief time in the early 1940's).

Of the numerous bars that sprung up during that era, Jack's is the only one to survive.
​Eighty five years and counting...

Jack's Grill has held fast to the traditions that made it successful. 
​
Believing that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," they have resisted the temptation to modernize the restaurant.

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The building still sports the facade and decor of its early days,
including two original bar owners. 
Given in appreciation for the owners' help, one of the paintings
depicts an old-time sheriff sitting in a chair.
One night, an inebriated customer, fresh from an overnight stint in jail,
was so infuriated by the sight of the badge-wearing lawman
​in the painting that he pulled out a pistol and shot the painting five times. 
​
All five bullets hit within four inches of the badge and left holes in the wall
​behind the painting that were not discovered until 40 years later.

Jack's is Tradition

The tradition most important to the popularity of
Jack's Grill has always been its steaks.
​
When the grill opened, most of its patrons
were miners and construction workers
​who wanted a substantial meal after
a strenuous 16-hour workday.
Jack Young served them one-pound steaks.

More than 80 years later, the house specialty
​and its biggest draw is the famous
16 oz. New York Strip, Filet Mignon or
Choice Top Sirloin, which are also offered
​in a more modest 10 oz. cut.

Jack's steaks are exclusively USDA Choice,cut fresh
at the restaurant each day.
The menu also features other options of Seafood and Chicken dishes.
All dinners include garlic bread, baked potato or French Fries and tossed green salad with Jack's Homemade Dressings.

For a restaurant to stay in business, and in the same location,
for more than 80 years, it has to exhibit some very special qualities.
Aside from its legendary steaks and excellent service, the key
to the longevity of Jack's Grill is that it has remained largely
unchanged since it opened.
​

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Jack's is unchanged because customers like it that way.
Because, Jack's.

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To learn more about Historical Redding visit Shasta Historical Society. Click Here.