JT's Grill opened recently in the space formerly occupied by the Old 97 Restaurant. JT's is one of three restaurants the owners operate in the Lynchburg area. This one is sort of a sports bar/pub and burger place with steaks and other things, mostly sandwiches, on the menu. The character of the place is centered on six TV sets and there is a small stage for live music. The TVs are silent. but showing sports, and there is country music on the stereo. It's often noisy and all the men wear ball caps, which is not unusual in this part of Virginia. Fine dining it isn't, but you will be well-treated by the friendly and reasonably efficient staff.
Seating is rather rigid booths and some of those high bar type tables- (I hate those things.) There are some regular tables in the adjoining room, where the stage is. On a Saturday night, we found the place full but no wait was necessary. Parking was more than adequate. When we asked for a regular table, we were asked if we had reservations : ) Turned out a party of about twenty was occupying all the regular tables.
Our company of four sampled a good cross-section of JT's offerings. I had blackened catfish which was very good and perfectly cooked. They also offered catfish breaded and fried. I chose the side of a "veggie medley", which was sliced carrots, primarily, with a few pieces of sun-dried tomato and a couple of "al dente" green beans. All rather pedestrian and probably canned. It also came with "sauteed mushrooms", rather lifeless and bereft of seasonings, but OK. My companion had a dinner salad and a "filet" steak, which I sampled and it was excellent- also perfectly done and very tasty. The iceberg lettuce dinner salad was identical to every one you have ever had elsewhere. My other companion had a basic All-American burger with everything, albeit priced at $9.00 and change, along with some well-prepared battered style onion rings.
All told, I thought the prices were high reasonable for most items. I didn't price the beer or drinks.
The kids' menu provided our granddaughter with mini corn dog bites, French fries and mac and cheese, all of which she devoured heartily, along with half a salad. The menu had lots of "cheesy" items, but that is typical of Central Virginia fare. The other customers seemed content.
We noticed the iced tea tasted just a bit rancid, but it was hard to tell as it was very sugary
.I found the noise level to be loud, but when the country music was off, and people didn't have to shout at each other, it was more agreeable. There was a huge list of beer, both national labels and a lot of the local mini-brew stuff, and a full bar. They are going to be open on Super Bowl Sunday, and I anticipate there will be quite a crowd, Check out their web site for a complete menu. As I mentioned earlier, there is adequate parking in their own lot. Outdoor dining is provided for if you go in the summer. read more