Wooster Restaurant Guide

Olde Jaol Steakhouse
3.4 stars (6 ratings)

(330) 262-3333

215 N. Walnut, Wooster, OH 44691

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Italian Food & Culture History

Restaurant Description

Our History

The Olde Jaol facility was built in 1865, and was claimed to be the finest sheriff facility of its kind. In 1977 the Wayne county sheriffs department was relocated across the street to a new facility. Subsequently, the old jail was registered as a historical landmark in 1980 and in 1995 The Olde Jaol Steakhouse was given life. We have an excellent reputation for quality and service.

Today, the Olde Jaol houses the finest in food and hospitality. We recommend our Certified Angus Beef steak entrees. Only 8 percent of beef is tasty enough to meet the brand's high standards. It's simply the tastiest, juciest, most tender beef you'll ever have.

September 30, 2008 @ 8:49 AM
2  out of 5 stars
a diner from South Bend, IN
First off, I was a waitress myself for 6 long years. (This is in regards to the restaurant, not the pub) Food: Ordered $10 crab cakes - received 2 scallop sized cakes - I'm all for paying $10 for crab cakes - but they should taste pretty good & be of a decent size - these were neither. Ordered the $19 shrimp & scallop pasta dinner - it was a bowl of pasta topped with TWO shrimp & THREE scallop! Even Red Lobster gives you more seafood than that for less $. On the other hand, some in our party did order a steak, which they really liked, and it wasn't over-priced. Service: We had a rather large party (over a dozen people), however, it should not have taken us over 3 hours to complete the experience - we waited way to long for our salads (we all scarfed the bread long before the salad arrived), our food also seemed to take to long, and we were sitting around after dinner for quite some time questioning whether our server was even going to return with our checks. I would also like to note that our party was well-dressed & friendly, and it stated on the menus that gratuity would automatically be added to large parties, therefore, there was no reason not to like anyone in our party or to think that anyone in our party might not tip. On the flip side, the servers were friendly & courteous when they were there. The restaurant was also extremely dark - they had the lights so dim down there that your eyes had a hard time focusing to read the menu (we would've had to read the menu aloud to my Grandma) - this is also why I did not rate the cleanliness - because I couldn't see whether it was clean or not. I have been to restaurant's all over the country - from 24-Hour diners to 5-Star establishments, and I have to say - if I ever do visit Wooster again, I would rather dine at a Red Lobster, or I guess I should say that I would NOT be dining at the Olde Jaol.
January 26, 2008 @ 4:19 PM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Wooster, OH
I think some of the other reviewers may have been confused, which is not surprising, since the Olde Jaol is actually two restaurants in one! The place mentioned as having steak and seafood is a more formal and far more pricey, and does not serve the microbrewery beer (at least not that I have ever seen.) I've been there twice and the first tiem the food was awful and the second time it was amazing. You do need reservations for this part of the restaurant.
The Olde Jaol tavern is adjacent to the restaurant, has a different entrance and a completely different menu. It is more informal, featuring a full bar (with microbrewery selection) and a patio section which sometimes host live music. This part is less expensive, has more standard American fare, and, yes, is a bit greasier. It unfortunately does not take reservations, and if you are coming on the night of a football game it'll eb packed, because of the large screen TV.
Overall, I enjoy the tavern more because the food has always been consistently good, the service relatively good, the bar fairly affordable and because it offers entertainment. Definitely a Wooster tradition, so if you're in town, come check it out!

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Read More: Wooster Restaurant Reviews

Avg Rating: 3  out of 5 stars

Number of Reviews: 6

September 30, 2008 @ 8:49 AM
2  out of 5 stars
a diner from South Bend, IN
First off, I was a waitress myself for 6 long years. (This is in regards to the restaurant, not the pub) Food: Ordered $10 crab cakes - received 2 scallop sized cakes - I'm all for paying $10 for crab cakes - but they should taste pretty good & be of a decent size - these were neither. Ordered the $19 shrimp & scallop pasta dinner - it was a bowl of pasta topped with TWO shrimp & THREE scallop! Even Red Lobster gives you more seafood than that for less $. On the other hand, some in our party did order a steak, which they really liked, and it wasn't over-priced. Service: We had a rather large party (over a dozen people), however, it should not have taken us over 3 hours to complete the experience - we waited way to long for our salads (we all scarfed the bread long before the salad arrived), our food also seemed to take to long, and we were sitting around after dinner for quite some time questioning whether our server was even going to return with our checks. I would also like to note that our party was well-dressed & friendly, and it stated on the menus that gratuity would automatically be added to large parties, therefore, there was no reason not to like anyone in our party or to think that anyone in our party might not tip. On the flip side, the servers were friendly & courteous when they were there. The restaurant was also extremely dark - they had the lights so dim down there that your eyes had a hard time focusing to read the menu (we would've had to read the menu aloud to my Grandma) - this is also why I did not rate the cleanliness - because I couldn't see whether it was clean or not. I have been to restaurant's all over the country - from 24-Hour diners to 5-Star establishments, and I have to say - if I ever do visit Wooster again, I would rather dine at a Red Lobster, or I guess I should say that I would NOT be dining at the Olde Jaol.
January 26, 2008 @ 4:19 PM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Wooster, OH
I think some of the other reviewers may have been confused, which is not surprising, since the Olde Jaol is actually two restaurants in one! The place mentioned as having steak and seafood is a more formal and far more pricey, and does not serve the microbrewery beer (at least not that I have ever seen.) I've been there twice and the first tiem the food was awful and the second time it was amazing. You do need reservations for this part of the restaurant.
The Olde Jaol tavern is adjacent to the restaurant, has a different entrance and a completely different menu. It is more informal, featuring a full bar (with microbrewery selection) and a patio section which sometimes host live music. This part is less expensive, has more standard American fare, and, yes, is a bit greasier. It unfortunately does not take reservations, and if you are coming on the night of a football game it'll eb packed, because of the large screen TV.
Overall, I enjoy the tavern more because the food has always been consistently good, the service relatively good, the bar fairly affordable and because it offers entertainment. Definitely a Wooster tradition, so if you're in town, come check it out!
December 11, 2007 @ 3:33 PM
2  out of 5 stars
a diner from Mansfield,OH
I had the pork tenderlion with maple cream sauce that was delicious. My colleagues who were there with me ordered steaks that were cold and unflavored. Other colleague had fish that was cold. 6 out of 7 meals served had to be reheated including mine. Very consistent with giving drinks, but waitresses need more personality. We also waited 1 hour in a half for our food to come.
November 17, 2007 @ 7:38 PM
3  out of 5 stars
a diner from Canton, Ohio
Ate there today. The sandwiches are very good, and fairly reasonable. The soup, however, was another story. I had the black bean soup - the beans were "crunchy". My husband had the beer cheddar soup, and didn't care for it. The onion rings were extremely greasy and basically unedible. The atmosphere was nice.
November 2, 2007 @ 9:05 AM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Wooster, oh
The best place to eat in Wooster hands down. The tavern menu is fantastic! The food is cheap and on Saturdays, drinks are a steal - try under $2 for a beer!
If you go, gotta have the onion rings!
January 28, 2007 @ 10:41 AM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Columbus, OH
Good food, rather pricy. There's no "brewing" going on; the beer list is very small (but tasty).
Read More Wooster Restaurant Reviews

Olde Jaol Steakhouse Map

Recent Olde Jaol Steakhouse Reviews

September 30, 2008 @ 8:49 AM
2  out of 5 stars
a diner from South Bend, IN
First off, I was a waitress myself for 6 long years. (This is in regards to the restaurant, not the pub) Food: Ordered $10 crab cakes - received 2 scallop sized cakes - I'm all for paying $10 for crab cakes - but they should taste pretty good & be of a decent size - these were neither. Ordered the $19 shrimp & scallop pasta dinner - it was a bowl of pasta topped with TWO shrimp & THREE scallop! Even Red Lobster gives you more seafood than that for less $. On the other hand, some in our party did order a steak, which they really liked, and it wasn't over-priced. Service: We had a rather large party (over a dozen people), however, it should not have taken us over 3 hours to complete the experience - we waited way to long for our salads (we all scarfed the bread long before the salad arrived), our food also seemed to take to long, and we were sitting around after dinner for quite some time questioning whether our server was even going to return with our checks. I would also like to note that our party was well-dressed & friendly, and it stated on the menus that gratuity would automatically be added to large parties, therefore, there was no reason not to like anyone in our party or to think that anyone in our party might not tip. On the flip side, the servers were friendly & courteous when they were there. The restaurant was also extremely dark - they had the lights so dim down there that your eyes had a hard time focusing to read the menu (we would've had to read the menu aloud to my Grandma) - this is also why I did not rate the cleanliness - because I couldn't see whether it was clean or not. I have been to restaurant's all over the country - from 24-Hour diners to 5-Star establishments, and I have to say - if I ever do visit Wooster again, I would rather dine at a Red Lobster, or I guess I should say that I would NOT be dining at the Olde Jaol.
January 26, 2008 @ 4:19 PM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Wooster, OH
I think some of the other reviewers may have been confused, which is not surprising, since the Olde Jaol is actually two restaurants in one! The place mentioned as having steak and seafood is a more formal and far more pricey, and does not serve the microbrewery beer (at least not that I have ever seen.) I've been there twice and the first tiem the food was awful and the second time it was amazing. You do need reservations for this part of the restaurant.
The Olde Jaol tavern is adjacent to the restaurant, has a different entrance and a completely different menu. It is more informal, featuring a full bar (with microbrewery selection) and a patio section which sometimes host live music. This part is less expensive, has more standard American fare, and, yes, is a bit greasier. It unfortunately does not take reservations, and if you are coming on the night of a football game it'll eb packed, because of the large screen TV.
Overall, I enjoy the tavern more because the food has always been consistently good, the service relatively good, the bar fairly affordable and because it offers entertainment. Definitely a Wooster tradition, so if you're in town, come check it out!