Uncle Jack's Steakhouse

Welcome to Uncle Jack's, "The Best Steakhouse in New York City," where superior quality and obsessive dedication to craft are the norm. Said by many to have the best steak in New York, Uncle Jack's is proud to have served some of the world's most educated and discriminating food connoisseurs.

Since its inception in 1996, Uncle Jack's has become legendary for unsurpassed consistency and quality. Serving the best steak in New York means featuring the finest USDA Prime Beef, cut to our exact specifications and aged between 28-35 days. World famous Kobe steaks, and a full menu of the finest foods available, are just a few more reasons why Uncle Jack's has become a steakhouse landmark without equal.

HISTORY

In the early 1930's, with prohibition still in effect, "Jack's" on the Upper Westside of Manhattan became the premiere location for celebrities, socialites and aristocrats yearning to celebrate the finer things in life. Aside from serving New York's finest steaks, seafood and vegetables, "Jack's" was just as well known for its proprietor and his dedication to quality and high standards – qualities that still define Uncle Jack's today.

While world famous for his celebrity clientele, "Jack" would greet every guest as if they were family. Everyone who walked through his doors expected the absolute best - and received nothing less. "Jack" handpicked every item his restaurant served. While praised for his delicious steaks and unique menu, "Jack's" special sauce was arguably the main attraction. Legend has it; the sauce – hand crafted in small quantities once a week and stored in an iron vault – was watched more closely than the weekly shipment of whisky barrels from the South!

the classic jacks truck

"Jack's" flourished for years, catering to New York's finest, and became the place to go for the best steak in New York 

– a title that was proudly passed on to "Uncle Jack's".

The Uncle Jack's story started when William Jack Degel opened his first restaurant, Hollywood and Main, in June 1990 in Flushing, Queens. Degel's hands-on management style and charismatic personality ensured its success. He had a vision for a steakhouse unlike any other, utilizing the highest quality products available and offering uncompromising service. Through obsessive attention to detail, he managed to elevate service to an art form, with captains trained to anticipate their customers' every need.

In March of 1996, Degel started work on his dream – building the best steakhouse in New York City. He found a small store in Bayside, Queens and began working. He personally designed the restaurant interior with a fanatical attention to detail and modified the menu until it was perfect.

Opening in November 1996, Uncle Jack's Steakhouse was an immediate success, filled with local sports stars, celebrities, and politicians. Degel worked for the next seven years refining and perfecting its operations and receiving numerous awards and outstanding reviews in the process. In his quest to find products of the absolute highest quality, Degel tried many established steak sauces. None met his exacting standards, so he decided to develop his own. He created four unique recipes using the freshest all natural ingredients available: Uncle Jack's Steak Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Sesame Teriyaki Sauce, and Lemon Grass Ginger Sauce. Uncle Jack's steak sauces are now available in 3,000 gourmet stores today.

By July 2003, Degel was finally ready to open his second restaurant. He secured the ideal location on Manhattan's West Side, and went to work designing a prohibition-style Victorian Saloon with hand-carved mahogany bar and walls, copper pressed ceilings, and stained glass fixtures. Opening on December 15, 2003, Uncle Jack's once again became an immediate favorite of local CEO's, socialites and celebrities. With its three distinct dining areas, the new Uncle Jack's had broad appeal. The Library Room was great for corporate meetings, featuring a state of the art video conference system, 42" plasma screens, a 24 carat gold leaf coffered ceiling, fully paneled cherry wood walls, a custom made chandelier and a hand carved mahogany conference table. The red and white El Presidente Room boasted mezzanine seating, a theatrical balcony, coffered ceilings, turn of the century presidential portraits, and seating for seventy.

In September 2004, Degel began the search for a third location. He has since successfully opened the latest incarnation of Uncle Jack's Steakhouse at 

44 West 56th street between 5th and 6th Avenues. Degel has plans to franchise his concept to further expand the Uncle Jack's Steakhouse brand and to introduce the entire country to the Best Steak in New York!

Willie Degel

Today, William Jack Degel, Godson of the famous "Jack", carries on his tradition of excellence and commitment to the best quality imaginable. "Willie", as most people call him, is involved in every aspect of his restaurants - from hand picking the finest choice cuts served, to inspiring the sophisticated atmosphere and luxurious decor Uncle Jack's is known for.

Through Degel's unyielding commitment to his clientele, Uncle Jack's Steakhouse continues to capture the spirit of the original "Jack's", inviting New York's elite and discriminating patrons to eat, drink, and enjoy life.