Great food on Lothian Road
Illegal Jacks has been trading for a month now and has become a popular choice for people who appreciate good fresh food. We previewed Illegal Jacks the night before it opened to the public.
Taking up residence at the premises previously owned by Pizza Hut, diagonally opposite the Odeon cinema in Lothian Road, this 100 seat restaurant is extremely handy for office workers, students at lunchtime and ideal for a quick bite to eat before attending a show at one of the nearby theatres or cinemas.
Edinburgh Spotlight paid Illegal Jacks their second visit and were warmly welcomed by the friendly staff who enquired if we had been before. We replied no, so that the menu could be explained to us.
Jack’s has a ‘four step plan’ which consists of choosing a ‘weapon’ of a burrito, taco or quesadilla and then ‘filling it with the good stuff’ – a choice of chicken, beef steak or sauteed vegetables or vegetarian chilli, making sure everyone is catered for. The third and fourth step is adding some black or pinto beans and topping with salsa (mild, hot or roasted).
The seating consists of wooden tables and benches and now includes window seats which are perfect to watch the world go by from. There was a mixture of customers when I was in the restaurant ranging from students and office workers to mums with their babies, making use of the ample room available, quick service and excellent changing facilities.
To begin with I opted for the simple dish of chips and dips at £3.50. The tortilla chips were perfectly crisp and were accompanied by a selection of guacamole, salsa and sour cream.
Chips and dips
The guacamole was to die for. Extremely fresh and perfect in texture, as was the salsa which wasn’t too spicy, but did have a kick to it (you can order hotter, or spice it up with hot sauce). This simple combination made for a perfect starter, accompanied by hot drink to warm me up. It didn’t take long for me to demolish the plate whilst humming along to some wonderful background music from Ella Fitzgerald.
For my main, my weapon of choice was a freshly grilled quesadilla with chicken breast at £5.25, which had been marinated, along with the other meat overnight for full flavour. It was served on a bed of rocket and I had some more guacamole on the side (it really was fantastic stuff).
Chicken quesadilla
The insides were chock-full of beautiful chicken and black beans, making for a wonderful combination.
I could definitely work my way through Jack’s menu and never get bored. Fajitas, come under ‘Jack’s Specials’ and are the only thing on the whole menu you have to sit in to eat as they come in hot skillets (everything else is available to take away). Other specials include chili bowls, nachos (with the tortilla chips served hot, not just melted cheese on top of cold ones), again with a choice of chicken, beef chili, vegetarian chili or just cheese. Salads and chicken wings finish the specials list and my mouth is watering again thinking of all the fantastic options.
The interior is a little stark, with the exception of definition on the walls of what’s on offer, but it’s all about the food here.
Wall art
Illegal Jacks do a ‘working lunch’ offer which consists of any burrito and drink for only £5 making it a reasonably priced meal. Burritos are also on offer in the afternoon between 3pm and 5pm when they are two for the price of one, making it a great place for a late lunch or early dinner.
I am happy to see that Illegal Jacks is doing well and holding its own on Lothian Road. It’s definitely a welcome attribute to the area and perfect for when you want good quality food… and fast.
*Updated 27th Jan* You can now phone Jack ahead with your order or book a table for larger parties 0131 622 7499
*Updated 9th March* They now stock Mackie’s ice cream for dessert. Pefect way to finish off a meal.
Opening hours are :
Mon-Thurs: 12.00-21.00 Fri-Sat: 12.00-22.00 Sun: 12.00-21.00
You can find the latest information about Illegal Jacks on their facebook page and on twitter
Suitable for disabled ? Yes even ground access with disabled toilets.
Map of this location
Tags: Edinburgh, Illegal, recommended, review
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Im not the type of person to go and bother to write a review of a restaurant, but I just visited Illegal Jacks on your recommendation and I would probably bet that this reviewer has never tasted good Tex Mex food. I was really disappointed with my burrito, the rice was dry, the cheese was sparse and the ‘sauteed’ vegetables were raw. Who wants to eat raw onions? Having spent time living in California, I can say with certainty that this place is not a good option if you need a Mexican or ‘South Western’ fix.
Afternoon all, Jack here. Interesting reading above, allow me to respond.
A few things strike me as odd. Firstly, the critiquing of my business model. Why? And why copied from England of all places? Most unusual. Why would a food reviewer ever even mention this?
Secondly, the old cliches creeping in – “I’m not the type of person”, “as someone who grew up around”…. OK, perhaps true, although I’m not convinced. I used to live in the States (Boulder, Colorado seen as you ask), and the menu was developed in conjunction with a tex-mex consultant from San Antonio, so am happy with my authenticity.
Staff “absolutely useless”. No, they’re not. Every other review has sided with me. And you ought to be a little more polite my I suggest.
Cheese sparse? Nope, we’re doing close to 40kilos of Monterey Jack a week, if anything we serve too much!
Meet poor? Wrong again. We have a new partnership with Campbell Brothers butchers, and the beef is awesome, has been for some weeks now since we switched supplier.
Finally, salsa from a jar? You’re having a laugh now. That’s just silly.
Should either commentator above put their name to a post I’ll happily invite them back in. If not, then no worries, your move guys.
Best for now –
Jack.
The above review clearly didn’t have a clue what they were talking about (the fact that he says he only looked at some of the items rather than tasting them is not a good basis for a review). I recently visited Jack’s (on a trip to Scotland from Arizona – Lots of Tex Mex there!) and was more than impressed with what the owner has done with the place. First of all the decor was amazing with a very clean, fresh looking restaurant. The food was exactly was I was hoping for as there has never been decent Tex Mex in Scotland. Everything was very fresh, this I know because upon asking the owner allowed me to watch them freshly prepare the guacamole, salsa (3 great different tastes) and meats from the convenient open area that looks into the kitchen. If you don’t believe, you can see for yourself! Every single item I tried was fantastic. The fact that in the 2 days I was in Edinburgh I ate there 5 times should tell you a lot. I have grown up in the food industry and know what fresh tastes like..and Jack’s food does. The quesadillas, burritos and nachos were so authentic. I have lived in America for the last 5 years (Florida, Texas and Arizona – all hot beds for Tex Mex cuisine) and Tex Mex is by far my favourite type of food and I am very happy that Britain finally has a great version to visit every time I am there. The staff and owner were all very helpful with the owner was willing to ask any questions posed to him. He clearly knew what the UK was missing and he has filled a void. He has told me of how he had tried many different versions of Tex Mex around the USA and he has done very well to bring those flavours to his restaurant.
All the items were great value for money. I can’t wait to come back and spend more time eating my way through the menu again.
I have to disagree with the posts from “TexMexExpert” and “Come On”. Illegal Jacks is certainly the best place for texmex cuisine in Edinburgh.
The Staff are friendly, the food is always great and it is reasonably priced. The only issues i can possibly see anyone having with this restaurant (provided they like texmex to start with) is with a lack of table service, which is not a big issue with the contemporary style.
Will definately be eating there again.
sounds to me like someone with a personal grievance is out to try and harm illegal jacks reputation – perhaps another local eatery? Hope not. Pretty sad.
I live around the corner from illegal jacks and have been a regular there since the day it opened visiting at least 3 times a week. I would go even more but i’m embarrassed to be in there all the time and my workmates have to constantly listen to me raving about the place.
Most Edinburgh restaurants in my opinion are overpriced with average food but not illegal jacks. I’m a huge tex-mex fan and have for years waited for a place like illegal jacks to finally open here.
the food is excellent and fantastic value. the burriotos are top class, fresh, healthy and super tasty and where else in Edinburgh can you get a meal like that for a fiver?
I’ve never written a comment online about a restaurant before but I hate to see what i can only imagine is underhand tactics by someone out to damage the good name of illegal jacks. Because if this person is really genuine they would know how good it is.
I don’t believe that come on or texmexexpert really ate at Illegal Jack’s.
I actually read the good review before coming to Illegal Jacks, and I went despite these two (or maybe just one person) complaining.
The food is fantastic, for fantastic prices. I’m DEFINITELY going again.
If they did actually go to this restaurant, they must have been dropped on their head as a child to think the service or food wasn’t good.
I love Illegal Jacks – everything is so fresh and authentically tex mex (having eaten in quite a few tex mex places in the US). I am lucky to work nearby and have been in for quite a few lunches with colleagues and have yet to hear a bad word said.
Texmex Expert/Come on (same person given the very similar turns of phrases) is clearly not a genuine reviewer so please everyone go and judge for yourselves – it won’t cost you much.
Jack’s is the best!! I agree with tollcrosspaul, the negative comments on this site are an obvious attempt to destroy one of the new up and coming treateries in the Edinburgh area. I have been there at least 3 times a week since it opened and have always finished every last scrap on the plate, except for the guacamole…I like to take that home and rub it all over my body.
Came through from the west coast (go ahead & boo!) for a show and went to Jack’s for a bite. WOW! Some serious good stuff. Burritos – best anywhere, no doubt. Have eaten them all over the US and I promise you, you will NOT get better, fresher or tastier. Staff friendly, place spotless, food fresh & tasty, good price, handy location – COME ON people, what more do you want?
ComeOn and TexMexExpert, have you ever actually eaten there?! I dont think you can have!
The food is brilliant! They give you so much, I cant believe anyone could think it was sparse! I couldn’t finish mine it was so big, i was gutted! As for the cheese, i stopped the NICE staff after two scoops when they were going for a third! how anyone could think you didnt get enough of anything there is unbelievable!
I actually commented to my friend about how nice the staff were when we were in there, as soon as we walked in the door someone came over, smiling away, and asked if we’d been to Jacks before. I hadn’t, but my friend had, so i was talked through how to go about planning my meal and we were shown to a table and left to go up and order in our own time. We sat for ages with a drink before ordering, and even though the place was busy I never felt like i had to hurry up or leave.
As for the point you make about the food not being fresh, you must be blind…
could you not see them preparing it constantly through the back!?! they have a nice pizza oven style window into the kitchen so you can see whats going on all the time. I got a burrito, but it was one of those places where as soon as someone elses food went past you were “oooohhh i wonder what that is!? i want that!”
I’ll definitely be back to Jacks. Oh and its good value too. There arent that many places in Edinburgh anymore where you can get a really HUGE cup of tea or soft drink for £1.50 and sit as long as you like watching the world go by.
To anyone who reads these two bad reviews, please don’t change your mind about going to Jacks because of them! It looks to me like someones on the slander wagon….
I find it interesting that twice now the same response to Jack has been taken off this board.
A response that, although negative, was no way offensive. Does spotlight provide this service only for their advertisers, or are all the other reviews sanitised towards positive only reviews.
Well, now I know of one sub-par eatery in Edinburgh and one very dubious review page.
Shame neither is brave enough to stand up to criticism.
FAO TexMexExpert If I thought your last comments were genuine, I would let them stand. I actually emailed the address you submitted all your previous comments with and got a reply saying that someone had been using their address without permission. I now see that you are using ANOTHER email address but the same IP. If you verify that your email is genuine, I am happy to let all comments stand.
Alison Co-owner, Edinburgh Spotlight
I love Illegal Jack’s, initally went after craving the Chipotle burritos I’d been eating whilst in the US and was overjoyed to find something that, dare I say it, tasted even better. Huge portions and very friendly staff, love the layout and interior decor. Went again last night and totally loved it.
The food here is terrible. If you have never tried decent Tex-Mex, you may like it. I’m sick of seeing rave reviews for this place, because it’s awful. Everything is bland and tasteless. I know Scottish people enjoy blander food than I’m used to, but as an American from the Southwest, I’m appalled that this is being peddled as “American” food. We don’t eat bland, tasteless food! The owner has obviously tried to copy Chipotle (American chain), but has failed, miserably.
I’m shocked to see people who claim to have eaten burritos in the US that enjoy this place. It’s not authentic, as Tex-Mex is packed full of flavour. It’s a great concept, and if the owner had succeeded, I’d be there everyday. The food is definitely fresh, but has zero flavour. I agree 100% with ComeOn and since they lived in California, I know that they’ve had a decent burrito.
I found it to be expensive, as the same meal at Chipotle is about $12, but my husband and I paid £18. I also don’t mind paying more for good food.
The owner has taken their name from Illegal Pete’s, a wonderful restaurant of the same concept in Colorado. I wish they’d also stolen their recipes!
Jack here. Thanks for you honest feedback. The price comparison isn’t fair though with the US due to vast differences in taxation (business rates for example are huge here). Have not tried to copy Chipotle either – wasn’t impressed with their unit on 9th in Boulder – and may have been inspired by the Illegal name, no harm in that. However, my menu’s considerably different to both the places you mentioned, and more extensive. Finally I used the finest produce I can source given our price point.
Please email me on jack@illegaljacks.co.uk – would like to invite you both in for lunch and tastings. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jack.
I’m from Boulder and must say Illegal Pete’s is amazing, compared to the blandness of Jack’s. Admit it, you weren’t “inspired” by the name. You copied it. After living in New Mexico and Texas and eating wonderful Mexican food, I think I know a bit about what constitutes flavourful food.
Your menu may be more extensive than Chipotle (not more so than Pete’s), but just because you’ve put fajitas on the menu to please a Scottish audience, doesn’t make your restaurant better.
A simple, well-planned menu that has delicious food is better than an extensive menu full of bland food. I must give you credit for using Monterrey Jack, as most places in town use cheddar.
You do have a lot of fans, because a British audience has not eaten the same quality of Mexican food that you find in the US. Do what the American places do and bring in some Mexicans to do your cooking, rather than Eastern Europeans. Mexicans know flavour, and you need it, as the hot salsa isn’t nearly what you’d expect from an “authentic” restaurant. Your salsa is a watery pico de gayo with a wee bit of spice.
How about I invite YOU to lunch and show you what real, authentic food tastes like. My salsa would blow you away!
Hullo Boulderite! Pete’s is an amazing place, agreed. But using one word from 5000 miles away isn’t copying their name. Otherwise no company on the planet could be original. And if you’ve studied my menu you’ll know that there’s way more than simply fajitas on the menu compared to Chipotle (I’ve only been to one Chipotle in my life – on 9th, guess you know it, not a great unit at all. Far prefer Qdoba on 30th. And seriously, “bring some Mexicans in”?! Aye, will pop an ad on Gumtree and have a word with the Immigration folks!
OK, invite me to lunch then, am more than willing to give it a go. jack@illegaljacks.co.uk is where to find me. I look forward to your response! Warm regards – Jack.
Absolutely appalled at the comments appearing here. Some offensive others just blatant lies.
The food here is superb, the staff are as friendly as any I’ve been served by and the prices for the food you get are pretty reasonable.
Interesting that the complaints are mainly being shot from an Americans who have tasted the food. There is a thing called tact and common courtesy that seems to be lost on you. You think the food is bland, whereas a majority over here don’t.
I would suggest to you that maybe your sense of taste is highly distorted after years of eating additive-laden foods that are filled with MSG? Thus anything that doesn’t contain them, is obviously by comparison going to taste bland.
Personally I love the food, keep it up Jack!
Hi folks,
I’m a big fan of Jack and his nosh and I’ve spent an absolutely lovely evening with his incredibly talented and scarily intelligent staff and nicer, more thoughtful people I couldn’t hope to meet. I sincerely hope that commentors are thinking about the people they’re talking so carelessly about before they hit post.
Jack’s a kind and generous fella who has really poured his heart and soul into making Illegal Jack’s work and if you ask me it’s working brilliantly. I’m a big fan of burritos and tacos and hot wings and everything related and I’ve yet to find a bigger, tastier burrito in Edinburgh or, in fact, in the UK.
TexMexAficionado – I especially love the way that you’ve managed to insult the entirety of the kind nation where you’re evidently staying or living at the moment. That’s a great move – the Scottish people are warm and friendly and you’ve told them all that they don’t understand food in the same way as you. I hasten to add that this fair city has five beautifully shiny Michelin stars so I’m pretty certain that the Scottish palate, especially the Edinburgh palate, is rather more refined and delicate than you suggest?
Oh, perhaps you’re just saying that we don’t put enough chilli in our food? If that’s the case then I can vouch for Jack having some seriously hot, American-branded sauces in his kitchen for special occasions. Now don’t get me wrong here, sometimes I love to eat something that gives me the hiccups because it’s so fiery, but a lot of people love their taste buds and haven’t dulled them with vast quantities of salted fast-food so they like to taste what they’re eating rather than sweating their food out of every pore.
Now, after all that, I’d love to come to lunch with you. I’m a huge fan of good food, especially great home cooked food and if you think you could produce that food on a mass scale at a better quality than Jack and with the same margins then I am utterly in awe of you and I will happily kneel at your feet and profer myself to your habanero soaked pinny. Jack has my contact details if you do decide to go ahead with it.
Alex
Oh please… no one who has commented here is actually American. Just seems to be a handful of expats who’ve lived stateside for a minute and want to claim ownership of something they’ve tried that their Scottish chums haven’t. Stop fapping off about how ‘cultured’ you are. You just sound ignorant.
It’s a great restaurant. Wish people would stop whinging about the wait staff (racist much?) and go enjoy the FOOD! That’s what it’s all about.
Aiko,
You rock my world.
Alex
Jack, I’ve been waiting FOUR YEARS for a restaurant like yours to arrive in Edinburgh. Given that I’ve yet to meet a single Mexican in the U.K. (or a native Brit who knew the difference between an enchilada and a burrito*) I’d just about given up hope.
Then you opened Illegal Jacks, a bright haven for the hungry, the gastronomically-discerning, and the burrito-conscious. The food is great, the staff are terrific, and the price is right.
I’d recommend Illegal Jacks to anyone.
P.S. I am American, and can confirm that some TexMex restaurants in Texas or Mexico are indeed more authentic than Illegal Jacks. But is anyone surprised by that? Illegal Jacks is an ocean away from the real thing, and it’s still great!
*Also, lest I have offended, I have the highest esteem for my British partner and friends, who continually educate me about these things called “pakora” and “curry”. I have so much to learn.
Aiko- I was born and lived in the US until I was 30 and I’ve been here for 4 years.
Alex – I’m not trying to insult the entire Scottish population. I simply said that it’s likely most people here have not eaten a great deal of authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex food. It’s not insulting anyone, as I’d never had good Indian food until I went to India, and didn’t realise what authentic curries were until then. It’s the fault of the terrible Mexican places in town. At least Jack has tried to be authentic and doesn’t use cheddar and his food doesn’t taste of canned tomatoes. I like more spice and coriander.
I’ve eaten at The Kitchin and Martin Wishart and found them to be absolutely wonderful. I’m not insulting Scottish food, I’m only saying that I’ve found the British don’t enjoy very spicy food. There’s nothing wrong with that.
WonOver – I’ve not eaten MSG in years, as on the very few occasions I’ve had cheap Chinese MSG-laden food I’ve been violently ill. I eat at Michelin star restaurants regularly and consider myself a foodie with high standards.
I apologise for writing a bad review, but that is my honest opinion. I think the concept is wonderful and think it’s great that Jack has brought this food over here, but I didn’t like it. There’s nothing wrong with 1 bad review. A lot of people like it and I wish him the best of luck.
FAO TexMexAficionado
Please leave the comments alone now. I don’t wish to be unfair and remove your right to free opinion, but insulting the Eastern European staff is not what this feedback is for. The Polish girls who work there, have to be the nicest girls working in any Edinburgh restaurant, always a smile and a hello for everyone who comes in and remember you if you have been in before. All of the staff at Jack’s are highly educated people and extremely pleasant.
We would love to review the meal that you cook for Jack, please let us know when it is happening.
Alison,
Edinburgh Spotlight owner
TexMexAficionado,
In that case I apologise for misreading your intended meaning – you’re coming across a little heavy handedly whether you mean to or not. It’s difficult to not be defensive when someone is perceived as being very head strong,
I’m looking forward to lunch…
Alex
TMA-
I suppose I just couldn’t imagine that someone who is herself a foreigner here could be so blatantly racist against other foreigners. [As a born&raised Californian living in Edinburgh, I've got nothing but love for this city & for the people trying to make their own way in it, just like you.]
I hope people reading these comments don’t think all Americans are as ignorant as you have come off in your ‘review’. It’s alright to dislike a place, and to share your experiences about it, but it’s different to be slanderous and accusatory. It’s unfortunate that your ‘honest opinion’ only makes you sound like a bigot.
Despite what a certain, self appointed over opinionated ‘expert’ has said I found the food and service at IllegalJacks to be very good. They served me with fresh, good food quickly and with a very pleasant smile.
BIG Thanks to all the staff
Went to Jack’s for the first time 2 weeks ago. Great food and lovely staff. Chicken Quesadilla was excellent. Also love that Jack responds to feedback (positive & negative) quickly and politely.
Keep up the good work, will be visiting next time I’m in Edinburgh.
My second visit to Jack’s again yesterday, and the food was every bit as good as first time around. The man has a passion about food that I’ve rarely experienced, and I run two dining groups in Edinburgh, so my expectations run pretty high.
The beef chilli is awesome, and I had a little taster of the vintage chilli which has a very deep, almost smoky taste.
And the staff are absolutely lovely! I’ve been made very welcome on both visits.
I’ll certainly be recommending Jack’s