A fine dining experience, with friendly service and outstanding food quality with a lot of history. Where you meet movie celebrities and have a good time.

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51 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4 / 5

(51 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 51 reviews

5 stars

(17)

4 stars

(21)

3 stars

(11)

2 stars

(2)

1 star

(0)

Food

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

neighborhood gem(33)
fit for foodies(10)
vibrant bar scene(7)

great for lunch(6)
hot spot(6)
good for groups(5)

Chez Jay Reviews List

Review 1 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

What A Beach Joint Should Be

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/21/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Chez Jay has long been a Santa Monica institution. There is a reason for that. The menu is limited, but the steaks are first-rate Service is friendly, yet unintrusive. The shots are honest, and when you get right down to it, the joint is as comfortable as an old shoe. Chjez jay will be evolving so as to take its place in the new Ciovic Center Park that is being built, but the plans call for additions to, rather than replacement of, this classic neighborhood gem. In the meantime, Chez Jay is a living embodiment of the Santa Monica beach bar scene before the Yuppie invasion. And did I mention that the steaks are first-rate? The thiord-generation of theFiondella family will make sure that you have a meal that you will long remember!"

Dined on 5/21/2013

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 2 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Inexpensive laid back spot

Top 250 Contributor

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/10/2013

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Like an old diner in Cape Cod--old decor, great chowder, delicious sand-dabs, all for a good price-- well under $30 for dinner, including a glass of wine. Not the best restaurant in Santa Monica, but great value for money."

Dined on 5/10/2013

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Review 3 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Best Westside Spot for REAL People

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/04/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Almost every other Westside restaurant is chock full of phony baloney people spending exorbitant sums of food and drink about which they have no concept of quality. At Chez Jay you get simple, quality food in decent size servings at decent prices, served by normal people. The drinks are good and well priced. The small draft beer selection features all quality suds (Anchor Liberty Ale, Goose Island IPA.....).... Even their house Cabernet is decent, especially for $17 a liter....(my wife and I are wine snobs to boot)....If you're a carnivore, enjoy the beef....It's decent, though not up there with Fleming's in quality, but it's also not $40 for a filet either. Personally, I always get the Sand Dabs"

Dined on 5/04/2013

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 4 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

An old-fashioned bar

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/04/2013

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"An old-fashioned bar with peanuts on the floor, young people drinking bar, older regulars at the bar, and couples eating at the 8 booths. From a different era, but worth the trip if you aren't looking for fabulous food. Great place to grab a drink, just for the fun of it."

Dined on 5/04/2013

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 5 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Old school still hasn't changed

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/26/2013

2006

Dined on 04/26/2013

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Old school still hasn't changed"

Dined on 04/26/2013

2006

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list

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Review 6 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

From the outside this doesn't

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/18/2013

2013

Dined on 04/18/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"From the outside this doesn't look too appealing but is in a very good area of Santa Monica. However from the moment you walk in the door, it is a very good experience. Staff are welcoming and friendly. We had booked,requesting a booth and this was ready for us at the requested time. Service was excellent, food very tasty and the atmosphere is just great. A small restaurant with an equally small bar but a gem. Wouldn't hesitate to return if back in Santa Monica."

Dined on 04/18/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 7 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Some things never change ,and

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/20/2013

2003

Dined on 04/20/2013

2003

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Some things never change ,and that's good for chez jay
Still a great local watering hole. Food is average to good ,but it's nice to find a place where they don't nickel and dime you for salad and sides."

Dined on 04/20/2013

2003

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 8 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Loved everything about it.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2013

2010

Dined on 04/06/2013

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Loved everything about it. The Monk fish special was wonderful."

Dined on 04/06/2013

2010

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 9 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

The unique and rich history

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/29/2013

2006

Dined on 03/29/2013

2006

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The unique and rich history just oozes out of this place.... We spent 3 hours here and it felt like the blink of an eye. I'd highly recommend going here. It's pretty wild to know that Frank and Dean and most of old Hollywood used to call this place home. The manager, Juan (I think that was his name) is so inviting and welcoming. The staff, too, was really accommodating and even let us peak into the secret back room. You have to go."

Dined on 03/29/2013

2006

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Review 10 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Chez Jay always good.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2013

2008

Dined on 03/30/2013

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"One of my Santa Monica favorites.... I usually get the seafood salad, but my wife & I decided to order steaks. I ordered the bacon crusted pepper steak as seen on tv's "USA of Bacon" & my wife ordered the waitress recommendation "Butter Steak". Both were really good, but we both liked the butter steak better."

Dined on 03/30/2013

2008

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot

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Review 11 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great find!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/22/2013

2013

Dined on 03/22/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We stumbled upon this through open table and had no idea it would be so wonderful. Rich in history, attentive service and great food all tucked away in this Santa Monica gem. We're looking forward to returning and bringing others."

Dined on 03/22/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch

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Review 12 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

They don't make 'em like this

Top 1000 contributor

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/15/2013

2004

Dined on 03/15/2013

2004

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"They don't make 'em like this any more. Small, crowded, noisy, threadbare. But the scene is fun, the food is from the '60's but surprisingly good. Better go now, because the Santa Monica City staffers are scheming to shut the place down."

Dined on 03/15/2013

2004

Special Features: vibrant bar scene

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Review 13 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

It's a popular dive with decent

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/15/2013

2007

Dined on 03/15/2013

2007

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"It's a popular dive with decent food. The drinks could be a lot better though. And the service was somewhat hit and miss--one waiter was great but we rarely saw him and the back-up guy wasn't that good."

Dined on 03/15/2013

2007

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Review 14 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

So fun!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/15/2013

2012

Dined on 03/15/2013

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Come here if you are looking for a cute restaurant with great service!"

Dined on 03/15/2013

2012

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 15 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Amazing service and David

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/06/2013

2006

Dined on 03/06/2013

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Amazing service and David made us feel so welcome and special. Thank you!"

Dined on 03/06/2013

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 16 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

A "must do"....

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/04/2013

2013

Dined on 03/04/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Always a "must go" when you're in Santa Monica. A flash-back to the 70's with a great vibe. Don't miss it."

Dined on 03/04/2013

2013

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 17 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

A Santa Monica institution.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/16/2013

2007

Dined on 02/16/2013

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"A Santa Monica institution. On our most recent visit, the food and service were very good. In general, I like their seafood more than their steaks. That was the case this visit as well as the king salmon they had was excellent, but the steak was just ok."

Dined on 02/16/2013

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 18 for Chez Jay

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5