Chez Jay Restaurant Review

We went there at night and we had to wait for almost 2 hours but it was worth for waiting.

Classic dive bar -- expect dive bar decor, dive bar drinks, not quite dive bar prices, but hey, that's la for you. Fun, easy place. Lots of regulars.

Atypical, warm and friendly ... Location steeped in history! To do if you pass in the corner.

Great food quick service loved the brussel sprouts and clams.

Loved it. It came on my radar while I was watching the series Goliath. I had a burger which was excellent and the bartender was great. The only thing missing was Billy McBride

Absolutely stunning meal. The chef visited our table and made the experience that much more enjoyable. Divine dining in a classy atmosphere. Thank you for an exceptional experience to our small Texas group visiting.

This is an old school place that over the years has had visitors from superstars the world over. With good food and casual atmosphere it is a must for any tourist or local.

Classic old school dive in the middle of a land of commercial tourist spots

Bad ass spot with tons of history. Had a fantastic 10th anniversary at Chez Jay!

Stayed for a drink. What a drink though. Top notch Martini.

Love the old school vibe. Dont let the look fool you the food is awesome

Certainly a spot worth visiting, the food is great and fresh, the cost is reasonable and it is constantly clean there. Kudos.

Fun place. Noisy and bustling on the night we went. Fast service. Stale garlic bread, generic but generous Ceasar salad, good quesadilla's.

Beer + chaser Good local boozer touched with history.

Peanuts on the floor. A Santa Monica institution with a great vibe.

It's a Bar then restaurant. It a great rendezvous location.

I sat and stayed probably too long but it s never long enough. Great staff, awesome atmosphere and amazing food and cocktails.

Surprisingly good food for a place that looks like it should be shutter. Make sure you have cards paid off before going though. The sticky toffee dessert is wonderful, even has people who don't like sweets enjoying it.

Great food and staff. Goliath with Billy Bob Thornton filmed here

Classic dive bar that really feels like you're visiting a ship wreck of drunken sailors. It's a landmark in Santa Monica that should never go away. Food is actually really good too.

Looking for the best way to drive across the country? Look up at one of three epic road trips from Chicago to Los Angeles! Feb 2021 Chez Jay was chosen as one of the best places to visit on a road trip by The Wall Streat Journal!

This American restaurant, the historic landmark (from 2012) that was established in 1959 in Santa Monica on 1657 Ocean Ave.
Its Owners did a good job on The Backyard (opened August 2019) where now we all can enjoy brunches on weekends and live music from 7 to 9 pm on Wednesdays.
The New brunch menu is fantastic!
Chez Jay is one of those special places where beside good drinks and amazing meals especially if you are into seafood and steaks you can get the best of its atmosphere, meet new interesting people and to make new friends.
Great service and every person who works there is a good person. You will always feel people care about you and make sure you are happy at Chez Jay!

Fun dive bar in Santa Monica... drinks and food are really good!

Nice discovery very close to the beach of Santa Monica and at a late hour. The meal was excellent and the service impeccable. All in a picturesque setting reminiscent of fishermen's restaurants.

Hole in wall dive bar around forever. Very small and easy to walk to from Santa Monica Boulevard and pier

Bring a flashlight and ear plugs. Loud as a concert and dark as a coal mine. Oh yeah, good steaks!

If you don't know about this place you are missing out!!!

Are you kidding me!!!!...this is one of the must visit establishments in LA/ Santa Monica. Well famous before the Goliath series it carries a great athmoshere, nostalgic and a blast from the past. Drinks are ample. Should you be lucky enough to be present for the rib eye special....order it!!!!!

No-nonsense bar with a great back patio. Never a bad idea.

Rude staff, uninviting environment, wish we have spent our last night somewhere else.

Go for the experience. A dive bar but a wonderful dive bar. In addition to the amazing history of the place, very generous pours and friendly, unpretentious bar tender and servers. Ignore the scores, it's a "must" place to visit in Santa Monica.

I had been there in 2012 and I remember this place as a very good restaurant. They had launched the book with its history and they sent to me in Brazil.

Cool little "near the beach" bar/restaurant in Santa Monica, loaded with LA/Hollywood history. Had a fantastic Saturday night here chatting and drinking with a Texas couple, and Carrie, and Paul, and some USC alumni, and the wedding party! Plus the bartenders Petter & Jeffrey were excellent.

Was there on Saturday, October 12th, 2019.

Very cozy steak restaurant with dive bar vibes. Noisy, so it's great for blended conversation as part of a larger room, but not for one on one dinners conversation.

This spot is fantastic and spacious, the meals was enchanting and the rates were very reasonable. quickly, productive service and very welcoming staff members. Highly recommended.

It's probably the only place in that part of Santa Monica if all of Santa Monica that hasn't been ruined.

Epic dinner parties in the private dining room. The food is better than average and the atmosphere is comfortable but lively. Eat steak.

Glorious, old school Santa Monica joint. Super low key and may it never change.

It's a staple. Food was good, beer was good- I love it.

I visited Chez Jay today and had one of the best dinners on my trip to the US The location has a unique charm and the wait staff are very friendly and last but not least the food was great ...
I had the steak & lobster combo and my girlfriend added the New York steak to a few drinks, admittedly it was not cheap ($ 127 + $ 20 tip) but it was well worth it anytime again

It's got a great bar our front and now a garden in back. Only had drinks. A great place to revisit the L.A. of old

Glad I saw it, great dive bar with cold beer, but bartender was not so welcoming. A local bar that felt like outsiders weren't welcome

It's been around forever. The food is good, decent portions, nice staff, very comfy place. It's an iconic kind if Hollywood place at the beach. Go.

Cool dive bar in Santa Monica, Alot of stars have hung out here. Including JFK and Maraline Monroe

Not much changed since 1959, except better beer selection

Been frequenting this joint for 50 years. My favorite dive in all of LA. A must for both tourists & locals. MARVELOUS!

Pleasant service staff and stiff drinks.
The building inside and out is decaying, looks ready to fall down.
the "butter steak" $33.00 was a mess of gristle, that I had to spit out, twice.
If you want a DIVE restaurant, this is it. If you are a geriatric tourist, this is your place. If you want good food, in a nice place? go elsewhere.
Jay? may you rest in peace.

Great service, good food, throwback atmosphere from pre Silicon Beach Santa Monica.

Excellent service the chef memo With Latinos ... Speak Spanish ..
I recommend the steak Au poiver which has bacon in it. Excellent.

Nice place but too loud for me. And food is super average.

I had the best time at Chez Jay. It was worth making a reservation and we were seated right on time. It felt like home from the owners warm welcome to the amazing staff it began great and got even better. The bloody Mary was a perfect way to begin. The Calamari steak was just as tender and delicious as I heard. The butter steak was perfectly medium rare and the herb sauce will have you craving it the next morning. The scalloped potatoes made for an excellent side choice with a nice Al dente piece of fresh broccoli. The steak was so delicious I can't stop thinking about it. Good thing there was so much food and fun I brought some home. The parking lot is a nice treat in crazy busy Santa Monica. In a sea of watered down boring spots the food and history of Chez is a welcome classic.

Famed dive bar right on the strip. Great place for drinks and huge food portions.

Fun Atmosphere, lots of regulars so don't expect good/friendly service...

Can't say you've been to Santa Monica until you've had a drink at Chez Jay!

Dinner is one thing but the buzzy after dinner drinks crowd is a fun place to hang for a night cap

They have a patio in the backside of the place which is really awesome

Food is just ok. Prices are high. But it's a legend.

Would call this a hidden gem, but hardly hidden! My favorite goto spot in S.M.

Food #5. Noise level and crowded conditions #2 . Service #4 Will go back

I tried this spot before with my friend and I am addicted ever since. I love the awesome ambience and fresh food and drinks. Kudos.

Sweet spot to grad a small plate or have a few beers!!

Old school . Great for old fashioned good cocktail