Janko's Little Zagreb

Janko’s Little Zagreb is a true throwback, a classic old-school steakhouse with a lively, no-frills atmosphere and food that pulls no punches. If you’re hungry, you’re in luck. Portions here are enormous, from the perfectly seasoned steaks to the surprisingly excellent crab legs, which are sweet, meaty, and generously served. The menu keeps it simple, but don’t let that fool you. The kitchen cooks hotter than described. A medium here is closer to well done. Still, the flavor and quality make up for it. Expect a bustling and spirited vibe, with laughter, sizzling platters, and the clink of steak knives cutting into hearty, satisfying fare. It is not quiet dining, but it is memorable, indulgent, and very much alive. Great for big appetites and steakhouse purists. Just come ready to eat and maybe to talk a little louder

It's either a little rich for my blood, or you have to spend well over $100 to get good steak. The baked potatoes come out with nothing on them, very basic. Butter is on the table. The salad is just the leaf greens, red cabbage and carrots with a little bit of dressing... no tomatoes, no cheese, very basic as well. Thr rolls were okay, they grill them or something, they had little burnt spots on them. The steak had so much gristle in it, we had to spit out more then we actually ate. Had over half a steak left on the plate and didn't even ask for a box. Probably won't be back, longhorn is better for the same price. (The picture included is what we left when they asked if we needed a box.)

This has become our anniversary spot! While the steak this evening was not the greatest. The service we received more than made up for it! Alexis was amazing! She gave us the best service I think we've ever had anywhere. She was attentive and quick. But also quick to realize our steaks weren't the best without us saying a word. Off days happen and that's totally fine. We will be back! Thank you Alexis for such wonderful service this evening ❤️

The food was excellent. The service was good. Old time steakhouse with delicious steaks. The tables are very very close together so it feels like you’re sitting with the people next to you. It’s very crowded and extremely loud in there due to so many people crammed in and talking. It would be great to order food carry out and go else where to eat if possible.

Great steak. I got the NY Strip. Its not cheap, but it is a nice thick steak. I've gotten less steak for the price other places. I ordered medium and I think the thickness contributed to the steak coming out on the rare side of medium. Excellently seasoned not a bland bite. The portion sizes on everything I saw except the salmon were very generous. Not terribly impressed with the atmosphere. For a name like "Little Zagreb" I expected a bit more character than "IU." It was also packed tight and loud.

Lots of issues with this place and I’ve gone to many steakhouses in my life. First, the lighting is terrible. It’s so dim in there, you have to squint to read the menu or see your food. I get you don’t want to have bright lights everywhere, but this place has barely any lighting to speak of. Secondly, the two times I’ve dined here I felt like I was in a furnace. It was so hot and it really tarnished my experience. It is hard to enjoy your food when you sweating and overheating. Thirdly, the menu is very limited for a steakhouse. No enticing appetizers to speak of, very small steak menu, no steak fries and the side of options are very limited as well. The food is very good though. Our steaks were cooked perfectly and we had decent service. However, these top issues must be addressed before we consider returning to dine here.

I'll be the odd reviewer out but I don't understand the appeal of this place. Perhaps it is too casual for my liking based on how i view steakhouses. The tacky decor, pop music, constant foot traffic and noise, so many people handling food without gloves or hair pinned back. It was a very underwhelming experience. As for the food, the steaks were cooked exactly medium rare, which is great. The steaks were also lackluster with flavor. The filet was very dry, the ribeye was decent. The rolls were so dry and provided with cold, unspreadable butter causing the roll to crumble. I wish I had ordered the crab as it looked great at another table. I enjoy the atmosphere of fine dining and steakhouses in Indy so this experience was quite off-putting. Overall, this place is way pricey for the food and atmosphere provided.

This is a very small steak place. It is IU themed, and makes you feel at home the moment you enter the door. I haven’t had a nice dine in experience like this in a LONG time. Any time I took a sip of my drink, my server was around topping it off. I did not feel rushed. I felt right where I needed to be at the right time. The steak cooked perfectly to Med Rare like any good steak should be. The baked potato was amazing. The salad was the only thing mid. Rolls were great with the char flavoring. Seasoning on the ribeye was just right. Go hungry! Reasonable prices for the quality, and portions. Better than Ruth’s Chris, or any other chain steak house. If you’re in Bloomington go to Janko’s!

As good as it gets. Perfect service and food. Our server was on top of her game. Meatballs were amazing as always. Split the NY steak and it was cooked perfectly and was delicious. Wine prices are great and we had a killer Merlot. All in all a great experience. Been coming here since the early 80's and it never disappoints. Keep it up. The service really makes it top notch.

Awesome steakhouse. Every steak I've had here has been amazing. The menu is the perfect size and offers options for all but isn't overwhelming with options. They also have a great wine selection. Service was good. This restaurant can get pretty crowded during busy IU Weekends, but hey that's because it's just that good!

Steakhouse with reasonable prices. Great spot after IU sporting events. Split a bottle of wine with friends.

The ambiance was fine and the wait staff was friendly and professional. The food was marginal. My $36.00 Sirloin Steak was as dry as an old worn out baseball glove and my wife's meatballs were drowning in Sirachi sauce.... I rate the food a one out of five.... Very pricey $87.00 meal and we ordered no appetizers or drinks.... Potato was decent but small... won't be going back.

This. This is why I slowed my trip down and took a two day delay. I was told this steakhouse was worth it. And you know what? It absolutely is. A fancier restaurant with a high end feel, I was warmly welcomed despite my lack of reservation. I chose the sirloin and it was perfect. Cooked medium rare as requested, it was absolutely delicious and I love that my waitress was able to locate some horseradish to really bring out the flavor. The salad was very good, the baked potato was perfect. I opted against dessert because I was stuffed. This is a great spot to impress, whether a business meeting or a date or your parents coming to town for to visit you at University. Absolutely not cheap but well worth it. [Review 20562 overall - round number 100 in Indiana - 1543 of 2023.]

Service was excellent, the meat balls had a little spice and were very good. we enjoyed the bread, tasted fresh. I got the filet and was cooked perfect, the baked potatoes was good. Butter and sour cream is the only option. The salad dressing are homemade. The score was the stuffed bell pepper. If you like stuffed bell peppers, not sure it gets any better. Only complaint is the salad is boring. Needs tomatoes, onion ring, maybe cucumber, croutons. But hell I'm complaining about a salad

I love the feeling of this little place. It's super cozy and makes you feel welcome right away. It's also way bigger on than inside than you would imagine. Our server was friendly and super attentive. I probably would have enjoyed the food better if I had ordered a steak. I ordered the meatballs Bucharest which came with a side salad and a potato. They were good, but way more spicy than I had imagined and didn't live up to the raving that I have heard about them. The ranch on their salad was really good. The rolls we got beforehand were absolutely delicious. I could have eaten those all day, but the butter that came out was hard as a brick. My partner got the burger that he wasn't impressed with. I tasted it and thought it was good. All in all, definitely not worth the price for the items we received. I'd come back to try steak and maybe that would change my mind.

Loved the comfy family vibe restaurant. Loud, cheerful conversations felt like a small restaurant in Europe with low cost tables chairs and decorations (IU themed of course) where they have obviously focused their attention is on sourcing their steaks and cooking expertise. With their Limited menu and decades of experience the food was outstanding. Meatballs, salads steak and potato's were cooked perfectly to order. They were able to clearly answer GF questions as well. Will be visiting again for amazing steak.

This place has the preparation of a steak mastered. The tables are super close and it is rather "chatty" for this reason. It felt like an old neighborhood place that refuses to update to be trendy. We try to patronize Zagreb at least twice a year when family visits the alma mater.

The spot gets very busy, so make a reservation! You can tell this place has been around for a while and has a good reputation because it was bursting at the seams with people. It's not very big and was cramped and loud inside. You could see everybody working really hard and moving around really fast. They seemed to be well staffed for how busy it was. There was a lot of interesting things on the walls and there's a real hometown feel to the place. Most importantly, the steak was absolutely delicious! Perfectly seasoned. The salad and bread rolls that they provide are very generic...VERY. I love bread and wasn't into their rolls which says a lot. Based on what you're getting, I do think it was a little bit pricey, but I feel like everything is these days. Just a few days later in a different city, I went to St Elmo's which is supposed to be amazing and was way more expensive and the food was so disappointing. I couldn't help but compare- this place was way better! I was visiting from out of town, so I don't think I ever will be back, but I would recommend this place to others if you're in Bloomington!

Straight-up really good food and service This is a no-nonsense great steakhouse. No fancy-pants stuff. Just good food around good people. My daughter had the Gypsy Steak kabob, and my wife and I shared the 20oz Ribeye. Sides were great, the steak was superb. Beer and wine were also pretty good. Make sure you get the freshly baked rolls with butter while you wait for the food. Great table service. Everything about this place is great.

Steaks were incredible and perfectly cooked as the temperature requested. Service was a little slow but very friendly and courteous. The ambiance was old school, definitely wasn't expecting the quality of food we received when we first arrived. Venue is small and just regular tables or booths. Wine and beer only, they do not have a full bar. Will be back when I'm the area.

in my visit to this place, I've certainly enjoyed the service and the ambience. However, I have never felt the quality of the food quite lived up to the price point. I feel there are other places in the area where you can have a better meal for less money.

I read all the reviews and decided for my one night in Bloomington we would eat at Janko's. While the food was very good and the service was excellent this place is a dump. I know it is an institution, but clean it up a little. I will never forget Janko's, but unfortunately what I will remember is how run down the place is. Food, service and wine list are excellent.

My wife and I ate dinner here the day before Valentine's Day. We shared a great ribeye steak and had a baked potato and salad with it. The food and service is excellent. It's not a place for a quiet dinner. We can't wait to go back!

The steaks! The spicy Hungarian meatballs! The quality of the food stays the same. If you love a good steak, try it. Decor has not changed since, maybe, it opened.:IU memorabilia all over the walls.

This was a pricey place that I missed getting to try when I was a poor college student in Bloomington. I don't think the decor has changed in decades. I'm glad we went but I feel this place is definitely hit or miss. The spicy meatballs were recommended as a favorite appetizer. The sauce was spicy with red pepper flakes but the meatballs were kind of flavorless. Tender but no flavor other than they were meatballs. The steak and salad with house made dressing were both really good. We also had the spicy pork ribs for two which aren't shown. They were tender and tasty. The rolls were okay but the soup was horrible. It was bland and lumpy. I love cream of mushroom soup so this was very disappointing. I would definitely come back for a steak or chops but skip the appetizers and soup.

Came here with my little brother when I visited him in Bloomington. I made reservations two weeks in advance and the only slot available was at 4:30pm right when they opened. Despite the restaurant being extremely busy I appreciated that they never rushed us during our meal. Spicy Meatballs - These should come with more of a warning because they are extremely spicy!! I did not imagine that a small-town midwest steakhouse would be serving up anything so spicy but I was tearing up! Stuffed Peppers - my brother and I shared the stuffed pepper meal. It was a large dish with sauce fully covering the peppers and the entire plate. It reminded me of the stuffed peppers some of our relatives made growing up, so very homemade and unpretentious.

What's there to say other than if you're wanting the best steak ever with dynamite selection of wines, go no further.

Janko's Little Zagreb has been a staple in Bloomington since I was born. I had only been a few times and decided to take my girlfriend when we were in town. I ordered the Ribeye and she ordered the NY Strip. Both were cooked and seasoned perfectly. I couldn't have asked for anything more. The sides that come with the meal or predetermined unless you want to order something else. They were okay. The service was excellent. At all times, there was someone coming by our table to either refill water, clear plates, ask if we needed anything. It was also never the same person which really told me that everyone there is looking after each other and the restaurant. It was a bit noisy, but they were pretty busy as well. Given the size of the place, it's the sign that this place is good. I would definitely recommend to anyone coming into Bloomington or locals alike.

Love this place for a perfect steak every time. Don't forget to give the meatballs a go, a great spicy starter

Food was good, but atmosphere was terrible. No space between tables! The table next to us had an extra chair, and that lady was practically sitting in my lap. I had no space to move my hands to eat whatsoever. Also super noisy too. Think twice about this place. Service takes awhile.

The rib eye and stuffed peppers were amazing! I can't say as much for the service. Our waitress was friendly but once our food arrived she was hard to come back to the table to inquire if we needed anything We just asked for the check once we caught her at a nearby table 15 mins later we finally got the check

Came here for my son's 19th birthday. Everyone was very friendly and service was great. The dinner rolls were delicious but that was about it. The salad tasted like nothing, added pepper to see if that would help and it didn't. The chicken portion was huge but was extremely bland. Both steaks we ordered(ribeye & New York Strip) had no flavor whatsoever. Extremely disappointing.

Pretty good place and the food was good. Our server was a family friend so we kinda got special treatment. Worth it though.

Excellent food. Steak done to perfection. Grilled rolls were good. Wine very good. Service good. Very noisy! Music loud! Hard to have a conversation.

The service was excellent considering how busy they were. We ordered the much acclaimed meatball appetizer and the stuffed pepper dinner. Felt like the pepper was literally one of the same meatballs stuffed in a pepper... it was just a lot of meatballs for dinner.... The steaks looked delicious and the burger was a massive undertaking ... the burger was the star of our order.

Great food! Great service! A definite must hit when in Bloomington! Our entire family went when visiting my son. If you want to treat your college kid to an excellent steak dinner this is the place to go. Casual atmosphere so dress as you are!

We love this place! Started going on visits to my son at IU and now make it an occasional adventure. Everything is great! We had Shrimp and meatballs as an appetizer, one had a ribeye, one salmon, and one burger. All delicious and reasonably priced.

I'm only in Bloomington once a year, and over the past 15 years I've been here a few times. The food is absolutely delicious. I shared a large Filet with my colleague and it was one of the most tender cuts of meat I have ever eaten. Side dish: Asparagus. Substantial portion and great flavor. App: Shrimp Cocktail: Bring the heat! Service attentive. Down side: Sat in a booth in front of the kitchen. The booth is as old as the building. It leans. Lists. 20 degrees to port. I sat on the side with the partition between our table and the next. The booth was loose. I got knocked every time the party on the other side leaned back. Need to invest in some repairs and updates.

I have been dating at Little Zagreb's since 1992, when I was a student at IU. We were there this weekend with my son and were saddened by the lapse in service. We were seated at 9:10 for our 8:30 reservation. The reaction from the hostess was essentially "you have to wait on Friday's". Making matters worse was being rushed out at 10:30. While others enjoyed a leisurely meal, we were basically left with just over an hour to hurry through our meal. The food was good, and wait staff friendly and attentive. But given the steakhouse prices, the experience was lacking. One other thing....having a backed up toilet in men's room is hardly a good look. Bottom line, Little Zagreb's has become overly comfortable with it's reputation as Bloomington's only upscale steakhouse. If you want a pleasant experience witn your student, sadly I would now look elsewhere

Cooked to perfection and can't beat the prices of the steaks. Serves was fast. Don't forget to make early reservations because they get busy later in the evening.

High quality steaks in a simple atmosphere. I e eaten in statehouses from NYC to Chicago. As good as the best of them.

Perfect steaks and service! Went before a bb game, we were seated, served and on our way in less that 1.5 hrs. We had appetizers and never had to ask for a drink refill. Recommend making a reservation.

This is a must have when visiting my son in Bloomington. First off, you are in small town USA. The restaurant lineup is not spectacular. Yes the inside could be updated but it's like a dive bar steakhouse. Where else can you get a filet, salad, baked potato and the most delicious roll for $42? The food is so good and the service is no nonsense get it done. And I am always thanked by multiple staff when leaving.

Generally a good food establishment. We all like our dinner. Unfortunately trying to enjoy a special family meal was impossible due to the rowdy nature of the place as this is a big drinking hole as well. Try going early to get in a good meal.

Wait for it! This place is AWESOME! It has changed a little since I was here last, like the pile of oil dry under the exhaust fan! The tables and chairs from the Fifty's are gone. The steak is amazing. I had the sirloin for one. Being a road warrior and one who loves steak the best steaks I have found have always been offered with a basic salad and a basic potato, no frills. The staff is pleasant and attentive. Will defiantly return I just hope is sooner than later! Lol

It was good but just didn't quite meet the level of expectation for being known as the best steakhouse in Bloomington

Bloomington institution. No frills excellent steakhouse. I've loved getting to eat at Janko's since I was a student.

Service = Great Food = Great Atmosphere = LOUD Hard to have a conversation. It was very noisy. Would go back but maybe during the week.

Every review that recommended this place was spot on. Make a reservation. It's a mom and pop restaurant that is not fancy. You are eating in a diner, dining hall, no frills steakhouse restaurant with first class assistance, very good food if you like meat. The meat is the showcases and the sides are just okay.

A classic local steak and rib joint. Nothing fancy, just outstanding food and service! We make a point of going there every time we are in town and it is always packed on the weekends.

We went Saturday night at 5 PM. The steaks were excellent and the wait staff was attentive and courteous. Food came promptly. There were many large groups (10+). It is a wonderful locally owned establishment. However, it was the one of the loudest restaurants we have been to in many years. Either there are too many tables in a small room or they need to install some sound absorbing material to make it a more pleasant experience. A few tweaks could make this a much better dining experience.

We toured Indiana University and asked for their best restaurant and was guided here The meatballs were spicy and good The porterhouse ordered by my son was excellent and I had the pork chop with was tasty and cooked to perfection Service was rushed --but not staff fault. They seemed understaffed led The staff though worked really hard and we left a great tip because they really nice and deserved it. We ordered desert to go and it was good

Holy crap. What do you say when you have eaten some of the best steak in the region other than, I am SO glad I went. My husband and I celebrated a mini Valentine's Day together visiting Jankos. We were told to go by several friends and I am glad we listened! We made reservations and couldn't get in until 9 pm on a Saturday. Worth it! The service was so amazing. And the food, oh, the food. I got the small filet and my husband got the ribeye. Good heavens. So SO good. I recommend trying this place out. The steak is fresh, and I mean really fresh. The wine is delicious, and the service is worth returning for.

We've been Janko's fans since 1982. Always good food and service is great. It's kind of loud at times but for us that just adds to the fun.

This place is very casual, loud and packed with people. The tables are close together and there's always a wait if you don't have reservations. My boyfriend and I went and both ordered the 18oz NY strip. They were both cooked perfectly. The steaks were at least 2" thick. They only offer chocolate cake and cheesecake as dessert so that was kind of a bummer. It's priced similar to Ruth's Chris but much more casual.

First time at Zagreb, here for graduation .... SO impressed with the servers and entire staff. Attentive, friendly and clearly hardworking. Great food, fun atmosphere and best cheesecake on the planet. Maddie was our server and even with a packed house she mult-tasked like a Ninja. K Barth

I think that the food could have been better. Only having baked potatoes as the side option is not enough. My steak was cooked to medium well but the filet cut I got had so much fat on it I had to trim it off. Our server was very sweet and the service seemed to keep pace with how many people were there. The place is quite small and I really did not like sitting so close to other people we barely had room to move our arms. I came out smelling like a steak which is not a bad thing but I've had better steaks.