Jimmy's Famous American Tavern - Dana Point

When we walked in we were expecting a long wait. The host sat us immediately! We were very pleased with the environment of this restaurant. Very clean, and they even open some windows to let the beautiful beach air inside. Our food and drinks were ordered and then served to us very quickly! We were amazed by the service of this place. We ordered the Double Smashburger, and the Braised Short Rib. Both were phenomenal. My favorite was the Burger, they mastered that sauce! And The fries...cooked in beef tallow or avocado oil? Anyways we got the garlic parmesan ones and they were delicious. Our server was so kind and personable. Overall we had such an amazing experience!

Wow 🤩!!! This was our first time trying out Jimmy's and we gotta say we were very impressed. We were seated quickly even though it was very busy and once we ordered our food was at our table within 10 minutes. Very impressive! The atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly, with plenty of space to enjoy together. What really makes it special is the view-it's beautiful and adds so much to the dining experience. We were very pleased with the environment of this restaurant. Very clean, and they even open some windows to let the beautiful beach air inside. The service was excellent-friendly, fast, and attentive without being overbearing. The food was delicious. Absolutely loved our meal here! Everything that we have ordered was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. We have tried: Grilled local fish sandwich , Classic smash burger , Southern fried chicken and we have also had their delicious milkshakes - highly recommended! The food was fresh and hot, and the portions were surprisingly large. The fish was locally sourced and you can taste the freshness in every bite. The fried chicken was perfection, they serve Mary’s chicken and that’s the best chicken that you can get ( it’s pasture and humanly raised) , our favorite chicken that we get from Whole Foods and Sprouts. It’s a Must Try dish! The burger was delicious and perfectly paired with their secret sauce, yummy 😋! Overall: Jimmy's Famous American Tavern is the perfect spot for a relaxing meal with family and friends! Between the great service, amazing food, and stunning setting, Jimmy's Famous is a place we always look forward to visiting. Highly recommended for a casual yet elevated dining experience. Also they have great happy hour menu, definitely one of the best in town!

Absolutely loved our meal here! Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The burger was juicy and perfectly cooked, paired with a super fresh and colorful side salad. The grilled shrimp tacos were packed with flavor and came with crispy, well-seasoned fries. The kids' mac & cheese with Goldfish crackers was a fun and tasty touch, and the cookie was a sweet bonus! The service was excellent—friendly, fast, and attentive without being overbearing. The ambiance was relaxed and family-friendly, with thoughtful touches like crayons and games for the kids. Highly recommended for a casual yet elevated dining experience.

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern is the perfect spot for a relaxing meal with family and friends! The food is absolutely delicious—hearty, flavorful, and served with style. The atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly, with plenty of space to enjoy together. What really makes it special is the view—it’s beautiful and adds so much to the dining experience. Between the great service, amazing food, and stunning setting, Jimmy’s Famous is a place we always look forward to visiting. Highly recommend!

This is a really good and affordable place to grab food. The portions are huge (even the happy hour items). This is definitely a place you could share meals and have lovely drinks. I'm still shocked on how much food you get with the happy hour. It's a clean and friendly place not far from the beaches and parks. Love the friendly service and atmosphere.

Great spot to grab a bite or drinks with friends & family. Walked in around 6pm on a Saturday and got seated within 5 mins. The staff and our server were kind and great. Starters came out pretty quickly. The food was amazing. Tried the clam chowder and although it wasn’t my preferred style of clam chowder I found it to still taste good. They made the burger really well and made sure the buns and fries were well done. The swordfish sandwich & garlic fries (well done) were phenomenal. Bread was toasted nicely, the swordfish was perfectly moist and not dry, the sauce they used in the sandwich hit the spot. They made my garlic fries extra crispy and golden-brown to perfection. The poke tostada was ok, it wasn’t too bad. The fish tasted good. The furikake rice cracker with the poke added a nice bite to it with its crispy nature. I just found the poke to not be as cold as I personally prefer it to be. The atmosphere was nice. The interior was pretty nice. Really loved that the design of the tavern allows for air to circulate into the space. It gives the sense of almost eating outside while still having a roof over your head. Huge fan of having a constant cycle of fresh air in any space.

I was not expecting the food to be so good! The food was excellent. Someone in the kitchen knows what they're doing. The recipes were on point. Would have given this place 5 stars but our waitress was slow, giving refills. Felt a little left alone. I will be returning soon. 08/12/2025 Since the last visit, I am broken hearted. They have gotten rid of the onion rings and have changed the gravey for the chicken a and waffles. I am so hurt and disappointed. There were other changes, these two really hit hard. Please Jimmy bring bring back the gravy! Please!

I love how amazing the inside is for Jimmy's Famous American Tavern where they served burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other delicious meals! I can cross the restaurant off the bucket list and create new memories in Dana Point!

We just moved to the area and had a late lunch. We sat at the bar, and we had the pleasure to sit in Kaitlin's section. Of course, we bombarded with questions and recommendations. She really helped us, and we made our selection. First, we started with their HOMEMADE chips with the special sauce, and they were fabulous. We both ordered the French Dip. One with fries and one with coleslaw. The coleslaw was delicious and creative, I could taste a dill flavor and ate it all. OMG, if you limit yourself to a few fries, you can't stop yourself. I am not sure how they made them, I loved them. Going back to the French Dip, AMAZING! The beef was at the perfect medium rare. The roll was the best I have had. It has the crispness that Doesn't get soggy when dipping in the au jus. I would recommend sharing the sandwich. Kaitlin also made us the espresso Martini. Ranks with the best we have had. With all that said, we will become one of their regular customers. Almost forgot, my complements to

A great place for comfort food. Well prepared, delicious food served with a smile. Huge portions. The burger is delicious and so are the fish and chips. The onion rings are huge but freshly battered and fried. Very flavorful. Delicious cocktails. Service can be improved a little. Servers need to be more attentive.

We stopped in just to grab a drink while we were waiting for Reservations at another restaurant. We have never been here before. From the outside, It's pretty large space it's got ample parking. The inside is decorated really nicely. There is a circular bar with lots of seating and a huge patio that has a decent view of the harbor and ocean. We sat at the bar and were immediately greeted by Shawna. She was pleasant. Had a smile on her face offered us menus and made suggestions for drinks. I decided to try the Seabiscuit and my husband got the Famous Mary. The bloody Mary was very enjoyable. They make their own mix in house. Had a nice spice to it with some celery salt on the outside and garnishments with cheese, blue cheese olive and pepperoni. The Seabiscuit was a mix of tequila with a passionfruit liquor, mixed with some bitters and garnished with a lemon wedge. It wasn't too sweet and a delight to drink on a warm afternoon. After eyeing the menu, it does seem like a place that we would stop back in and try again to actually eat with some nice selections. They did have happy hour going with drink specials and food during the week which was nice and like I said Shawna was an absolute delight.

Previous review still stands after 4 years. Surprisingly, still poor service but great food.

Jimmy's is located in the corner of a plaza with other businesses. There's a small parking lot and because it's in the corner, it was a bit tricky to find. They offer different types of seating and there's sections in the restaurant. Restrooms are up front and are clean! We arrived with no reservations but we got seated right away. On a Friday night, it was pretty busy. Paul was our server - he was pleasant, offered his recommendations and everything he recommended was good! He checked up on us a few times which is great! We ordered the dueling dips, fried calamari, braised short rib and the skrewball cake. Out of everything we ordered, I would crave the skrewball cake!!!

i usually come & sit alone at the bar after going to the beach but today i was w my daughter (5yo) so we opted for a table. the hostess was sweet & kind & happily gave me two sets of crayons & kids menu paper so i could draw alongside my daughter (sunday 7/7 3:30pm) & we actually drew some cool stuff haha. my daughter enjoyed her fish & chips & i had a couple moscow mules, delicious & enjoyed the beach after. i just want to say i always have good service at Jimmy's but Summer was just delightful. you can tell when someone is being genuine & she was just so welcoming, highly competent & took great care of my daughter & myself. fare was tasty as always but i hope Summer gets recognition, she deserves it! the whole staff here from front of the house to back of the house is on point. a server & a manager both stopped by to say hello from recognizing me from previous visits. just a great experience all around which is not shocking. nothin but love to JFAT & their crew!

Was spending the weekend camping nearby, and on our first night decided to order take out from here. The parking lot was full, people were standing outside waiting, and we knew this place had to be good. Upon entering, we were immediately greeted by the hostess, and my husband inquired about our order while I used the restroom. My husband was already outside waiting for me with our meals. He opted for the famous French dip, I had the braised short ribs, and we shared a bowl of New England style clam chowder. Everything was packaged neatly and travelled well. We both devoured our meals while enjoying the view from our campsite. The short rib was very flavorful and fork tender. It was served with mashed potatoes, roasted baby carrots, and sauteed button mushrooms in a red wine sauce. My husband loved his sandwich and did not share, so I know it must've been good. The clam chowder was ok, as the broth was a bit thinner than I prefer. Overall, we were both satisfied with our meals and would definitely come back again!

Not sure why this restaurant is famous. Ordered a salad, because as I saw other tables being served, nothing caught my eye or nose. The restaurant is known for French Dip and burger, which two people in my party ordered. Both were underwhelmed. Glad I stuck with the salad, which is tough to get wrong.

Very happy with my meal here! Went for my brothers birthday and was sat immediately for a party of 8. Food was delicious and the service was great. I didn't know they had a wagyu melt but I was very pleased with it. One of my favorites. The Brussel sprouts are a MUST try.

Jimmy's is a solid place to dine out. Food is great, it's usually pretty easy to get seating for large parties, and the pricing is pretty good for the location. I personally love the buttermilk fried chicken or the burger. Can't go wrong with those! The service is pretty good. I've gone many times and haven't had any bad service. :)

Went to jimmy's at 6:00 pm Saturday .. had horrible experience. Place was semi busy but bar was empty. Sat for almost 10 minutes waiting for a bartender to ask us our beverage choice. Saw entire wait staff tasting items and discussing food they were tasting. Besides that the menu has shrunk and prices have gotten beyond crazy. Eighteen dollars for potato chops as an appetizer. They need more of an appetizer selection as well. Not going back .. I'll go to coastal kitchen

We all, 6 of us, had different t food and we all said we would definitely go back. Service was great they were busy but we didn't feel like we waited to get food.

Came into Jimmys on a Friday night. Parking lot was packed so I didn't think I'd get a table but I was sat immediately as this restaurant is big. The atmosphere was busy and servers were flying around. We ordered drinks and they were delivered within minutes. Here's what we had: Buttermilk Fried Chicken- This was really good and the breading is very light. The chicken was cooked perfectly. 4 of 5 stars! Cowboy burger- Burger was solid. Could be seasoned a bit more but cooked perfectly. 4 of 5 stars Brownie Sunday- STAR OF THE SHOW! This is the best brownie Sunday I've ever had. The strawberry sauce over the ice cream is amazing. Get this now and thank me later! Service- on point and attentive 5 of 5 stars!

Happy hour here is unmatched! The cheeseburger with fries is such a great option. The burger meat is delicious, so juicy and flavorful. I will say the bun is a bit too rich for me. It seems like it is drenched in butter and it was just very overpowering. I ended up eating my burger without the bun. Calamari and brownie Sunday were to die for as well. Great food and atmosphere!

We had a team dinner here for seven of us, and everyone was deeply satisfied by not only our experience and the food but the service was amazing. Everything just tasted amazing And we enjoyed our evening very much. If you're gonna be in Dana Point and you're looking for a no-brainer place to dine and enjoy then I would highly recommend Jimmy's.

Overall, this place was okay. I ordered a salad and added a steak medium rare. The steak tasted like it was put in the microwave, then on the grill to mark as if it was cooked on the grill. The Brussels Sprouts were delicious! The Unicorn Juice, yum! Another reason why I'm taking a star is because we had been waiting, after we noticed other people being sat down after they arrived behind us, my husband asked how much longer and they stated they already called us (which they hadn't) after verifying the phone number, it was the wrong one by a few digits. Things happen, but I think the host did it on purpose.

Food... Awesome and delicious. Very good creativity. Service... Only had take out, but the hostess is always nice and professional. Never had a long wait or complaint. Ambience... Place is located in a great spot to see the harbor. Looks beautiful and clean inside. I will definitely come here to eat inside one day. Overall this place is a great place to grab a burger and fries. They have other great options as well. I definitely recommend this place for foodies.

Great ambience, food and service, located in a beautiful area of Dana Point. Since we arrived in the area we keep coming for my delicious Kale salad! I keep forgetting to take more pictures.

Great food and service. Staff was attentive and helpful. The onion rings are huge. We have yet to try something we didn't like. Parking can be tight at times but we go all the way to the back and walk through the center and usually have no issues. We'll be back.

Came here for my nephews birthday and it was so nice and fun! The food was amazing and our view from our table!! Drinks and service were good too! Highly recommend!

We stopped here today after a day at the beach due to amazing Yelp reviews .first of all the front lady that you see first was so nice and friendly ! We ordered to go and can I say everything was put in so organized and neat' and the portions.... Omg so much food! We got the fried chicken and it was so tasty ! Will be going back when we are In Town! So good

Fabulous food, cocktails and atmosphere. Highly recommend adding the fried chicken to any salad. Share the deviled eggs. Service is always attentive.

We came here for dinner. I gave this 2 stars because the Brussel sprouts were very good. However, my husband and I both ordered the short ribs and they were not good. I had seen a video before that said restaurants will say short ribs but serve chuck roast and this is exactly what they do here. Short ribs have marbling and this did not. Super dry. No marbling. Hard to eat. If they advertise pot roast and not short ribs, I wouldn't be posting this. But I couldn't even finish my food cuz it was so dry.

Really solid place where we were real lucky to get a couple of seats by the bar. The Bloody Mary I ordered not only was tasty, but it came with a virtual salad bar. My wife's drink (forgot what she ordered) tasted great as well but was so good it went down real fast. Since we only ordered a single appetizer, we didn't have a real feel for the food, but from the looks of people around us, they seemed very happy. Our calamari was quite good and the accompanying sauce fit perfectly. The place is quite loud when full and was bright and airy. It was a solid place to have a drink and some food. All in all a nice place to go to if you can handle the noise.

Did a little HH meal and tried a few different things. Ordered the house made potato chips and it came with blue cheese dressing. The chips were just ok and on the small side. The blue cheese dressing was chunky and delicious. On to the calamari. Deep fried and very greasy. These were just ok. Came with an aioli mayonnaise. We tried their cheeseburger and again, it was just ok. Burger was on the small side. The cole slaw was tasty. Everything was just OK. Maybe we ordered the wrong items?? I would definitely do it different the next time around.

After an awful lunch at another spot we decided to stop by for a drink. Bar was not busy so was able to get a seat quickly. My friend enjoyed his non alcoholic beer and was happy there was a few to select from. I enjoyed my old fashioned. Bartender was attentive and helpful. I like the vibe and if you get a decent seat can have a view of the harbor.

I Love this Place. It has been consistent for years! Good Food, Good Drinks & Good service. Famous Mary Drink is Fantastic for Brunch, lunch or Dinner.

Great servers Great servers Great servers Great servers Great servers Great servers Great servers

Service is top notch, ambiance is beautiful especially if you're seated in the big table and with the view of the ocean. Food was just alright, not much to rave about. I had the cowboy burger and I was expecting more of a bbq taste but it was lacking it. I wish the sauce for the fries was bbq too and not ketchup.

Came in and got sat right away, everyone was so friendly! Such a great vibe and awesome location! Colette was such an attentive server had the best recommendations! Drinks, apps, burgers, everything we got was so good! Can't go wrong with anything here! Loved it! We will be back!

It happened again! Be alert when tipping! Server Dylan L. added another dollar to his tip! We are finding this happening routinely in many establishments. Mistakes have NEVER been our favor. You absolutely need to start leaving cash tips! Other than that, food was good but over priced. But the tip thing is what will keep us away.

Not great. Meats were not seasons, pot roast, grilled chicken and ribs Service was nice, they understood we weren't that happy. But decor is cuteeee!

Great food, the service was excellent! We came here to celebrate Fathers Day, it was a beautiful day loved being so close to the beach.

For New Year's Eve I was staying at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, and I saw this place was right below it, so I decided to check it out. Glad I did. I was rolling solo so I was able to get a seat at the bar to watch the game. The vibe was very chill, the decor was stylish yet understated, and all the servers were nice and attentive. I got the baby back ribs with the jalapeño scalloped potatoes, baked beans, Cole slaw, and cornbread. It was delicious! So good I didn't even take a picture because I was so hungry! And they make a mean Manhattan to boot! So if you're ever out in Dana Point, this is a definite recommend. I'd come back to try that juicy looking fried chicken...

Delicious eats gourmet big flavor nice ambience friendly staff. Seating near the window is half open window really nice views, there is ample parking lot parking and menu has a variety of speciality drinks to classic burgers to sandwiches apps and dinner specials

Came by to eat before heading over to the lights at the harbor. Service was excellent. Seated right away and checked up on all night. We were seated by the window and it was very romantic. Food was excellent as well. Seriously the a wonderful holiday date night outing.

Ate there this evening with bf. He got ribs Tiny , but fatty fat grizzlies , more importantly. I nearly sent my jimmy's burger back but didn't have the fight in me. It came out with some unidentifiable pimento cream which was gag worthy, I scraped it off cause i was starved. Ate three bites. Had brunch once ;months ago and had the deviled eggs, they were amazing! So what a disappointment. To add insult to injury; I hear they stopped making their deviled eggs. What a travesty. I think they need a menu overhaul for dinner; some more modern foods. It's just a terrible menu and the flavors are lacking & preparation of it is just so yuck.

Our favorite family restaurant! It's usually really busy and loud but the views during the day are beautiful and ambiance at night is fun. Food is good and fried chicken is what they are known for. We loved the short rib stroganoff and miss it but luckily we have other favorites also.

This is a great family owned restaurant. The staff are always friendly and helpful. They have a great champagne brunch and have entertainment to enhance your experience. The menu is filled with great food. I have tried many things on the menu and everything is really good. The owner is always there making everyone feel welcome.

Everything was so good at Jimmy's! The ambience is really nice! Every item we ordered was delicious and the service was great! Couldn't have asked for better! We will be back!

Outstanding No wait Good value Group pours Chicken fried to perfection Come here and see for yourself

Nothing special. I would not return. No one was impressed. Overpriced. Menu is uninspired

4* is about right for Jimmy's. We made a reservation but they weren't very busy when we arrived. My wife wanted a good burger for dinner and enjoyed her Cowboy Burger. They substituted onion straws for her instead of the huge onion ring which was much appreciated. I ordered the French Dip ( made with Prime Rib) and it was just okay. The meat was very tender and the bread was good but I guess nothing can compare to the Prime Rib Dip at Houston's. Very nice decor and we sat in a very comfortable booth. French Dip - 3* Cowboy Burger - 4* Service - 5* If you're in the area, I would recommend trying it for yourself.

Jimmy's Famous American Tavern is one of our go-to, anytime of day to eat spots. It has a great central bar, open concept seating, and some beautiful, semi-patio tables as well. Jimmy's can serve large parties, and small groups equally well. The food is consistent and very American-based. Drinks are consistent and bartenders are friendly. They will even occasionally do your random request, such as one day I really wanted a Cobb salad and really wanted a hamburger patty so they put a hamburger patty on a Cobb salad for me. Priceless! It hurts me to tell you that they do a really good brunch with a limited but delicious menu because I don't want to share this almost-secret truth...but they do a really good brunch and I definitely have eaten it more than once. I recommend this place and take family and friends here as a safe, easy, reliable go-to on the regular, and will continue to do so for a long time to come.

We had driven down from LAX and were tired and hungry. Good reviews on YELP and close to our hotel so we stopped. So glad we did! We shared the Brussels Sprouts appetizer. So delicious! We both ordered salads and an order if shrimp to share. Also delicious. Ambiance was nice. Staff was very friendly and welcoming.

We ordered off of the happy hour menu, but added an item off of the starter menu too. Food was delicious! The portions were plentiful. We had the char brussel sprouts which were so yummy and a big plateful for a starter, and the ribs and fries on the happy hour menu. I added the tuna avocado starter for dinner which was a meal in itself. We ended with the peach cobbler! Wow that was so delish. The pastry crust was crispy on the edges and the peaches were a little tart to balance out the sweet sugary pie crust. Our waitress Katarina recommended it, and she was correct She was a very attentive waitress and the staff that brought out our food were just as friendly and attentive. The ambiance was very nice. Love that we came down to Dana point to celebrate our anniversary. It was well worth it

Came here to dinner with some friends and this place is busy on a Friday night! It has nice ambiance and open as it is right across from DP harbor. Their burgers are huge and delicious, not to mention their French fries , fried and seasoned perfectly! Overall the food was great, however, our server was not too attentive- had to flag her down multiple times for drinks refills....

Overall experience was very good. Our food was prepared as requested and the portion size was more than adequate. The food was so good we ate there 2 nights in a row during our short visit to Dana Point.

Killer menu and food, try the beer and shot combo that donates to veterans as well as everything else!

Good selection of dishes moderately priced and great service. Good location near Dana Point Harbor.