A $35 Hamburger Meal: The Jekyll and Hyde Club
Written: Jul 04 '07 (Updated Jul 04 '07)
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Pros: Fun, good food, personable wait staff and entertainers
Cons: Extra fees, slightly expensive for the hamburger meal I had
The Bottom Line: The Jekyll and Hyde Club is worth a one time visit...beware the extra fees, though.
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| cmaw63's Full Review: The Jekyll and Hyde Club |
While visiting New York City I wanted to try a different type of dining experience than the chain restaurants offered back home. Well, hopefully, it doesn't get much "different" than The Jekyll and Hyde Club.
The Menu
The Jekyll and Hyde Club offers typical restaurant fare, some with more than the typical name. Appetizers include a popcorn shrimp basket, pesto fried calamari, buffalo and bbq wings, and more. There are plenty of salads to choose from such as; Ceasar, Oriental Chicken, and the Chop 'Em Up Salad. What? A chop 'em up salad? Take it easy...it's romaine, roasted peppers, tomatoes, salami, turkey, provolone cheese and balsamic vinaigrette, not various body parts of past customers.
The three types of hamburgers offered have the names of Mummy burger, Batty burger, and Monster burger. While other sandwiches have the more traditional names, including New York Steak sandwich, California Chicken Melt, and Buffalo Chicken.
Pizzas, and pastas are, also, offered. Entrees vary from Fried Fantail Shrimp to Fish & Chips to Half Roasted Chicken. All food items on the menu were priced between $7 and $30.
There are few desserts offered, but all sound delicious; Oreo Fudge Cake, Warm Caramel Apple Crisp, New York Style Cheesecake and Sundaes. Drinks include soft drinks, coffee, tea, smoothies, beer, and the oddly named specialty drinks. One example of a specialty drink is the Cannibal Caffeine that is made of Bailey's, Kahlua, Cappuccino and vanilla ice cream.
Why All the Weird Names?
Because it's the The Jekyll and Hyde Club. It is a twisted, werewolf, mummy, with both animated and live entertainment, dining experience. It has four stories of dining with, from what I could see, the main action being on the first floor, or "The Grand Salon". The second, third, and fourth floors are named The Library, The Laboratory, and The Attic. You are encouraged to wander from floor to floor while waiting for your dinner.
My Dining Experience
Strolling up to The Jekyll and Hyde Club, located at 1409 Avenue of the Americas, we were greeted with enthusiasm by the oddly attired doormen and women. Our host lead us into a dark hallway and instructed us to scream on the count of three. We did. A lighted mirror came on with a ghostly face that said we had done well and were to enter the building. We did.
The host learned it was our first visit and gave us seats in The Grand Salon with a good view of the action. What action? An animated Dr. Jekyll descending in an elevator to bemoan his fate. An evil Mr. Hyde threatening everyone with harm. A mounted werewolf head lead other mounted heads in a sing a long. A man and a woman dressed in period clothing somehow pulled me into their act. Ok, it wasn't somehow...I was taking pictures and they started posing and pushing each other out of the way so they could be the "star". It was a fun interactive moment.
Our waiter was pleasant and helpful...so we thought. My sister and I both ordered a soft drink and were offered choices of their souvenir glasses and mugs. It was explained as for $6 we could get our drinks in the souvenir glasses and get free refills while we were there. We both understood his explanation as that $6 covered our drinks. Nope, it was another $3.99 for the soda that went into our $6 glass. We didn't find this out until we each received our bill. What's that old saying about assuming something? We did receive quick refills with almost no waiting and our waiter always paused to chat for a bit.
I ordered a Batty Burger and fries for $14.95. The burger was huge and I cut it in half to take part of it back to the hotel with me. Between the half I ate and the fries, I was more than full. It was cooked medium as I had requested and had a good flavor. Expensive for a hamburger and fries meal, but at least it was tasty.
The added fee that really threw us for a loop was the "entertainment fee". Besides the regular meal and drink charge they hit you with another $2.50 for watching the singing, stuffed werewolf head and others. At no time were we told this. Another little surprise when we received our bills. I could see the extra charge if someone just came in to have a few drinks and watch the action, but after ordering a meal they should drop that fee.
The Jekyll and Hyde Club is definitely someplace to visit at least once. I've traveled throughout the United States and have never come across anything like it. It was fun and we had good food. I would recommend that children be well prepared before entering. While most children I saw at The Jekyll and Hyde Club were having fun, I did notice some of the younger ones hiding or crying. The dark, spooky atmosphere with strobe lights and smoke was too much for them.
When visiting, remember to watch the added charges and if in doubt, ask! At least I have a souvenir mug as a conversation piece at home.
Total Bill:
Batty Burger & Fries: $14.95
Drink: $3.99
Souvenir Mug: $6.00
Entertainment Fee: $2.50
Total: $27.44
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Taxes and Tip = $35.00
Recommended:
Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The hamburgers are big and tasty!
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Epinions.com ID:
cmaw63
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 in Pets, Home and Garden, Books |
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Member: Julie
Location: Illinois, USA
Reviews written: 307
Trusted by: 73 members
About Me:
I'm a grandma! Hayden Elizabeth was born Nov. 15, 2009.
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