Claim Jumper (Restaurant)-We Love It-You'll Love it!!
Written: Jan 27 '04 (Updated Jan 29 '04)
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Pros: Huge, roomy restaurant, friendly service, large quantities of delicious food at relatively inexpensive prices.
Cons: The wait.
The Bottom Line: If you want a huge, scrumptious meal, with ample food to take home, Claim Jumper is your restaurant. I've never had a bad meal there!
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| Suzer's Full Review: Claim Jumper - Torrance |
Yesterday was my older son's birthday, and Claim Jumper is his favorite restaurant. We decided to go to the one in Torrance, as it is between us distance-wise.
I arrived there before my son, daughter-in-law, and baby-actually I arrived a half hour early deliberately. They don't take reservations, but you can call a half hour early if you wish to put in your name. I decided to just avoid any problems finding parking, and put in our name.
A little about Claim Jumper Restaurants:
Claim Jumper Restaurants have been around since 1977, and started by Craig Nickoloff. Now, there are 31 different restaurants, and they are in California obviously, but also in Arizona, Washington, Colorado, and Nevada. If you are very fortunate there is at least one near you, or will perhaps be one in the near future.
The Claim Jumper in Torrance is located in a sprawled out mall type environment with a huge parking lot, but it can be difficult to find parking on weekend evenings. I was fortunate, and quickly found parking near an Italian restaurant in the vicinity.
Decor and seating:
Claim Jumper is a good-sized restaurant decorated in a rustic decor with animal heads, wood paneling, logs, wood burning fireplaces, natural rock, and fans. It is somewhat on the dark side, but you can still easily read the menus. Until everyone arrived I sat in the waiting area with about twenty others, including numerous kids. I hadn't been there in a while, and expected to receive one of those vibrating thingies that let you know your table is ready. It was a little disappointing to get a beige card instead, that said Continental Divide (the vibrators are more exciting-I know, cheap thrills). The kids arrived and there was room to put the baby in her carseat, and for everyone to sit down. Overall I waited about forty minutes for our "name" to be called, and this was a Sunday evening.
We were seated in a nice booth, and they asked if it was okay. That was very considerate. They wanted to make sure we would all be comfortable, including the baby. The waiter promptly asked us if we would like anything to drink. We stuck with soft drinks/iced tea, and they came right away. We looked longingly at the menu. They offer so many wonderful entrees it is very difficult to choose. We were a little disappointed to notice that they no longer included salad or soup as a matter of course, with all the meals; instead they are served just with their specialties.
I decided on my favorite there, Whiskey Chicken with apple stuffing, red skinned mashed potatoes, a huge biscuit (did I mention huge?). Normally I don't order chicken out as I can easily make it at home. But their whiskey chicken is unbelievably delicious, so I couldn't resist.
My son opted for the tri-tip, with the red-skinned mashed potatoes, and a to-die-for large blueberry muffin (delicious-I couldn't resist a bite or two). My daughter-in-law had rotisserie chicken, with a loaded baked potato, and garlic toast.
We didn't talk much as we were so engrossed in the wonderful food. Well, we talked, but the food had our attention.
The waiter came back a few times to ensure we were happy, and to refill our glasses. He did one thing that really irritated me however. My son had finished his meal, but my daughter-in-law and I were still eating, and in fact had our forks in our hands. He asked if we were ready for to-go boxes. I had to bite my tongue. I thought that was very rude and inconsiderate, and I felt like he was rushing us through our meal.
Anyway, that was the only negative the whole evening. I explained we were still eating, so he left us until we had actually completed our meals.
Other menu options:
They offer a large menu including great sandwiches, pizza, pasta, ribs, steaks, fresh fish, entree salads, many appetizers and sides. There is truly something for everyone.
For the little ones:
They have numerous options for the kids from grilled cheese, to burgers, to quesadillas, spaghetti, you name it. Each are served with a choice of beverage, and they can order a little mud pie if they wish for dessert.
Let's talk dessert!:
They offer individual desserts such as their cream cheese pies, caramel apple cheese pie, deep dish pie, scratch carrot cake, banana custard shortcake, the world's smallest hot fudge sundae, chocolate motherlode cake (giant), mud pie, brownie finale, or what we decided to share, Ideclair. This is a humongous eclair served with vanilla bean ice cream, covered with whipped cream, and Helen Grace hot fudge. We decided to split it three ways rather than get three different desserts. Our eyes bugged out when we saw it though. We could have invited three others to join us also! The kids took the remainder home (yours truly couldn't handle the temptation)!
To sum it all up:
Claim Jumper is a terrific spot for lunch or dinner, whether you have a family, plan on having a great evening going out with friends, a romantic dinner, seniors. It can get a little noisy so do keep that in mind. You will definitely enjoy their meals, have plenty to take home, and enjoy for the next day or two, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg. A meal for two without liquor should run around $40.00. Entrees range from about $14.00 to $25.00 (approximate) for dinner. So grab your family, S.O., friends, business associates, neighbor, kids, and go enjoy a great meal! As is the situation most restaurants, especially chains, service will vary from server to server.
I am giving them 4 1/2 stars.
Location:
24301 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505-5349
Phone: 310.517.1874
Fax: 310.517.9938
Hours of Operation:
Sunday - Thursday: 11 A.M. -10 P.M.
Friday - Saturday: 11 A.M. - 11 P.M.
Crenshaw and Lomita at the Torrance Crossroads Center.
Thanks for reading!
Suzi
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Everything is yummy. You must try one of their amazing desserts! The Dclair is mouth watering!
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Epinions.com ID:
Suzer
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Suzi
Location: Southern Calif.
Reviews written: 588
Trusted by: 840 members
About Me:
Compromise-Art of slicing the cake so each person thinks they have the biggest piece.
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