I tried Jimmy’s Eastside Tavern last Sunday. It replaced Long Island Bar and Grill on Kings Canyon just east of Clovis Avenue in southeast Fresno. You walk into Jimmy’s and it is relatively dark with no windows and a large bar in the middle of the room. The outer walls are lined with comfortable green vinyl booths. It still looks very much like Long Island minus the table clothes. The service is super friendly and ensures that you get everything you need promptly, but they do not serve your next course until your last course is done either, unlike restaurants that shove you your meal in the middle of your appetizer. I ordered the stuffed portabella appetizer, and the prime rib special. The stuffed portabella filled with meat and cheese was flavorful and juicy. The specials, which they only serve on Sunday, come with a soup or salad and an ice cream sundae included for only around $20. The soup of the day was gazpacho, a cold Spanish tomato soup that is very refreshing on a hot summer day. The prime rib which I ordered medium rare was cooked to order. Though it could have been more tender, it was not too tough either. Beside it was served very creamy mashed potatoes and a stir fried mixture of multicolored bell peppers cooked just right, warm, but not soft. For dessert came the ice cream sundae, a very rich vanilla ice cream covered in chocolate syrup. The cocktails are of medium strength, not particularly strong, but not weak either. The food is very traditional and not particularly inspired, but still very good for the price. For those on the far southeast side of Fresno, where it is the only upscale restaurant besides DiCicco’s, it is worth a try.
