Cowboy Jack’s is a Minneapolis-based chain with a wild west theme that quietly opened last fall in the former home of Sprecher’s on Madison’s far west side.
Any restaurant in that location, near the Marriott West and many businesses, can’t be too out there in terms of food, and it has to have a decent bar, and that’s roughly what you get with Cowboy Jack’s, complete with a mechanical bull.
If you’re coming in for happy hour or a quick snack, you’re in luck. The appetizer list is quite long, with several items like the braised BBQ chicken sliders ($10) half-priced during happy hour (3-6 p.m. on weekdays). I’m glad I ordered the spicy breaded cauliflower ($10), which tasted more like tater tots than cauliflower. The heat is definitely there, but it’s not too spicy. It’s tasty with or without the accompanying pepper ranch sauce.
Also a hit was the cornbread ($6), which was moist, crumbly goodness further enhanced with honey cinnamon butter. The cornbread was so crumbly that it was very difficult to spread the way-too-cold butter, which should have been served at room temperature.
Whatever sandwich you want, it’s probably on the menu. Want a club sandwich ($11)? You got it. Want a Sloppy Joe ($9)? Got that, too. Want a wrap? You’ve got six from which to choose.
My selection was the Cowboy Burrito ($10), made of sun-dried tomato tortilla stuffed with a ton of scrambled eggs, plus sausage, bacon and guacamole. The jalapeno adds a little heat, but otherwise, I thought the super-filling burrito needed more seasoning.
For burgers, you substitute the patty with chicken at no cost or bison for an addition $2. I decided to go the bison route for the Cowboy Slop Burger ($13.50 with bison), and it was okay. The “slop” is queso, and I thought there would be more. Meanwhile, I couldn’t discern any difference in the jalapeno bacon, and the patty–which I had asked as pink (vs. no pink)–was well done, but at least it had a decent grilled flavor.
The El Jefe Street Tacos (three for $11) also were a mixed bag. I ordered mine with smoked brisket–fish and smoked pork are the other choices–and I was happy that each taco had a generous portion of the tender and smoky shredded brisket. However, either the pico de gallo and/or the cotija cheese had a funky taste to it, and it threw off the taco.
The menu has soups and salads, too. The cowboy’s famous chili ($6) is thick with a lot of kidney beans and hints of spicy and sweet. It’s good but not good enough that I would order it again.
Cowboy Jack’s is open for lunch and dinner every day.
