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February 19, 2024
TOMAH – Chris Popp said he knows steaks.
The owner of JAC’s Steakhouse in Tomah worked in a slaughterhouse cutting meat for 10 years.
“I cut all the steaks here,” he said. “I know meat and how to get the best cuts, as well as how to age it. All our steaks (at JAC’s Steakhouse) are aged.”
A new venture
Chris and his wife, Jennifer, opened JAC’s Steakhouse, 309 Superior Ave., in late July 2023.
However, this isn’t the couple’s first go at business ownership.
The Popps also own and operate Wildcat Bar & Grille LLC in the Village of Ontario in neighboring Vernon County.
“We always wanted to do a bigger restaurant than the Wildcat… We wanted to create a place where people can enjoy good food.”
Since opening, Chris said so far, JAC’s Steakhouse has “been pretty busy.”
“People keep telling us how happy we are here,” he said.
The restaurant, Chris said, is a tag-team process with him handling the meat-cutting duties, while Jennifer doing most of the cooking.
Menu specials include Friday night fish fries and prime rib on Saturday nights.
The Popps said they also incorporate other specials throughout the week.
And one would expect, JAC’s offers a variety of steak options – from filet mignon and ribeye to New York strip and sirloin – varying in size, including 6, 8, 12, 14 and 16 ounces.
“We’re the only steakhouse in Tomah,” Chris said. “We only do prime cuts – the highest quality of meat that you can get. We try out different things to see how they do. I believe we have the best food in town.”
The steakhouse also has shrimp, chicken and salmon options, as well as a kids menu.
Other options include chicken and shrimp primavera, half-pound angus burger, chicken salad, Big Al’s four-piece broasted chicken and JAC’s salad.
The appetizer menu includes duck wonton, steak bruschetta, cheese curds, chizlik, cold shrimp cocktail and “The Carlton.”
Focused on quality
With a motto of “a rare taste and experience you can’t find anywhere else,” Chris said JAC’s Steakhouse prides itself on the quality of its food.
“People can get a really good meal here,” he said. “We’re cost-competitive with other restaurants. Our goal is to provide people with a great meal in a great environment with great service.”
Beyond its regular dining room, the couple recently redid the basement’s bar area, which is now available for private events.
With just about a half a year under their belt, Chris said they already have plans to expand JAC’s Steakhouse’s offerings.
He purchased the adjacent property and is planning to add outdoor seating this summer.
“People enjoy eating outside and we want to bring that offering to them,” Popp said.
JAC’s Steakhouse is open for eat-in or take-out starting at 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays starting at 3 p.m.
The restaurant also provides catering services.
For more information on JAC’s Steakhouse, check out its Facebook page.
