Jones' Gastronomy: Keepin' Up with Mr. Jones

I love old school American diners. You know, the ones commonly portrayed in movies, like old truck stops out west. I love gloating over heaping servings of sloppy pancakes, bundles of greasy fries, and charred oily steaks. It's virtually the American version of our very own turu-turo or carinderia.

A handful of restaurants here have imbibed that theme, hoping to replicate the charm of the old American diner. But it's not always about the vibe and the aura. The food has to be outstanding too. Being one of the pioneers, Mr. Jones has successfully transcended this theme and transformed its menu into a unique selection.

If my memory serves me right, Mr. Jones was one of the first restaurants to open along the garden side of Greenbelt 5 when it first opened a few years ago. With its screaming red pastel signages and couches and bright orange lights, it clearly stood out among the dimly lit resto-bars neighboring it. It seemed that Mr. Jones would not fit in. Years later, the restaurant expands by acquiring the adjacent area (which used to be a Japanese restaurant) and showed its neighbors that it is there to stay. With its distinct and wide-ranging menu, a preppy waiting staff, and an overall cheery vibe, Mr. Jones has gained the respect and admiration of foodies and hungry mall-goers.

What better way for Dr. Jones to celebrate the birthday than to enjoy it at his namesakes'? I gathered the family and my girl for a hearty lunch. My mom, by the way, shares the same curiosity about American diners. So Mr. Jones was the definite choice.

Like a 50s comic strip, the menu book was blooming with colors

We picked a breezy spot al fresco, settling down on those deep red couches in faithful reproduction of those seen in real diners. Our server then handed us these colorful menu books, alluding to the smashing bygone era of the 50s and 60s. The restaurant itself was in concert with the pervading theme, replete with mementos of the colorful past: a jukebox, tall silver bar stools, even that football table game watchamacallit.

I could almost see Marty McFly ordering by the counter

My girl and I had been to Mr. Jones when it was barely a year old. So I had an idea what to pick on the menu. To my delightful surprise, they had added several more items, a testament to Mr. Jones' innovation and creativity.

Big Smackin' Slow Roasted Southern US Beef Ribs, P620 (+10% service charge)

For a name this long, I expected really huge ribs. And it did not disappoint. I'm a sucker for barbecued ribs, and just reading the description on the menu made me drool. Looking at my plate, I had to scoop up my excess drool! There were three large slabs of ribs, perfectly glazed and grilled to a charred covering. I had hoped the spice level was at par with that of Racks', but sadly, it was not so. I added a dash of Tabasco just to perk it up. The meat, however, was definitely at par. Tender and falling off, the beef was succulent and moist, cooked to a medium. The barbecue glaze was sweet and tangy, and images of Man Vs. Food swept through my mind the instant I took my first bite. "This is my private moment", as Adam Richman would say. The fries were pure potatoes, dressed in a thin crunchy breading. A sliced pickle was added in the mix, but I abhorred pickles so I left it untouched.

Uncle Andy's Cheesesteak, P365 (+10% service charge)

Mr. Jones also serves hefty sandwiches that are a meal in itself. In a twist of the Philly cheesesteak, Uncle Andy's version consisted of US ribeye meat draped in liberal amounts of Cheese Whiz. The meat was tender and soft, while the cheese complimented the peppery flavor. All these were erupting from within a sliced soft smooth bun. Strips of bell pepper added variegating colors, while the side of coleslaw and those luscious and addicting fries seals the deal. An easy choice for those raring to cut down on some carbs.

Big Mama's Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, P450 (+10% service charge)

Mom knows best, so she went for the Big Mama's Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf. She said she loved meatloafs, so this was an easy choice. The loaf itself was filled with chorizo, but the meat was a bit tough. The bacon was crisp but barely wrapped the whole thing. Served with a fried sunny-side up egg and some baby carrots and string beans, the meal was completed by a potato puree. The veggies were crisp and fresh, while the potato puree was nothing spectacular. The tomato gravy had a queer taste and texture, and did nothing to improve the toughness of the meatloaf. It was a bit of a letdown.

Char-Grilled "Greek Style" Norwegian Salmon Steak, P450 (+10% service charge)

Dad of course went for the fish on the menu. A large slice of grilled fresh pink salmon garnished with onions and bell peppers, lay on top of a heaping serving of rice pilaf. There were baby carrots and string beans to complete the cast. I didn't get to taste this but he finished it off in no time. So I'm guessing it was that good.

Wicked Truffled Mac n' Cheese, P395 (+10% service charge)

We were craving for Mr. Jones' renowned Mac N' Cheese, and I wanted Mom to try it out. And it was indeed wicked. The macaroni was oozing with gooey cheese of supposedly 4 types, but my palate was not sophisticated enough to distinguish each. Nevertheless, all four masterfully blended into a single satisfying taste, dishing out that homey flavor. Sprinklings of smoked bacon, portobello mushrooms, and green peas contributed a contrast in texture and flavor, breaking the strong flavor of the cheese. In my honest and humble opinion, this is the best macaroni and cheese ever. I mean it. Posers just put cheese on top of their mac. Mr. Jones, in stark contrast, seems to have cooked the macaroni IN cheese. Maybe they should rename it that way. Or the other way around, like cheese n' macaroni. Either way, this was absolutely, well, WICKED.

With its new menu, Mr. Jones is poised to dominate the diner theme. Browsing through its selection, none of it is boring nor repetitive. In addition, in keeping with the times, Mr. Jones also serves breakfast all day. I would love to go back and try that out, along with their milkshakes, if I'm no longer cutting back on calories. Although the prices seem expensive, the serving sizes more than made up for it. Neither did they scrimp on that cheese. A few complaints though, with the menu books probably needing a few pictures just to show how which dishes look really good (Although I think they remained true to the diner feel. No diner would have pictures of their food anyway). Also, service that day was rather slow, especially with our group seated outside. (The window panels were so big, yet they couldn't see us waving our hands several times). Notwithstanding, the overall experience is worthwhile, complete with that 50s diner aura. Other joints attempting to replicate that diner feel may have fallen short of perhaps the new standard and measure of success, Mr. Jones.