J.R.'s Stockyards Inn, Steakhouse on Watson Street in Tysons Corner - Open for Private Events Only

[porcupine]

Has anyone eaten here? Any suggestions or cautions? Thanks.

[gnatharobed]

I have never eaten here but former colleagues have and said it was awful. Can you go somewhere else?

[porcupine]

I have never eaten here but former colleagues have and said it was awful. Can you go somewhere else?

Somehow I suspected that would be the first answer. But no. We took friends out last week; this week it's their turn, and they want us to try JRs.

[Hannah]

I think awful's a little strong. Sure, JR's is a throwback, and it isn't as good as it used to be, but I'd still go there before a lot of the other pseudo-steakhouses in Tyson's.

The steaks aren't Ray's quality, but they're good meat, and they're not terribly mistreated during cooking. The bread is good, and they bring a particularly crack-filled potted cheese to the table before the salads. The one real standout on the menu is the prime rib, and they do a bone-in cut of Flintstonian proportions that's good for a couple of meals and warms over wonderfully.

If you're expecting modern space, menu, and presentation, or servers under 60, JR's is not the place for you. For a social outing where the food isn't necessarily the primary reason you're going, it's fine.

[monavano]

Somehow I suspected that would be the first answer. But no. We took friends out last week; this week it's their turn, and they want us to try JRs.

Or gently suggest Da Domenico nearby??

[DonRocks]

JR's closed on Jan 17, 2011 for what was termed "major utility / infrastructure repairs," and never reopened to the public.

Nov 21, 2011 - "Did the County Shut Down JR's Stockyard?" on fairfaxunderground.com

However, according to their website, it *is* open for private events only.

For example, this event on EventBrite which is taking place on Jul 27, 2016:

Also, I never realized JR's opened in 1978, qualifying it for the list of Oldest Restaurants in the Washington, DC Area.

[Kibbee Nayee]

Back in the '80s, JR's was touted as having its own stockyard, implying that its beef was sourced directly. I recall that the early-early tech industry -- think Honeywell, GTE, Burroughs and the like -- favored JR's as the afternoon-through-wee-hours watering hole. 

[MsDiPesto]

They have WisPride Cheese! Worth the trip alone!