ottawa foodies

that's too bad. ive been trying to go there for the last two months...

Seeing as Jean Alberts was closed and renamed LeRoy's which is now also closed, why is Groupon still selling coupons for the place? According to their web site, they have sold over 790 of them and they are still selling them. They have an expiry date of December, 2012.

This was posted on their facebook. Unfortunate as I enjoyed it the times I went.

"So sorry to say but we are closed for good.... This is a result of divorce... Don't worry I will be back and better than ever. Thank all of you for your support..."

I just went by, hoping to eat at Jean Albert / now LeRoy's (Friday night - 7:30 pm) and the place was definitely closed. The newspapers and mail were piled in the hallway and there was a notice saying their lease had been terminated for non - payment of rent.

We were really excited to try this place but the best thing I can say about it was that the food was 'edible'.

Overall the atmosphere is cold and it was so dim it was hard to see. The service was extremely slow and lackluster. Our table was filthy and it took at least half an hour to have it cleaned. They forgot our drinks, and when we finally managed to get the attention of the waitress we discovered they didn't even HAVE any but one of the beers in stock that they have on the menu. (they shortly thereafter even ran out of chicken)

The chicken was overcooked, dry, and tasteless. The coleslaw had so much black pepper that's all you could taste. Fries were decent.

Based on reviews I would say this place is fairly inconsistent and it seems to be luck of the draw if you happen upon a good or bad night food and service wise. I am sad to say we were very disappointed and won't be back.

One good thing to note, they did accept our Groupon with the Jean Albert name on it.

Just went to LeRoy's aka Jean Albert's tonight... Same location, different look... different menu, same great food! Slate gray exterior, simple blackboard paint and wood interior. The menu has been paired down a bit, but the fried chicken with their Slap Yo Momma sauce, fresh coleslaw and potato salad was as good as ever! And don't forget the cornbread!

I made another shopping trip to Chinatown yesterday and noticed the windows of Jean Albert's are now papered up. The sign in the window says they are renovating but the upstairs dining room is open and take-out is available Wednesdays through Fridays. I also noticed the sign says "Under new management (100% LeRoy)".

I only mentioned it because the whole facade, including the resto's signage, had been removed. Too bad if they're done cuz they were very nice people who owned the place.

Well this is interesting. I passed by last Saturday afternoon on my way home from Chinatown and they were open. At least the door was... During the weekdays they are only open for lunch and dinner service but closed in between. Maybe you were by during the down time?

I drove by today and it looks closed. I hope no one is holding coupons.

Not really wanting to knock Jean Albert's they are one of the better fried chicken places I have had in Ottawa. But there is always room for improvement. I was recently at Paula Dean's restaurant in Savannah, Lady and Son's and I have never experienced fried chicken like this in my life. Simply amazing! Hopefully Jean's doesn't fall victim to the swollen head syndrome.

When I ordered the 3-piece, I got 2 drumsticks and 1 thigh. The batter was definitely not as thick/appealing as pictured in LOTW. Man, his picture actually looks pretty good.

Taste was alright though.

They gave me a brilliantly large portion: 1 drumstick, 1 full wing, and a giant back/breast piece. This is tasty chicken! The batter is mostly just salty but you actually taste the meat, which is in pleasant contrast with other fried chicken experiences.

My initial reaction was that it tastes a lot like those crispy salty fried chicken wings you see at Chinese buffet restaurants. But the meat here is more moist and flavourful. Very nice!

the portion is smaller than LOTW's description, but that's not to say that i left hungry.

the chicken is indeed light and crispy in its coating and not at all greasy. served with the tequila bbq sauce.

the coleslaw portion is about half of what you see there.

This is the Southern Fried Chicken meal (with sides). Three big pieces of chicken, described like below: light and crispy coating and skin and not greasy at all. In short, delicious.

And I don't see a small portion here at all.

I also added a side of their homemade Hot sauce, which was excellent. It has a kick, but is full of flavour. Next time I would get the chicken tossed in it for sure.

Super excellent. Just like I've had in places that really know fried chicken (Ohio, Kentucky, Northern Florida). Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. Flavourful coating, but not so much as to hide the delicate flavour of chicken cooked on the bone.

As a previous reviewer states, the fried chicken here has a light coating. Was seasoned well, and with a few dashes of Frank's Red Hot, makes for a very satisfying meal. If you prefer the thick, super crunchy style of fried chicken, this is not for you.

The recipes used at Jean Albert's come from the owner's grandmother. They may be her recipes, but chef Leroy Walden was paying attention while she was preparing them. The Southern Fried Chicken is excellent. The coating is light and neither too salty nor spicy and the meat was tender and juicy.

This is very much like that refreshing stuff you get from hawkers in the lemon-shaped stands on Canada Day. I liked it but as people say, it is not at all sour.

the lemonade, however delicious, is for the sourwusses, rather than the sourpusses. it's quite tasty, but didn't have the bite that i look for in lemonade, even after squeezing what i could from the three lemon slices trapped inside.

I really liked it because of the lack of sour and just a little bit sweet. My SO prefers a tart lemonade so she found this a bit watery.

A big jar of lemons on the counter. And a whole lot of lemons in the lemonade. Freshly Squeezed and perfectly balanced (not too sweet, sour or tart)… great anytime of year, but I’m sure it will be sold by the gallons on a hot summer day.

This turned out to not really be my thing. We were served what resembled sweet silver-dollar pancakes dusted with cornmeal. Judging from their chewiness, our specimens were not super fresh. Anyway, it looks like I'm in the minority, so go nuts with them all the rest of you. ;-P

Ah! Good to know! This wasn't mentioned on the menu, but I will definitely ask next time.

LWB, at the Hallville resto you could order additional breads at 50c a piece, to be delivered with the meal. Somewhat embarrassingly we've ordered them by dozen in the past.

the sweet water bread was really, really, really yummy.

i have, however, one qualm: would it be possible to have, as an option, the sweet water bread served with the meal? (or ordered as a side)

both the husband and i felt that the meal would have been better with some more of the melt in your mouth goodness.

What was left of our order before I remembered to take a photo. They are addictive and I would say their signature item.

“Similar to Corn Bread only sweeter and waaaay more addictive” says the menu.

Well I can definitely vouch for this statement… made in the traditional southern style, more of a pancake than a loaf. We found it very tasty… so much so, that “The Man” bought us a second order.

Unfortunately I did feel the beans tasted like they were from a can with something sweet added to them. They were good, but nothing special.

Others here have commented they think that the beans are out of a can, I can tell you these taste nothing like Clarks, Heinz, Libby or any other commercial prep... these are what I know as “jazzed up” baked beans. That is when you take beans and add in a whole bunch of extras… the taste was sweet and rich so I was guessing either molasses or brown sugar was in the mix, along with bits of onion, green pepper, maybe some celery, bbq sauce, mustard and seasonings…. hard to tell, and I’m guessing the owners aren’t giving away their recipe.

“The Man” liked them so much… he wasn’t sharing!
:-P

my favourite part of the meal. these were grand. again, the portion fell short; these came in a small cup, kind of the size you would expect salad dressing or other condiments to come in.

but, they were nonetheless divine.

I can honestly say these are the best yams I have ever eaten. They alone would cause me to drive the 50-plus kms to Jean Albert's.

“The Man” is not a yam fan, but even he thought they tasted great...
But if he wants any he’ll have to get his own, because I’m not sharing!
;-)

After a really horrible pulled pork experience at Buster's Bar and Grill (way too sweet, meat was mush, on a ciabatta like bun with lettuce?!? wtf), I went to Jean Albert's to rectify the situation. After hearing they were reopening this weekend after extensive plumbing repairs, they were offering a pulled pork sandwich special so I had to take a drive...

For $8.99, you got: a homemade biscuit like bun, a mound of homemade, smoky, tangy, pulled pork, with coleslaw served on top and some crinkle cut fries. This sandwich was awesome, best I've had in Ottawa outside of my own kitchen. I think it should be a regular menu item. Good news is - they appear to be hiring staff for Bluesfest! That's almost a reason in and of itself to go to Bluesfest.

Like everything else, the seasonings don't get in the way of the natural flavours. These are pretty much just boiled in seasoned salt water. Very nice, with a hint of bitterness.

The best side on the menu, and definitely the healthiest (LeRoy ommits the ham hock / pork necks for his vegetarian customers).

My three year old chicken nugget, kraft dinner, and ketchup monster proclaimed them the best part of her meal (over sweet bread, yams, and mac n'cheese). Nuff said.

You'll like it more than I did if you like your coleslaw creamy and chunky. I tend to like a little more vinegar and a finer chop. That said, I ate it all and enjoyed it anyway!

Very creamy. Simple but good. Very chunky cabbage.

This was very good. Breaded with plenty of salt then deep-fried, it was a delightfully thick (3/4") chunk of fish. Not overcooked at all.

The Ribs were fall off the bone good. The Whiskey Sauce was delicious… from what I could see the sauce was “mopped” onto the ribs as opposed to the ribs being slow baked directly in the sauce, but the sauce tasted like it had simmered for hours to bring out its goodness. Needless to say, the ribs were very yummy, and like Chimichimi I'm thinking the best that I've had in Ottawa.

Finger-lickin delicious. Although I loved the Whiskey Sauce, I need to go back and try the others – Tequila, Scotch, Honey, Buffalo and Hot.

These ribs are amazing. Not pit BBQ style, but very very good, very tender, meat just flakes apart, the sauce was delicious and tangy (had the scotch BBQ sauce). The portion was pretty good, I think it was around 6 full side ribs. I'd say they are the best ribs in Ottawa (until someone makes proper pit BBQ).

These ribs kick serious southern butt. Tender, meaty bones accompanied by, not smothered in, a Jack Daniels BBQ sauce (there are three other sauces)made this a meal worth the drive to Hallville.

I like a nice banana pudding and this one fits the bill. Sliced ripe bananas, a smallish amount of pudding, cake/biscuit matter, and loads of whipped cream. This put my gluttony over the top, but I'm glad to have tried it!

The banana pudding dessert is smooth, creamy with lots of bananas and softened wafers and whipped cream and other secret ingredients. Absolutely delicious! (other desserts, such as sweet potato pie, buttermilk pie and peach cobbler are all just as great!)

We are the owners and operators of Jean Albert's Restaurant, and we would like to introduce to Canada our $1.00 Menu Breakfast. Everything on the $1.00 Menu is $1.00 each!!!!

This was reminiscent of Pumpkin Pie. The spices are similar but the texture is creamier and more moist, and the colour is more orange. Nice!

The Sweet Potato Pie was wonderful. My husband doesn't like sweet potatoes, and he loved this pie!!!