On their recent cruise on Carnival Celebration, Tommy and his friend JP headed to the world-famous Jack's Shack on Grand Turk to find out for themselves if it was really a better overall option than Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville
I was there before the complete remodel and Topher was still alive. Unfortunately Jack had passed but his wife was still there at the bar chain smoking and drinking a beer. I presented her with a full size picture of Topher given to me by a fellow cruiser who couldn't make it down the beach, She was deeply moved. I don't know if the picture is now framed and hung at Jacks Shack but on my next cruise I hope it is!
I'm going here in a few weeks, looking forward to experience Jack's Shack first hand. Sounds like they would benefit from some overseas customer service. I do love my caribbean islands, I do however feel sometimes we lack in the area of providing good customer service. Great review 👏
We went to Jack's on our first trip to Grand Turk. We were lucky enough meet and party with Tofer. We were so underwhelmed with Jack's Shack. This was before they remodeled. The people were not friendly and we were told there was a 2 hour wait for food. No thank you. We've been back to Grand Turk several times and never returned back to Jacks.
We were lucky enough to visit when Topher was still there. We did have a decent time but I would agree on hospitality. There was NO personality with the staff. I almost felt like I was a bother if I asked questions about the local life. I like to speak to people about the area I visit and about their home. The owner's daughter was the bartender that day and she was quite rude. I haven't been back. The jerk chicken was great but like you said, I am not going to walk down the beach to be treated rudely when I am on vacation when I can just hang out at Margaritaville. The DJ is THE BEST there!!! If I start to see better reviews at Jack's I would love to go there. I want to love it there and support smaller business but it's my vacation and I want to be happy with my decision and have a great time!
I'm starting to see a lot of bad reviews coming in Jack's Shack lately. It sounds like it's starting to go to the dogs and not the good kind like Topher. I know they changed owners recently so hopefully they will make some changes to tighten up on some things. Because it was always my go to spot in Grand Turk. Another downside of the location is for the cheap people it's too far to walk to eat the free lunch on board then go back.
I will always choose the local place over a corporate place when on vacation. And no place is perfect. But I appreciate the review of your experience. 😊
i like to as well. but there is a limit. If my business is not appreciated, I have no problem taking it to where it is. Plus, you are supporting friendly, hard-working locals at Margaritaville as well.
I was there about 10 years ago. We stayed about an hr and left. Too many boats on the shore, too crowded, slow service. My daughter is there today. I'll ask her about her experience
Been to jacks. These are all the reasons why I'm taking a right when I get off the boat. Above all this their rum punch sucks. You can't be in the Caribbean and have crapy rum punch.
Do they do business 12 months, the reason for the location cheaper than on the cruise property, remake over with Gordon Ramsey, the workers always a problem, especially if no tips are involved and after the flies I’m not eating there 😊
We are in the planning stage for our Feb 2024 cruise. We were trying to decide between a free day at Jacks or taking an excursion to Bajari Beach. I would like to save on the excursion money but I dont want to have a bad experience. We dont want to spend a bunch of our times in a crowded area with long lines for food and drink and gross bathrooms. Would it be better to goto Bajari Beach. I really cant find any quality youtube videos on Bajari Beach so it worries me.
We were at Jacks 2 weeks ago and the service was terrible, and there was only one ship in that day and when we got there, there was only 6-8 people, NO mech, No t-shirts, beer cozies, nothing!!! they told us they were waiting on mech and the bar servers/staff....not very friendly, we've been there 4 times and absolutely loved it with the old bar and the great atmosphere but i can tell you that I likely won't be back there
@@alwaysbebookedcruisepodcas1247 OMG, these beers must be better then I though TOMMY! Keep it up, if you put videos out on a regular basis we will get you the hours you need. (for the record, I think Tony had a podcast but he's too busy for that nonsense now...)
We were just there last week we meet the general manager his name is Guy this place was top notch you need to try this this place. We absolutely loved it.❤❤
Thanks so much for the honest review! I'm all about the local charm and have heard of Jack's Shack for years and wanted to go but never had a stop at Grand Turk. Going in February 2023 finally and had told my sisters and other traveling companions that this was THE PLACE to go but I'm so glad for your review and how it really is so I can manage expectations and let them decide if we do it or just stick with Margaritaville. Just listened to your podcast about your concerns with being honest on this review but you gotta do you and be genuine...that comes through and will keep viewers coming back!
visited Jacks 5 or 6 years ago. Topher was there and that was cool, but the staff really didn't seem interested if we were there or not. they all just sat around on their phones.
I have not been to Grand Turk yet, and I am not a big drinker. So wouldn't be walking to Jack Shack. When I first hurt about I want to go see the dog. But now and after your review, maybe not.
thanks for watching. like i did say, the overall experience was a net positive. Just meant that a) Margaritaville is currently the better option and b) they have room for improvement.
I was just at Jack's Shack less than a week ago. It is VERY expensive, but I was glad that I went and had the experience. About 50 yards up the beach I was good to go with $5.00 rum punch provided by some locals, so I only bought one "Sandy Vagina" at Jack's Shack. The whole experience was just amazing and fun. Now I'm sitting here at work wishing I was back in Grand Turk, ugh.
