It's time to describe perhaps the best steak I've ever had. Debatable since I don't have good taste buds, although Dave agrees that it was an excellent piece of meat. My boss, Dave Pickering, says that this is the best steak he's ever had and that he'd be really disappointed if I didn't think so also.

Anyway, we got to Redding a little before 21:00. There was some sort of forest fire so the air had this smokey smell to it. Kind of nice and yet disturbing. Jack's Grill is this small building on California Street, I think flanked by empty lots on both sides. The building itself is definitely out of place in the block. It's rather run down and it looks ill kept. The windows are covered with cardboard and there is a small sign that says "open at 4, dinner 5-11".

Dave Sweet and I walk in. It's dimly lit, crowded, noisy. Not smoky though since California law prohibits smoking indoors in public places. There is a bar on the right as you walk in, with a big television to your immediate right and up. There's already a crowd of regulars getting drinks and talking as they wait for their tables to open up.

The rest of the room holds about a dozen tables, all full with patrons. Dave went to get a table and found out that the wait was an hour, which we decided to wait. Meanwhile we went outside and walked around the block, then went to a bookstore.

We came back in 30 minutes in case a table had opened up early, but no such luck. So we watched the Raiders-Cardinals game on the television, standing as there were no available seats at the bar. People kept coming and going so eventually we sat down until our table was ready.

The menu says that Jack's Grill has been locally owned since 1938 (I don't quite remember the date). There are only a few items, various steaks, sandwiches and burgers, some seafood dinners. But Pickering recommends either the 16oz Filet Mignon or Jack's Favorite. I get the Favorite (16oz New York) while Dave gets the Filet.

First thing, we each get a big bowl of salad with lots of crackers. This is like one of the best salads I've ever had. Lettuce, thousand isle dressing for me, and some other things which I can't make out in the dim light. It's probably for the best that I didn't know exactly what I was eating, but I did eat it all.

Next is the steak. I ordered mine well done and for once, a steak I order is well done. I also got french fries, which are big and crispy. I eat the french fries first because I like french fries and want to eat them before they get stale. Possibly a tactical mistake on my part.

When I get to the steak, it is truly quite good. A little crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside. Salt and pepper. It's not covered with some fancy sauce. The beauty is in the cut of meat and the cooking. And it is cooked well.

Dave is also impressed with his steak. And he's a more discerning eater so I take his word that it's an excellently prepared steak. It is a lot of food though so by the time I'm finished I'm quite satisfied. Certainly a meal to remember and a place I'll have to return to if I'm ever near Redding again.