Jacksons This & That: Italian Comfort Food in the Midlands

What Jacksons This & That Serves

Jacksons This & That is an Italian restaurant in Midlands, South Carolina, built around house-made pasta and straightforward Italian cooking. The menu centers on dishes that don't require a culinary degree to understand: lasagna, ravioli, chicken parmigiana, seafood over pasta, and the kind of red sauce that tastes like someone spent time on it. The restaurant operates as a neighborhood spot rather than a destination you plan a trip around, which means the focus stays on food that works—not on novelty or presentation that photographs well.

The kitchen makes pasta in-house, which changes what you're eating compared to a place that opens a box. Fresh pasta absorbs sauce differently, holds it differently, and tastes different. You notice it most in the ravioli and filled pastas, where the dough itself becomes part of the dish rather than just a vehicle. The wine list leans Italian and stays reasonably priced, which matters when you're ordering a second glass with dinner.

Key Takeaways

• Jacksons This & That makes its own pasta daily, which affects texture and how sauces cling to the noodles.
• The menu sticks to traditional Italian-American dishes—lasagna, chicken parm, seafood pasta—rather than experimental cooking.
• The restaurant functions as a neighborhood Italian place, so expect a casual atmosphere and reasonable prices rather than fine dining.
• Wine selections focus on Italian bottles at mid-range pricing, making a second glass a realistic option during dinner.

What to Order and Why

Start with anything involving the house-made pasta. The ravioli changes seasonally, and the filling—whether it's cheese, meat, or vegetable—matters more here than at places using dried pasta. Lasagna is a good test of a kitchen's fundamentals: it tells you whether they layer thoughtfully, whether the sauce has depth, and whether they know when to stop adding cheese. Order it if you want to understand what the restaurant does well.

For mains, the chicken parmigiana works because the kitchen doesn't over-bread it or drown it in sauce. Seafood pastas—shrimp, scallops, mussels—tend to be straightforward: good protein, good sauce, good pasta underneath. Avoid ordering something you could make at home in twenty minutes unless you're testing whether they do it better. They usually do, but not always by enough to justify the trip.

When to Go and What to Expect

Jacksons This & That fills up on Friday and Saturday nights, particularly after 7 p.m. Weeknight dining is quieter and easier to navigate if you want conversation or a slower pace. The restaurant doesn't take reservations at all locations, so arriving early on weekends matters if you want to avoid a wait. Call ahead to confirm their current reservation policy and hours, as these change seasonally.

The atmosphere is casual—not tablecloths-and-cloth-napkins formal, but not bar-stool casual either. It's the kind of place where you can bring family, where a date works, and where a group of friends meeting for dinner fits naturally. Noise levels rise when the restaurant is full, which is fine if you're there to eat and talk, less ideal if you need quiet. The staff moves at a comfortable pace rather than rushing you through, so plan for a full evening rather than a quick meal.

Parking and Location

Jacksons This & That sits in Midlands, which has street parking and lot parking depending on the specific location. Call or check their website to confirm the address before you go, as restaurant locations sometimes change. Parking is usually straightforward, though weekend evenings can fill nearby spaces quickly.

The Midlands area is accessible from most parts of South Carolina, and the restaurant's location makes it easy to combine with other dining or entertainment in the neighborhood. If you're unfamiliar with the area, searching for the restaurant online will show you the exact address and nearby landmarks. Arriving ten to fifteen minutes early on weekends gives you time to find parking without rushing.

Price Range and What You'll Spend

Entrees typically run in the mid-range for sit-down Italian dining—not fast-casual pricing, but not high-end either. A dinner for two with appetizer, two entrees, and wine will cost less than fine dining but more than casual chains. Lunch is usually cheaper than dinner, and pasta dishes tend to cost less than seafood or meat mains.

Check their current menu online or call to confirm pricing, as restaurant costs shift. Many restaurants post their menu and price range on their website or social media, which gives you a sense of what to budget before you arrive. Bringing cash or confirming they accept your payment method ahead of time prevents surprises at the end of the meal.

How to Find Current Hours and Details

Restaurant hours, reservation policies, and menus change seasonally and sometimes without warning. Search for "Jacksons This & That Midlands South Carolina" online to find their current phone number, location, and hours before you go. Many restaurants post updates on their website or social media when they're closed for a holiday or changing their schedule.

Calling ahead takes five minutes and prevents a wasted trip. Ask about their current hours, whether they take reservations, and whether they have any specials or menu changes that week. If you're planning a special dinner or bringing a large group, mentioning that when you call gives the restaurant a chance to prepare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do they take reservations?

Reservation policies vary by location. Call the restaurant directly to ask whether they hold tables or operate on a first-come, first-served basis. If they don't take reservations, arriving before 6 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m. usually means a shorter wait on weekends.

Is the pasta actually made in-house?

Yes. House-made pasta has a different texture and absorbs sauce differently than dried pasta from a box. You'll notice the difference most in filled pastas like ravioli, where the dough quality affects the whole dish.

Can I order takeout?

Many Italian restaurants offer takeout, but policies vary. Call ahead to confirm whether Jacksons This & That offers takeout service and whether they recommend certain dishes for transport home.

What's the best dish if I've never been?

Start with the ravioli or lasagna. Both show you what the kitchen does with house-made pasta and sauce. If you eat meat, the chicken parmigiana is a reliable choice. These dishes tell you whether the restaurant's approach matches what you're looking for.

Is it good for a date or family dinner?

Yes to both. The casual atmosphere works for families with kids, and the food and wine selection work for a date. Noise levels rise when busy, so a quieter weeknight might suit a date better than a packed Friday night.