Newsday, Long Island Restaurants

Joan Reminick [currently online via newsday.com]

Co-owners Carole Olkoski and Margaret Mueller are the driving forces behind this funky, kitschy Western-themed restaurant where the cuisine ranges from Southwestern to Southern to Cajun to whatever the kitchen feels like doing. Country-western music (live sometimes) fills the room. Most everybody orders from the blackboard menu, which changes daily.

Begin with a rousing bowl of pork chili or a plate of addictive sweet potato pancakes, served with apple butter.

... grilled chicken with a kicky mango mustard sauce gratifies, too. And it's hard to do better than R.S. Jones' pecan-coated catfish with horseradish cream sauce. Accompanying "smashed potatoes" with cream gravy are truly smashing.

Finish with the knockout chocolate pecan pie or one of the house-made fruit pies, served with lots of fresh whipped cream.

ZAGATS 2007-2008

...pardners who lope into this "rustic" Merrick Southwestern "hot spot"soon "kick up their heels" at the "damn good" eats, with "fresh chalkbooard specials" rounding out the "tasty", "down-home" dishes; its "caring" staff and photo-covered room [with live country music on Fridays] add to the "fun night out", so "put on your cowboy boots" and swing thorough those saloon style doors for a "unique experience"

THE ZAGATS REVIEW AWARDS RS JONES AN EXCELLENT RATING,

ALONG WITH MAKING THE "TOPS LIST" FOR BBQ, TEN YEARS RUNNING !

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THE HERALD December 2004

by Terry Biener

"This unique ... everchanging eatery is fun & funky uniting Texas with New Orleans." ..Grilled Corn & Chipotle Soup was decadently rich and creamy with corn freshly cut from the cob..Aunt Meme's Pasta was a luscious blend of flavors...Chicken Fried Steak, served with mounds af smashed potatoes, a fluffy biscuit & plenty of cream gravy"..Chocolate Pudding Pie boasted old-fashioned pudding made with real chocolate

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MERRICK-BELLMORE LIFE July 2004

by Carolee Fox

"This place is more Texan than Texas" where you can begin with a "salad which that is both delicious and creative" or a "wonderfully hearty" cup of chili. "The Iron Horse Salmon arrived beautifully grilled" and "the loyal cutomers rave about the Dixie Chicken" don't forget to save room for "the mudslide, a chocolate lovers must" or the "Top notch Banana Cream Pie".

" R.S. Jones is a haven for great food, exceptionally friendly and accomodating service and warm-hearted people who appreciate & enjoy Southwestern hospitality"

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NEWSDAY September 1998

by Joan Reminick

"As I recall, the informal coutry-western-style resaurant, formally known as Rattlesnake Jones, was pretty darned good back in '93" so I returned and "we had fun sharing a mountain of crawfish in a zippy remoulade sauce" the entree specials offered "Smoky Mountain Mahi Mahi, with a zinger of a horseradish-bacon sauce", a "sinfully luxurious & fiery Fresno Fettuccini" and Chef Carole "shone with Cisco Salmon" grilled with a feisty green tomatillo sauce. "for dessert we devoured the wicked Peanut Butter Pie, homey Bread Pudding and the fine Apple Crisp". "I look foward to having as much fun when I return"