Jamboree

The Jamboree has a history that goes back way a long way. Once upon a time, it was a restaurant on several stories not far from where the back of the Savoy Market is now. It had only few tables on each floor but a good roof from which there were views of Luxor Temple. The heyday of the Jamboree was during many years of management by the Scottish couple, Billy and Carole, before they moved off for brief spells at El Kebabgy, 7Days and others. Many of the reviews of the Jamboree, especially printed reviews, still refer to this old Jamboree, so if you are reading old reviews and recommendations, and not recognising the Jamboree, this may be the reason.

That old Jamboree was demolished, along with the nearby restaurants, as part of the central area redevelopment. For quite a long while there was no Jamboree at all until this new one opened near the middle of the tourist market. It is now quite easy to find just by strolling through the market, or cutting up to the market from the main road behind the temple, either side of the Susanna hotel.

Its location is one of the attractive features of the Jamboree. It is on the first floor right behind quite a busy part of the market, so from the front you can look down on the bustle of the market without being hassled - at least until you leave. The restaurant has two halves. One part - the first part you arrive into when you arrive - is a traditional inside restaurant. Go through this to the left and there is an area that is roofed, but with an open front, so sitting at a table along that edge is like sitting on a balcony, overlooking the central area of the market.

The inside (enclosed) part of the restaurant is smart and spacious. Tables are typical restaurant tables with double cloth covers. The balcony part is smart in a different and more practical way: iron chairs and tables with stone tops.

Most people probably come here for a drink and light snack whilst they are in town, but the more substantial meals are also fine. Food is not exceptional, but well prepared and presented and plentiful. This is the sort of place you come because you are in the area and want a fair, wholesome, filling meal, but it is OK for the evening as well if you don't want to go to the plusher restaurants in the southern part of Luxor.

Prices are really very good, especially for a central restaurant, where you might expect a 'location premium'. Hot drinks are between LE5 (for local tea) to LE12 (for English tea). A Cappuccino is LE12. A cold can is LE7. Beers and wine are available.

Jacket potatoes with filling are LE20 - LE23; leaf salads are LE9 - LE15 and filled omelettes, served with chips, are LE18 - LE23. For something more substantial, most chicken and fish dishes are LE36 - LE45 and a Sunday roast is a very reasonable LE55. Our benchmark steak with sauce is LE52, which beats most of the 'southern cluster' restaurants, including Maximes, which used to be famed for budget steaks, by quite a margin. Most meat-based local dishes are LE35 - LE38. If you really want to splash out, soup followed by a whole duck is LE200. Desserts are E10 - LE24.

All in all, a decent stop-off when you are in the market, and a possible if you are staying locally, but not one to go out of your way to find for an evening meal if you are staying closer to other restaurants.

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Web site: www.jamboreerestaurant.com (may not be live yet)
Tel: 0127813149
Reviewed January 2012
Tel: 01278 13149 or 0105049082