(Last visited ??/??/2023.) I'm here often, but I know I must've forgotten to check in one of 12 times so that's why I have that date there. Lol. C'mon. AJ's! Do I even have to do a review for this place? Nope, but I'm going to! Atmosphere/Appearance: This is a for-sure dive bar. No bones about it and that's okay! The parking lot is basically gravel, so... just know that. Lol. Next to the building is like an abandoned warehouse with numerous windows busted out. The police station is right up the street so they're always riding around. This place feels dangerous... so that's how you know the food SLAPS. Inside is basic. There's a Keno machine in the back, a couple of pool tables, high tops and a big wrap-around bar that seats people on 3 sides. The bathrooms are tiny, but none of that matters. You're here for a good time and the food. Lol. Service: Rob and Debbie are the main ones that'll be taking care of you. They're cool, but don't expect the best service. Lol. They might smile. They may take a lil' while, but it's all about the charm of this place! Food: So I come here for one reason. The wings. AJ's Oasis Cafe offers Saturday night happy hour from 7:00pm to 10:00pm so that's when we normally pull up. I've had about 11 different flavors here and they are all AMAZING. The wings are HUGE as well. Definitely Foghorn Leghorn status wings. I usually have a prejudice against breaded wings, but these are lightly dredged so I let them pass. Lol. I love them so much and I'm overdue for a Saturday night happy hour here. Value: Wings are $0.75 a piece between 7:00pm and 10:00pm on Saturday. That's the only thing that matters. In conclusion, AJ's is a go-to place for wings for me AND my wife. She actually mentioned wanted to come here a couple of weekends ago, but we stayed in instead. I have a feeling we'll be paying this place a visit pretty soon.
O5837NCka
Hosted our daughter’s engagement party on the patio and it was spectacular. The food, drink and service was beyond all expectations! We’ve held many special occasions at the restaurant as well as catered events off site! Best ever!
Mcguirekelly
This is truly a special place! My family and I spent many days and nights here through my dads illness and the staff could not have been kinder! They were extremely supportive, welcoming, let us stay for as long as we wanted with no rush! The food and drinks were exactly what we needed to fill our stomachs and recharge after hours at the hospital. We are forever grateful for J’s and their team! We consider them family!
940stephenz
This restaurant has been around for a while always striving to get better. Family owned and started as a pizza place it morphed into a full service restaurant under the second generation. Jordan, the owner, expanded the building, creating a friendly modern gathering place. When the pandemic hit, and indoor seating had to be limitted, he started thinking outside the box and expanded his outside dining into the side parking lot. Using gazebos, pallets, clear plastic wind screens and shipping containers, he created an outdoor dining area replete with chandeliers and heating. A shipping container serves as a dining hall with the inside walls painted to depict a Parisian street scene overlooking the Eiffel Tower. J serves an eclectic menu of old and new favorites, comfort food and the Greek style pan pizza that his father was known for. Best in the area!!! But there is so much more to savor there. I started my meal with grilled octopus served on a bed of arugula. Tender and flavorful with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Simply Greek and delicious. For my entree I chose an old favorite, veal Parmesan with penne pasta. That's comfort food for me. The veal was tender, juicy, lightly breaded and pan sauteed, covered in good mozzarella and a bright marinara sauce made in house from high quality tomatoes. Home run! I had to have dessert. The chocolate mousse is made with Belgian couverture chocolate and is the perfect ending to any meal. All of this and a great selection of wine, beer and spirits, J should be on everyone's go to list.
mamalutter
My family of 5 had dinner at J Monday evening . We had our own enclosed , heated gazebo . We felt very cozy inside our space . The twinkling lights and garland decorating the patio made it look like a winter wonderland . The food was excellent and the service was great . We were celebrating 3 birthdays and the staff made us feel really special ! We will be back . I have already recommended J to other people since our visit .
waldemar camacho
Nice place . love it
Taylor B
Not only is the food delicious, but the new outdoor patio is beautiful!! Distanced, plenty of shade, and decorated beautifully!! Gazebos, light fixtures, fire pits, and rugs give it an oasis type feel! The owners and staff are so nice and really make you feel part of the family. We went 3 times in a row with our power out and a family member in the hospital. They offered us outlets to charge devices, water to address concerns of our well, and a standing gazebo for us and the dogs to sit under and use the WiFi as much as we needed it. Cannot express enough how much them going out of their way to help us was appreciated. We would have been back many times just for how delicious the food is (two specials, scallops and blackened swordfish, as well as many staples like pizza and their J Signature salad to name a few) but being treated like family, especially in these unique times, ensured we are customers for life!
Travelwilly
Regardless of the heat, we love to go for dinner at J Restaurant. The owner has done an amazing job setting up an extended patio area recently. There's a choice of tables w umbrellas as well as 4 gazebos for larger parties or more social distancing between dinner companions . He's even added stand-up fans for extra relief from the heat. The great thing about this location is there seems to be a breeze that comes through perhaps because of the tall hospital building across the street. There's a great menu to choose from a variety of dishes. I personally love the appetizer list but also favor the pizza/sandwich option or the many entrees which are offered. The waitstaff is excellent, friendly and professional. It's great to have an option to eat outside and feel safe doing so during these trying times.
LizzieSwish25
Now that the weather is warm and indoor dining limited, J's is THE place to relax outside and enjoy a good meal in one of the four lovely gazebos on site. With a big round table, six friends can enjoy a meal together - or maybe, if you are with family, 8 could fit. If it drizzles or rains who cares? You'll be dry and well-fed. On a recent Friday evening , dining with friends, we enjoyed fried whole belly clams, a large portion of salmon, Chicken Parm, a lobster roll, and a scrumptious pasta dish. Salads are big enough for sharing. Sorbet, gelato, and more for dessert! The servers are friendly and efficient! Who could ask for anything more?
CelinesN2019
For take out my family and I love AJ’s Buffalo wings would highly recommend there wings the best!!!! To die for with many different flavors to choose from . At a great price!
This was my first time at J's. I loved the separate room they placed us in as it was quiet and cozy. Our server lite the gas fireplace to take the chill off the day. We pre-ordered our lunch choices and the staff was very attentive. I had the tuna salad, however, it was a little disappointing. Too much-shredded mozzarella on the top of the salad for my liking. Others were happy with their gyro, burger, truffle fries, and salmon salad. Others had been to this place and were always happy with their food. I will have to try it for dinner.
charles b
Very good food great atmostphere, staff is great plenty of parking. Reasonable price had the Stuff Eggplant it was excellent.
Marriotttimeshareown
We have dined here on several occasions and each time the food was excellent and has never disappointed us. This is a must try for anyone who lives or visits the area. You won’t regret it ever
TomM1951
We went for the Taste of Hartford menu, and enjoyed every item we tried. The gazpacho was extremely flavorful, and the beef and goat cheese crostini was fabulous. My wife enjoyed her swordfish, but I thought the lamb chops were the highlight of the meal. Cannolis for desert were very good. Fine wine selections. And our server Morgan M was right on with her advice.
Eric M.
Sad day for Bristol. I have been going here for breakfast most of my life. New owners are making much needed changes. Upgrades to signage, a new menu, new prices. All good. Fresh housemade bread and corn beef hash were a highlight. Now those are completely gone with the changes. New bread recipe tastes AWFUL. I will not be returning. Plenty of places to get eggs and toast at these prices.
(Last visited ??/??/2023.) I'm here often, but I know I must've forgotten to check in one of 12 times so that's why I have that date there. Lol. C'mon. AJ's! Do I even have to do a review for this place? Nope, but I'm going to! Atmosphere/Appearance: This is a for-sure dive bar. No bones about it and that's okay! The parking lot is basically gravel, so... just know that. Lol. Next to the building is like an abandoned warehouse with numerous windows busted out. The police station is right up the street so they're always riding around. This place feels dangerous... so that's how you know the food SLAPS. Inside is basic. There's a Keno machine in the back, a couple of pool tables, high tops and a big wrap-around bar that seats people on 3 sides. The bathrooms are tiny, but none of that matters. You're here for a good time and the food. Lol. Service: Rob and Debbie are the main ones that'll be taking care of you. They're cool, but don't expect the best service. Lol. They might smile. They may take a lil' while, but it's all about the charm of this place! Food: So I come here for one reason. The wings. AJ's Oasis Cafe offers Saturday night happy hour from 7:00pm to 10:00pm so that's when we normally pull up. I've had about 11 different flavors here and they are all AMAZING. The wings are HUGE as well. Definitely Foghorn Leghorn status wings. I usually have a prejudice against breaded wings, but these are lightly dredged so I let them pass. Lol. I love them so much and I'm overdue for a Saturday night happy hour here. Value: Wings are $0.75 a piece between 7:00pm and 10:00pm on Saturday. That's the only thing that matters. In conclusion, AJ's is a go-to place for wings for me AND my wife. She actually mentioned wanted to come here a couple of weekends ago, but we stayed in instead. I have a feeling we'll be paying this place a visit pretty soon.
Hosted our daughter’s engagement party on the patio and it was spectacular. The food, drink and service was beyond all expectations! We’ve held many special occasions at the restaurant as well as catered events off site! Best ever!
This is truly a special place! My family and I spent many days and nights here through my dads illness and the staff could not have been kinder! They were extremely supportive, welcoming, let us stay for as long as we wanted with no rush! The food and drinks were exactly what we needed to fill our stomachs and recharge after hours at the hospital. We are forever grateful for J’s and their team! We consider them family!
This restaurant has been around for a while always striving to get better. Family owned and started as a pizza place it morphed into a full service restaurant under the second generation. Jordan, the owner, expanded the building, creating a friendly modern gathering place. When the pandemic hit, and indoor seating had to be limitted, he started thinking outside the box and expanded his outside dining into the side parking lot. Using gazebos, pallets, clear plastic wind screens and shipping containers, he created an outdoor dining area replete with chandeliers and heating. A shipping container serves as a dining hall with the inside walls painted to depict a Parisian street scene overlooking the Eiffel Tower. J serves an eclectic menu of old and new favorites, comfort food and the Greek style pan pizza that his father was known for. Best in the area!!! But there is so much more to savor there. I started my meal with grilled octopus served on a bed of arugula. Tender and flavorful with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Simply Greek and delicious. For my entree I chose an old favorite, veal Parmesan with penne pasta. That's comfort food for me. The veal was tender, juicy, lightly breaded and pan sauteed, covered in good mozzarella and a bright marinara sauce made in house from high quality tomatoes. Home run! I had to have dessert. The chocolate mousse is made with Belgian couverture chocolate and is the perfect ending to any meal. All of this and a great selection of wine, beer and spirits, J should be on everyone's go to list.
My family of 5 had dinner at J Monday evening . We had our own enclosed , heated gazebo . We felt very cozy inside our space . The twinkling lights and garland decorating the patio made it look like a winter wonderland . The food was excellent and the service was great . We were celebrating 3 birthdays and the staff made us feel really special ! We will be back . I have already recommended J to other people since our visit .
Nice place . love it
Not only is the food delicious, but the new outdoor patio is beautiful!! Distanced, plenty of shade, and decorated beautifully!! Gazebos, light fixtures, fire pits, and rugs give it an oasis type feel! The owners and staff are so nice and really make you feel part of the family. We went 3 times in a row with our power out and a family member in the hospital. They offered us outlets to charge devices, water to address concerns of our well, and a standing gazebo for us and the dogs to sit under and use the WiFi as much as we needed it. Cannot express enough how much them going out of their way to help us was appreciated. We would have been back many times just for how delicious the food is (two specials, scallops and blackened swordfish, as well as many staples like pizza and their J Signature salad to name a few) but being treated like family, especially in these unique times, ensured we are customers for life!
Regardless of the heat, we love to go for dinner at J Restaurant. The owner has done an amazing job setting up an extended patio area recently. There's a choice of tables w umbrellas as well as 4 gazebos for larger parties or more social distancing between dinner companions . He's even added stand-up fans for extra relief from the heat. The great thing about this location is there seems to be a breeze that comes through perhaps because of the tall hospital building across the street. There's a great menu to choose from a variety of dishes. I personally love the appetizer list but also favor the pizza/sandwich option or the many entrees which are offered. The waitstaff is excellent, friendly and professional. It's great to have an option to eat outside and feel safe doing so during these trying times.
Now that the weather is warm and indoor dining limited, J's is THE place to relax outside and enjoy a good meal in one of the four lovely gazebos on site. With a big round table, six friends can enjoy a meal together - or maybe, if you are with family, 8 could fit. If it drizzles or rains who cares? You'll be dry and well-fed. On a recent Friday evening , dining with friends, we enjoyed fried whole belly clams, a large portion of salmon, Chicken Parm, a lobster roll, and a scrumptious pasta dish. Salads are big enough for sharing. Sorbet, gelato, and more for dessert! The servers are friendly and efficient! Who could ask for anything more?
For take out my family and I love AJ’s Buffalo wings would highly recommend there wings the best!!!! To die for with many different flavors to choose from . At a great price!
Restaurantji Recommends
This was my first time at J's. I loved the separate room they placed us in as it was quiet and cozy. Our server lite the gas fireplace to take the chill off the day. We pre-ordered our lunch choices and the staff was very attentive. I had the tuna salad, however, it was a little disappointing. Too much-shredded mozzarella on the top of the salad for my liking. Others were happy with their gyro, burger, truffle fries, and salmon salad. Others had been to this place and were always happy with their food. I will have to try it for dinner.
Very good food great atmostphere, staff is great plenty of parking. Reasonable price had the Stuff Eggplant it was excellent.
We have dined here on several occasions and each time the food was excellent and has never disappointed us. This is a must try for anyone who lives or visits the area. You won’t regret it ever
We went for the Taste of Hartford menu, and enjoyed every item we tried. The gazpacho was extremely flavorful, and the beef and goat cheese crostini was fabulous. My wife enjoyed her swordfish, but I thought the lamb chops were the highlight of the meal. Cannolis for desert were very good. Fine wine selections. And our server Morgan M was right on with her advice.
Sad day for Bristol. I have been going here for breakfast most of my life. New owners are making much needed changes. Upgrades to signage, a new menu, new prices. All good. Fresh housemade bread and corn beef hash were a highlight. Now those are completely gone with the changes. New bread recipe tastes AWFUL. I will not be returning. Plenty of places to get eggs and toast at these prices.