Heard about these guys from a good friend of mine. Drove up parked my vehicle. I walk up to the window. The lady was very rude to me. I never be here before. She tells me you need to be in your vehicle it is drive thur. She rolls her eyes at me. Like I'm supposed to know. I get into my vehicle. I drive up to the window. I get menu. I was about to order. I asked her if they take debit card. She gave me attitude again. Like I'm mind reader supposed to know. Hands me the menu. It says cash only on the menu. Then rolls her eyes again. Like I'm supposed to know. There food smelled really good. But I'm not wasting my time with bad customer service. Which she needs to learn.
Did not get what I paid for . Service is horrible I will not return. I don't advise anyone spending money there.
Michelle L.
Such a bummer, this place used to be good! My pulled pork sandwich was missing the meat, the coleslaw had no taste and the baked beans were canned pork and beans. My husbands country ribs were "okay", but the potato salad was store bought. YUCK! Always glad to support small, local business .. but I won't be back here!
Ken
Don’t bother relying on their posted open hours. They can’t get them straight between google and their website. Drive out to try them and NOT even open. Ask coffee shop owner in parking lot and even she didn’t understand. Obviously they aren’t interested in serving their customers
Derek White
I had heard this place use to be excellent, after talking to the nice people that were now running it. They mentioned a change in owners, it was by far the most disappointing bbq we have had yet. The ribs were very tough, and did not seem to be smoked at all.I hope they can figure it out, we spent almost $90 for two slabs of ribs and some brisket. The people were nice and service was great, the bbq was just terrible.
Jeanette B.
I was totally disappointed to say the least on 08/24/2022. I was charged $16.00 for 1 1/2 ribs, 3 teaspoons of Carrs potato salad, 4 teaspoons of barbecue baked beans with no barbecue sauce. I actually measured my husband's food. The owner tried to give me some ridiculous story to justify the tester portion size of food and she had the nerve to be rude. AJ's food is disgusting and lack customer service. I try to support small businesses in our community. I will never go back. THE SMOKEHOUSE BARBECUE on Dimond sets the bar for a small business that has full understanding of what it takes to stay in business. I know small businesses took a hard beating during the pandemic, but you don't charge your customers $16.00 for a tester meal. I went to the Smokehouse 08/25/2022 to get my husband a real full-size dinner that only cost $15.00, excellent customer service, and my husband had leftovers. AJ's food was so nasty, my husband tossed it in the garbage. I let AJ's keep the $16.00. It's simply the principle for me.
Patricia H.
I decided to give this place another try as I drive past today. I got the 2 meat 2 side meal for $22. It has hot link, pork ribs, beans and Cole slaw. Well the hot link was my favorite. The Cole slaw is bland like No seasoning, beans ehh Iate 2 spoon fulls and yeah it's a no and the ribs in my opinion tasted old. I won't be back
Bryan M
Caught these guys on a bad day. Smoke house was rolling, smelled great. Bean were ice cold potato salad from Carrs and the pulled pork was warm at best. Pork was dry and flavor less. I’ll try again and add to this review.
Claudie
Little mom and pop shop. I'm from Arizona and cannot adjust to these high prices but I gave the Brisket combo a try. The Brisket was fall apart tender but could use a little more of that smoky flavor. The Beans and potato salad were standard. All in all, I won't pay $20 for the Brisket combo again. If there is a next time, I'll try the Ribs. Everyone has different tastes so I think you should check them out if you have a sudden craving.
This place is solid gold. I don’t write reviews but I’m from the Midwest this is the best barbecue I’ve had in a long time. And AJ and his wife do an incredible job and are the nicest folks.
Josiah Turner
Fantastic BBQ! The best in Anchorage. The ribs fell off the bone and the meat was tender and juicy. Complimented with coleslaw and beans, I could've been in foodie heaven. If you haven't tried AJ's, you have had BBQ and need to fix that today.Two things to note before you go1. It is a drive-through, perfect for food on the go2. It is cash only, you get a great value for the price and only need a $20 or two
Nazanin K.
I hate to use Yelp to defame a business, especially a locallly-owned, but the truth is these people have no shame in serving you garbage food. They really brought it upon themselves. I first found out about AJ's a few years ago when a friend brought me some of their ribs. They were delicious. Then we tried them again shortly after and it wasn't so good. So we just chocked it up to them having a bad day. I did it again a couple months after that and decided I'd never go there again, on account of the BBQ actually sucks. Today (and a couple years after my last attempt at AJ's), I had a hankering for BBQ and must've forgotten my shitty experience at AJ's. I let the good reviews lure me in and convinced myself it will be good, like the first time. First, I called and tried to place an order over the phone. They don't do that. Okay. I go there and made three attempts at ordering some entrees but was shot down by their complicated entree rules. They can't pair brisket and ribs. Whatever. Finally after ordering, I go to pay with a card and was told "Nope." Very polite folks. Just beaming with charm. So I drove across the street and paid an atm fee to pull out some cash. $40 and a pain in the a** later, I got my food. I rushed home in anticipation only to be greeted with globs of fat swimming in the brisket. I pulled the brisket apart looking for actual meat. There was more fat than meat which was so unappetizing I about threw up. I gave up on the gross brisket and opened up the box with ribs... looked good enough. Took one bite of the toughest f*cking ribs I've barely sunk my teeth into. In fact, I can't say I've ever had ribs from a BBQ joint that were that tough and dry. Congratulations AJ's. You get that award for shittiest ribs I've ever had. I wish I could have said it was a delightful experience. I wanted so badly to find something good about their below standards BBQ, but can't really compliment canned beans and mediocre coleslaw, which were the only palatable items I got. The meat was garbage and I paid for it. I know times are tough on small businesses right now, but I would've paid more for a better quality cut of meat. Honestly, anyone would. I know you have talent AJs. Don't jeopardize your reputation by using lower quality products and then passing it off as food worth selling. It's not. Anyway, until they get their s*** together, go to the Smokehouse or Texas Roadhouse.
Brittany Popovich
This place is the BEST in Anchorage for BBQ! Be sure to go! They have excellent customer service and amazing food! Make sure you have cash, if not make a run to The atm next door at Walgreens!Hidden Gem! I recommend everything!!! I can’t pick my favorite! Okay, the half-chicken! Yum!
Nate Dawgg
Good food but cash only and not a big menu. A little spendy.
Heard about these guys from a good friend of mine. Drove up parked my vehicle. I walk up to the window. The lady was very rude to me. I never be here before. She tells me you need to be in your vehicle it is drive thur. She rolls her eyes at me. Like I'm supposed to know. I get into my vehicle. I drive up to the window. I get menu. I was about to order. I asked her if they take debit card. She gave me attitude again. Like I'm mind reader supposed to know. Hands me the menu. It says cash only on the menu. Then rolls her eyes again. Like I'm supposed to know. There food smelled really good. But I'm not wasting my time with bad customer service. Which she needs to learn.
Absolutely excellent mom and pop place for BBQ!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Salad, Pork Sandwich, Pork Spare Ribs
Did not get what I paid for . Service is horrible I will not return. I don't advise anyone spending money there.
Such a bummer, this place used to be good! My pulled pork sandwich was missing the meat, the coleslaw had no taste and the baked beans were canned pork and beans. My husbands country ribs were "okay", but the potato salad was store bought. YUCK! Always glad to support small, local business .. but I won't be back here!
Don’t bother relying on their posted open hours. They can’t get them straight between google and their website. Drive out to try them and NOT even open. Ask coffee shop owner in parking lot and even she didn’t understand. Obviously they aren’t interested in serving their customers
I had heard this place use to be excellent, after talking to the nice people that were now running it. They mentioned a change in owners, it was by far the most disappointing bbq we have had yet. The ribs were very tough, and did not seem to be smoked at all.I hope they can figure it out, we spent almost $90 for two slabs of ribs and some brisket. The people were nice and service was great, the bbq was just terrible.
I was totally disappointed to say the least on 08/24/2022. I was charged $16.00 for 1 1/2 ribs, 3 teaspoons of Carrs potato salad, 4 teaspoons of barbecue baked beans with no barbecue sauce. I actually measured my husband's food. The owner tried to give me some ridiculous story to justify the tester portion size of food and she had the nerve to be rude. AJ's food is disgusting and lack customer service. I try to support small businesses in our community. I will never go back. THE SMOKEHOUSE BARBECUE on Dimond sets the bar for a small business that has full understanding of what it takes to stay in business. I know small businesses took a hard beating during the pandemic, but you don't charge your customers $16.00 for a tester meal. I went to the Smokehouse 08/25/2022 to get my husband a real full-size dinner that only cost $15.00, excellent customer service, and my husband had leftovers. AJ's food was so nasty, my husband tossed it in the garbage. I let AJ's keep the $16.00. It's simply the principle for me.
I decided to give this place another try as I drive past today. I got the 2 meat 2 side meal for $22. It has hot link, pork ribs, beans and Cole slaw. Well the hot link was my favorite. The Cole slaw is bland like No seasoning, beans ehh Iate 2 spoon fulls and yeah it's a no and the ribs in my opinion tasted old. I won't be back
Caught these guys on a bad day. Smoke house was rolling, smelled great. Bean were ice cold potato salad from Carrs and the pulled pork was warm at best. Pork was dry and flavor less. I’ll try again and add to this review.
Little mom and pop shop. I'm from Arizona and cannot adjust to these high prices but I gave the Brisket combo a try. The Brisket was fall apart tender but could use a little more of that smoky flavor. The Beans and potato salad were standard. All in all, I won't pay $20 for the Brisket combo again. If there is a next time, I'll try the Ribs. Everyone has different tastes so I think you should check them out if you have a sudden craving.
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is solid gold. I don’t write reviews but I’m from the Midwest this is the best barbecue I’ve had in a long time. And AJ and his wife do an incredible job and are the nicest folks.
Fantastic BBQ! The best in Anchorage. The ribs fell off the bone and the meat was tender and juicy. Complimented with coleslaw and beans, I could've been in foodie heaven. If you haven't tried AJ's, you have had BBQ and need to fix that today.Two things to note before you go1. It is a drive-through, perfect for food on the go2. It is cash only, you get a great value for the price and only need a $20 or two
I hate to use Yelp to defame a business, especially a locallly-owned, but the truth is these people have no shame in serving you garbage food. They really brought it upon themselves. I first found out about AJ's a few years ago when a friend brought me some of their ribs. They were delicious. Then we tried them again shortly after and it wasn't so good. So we just chocked it up to them having a bad day. I did it again a couple months after that and decided I'd never go there again, on account of the BBQ actually sucks. Today (and a couple years after my last attempt at AJ's), I had a hankering for BBQ and must've forgotten my shitty experience at AJ's. I let the good reviews lure me in and convinced myself it will be good, like the first time. First, I called and tried to place an order over the phone. They don't do that. Okay. I go there and made three attempts at ordering some entrees but was shot down by their complicated entree rules. They can't pair brisket and ribs. Whatever. Finally after ordering, I go to pay with a card and was told "Nope." Very polite folks. Just beaming with charm. So I drove across the street and paid an atm fee to pull out some cash. $40 and a pain in the a** later, I got my food. I rushed home in anticipation only to be greeted with globs of fat swimming in the brisket. I pulled the brisket apart looking for actual meat. There was more fat than meat which was so unappetizing I about threw up. I gave up on the gross brisket and opened up the box with ribs... looked good enough. Took one bite of the toughest f*cking ribs I've barely sunk my teeth into. In fact, I can't say I've ever had ribs from a BBQ joint that were that tough and dry. Congratulations AJ's. You get that award for shittiest ribs I've ever had. I wish I could have said it was a delightful experience. I wanted so badly to find something good about their below standards BBQ, but can't really compliment canned beans and mediocre coleslaw, which were the only palatable items I got. The meat was garbage and I paid for it. I know times are tough on small businesses right now, but I would've paid more for a better quality cut of meat. Honestly, anyone would. I know you have talent AJs. Don't jeopardize your reputation by using lower quality products and then passing it off as food worth selling. It's not. Anyway, until they get their s*** together, go to the Smokehouse or Texas Roadhouse.
This place is the BEST in Anchorage for BBQ! Be sure to go! They have excellent customer service and amazing food! Make sure you have cash, if not make a run to The atm next door at Walgreens!Hidden Gem! I recommend everything!!! I can’t pick my favorite! Okay, the half-chicken! Yum!
Good food but cash only and not a big menu. A little spendy.