The sirloin steak was amazing. The stuffed mushrooms were delicious as well! Great service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Stuffed Mushrooms
Todd B.
3.5* (out of 5) Food: 3* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4* Service: 3* 03/09/2024 My wife and I had both heard good things about this place, so had been wanting to give it a try and check out the Casino. We had the opportunity when friends were in town and an 80's group was playing in the Casino, so we decided to start the evening with dinner at AJ's Steakhouse then attend the concert. While we had to walk around an escalator that was out of service, the entrance area of AJ's and the initial impression was quite positive (see pictures). The place was clean, modern and lively - giving off a classy aura. Once we were seated at our table, we were a little disappointed with the wobbly table and the delay in receiving our drinks - but the drinks were solid. My wife had the Grande Margarita (see picture) and I went with the Smoked Old Fashion (see picture) - both of which were very good and the prices were reasonable. The food and service though is where AJ's fell well short of my expectations for a place like this with so much promise. After waiting some time for our meals, our server stopped out to tell us that our meals would be delayed due to a large group ahead of us. This seemed a bit surprising, as we didn't see any large groups in the restaurant, but what could we do? At one point after waiting over 30 minutes, I suggested to our server that "the manager will probably comp us a drink or dessert given the wait"...which received nothing more than a dismissive "maybe" and didn't seem to be taken seriously. Once our food was finally delivered, we were again left disappointed. My wife ordered the Top Sirloin (see picture) and I ordered the Salmon (see picture). While she ordered medium rare, the initial cut into the Top Sirloin was medium well and dry. A manager did come around to ask how things were, so we were open about it being overdone (other cuts later were closer to rare, so it was very inconsistent relative to other steaks at other steakhouses). She offered to exchange it, but given how long we had waited for our meal and the concert starting soon, we declined the offer. Again, given this situation and the fact that it was shared with the manager, we assumed a minimum of a complimentary dessert or a coupon to return another day...but received nothing. As for the Salmon (see picture) it was cooked well - very soft and juicy...but almost zero flavor. A convenient stop at the casino with a classy first impression, but the food and service leave me unable to recommend AJ's Steakhouse. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com
austin woodin
Nice place for a reasonably priced steak.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carrie Preston
Food was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
greg klaiber
I had a perfectly done filet. The sides of cream spinach and garlic mashed potatoes were outstanding. Grilled ceasar salad was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Abigail Davis
Absolutely amazing!!!
PauletteM
We didn't have to wait at all. The staff was very courteous and friendly especially our server McKenna. Food was delicious! Would definitely recommend and we will go again! Thanks for a great birthday dinner! ?
Tim B.
Went to the bar Friday around 7, it was mostly full but the restaurant seating was mostly empty. Ordered an old fashioned and filet de burgo. We asked for bread a few times but it took about 20 minutes to arrive. Then we got bread brought again, which seems to really confuse the table runner. Found out later they can smoke the old fashioned but I didn't know. Next time. Steak was cooked to my liking but the pile of raw carrots was not needed as filler. Try asparagus instead to round out the meal, I mean it's already $45 so make it worth it. Had a small Ceaser with it and the dressing was great. Also came in a mini Parmesan crust bowl.
BrandonPerry
AJ's was not what I expected. Waiter was horrible, uninformed and needed to polish his skills. Had no clue what the specials were and was very lost. My filet was like a piece of shoe leather, burnt and so dry. Mashed potatoes were like they came out of a box and the mushrooms were even worse. Best part was ceasar salad in parm bowl. Maybe I hit a bad night but as a very well traveled and seasoned eater, this place gets 2 thumbs down. I'll stick to gambling at the Meadows only.
LisaF
I had not been there in a while and the food is not the quality is used to be. I had the shrimp and the breading was not all they way cooked and it there was more breading than shrimp. The French onion soup used to be the best around, not any more it does not have the flavor at all like it used to. I do not think we will return there are other places that the food is better and priced better.
Steaks not prepared as ordered. Incorrect food was delivered to table (salad vs soup). Slow service. When we complained about our steaks, the chef came out and said he agreed one was overdone, but said the second was prepared correctly. I can tell the difference between a medium steak and a dry, overdone steak.
Gary Hackett
Our first time at A J's Steakhouse in Altoona and the food was good. Steak was well seasoned without being too salty, garlic mashed potatoes were terrific, and their house dressing is very good. Atmosphere is very nice and service was amazing. Well worth th price. We will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Diesel Girl
U havta try thier french onion soup!! OMG!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a party of 7 for my wifes birthday, forgot an appetizer, forgot multiple add ons, most of us had the $30 steak special all medium rare or rare and all very over done (medium well at best). All of us had the same thoughts, very bland and no flavor, tough meat. For supposedly prime beef, this is very underwhelming. Not a good birthday dinner. Also, they changed up their menu and got rid of the best dishes, beef stroganoff, meatloaf, and coconut shrimp. The three course meal deal for $25 was the only reason most people had dinner here on the weekdays. The place was empty for a Thursday night, and now we know why. We will not be back any time soon. Great job Prairie Meadows, trying to save a few bucks and screw over your customers!
Elizabeth Smith
The food was DELICIOUS- I got the baked rigatoni and cheesy potatoes, and also tried some of the roaster garlic mashed potatoes. The servers were very helpful and attentive. One of our servers had just completed training a couple of days before we were there, and did great for it being a weekend and being so new! I would definitely come back here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mozzarella Sticks, AJ's House Side Salad
The sirloin steak was amazing. The stuffed mushrooms were delicious as well! Great service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Stuffed Mushrooms
3.5* (out of 5) Food: 3* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4* Service: 3* 03/09/2024 My wife and I had both heard good things about this place, so had been wanting to give it a try and check out the Casino. We had the opportunity when friends were in town and an 80's group was playing in the Casino, so we decided to start the evening with dinner at AJ's Steakhouse then attend the concert. While we had to walk around an escalator that was out of service, the entrance area of AJ's and the initial impression was quite positive (see pictures). The place was clean, modern and lively - giving off a classy aura. Once we were seated at our table, we were a little disappointed with the wobbly table and the delay in receiving our drinks - but the drinks were solid. My wife had the Grande Margarita (see picture) and I went with the Smoked Old Fashion (see picture) - both of which were very good and the prices were reasonable. The food and service though is where AJ's fell well short of my expectations for a place like this with so much promise. After waiting some time for our meals, our server stopped out to tell us that our meals would be delayed due to a large group ahead of us. This seemed a bit surprising, as we didn't see any large groups in the restaurant, but what could we do? At one point after waiting over 30 minutes, I suggested to our server that "the manager will probably comp us a drink or dessert given the wait"...which received nothing more than a dismissive "maybe" and didn't seem to be taken seriously. Once our food was finally delivered, we were again left disappointed. My wife ordered the Top Sirloin (see picture) and I ordered the Salmon (see picture). While she ordered medium rare, the initial cut into the Top Sirloin was medium well and dry. A manager did come around to ask how things were, so we were open about it being overdone (other cuts later were closer to rare, so it was very inconsistent relative to other steaks at other steakhouses). She offered to exchange it, but given how long we had waited for our meal and the concert starting soon, we declined the offer. Again, given this situation and the fact that it was shared with the manager, we assumed a minimum of a complimentary dessert or a coupon to return another day...but received nothing. As for the Salmon (see picture) it was cooked well - very soft and juicy...but almost zero flavor. A convenient stop at the casino with a classy first impression, but the food and service leave me unable to recommend AJ's Steakhouse. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com
Nice place for a reasonably priced steak.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
I had a perfectly done filet. The sides of cream spinach and garlic mashed potatoes were outstanding. Grilled ceasar salad was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely amazing!!!
We didn't have to wait at all. The staff was very courteous and friendly especially our server McKenna. Food was delicious! Would definitely recommend and we will go again! Thanks for a great birthday dinner! ?
Went to the bar Friday around 7, it was mostly full but the restaurant seating was mostly empty. Ordered an old fashioned and filet de burgo. We asked for bread a few times but it took about 20 minutes to arrive. Then we got bread brought again, which seems to really confuse the table runner. Found out later they can smoke the old fashioned but I didn't know. Next time. Steak was cooked to my liking but the pile of raw carrots was not needed as filler. Try asparagus instead to round out the meal, I mean it's already $45 so make it worth it. Had a small Ceaser with it and the dressing was great. Also came in a mini Parmesan crust bowl.
AJ's was not what I expected. Waiter was horrible, uninformed and needed to polish his skills. Had no clue what the specials were and was very lost. My filet was like a piece of shoe leather, burnt and so dry. Mashed potatoes were like they came out of a box and the mushrooms were even worse. Best part was ceasar salad in parm bowl. Maybe I hit a bad night but as a very well traveled and seasoned eater, this place gets 2 thumbs down. I'll stick to gambling at the Meadows only.
I had not been there in a while and the food is not the quality is used to be. I had the shrimp and the breading was not all they way cooked and it there was more breading than shrimp. The French onion soup used to be the best around, not any more it does not have the flavor at all like it used to. I do not think we will return there are other places that the food is better and priced better.
Restaurantji Recommends
Steaks not prepared as ordered. Incorrect food was delivered to table (salad vs soup). Slow service. When we complained about our steaks, the chef came out and said he agreed one was overdone, but said the second was prepared correctly. I can tell the difference between a medium steak and a dry, overdone steak.
Our first time at A J's Steakhouse in Altoona and the food was good. Steak was well seasoned without being too salty, garlic mashed potatoes were terrific, and their house dressing is very good. Atmosphere is very nice and service was amazing. Well worth th price. We will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
U havta try thier french onion soup!! OMG!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a party of 7 for my wifes birthday, forgot an appetizer, forgot multiple add ons, most of us had the $30 steak special all medium rare or rare and all very over done (medium well at best). All of us had the same thoughts, very bland and no flavor, tough meat. For supposedly prime beef, this is very underwhelming. Not a good birthday dinner. Also, they changed up their menu and got rid of the best dishes, beef stroganoff, meatloaf, and coconut shrimp. The three course meal deal for $25 was the only reason most people had dinner here on the weekdays. The place was empty for a Thursday night, and now we know why. We will not be back any time soon. Great job Prairie Meadows, trying to save a few bucks and screw over your customers!
The food was DELICIOUS- I got the baked rigatoni and cheesy potatoes, and also tried some of the roaster garlic mashed potatoes. The servers were very helpful and attentive. One of our servers had just completed training a couple of days before we were there, and did great for it being a weekend and being so new! I would definitely come back here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mozzarella Sticks, AJ's House Side Salad