AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar — Restaurant in Destin

In short, horrible service, horrible food, and poor leadership!!!! I would never eat here again or recommend it to anyone!!!

I visited this restaurant two weeks ago on my annual trip to Destin. This was the first time anyone in my group also had eaten here. We waited 20 minutes for a waiter. Upon asking who would be serving our table, a staff member let us know they would find out. A few minutes later a waiter did come and stated, " She would do us a favor and wait on us since our waiter had cut his hand and decided to go to the hospital." I was beyond ready to leave at this point but it was late and no other food options were open nearby. We proceeded to place our orders, and the drinks, appetizers, and main courses we placed at this time. The waiter told us that the appetizers and main course would probably come out at the same time because the kitchen would be closing soon. I found that weird since it was 11pm and they do not close until 2am. After bringing our drinks back to the table, the waiter did not come back once to check on us. I ordered a sprite to drink which turned out to be carbonated water, I had to ask another waiter for something else to drink. Our food come out and it was not good. I order the firecracker shrimp which tasted like spicy bbq sauce, and the stuffed shrimp was horrible. The waiter did finally come to the table but to only ask if we were ready for our checks. She never asked how everything was or if we needed anything else. I could understand if she were busy waiting on other tables and completing a task but she was not. I included a picture with this review and it shows a group of waiters sitting around together by the register. There were only about two people consistently completing tasks like whipping tables, refilling bottles, and waiting on guests. We asked to speak to a manager and we spoke with manager Dallas. In the photo Dallas, the manager, is the one in the green shirt. Once I realized that I just shook my head. It made sense why they felt comfortable to just hang around and ignore customers because the manager was the ring leader. She did offer 10% off of the ticket which we just added to the tip because I believe in tipping and having others do so when they are...

If I could give a zero rating, I would. I strongly advise against wasting your time at this restaurant. They prioritize spending on advertising over training their employees to respect customers. Despite their current popularity, I would never recommend this place to my friends.

After returning from a boat tour, the captain suggested we dine at this restaurant. We were unaware that an ID was required for entry after 10pm, which we understood. The initial guard we encountered was polite and reasonable. When my husband explained that my driver's license was recently lost in San Francisco, I presented the temporary driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DDS) on my phone. The guard insisted on seeing a physical ID, which was understandable. Upon returning with my ID, there was a change in guards. I provided the temporary driver's license to the new guard, who rudely dismissed it as not being a valid ID. Despite explaining that it was issued by the DDS and acceptable for air travel, he continued to insist it was not a valid ID.

The situation escalated when the guard handed my ID to another individual holding fried chicken, instructing him to pass it to the manager somewhere else without me. I expressed my concern about the handling of my only original copy, but the guard disregarded my pleas and openly declared that I did not have a legitimate ID. He stubbornly disregarded my pleas, persisting in handing my ID to the individual who promptly fled with it before I could even express our decision not to dine at the restaurant. He continued to belittle me in front of his colleagues loudly that I lacked a proper ID. His disrespectful behavior and dismissive attitude made me feel invisible and unworthy.

The guard's behavior was unacceptable and a clear indication of how not to treat customers. Regardless of their current popularity, a lack of respect for customers will inevitably lead to their downfall. It is crucial to treat all individuals, especially customers, with dignity...

Let me start with its a beautiful place to eat and just enjoy some good company! The food what little portions I had was great flavor, however they gave me 2 small and I mean small pieces of fried fish on a mound of fries for $18. My mom got the fried clam basket for $15 and there might have been 10 pieces on once again a mound of fries!! Both came with hushpuppies and they were wonderful!! Paid $10 for a kids mac and cheese which came in a small plastic bowl ok it is what it is but as most of you know kids mac and cheese is usually a cereal bowl full of mac and cheese right?? Anyway my other grandchild was still hungry so I asked how much for a side if mac and cheese for one she didn't know that's no good your server/waitress should be knowledgeable of the menu period! For two turns out it's $4.00 and get this it was double the portion of the kids actual mea for $10!!! Now if you go eat there be sure to read the very small fine print on the 2nd page of menu that party of 6 or more is a 20% gratuity charge!!! 20% are you kidding me 97% of restaurants charge 10% gratuity I know cause I been in the restaurant business for 30 years!! I raised hell I wasn't paying 20% gratuity on 3 separate checks it would have tipped our server over $40!! She wasn't worth it our drinks never got refilled she didn't pre bus what so ever the ice melted in our drinks because it's Florida and it's a hot out asked for some more ice and water never got it!! So how you expect me to tip this so called server over $40 bucks that's a big negative ghost rider sorry not sorry!! Moral of story don't waste your time going there sadly but just dont. Not to mention they charged my mom twice her bank caught it...