BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse — Restaurant in La Mesa

Unfortunately, my most recent experience at this location was extremely disappointing. While the staff members were very nice, we were already slightly put off when we were seated at a table with a broken booth, that sank in towards the back and was a little uncomfortable. There also was not any cutlery at the table, which we asked for after realizing it was not going to come out with the food (and which we did not receive until after the food arrived, so I had to wait a bit before I could eat).

These things were not a huge issue, but the rest of the night continued to decline. When we ordered our appetizer, we were told that they were out of it, so we went ahead and switched it with another that was less expensive. This would not have mattered if the original appetizer did not arrive half-way through after we already received the substitution and later found that both those items were on the bill. The staff was helpful in fixing this, though it did take some time when we honestly wanted to get going. Additionally, the appetizer we ordered in place of the original is what was taken off, so we were left with the more expensive appetizer on our bill. The staff, however, did remedy this by discounting our meal to make it the price that it would have been with the correct appetizer, for which we were thankful.

The food was okay on my end, but my boyfriend's burger did not appear to be cooked as thoroughly as he would of liked, which was disappointing. I took him to BJs to have a nice birthday dinner, but we were so disappointed with how it turned out that we just decided to leave without ordering a birthday pazookie.

Overall, the experience was not great. Again, the staff were very helpful when we voiced our concerns about the bill and we appreciate them fixing the error--but the miscommunication regarding the availability of their appetizers and the lack of cutlery at a booth already in poor condition were all things that made the night less enjoyable.

I was hesitant to post this review as it was a busy night, mistakes happen, and the staff were helpful given the circumstances. But I decided to voice my concerns because, having worked in the customer service industry myself, I think knowing what could be improved upon...

Update: We went back to BJ's on August 7, 2023 and ate in the restaurant. This time was 100% different! Our server was Jason and he was outstanding! A couple of things, the food runner forgot to bring Au Jus for the beef dip sandwich. A Smokehouse burger only had a drizzle of bbq sauce, and a Chicken Parmigiana did not have enough marinara. Jason came by and we requested the Au Jus, more bbq sauce and more marinara. He was back very quickly with all three! Good thing, as the a/c was pretty cool in there. Jason was very polite and personable. The food was very good. Eating in the restaurant is much better because the food isn't sitting in the to-go containers and was very fresh. Our experience was very enjoyable this time!

This is the last time I will ever go to BJ's at Grossmont. Usually everything is pretty OK. I ordered online and went to pick it up. Unfortunately I didn't check the bags before I left. They forgot to include the Au Jus dip for the prime rib beef sandwich. So this totally ruined the mood for my family this Friday night. I called and spoke to a Manager named Matt and he told me they would make me a new sandwich and fries along with the Au Jus and he also said he'd take it off the bill; so that was good. I picked up the new sandwich with Au Jus and newly cooked fries. Come to find out that the meat on both sandwiches was inedible. It was laden with fat and gristle so much that it was more fat and gristle than meat. AND the first sandwich had horseradish on it, which I specifically said NO horseradish and add provolone. So, even if they had included the Au Jus the first time, I STILL would've had to go back because of the horseradish, and no provolone. Matt was very polite and accommodating but the mistakes with the food just...

Long story but this is why they deserve a 5 star....

I ordered online for takeout because my boyfriend was already in the area so he could just pick it up and go home. He got there and said it took extra time it wasn’t ready by the time they said so just be aware of that I believe it was an extra 10 minutes. He got home with the food and I ordered the cauliflower barbacoa tacos with the side but I changed and was up charged an extra 2 something for sweet potato fries. That’s fine I wanted the sweet potato fries. Well they weren’t there they still gave me the mixed grains it comes with which is like a Mediterranean salad of quinoa and veggies. I really wanted those sweet potato fries. I was mad. Lol I made my boyfriend call because I told him why didn’t he check the food he said it was sealed and believed everything was there he even asked for ranch for my sweet potato fries.

He was on hold for a couple of minutes until the manager answered and it’s like he felt my frustration and me really wanting those sweet potato fries! He felt bad and gave us a $10 certificate to use for next time. I told my boyfriend it’s like he heard me saying I didn’t want to go there anymore, I wanted those dang sweet potato fries!

But because of his customer service alone(and my boyfriend really likes the shrimp scampi) I’ll keep going there especially this location even though it’s farther for me than the Chula Vista location.

So thank you Mathew! You’re a great manager! No other bjs location had apologized and/or gave us a courtesy card.

PS. I believe it’s the systems fault because in two other locations they have forgotten the sweet potato fries?! I think the letters are small and the employees don’t see it?! Bjs should really look...