AJ's NY Pizzeria — Restaurant in Manhattan

So let me start by saying it's a college town. It's at the edge of that part of town verses smack dab in the small tight streets. The staff were very friendly . Now it was slow when I came in so not sure how they are when it's a game night or weekend which I'm sure they are slammed. Now Hunter took my order and was so helpful and informative and didn't let my eyes be bigger than my stomach lol. Jackson was friendly and listen to me chatter and explain about the RFTW (comes to junction City every May) . Friendly open environment and family friendly. My food smelled great and looked great. I'd give 4.5 if they existed cause my only complaint was the sauce was a tiny bit too sweet for NY style and tiny bit off spice level wise. Other than that wasn't burnt bottom and folded (the NY style test!) the inside was nice but the outside patio was great on a beautiful weather night. Music and lights all around. A mural on the wall to see and people watching ability. There's parking on the back and front sides. I can't compare to other 'local' pizza places in the area but I'd recommend AJs to anyone no matter who you are! I took a video of the outside and the patios and street since not much on Google but seems to need to be cut in half it's too long....

Pizza delicious, subs amazing. If you haven't gone already I'm judging you.

The meatball sub is honestly the best meatball sub I've had. It's also the most messy but my stomach was happy and hey there's napkins. If you get a whole one make sure you are hungry. The bun gets lathered in like this garlic butter. The meatballs are seasoned so well and are Hella juicy. The marinara sauce- thick and delicious. The cheese? Stringy and needed.

The Pizza crust is chewy and has a nice crunch. The amount of sauce and cheese ratio is excellent. We got the meatball parm pie. If you cant tell I really love their meatballs.

Had the meatball sub and sat down outside. It was on a Saturday afternoon so the wait time was long! But so freaking worth it for that food.

The pizza was ordered to go on a Wednesday Night and I ordered it drove there and it was ready. 15 minutes. So that was perfect!

Parking on a Saturday or Friday is hell I do not recommend trying to park at their designated space on those days. Weekdays tend to be easier. But Friday and Saturday? Forget about it park a bit aways and...

The pizza is good, and it comes on a tiered platter which is fun and space saving. They have a great play area with a game in the back for kids over 5. BPLus a fun NYC theme with checker cab (my old home town) but I wish they had more tomato sauce and better cheese (like a mix perhaps). Very salty cheese....Pie Five is definitely better. Nice outdoor seatign area that is GOD friendly - love that. Salads: They use only romaine in the salads and the dark green end parts at that in the salads that I have tried (for ex. nolita). I wish they used more nutritious greens, such as baby kale and spinach or butter lettuce. Also when it says peppers, they actually use pickled peppers, not fresh peppers. One more salad peeve - the dressing is home made with oil and vinegar - BUT it contains dried herbs - get with it and use no herbs and fresh lemon juice, OR use fresh herbs. Noone uses dried herbs in salad dressing! Pls change that and update your menu to use fresh ingredients, If you are not pressed for time, go to Pie Five for better...