Casey J's Tavern + American BBQ Catering — Restaurant in Rowley

My husband and I have been a regular customer since before the pandemic. We absolutely love the food and the family-like feel that we get from the staff. We eat in, take away and have used the catering (for my husband’s surprise 60th birthday party) and are never disappointed! Many of the “old-timers” know us not only by name but by our drink/appetizer order. While we have noticed changes in the staff and pricing since the Serenitee group took over the business, we continue to frequent American BBQ because of the service. Tonight, while most of the staff that we saw at the bar and on the “floor” were new to us, our server Dina (our first time seeing her) gave us great service. We ordered everything at once…drinks, appetizer and dinner. Water was served as requested but in the plastic cups that we get when we sit outside. We were sitting at the tables in the bar area and thought the plastic cups was unusual. Our drinks came out quickly (Gin and soda & Prosecco) followed by the appetizer (wings with both ranch and blue cheese). Dinner followed in a timely fashion…actually so quickly that we were just finishing the last of the wings. As we were eating we were asked about another round of drinks. My husband ordered another. I looked around a couple minutes later and noticed the bartender Colin pouring gin from a Tanquerry bottle. I commented to my husband who then commented to the bartender that he was drinking Hendricks. Colin, was pouring Tanquerry and saying it was Hendricks. As a former bartender…I can tell you that the bottles look very different and the price difference is significant. Luckily, Allison (the manager) heard my husband and proceeded to make sure that his new drink was Hendricks. I can’t prove it but both my husband and I are convinced that the first drink was the cheaper gin. If I can’t trust that the bartender is pouring what is ordered, then that’s a big problem. We felt that Allison handled the situation well while we were there, but I will be watching what is poured if Colin is working. Between the price increases and now this problem with Colin, we hope other things won’t change...

I don’t like restaurants. Period. When I tell you that American Barbecue is not like a typical restaurant, it is NO UNDERSTATEMENT. The food is spot on every time. They just don’t cut corners on quality or portions like many restaurants do. From the most delicious burgers on their fabulous brioche-style, pillowy, buttered bun to their signature, authentic BBQ to the INSANE BRISKET REUBEN...you cannot go wrong here! The grilled salmon, fried fish, steak tips and even their Mexican food is great! The service is really awesome too! They have a full bar and a great selection of desserts (try the warm chocolate cookie in a mini cast iron pan with vanilla ice-cream on top)! It is definitely enough to share but you might want your own!!! But WAIT! Did I mention the chicken wings!!??? Oh my-the chicken wings-they are crispy and saucy to the very last bite...my favorite are the sticky-sweet chipotle molasses- but I am pretty sure all of the flavors are fantastic-they don’t screw up anything here! Whether you are out with a decent crowd of people or having an intimate gathering of two-this place IS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN THE GREATER NEWBURYPORT AREA in our opinion. We live in Newbury and we try scoot over to Rowley to get our fix once a week! Take out is great from here too! We would give MORE THAN 5 stars if we could! The owners have recently given more than just a face-lift to the restaurant- they made some serious upgrades and it’s like a brand new place inside and out (great bar, outdoor patio seating and plenty of parking too)! Can’t say enough about American BBQ in Rowley, MA! Go git some,...

We love the food but a recent experience dining in will make us hesitate to return. We dinned in very often before the pandemic, often getting al la cart main items as well as appetizers and sides. When the pandemic hit we would get takeout almost weekly.

We finally decided to try dining in again as we are feeling more comfortable at restaurants.

Ordered our old favorites and specifically said we wanted them al la cart. Got our food and it was well cooked as always. The problem was the bill. We were charged for full plates with two sides but rung up as "no sides" for each. This doubled the bill.

When we pointed it out the manager came and said we aren't allowed to get al la cart items in person "because you are taking up a table". Wow, that was pretty rude. They then said they couldn't change the bill because it had already been charged so they sent us home with sides, which we didn't even want.

I can understand mistakes happen, the server should have clarified with us that we couldn't do al la cart rather than charging for sides that were then rung up as nothing. What was the most disappointing was the chastisement from the manager that we are somehow bad for "taking up a table".

We love the food and love supporting a local business but we will think twice about ordering again. Even takeout where apparently you are allowed to order...