AJ’S Sushi & Cajun Seafood — Restaurant in Town of Ramapo

Who doesn't like a good 'all-you-can-eat'? Sometimes, despite better judgment, one just has to let their inner 'fat-kid' out and go nuts. But let's be perfectly clear on something - it is very rare should one come across an a.y.c.e. where the food is exceptional. Most a.y.c.e.'s are about pumping out lots of cheaply prepared, carb-rich, salty food that separates a fool from his dollar after just two plates. Now, if you're a seasoned buffet professional, you know all the secrets to swindling the swindlers. Start with the proteins, specifically the high-end stuff - skip all the things that are going to trip you up; rice, noodles, pastas, and breads. I like to start with the snow crab legs, lobster tails, boiled shrimp (not fried), and obviously, Prime Rib. But you won't find any of those items on the menu here. This establishment gives you two options. Just two.

Sushi or Cajun.

Now, I know that sounds bizarre, and it is. You can't even combine from one menu to the next. You have to make the decision whether or not you want Sushi or Cajun.

Now this is a conundrum for me, because Sushi and Cajun cuisines are my favorite - so you can imagine my disappointment when I asked to do both and the waitress said I had to pick just one menu.

Major Point Reduction.

I went with Sushi. And the wife and I went all out. Okay, truthfully, we went overboard.

The result, well... I had mixed reviews. You see, they did some things right, but mostly wrong. And they prepared a few things well, but mainly, it was kind of mediocre.

We started with a Miso soup. It was tasty, but it was practically all broth and little to no tofu, scallions, and nori. Next, grilled squid, or ikayaki, in a teriyaki glaze. It was okay. But the shumai and the gyoza, now those were good (even though I think they came from a bag).

Then our sushi arrived, and I realized that perhaps we had been a little overzealous, as the pictures would suggest. But I wasn't about to pay the additional fee for food wasted charge, so I soldiered on and finished my meal with zest and fervor... and immediately regretted the overexuberance of my folly.

It was my first and only meal of the day. I couldn't eat another bite afterward.

Now, as for the sushi. The quality of the ingredients was very good, but the preparation was lacking. The fish to rice ratio favored the rice, and the rice was underseasoned.

For $28.99 per person, we pigged out - and that's okay. I was in a sushi coma by the meals end. But was it worth pig-out? My answer: sort of. Some of the rolls were very tasty, and others were bland. The fact that specialty rolls and common rolls are both included in the same price means that a diner should stick to the specialty rolls - you get a lot more value for what you are given. But if nigiri is your thing, then this place is a bit of a letdown. I was disappointed that the nigiri pieces I ordered were as bland as they were.

If you're the kind of person who mixes Wasabi into your soy sauce and drowns your maki pieces in the mixture after slathering each piece with a slice of pickled ginger, or a person who values quanity over quality, then this place is perfect for you. If you are, however, a purist, then stick to your high-end omakase.

Would I go back? Yes, I believe I would; but to try the Cajun side of the menu and compare my findings, or to scratch a sushi gorgefest if ever the craving to be a disgusting piglet...

THIS IS AN EDIT TO A ONCE 5 STAR REVIEW —AFTER GIVING AJs TOO MANY CHANCES TO REDEEM THEMSELVES—THEY FALL SHORT EVERY TIME.

My husband, family, friends, and I used to go to AJs all the time. For occasions, birthdays, group dinners, etc. It is obvious that since opening, AJs food and service have drastically declined. It is also glaringly obvious that they are trying to save money in all the wrong places.

The all you can eat sushi menu used to be amazing. Now, it is a pathetic and embarrassing hassle. They refuse to give you decent portions or decrease your portions if (in their eyes) you have ordered “too much.” Whether you are a group of 2 or a party of 10, they will never bring out everything you order or ask for. Every single time we order sushi, the staff decides to leave off rolls and never mentions anything. I guess they hope no one will notice or question it. The portions are microscopic and the sushi has become smaller and smaller. We ordered chicken with vegetable “soup” and it was disgusting. Basically water with the tiniest piece of chicken and raw onions thrown into it. I turned to my husband and said, “Is this a joke?” We also ordered a sushi roll that was supposed to have 2 types of fish. It came out with no fish— just soybean paper, avocado and mango sauce. Every time we ask for spicy Mayo, we have to beg for it. They refuse to give us enough and we have to beg for it to be refilled. Why? To cut costs? I don’t get it. I could go on forever, but point is: don’t even bother trying this place or going here anymore.

I think what makes me more mad is that we were loyal, returning customers. Everyone used to say hi to us, come up and make small talk, etc. Then one night, AN HOUR BEFORE CLOSING, they would not seat us. THEY TURNED US AWAY! We were a group of 4. They told us no at the door. Who does that an hour before close? I should have never gone back after this, but I gave them one more chance. BIG MISTAKE.

They staff is rude, have no personality, and do everything they can to rush you out. Everyone seems like they’re running around crazy busy, but yet no one gets any decent service. I don’t get it. Especially one waitress who is always there—she is the worst! So rude and impersonal. They are so focused on the closing time that they question people at the door and ask them “will you be done by 9?! Will you be done by 10?? That is NOT how the restaurant industry or any establishment working to provide exceptional service operates.

So much money I wish I could get back for myself friends and family. NEVER AGAIN WILL...

All you can eat review only

The AYCE menu at AJ's is by far the smallest menu I have seen amongst any other place so that was an immediate turn off compared to the amazing spots I've been to. My expectations are set high after being to Sakana, Las Vegas Sushi, and Sea Shai in NJ...... SUSHI peices are much smaller Teriyaki sauce is strangely thin but decent(if you haven't dipped your sushi in teriyaki sauce your doing yourself an injustice) Inconsistent service....Had about 3 or 4 rounds with the wife...The food came out promptly the first couple of times but had us waiting for a absurdly long time for our last round of orders. (I started to wonder if they did that on purpose. After all u tend to get fuller the more you wait in between eating. In my head, it seemed like a tactic but could be wrong.) Appetizers and other sides are as important as the sushi itself so that does go back to the lack of menu items. BY THIS I MEAN THEY DO NOT HAVE MANY SIDES AND APPTEIZERS ON THE MENU Not a good look, in my opinion of course. This food is not tiktok worthy (those who look up restaurants using tiktok understand what i am saying by this point made) the chicken wings lack flavor and looked like it was fried without seasoning and after they took the chicken out they shook some old bay on them. Nothing special and predictable being that they also make seafood boils (better off putting the old bay in the flour/batter) Conclusion: The Cajun part of the experience may possibly be much better than the AYCE version? I just wouldn't recommend coming here for the sushi it's just not it for me, and probably my least favorite place out of all of the many places...