AJ's - Burgers · Beef · Beer — Restaurant in West Lafayette

I have been a regular over the past two years of AJ’s coming in 2-3 times per week at least. The food such as the burgers and wings continue to remain some of my favorites around but the service has drastically dropped. I like that each day there is a new special or deal in which is one of the main attractions for me and friends. But recently when I am in there so regularly, often times when there are minimal tables there is no “Service Work”, it feels like pulling teeth just to be able to get another refill or get the check without being disrespectful…. Yet I am the only table in there. I am not expecting top tier service because it is a burger and beer place, but when coming in there so long and feeling like a stranger each time is off-putting. I am also not a fan of when I finally do close out, I have the server hovering over me while I tip. It’s off-putting and feel very uncomfortable. It is not hard to write things down and then put them in but I feel the Toast POS systems at the table take away from the guest experience when the server is more engaged with there little iPad than focusing on customer needs and also takes quite some time. Again, I do enjoy what AJ’s offers such as food, reasonably priced beer and rotating deals but will not continue to back incompetency and terrible service. I have thought about writing this for around 2-3 months now and am just tired of giving them the benefit of the doubt. Many times , dirty looks, or only taking our order and coming with the check, not asking how things were or wanted refills (which I would have greatly ordered another beer or three). I hope management really addresses who they are hiring and does a clean sweep because I feel that although in a college town and people might not necessarily care as much by doing bare minimum, it says a lot about your business model and management practices if this continues...

First, I'm from Chicago, so if you're looking for a Chicago Style Italian Beef, while this restaurant does "technically" serve just that, it is the equivalent of Taco Bell being Mexican. The beef seems to be pre-sliced/refrigerated for what tastes to be a good amount of time. I say this because you can taste their refrigerator on the beef. Also, the beef is both very dry and sometimes cold. This is because they don't keep the beef on the warmer to cook properly like a traditional Chicago Style joint. Keep in mind this happened on several occasions while dining in and out. I only say this due to the employees having explained the wrapping and transport of takeout "makes the beef dry?". Next, the sweet peppers have on more than one occasion tasted as if they're past their prime. Further, their AJ's loaded fries are topped with the following: canned jalapenos, canned nacho cheese, canned chili and some type of nasty ranch dressing. If you are eating in, expect a foul smell at their location. Keep in mind, some of their soft drinks are stale as well. Finally, the icing on the cake...Last time I was in there, one of the employees picked his nose just before packing my order. Sure it was just off to the left, but I am an alert person who pays attention to details. Throw that in with their employees acting as if none of them want to be there and pretty much look through you when you try to talk with them, you will be sure to have a wonderful experience. The only reason I've given them 2 stars is because it's the only Chicago Style restaurant around here. You're better off driving 70 miles to Merrillville in order to get Portillo's...

I ordered from the south Lafayette location about a month ago for delivery and it was 2 1/2 hours late because they told the driver the wrong address. The driver was new to the area and wasnt sure where to go so I had to text him my address and help talk him through how to get here. I still have the text messages from the driver and the call history in my phone. We still tipped the driver well because he felt so bad that he was so late and was told the wrong address. By the time my food got here it was cold and my husband and I both got sick from it. Before I finally got my food, I was able to talk to a male manager who said he would put a $20 credit for me to use the next time I went in because I spent $40 for my food to be delivered cold. I'm pregnant and cant eat cold meat for risk of listeria and other harmful bacteria that can harm myself and my baby, so I had to wait to heat up my food before I could eat it safely and even after that I still got sick from it because it sat in a car for 2 1/2 hours. When I called tonight to order and use my credit, a girl manager stated there was no credit on file and did nothing to help resolve the issue. So instead of getting food that my husband and I had planned out, we decided to not order because we were expecting to use the $20 credit. It's really sad how the management there is being run and I really dont think I will recommend AJs on any side of town to anyone...