Food is always excellent and the garlic Parmesan w/bread they serve will make your eyes roll back in your head. It's so garlicky-cheesy-good! Waitstaff awesome.
(4)
Chris O.
Food is good And the menu has a lot to offer. Prices are mid range. The appetizers are outstAnding. They run several recurring really good drink specials -- one is called wine Wednesday where you get selected bottles of wine for a discount. Bar area is fairly large. Nice place to eat and a few TVs are on if there is a big sporting event I went for the first time when the chef and manager came out to a bazaar to support the Westboro public school. The manager really sold the restaurant to me and invited me and my wife to come in. We did and have been back several time. So this rating is based in several visits
(4)
Adam W.
A very good chain restaurant. Food is always consistent and the menu and some desserts will change seasonally. I am a big fan of the steak tips. They are well seasoned and cooked to temperature. This entree comes with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans, although they are very accommodating with whatever sides you want to have. There is also an extensive kids menu, and the atmosphere inside is warm and inviting. Bar area has multiple TV's to keep an eye on the day's sporting events.
(4)
Jamie L.
Have never been to this place before, but was very happy. I travel to Boston every other week for business and just recently switched hotels so this is right near where I'll be staying all the time. Went in to watch the Hawks/Cavs conference finals game. Ate at the bar and ordered the mustard crusted chicken. Drinks were excellent, food was even better. Even the bread/oil for dipping was way above par. Will be coming here multiple times throughout the week when I'm up here now.
(5)
Christa C.
My husband and I have been here several times. The last time we went the food was just average and we said never again. Well we decided to give another shot. The appetizer was served cold, nachos that were soggy. When we informed our waitress she took them back but told us that they would remake them and all our food would come out at the same time. I had the pazanella salad that was made with jalapeño cornbread. Not only was the corn beyond dry it was completely void of any flavor. Actually the whole dish was pretty bland.
(2)
Robyn H.
I have been a frequent flyer to the "Not Your Average Joe's in Acton, MA and have never experienced the incompetence I experienced today at the "Not Your Average Joe's in Westborough, MA. I placed a phone order for a gluten free sandwich by phone, yet when I arrived a half hour later, after being told it would take 25-30 minutes for a cold sandwich to prepared, it was not acknowledged an order had been placed: therefore not ready upon my arrival. The woman at the test retook my order of a gluten-free California Roll with rice pilaf. On the positive side, the order was ready in very little time. However, after paying $11.99 for a gluten-free sandwich, I returned back to work, only to realize the sandwich I just bit into was not gluten-free, along with the bread that was bagged with oil and cheese for dipping. This restaurant is highly UNEDUCATED when it comes to gluten-free. My celiac disease is very severe, so this was not a laughing matter. In addition, the manager who was asked to the phone to discuss the matter did not seem at all genuine in his concern for what had just occurred. Horrendous customer service. If you have celiac, stay away from this particular "Not Your Average Joe's," as they need a training course pertaining to celiac disease!
(1)
Keo S.
This review is really based on service versus the food because we actually really enjoyed the food and would have giving it a 4 star rating had the overall experience been better. I've been a server and I understand that it can get busy especially during the prime dinner hours. Before I go into the service experience, let me caveat this by saying that our server was very nice and had good intentions, but didn't have any follow-through. This is how the night started: we called ahead for reservations at 6PM (hoping to get luckly) and there wasn't any available until 8PM so we decided to be risky and show up at 7PM and wait for our 8PM reservation. The 4 of us were seated immediately and there were a few open tables. Ok - that is fine. Server comes over, get our drink order and everything was going great. Bread came to the table to so we decided to put in our entree order and forgo the apps. I asked for silverware & napkins as we were starting to dig into the bread. 5 mins passes, I ask again and he apologizes and says he'll bring it over with our drinks. Drinks come, no napkins :(, I ask again - 10 mins later - still nothing. Our entrees then come out and you guessed it - still not silverware and napkins - maybe the dishwasher was broken? The manager starts clearing the table next to us and I ask him and finally we get what we need to actually whip our hands and eat. It was just SO STRANGE. Anyway, we still managed to have a great meal since our 4 entrees were well proportioned and very tasty. We had the Chicken Pappardelle, Chicken Enchiladas, Waldorf Salad with Salmon, and Margherita Pizza with Sausage - we shared everything and I would definitely get any of those items again. We'll try this place again when we are back in town, but I really hope that they resolve either dishwasher malfunctions or perhaps get the servers to slow down a minute and actually service the tables that they have.
(3)
Nathen S.
Service was top notch. I had been here a year or so ago and wasn't impressed. This changed my mind. Server (Caitlyn) according to receipt was top notch. From drinks, to re-fills, etc; great service. I had a steak salad which was cooked perfectly. Other entrees were salmon which was raved about....and a kids meal which was just right! Great all around and I'll be back.
(4)
Paul L.
Dinners here are on the average side. Jambalaya and salmon dishes were nothing special at all especially for the price. Lunch thus place is much better. The pizza and sandwiches are usually pretty good. The bread they serve is awesome.
(3)
Cindy M.
Great gluten free menu. Staff is well trained and friendly. Chef came out to speak to me personally before preparing my order. Food was great, will definitely be back.
(5)
Cindy H.
I only got an appetizer - the buffalo chicken tenders and I found them to be just OK. The portion was pretty dinky too. I found my visit unworthy of the bucks I shelled out. The service was great though, especially since I came during the lunch rush.
(3)
pat c.
This was our first time at this chain; the servers were attentive, pleasant and speedy. Our waiter kept my husbands soda coming, which is really enjoys. The bread and oil was wonderful and plentiful. My husband is not a fan of dipping oil and he actually told me he would stop by to buy this if it was sold in bottle. My husband had the Steak Tips they were cooked perfect and I had the Thai Noodle Chicken Salad it was loaded with Chicken and the sauce was delicious, not too strong. Can not wait to go back!!
(5)
Adam G.
3.5 really. Solid casual american. Good beers on tap at reasonable prices. Service was prompt and friendly. Tried the chicken pot stickers which were very good. Blue burger was good. I asked for medium and got medium well. Fries were good but greasy. Decent place tho.
(3)
Vicki C.
The food was excellent as usual. We were greeted seated promptly. The only drawback was the waitress was not knowledgeable about what succotash was, and neither was another waiter when she asked him. Her recommendation for dessert though was spot on. I had Lemon Tiramisu, and my husband had Key Lime pie. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.
(4)
Jordana P.
We go here often and order take-out even more. The staff is always friendly and helpful! Phyllis has been helpful many times with our daytime take-out orders! The menu is the perfect size- not too big or small with an option for everyone! Tonight we ordered the bacon blue flatbread, Tuscan grilled chicken sandwich and bananas foster bread pudding. One of our favorites is the enchiladas and the new steak sandwich! Despite the restaurant being extremely busy- the food and service was excellent! The only reason I couldn't give 5 stars is some of the food portions have been inconsistent! We often order a side of the homemade French fries and we've gotten an order that had about 20 fries then other times the container was packed! Overall it's a great restaurant that I would recommend to family & friends!
(4)
Samantha B.
I come here a lot and every time I do I am not disappointed! The food is wonderful and decent priced and the staff is very friendly! I like that I have the option to eat inside or to eat outside. Taylor served me and she was nothing but kind and patient as I was figuring out what to eat. I would most certainly come here again!
(5)
Matt R.
I stopped in alone to grab a bite to eat at the bar and watch a college basketball game, knowing full well this is not a sports bar, but I wanted to give the food a try. After going, let me reiterate, this is not a sports bar. I was the only person at the bar not on a date, and I got to watch the game with "Call Me Maybe" and other smash hits playing with the TV on mute. Not the restaurants fault, because like I said, this is not a sports bar. The bartenders were very nice and were prompt with their service. The oil/cheese mix they give you with the free bread is very, very good. I was going to get a salad, but decided on a veggie burger instead and got the salad on the side. Well, the veggie burger I did not care for very much. It was very pastey and when you took a bite, it all just squeezed out of the bun. The flavor was decent, not great, but I prefer my burgers to actually hold the shape of a burger and not just be mush between buns. The side salad I got though, now that was incredible. I ordered the poached pear spinach salad and it was delicious- I wish I had ordered it with chicken as an entree. The pears that are poached in wine are delicious, and the rest of the salad was just as tasty. I'd be willing to retry my experience, ordering the salad...and not sitting alone at the bar.
(3)
Elizabeth S.
For a chain, this is as good as it gets. The service we have experienced has always been wonderful. The menu is constantly changing so people can try new seasonal items. But the favorites always remain consistent, so you can come back and order the things you loved, too. The first time around I had the thai chicken noodle salad. The only complaint I'd give is that it had more noodles than I anticipated, but it was still very tasty. My husband ordered the ahi tuna salad and raved about it. The next time, we brought the kids. We shared the ahi tuna wontons and each had a burger. Everything was delicious! The kids had macaroni and cheese, which was homemade and not the horrible boxed kind some restaurants serve. We added a side of veggies to the kids meal because it didn't come with anything, but we wish it had. We will definitely be back again.
I'm spending vacation on Shrewsbury and I was recommended to lunch at NYAJ's for it being very good and yet not being too expensive. The staff was very welcoming so I had a good first impression. I ordered Anything but Average Meatloaf and this dish definitely honored it's name. I'm looking forward to coming back. Recommended.
(5)
Jim G.
Awesome food from scratch kitchen with fun atmosphere. Food was awesome. Definitely coming back!
(5)
S Y.
My husband and I have been to this place two other times and walked out telling ourselves never to return. If greasy/oily/overcooked is your kinda find, this is your spot. We decided to sit at the bar on the quiet Thur evening but we were attended by a distracted bar tender who, obviously, had some important gossip in the kitchen to drop in to. We had to wave a few times to get her attention!! Arrrgh!
(2)
Stephanie T.
We love the Moltan Chocolate Lava cake and the raspberry lime nojitos. It is a great place to take "foodie" friends and family. We have never had to wait more than 20 min and usually are seated much sooner than that. The decor is modern and inspired and music not obtrusive. Although the place is wildly popular, the sound level doesn't prevent you from hearing your companions. They offer a wide variety of beer and the complimentary bread is fresh, warm, and flavorful. The lava cake is so good my husband will stop there on the way home just to surprise me with it. Then the challenge of who gets to eat more than their fair share begins!
(5)
Laura J.
I usually love joes- the delicious bread and reasonably prices drinks are an incentive themselves. My mom and I dined here this evening and unfortunately we were less than impressed. We waited in one of the bar booths for about 10/15 minutes before a server came over- our server was very kind and even offered us some free beer samples so we didn't really mind. I ordered the herb crusted haddock and was very disappointed. The "herb haddock" had no herbs at all but instead soggy bread crumbs. It came with some "grilled summer vegetables"- these were definitely not grilled. Instead they were swimming in fryer oil and I even found some burnt onion pieces throughout. However, the service was kind and friendly and the atmosphere was comfortable. We eat here all the time so I am more than willing to give NYAJ another shot.
(3)
megan m.
Love this place. The atmosphere is great, menu is fun & interesting, and prices are not bad. My favorite is the bread, raspberry lime Rickey, and toasted goat cheese salad. Only part that I don't like is the small portion sizes. My salad is always too small.
(4)
Skye G.
The food was ok - 3 but the Jack and Ginger drink was an awesome 5. We had a big table and our reservations got a bit mixed up so we had to move some tables around and squeeze some people in. All in all it was ok
(4)
J A.
First time we ever went here, had a coupon for a free app and got the nachos which were great! Split a pizza also very good, ordered a 20 oz beer and got a 14 oz by accident and they gave me both for 14 oz price! Also had the peanut butter thing dessert, very good. Service was great, we will be back!
(5)
Ernest L.
This place is fast and good. It's probably because we go pretty early for lunch, but there is usually a a group of staff standing idly as we walk in. However, they all look pretty busy by the time we leave. The bread is 'unbelievable' says the Carribean (maybe) waiter we usually get, and yeah, it's believe him. I've gotten 3 bread refills before. All NYAJ's look like they robbed an IKEA to furnish their interior. It works though. I usually stick with a pizza, and have plenty to take home. I've gotta stop eating all that bread.
(4)
Beth L.
Went there tonight and I gotta say...I was slightly disappointed. But not the worst so listen up!! Not returning for quite some time...My boyfriend and I decided to come back...we walked in and was ignored for about 2 min...which is a long time if u actually time it. The host man was rather rude...told us to wait another moment for no apparent reason...he asked if we had a reservation...we didn't so I guess that made us not so special...not the reservation type of restaurant in my book but whatever....we asked to sit in the bar area as it appeared to have many tables open and he said No they are Reserved...okkkkk no prob!! WAIT time is 15min he said!!....ok! Sat down in an awkward long booth with other people on either side...hate that...no privacy at all. If there is one thing a restaurant can improve on...dont make one long booth with multiple tables close together. Most people hate them. Drinks bread and service was very good...stuffed quo hogs were ok...not the best...had corn in them...a little weird but ok....had pulled pork and salad that was good but overall not my fav place...may not return...anytime soon at least :\
(3)
Jack M.
I go here at least once a month. The food is addicting, the staff is very nice, the speed of the food being made and served, amazing. Never had a bad experience here, I recommend this place to any one who likes quality meals, amazing staff, and great service so it's impossible to have a bad experience
(5)
Ellen B.
Solid showing. It was a Saturday and fairly busy. We were there around 6:30, so lots of families with kids. Took a little but to get our waitress, ,but once we did, she was great. Drinks were very good - margarita and a moscow mule. We all had fish and it was very good. Wish they did not pipe in music.
(3)
M K.
We have enjoyed a number of dining experiences at NYAJ's. The food is always average to above average. The prices are quite reasonable. However the element that really brings them to the next level is the service. Everyone from the host to the table clearers are awesome.
(4)
Dale H.
Absolutely Wonderful. Both the Hostess and our Waiter were polite and very outgoing. The food was out of this world. I almost licked my plates.
(4)
Andrew S.
Mieh, very average joes, sorry. Went for lunch while visiting a client. From my high food standards, just a lot of Restaurant Depot tables, chairs, plates, forks, etc. Got there a bit later than my colleague, whom arrived 15 minutes before me and started picking at the bread and dip/butter sauce mulch. The gross mulch was never replaced, and just sat there even though I was a new, paying guest. Hmmm... Had a salad there that was forgetable and mieh. The service was all ADD and kept flirting around the bar without paying attention to her job. If she were cuter, I woulda let it slide, but... Anyways, I guess I had sustenance and survived. It could've been worse, so 2 stars it gets. And I think for the area, its probably the best it gets, so probably more of a 4 star establishment if you consider its neighborhood of buffalo wings, beer and fried foods.
(2)
Dinara E.
So after I wrote a review complaining about all of my waitress's suggestions which seemed to do nothing but disappoint me, the manager contacted me and invited me back for a second try. We got there on a Friday night around 6pm and there was a 20-25 minute wait. So we found a table at the bar without a wait. Unfortunately it was wobbly and without us asking our waitress, Tiffany, noticed and fixed it right away! She went above and beyond the whole night in making our experience a pleasant one. I ordered the Mediterranean chicken which comes with almond rice, a Greek salad, and pieces of flat bread with a side of tzatiziki sauce. The sauce tasted like yogurt with garlic, no cucumbers in it but it was still very tasty. I poured it all over my chicken and a squirt of lemon to really make my chicken awesome! Because it just comes grilled... so if you don't at least dip into the sauce.... it's just chicken breast, not Mediterranean. My boyfriend got the mustard chicken and it was very juicy and tasty. he ended up asking for a side of honey mustard on the side because he wanted it to be more mustard-y. I also got a raspberry mojito and it was SO GOOD! The mint and raspberries were perfectly muddled and it didn't taste like a lackluster job. Anyway, I loved my waitress and my experience here this time around. Would definitely recommend the mojitos and also a warm goat cheese salad that they have. My bf hates goat cheese but still ate this. So thumbs up for excellent service and delicious food.
(5)
Zack S.
I was going to give this place 4 stars several months ago when I had their excellent mustard-crusted chicken. Now? Yikes. I had the Vietnamese salmon last night which came in about 4 minutes. Big red flag. I asked for it medium, the small piece ($18.99!) was well done. What was worse was that the broth was so salty, it was barely edible. Service was efficient but cool. This place has gone downhill quickly.
(2)
Julia N.
This is one of my favorite restaurants around town! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BOTH THE FOOD & the excellent service of people working there! The starter of bread and olive oil is absolutely amazing! My favorite meal at the restaurant is the Ahi Tuna salad! I absolutely adore it! The tuna is always fresh & delicious. I've never had a bad experience or a bad meal at this place! This is what keeps me coming back time after time!
(5)
Amanda W.
Yum! I mean yes, they are a chain but man are they a good one! We go here a lot for lunch at work. We usually do the pick-up. I tried curbside once but realized they can't see you when you park for that so they don't know you're there. Meh, I've dealt with worse problems :) Over all their food is wonderful and we've never had an issue with them. They'll change anything you want on an order (being reasonable) we often swap out the sides they have listed for ones that we'd prefer. Other thing is their bread and oil dip is to die for!!! Everytime we order here we always ask for extra bread! Phyllis is the host that is usually there and she's wonderful. She remembers me every time I go in and always makes sure I'm all set.
(5)
Carolyn M.
So glad they dropped the dingy white shirts for the staff which looked mostly just wrinkled and dirty. The black tops are a hugh improvement!! Everyone looks great! Also, the bar floor was clean this time -- before the floor was dirty and covered with napkins, etc. -- very unappetizing for those sitting at the bar. The happy hour apps are diverse and yummy -- although the stuffed clam for summer was more corn than anything else. Less corn and more clam...! Lettuce wraps and tuna "thing" were yummy. Bartenders did a wonderful job except for a very tall guy who seemed to be more interested in something else besides waiting on the customers????? Maybe he wasn't really a bartender - just filling in for a minute or two????
(3)
Lee O.
Great bread and oil! Fantastic service. Made my friend chicken and shrimp scampi even though it wasn't on the menu and it was perfect
(4)
Jim W.
I'm generally a big fan of NYAJ. They have a good selection of beers and other alcoholic beverages. They also serve a delicious bean burger with a side of crispy fries. Alternatively, the fish dishes and pizzas tend to be quite tasty as well. We recently ate there for birthday dinners and received free entrees and desserts after joining their mailing list - that's a great deal!
(4)
erica l.
We recently ate here with my husband and my parents. I called for reservations and requested a corner table due to us having our newborn daughter with us. The host was very friendly and sympathetic to our situation. I ordered the mustard crusted chicken, which I loved. My husband and dad ordered scallops which were cooked just right. The waitress, Joy, was very friendly to all of us . Due to my fathers diet, the restaurant was willing to make some changes to his dinner to help his dietary needs. As we were enjoying our meals the general manager Mike came over to see how we enjoyed our meals. We explained we were very appreciative to all the accommodations his restaurant made for my family. We plan to dine here again as long as our little one cooperates. Sincerely grateful we found a restaurant that we enjoyed with good food and nice family friendly atmosphere.
(4)
Peter B.
I gave a review of this restaurant earlier that was about average and then the general manager reached out to me personally and that says more to me than just my restaurant experience so I am bumping my rating up to 5 stars because customer service is very important to me.
(5)
Wayne B.
Perfect as usual. Very happy with the rosemary scallops. Also had a chicken Catalonia (?) Wife loved it. Renado is an excellent waiter (pro status!) informative, funny and loads of character. Not your Average Joe's be proud.
(4)
Ambar P.
Me and my boyfriend came across this restaurant while trying to step away from chain restaurants about a year ago. I fell in love with the restaurant and the atmosphere, it was the only restaurant that offered my favorite coconut shrimp! However I came back recently and was very disappointed with the menu the coconut shrimp were supposedly out of season but I had gotten them at this time last year. I decided to stay to check around the menu and ordered a margherita pizza. I was very disappointed not only was it very bland but the cheese didn't even seem like real mozzarella. I am very upset with this experience and don't know if there is anything worth coming back for.
(3)
Christian P.
I like to hate things. OK, that's a lie...I LOVE to find reasons to hate things. This place surprised the hell out of me. If I had to find a reason to hate it, for my ego's sake, it's likely because the food is too creative and delicious to be served in a restaurant with a name like "Not Your Average Joe's". I want to hate you more, but I love you too much, you ridiculously named eatery. Oh wait...I will hate one thing. In Fall the bartenders ring the pints of pumpkin ale with brown sugar. You can cut that practice right out, friends...I'm not a 16 year old girl.
(5)
Sami A.
Excellent place.. We loved the fact that their kitchen is a scratch kitchen and the chef is so happy to accommodate everyone's wish when cooking your meal.. We have tried every section of their menu.. Our fav was an appetizer dish ( buffalo chicken tenders are amazing ) Main course we have tried the Thai salmon and the chicken caprese ..4 Dessert we had the interestingly delicious creme burle cheese cake.. Staff were so friendly and they always accommodate us with our child's giant stroller :D We have gone there many times and we will go again..
(5)
Tara M.
Went here this past Tuesday night with a party of five and was extremely impressed. Our server, I believe her name was Kelsey, was one of the best servers I've ever had. She had recommendations for everything from drinks, to apps, entrees and desserts. She was extremely attentive and anticipated our needs throughout the whole meal. My sisters and I have all been servers at one point in our lives and agreed this was top service. The food was just as great as the service. I've been in the restaurant industry for many years and would highly recommend this restaurant to others. I'll definitely be going back :)
(5)
Elizabeth T.
Great service! I go here on average about once a week. The service is awesome, the food delicious, especially given the price. They're really good about making substitutions for things you don't like, or trying out crazy combinations like pumpkin sauce on the short rib stroganoff! All in all a great place to go, but unless you're going early or late I would suggest reservations, they're often packed, and sometimes on random days of the week!
(5)
Donna D.
A couple of my girlfriends took me here for my birthday and it was a great time. I had a crab cake "burger" and we shared some appetizers and dessert. I will definitely go back and bring my husband. Our waiter was fantastic too!
(4)
Jeff N.
I've been to Not Your Average Joe's 3 times, but unfortunately two were on creepy dates, so the service was over-shadowed by my inability to judge people beyond looks. Dammit! I went to Not Your Average Joe's with one of my best buddies! Let's start with the decor, shall we? DON'T SAY NO!!! The place is trendy and casual. Its a local chain restaurant (mostly in Massachusetts, with a few scattered in the mid-Atlantic). Not too many cheesy stuff on the wall like some other places. The service was outstanding. In addition to the meals we got, my buddy ordered a meal to go for his girlfriend, and the waitress delivered it in a separate bag, with condiments on the side. This might sound like a simple task, but its a task many have failed at before. In addition, she was happy and attentive. For the main meal, I actually got an appetizer while he got a burger. My appetizer was the Chipotle Chicken Quesadias, which were very good. He said all good things about the burger as well. For an appetizer, we got crab cakes. This part was disappointing. For $11.50, you get just two crab-cakes with a bunch of rabbit food for toppings. (lettuce and stuff, not actual rabbit food, yikes!). We also got a few drinks each, which were very good. (the Pomegranate Martini was my choice). For the drinks, 2 appetizers, and 2 meals, it came to $74, so a little pricey, but again there was a third meal in there. I definitely recommend it, just not the crab cakes.
(4)
Katie W.
Nice atmosphere, great food, phenomenal service! Will definitely be back for more. Service: I have an allergy to certain spices, and my server went above and beyond to make sure my food was OK; she even had a chef visit the table to confirm things. Everyone we encountered, from the hostess to the manager, was friendly and accomodating even though they were very busy. Food: the warm focaccia bread they started us off with was AWESOME.The clam chowder was some of the best I've had in a long time, and the crab cake BLT was great too. The apple cinnamon sticks were a delicious finish. Really nice kids menu, too, with more variety than some other restaurants. Atmosphere: The music was family friendly and enjoyable, a mix of 60s to 80s, and turned down enough that it didn't interfere with our conversation. My only complaint (too minor to lose a star over it) was that it was chilly - I wish I had brought a sweater. Of course, it was really cold outside tonight so maybe it's only like that in the winter.
(5)
Lindsay D.
Clean, neat, progressive menu, vegetarian options are clear, and there are quite a few! I was impressed by the veggie menu items and how they showed alternatives to regular menu items so that they could be vegetarian. Nice touch! The food was good. Bread was very good although they put cheese in teh oil without consulting if you want cheese in your oil. That was delicious for my family but sad for me since they took the oil with them. I got the cranberry almond couscous and was slightly disappointed to find it filled (yes filled) with edamame. Not that this is not good and filling, it is, but ti wasn't on the menu as such and I really didn't want edamame in my couscous. I am wondering if I should've gotten the butternut squash couscous unless they put edamame in that too. My biggest peeve is leaving substantive ingredients off the menu description. Otherwise the rest of the family got burgers and not a speck was wasted. The wait staff was ok. They could've been faster with the refills and not try to take orders when my mother was in the bathroom. Average No. A few mistakes away from 4 stars though.
(3)
Elena B.
Seems that the management has changed. Last few times the good quality was not very good. Today ordered two salads with extra chicken and salmon. Both were burnt. Especially the fish. Inedible. I asked for my special salad to be entree size. Looked like with 4 orange segments and a teaspoon of blue cheese the only thing that was sized up is greens. But the price went up from $7.99 to $11.99. I don't think we will be coming here anytime soon.
(2)
Christopher R.
We've been here a few times now. Our first time was kind of miserable. Every drink/beer or special app we tried to order they didnt have. Why have a special menu with special items, give that to a guest and then when they order you dont have any of it? We were told they were busy the previous night and were sold out. Then dont give me the special menu. And as a server/bartender you should know what you have and dont have and let me know that when I sit down. Also service, food etc was so slow during our first time, it wasnt our servers fault. But we were the first people seated in the restaurant that day and many people came and went after us as we sat around waiting for drinks/food. The apoligized and gave us some coupons to come back to make up for it all though. They tried. Since we have been back servcie as been okay, nothing to write home about (or to really write much about here.) The food is always good, I love the bread and oil dip they serve at the start of the meal. I could come here just to eat that. Atmosphere is okay, its a cute, slightly upper scale fast food kind of place. Id bring guests here. We've learned to not sit in the bar area though, the guests there are always loud and rude during the games on the screen and its pretty obnoxious as only Mass Sports fans can be. Ugh
(4)
Mr S.
Food is great, prices are reasonable, atmosphere is nice, and service was excellent. This is the first time I was there and my family really had fun. I think this is the only place where I found Mocktails which are non-alcoholic and I was pleased to see that. I will definitely come back for the drinks. Oh and the bread and cheese sauce that they offer in the beginning is AMAZING! and its complimentary what else can i ask for. The Apple Cobbler dessert and creme Brulee cheese cake were the BEST!
(5)
Kevin M.
Went on a crowded weekend night recently. Had reservations, got seated about 10 minutes late, which is fine. The service was fine, but the food came out and was not good. I had the short rib stroganoff, which came out and seemed as if it had been under a heat lamp forever. The dish was dry, stale, and didn't taste very good. To the restaurant's credit, they immediately replaced it with another dish (mustard-crusted chicken, which was pretty good). We had the "peanut butter thing" dessert, and that was very good. There are plenty of dining options around, so I doubt we'll be going back.
(2)
Catherine W.
Ate here recently and enjoyed the food (I had the clams and linguini special. This is a reasonably-priced family restaurant. We went here on a crowded Saturday night; lots of strollers and little kids.
(4)
Geoff G.
I always enjoy my experience here... until the food arrives. This is a great place to have a drink, but that's about it. Regular entrees, specials, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, appetizers etc. I have tried many things here and never been pleased. Maybe the menu is a little to big and ambitious for the execution. The net result is bland food, often over cooked and certainly overpriced.
(2)
Suzy L.
A step above most other chains, for sure! We went here last week and sat outside on the little patio. The bread and oil is AH-mayzing. I could eat bread and get drinks (usually sangria) and be a happy girl! Instead of my usual sangria, I went with the summer special frozen mojito, and it was delicious. I got an old standby, mustard crusted chicken with mashed and green beans. I LOVE that chicken, just a little different, crispy and flavorful! The potatoes are good but nothing special, same with the green beans. My husband got a caesar salad with steak tips. I sampled one of his steak tips, and it was yummy... think I'll have to get those next time! We split the cinnamon sticks for dessert, again, just a little dfiferent and really tasty. Our waiter was friendly and efficient, and they use a lot of runners to make the meal move smoothly. If you're a NYAJ's fan at all, you MUST sign up for their email club. For your birthday every year, they send you a coupon for a free entree and dessert. One of the best deals going, and yummy to boot!
I've eaten at this Not Your Average Joe's a few times and at the location in Watertown over a dozen times. At this particular location I've had the pizza and a few of the dishes (mostly seafood) and I've always found them to be above average. It's a solid step up from the standard chain restaurants and is affordable and consistent with their quality. The food quality (and menu) is also consistent between locations as far as I can tell. I'm not gonna lie; I've more than once made the decision to eat here solely based on wanting some of their bread and oil/cheese dipping sauce. I know it's just a well seasoned garlic infused olive oil over a grated cheese mixture but it's still delicious! The cheese in their oil is a signature thing at Not Your Average Joe's. I'm sure that if you ask they would provide a cheese free plate of oil. I agree with other reviewers that sometimes the staff is a little slow on proactively checking to see if you need a refill of your bottomless soda and bread. This was easily solved by flagging down a staff member and asking. They were more than happy to oblige. Unlike other reviewers I like that the manager swung by to check on things, he wasn't in our face and that's what a manager should do in a quality establishment. If I wanted a dining experience where the manager didn't give a crap I'd eat at the McDonald's down the road.
(4)
Peter C.
My family and I recently went here and the food was fine but the hostesses were unacceptable. I can understand that it's a busy restaurant but if you ask people to wait 45 minutes for a table and then seat them 1.5 hours later, I expect at least an apology. Also, when we were finally seated we were given a booth were told that we could not use a high chair there. When we asked for another table where we could use a high chair, the hostess rolled her eyes and moved us. No plates, no silverware, no menus. I don't even think she told our server because no one came by to even take our drink other for 10 minutes. Do yourself a favor a call ahead for seating. It looked like those people were given priority.
(2)
Liz T.
I've been twice and have enjoyed the food and service both times. The first time, my husband and I took a friend who'd already been drinking and continued to drink while there. The servers handled his loudness and flirting with poise. He also ordered an appetizer and then tried to send it back because there was an ingredient in it that he claimed wasn't listed in its menu description and that he hates. Our server pointed out that it is listed in the menu description but remade the dish for him anyway. I will definitely go back and I think this might be our new place to take out-of-town guests.
(4)
K C.
Below average food. Average service. Not many choices. The salmon was bland. The flavors in the wonton was, well, unrefined, had very strong ginger overtones. Calamari was too bready. Sugar snap peas tasted dry. The complimentary bread and the cheese-oil dip was tasty though. All in all... I am not going back there again
(1)
Michael J.
Not a fan! food was dry and tasted like it was cooked 3 days before i ate it.
(2)
Scott D.
Food was mediocre at best. Here are the facts: -stuffed quahogs had grit. -chicken enchiladas with poblano crema came with white rice (menu says yellow), no black beans, very little chicken and dry. Service: -waitress forgot a wine, beer was barely cold. We won't be back.
(1)
Timothy R.
Sadly, average. On a good day. I've been here twice. My latest encounter confirmed my suspicion that this restaurant is not up to par. The menu is ecclectic American cuisine. However, I found my dish to be very underwhelming. I ordered the glazed salmon with asparagus and substituted roasted vegetables for the potato. The salmon was blah, the asparagus plain, the vegetables were a good variety but very oily. I found the small side of mango salsa to be the best part of my meal; surely not their intention. Our waitress was relatively inattentive and given how slow the restaurant was at lunch time, this should not have been the case. My friend ordered chicken fingers and fries, and this came as a hassle because it wasn't a dish on the menu, but both were offered separately. Yet, the menu stated something along the lines of "tell us what you want and we'll accomodate." Sigh.
(2)
Ran D.
Jason B. had me at $20 pitcher of Margaritas. This place is a great value. Perfect for garbing drinks and apps at the bar. We split 3 apps for a meal, it was great. We're for sure coming back to do dinner. Rhode Island calamari a toss of arugula, oven-roasted tomatoes and banana peppers, over focaccia crostini with lemon caper tartar sauce 10.99 thai chicken lettuce wraps served chilled with oranges, sugar snap peas, carrots and crunchy peanuts in a tangy sesame-ginger vinaigrette 8.99 crab cakes pan-seared and drizzled with roasted red pepper aioli, with orange sesame vinaigrette dressed organic baby greens 10.99 Each dish was really fresh with creative takes on presentation. Don't miss the lettuce raps, their as good as anywhere.
(4)
Jason B.
The margaritas are awesome and you can get 4-5 out of a pitcher for $20. Chicken caesar is very good and the lemon garlic dressing makes it a bit different than the norm. Food was pretty fresh and (in some cases) local. The service was friendly but not super fast.
(4)
Tsungming H.
Really horrible service, sit in for 40minutes and the server is just not taking orders and serving drinks. The manager isn't helpful either. Do yourself a favor never step in this reataurant!
(1)
Punit S.
Great outdoor patio for this location, didn't actually know that it was a chain restaurant at first but there's a good variety of food and drinks. AWESOME foccacia bread and oil for starters. Stuck to apps for this visit and had the Guacamole and Chips, tasted great and fresh, hate processed guac... Other times I have been, I had the veggie burger which was quite decent. Drinks here are moderately priced, good selection of beers - they have dos xx on tap, a rare find in this area! Good place to meet with friends, will definitely be going back to this place.
(4)
John M.
Great food & excellent service. Highly recommend Not Your Average Joe's for Date Night to Family Dinner Out! I walked out with a smile...enough said.
(5)
Mike M.
Very good meal for the four of us. We went on a Sunday night and it was pretty crowded. They were running a wine special, $45-$50 bottles marked down to $27 and it was very good wine. I also had the monthly special beer, some honey dew ale that was pretty good, not overly sweet. Between the four of us we got the mustard covered chicken, scallops, vietnamese salmon, and steak frites (special). The bread is also good to start, with oil over a LOT of cheese and spices for dipping. Good but a little too much cheese for the ratio. All the dinners were very good, the red pepper sauce on the steak was very tasty. The scallops were good as well, with a LOT of israeli cous cous. The salmon was good, but the noodles weren't the best. The chicken is one of their name dishes that is good, although I have never ordered it. The service was good up until the very end where it took forever to say we didn't want dessert and to get the check. No one left hungry at all, and very happy.
(4)
K M.
Service was great! I heard so much about this place from friends, and decided to try it on a whim with a friend. I got the Tuscan Chicken Sandwich. I actually couldn't tell if the Mozzarella was cheese or an egg, it defiantly wasn't melted in the slightest bit. The drinks were on the weak side. I didn't realize this was a chain. Although what I had wasn't great, my friends dinner was the salmon, and it was pretty good. I would go back again, but try something else on the menu.
(3)
C J.
Good food. Good service. Had the mustard crusted chicken. My only complaints are that Sadly they don't offer many items that don't have dairy in it and that "reservation" does not mean reservation. It means call ahead seating. I recommend "reservation" so that you get placed at the top of the waiting list. It was busy even on a wed night at 7pm.
(4)
Todd R.
Definitely better than other chaines like Fridays, Applebees, etc. Pretty good service, good food, reasonably priced and on your birthday you get a free entree and dessert. I like the Peanut Butter Thing. So good. It's my birthday several times per year when I go here. They haven't caught on yet though :-)
(4)
Chris C.
This officially my favorite chain restaurant. The food is always good, the drinks are good, interesting selection of beer/wine and good prices. They also have a lot of deals on a regular basis to bring the bill even lower. Some of my favorites are the boneless wings, meatloaf, pork and pastas. One of the other nice things is that they will alter any option on the menu in pretty much anyway you ask if they have the right stuff in the kitchen. I think that's a really nice touch. The pizzas are also surprisingly good.
(4)
M O.
Delicious food! Their gluten free options are fantastic! I love the bread and dip. Thanks for always bringing a gluten free roll without me asking!
(5)
Sara K.
I have frequented two other NYAJs before this one (lived in Boston previously - so Burlington and Watertown)- so I was already addicted to their food. I consider NYAJ to be a gourmet "chain" (I use that word loosely) for people on somewhat of a budget. We have already been to this one a couple times since moving mid-state, but I will recall - very belated, I am afraid! - the best experience here. The bread at NYAJ is listed in the Phantom Gourmet as in the top 10 (I think) in New England and it is quite amazing. We visited for lunch during my FAVORITE time - happy hour! 3-6pm Every week day in the bar, the appetizers are half price. They are normally well-priced, so happy hour is a steal. Normally, we order ~3-4 to stuff-- not just to satisfy - 2 people. Some apps can be eaten alone as a meal! The crab cakes are ALWAYS to die for - (I do prefer the old salad with the citrus dressing to the new one tho!) -- I was told I can make the request to have the other salad served with it in the future (they upped / changed up the salad a bit to make it newer). It is two SCRUMPTIOUS crab cakes for $11 normally- ($5.50 at half price time!) which is an incredible deal at happy hour, and normally priced when not. They are a meal in themselves - and FILLEd with crab - not filled with breading. We also ordered the quahogs (sp?). I was told these are made ahead of time, so I can call in the am the day I plan on going and request some without pork - as I do not eat any kind of pork product. but alas-- I had forgotten to call!!! Luckily--- I was in the right restaurant. I spoke to my new friend the hostess -Phyllis - an incredibly friendly, knowledgable woman who went above and BEYOND to make an incredibly amazing restaurant experience. She spoke to the equally wonderful Mike - the manager, who spoke to the Equally wonderful chef --- who made me a fresh order of quahogs sans pork. -- Granted-- this was because it was something like 4pm -- a slow time. But I have never felt so welcome and accomodated as these three people did for me that I cannot thank them enough....Did I also mention it was happy hour so they were half price???? We also had the chicken dumplings which are delicious -- but the ponzu is a bit salty for my taste... And the other go-to- the tuna wontons-- crispy wonton, fresh tuna, wasabi aoili, scallions - MWA!!!! A delightful late afternoon lunch accompanied by the most amazing staff I have ever enountered. Thank you NYAJ!!! ...Did I mention that Phyllis won HOST OF THE YEAR??? notyouraveragejoes.com/w… LOVE this woman! LOVE this restaurant! Congrats NYAJ. We will be back again (AGAIN), VERY soon....bought your $100 gift card with free "appreciation" card. ;-)
(5)
Shana D.
This N.Y.A.J.s is awesome. The food was outstanding and the service was exceptional. Everyone who worked there treated us like old friends. The timing between the [so delicious] bread, appetizer and meal was perfect, the atmosphere is upbeat, and our server was so nice and friendly that it felt like we must know each other. When my pear salad - a meal I had gotten before - came out, it looked as if a gourmet chef had arranged it. They really care about presentation as much as quality and taste- both also awesome. Needless to say, my husband and I really like Not Your Average Joe's, this one on rte 9 in particular. I can't say enough good things about it.
(5)
Marsha L.
Not Your Average Joe's features creatively prepared dishes using fresh, quality ingredients offered at very reasonable prices. Our family loves their freshly-baked bread served with seasoned olive oil for dipping The menu is imaginative, including many different culinary influences, and has frequent limited-time specials in addition to the regular menu. One of my favorites is the Vietnamese salmon: "curry spices add an exotic twist to salmon, served over rice noodles with sugar snap peas, fresh herbs and chopped peanuts in a lime-infused chili broth." Their mustard-crusted chicken and sirloin tips are also favorites of our family. Our daughter won;t let us leave without her favorite dessert, the molten chocolate cake. As for myself, after a satisfying meal at NYA Joe's, the most I can handle for dessert is their passion fruit sorbet, garnished with fresh strawberries and raspberries - a real fruity pleasure. Another thing that is outstanding about NYA Joe's is their birthday club gift coupon good for a free entree AND a free dessert. The only negative thing I have to say is that there aren't enough NYA Joe's restaurants around; we have to travel about an hour to get to the nearest one.
(4)
J H.
Just ate there again tonight. Great Service and food. I love their menu and specials. Should have a fireplace. A bit chilly. My wife always gets the mustard crusted chicken. It is much better than it sounds. Great.
(5)
Matt C.
I love Not Your Average Joes! Food is great! Apps are great! Love the sunken bar at the Westborough location. I would go again and again!
(4)
Alison K.
Always delicious and pleasant!
(4)
Valerie V.
Went to this NYAJ's before hitting a movie at the Westboro theatre. We sat in the bar and liked the atmosphere alot. Its pretty chill but also a little lively. Sort of what you expect to get in the bar area of a chain restaurant where people go to booze. Speaking of booze...the drinks are delightfully cheap! Maybe I have just been living in the city too long but I was impressed. I had a very strong skinny margarita for $6.99 and could have had a whole pitcher of it for $14.99. The food was solid. No, it is certainly not going to change your culinary life, but it is way better than your usual chain. The selection is excellent too so if you're in a group, there is something for everyone. Last night we shared the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps. They were good but I thought they needed some sort of sauce to finish the flavor. For my entree I had the Ahi Tuna special which was very good and also pretty light. The service was excellent. When I wasn't sure about getting the skinny margarita (they are terrible some places!), the waitress offered to bring it and it would be on the house if I didn't like it. She was honest with her recommendations and quick with any requests. I was absolutely recommend NYAJ's if you are in Westboro and want some nice drinks and solid food at a reasonable price.
(4)
Matt K.
This place is really good. They even use local ingredients which is pretty cool since they are a chain.
(4)
Elfie C.
Food is only ok. We always love the bread. Most waitresses are good. One of the waitresses is terrible. We've had her twice and both times I am left wondering why management has kept her.
(3)
Michael W.
Average food....good but extremely high calorie bread. The rice noodle dish I had was like licking a salt cube.....the manager has an annoying way of forcing himself upon guests to ask if the food was great or what. Go away....your food is on a par with Chilis with the exception that it is more money and their manager minds his own business. A "2" is very generous here.
(2)
Jayde B.
I have to say this is one of the few chains I will eat at. I am loving this place more and more. Haven't ordered the same thing twice and haven't been disappointed once. The bread and oil keep me coming back (though I wished they served the bread warm like they used to a few years ago). They have local seasonal specials which are wonderful and fresh and their main menu is always great as well. Something for everyone - even the picky eaters. Steak tips, pasta primavera, pizza, rosemary scallops, enchiladas, tuna salad, haddock, turkey blt have all made wonderful impressions on my(our) mouth and stomach. :-) Yum!
(4)
Angela B.
I am sad to have to write this.... but NYAJ- I think we need to break up. We went last night only to find mediocre service and freezing cold a/c blowing on us- when it is 15 degrees outside, really? I said something to the manager who basically told me to go &&*^$^*. Disappointing.
(2)
Jack M.
I have been to this location several times, for lunch, dinner and just drinks, and every time I have been impressed with the service. The management and the staff have been extremely helpful and taken care of the one small problem I had ( of course I had to ask because they can't read minds). I have had many different plates from fish to chicken. My favorite is the mustard crusted chicken. Absolutely delicious.
(5)
Jeremy F.
The most average NYAJ's I can imagine. Not bad, but not good either. A valiant effort at gluten-free hamburg buns but definitely dry and crumbly. Burger was literally just that: a bun, patty, token tomato and a scoop of potatoes. Service was choppy and inconsistent. At times prompt and courteous, and at others we seemed to be an afterthought. Wouldn't return.
(3)
Scott A.
Wonderful evening of good food and the lovely company of my beautiful wife was enhanced by attentive service and an interesting group of folks at the bar...THANK YOU!
(4)
Sean M.
3.421 Stars For a chain they have some inventive and tasty dishes. On a recent trip I sampled the Short Rib Stroganoff, very deconstructed presentation and a little heavy on the carrots and light on the shrooms still, a truly inspired dish. The de-boned rib meat was melt in your mouth consistency but had a nice beefy flavor. The Chicken Satay was also cleverly packaged with skewers stabbed into large chunks of pineapple, which I ate, I love pineapple. The chicken was well cooked and juicy, peanut sauce and the other sweet sauce served were a miss though. Crab Cake sliders were an over achiever and a tad heavy, almost a meal unto themselves. * I am bumping this up... *can't get past the fact that there is always a loooong wait for slightly better than average food. * cocktails read well on the menu, pictures look inviting, but always slightly disappointed in pour and quality. * watch out bobbled blue hairs and cougars on the prowl at this location.
(3)
Ruchika M.
I love the food here and the drinks! They have a nice outside patio area (which overlooks the parking lot and fountainhead apartments). I have had the spring rolls with peanut sauce (my favorite), meatloaf (very delicious and filling), pizza (during happy hour only 3 bucks!). Their mai tai's are out of this world. They actually squeeze oranges and use the juice to make it....so fresh and tasty!
(5)
Donielle H.
I have been going here for years and at first really liked the restaurant. I went yesterday with my husband and two friends and got a pizza that was disgusting-it sounded good on the menu..I had to ask for sauce and still thought it tasted bad. The only reason I did not say anything is because we were with friends and all having a fun time. I think the food is going downhill the last year or so.
(2)
Nancy K.
NYAJ does not disappoint. Great choice for large party with varied tastes because they truly have something for everyone. Works for families, but just as much fun for couples as well. Food is well above average for a chain restaurant, just innovative enough without being trendy.
(4)
Allyson A.
NYAJ gave us $5 cards for our first dinner there. When my husband went to use the cards that explicitly stated "no restrictions" (except, they noted, that you can't spend the $5 on alcohol due to Mass laws), he was told that there were, in fact, multiple restrictions. You can't use them in combination with other promotions and you can only use one per item ordered. Don't get me wrong - I don't want to complain about $5 discounts and it's fine to have restrictions (most restaurants do), but they should be noted on the card so that budget conscious customers don't travel a long distance to have a nice, discounted meal only to be told no. NYAJ comped our meal so I can't complain and we enjoyed the food (hence the 4 star review), but I am writing this review to warn future customers and to notify the managers that they really need to make a change with their $5 cards and be more careful with the language they use with respect to restrictions.
(4)
Jay E.
I have eaten here one time and it lived up to the name, average food at best. Great atmosphere but the service and the food are sub par.
(3)
Crystal R.
Great food, great service def a place to go check out. The older lady that seated us was so adorable and classy and a pleasure to chat with!
(5)
Bethany B.
It's the Great Pumpkin Mole, Charlie Brown! NYAJ's bestowed upon me a free albeit belated birthday gift of a free entree and dessert. With the expiration date of the offer fast approaching we high tailed it to NYAJ's to dine at blue hair time. I tried a seasonal special of Pumpkin Mole Chicken with corn cakes and sauteed spinach with roasted tomatoes. The pepitas on top added a great crunch too. It was the best dish I have had at a chain restaurant in my LIFE. I was hesitant at first because I do not like traditional mole -- at all. Thankfully our sweet server, Chris F., brought me a sample of this mole so I could make an informed decision. We loved it! Then we had to decide who would get to order it. Well, it being MY birthday (5 months late but whatever) I won. Begrudgingly Hubby chose the Chicken Piccata. His meal was well executed too. There was a faint hint of mustard that actually worked in this version of piccata. We think it's funny that you taste mustard in the piccata but not the "famous" mustard chicken...but I digress. So with an antsy babysitter at home we had our Peanut Butter thing to-go. It was delicious when I tried it after a jaunt to Boston. I would definitely order it again. So, go, now, be off and try that Pumpkin Mole! and sign up for the website so that you too can have a free b-day dinner!
(5)
Steve R.
Always enjoy my meals here. The food is modern and fresh. They have great pizza as well as great pasta dishes. Definitely a great place to eat.
(4)
Kate G.
Always good food & friendly service!
(4)
James T.
I went here on a Saturday night with 3 others after making a reservation through Opentable. When we got there, there was no where to sit while waiting, as they have only a few chairs to wait at and share the waiting area with their takeout business. After waiting 15-20 minutes we asked when we could expect to be seated, and were told that opentable reservations on get the next available table, they didn't actually hold a table for you... Not my experience with any other opentable restaurant. The food was decent, craft beers were a plus for me but it was very, very noisy. Some dividing glass could help a lot. Overall, given the number of restaurants in the area, decent but not worth a second visit.
(3)
Jordan S.
I have to say my experience has been okay with NYAJ, but it wasn't spectacular. The food is decent, but pretty over priced for what you are getting. The food is not that fresh and simple orders were not well prepared. We had an order of steak tips that was quite bland and salads that were lack luster. They do offer margarita pitchers at a fair price, and they are pretty good too. The service can be hit or miss as well, I've been during off-peak hours and still had long waits before the wait staff returned with requests. Give it a shot if you like margaritas, but other than that you won't be very impressed.
(3)
Tiffany G.
Came here on vacation while visiting family! Pleasantly surprised! Everything was fabulous!
I had the crab cakes one night, but they forgot to put in the crab. The next day I went to a nice "dive" outside DC where I had delicious crab cakes for 1/3 the price. Joe's got one star because the beer was good.
(1)
Marlarissa M.
A chain that has food that is fresh, healthy, with a dash of creativity? Heck yeah!
(4)
Len S.
I've been twice. The food is descent and the service is fine but there are other places I'd rather spend the money. Both times I thoughtbthe food lacked flair.
(3)
Bella and Aleksey R.
This place had so many different cuisines on the menu and it seemed to do them all very well. The prices were reasonable given that the portions are pretty generous. I had their seared tuna salad, which was very fresh and full of flavor. Their rolls and dipping sauce are so delicious. This reminds me of the Cheesecake Factory somewhat, but better and not as huge of a wait.
(5)
Chaz M.
I have to say I've been to Not Your Average Joe's many times and have almost never had a negative experience. I've been to this location maybe 5-6 times and I find the food always predictable... and I mean that in a good way. I enjoy the pizzas and burgers and apps. The salads are always fresh and a nice selection with a varied menu. The staff are always friendly and attentive. The bread they server with the oil and cheese is addictive (you need to pace yourself when eating it) I came to Joe's tonight after a partcularly bad experience at another restaurant and this restaurant turned a sour night around.. I am definitely a fan and come here if I'm looking for a casual restaurant with predictably good faire.
(4)
Dan D.
High prices. They were out of desserts we wanted. Is this place opening up or shutting down. Way overcrowded, and if you want to drink, cozy up to the bar and spend $10 on an apple martini. But as far as food goes, skip it.
(2)
Chad N.
My wife & I took our 2 kids (ages 4 & 2) here for a Sunday evening dinner. We were seated quickly and the atmosphere was nice. The food was high quality, and my wife & I enjoyed our salmon & flank stake entrees. The Asian chicken roll appetizer was excellent, as was the bread & oil dip they gave us to start the meal. The house salads we received with our entrees were very basic and not that great. The kids seemed to enjoy their pasta (we're always thankful when the pasta of choice is something other than spaghetti, which leads to terrible messes). Our main issue was the service, which was SLOOOOWWW. Painfully slow. We made the mistake of ordering the kids' meals with the appetizer, figuring that that our entrees would not be far behind. They delivered these items together, and by the time we received our salads the kids had already finished their meals and were getting antsy. We could tell we were in trouble at that point. There were long delays between every portion of our meal, and by the time we received our entrees we were forced to rush through them. I don't think this was a kitchen issue as much as it was our server not understanding how to space the courses properly. She seemed to think she was doing us a favor by drawing things out, which was not the case. We were in the restaurant from 4:05-5:35. Not Your Average Joe's- please fix this! We want to visit you again, but you really need to improve the timing of your waitstaff.
(3)
Heather O.
Had lunch with the ladies there over the weekend. Enjoyed the bread with Olive Oil and Parm/Romano cheese for dipping. My Chipolte Chicken Salad and ice tea were yummy. Refills on our soft drinks were delivered without asking. Reasonably priced bill of $35 for three lunches. (Isn't it amazing how much cheaper going out to eat is when you don't drink alcoholic beverages?) Will be back to try one of the other tempting salads and to score some more of that bread.
(4)
David G.
Went out with friends last evening to NYAJ's "Winesday" promotion. The manager allowed us to choose from the entire menu of entrees rather than the more limited promotional choices. Our meals were very tasty and the service was very attentive. Definitely will be returning!
(4)
Martha R.
I did return for lunch; the service was much better. The salads were prepared the way we asked; portion sizes and prices just right.
(4)
Kalimuthu C.
I have been a great fan of Joe's creations. I like their bread and cheese dipping and could go on it forever....however I always had preference for their Steak Sirloins but for their mashed potatoes and mustart crusted chicken will keep me going to NYAJ.
(4)
Frank J.
Nice place. Good, fast service although it seemed like I got a bit of the bum's rush from the bartender. Had a very nice piece of fish cooked well, but everything I tried - including the sides and the salad - was just plain extremely bland. Caesar salad tasted like it had a milk dressing. Garlic mashed potatoes....well hell - I'm all for a low sodium diet, but how about a little seasoning here folks!?!
(2)
B M.
pretty good food, a little too salty. They have great deals in the bar and in general the prices on dishes are pretty reasonable. The blazzing chicken finger pizza with blue cheese is the best pizza in the area, but it is not on the menu anymore. They will make it for you though. We have been there a few times, the meatloaf is good, the pasta dishes have all been good and the apps are okay, but too salty. The guacomale is new and very boring, no flavor at all. Service is pretty inconsistent as they seem to have some pushy amatures working there. All in all the place is okay, most dishes won't disappoint. Expect some long waits on the busy nights.
(3)
Kathryn S.
We are so lucky to get a restaurant of this quality out here in the burbs. Easily the best food in the area. Chef uses locally sourced foods for some of the special meals. Menu changes frequently. Meals are inventive and everything I have had there is great. Excellent cocktails menu and good drinks. Usually the manager makes the rounds and speaks to the diners - we have been offered free tastes of some specials. When we got an order wrong, it was immediately taken off the bill. Great service, great food.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Elaine H.
Food is always excellent and the garlic Parmesan w/bread they serve will make your eyes roll back in your head. It's so garlicky-cheesy-good! Waitstaff awesome.
(4)Chris O.
Food is good And the menu has a lot to offer. Prices are mid range. The appetizers are outstAnding. They run several recurring really good drink specials -- one is called wine Wednesday where you get selected bottles of wine for a discount. Bar area is fairly large. Nice place to eat and a few TVs are on if there is a big sporting event I went for the first time when the chef and manager came out to a bazaar to support the Westboro public school. The manager really sold the restaurant to me and invited me and my wife to come in. We did and have been back several time. So this rating is based in several visits
(4)Adam W.
A very good chain restaurant. Food is always consistent and the menu and some desserts will change seasonally. I am a big fan of the steak tips. They are well seasoned and cooked to temperature. This entree comes with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans, although they are very accommodating with whatever sides you want to have. There is also an extensive kids menu, and the atmosphere inside is warm and inviting. Bar area has multiple TV's to keep an eye on the day's sporting events.
(4)Jamie L.
Have never been to this place before, but was very happy. I travel to Boston every other week for business and just recently switched hotels so this is right near where I'll be staying all the time. Went in to watch the Hawks/Cavs conference finals game. Ate at the bar and ordered the mustard crusted chicken. Drinks were excellent, food was even better. Even the bread/oil for dipping was way above par. Will be coming here multiple times throughout the week when I'm up here now.
(5)Christa C.
My husband and I have been here several times. The last time we went the food was just average and we said never again. Well we decided to give another shot. The appetizer was served cold, nachos that were soggy. When we informed our waitress she took them back but told us that they would remake them and all our food would come out at the same time. I had the pazanella salad that was made with jalapeño cornbread. Not only was the corn beyond dry it was completely void of any flavor. Actually the whole dish was pretty bland.
(2)Robyn H.
I have been a frequent flyer to the "Not Your Average Joe's in Acton, MA and have never experienced the incompetence I experienced today at the "Not Your Average Joe's in Westborough, MA. I placed a phone order for a gluten free sandwich by phone, yet when I arrived a half hour later, after being told it would take 25-30 minutes for a cold sandwich to prepared, it was not acknowledged an order had been placed: therefore not ready upon my arrival. The woman at the test retook my order of a gluten-free California Roll with rice pilaf. On the positive side, the order was ready in very little time. However, after paying $11.99 for a gluten-free sandwich, I returned back to work, only to realize the sandwich I just bit into was not gluten-free, along with the bread that was bagged with oil and cheese for dipping. This restaurant is highly UNEDUCATED when it comes to gluten-free. My celiac disease is very severe, so this was not a laughing matter. In addition, the manager who was asked to the phone to discuss the matter did not seem at all genuine in his concern for what had just occurred. Horrendous customer service. If you have celiac, stay away from this particular "Not Your Average Joe's," as they need a training course pertaining to celiac disease!
(1)Keo S.
This review is really based on service versus the food because we actually really enjoyed the food and would have giving it a 4 star rating had the overall experience been better. I've been a server and I understand that it can get busy especially during the prime dinner hours. Before I go into the service experience, let me caveat this by saying that our server was very nice and had good intentions, but didn't have any follow-through. This is how the night started: we called ahead for reservations at 6PM (hoping to get luckly) and there wasn't any available until 8PM so we decided to be risky and show up at 7PM and wait for our 8PM reservation. The 4 of us were seated immediately and there were a few open tables. Ok - that is fine. Server comes over, get our drink order and everything was going great. Bread came to the table to so we decided to put in our entree order and forgo the apps. I asked for silverware & napkins as we were starting to dig into the bread. 5 mins passes, I ask again and he apologizes and says he'll bring it over with our drinks. Drinks come, no napkins :(, I ask again - 10 mins later - still nothing. Our entrees then come out and you guessed it - still not silverware and napkins - maybe the dishwasher was broken? The manager starts clearing the table next to us and I ask him and finally we get what we need to actually whip our hands and eat. It was just SO STRANGE. Anyway, we still managed to have a great meal since our 4 entrees were well proportioned and very tasty. We had the Chicken Pappardelle, Chicken Enchiladas, Waldorf Salad with Salmon, and Margherita Pizza with Sausage - we shared everything and I would definitely get any of those items again. We'll try this place again when we are back in town, but I really hope that they resolve either dishwasher malfunctions or perhaps get the servers to slow down a minute and actually service the tables that they have.
(3)Nathen S.
Service was top notch. I had been here a year or so ago and wasn't impressed. This changed my mind. Server (Caitlyn) according to receipt was top notch. From drinks, to re-fills, etc; great service. I had a steak salad which was cooked perfectly. Other entrees were salmon which was raved about....and a kids meal which was just right! Great all around and I'll be back.
(4)Paul L.
Dinners here are on the average side. Jambalaya and salmon dishes were nothing special at all especially for the price. Lunch thus place is much better. The pizza and sandwiches are usually pretty good. The bread they serve is awesome.
(3)Cindy M.
Great gluten free menu. Staff is well trained and friendly. Chef came out to speak to me personally before preparing my order. Food was great, will definitely be back.
(5)Cindy H.
I only got an appetizer - the buffalo chicken tenders and I found them to be just OK. The portion was pretty dinky too. I found my visit unworthy of the bucks I shelled out. The service was great though, especially since I came during the lunch rush.
(3)pat c.
This was our first time at this chain; the servers were attentive, pleasant and speedy. Our waiter kept my husbands soda coming, which is really enjoys. The bread and oil was wonderful and plentiful. My husband is not a fan of dipping oil and he actually told me he would stop by to buy this if it was sold in bottle. My husband had the Steak Tips they were cooked perfect and I had the Thai Noodle Chicken Salad it was loaded with Chicken and the sauce was delicious, not too strong. Can not wait to go back!!
(5)Adam G.
3.5 really. Solid casual american. Good beers on tap at reasonable prices. Service was prompt and friendly. Tried the chicken pot stickers which were very good. Blue burger was good. I asked for medium and got medium well. Fries were good but greasy. Decent place tho.
(3)Vicki C.
The food was excellent as usual. We were greeted seated promptly. The only drawback was the waitress was not knowledgeable about what succotash was, and neither was another waiter when she asked him. Her recommendation for dessert though was spot on. I had Lemon Tiramisu, and my husband had Key Lime pie. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.
(4)Jordana P.
We go here often and order take-out even more. The staff is always friendly and helpful! Phyllis has been helpful many times with our daytime take-out orders! The menu is the perfect size- not too big or small with an option for everyone! Tonight we ordered the bacon blue flatbread, Tuscan grilled chicken sandwich and bananas foster bread pudding. One of our favorites is the enchiladas and the new steak sandwich! Despite the restaurant being extremely busy- the food and service was excellent! The only reason I couldn't give 5 stars is some of the food portions have been inconsistent! We often order a side of the homemade French fries and we've gotten an order that had about 20 fries then other times the container was packed! Overall it's a great restaurant that I would recommend to family & friends!
(4)Samantha B.
I come here a lot and every time I do I am not disappointed! The food is wonderful and decent priced and the staff is very friendly! I like that I have the option to eat inside or to eat outside. Taylor served me and she was nothing but kind and patient as I was figuring out what to eat. I would most certainly come here again!
(5)Matt R.
I stopped in alone to grab a bite to eat at the bar and watch a college basketball game, knowing full well this is not a sports bar, but I wanted to give the food a try. After going, let me reiterate, this is not a sports bar. I was the only person at the bar not on a date, and I got to watch the game with "Call Me Maybe" and other smash hits playing with the TV on mute. Not the restaurants fault, because like I said, this is not a sports bar. The bartenders were very nice and were prompt with their service. The oil/cheese mix they give you with the free bread is very, very good. I was going to get a salad, but decided on a veggie burger instead and got the salad on the side. Well, the veggie burger I did not care for very much. It was very pastey and when you took a bite, it all just squeezed out of the bun. The flavor was decent, not great, but I prefer my burgers to actually hold the shape of a burger and not just be mush between buns. The side salad I got though, now that was incredible. I ordered the poached pear spinach salad and it was delicious- I wish I had ordered it with chicken as an entree. The pears that are poached in wine are delicious, and the rest of the salad was just as tasty. I'd be willing to retry my experience, ordering the salad...and not sitting alone at the bar.
(3)Elizabeth S.
For a chain, this is as good as it gets. The service we have experienced has always been wonderful. The menu is constantly changing so people can try new seasonal items. But the favorites always remain consistent, so you can come back and order the things you loved, too. The first time around I had the thai chicken noodle salad. The only complaint I'd give is that it had more noodles than I anticipated, but it was still very tasty. My husband ordered the ahi tuna salad and raved about it. The next time, we brought the kids. We shared the ahi tuna wontons and each had a burger. Everything was delicious! The kids had macaroni and cheese, which was homemade and not the horrible boxed kind some restaurants serve. We added a side of veggies to the kids meal because it didn't come with anything, but we wish it had. We will definitely be back again.
(5)André R.
I'm spending vacation on Shrewsbury and I was recommended to lunch at NYAJ's for it being very good and yet not being too expensive. The staff was very welcoming so I had a good first impression. I ordered Anything but Average Meatloaf and this dish definitely honored it's name. I'm looking forward to coming back. Recommended.
(5)Jim G.
Awesome food from scratch kitchen with fun atmosphere. Food was awesome. Definitely coming back!
(5)S Y.
My husband and I have been to this place two other times and walked out telling ourselves never to return. If greasy/oily/overcooked is your kinda find, this is your spot. We decided to sit at the bar on the quiet Thur evening but we were attended by a distracted bar tender who, obviously, had some important gossip in the kitchen to drop in to. We had to wave a few times to get her attention!! Arrrgh!
(2)Stephanie T.
We love the Moltan Chocolate Lava cake and the raspberry lime nojitos. It is a great place to take "foodie" friends and family. We have never had to wait more than 20 min and usually are seated much sooner than that. The decor is modern and inspired and music not obtrusive. Although the place is wildly popular, the sound level doesn't prevent you from hearing your companions. They offer a wide variety of beer and the complimentary bread is fresh, warm, and flavorful. The lava cake is so good my husband will stop there on the way home just to surprise me with it. Then the challenge of who gets to eat more than their fair share begins!
(5)Laura J.
I usually love joes- the delicious bread and reasonably prices drinks are an incentive themselves. My mom and I dined here this evening and unfortunately we were less than impressed. We waited in one of the bar booths for about 10/15 minutes before a server came over- our server was very kind and even offered us some free beer samples so we didn't really mind. I ordered the herb crusted haddock and was very disappointed. The "herb haddock" had no herbs at all but instead soggy bread crumbs. It came with some "grilled summer vegetables"- these were definitely not grilled. Instead they were swimming in fryer oil and I even found some burnt onion pieces throughout. However, the service was kind and friendly and the atmosphere was comfortable. We eat here all the time so I am more than willing to give NYAJ another shot.
(3)megan m.
Love this place. The atmosphere is great, menu is fun & interesting, and prices are not bad. My favorite is the bread, raspberry lime Rickey, and toasted goat cheese salad. Only part that I don't like is the small portion sizes. My salad is always too small.
(4)Skye G.
The food was ok - 3 but the Jack and Ginger drink was an awesome 5. We had a big table and our reservations got a bit mixed up so we had to move some tables around and squeeze some people in. All in all it was ok
(4)J A.
First time we ever went here, had a coupon for a free app and got the nachos which were great! Split a pizza also very good, ordered a 20 oz beer and got a 14 oz by accident and they gave me both for 14 oz price! Also had the peanut butter thing dessert, very good. Service was great, we will be back!
(5)Ernest L.
This place is fast and good. It's probably because we go pretty early for lunch, but there is usually a a group of staff standing idly as we walk in. However, they all look pretty busy by the time we leave. The bread is 'unbelievable' says the Carribean (maybe) waiter we usually get, and yeah, it's believe him. I've gotten 3 bread refills before. All NYAJ's look like they robbed an IKEA to furnish their interior. It works though. I usually stick with a pizza, and have plenty to take home. I've gotta stop eating all that bread.
(4)Beth L.
Went there tonight and I gotta say...I was slightly disappointed. But not the worst so listen up!! Not returning for quite some time...My boyfriend and I decided to come back...we walked in and was ignored for about 2 min...which is a long time if u actually time it. The host man was rather rude...told us to wait another moment for no apparent reason...he asked if we had a reservation...we didn't so I guess that made us not so special...not the reservation type of restaurant in my book but whatever....we asked to sit in the bar area as it appeared to have many tables open and he said No they are Reserved...okkkkk no prob!! WAIT time is 15min he said!!....ok! Sat down in an awkward long booth with other people on either side...hate that...no privacy at all. If there is one thing a restaurant can improve on...dont make one long booth with multiple tables close together. Most people hate them. Drinks bread and service was very good...stuffed quo hogs were ok...not the best...had corn in them...a little weird but ok....had pulled pork and salad that was good but overall not my fav place...may not return...anytime soon at least :\
(3)Jack M.
I go here at least once a month. The food is addicting, the staff is very nice, the speed of the food being made and served, amazing. Never had a bad experience here, I recommend this place to any one who likes quality meals, amazing staff, and great service so it's impossible to have a bad experience
(5)Ellen B.
Solid showing. It was a Saturday and fairly busy. We were there around 6:30, so lots of families with kids. Took a little but to get our waitress, ,but once we did, she was great. Drinks were very good - margarita and a moscow mule. We all had fish and it was very good. Wish they did not pipe in music.
(3)M K.
We have enjoyed a number of dining experiences at NYAJ's. The food is always average to above average. The prices are quite reasonable. However the element that really brings them to the next level is the service. Everyone from the host to the table clearers are awesome.
(4)Dale H.
Absolutely Wonderful. Both the Hostess and our Waiter were polite and very outgoing. The food was out of this world. I almost licked my plates.
(4)Andrew S.
Mieh, very average joes, sorry. Went for lunch while visiting a client. From my high food standards, just a lot of Restaurant Depot tables, chairs, plates, forks, etc. Got there a bit later than my colleague, whom arrived 15 minutes before me and started picking at the bread and dip/butter sauce mulch. The gross mulch was never replaced, and just sat there even though I was a new, paying guest. Hmmm... Had a salad there that was forgetable and mieh. The service was all ADD and kept flirting around the bar without paying attention to her job. If she were cuter, I woulda let it slide, but... Anyways, I guess I had sustenance and survived. It could've been worse, so 2 stars it gets. And I think for the area, its probably the best it gets, so probably more of a 4 star establishment if you consider its neighborhood of buffalo wings, beer and fried foods.
(2)Dinara E.
So after I wrote a review complaining about all of my waitress's suggestions which seemed to do nothing but disappoint me, the manager contacted me and invited me back for a second try. We got there on a Friday night around 6pm and there was a 20-25 minute wait. So we found a table at the bar without a wait. Unfortunately it was wobbly and without us asking our waitress, Tiffany, noticed and fixed it right away! She went above and beyond the whole night in making our experience a pleasant one. I ordered the Mediterranean chicken which comes with almond rice, a Greek salad, and pieces of flat bread with a side of tzatiziki sauce. The sauce tasted like yogurt with garlic, no cucumbers in it but it was still very tasty. I poured it all over my chicken and a squirt of lemon to really make my chicken awesome! Because it just comes grilled... so if you don't at least dip into the sauce.... it's just chicken breast, not Mediterranean. My boyfriend got the mustard chicken and it was very juicy and tasty. he ended up asking for a side of honey mustard on the side because he wanted it to be more mustard-y. I also got a raspberry mojito and it was SO GOOD! The mint and raspberries were perfectly muddled and it didn't taste like a lackluster job. Anyway, I loved my waitress and my experience here this time around. Would definitely recommend the mojitos and also a warm goat cheese salad that they have. My bf hates goat cheese but still ate this. So thumbs up for excellent service and delicious food.
(5)Zack S.
I was going to give this place 4 stars several months ago when I had their excellent mustard-crusted chicken. Now? Yikes. I had the Vietnamese salmon last night which came in about 4 minutes. Big red flag. I asked for it medium, the small piece ($18.99!) was well done. What was worse was that the broth was so salty, it was barely edible. Service was efficient but cool. This place has gone downhill quickly.
(2)Julia N.
This is one of my favorite restaurants around town! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BOTH THE FOOD & the excellent service of people working there! The starter of bread and olive oil is absolutely amazing! My favorite meal at the restaurant is the Ahi Tuna salad! I absolutely adore it! The tuna is always fresh & delicious. I've never had a bad experience or a bad meal at this place! This is what keeps me coming back time after time!
(5)Amanda W.
Yum! I mean yes, they are a chain but man are they a good one! We go here a lot for lunch at work. We usually do the pick-up. I tried curbside once but realized they can't see you when you park for that so they don't know you're there. Meh, I've dealt with worse problems :) Over all their food is wonderful and we've never had an issue with them. They'll change anything you want on an order (being reasonable) we often swap out the sides they have listed for ones that we'd prefer. Other thing is their bread and oil dip is to die for!!! Everytime we order here we always ask for extra bread! Phyllis is the host that is usually there and she's wonderful. She remembers me every time I go in and always makes sure I'm all set.
(5)Carolyn M.
So glad they dropped the dingy white shirts for the staff which looked mostly just wrinkled and dirty. The black tops are a hugh improvement!! Everyone looks great! Also, the bar floor was clean this time -- before the floor was dirty and covered with napkins, etc. -- very unappetizing for those sitting at the bar. The happy hour apps are diverse and yummy -- although the stuffed clam for summer was more corn than anything else. Less corn and more clam...! Lettuce wraps and tuna "thing" were yummy. Bartenders did a wonderful job except for a very tall guy who seemed to be more interested in something else besides waiting on the customers????? Maybe he wasn't really a bartender - just filling in for a minute or two????
(3)Lee O.
Great bread and oil! Fantastic service. Made my friend chicken and shrimp scampi even though it wasn't on the menu and it was perfect
(4)Jim W.
I'm generally a big fan of NYAJ. They have a good selection of beers and other alcoholic beverages. They also serve a delicious bean burger with a side of crispy fries. Alternatively, the fish dishes and pizzas tend to be quite tasty as well. We recently ate there for birthday dinners and received free entrees and desserts after joining their mailing list - that's a great deal!
(4)erica l.
We recently ate here with my husband and my parents. I called for reservations and requested a corner table due to us having our newborn daughter with us. The host was very friendly and sympathetic to our situation. I ordered the mustard crusted chicken, which I loved. My husband and dad ordered scallops which were cooked just right. The waitress, Joy, was very friendly to all of us . Due to my fathers diet, the restaurant was willing to make some changes to his dinner to help his dietary needs. As we were enjoying our meals the general manager Mike came over to see how we enjoyed our meals. We explained we were very appreciative to all the accommodations his restaurant made for my family. We plan to dine here again as long as our little one cooperates. Sincerely grateful we found a restaurant that we enjoyed with good food and nice family friendly atmosphere.
(4)Peter B.
I gave a review of this restaurant earlier that was about average and then the general manager reached out to me personally and that says more to me than just my restaurant experience so I am bumping my rating up to 5 stars because customer service is very important to me.
(5)Wayne B.
Perfect as usual. Very happy with the rosemary scallops. Also had a chicken Catalonia (?) Wife loved it. Renado is an excellent waiter (pro status!) informative, funny and loads of character. Not your Average Joe's be proud.
(4)Ambar P.
Me and my boyfriend came across this restaurant while trying to step away from chain restaurants about a year ago. I fell in love with the restaurant and the atmosphere, it was the only restaurant that offered my favorite coconut shrimp! However I came back recently and was very disappointed with the menu the coconut shrimp were supposedly out of season but I had gotten them at this time last year. I decided to stay to check around the menu and ordered a margherita pizza. I was very disappointed not only was it very bland but the cheese didn't even seem like real mozzarella. I am very upset with this experience and don't know if there is anything worth coming back for.
(3)Christian P.
I like to hate things. OK, that's a lie...I LOVE to find reasons to hate things. This place surprised the hell out of me. If I had to find a reason to hate it, for my ego's sake, it's likely because the food is too creative and delicious to be served in a restaurant with a name like "Not Your Average Joe's". I want to hate you more, but I love you too much, you ridiculously named eatery. Oh wait...I will hate one thing. In Fall the bartenders ring the pints of pumpkin ale with brown sugar. You can cut that practice right out, friends...I'm not a 16 year old girl.
(5)Sami A.
Excellent place.. We loved the fact that their kitchen is a scratch kitchen and the chef is so happy to accommodate everyone's wish when cooking your meal.. We have tried every section of their menu.. Our fav was an appetizer dish ( buffalo chicken tenders are amazing ) Main course we have tried the Thai salmon and the chicken caprese ..4 Dessert we had the interestingly delicious creme burle cheese cake.. Staff were so friendly and they always accommodate us with our child's giant stroller :D We have gone there many times and we will go again..
(5)Tara M.
Went here this past Tuesday night with a party of five and was extremely impressed. Our server, I believe her name was Kelsey, was one of the best servers I've ever had. She had recommendations for everything from drinks, to apps, entrees and desserts. She was extremely attentive and anticipated our needs throughout the whole meal. My sisters and I have all been servers at one point in our lives and agreed this was top service. The food was just as great as the service. I've been in the restaurant industry for many years and would highly recommend this restaurant to others. I'll definitely be going back :)
(5)Elizabeth T.
Great service! I go here on average about once a week. The service is awesome, the food delicious, especially given the price. They're really good about making substitutions for things you don't like, or trying out crazy combinations like pumpkin sauce on the short rib stroganoff! All in all a great place to go, but unless you're going early or late I would suggest reservations, they're often packed, and sometimes on random days of the week!
(5)Donna D.
A couple of my girlfriends took me here for my birthday and it was a great time. I had a crab cake "burger" and we shared some appetizers and dessert. I will definitely go back and bring my husband. Our waiter was fantastic too!
(4)Jeff N.
I've been to Not Your Average Joe's 3 times, but unfortunately two were on creepy dates, so the service was over-shadowed by my inability to judge people beyond looks. Dammit! I went to Not Your Average Joe's with one of my best buddies! Let's start with the decor, shall we? DON'T SAY NO!!! The place is trendy and casual. Its a local chain restaurant (mostly in Massachusetts, with a few scattered in the mid-Atlantic). Not too many cheesy stuff on the wall like some other places. The service was outstanding. In addition to the meals we got, my buddy ordered a meal to go for his girlfriend, and the waitress delivered it in a separate bag, with condiments on the side. This might sound like a simple task, but its a task many have failed at before. In addition, she was happy and attentive. For the main meal, I actually got an appetizer while he got a burger. My appetizer was the Chipotle Chicken Quesadias, which were very good. He said all good things about the burger as well. For an appetizer, we got crab cakes. This part was disappointing. For $11.50, you get just two crab-cakes with a bunch of rabbit food for toppings. (lettuce and stuff, not actual rabbit food, yikes!). We also got a few drinks each, which were very good. (the Pomegranate Martini was my choice). For the drinks, 2 appetizers, and 2 meals, it came to $74, so a little pricey, but again there was a third meal in there. I definitely recommend it, just not the crab cakes.
(4)Katie W.
Nice atmosphere, great food, phenomenal service! Will definitely be back for more. Service: I have an allergy to certain spices, and my server went above and beyond to make sure my food was OK; she even had a chef visit the table to confirm things. Everyone we encountered, from the hostess to the manager, was friendly and accomodating even though they were very busy. Food: the warm focaccia bread they started us off with was AWESOME.The clam chowder was some of the best I've had in a long time, and the crab cake BLT was great too. The apple cinnamon sticks were a delicious finish. Really nice kids menu, too, with more variety than some other restaurants. Atmosphere: The music was family friendly and enjoyable, a mix of 60s to 80s, and turned down enough that it didn't interfere with our conversation. My only complaint (too minor to lose a star over it) was that it was chilly - I wish I had brought a sweater. Of course, it was really cold outside tonight so maybe it's only like that in the winter.
(5)Lindsay D.
Clean, neat, progressive menu, vegetarian options are clear, and there are quite a few! I was impressed by the veggie menu items and how they showed alternatives to regular menu items so that they could be vegetarian. Nice touch! The food was good. Bread was very good although they put cheese in teh oil without consulting if you want cheese in your oil. That was delicious for my family but sad for me since they took the oil with them. I got the cranberry almond couscous and was slightly disappointed to find it filled (yes filled) with edamame. Not that this is not good and filling, it is, but ti wasn't on the menu as such and I really didn't want edamame in my couscous. I am wondering if I should've gotten the butternut squash couscous unless they put edamame in that too. My biggest peeve is leaving substantive ingredients off the menu description. Otherwise the rest of the family got burgers and not a speck was wasted. The wait staff was ok. They could've been faster with the refills and not try to take orders when my mother was in the bathroom. Average No. A few mistakes away from 4 stars though.
(3)Elena B.
Seems that the management has changed. Last few times the good quality was not very good. Today ordered two salads with extra chicken and salmon. Both were burnt. Especially the fish. Inedible. I asked for my special salad to be entree size. Looked like with 4 orange segments and a teaspoon of blue cheese the only thing that was sized up is greens. But the price went up from $7.99 to $11.99. I don't think we will be coming here anytime soon.
(2)Christopher R.
We've been here a few times now. Our first time was kind of miserable. Every drink/beer or special app we tried to order they didnt have. Why have a special menu with special items, give that to a guest and then when they order you dont have any of it? We were told they were busy the previous night and were sold out. Then dont give me the special menu. And as a server/bartender you should know what you have and dont have and let me know that when I sit down. Also service, food etc was so slow during our first time, it wasnt our servers fault. But we were the first people seated in the restaurant that day and many people came and went after us as we sat around waiting for drinks/food. The apoligized and gave us some coupons to come back to make up for it all though. They tried. Since we have been back servcie as been okay, nothing to write home about (or to really write much about here.) The food is always good, I love the bread and oil dip they serve at the start of the meal. I could come here just to eat that. Atmosphere is okay, its a cute, slightly upper scale fast food kind of place. Id bring guests here. We've learned to not sit in the bar area though, the guests there are always loud and rude during the games on the screen and its pretty obnoxious as only Mass Sports fans can be. Ugh
(4)Mr S.
Food is great, prices are reasonable, atmosphere is nice, and service was excellent. This is the first time I was there and my family really had fun. I think this is the only place where I found Mocktails which are non-alcoholic and I was pleased to see that. I will definitely come back for the drinks. Oh and the bread and cheese sauce that they offer in the beginning is AMAZING! and its complimentary what else can i ask for. The Apple Cobbler dessert and creme Brulee cheese cake were the BEST!
(5)Kevin M.
Went on a crowded weekend night recently. Had reservations, got seated about 10 minutes late, which is fine. The service was fine, but the food came out and was not good. I had the short rib stroganoff, which came out and seemed as if it had been under a heat lamp forever. The dish was dry, stale, and didn't taste very good. To the restaurant's credit, they immediately replaced it with another dish (mustard-crusted chicken, which was pretty good). We had the "peanut butter thing" dessert, and that was very good. There are plenty of dining options around, so I doubt we'll be going back.
(2)Catherine W.
Ate here recently and enjoyed the food (I had the clams and linguini special. This is a reasonably-priced family restaurant. We went here on a crowded Saturday night; lots of strollers and little kids.
(4)Geoff G.
I always enjoy my experience here... until the food arrives. This is a great place to have a drink, but that's about it. Regular entrees, specials, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, appetizers etc. I have tried many things here and never been pleased. Maybe the menu is a little to big and ambitious for the execution. The net result is bland food, often over cooked and certainly overpriced.
(2)Suzy L.
A step above most other chains, for sure! We went here last week and sat outside on the little patio. The bread and oil is AH-mayzing. I could eat bread and get drinks (usually sangria) and be a happy girl! Instead of my usual sangria, I went with the summer special frozen mojito, and it was delicious. I got an old standby, mustard crusted chicken with mashed and green beans. I LOVE that chicken, just a little different, crispy and flavorful! The potatoes are good but nothing special, same with the green beans. My husband got a caesar salad with steak tips. I sampled one of his steak tips, and it was yummy... think I'll have to get those next time! We split the cinnamon sticks for dessert, again, just a little dfiferent and really tasty. Our waiter was friendly and efficient, and they use a lot of runners to make the meal move smoothly. If you're a NYAJ's fan at all, you MUST sign up for their email club. For your birthday every year, they send you a coupon for a free entree and dessert. One of the best deals going, and yummy to boot!
(4)L. L.
I have been here many times but have never written a review, it was a little more packed than usual for a Monday but it is a holiday. However for it being so busy the service was still great, we came to the bar and a booth opened right away just our luck ! The bread came as always with the olive oil and cheese to dip in which both the bread and the dip were to die for. For drinks we ordered a berry me in bubbles which is amazing with just the right amount of alcohol and the front porch which as well tastes great with a good amount of alcohol in comparison with its other ingredients in the beverage. For appetizers we started off with the almond crusted goat cheese salad which was amazing. Fresh greens, just the right amount of dressing and the pecans were a lovely touch. The goat cheese was fresh and still warm when we got our salads. While eating our salads the manger came over and checked on us to make sure everything was good and checked on other people as well. I got the artisan vegetarian lasagna do yourself a favor and do not order it, it was not up to par it was so blan. So I sent it back and ordered the vegetarian cannelloni's which came out amazing, so I do suggest to order this. My guest got the balsamic salmon which was very good but could have used some more of the balsamic glaze. For desert I ordered the crime brûlée cheesecake. It was amazing the little raspberries were a great touch to the caramel drizzle and cheesecake . Overall the service was great our server was very nice she knew the menu well. The music was a good level and songs that a variety of ages would enjoy.
(4)Terri S.
I've eaten at this Not Your Average Joe's a few times and at the location in Watertown over a dozen times. At this particular location I've had the pizza and a few of the dishes (mostly seafood) and I've always found them to be above average. It's a solid step up from the standard chain restaurants and is affordable and consistent with their quality. The food quality (and menu) is also consistent between locations as far as I can tell. I'm not gonna lie; I've more than once made the decision to eat here solely based on wanting some of their bread and oil/cheese dipping sauce. I know it's just a well seasoned garlic infused olive oil over a grated cheese mixture but it's still delicious! The cheese in their oil is a signature thing at Not Your Average Joe's. I'm sure that if you ask they would provide a cheese free plate of oil. I agree with other reviewers that sometimes the staff is a little slow on proactively checking to see if you need a refill of your bottomless soda and bread. This was easily solved by flagging down a staff member and asking. They were more than happy to oblige. Unlike other reviewers I like that the manager swung by to check on things, he wasn't in our face and that's what a manager should do in a quality establishment. If I wanted a dining experience where the manager didn't give a crap I'd eat at the McDonald's down the road.
(4)Peter C.
My family and I recently went here and the food was fine but the hostesses were unacceptable. I can understand that it's a busy restaurant but if you ask people to wait 45 minutes for a table and then seat them 1.5 hours later, I expect at least an apology. Also, when we were finally seated we were given a booth were told that we could not use a high chair there. When we asked for another table where we could use a high chair, the hostess rolled her eyes and moved us. No plates, no silverware, no menus. I don't even think she told our server because no one came by to even take our drink other for 10 minutes. Do yourself a favor a call ahead for seating. It looked like those people were given priority.
(2)Liz T.
I've been twice and have enjoyed the food and service both times. The first time, my husband and I took a friend who'd already been drinking and continued to drink while there. The servers handled his loudness and flirting with poise. He also ordered an appetizer and then tried to send it back because there was an ingredient in it that he claimed wasn't listed in its menu description and that he hates. Our server pointed out that it is listed in the menu description but remade the dish for him anyway. I will definitely go back and I think this might be our new place to take out-of-town guests.
(4)K C.
Below average food. Average service. Not many choices. The salmon was bland. The flavors in the wonton was, well, unrefined, had very strong ginger overtones. Calamari was too bready. Sugar snap peas tasted dry. The complimentary bread and the cheese-oil dip was tasty though. All in all... I am not going back there again
(1)Michael J.
Not a fan! food was dry and tasted like it was cooked 3 days before i ate it.
(2)Scott D.
Food was mediocre at best. Here are the facts: -stuffed quahogs had grit. -chicken enchiladas with poblano crema came with white rice (menu says yellow), no black beans, very little chicken and dry. Service: -waitress forgot a wine, beer was barely cold. We won't be back.
(1)Timothy R.
Sadly, average. On a good day. I've been here twice. My latest encounter confirmed my suspicion that this restaurant is not up to par. The menu is ecclectic American cuisine. However, I found my dish to be very underwhelming. I ordered the glazed salmon with asparagus and substituted roasted vegetables for the potato. The salmon was blah, the asparagus plain, the vegetables were a good variety but very oily. I found the small side of mango salsa to be the best part of my meal; surely not their intention. Our waitress was relatively inattentive and given how slow the restaurant was at lunch time, this should not have been the case. My friend ordered chicken fingers and fries, and this came as a hassle because it wasn't a dish on the menu, but both were offered separately. Yet, the menu stated something along the lines of "tell us what you want and we'll accomodate." Sigh.
(2)Ran D.
Jason B. had me at $20 pitcher of Margaritas. This place is a great value. Perfect for garbing drinks and apps at the bar. We split 3 apps for a meal, it was great. We're for sure coming back to do dinner. Rhode Island calamari a toss of arugula, oven-roasted tomatoes and banana peppers, over focaccia crostini with lemon caper tartar sauce 10.99 thai chicken lettuce wraps served chilled with oranges, sugar snap peas, carrots and crunchy peanuts in a tangy sesame-ginger vinaigrette 8.99 crab cakes pan-seared and drizzled with roasted red pepper aioli, with orange sesame vinaigrette dressed organic baby greens 10.99 Each dish was really fresh with creative takes on presentation. Don't miss the lettuce raps, their as good as anywhere.
(4)Jason B.
The margaritas are awesome and you can get 4-5 out of a pitcher for $20. Chicken caesar is very good and the lemon garlic dressing makes it a bit different than the norm. Food was pretty fresh and (in some cases) local. The service was friendly but not super fast.
(4)Tsungming H.
Really horrible service, sit in for 40minutes and the server is just not taking orders and serving drinks. The manager isn't helpful either. Do yourself a favor never step in this reataurant!
(1)Punit S.
Great outdoor patio for this location, didn't actually know that it was a chain restaurant at first but there's a good variety of food and drinks. AWESOME foccacia bread and oil for starters. Stuck to apps for this visit and had the Guacamole and Chips, tasted great and fresh, hate processed guac... Other times I have been, I had the veggie burger which was quite decent. Drinks here are moderately priced, good selection of beers - they have dos xx on tap, a rare find in this area! Good place to meet with friends, will definitely be going back to this place.
(4)John M.
Great food & excellent service. Highly recommend Not Your Average Joe's for Date Night to Family Dinner Out! I walked out with a smile...enough said.
(5)Mike M.
Very good meal for the four of us. We went on a Sunday night and it was pretty crowded. They were running a wine special, $45-$50 bottles marked down to $27 and it was very good wine. I also had the monthly special beer, some honey dew ale that was pretty good, not overly sweet. Between the four of us we got the mustard covered chicken, scallops, vietnamese salmon, and steak frites (special). The bread is also good to start, with oil over a LOT of cheese and spices for dipping. Good but a little too much cheese for the ratio. All the dinners were very good, the red pepper sauce on the steak was very tasty. The scallops were good as well, with a LOT of israeli cous cous. The salmon was good, but the noodles weren't the best. The chicken is one of their name dishes that is good, although I have never ordered it. The service was good up until the very end where it took forever to say we didn't want dessert and to get the check. No one left hungry at all, and very happy.
(4)K M.
Service was great! I heard so much about this place from friends, and decided to try it on a whim with a friend. I got the Tuscan Chicken Sandwich. I actually couldn't tell if the Mozzarella was cheese or an egg, it defiantly wasn't melted in the slightest bit. The drinks were on the weak side. I didn't realize this was a chain. Although what I had wasn't great, my friends dinner was the salmon, and it was pretty good. I would go back again, but try something else on the menu.
(3)C J.
Good food. Good service. Had the mustard crusted chicken. My only complaints are that Sadly they don't offer many items that don't have dairy in it and that "reservation" does not mean reservation. It means call ahead seating. I recommend "reservation" so that you get placed at the top of the waiting list. It was busy even on a wed night at 7pm.
(4)Todd R.
Definitely better than other chaines like Fridays, Applebees, etc. Pretty good service, good food, reasonably priced and on your birthday you get a free entree and dessert. I like the Peanut Butter Thing. So good. It's my birthday several times per year when I go here. They haven't caught on yet though :-)
(4)Chris C.
This officially my favorite chain restaurant. The food is always good, the drinks are good, interesting selection of beer/wine and good prices. They also have a lot of deals on a regular basis to bring the bill even lower. Some of my favorites are the boneless wings, meatloaf, pork and pastas. One of the other nice things is that they will alter any option on the menu in pretty much anyway you ask if they have the right stuff in the kitchen. I think that's a really nice touch. The pizzas are also surprisingly good.
(4)M O.
Delicious food! Their gluten free options are fantastic! I love the bread and dip. Thanks for always bringing a gluten free roll without me asking!
(5)Sara K.
I have frequented two other NYAJs before this one (lived in Boston previously - so Burlington and Watertown)- so I was already addicted to their food. I consider NYAJ to be a gourmet "chain" (I use that word loosely) for people on somewhat of a budget. We have already been to this one a couple times since moving mid-state, but I will recall - very belated, I am afraid! - the best experience here. The bread at NYAJ is listed in the Phantom Gourmet as in the top 10 (I think) in New England and it is quite amazing. We visited for lunch during my FAVORITE time - happy hour! 3-6pm Every week day in the bar, the appetizers are half price. They are normally well-priced, so happy hour is a steal. Normally, we order ~3-4 to stuff-- not just to satisfy - 2 people. Some apps can be eaten alone as a meal! The crab cakes are ALWAYS to die for - (I do prefer the old salad with the citrus dressing to the new one tho!) -- I was told I can make the request to have the other salad served with it in the future (they upped / changed up the salad a bit to make it newer). It is two SCRUMPTIOUS crab cakes for $11 normally- ($5.50 at half price time!) which is an incredible deal at happy hour, and normally priced when not. They are a meal in themselves - and FILLEd with crab - not filled with breading. We also ordered the quahogs (sp?). I was told these are made ahead of time, so I can call in the am the day I plan on going and request some without pork - as I do not eat any kind of pork product. but alas-- I had forgotten to call!!! Luckily--- I was in the right restaurant. I spoke to my new friend the hostess -Phyllis - an incredibly friendly, knowledgable woman who went above and BEYOND to make an incredibly amazing restaurant experience. She spoke to the equally wonderful Mike - the manager, who spoke to the Equally wonderful chef --- who made me a fresh order of quahogs sans pork. -- Granted-- this was because it was something like 4pm -- a slow time. But I have never felt so welcome and accomodated as these three people did for me that I cannot thank them enough....Did I also mention it was happy hour so they were half price???? We also had the chicken dumplings which are delicious -- but the ponzu is a bit salty for my taste... And the other go-to- the tuna wontons-- crispy wonton, fresh tuna, wasabi aoili, scallions - MWA!!!! A delightful late afternoon lunch accompanied by the most amazing staff I have ever enountered. Thank you NYAJ!!! ...Did I mention that Phyllis won HOST OF THE YEAR??? notyouraveragejoes.com/w… LOVE this woman! LOVE this restaurant! Congrats NYAJ. We will be back again (AGAIN), VERY soon....bought your $100 gift card with free "appreciation" card. ;-)
(5)Shana D.
This N.Y.A.J.s is awesome. The food was outstanding and the service was exceptional. Everyone who worked there treated us like old friends. The timing between the [so delicious] bread, appetizer and meal was perfect, the atmosphere is upbeat, and our server was so nice and friendly that it felt like we must know each other. When my pear salad - a meal I had gotten before - came out, it looked as if a gourmet chef had arranged it. They really care about presentation as much as quality and taste- both also awesome. Needless to say, my husband and I really like Not Your Average Joe's, this one on rte 9 in particular. I can't say enough good things about it.
(5)Marsha L.
Not Your Average Joe's features creatively prepared dishes using fresh, quality ingredients offered at very reasonable prices. Our family loves their freshly-baked bread served with seasoned olive oil for dipping The menu is imaginative, including many different culinary influences, and has frequent limited-time specials in addition to the regular menu. One of my favorites is the Vietnamese salmon: "curry spices add an exotic twist to salmon, served over rice noodles with sugar snap peas, fresh herbs and chopped peanuts in a lime-infused chili broth." Their mustard-crusted chicken and sirloin tips are also favorites of our family. Our daughter won;t let us leave without her favorite dessert, the molten chocolate cake. As for myself, after a satisfying meal at NYA Joe's, the most I can handle for dessert is their passion fruit sorbet, garnished with fresh strawberries and raspberries - a real fruity pleasure. Another thing that is outstanding about NYA Joe's is their birthday club gift coupon good for a free entree AND a free dessert. The only negative thing I have to say is that there aren't enough NYA Joe's restaurants around; we have to travel about an hour to get to the nearest one.
(4)J H.
Just ate there again tonight. Great Service and food. I love their menu and specials. Should have a fireplace. A bit chilly. My wife always gets the mustard crusted chicken. It is much better than it sounds. Great.
(5)Matt C.
I love Not Your Average Joes! Food is great! Apps are great! Love the sunken bar at the Westborough location. I would go again and again!
(4)Alison K.
Always delicious and pleasant!
(4)Valerie V.
Went to this NYAJ's before hitting a movie at the Westboro theatre. We sat in the bar and liked the atmosphere alot. Its pretty chill but also a little lively. Sort of what you expect to get in the bar area of a chain restaurant where people go to booze. Speaking of booze...the drinks are delightfully cheap! Maybe I have just been living in the city too long but I was impressed. I had a very strong skinny margarita for $6.99 and could have had a whole pitcher of it for $14.99. The food was solid. No, it is certainly not going to change your culinary life, but it is way better than your usual chain. The selection is excellent too so if you're in a group, there is something for everyone. Last night we shared the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps. They were good but I thought they needed some sort of sauce to finish the flavor. For my entree I had the Ahi Tuna special which was very good and also pretty light. The service was excellent. When I wasn't sure about getting the skinny margarita (they are terrible some places!), the waitress offered to bring it and it would be on the house if I didn't like it. She was honest with her recommendations and quick with any requests. I was absolutely recommend NYAJ's if you are in Westboro and want some nice drinks and solid food at a reasonable price.
(4)Matt K.
This place is really good. They even use local ingredients which is pretty cool since they are a chain.
(4)Elfie C.
Food is only ok. We always love the bread. Most waitresses are good. One of the waitresses is terrible. We've had her twice and both times I am left wondering why management has kept her.
(3)Michael W.
Average food....good but extremely high calorie bread. The rice noodle dish I had was like licking a salt cube.....the manager has an annoying way of forcing himself upon guests to ask if the food was great or what. Go away....your food is on a par with Chilis with the exception that it is more money and their manager minds his own business. A "2" is very generous here.
(2)Jayde B.
I have to say this is one of the few chains I will eat at. I am loving this place more and more. Haven't ordered the same thing twice and haven't been disappointed once. The bread and oil keep me coming back (though I wished they served the bread warm like they used to a few years ago). They have local seasonal specials which are wonderful and fresh and their main menu is always great as well. Something for everyone - even the picky eaters. Steak tips, pasta primavera, pizza, rosemary scallops, enchiladas, tuna salad, haddock, turkey blt have all made wonderful impressions on my(our) mouth and stomach. :-) Yum!
(4)Angela B.
I am sad to have to write this.... but NYAJ- I think we need to break up. We went last night only to find mediocre service and freezing cold a/c blowing on us- when it is 15 degrees outside, really? I said something to the manager who basically told me to go &&*^$^*. Disappointing.
(2)Jack M.
I have been to this location several times, for lunch, dinner and just drinks, and every time I have been impressed with the service. The management and the staff have been extremely helpful and taken care of the one small problem I had ( of course I had to ask because they can't read minds). I have had many different plates from fish to chicken. My favorite is the mustard crusted chicken. Absolutely delicious.
(5)Jeremy F.
The most average NYAJ's I can imagine. Not bad, but not good either. A valiant effort at gluten-free hamburg buns but definitely dry and crumbly. Burger was literally just that: a bun, patty, token tomato and a scoop of potatoes. Service was choppy and inconsistent. At times prompt and courteous, and at others we seemed to be an afterthought. Wouldn't return.
(3)Scott A.
Wonderful evening of good food and the lovely company of my beautiful wife was enhanced by attentive service and an interesting group of folks at the bar...THANK YOU!
(4)Sean M.
3.421 Stars For a chain they have some inventive and tasty dishes. On a recent trip I sampled the Short Rib Stroganoff, very deconstructed presentation and a little heavy on the carrots and light on the shrooms still, a truly inspired dish. The de-boned rib meat was melt in your mouth consistency but had a nice beefy flavor. The Chicken Satay was also cleverly packaged with skewers stabbed into large chunks of pineapple, which I ate, I love pineapple. The chicken was well cooked and juicy, peanut sauce and the other sweet sauce served were a miss though. Crab Cake sliders were an over achiever and a tad heavy, almost a meal unto themselves. * I am bumping this up... *can't get past the fact that there is always a loooong wait for slightly better than average food. * cocktails read well on the menu, pictures look inviting, but always slightly disappointed in pour and quality. * watch out bobbled blue hairs and cougars on the prowl at this location.
(3)Ruchika M.
I love the food here and the drinks! They have a nice outside patio area (which overlooks the parking lot and fountainhead apartments). I have had the spring rolls with peanut sauce (my favorite), meatloaf (very delicious and filling), pizza (during happy hour only 3 bucks!). Their mai tai's are out of this world. They actually squeeze oranges and use the juice to make it....so fresh and tasty!
(5)Donielle H.
I have been going here for years and at first really liked the restaurant. I went yesterday with my husband and two friends and got a pizza that was disgusting-it sounded good on the menu..I had to ask for sauce and still thought it tasted bad. The only reason I did not say anything is because we were with friends and all having a fun time. I think the food is going downhill the last year or so.
(2)Nancy K.
NYAJ does not disappoint. Great choice for large party with varied tastes because they truly have something for everyone. Works for families, but just as much fun for couples as well. Food is well above average for a chain restaurant, just innovative enough without being trendy.
(4)Allyson A.
NYAJ gave us $5 cards for our first dinner there. When my husband went to use the cards that explicitly stated "no restrictions" (except, they noted, that you can't spend the $5 on alcohol due to Mass laws), he was told that there were, in fact, multiple restrictions. You can't use them in combination with other promotions and you can only use one per item ordered. Don't get me wrong - I don't want to complain about $5 discounts and it's fine to have restrictions (most restaurants do), but they should be noted on the card so that budget conscious customers don't travel a long distance to have a nice, discounted meal only to be told no. NYAJ comped our meal so I can't complain and we enjoyed the food (hence the 4 star review), but I am writing this review to warn future customers and to notify the managers that they really need to make a change with their $5 cards and be more careful with the language they use with respect to restrictions.
(4)Jay E.
I have eaten here one time and it lived up to the name, average food at best. Great atmosphere but the service and the food are sub par.
(3)Crystal R.
Great food, great service def a place to go check out. The older lady that seated us was so adorable and classy and a pleasure to chat with!
(5)Bethany B.
It's the Great Pumpkin Mole, Charlie Brown! NYAJ's bestowed upon me a free albeit belated birthday gift of a free entree and dessert. With the expiration date of the offer fast approaching we high tailed it to NYAJ's to dine at blue hair time. I tried a seasonal special of Pumpkin Mole Chicken with corn cakes and sauteed spinach with roasted tomatoes. The pepitas on top added a great crunch too. It was the best dish I have had at a chain restaurant in my LIFE. I was hesitant at first because I do not like traditional mole -- at all. Thankfully our sweet server, Chris F., brought me a sample of this mole so I could make an informed decision. We loved it! Then we had to decide who would get to order it. Well, it being MY birthday (5 months late but whatever) I won. Begrudgingly Hubby chose the Chicken Piccata. His meal was well executed too. There was a faint hint of mustard that actually worked in this version of piccata. We think it's funny that you taste mustard in the piccata but not the "famous" mustard chicken...but I digress. So with an antsy babysitter at home we had our Peanut Butter thing to-go. It was delicious when I tried it after a jaunt to Boston. I would definitely order it again. So, go, now, be off and try that Pumpkin Mole! and sign up for the website so that you too can have a free b-day dinner!
(5)Steve R.
Always enjoy my meals here. The food is modern and fresh. They have great pizza as well as great pasta dishes. Definitely a great place to eat.
(4)Kate G.
Always good food & friendly service!
(4)James T.
I went here on a Saturday night with 3 others after making a reservation through Opentable. When we got there, there was no where to sit while waiting, as they have only a few chairs to wait at and share the waiting area with their takeout business. After waiting 15-20 minutes we asked when we could expect to be seated, and were told that opentable reservations on get the next available table, they didn't actually hold a table for you... Not my experience with any other opentable restaurant. The food was decent, craft beers were a plus for me but it was very, very noisy. Some dividing glass could help a lot. Overall, given the number of restaurants in the area, decent but not worth a second visit.
(3)Jordan S.
I have to say my experience has been okay with NYAJ, but it wasn't spectacular. The food is decent, but pretty over priced for what you are getting. The food is not that fresh and simple orders were not well prepared. We had an order of steak tips that was quite bland and salads that were lack luster. They do offer margarita pitchers at a fair price, and they are pretty good too. The service can be hit or miss as well, I've been during off-peak hours and still had long waits before the wait staff returned with requests. Give it a shot if you like margaritas, but other than that you won't be very impressed.
(3)Tiffany G.
Came here on vacation while visiting family! Pleasantly surprised! Everything was fabulous!
(5)Jenn S.
I went to this recently opened location on Saturday night for a friend's birthday. There were apparently 18 of us and the tables we were given were one long one for about 12 people and then another one right next to it for 6 people. So while the 6 of us didn't really get to talk to the other 12 people, we still had a great time catching up. The host of the party ordered a bunch of appetizers and pitchers of sangria. I tasted a bit of the sangria - very good - and the buffalo wings and quesadilla were very good. I really enjoyed the mango salsa that came with both. And how can you not love the bread + dip? For my meal, I ordered the Chopped Chicken Salad: romaine, kalamata olives, shredded chicken and vegetables, tossed with creamy sherry vinaigrette and sprinkled with feta cheese. I got it without olives and with the dressing on the side and REALLY enjoyed it. It was a great-looking and -tasting salad that was quite filling. My fiance got a burger and was not impressed - it was ok, but came with very few fries and 2 bottom buns! Someone else got the Super Burger and had a top & bottom bun, so it's not how it's usually done there. While the burgers weren't a huge hit, the other meals at my mini table were: the Mustard-Crusted Chicken (chicken breasts in a three mustard marinade, hand-breaded with panko bread crumbs and pan-seared, served with sautéed green beans and garlic mashed potatoes) and Rosemary Skewered Fresh Scallops (local sea scallops threaded on a rosemary skewer, drizzled with a zesty orange-chipotle chili glaze, served over a succotash of israeli cous cous, apple smoked bacon, sugar snap peas, tomatoes and portobello mushrooms) were 2 huge hits. For dessert, we got a full cake of the Peanut Butter Thing: Joe's claim to fame - peanut butter and chocolate chunks folded into vanilla ice cream and rolled in oreo cookie crumbs, topped with fresh whipped cream and drizzled with hot chocolate and caramel sauces tableside. YUM YUM YUM. This was DIVINE. The 2 waiters we had were very organized and accommodating - explaining how the ordering/delivery process of the food would go for such a large table (they did a full circle of the table and the first person to order was the first to get his food). The only major snag in the evening was when the fire alarm went off mid-meal. Everyone in the restaurant had to wait outside for about a half hour (luckily it wasn't TOO cold!!) - I hope no one walked away without paying. And they did generously compensate us for the inconvenience. I also love that, aside from having every bit of nutritional information you could possibly want on the website, they have a few recipes - including the Peanut Butter Thing! Although this location is not too close to me, I would go back if I was in the area. And I would recommend it. Note: a few of us missed the entrance, as it's before the actual restaurant. So be on the lookout!
(4)Peter V.
I had the crab cakes one night, but they forgot to put in the crab. The next day I went to a nice "dive" outside DC where I had delicious crab cakes for 1/3 the price. Joe's got one star because the beer was good.
(1)Marlarissa M.
A chain that has food that is fresh, healthy, with a dash of creativity? Heck yeah!
(4)Len S.
I've been twice. The food is descent and the service is fine but there are other places I'd rather spend the money. Both times I thoughtbthe food lacked flair.
(3)Bella and Aleksey R.
This place had so many different cuisines on the menu and it seemed to do them all very well. The prices were reasonable given that the portions are pretty generous. I had their seared tuna salad, which was very fresh and full of flavor. Their rolls and dipping sauce are so delicious. This reminds me of the Cheesecake Factory somewhat, but better and not as huge of a wait.
(5)Chaz M.
I have to say I've been to Not Your Average Joe's many times and have almost never had a negative experience. I've been to this location maybe 5-6 times and I find the food always predictable... and I mean that in a good way. I enjoy the pizzas and burgers and apps. The salads are always fresh and a nice selection with a varied menu. The staff are always friendly and attentive. The bread they server with the oil and cheese is addictive (you need to pace yourself when eating it) I came to Joe's tonight after a partcularly bad experience at another restaurant and this restaurant turned a sour night around.. I am definitely a fan and come here if I'm looking for a casual restaurant with predictably good faire.
(4)Dan D.
High prices. They were out of desserts we wanted. Is this place opening up or shutting down. Way overcrowded, and if you want to drink, cozy up to the bar and spend $10 on an apple martini. But as far as food goes, skip it.
(2)Chad N.
My wife & I took our 2 kids (ages 4 & 2) here for a Sunday evening dinner. We were seated quickly and the atmosphere was nice. The food was high quality, and my wife & I enjoyed our salmon & flank stake entrees. The Asian chicken roll appetizer was excellent, as was the bread & oil dip they gave us to start the meal. The house salads we received with our entrees were very basic and not that great. The kids seemed to enjoy their pasta (we're always thankful when the pasta of choice is something other than spaghetti, which leads to terrible messes). Our main issue was the service, which was SLOOOOWWW. Painfully slow. We made the mistake of ordering the kids' meals with the appetizer, figuring that that our entrees would not be far behind. They delivered these items together, and by the time we received our salads the kids had already finished their meals and were getting antsy. We could tell we were in trouble at that point. There were long delays between every portion of our meal, and by the time we received our entrees we were forced to rush through them. I don't think this was a kitchen issue as much as it was our server not understanding how to space the courses properly. She seemed to think she was doing us a favor by drawing things out, which was not the case. We were in the restaurant from 4:05-5:35. Not Your Average Joe's- please fix this! We want to visit you again, but you really need to improve the timing of your waitstaff.
(3)Heather O.
Had lunch with the ladies there over the weekend. Enjoyed the bread with Olive Oil and Parm/Romano cheese for dipping. My Chipolte Chicken Salad and ice tea were yummy. Refills on our soft drinks were delivered without asking. Reasonably priced bill of $35 for three lunches. (Isn't it amazing how much cheaper going out to eat is when you don't drink alcoholic beverages?) Will be back to try one of the other tempting salads and to score some more of that bread.
(4)David G.
Went out with friends last evening to NYAJ's "Winesday" promotion. The manager allowed us to choose from the entire menu of entrees rather than the more limited promotional choices. Our meals were very tasty and the service was very attentive. Definitely will be returning!
(4)Martha R.
I did return for lunch; the service was much better. The salads were prepared the way we asked; portion sizes and prices just right.
(4)Kalimuthu C.
I have been a great fan of Joe's creations. I like their bread and cheese dipping and could go on it forever....however I always had preference for their Steak Sirloins but for their mashed potatoes and mustart crusted chicken will keep me going to NYAJ.
(4)Frank J.
Nice place. Good, fast service although it seemed like I got a bit of the bum's rush from the bartender. Had a very nice piece of fish cooked well, but everything I tried - including the sides and the salad - was just plain extremely bland. Caesar salad tasted like it had a milk dressing. Garlic mashed potatoes....well hell - I'm all for a low sodium diet, but how about a little seasoning here folks!?!
(2)B M.
pretty good food, a little too salty. They have great deals in the bar and in general the prices on dishes are pretty reasonable. The blazzing chicken finger pizza with blue cheese is the best pizza in the area, but it is not on the menu anymore. They will make it for you though. We have been there a few times, the meatloaf is good, the pasta dishes have all been good and the apps are okay, but too salty. The guacomale is new and very boring, no flavor at all. Service is pretty inconsistent as they seem to have some pushy amatures working there. All in all the place is okay, most dishes won't disappoint. Expect some long waits on the busy nights.
(3)Kathryn S.
We are so lucky to get a restaurant of this quality out here in the burbs. Easily the best food in the area. Chef uses locally sourced foods for some of the special meals. Menu changes frequently. Meals are inventive and everything I have had there is great. Excellent cocktails menu and good drinks. Usually the manager makes the rounds and speaks to the diners - we have been offered free tastes of some specials. When we got an order wrong, it was immediately taken off the bill. Great service, great food.
(4)