Bought Gift Cards = Dine with Steve Silverstein, Founder and CEO I am officially a Not Your Average Joe's Koolaid drinker and with good cause! Honestly, my husband and I have ALWAYS loved this place but the perks are totally unbelievable! Back around November, they had this deal that if you bought $100 in gift cards, you got an extra $20, as I recall. Well, we dine here at least once/week and thought it made a lot of sense to get our money's worth and get some cards. And, if that weren't enough, if you bought $500, you would be invited to dine with the Founder and CEO for a personal event that he throws for his special patrons. We thought, what the heck! Given that we knew that between ourselves or holiday gifts for others, it was a great investment and we were curious to meet the man who created one of our favorite dining spots. Last night was simply MAGICAL! Sitting among others, like ourselves, we were spoiled absolutely rotten! The wine and beer flowed freely (literally) along with various appetizers brought to our tables by our favorite waitstaff. We then were asked which meal off the menu (absolutely anything) we wished to have as our entree. To top it off, they brought out cheesecake for dessert. This was all on the house from Mr. Silverstein as a thank you to us for buying the cards! Crazy - yes; Appreciated - beyond words. Who does that, anyway? Well, Mr. Silverstein is undeniably one of THE most humble, gracious, lovely individuals you could ever want to meet. The satisfaction of knowing he has such a dedicated following truly seems to delight him. He praised his entire staff and thanked all those who attended the event. He spent a great deal of time chatting individually with everyone. He is an amazing individual and has created one of the best eateries around, due, in large part, to his tremendous work ethic and genuine care for those who work for him. You can feel the love among his employees and totally understand why there is so little turnover. The chefs were spot on last night, AS ALWAYS. Everyone clearly had a grand time. Special thanks to our favorite servers - Ashley, Tim, Maria and Sophia as well as management - "G" - you ARE the best! And, if this isn't enough to make you drink the Koolaid, how many restaurants offer you a free entree and a free dessert on your birthday? If you join their NYAJ's club, it comes via e-mail. Don't know how much longer they will be able to offer this as they get ready for a major expansion among their chain. I keep hoping they will make their way to Ft. Myers/Bonita Springs/Naples, FL, area where the Red Sox nation seems to retire to or at least visit during the winter months. Thanks, Mr. Silverstein, for making your establishment feel like home.
(5)
Selene K.
I like the food at NYAJ but the service at this location is really slow. The first time I came here we were on our way out after waiting at our table with no server. The manager stopped us and apologized, we stayed, ate and ended leaving with complementary gift cards. When we returned the service wasn't much better. Nothing like the Newburyport location; much better there. The watermelon sangria is a must to try. Very refreshing, not too sweet, perfect for a summer day.
(2)
Bob B.
Have been to many locations, I do a lot of business meals in the Acton location as it's located near work. But frequent the Methuen location for personal dinning multiple times a week for the last 11 years. Service is always outstanding and in the very rare occasion when something isn't just right, the servers take care of it. You always have management circulating around to check on you whether you're a "regular Joe" like myself or a newbie. Food continues to be outstanding quality. Portions are just right, not too much and not too small. I find the prices good for the level of product and service quality. Some might find them a bit high, I'd say there are alternative restaurants to go to for cheaper prices. Especially if you have kids. I've found over the years if you are pleasant you'll have a pleasant experience. Don't be afraid to ask for something that isn't on the menu, many times they have the ingredients and will make it for you. Now, be reasonable, if they don't have the ingredients/ components to make what you want, then it is what it is. Also if it's crazy busy special request need to take a back seat. I can't and don't blame them for that. Favorite dishes - Herb Encrusted Haddock. It's been on the menu since day one and continues to outstanding. Mustard Crusted chicken, You'll only get it here. It's different but awesome. At least try it once. I bet you'll love it. Apps Crab Cakes, outstanding! this is New England right ;-) Buffalo-caribbean chicken tenders thai chicken lettuce wraps forno baked chicken quesadilla Soups Clam Chowda is always outstanding. My favorite is the Chicken Pepper noodle. Drink Menu This is where I probably would be the most critical. It is weak. Yea, they have about 10 interesting drinks but no longer any signature drink. Many use Ginger now, I'm personally not into the Ginger taste. One Exception, try the Ginger Bread Martini. Now that Hiram Walker doesn't make the Gingerbread liquor any longer they only use the Monin Ginger flavoring. Stirrings isn't making the spiced rimmer any longer so the use a crushed up gram cracker, It's still outstanding. Now they used to have a killer drink on the menu called "Joe's Twisted Tea." (It worked all year round but was at it's absolute perfection during the summer.) You can't get it in any of the locations as they don't stock Firefly Sweet Tea flavored Vodka on the bar any longer. If you are in Methuen, you can order it there. They stock the Vodka for me, yep, you're welcome!
(5)
Stacey C.
The bread dipping oil to start with... Oh my goodness, I could eat it with a spoon! I then had the vegetable lasagna, and was skeptical, but it was so tasty! Not too much, perfect size and perfect amount of cheese. Glorious. Ended dinner splitting the peanut butter thing (yes, that's the actual name) and it was heaven. Noise level was low, no wait to sit on a Thursday night and the waitress was spectacular. I will certainly be back!
(5)
Matthew A.
This place was spot on! We came in at 8:30 on a Sat night and it still was crankin. The food and service was perfect. Oil and bread on the table with in seconds. Drinks not far behind We had the chicken and pepper soup which warmed us right up. We both had burgers with bacon and blue cheese. So so good. Loved the cute little cornichon pickles that came with the burgers. The blueberry microbrew was YUMMY! We both ate for $30.00! That's with 2 drinks and apts. Great atmosphere too.
(5)
Theresa R.
The waitress that we had was very nice as was her service. I brought my family there on Sunday 10/13/13. My mom hardly ever goes out. I suggested this or TGI Fridays. She said let's try somewhere new. OK. Her steak tips were over done. Sent back for new plate. My pork was pink and at that point I sent mine back (never even had one bite after cutting it). The waitress told me that it was an old wives tale and eating pink (I mean rawish) was ok. I had the manager come over and try to convince me to eat it. After about 20 min. my mother was no longer hungry after waiting for long and she had the bill for hers taken off also. It's not the money, but the quality in cooking I'm talking about. It was a real "let down" for someone who hardly ever gets out of the house. I'm wondering what cook told her that it was and old wives tale that it was okay to eat raw pork?
(1)
Dania R.
We just came here for drinks, so this review is based on that experience only... the drink menu is different and delicious. I started with a margarita - I don't remember what it was called, but it came out in a shaker and it was super duper tasty. And huge. Like three margaritas in one. And I couldn't get over how reasonable the price was! Then I had a rum drink... don't remember what it was called either... but after the first sip I was immediately whisked away to a beach somewhere with steel drums and ocean breezes. Well, I wish that was the case. The service was great - very personable, quick, and polite. Much appreciated. Definitely a nice place for happy hour. Parking is easy - HUGE lot and we were seated right away. If I lived close, I'd probably be here with friends after work pretty frequently.
(4)
Sarah S.
This is for sure the best thing about the Loop. I've been here a LOT over the years, and I don't recall ever having a bad experience. I think the last time I went was the day Michael Jackson died, but I doubt it's changed much since then. The food is good, and the atmosphere is nice too. There isn't a whole lot to say about the place, so I'll keep this simple. The bread and oil? Sooo good. The Joe Schmo and margherita pizzas? Mmmmm. The mashed potatoes? Om nom nom. I don't remember what else I've eaten here, but like I said, I can't remember ever having a bad experience.
(4)
Barbara R.
Stopped by for the first time. First started with a pitcher of watermelon sangria which was very good. For appetizer we tried the chicken tenders, which had a great hot/ sweet combination, would definitely order again. We ordered, margarita pizza-- good, chicken parm tower w/spag squash-- yum, wasn't sure about the squash but was pleasantly surprised. Hamburg cooked just right, Caesar salad with chicken was also good. Everyone left happy and full. No room for dessert, server Ryan was very good. Liked the atmosphere and would definitely go back.
(5)
Kyle W.
I give it two stars for good bread. but it was DOUGHY my last visit. The hostess sucks...(big time) the food ehhh....yea well it overall is gross... I mean please... expensive for what you really get. Do not even bother calling ahead for a reservation. They get so overwhelmed they pass out and start seizing.
(2)
Carol M.
I come here repeatedly as it's close to home and GOOD! The focaccia bread & "schmere" is the best.
(5)
Carly M.
soo i went there today and thought okay the menu looks delicious and it will probably be great. my server forgot what i asked for 2 times and was a little out of it when it came to remembering everything. so i got a bacon blue cheese burger.. the burger was juicy...but was completely flavorless and the bacon was burnt. I was completely not satisfied at all. I also ordered an iced tea, you figure if you order an iced tea they would ask if you would like sugar with it since its unsweetened. so the moral of this story is that I will most likely not come back to eat here.
(2)
Laura M.
We have been eating at NYAJ's for years. The food has always been consistently good. I'm not sure if tonight was an off night, or if it's just this location, but tonight was horrible. Average would have been great! We waited for over 1/2 hour on a Monday night. When the food finally came a half hour after we were seated, it was ridiculously bad. The soup was cold. The surf and turf was cold, not to mention that the steak and crab cake were the tiniest portions that I've ever seen. The portions were appropriate for a small child, but for $25.00, it was really unbelievable. The table next to us sent their salad back, and the table next to theirs sent their lettuce wraps back, and I overheard people at the bar complaining about the food as well- so essentially everyone within an earshot was sending back their food. It was just awful. So an hour later, we had bread and water for dinner. We won't be going back there needless to say.
(1)
Laura S.
Bread and oil was awesome, watermelon sangria was awesome. Guacamole and chips were just OK, pesto pasta primavera (summer best fest item) was just average. I always like the Not Your Average House salad. They also have a nice gluten free menu. Service was inattentive, we asked for more bread and he took our oil and bread bowl away, never brought any back. He dropped the leftovers on the table without saying anything. Seemed like he had something better to do than serve us.
(4)
Sheila B.
We keep going back because there is absolutly no reason not too! Food has always been consistent and good. Service has always been good. Love the menu items and descriptions. Yum.
(4)
Allison S.
I have never had a bad experience here! The free bread and oil is so amazing, it's worth going just to sit at the bar and eat this while enjoying some tasty drinks. Salads are excellent, and so are their pizzas. Great service and atmosphere. Would definitely recommend.
(5)
Australia t.
The quality of food and service in the restaurant is consistently great. Their french onion soup is house-made and completely amazing. The waitstaff is friendly and very knowledgable about wine and the specials they are serving. This restaurant sources locally for the ingredients in some of their dishes. They change their specials frequently, and the dishes contain actual flavor and not just different ratios of fat/salt/sugar like most national chain restaurants. They offer $7.50 discount movie tickets. Their italian dishes are consistently better than the Olive Garden (see fat/salt/sugar comment above) and the management is excellent. Also, it is not seat yourself at the tables by the bar so don't cut us in line:)
(5)
Angela M.
I had my first experience here not that long ago-to start, the bread and dip was delicious! For a mean, I got the veggie burger which was also very good. (I recommend it with blue cheese crumbles). However, the real 'wow' factor here was the dessert. I had the creme brulee cheescake-oh my gosh. I have eaten a LOT of desserts in my lifetime and this is among the best. Absolutely incredible, highly recommended!
(5)
Mark A.
I usually hate chains, but Joe's is high above your average chain restaurant. Very creative menu, good pizza, and they usually have good specials...not to mention the onion bread with olive oil is to die for! Drinks are good too..Sangria in the summertime..Mmm
(4)
Jesse B.
This place is extremely tasty for a chain establishment. Even at 2pm, you'll wait for a lunch table. I ordered the seared tuna wontons and the raspberry, candied nut, and goat cheese salad. Both were yummy and fresh. The wait was about an hour for food on a Friday afternoon at 2pm.
(4)
Jess H.
I'm actually surprised at the number of reviews touting NYAJ's as simply average. It's one of my favorite restaurants and has been for years. Whenever I'm home for a weekend and someone wants to go see a movie, I always try to convince him or her to get dinner here, too. I've tried a wide variety of menu items and have been impressed with every single one. The chicken oscar and the carbonara are two of my favorites. The meatloaf is superb, and the seafood items are wonderful. I haven't had pizza, burgers, or salad, because I always try to get something I haven't had before when I go out to eat, but friends have had no problems with any of them. And, as others have mentioned, the free bread and dipping oil is by far the best in the business (although the Texas Roadhouse's honey rolls and sweet butter come in at a close second). I haven't been there since I turned 21 so I can't comment on the cocktail menu, but their flavored teas and Arnold Palmers are fantastic. And the Peanut Butter Thing definitely ranks among my favorite restaurant desserts ever. Service has always been great, and even on busy nights the wait isn't too bad. One time, a friend and I went to Chuck-E-Cheese down the strip a bit while we waited. =) The interior design makes for a very pleasing atmosphere, with the pretty dangly lamps and multicolored paint job. The prices are reasonable and there is always ample free parking at the Loop. I have absolutely no reason not to wholeheartedly recommend NYAJ's. I love it, every aspect, and it ranks among my all-time favorite restaurants. Plus, if you tell them your birthday and email address, you get a coupon once a year that you can use within your birth month.
(5)
Cynthia H.
Nicely trendy sophisticated bar and restaurant right next to the Loews Theater in Methuen. One of the few places north of Andover that has that New York City upper east side local feel. We slip into the bar section, order appetizers and drinks and usually have time to spare before making a movie next door. They serve a wide selection of martinis and the bartenders are fun to talk to. Highly recommend the coconut shrimp appetizer--its a meal in itself. Prices are moderate to expensive, which makes the crowd mainly over 30. Only drawback is that it can be crowded. Love this place, nonetheless.
(4)
Jennifer K.
This is the first, and hopefully, only time that I have to retract a positive review to slap a restaurant back into place. What used to be one of my favorite restaurants has turned into what can only be referred to as mediocre table fare. What happened, NYAJ? You changed the logo, jacked up your prices and starting cutting corners. And not the right corners, it seems. The downward slip started about a year ago, when the economy started failing. While some restaurants have held on and made small changes, in hopes to salvage what they can in a tough time, NYAJ seems to have thrown up their arms and said screw it. Or at least, from someone that has been going to the one in Methuen for several years now, that is how it seems. Or maybe I go on the bad nights? Not saying that every time I have been to NYAJ in the past year has been that bad, the pizza is still good and their dessert menu is fabulous. Though the Dessert Minis are gone? Why?!?! Those were good and a nice ending to the evening. Especially before a late movie, I have stopped in with a friend for a drink and a bit of dessert. The Dessert Minis were nice due to the size of the dish. I could still get popcorn if I wanted at the theater and not feel guilty. Last night had to be my final straw. I ordered a special; the Cranberry Glazed Chicken, and while the glaze was good, the chicken was inedible. It was dry and over cooked. I fear this is due to the cut of meat. My roasted butternut squash had good flavor and the asparagus was crunchy enough. But the over all presentation of the dish seemed slopped together. It wasn't good. The dessert made up for it, we had the fried apple sticks. My dinner companion quipped that he should have skipped his meal altogether (which was also disappointing) and just had sticks. Even the bread, which is usually good, was a disappointment. Half of the pieces were stale and one of the pieces was gooey!?!?!? Please, NYAJ, come back. We miss you. It is hard enough in this area to find a decent restaurant, especially one next to the theater.
(2)
Anya L.
LOVE LOVE LOVE NYAJ's. I come here for date night and girls' night out. The drinks are delish, especially when they have their fresh fruit muddled mojitos. The baked haddock is amazing and I also love the specials that incorporate produce from local farms.
(5)
Jessica P.
The service and food at NYAJ seems to vary quite a bit by location. The food and the service at this restaurant both left a lot to be desired.
(2)
Jeffrey H.
Let's drop the "Not" and then you'll have my opinion on this restaurant. Average. I don't really remember this place after having visited. I know it wasn't gross or bad, but I do remember thinking..."And then what?" The appearance of the place is very cool, despite it's location. For those of you who don't know, it's next to the movie theatre at The Loop...which is an outdoor shopping mall filled with the middle school trash of Methuen, the Andovers, Lawrence, and Haverhill. Try not to trip over a retainer case or their 7th grade attitude when you walk thru. Anyway, so yes, the food is decent with adequate service. The prices are fair and the drinks are alright. The space is cool, but nothing memorable. Sorry Joe, but you is Average!
(3)
dajian x.
Went to joes crab shack across the street. This restaurant is leaps and bounds better in all areas.
(4)
Barry S.
My girlfriend and I have been eating here at least once a month for over a year now and we've never had a bad experience. The food is always fresh and, because they offer such great specials, we get to try something new each and every time. They are very very accommodating with dietary restrictions as well. The pizza is fantastic. The service is always very friendly and the food comes out pretty quick. Drinks are usually a good idea here, they have an expansive wine selection and some decent beers on draft as well. The margaritas are a great choice - $7 gets you a HUGE shaker, or you can get a pitcher for $15. Good stuff. Not Your Average Joes is one of the better restaurants in the Merrimack Valley area, I'd highly recommend this location.
(4)
Riccardo D.
For a chain establishment, this restaurant has their culinary act together. The meal begins with a wire basket full of hearty artisinal bread. It's thick, crunchy, soft in the middle, and loaded with flavor. The bread is served alongside a saucer of rich olive oil mixed with pungent romano cheese. I had a waldorf salad which was breathtakingly delicious. The greens were crisp and uniformly cut. The chicken (not traditional in a waldorf salad but delicious all the same) was charred, marinated, and moist. Thrown in were sun-ripened dried cranberries, pecans, and a stunning sherry vinegar dressing. I wanted to lick the plate. My lunch partners had the encrusted goat cheese salad which they raved about. The stars at this restaurant are the salads. They are amazingly inventive with unique flavors and taste combinations. While our waiter rambled on a little too much about the wine special (at 11:30 A.M.), he was capable and efficient. I have eaten here before enjoyng equally pleasing results. My lunch partners and I plan to make this our signature lunch stop until we have tasted each and every salad. Whomever is creating their menu needs to be cloaned and sent out to other chains who suffer from the mundane and boring.
(4)
Jules B.
Ok, I admit it, I go for the wine and the bread with dipping sauce! But overall the menu has great selections. My favorite dish is the mustard crusted chicken with mashed potatoes. They also have great sweet potato fries. Other perks of this restaurant are that they sell discount movie tickets to AMC which is right next door. And after dinner, if you go to the restaurant with your movie ticket stubs, you get 15% off your bill. I am told that is a well kept secret but it's true!
(4)
Ashley C.
One of my absolute favorites. I love the bread and oil that they give you as soon as you sit down. Their salads are amazing, I particularly like the house salad with chipotle ranch dressing, I have yet to find a dressing I like as much as I like this. Their pizza is also very good. A new thing is that they offer you very cheap movie tickets with your dinner, I love going to Joe's followed by a reasonably priced movie.
(4)
Clara P.
Great atmosphere, good service unfortunately I find the food to be just not that great. Maybe I'm just average :-)
(3)
Linda S.
Great food, decent prices! Have never had a bad meal, app, or dessert here. Oh, I take it back - I did have a bad meal, called the manager and he listened to me respectfully and gratefully and then sent me a $20 gift card in the meal to come back and try again - which I did and loved it again! They take moderate dining and really do it up.
(5)
Busy L.
Been here multiple times and a place we want to love but someone at the party always gets a meal that was fair at best. Chicken Oscar and their scallop entree is very good. Pizza is always a good bet. The bread and dipping oil they give is good but recently the bread was actually refrigerator temperature cold... I have to say they have improved in recent years. We had a button in our food and raw chicken in the past.
(3)
Jenelle T.
Not Your Average Joe's has the BEST bread & oil in the business! The actual menu? Pretty average, as others have mentioned, but not bad. It would be awesome on a nice summer evening to sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere, if it weren't for the 500 teenagers hanging out in front of the movie theater ten feet away! On the plus side, they offer discounted movie tickets with your dinner, so you can save $2 per person at the AMC Theater next door.
(4)
Minda H.
How can you not love the bread and parmesan and crushed red pepper dipping oil that is hearty and delicious enough to be a whole meal if not for the guilt factor. (Um, I think we should order something instead of just pigging out on the free bread...). That bread and oil really is someting. But so is the cocktail menu and the sashimi ahi tuna salad. Looking for "sushi" on the cheap? Get the sashimi tuna salad and you'll be all set. Comes with a fabulous citrus salsa. Go for lunch, same menu, less of a wait.
(4)
J. Scott P.
They do a great job with creative casual cuisine. The marketing team does a fantastic job keeping guests informed of upcoming specials and promotions. The food is always fresh, expertly prepared and service is what one should expect. The prices are a great value for what is received. The only thing that gives me cause for concern is the high turnover of staff from servers to managers. It makes me wonder if they are being treated fairly and yes I do care about how the company I patronize treats its staff.
(4)
Bob B.
Food is awesome. Freshly prepared/cooked. Open to changing things up when asked. The updated management team (Jenn, erin & mark) care about their customers.
(5)
chad m.
The food took FOREVER..........FOREVER. One of the people i was with got blue cheese and avacado in her salad when she asked for no blue cheese in avacado. They took it back. We thought they would just put the gilled chicken on a new salad.... no they re-cooked a new chicken breast. She waited another 35 (or so) minutes. To boot-The food was just not good. Silverware was dirty. Won't go back to this one.
(1)
Shawn F.
What a gem of a restaurant in the middle of suburbia. The interior is pretty hip, and the food is interesting and fairly delicious. My favorite is definitely the mustard-encrusted chicken. Superb. Service is friendly and efficient, and they have good bread to tide you over until your food arrives. Always a pleasure to dine here, even if it means paying a visit to an annoyingly bored suburban wannabe-punk middle-schooler hangout strip mall. (Sorry, I know that last description did not flow well).
(5)
Steve N.
i like their pizza but i have to get it well done otherwise it can be a floppy mess. also, sometimes they will serve me a shot and a beer together, other times they make me keep my shot on the rail below the bar. strange rules here. on the plus side they will let my son (14) sit at the bar with me while we wait for our movie.
(3)
Melissa M.
Good sandwiches and decent pasta dishes. They have a few vegetarian options. Nice atmosphere. I like the booths & the funky light fixtures. I think it's a little bit pricey for the quality of the food.
(4)
Wendy H.
When my Husband and I go to a movie at the Loop, we usually stop here for lunch before. It's a nice way to have some drinks before the film, so if the movie is bad, we don't care as much. We stopped today and ordered off their specials menu, which are items made from locally produced food stuffs. I had the Balsamic Chicken and Brushcetta which came with a small arugula salad. The chicken was outstanding, moist, tender and flavorful. The bruschetta was also very tasty with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese melted on it, the arugula was a little wilted, but it is hard to keep fresh. My husband had the sirloin with horseradish and a wedge of iceberg lettuce with gorgonzola and bacon. They were both excellent. I had the leinenkugel summer shandy which is a lemon beer and very refreshing. My Husband had the Rapscallion Honey ale, which is bitter and sweet, he enjoyed it quite a bit. We split the Key Lime pie for dessert, which was excellent. This is a chain restaurant the way a chain should be done.
(4)
Elizabeth F.
The BEST LOBSTER ROLL I have ever had, so good they serve it on a Grilled Brioche bun,omg it was AWESOME I am coming back..Michelle our waitress was wonderful, I have a Nite allergy and the Manager made they make mine on a separate pan and brought it to my table personally!
I live a stone's throw from The Loop and dine here about once a month. Most recently I used my birthday gift certificate for October. Usually I get together with friends at the Burlington NYAJ's as that is closest to them. We apply the birthday person's gift certificate to the bill. We've never been disappointed there nor I at the Methuen location. Due to busy schedules this year we dined in Methuen. Everything was great. Salmon, steak tips, meatloaf were delicious. Drinks well made. The deserts, including the complimentary one very nice. The waitress was excellent. We had a nice time. Thank you, Dan
(5)
Neal H.
We have been regulars for some time but on our visit last Wednesday we were surprised how we were treated. Because we made the required reservation to use their birthday coupon we were told we had to sit in the bar area. There were plenty of booths available and no one waiting. so much for a nice dinner for 2.
(3)
Benny M.
Great service. Great beers on tap. Food is imaginative, inspired and delicious. Best I had in the area over a week long business trip. Thanks!
(5)
Mike P.
The food was great...atmosphere was bustling and upbeat. We sat at the bar since we were headed to a movie and wanted to catch a quick bite before hand. The only negative was the bartender. Not friendly or experienced. We had to ask for everything and she was slow to greet us and take our order....yes it was a busy Sat night but stocking glasses should happen after you deliver a second round of cocktails when you patrons have empty glasses.
(4)
Kristi Y.
I have been here numerous times, but recently was here twice in one weekend. I ordered the same thing both nights and was blown away at how different the service is from a Friday night to a Monday night. Friday was busy, we got a reservation for 815. The bar was busy too, which is to be expected. Friday I ordered the cranberry-teriyaki butternut squash pizza and the spinach salad. The waitress informed me that I could order the pizza to be personal sized, so that was very helpful of her. The food was great. I was surprised at how good it was. The salad was fresh and had a great balance of ingredients. The pizza was perfect, small dobs of ricotta, lots of butternut squash and some baby spinach and more dobs of the cranberry-teriyaki stuff. It was not at all cheesy, which made it very good. I left rather impressed by the food, especially for the price. Monday, I came back by coincidence. I decided to order the same thing since it was so good last time. After some minor misunderstandings with the waitress who seemed new (getting the smaller sized pizza, understanding that there was no chicken on it as listed in menu etc), I was totally let down. Now, I DO understand that the staff changes from night to night, and Mondays are probably the slowest night, but still... The salad was fine, the pizza was a mess - it was completely covered in ricotta and cheese... yuck. I don't know if there was not any cranberry-teriyaki on it, or if it just got covered... but there certainly was not a lot of butternut squash either. It was like a totally different meal. I would go back, I guess on a busier night. But still amazed at the inconsistency!
(3)
Sabrina M.
Food-10 Service-0 Honestly I really like the food here, the bread is delicious and they have a variety of fun drinks an specials. What made it earn a two star review is the atrocious wait staff, I have gone in and my waitress only came buy the table twice, no lie. Also I do not eat Blue Cheese dressing, so when something comes with blue cheese I ask for ranch instead, NEVER have I gotten ranch, once when I had gone I noticed the dressing was blue cheese (you can tell if it is blue cheese because there will be chunks in blue cheese and no chunks in ranch) and I asked my waitress for ranch instead, she very rudely told me that what I had WAS ranch, I said no it was not she sighed very loudly and rolled her eyes and left the table, she brought me the ranch but did not come back once for the rest of the meal, no refills, no more alcoholic beverages, and no desserts. If they could have a better trained staff who know how to actually be polite and come check if you need refills and such then they would be a five star all the way.
(2)
Frannie Z.
They brought back my favorite Not Your Average Chicken Oscar for the month! Oh, if they would only bring it back permanently, I'd be a happy happy girl. It was just as delicious as I remembered.
(5)
Paul W.
Went to enjoy an evening with my dad and brothers and all four of our dinners were cold and undercooked. Manager comped our dinners and none of our appetizers. Second time in one year I have had a bad experience. Won't try a third. Stay away.
(1)
Amy C.
Okay, I hate to re-up for a third time but seriously...this place is amazing. Went a few days ago for my mom's birthday and the wait was 45 minutes...well worth it!!! The food came out incredibly fast and our server (I can't remember his name) was AWESOME...so friendly, and not in that robotic-I-have-to way, but in a real genuine way. I got some chicken with spaghetti squash creation that was awesome too! The drink menu is fabulous as well, I got a jack and ginger beer but subbed captain for the jack and it was very tasty, went down a little too easily... As much as I dislike chain resteraunts this one is the only one that is consistently phenomenal every time I go. The one in NBPT isn't too shabby either!
(5)
Jenny L.
This place is good. They offer tasty flavor combinations that work well, without seeming like they're trying to hard. I like their mixed drinks. Their desserts are good as well. If you want something slightly different, but not totally out there, this place is sure to have something you'll enjoy.
(4)
Christina K.
I've come here quite a few times. I've never had a bad time here, however I've never had an amazing time here either. It's your basic run of the mill place with nothing too special about it. The place is dimly light for the romantic hippy mood, and it's always usually busy because this place is just an average American dining. They try to be different with various dishes that are influenced from different regions of the world. I've never had a bad time with the food or drinks, but it's nothing special. I do really enjoy the bread and oil in the beginning of the meal. But I haven't had a dish where I was blown away. I have enjoyed the sandwiches and burgers here more than the entrees. I do recommend the grill cheese and soup combo. It was quite good. For the ladies nights I've had here, the pitcher of Sangria is the way to go. The pitcher is great to split between ladies and reasonable priced as well. It's not watered down at all, and has always been a crowd favorite. I do wish they would do lunch specials, I don't think they will. All in all, it's an ok place with ok food. It's not a bad place, but it's not a place where you'll be wowed. If you're in the area, and don't feel like going to fast food or the other places around, then come here.
(3)
cheri t.
Well, this is my 100th review on Yelp and I thought it would be for somewhere I never went to but in the end it happened to be NYAJ, whom I seem to have a love hate relationship with, so it is quite fitting. I have in the past had some not so great meals here, however, today was Excellent!, My husband and I ate at the bar for apps and drinks and we took advantage of the 50% off on all appetizers, that is really a great deal. We had the wontons, spring rolls and flatbread pizza, all great. I highly recommend going here!
(5)
Felicha G.
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(5)
Karen S.
I live nearby, so this is one of my mainstays...for that reason. It's good. A solid "good." But not very consistent, particularly with takeout. I love the Cobb salad: One time it will be perfect and a good portion, another time it is sparse and missing the avocado and/or the corn or bacon. One time it was missing the bleu cheese. This really isn't acceptable, especially for a salad that is far from cheap. The crab cakes are great -- as long as I order them "the old way." Apparently, the new recipe calls for greens that looks and taste like yard clippings, complete with big stems. But they are happy to make it "the old way" (with delicate mixed greens), so I'm fine with that. To be honest, I would make a trip there weekly simply to get the ahi tuna appetizer. It is consistently great and absolutely delicious!
(3)
Chris M.
The menu here has gotten better. As with any chain, service is hit or miss. The menu does change every few months and they have some great German food in October along with some Oktoberfest and pumpkin drafts.
(3)
Jay A.
If diarrhea is something you're willing to deal with, I can recommend the wontons. They are EXCELLENT, you just shouldn't have plans for the evening. If you have plans for the evening, I'd recommend their bread and oil.
(2)
Cindi W.
We were just looking for an easy bite. We waited for ten minutes at a terribly sticky table and got no attention and left. Noisy and crowded....if your into that sort if thing.
(1)
Lin E.
Love this place. I have always had a great experience. I've been in on a weekday afternoon, several early evenings, and tonight later evening. I went on Veteran's Day (Monday) at 7PM. The place was full except for 1-2 tables, so we were seated right away. Like most people, who doesn't love fresh bread to dip into a plate of olive oil, parmesan cheese and spices? We ordered two fancy drinks and appetizers. I do not know what "buffalo-carribean chicken tenders" actually means, but they were delicious. They didn't taste like buffalo tenders at all, the red hot spicy kind, but they were great and I'll get them next time too. The pina colada was very nice (It's my drink; I order it everywhere) and came in a nice, big glass making it feel like I got my money's worth for the drink. Good place - check it out! Oh, they close at 9:00 and my friend and I were talking and didn't even notice that it was 9:30 and we were the only people in there. If I was working there I'd have kicked our a$$es out, but they were very gracious. We tipped high an hour before and were just sitting with a glass of water talking, but I was a bit surprised when I looked up and was like, "Umm... I think they closed and we are still inside." Honestly, they were sweet to let our oblivious selves come to realize this on our own.
(5)
Mark M.
April is "Wine Month"! Great... Except if you like white wine. They're out of 3 of the 5 white wines on the special menu. Bad planning.
(3)
Julie H.
It really is kinda just average overall, No problem tho.. they had some excellent food and some playlist that was kinda going along with the overall theme of the night based on the clientelle and employees I saw.. lady gaga, ace of base, and madge. Good service, good food, and a good time! Me likey! Oh the decor is definitely late 90 to early 2000... kinda average decor, actually! funny!
We were going to a Thursday midnight movie at the AMC at the Loop but wanted a place to watch the Celtics game before. I wanted to go to Not Your Average Joe's in the first place, but BF saw the TGIFriday's and wanted to check it out. The bar at TGIF was crazy busy, so my wish prevailed, and we sat at the sparsely populated bar to watch the game. The restaurant had a special for the game: two appetizers and a cheese pizza for $20. Score! We ordered some ahi tuna things and calamari for our apps, followed by our pizza. Everything was promplly served, hot, and delicious. The bar selection is all right too, with the expected Sam Adams and Harpoon and the unexpected Dogfish Head. While the result of the game was highly unsatisfactory and the movie a slight disappointment, the food and experience were not.
(3)
Kate M.
Come here for their starting "snack", like an appetizer, but its free. The "homemade" bread with their oil dressing with parmesan cheese, pepper and some other things really does justice for this restaurant. It's amazingly good. Food prices are okay, bad if you're on a $10 budget since everything else is above that range. Nice atmosphere, comfortable seats, friendly workers. Come here and eat with friends.
(4)
Keith M.
Turkey BLT with salad. Fresh Turkey, but dry - check. Hardly any bacon - check. Too much mayo - check. Salad with lettuce and nothing else - check. Slow service in the mid-afternoon with a 3/4 full room - got that too. meh.
(2)
Matt G.
This NYAJ is pretty nice, it has a outside sitting area. Went for lunch, it was beautiful out so it was the highlight. The thing to make a note of, we went for lunch and service is overall slow. The servers were to busy texting on their phones to be focused on speed. The food was okay, overall not bad experience but a OKAY one.
(3)
Michele P.
If your in southern NE and looking for a great place to meet friends in a central spot, this was so easy to get to being right off the highway. Food was good and so was service. We had three toddlers with us and the waitstaff was very patient. We will be back again. :)
(3)
Michael L.
I recently received my complimentary birthday coupon and was looking over the menu on line. I was in the mood for steak and a movie. I have had sirloin strip before at NYAJ but I only saw a "steak frites". When I got to the restaurant I asked the bartender Mindy what that was, not knowing what a steak frite OR a hanger steak was. She went onto explain that a hanger steak is a cut of beef steak prized for its flavor. Derived from the front of a cow and is supposed to be the best part. In the past, it was sometimes known as "butcher's steak" because butchers would often keep it for themselves rather than offer it for sale. When she was done I was convinced this is what I wanted. While I was waiting, the manager on duty, I heard him called "G", but not sure what his real name is, came over and welcomed me and shook my hand. The meal was FANTASTIC, as I expect from Joe's. I mentioned to Mindy that it would be helpful if they had a picture or at least a description in the menu, like she gave me, as this is a higher priced item and more people may be interested in buying it. if Mindy hadn't been so helpful and took the time to explain all this to me, I never would have tried it. Overall it was a pleasant and very enjoyable experience. This is why Joe's is one of my favorite places!! OH and I got the movie voucher as well, to complete my birthday day.
(4)
Scott H.
Went for a birthday celebration. We were seated promptly. The food and service were excellent. Always fresh and interesting twists on American fare. We've never had a bad experience at Joe's. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Heidi N.
Great place, it is my first visit to this NYAJ and it is my Birthday. You get a free dinner and dessert if its your birthday :) You do havr to sign up for their email but so worth it.
(5)
Alli E.
My recent trip to NYAJs was fantastic. Came here before a movie on a Friday evening, so I called ahead. When we arrived, the place was very busy, but we didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes to be seated. I think our table was directly below the AC vent because we were freezing! The manager on duty (I believe his name was G) noticed us bundled in our sweatshirts and asked if we were cold. Within a few minutes, there was a noticeable difference and the temperature was a million times better! I also noticed G making his way around the restaurant to ensure everyone was satisfied. It's great to see a manager who is so friendly and actively trying to improve the customers' dining experience! Our drinks came out quickly and the food was perfect. Our server also informed us that you can get discounted movie tickets through the restaurant if you dine there (I'm pretty sure she said $8 per ticket- I paid $11.25 online!). This is good to keep in mind if you plan to grab dinner there before a movie. I will certainly be back!
(5)
Mark S.
In 2001 to 2004, I used to go to this place at times and order take out. I remember getting the Joe Burger with cheese, caremelized onions, and I believe bacon, the buffalo chicken strips appetizer, and the chicken quesadilla appetizer. So good! This place is the best restaurant at the Loop. The design they used for the restaurant was very cool.
(5)
Amanda N.
Ate here for the first time to celebrate our birthdays. It was not too busy for a Monday night, but we had made reservations just in case. We were seated right away (15 mins early) and our waitress and our hostess were both very pleasant. She was prompt with ordering and bringing out our meals and drinks, and checking in on us. We ordered drinks (The Front Porch & Pomegranate Passion). My husband thought the Front Porch was a little too strong, not as in too much liquor, but as in the flavors didn't mix well and the alcohol was all you could taste. My Pomegranate Martini on the other hand was delicious! We ordered the buffalo-caribbean chicken tenders (hand-breaded and tossed with our addictive mango-buffalo barbeque sauce, served with pineapple-jalapeno salsa and blue cheese dip) they were delicious. Just a little bit of spice but good flavor, and the pineapple salsa was interesting but a good compliment. For entrees we ordered Vietnamese Salmon (curry spices add an exotic twist to grilled fresh salmon, served over rice noodles with snap peas, fresh herbs and chopped peanuts in a lime-infused chili broth) - Husband said this was only ok. Salmon was a little overcooked, and the meal was not that flavorful or as spicy as he would have liked/thought by the ingredients. & Mediterranean Chicken (lemon and garlic marinated chicken breasts with an arugula, olive, cucumber, tomato and feta salad, with edamame hummus) - this was really good but had an interesting presentation on a long rectangular plate (kind of made it hard to eat. Also, the "salad" that it comes with has Red Onions, I wish it said it as I had to pick them out. Overall, the flavors of the dish came together well. The edamame hummus (first timeI've had it) was surprisingly good and not too strong as a flavor. The "salad" was good; freshly made with fresh ingredients. The chicken was cooked to perfection. Overall, we were happy with our meals and plan on visiting again to try out some of the other interesting food on the menu.
(4)
Blair A.
Two words for you: bread and cheese. Technically that's three words if you count the "and", which I do not. I am a carb-a-holic. No, seriously. If I could sustain myself on gluten and cheese alone I'd do it in .5 seconds flat. Alas, I cannot, for my tummy isn't iron clad, but if I did I'd fly all the way back to Methuen to try! The onion foccacia bread is scrumptious. The oil and parmesan/romano dipping sauce is to die for. Let me say that again, TO DIE FOR. I've never been to this chain and I'm sad they don't have them in Texas. Our first course was the Chicken Lettuce Wraps. I'm used to wraps that are Asian inspired, not doused in mayo, but these were pretty good. They come three to an appetizer plate and were large and satisfying. For dinner I tried the Cobb Salad with Orange Sesame Dressing. It was really good! The dressing was sweet and tangy and absolutely delectable. I nearly thought about asking for a container of the cheesy oil that's used for dipping the bread as my dressing but was afraid of the weird looks I'd likely get from my waiter. At 430 pm this place filled up quickly and was active with patrons coming and going. Our waitress was almost nowhere to be found ever. She'd randomly appear and say things like, "I'll get you more water" but then never showed up again. We waited 20 minutes for her to show up with our credit card in the bill and she never appeared. Odd, when I was a waitress I wanted to get paid. Just saying. Overall, Not Your Average Joe's was definitely not average when it came to the bread and dip, but rather average from a service standpoint. Three stars.
(3)
Anna T.
I went here with some friends a few weeks ago before we saw a movie. I had never been to this restaurant before, but was told it was good. The food was really good, I had the salmon over noodles in a curry sauce. Curry sauce was not really spicy, salmon was cooked well, and the flavors were really nice. Good portions too, I got two small meals out of it! While the food was good, the service was anything but. The waitress we had was nice, but she was not very attentive; we had to ask for more water several times and she took away my friends lemonade before she was finished with it. It was as good as your typical chain restaurants with mediocre service. I will say though that my friends had a birthday coupon that they were unable to print out and the restaurant granted them the coupon anyway after checking their system, which was nice.
(3)
John O.
Oue experience - horrible. Place was noisy and waiting inside was awkward. Service was lousy. Waiter was goofy and not interested in serving us (we sat outside and he was checking out other people as he talked). Food wasn't very good. My gf couldn't eat her food and my fish wasn't very good. Fries were good but were all small bits. Even the manager wasnt personable when he came over. Drinks were good though but not good enough to save this visit. Too many better places out there. Never return.
(1)
Chuck C.
Seated at the bar. Martini was prepared perfectly. Food was served fast, fresh, correctly. No mistakes. Professional service. Clean place. Couldn't give 5 stars 'cause I need to go a couple more times to assess consistency. Enough said.
(4)
Danny B.
I found myself at another chain, but luckily a good chain restaurant that usually leads to a good meal. While the wait can sometimes be excessive, this location of Joe's, as well as the one in Newburyport, has quality in it. The best part has to be the first impression: the bread with cheese and olive oil. I'm always a sucker for such things, and Joe's certainly aims to please with this beginning. My family and I enjoyed all of our dishes, ranging from the waldorf salad, squash ravioli starter, chicken piccata, and chicken farfalle. The wine list was pretty good too, and the atmosphere is always upbeat and lively. Overall, I'm a fan, so enjoy Joe's after a movie or shopping excursion!
(3)
Ralph F.
Good place for a bite and a beer before (or after) a movie. They have a good beer selection and a much better menu than you'd expect. I happen to be a big fan of the Mediterranean Chicken dinner and the meatloaf. The service is usually good, but when they get really busy the wait times can get a bit rough, even just to get a re-fill.
(3)
Nico H.
Good food. Good atmosphere. Nice bar. Hip. It's sort like the Cheesecake Factory but with better lighting.
(4)
Steven T.
Came with family on my visit home, I live in New York City. As so, my standards have been high returning to small town settings like Methuen in terms of service and such. The host was warm and welcoming, I believe her name was Rebecca. We were hesitant about the menu, she reassured us of certain menu items and made great suggestions. Our server, Judy, was attentive and delightful. We like to have a slow coursed meal, she was very accommodating about that and was eager to express the different tastes of the drink and dinner menu. Also shoutout to the bartender (whose name I did not get).
(5)
Kim D.
The bread & Olive oil mixture was awesome. Beef tips were a little over done but had great flavor. The jambalia was good. Service good as well.
(4)
Chilly P.
The Loop is only five minutes away from my home and I've tried all the restaurants in the Loop but never NYAJ. It just never happened until last night. My party and I had a reservation for a birthday dinner. We were greeted by a wonderful team and served by a knowledgeable and friendly waitress. It was a Saturday night - so it was extremely busy but our waitress was on point the entire night - refilling our drinks without us asking, clearing our table when needed and constantly checking up on us. Their menu is awesome - there's a wide variety of dishes to choose from. The portions and presentation is perfect. Our dishes came out at the same time which is impressive because usually with a large party, it rarely happens! I decided on the sirloin tips which came with mashed potatoes and green beans - it was delicious. I tried my cousin's breaded chicken and that was juicy and flavorful. I know the bread and dipping oil is a favorite here but we actually thought the bread was too thick and chewy. The oil was tasty but we prefer a lighter, crispier bread. We had the Peanut Butter Thing for dessert and it mouthwatering! I'm only giving NYAJ four stars because it's hard to give a thorough review with only one visit. I can't believe I've waited this long to try. Their service hands down deserves five stars. We really enjoyed our experience but I really want to visit again soon so I can try their appetizers and a more unique entree.
(4)
Mike G.
Went back here today because we got a $25 gift card from the manager because we gave it two stars last review. Update. Went today with my girlfriend. They dont serve SHED mountain ale anymore but had a similar brew. Ordered a southern burger. Girlfriend ordered a pizza with sliced mozzarella. So fortunately they had sweet potato fries...but theyre actually wedges. The first order of bread we got, was so hard I could barely chew it. The second batch was much better. Getting back to our orders....so they were out of sliced mozzarella so my gf had to get shredded. Not sure what it is with this place but we cant come here and get an order with all products in stock. This tells me they have a slight inventory problem. So....the pizza she got was excellent. Ive never had tried a tastier pizza. My burger on the other hand, the meat was good, but the bun was soaked in grease. So much I still have a stomach ache from it. sweet potato WEDGES were good. I was disappointed because apart from the grease bun, it didnt have onion strings, just raw red onions. I think this place should sell pizza....It was amazing and probably the best thing Ive had there. I think this restaurant needs to fix their inventory, and cut back on the grease, and they'd be ok in my book. I'll be back when I'm sick of the other restaurants in the area. Adding an extra star for the pizza.
(3)
Michael G.
Great place for great food. The Mona Lisa Salad is incredible. Chicken encrusted pieces, fried to perfection over a nice mix of greens, and strawberries make this dish filling and refreshing. The service is quick and friendly and the prices are in a very affordable range. Though a little crowded and noisy at times it is a nice place to take your family or group.
(4)
R M.
My friends and I all live out of town, and have for a while now. One of our friends is visiting from where she now lives--the Carolinas--and so we are all traveling 2-5 hours later tonight to have dinner out while she's in Boston. Although we don't live in the area any more, we remember the nice food and friendly service we used to enjoy at Joe's. When we reunite every so often, Joe's is always a serious venue consideration, because we feel happy to give them our money. For those of you Yelpers who leave crappy reviews on the FREE bread after the manager is nice enough to give you a $25 gift card: you suck. You're the reason that restaurant staff hate everyone. You ruin it for the rest of us. You probably only eat at failing restaurants that offer (bogus) 90% off Groupons. To the Yelper named George: Your fries were cut into wedge shapes?? GOSH. How do you find the will to carry on? You're *entitled* to instruct the chef on how he should cut his potatoes....after all, you're leaving a whopping 10% tip on that Groupon'd meal tonight. Ugh. I hope you contract anal warts! It may be odd to write a review BEFORE our meal,* but I'm doing so to balance out some of the obnoxious reviews I've seen of Joe's on Yelp tonight. It's important to recognize restaurant staff (both in the kitchen and in the dining areas) who work hard to create a nice experience for their diners. We can tell that there are so many people who are working hard to show us a good time when we eat at places like Joe's. The six or so of us girls who will be dining tonight are doing so because Joe's has left an impression with six girls who live far away. We look forward to tonight's dinner a and recommend that you check out Joe's as well! *It might also be odd to mention anal warts in a restaurant review. What can I say? I love food and I hate obnoxious patrons.
(5)
Brian W.
This NYAJ location is similar to all the others I've been to. The food is always decent and the prices are always lower than what you'd expect to pay. This location was super busy around dinner time with the movie theater right next door so be sure to make a reservation in advance (nice and easy to make reservations on their website). They have a gluten free menu and gluten free bread available, which is a nice treat for my Celiac wife. The drinks are always made well and the prices are reasonable at $8 instead of $15 at a steakhouse. The entrees always sound better on the menu than they look/taste, but I didn't leave disappointed. I had the seasonal pork chop with some awesome apple chutney and some overly sticky candied brussels sprouts. Wife had the gluten free quesadilla and loved every bite. We usually skip dessert, but the gluten free carrot cake was too good to pass up - highly recommended.
(4)
Leo Z.
I stopped going here a long time ago, the menu was ho-hum & never changed. Stopped in recently and was pleasantly surprised. It looks like they opened up the bar area and re-did the menu from my last visit (several years ago). Our waitress was very attentive & pleasant. The place was full and was clean & inviting. The prices were competitive. The menu looked to have something for everyone. I had a the chicken mona lisa and the veggie egg rolls as an app. They did a good job. Nice to see a corporate restaurant that has stepped it up. I'll be going back!
(4)
Margaret J.
Slooooow service w no I've in the restaurant. Then we ordered salads and had to wasaasiiiit forever. Cesar salad had no taste of anchovies or garlic. The goat cheese salad was raved about by my guest It'll be a while before I return.
(2)
Bob B.
It kind of is your average Joe's. I had the Asian Chicken Dumplings and the Chicken Enchiladas. The Dumplings were tasty, but not earth shattering. The Chicken Enchiladas were a bit too creamy for me. They do have a cocktail with whiskey and ginger beer that is pretty tasty.
(3)
Kim S.
I've been a fan of Not Your Average Joe's for a long time. I usually go to the one in Westborough, MA when I lived in MA. And I always walked out happy and satisfied with my meal. Now my buddies and I are doing our annual Christmas lunch here at Joe's in Methuen location. The first time, I ordered Jambalaya and it didn't blew me away. Everything just felt kind of dried. Even the bread for the table. It just didn't leave me with a memorable note like all other times when I visited Joe's in Westborough. Nonetheless, we made our way to Joe's again yesterday for our second annual lunch. Again .. everything was 3.5 stars good, but not as good as it used to be..which was 4. I ordered rosemary skewered scallops. Scallops were pan seared just a tad too well done, but they had good flavor. Succotash of couscous, spinach, butternut squash, and bacon was good the first few bites. Then my palette felt overwhelmed with orange-chipotle chili glaze. There was just a lot of sweetness which I'm not a fan of sweets, especially for lunch. I wish there were more of spinach mixed in succotash, that might break up some of the sweetness a bit. I also think the dish was a bit pricey for lunch and for the size of scallops that I got. And when I checked up online for the menu, it seemed like they gave us dinner menu instead of lunch? Perhaps there's no lunch menu on the weekends? Aaanyway... I also tried meatloaf a few bites, it was good. I like a hint of bbq sauce and the meat was juicy. My hubby was pretty happy with his entree. I would still come back to Joe's. I like that they change menu often and offer us with creative foods. And another thing that I LOVE about Joe's is that they don't give you foam boxes for your left over, but paper material boxes instead. I will always support an establishment that's helping preserving our environment.
(3)
Nikki T.
Love coming here every other month or so. I've had just about everything on the menu but I particularly like their special seasonal menu they have every month. I love the fact they toss up the change in style and flavors it's very refreshing, and the bread and oil mixture is awesome! Plus all the staff are so pleasant and attentative of their guests, good job!
(4)
Brenda R.
Not happy, the last 3 visits! And only 1 vegan, vegetarian option a rice burger! Try putting rice between 2 pieces of a roll and see what happens the fries were brown and very small bits.
(3)
Jim W.
When I order a martini at a bar, I don't think I'm asking too much when I expect it to be COLD. I ordered a smash berry cosmo. It was in front of me in 60 seconds flat. I took a sip and blech. Warm. It would be nice if you filled the glass with ice to chill it and shake the shit out of the shaker before pouring. None of that happened. I asked for some ice. Ordered the Caribbean buffalo chicken app that was mediocre at best. I liked the bread and oil for dipping (who doesn't). Chewed and screwed, had to get to the cinema, movie was about to start.
(2)
Matthew F.
Seevice 10 Food 10 Eating outside... Added bonus! I would come back and i recommend it
(5)
Earl G.
Anniversary of first January 10 205. Food is great. Service professional. Prices reasonable for size and quality. Perfect bread and dipping olive oil serviced quickly.atmosphere nice for drink and app or full meal. Noise level fair to moderate. Have been back many times.
(5)
Heather S.
great food and staff and amazing gluten free menu
(5)
I. R.
It's not as good as it used to be unfortunately. I had a salad there and it was of low quality for the price and the rest of the menu is a bit mundane. The service is good and I can't say I ever had problems. Love the bread even though last time I went it was very cold.
We had a wonderful dinner tonight and were served by Andrew (a witty and knowledgable waiter!) We started with the goat cheese salad (delicious, a tiny bit too much dressing) and selected the meatloaf and mustard chicken for our entrees. Both were cooked perfectly and we enjoyed them infinitely. Well done NYAJ's! I would absolutely return.
(4)
Changun S.
+: typical consistent chain restaurant food....the menu items and drink specials changes so its refreshing to have/try different items...they improved the flat bread pizza and they now use fresh dough....so this tastes better -: still gets crowded!!! esp
(4)
Katniss S.
Great food, nice selection, fair prices. I eat at NYAJ's about once a month with family or with friends, for dinner or lunch. Never been disappointed! The food is very high quality, some of the best around, with lots of great choices, even for those avoiding meat. We love the half-price apps for happy hour. My kids have always been welcome here and treated nicely. Service is always top-notch. Best kept secret is their awesome veggie side dishes. Can even make a meal of these with some yummy soup! Try the grilled brussells sprouts with maple syrup--divine! I love the sun-drenched dining room for lunch with friends or business associates. It's not a "cheap" meal, but it's the best food in the area.
(4)
Lucy A.
Love this place. Any dish I get is done well without any compliant. You guys put a lot of love into you meal prep. The combination of flavors is beautiful. Recently went and our waiter Saul was great! Very attentive, polite, and professional. All other waiter are always great but he was worth finally putting a review. Keep up the good work! Please add Marin to your white wine please :)
(5)
Danielle A.
Good food, Love the bread ... However saw a mouse on the floor once and that kind of put a damper on things.
(4)
Erika O.
Really good drinks and food!! The bread and oil is addicting!!!! I really can't get enough of it!! I love their weekly specials as well
(5)
Sara B.
I've been here on several occasions in the past but will likely not be returning. The service was slow and unfriendly, not to mention the cobb salad with chicken completely disagreed with me (not sure what was wrong with it). This place used to be great but I think I will be choosing another restaurant in the future when I want American fare.
(2)
Amy M.
I can't believe I've never written a review for this place...I've been 2-3/yr for the past 5 yrs now, and am rarely anything but delighted - quite a surprise for a chain restaurant. Why do I keep coming back? It's convenient to meet friends from MA here, there's abundant parking, the food and service is consistently good, prices are reasonable, and the menu changes often enough to keep things interesting. Oh and they are super flexible about swapping sides :-) On those rare occassions when something isn't "right", the management remedies the situation quickly, with both courtesy and generosity. My favorite things here: Tuna Nachos (app - 1/2 price in bar M-F 3-6pm). Joe's Mustard Crusted Chicken Scallops on Rosemary (OMG - had that last visit and can't wait to go back - 5 stars for this dish!!) Peanut Butter 'Thing" - a desert more than enough for 2 people, worth breaking the diet for!! My only request is for the Methuen restaurant to offer some of the specials at other locations (like Oyster and Martini Mondays!). THAT would get me there at least twice as often ;-)
(5)
Gevorg K.
When talking about chain restaurants, there aren't many better than Not Your Average Joe's. The Methuen location is definitely the best place to eat in the Loop. They offer an extensive menu that changes often in order to keep things fresh and lively. Their food is fresh and appears and tastes cooked to order unlike most chain restaurants that serve frozen, heated up meals. I have been pleased with the quality of every meal I've consumed at NYAJ, both in terms of taste as well as price. Each meal begins with complimentary bread and a delicious olive oil/garlic/parmesan mixture. The best feature about this NYAJ location is the staff. On my last two visits, there were minor mix-ups with my meal. First, they accidentally put the wrong cheese on my pizza. They immediately came out and informed me of the situation, offered me both pizzas if I wanted, threw in a free soup of my choice (on a side note, their tomato basil soup is amazing), and when it came time to pay the bill, they had taken the cost of my portion of the meal off the bill. During a visit last week, I had called ahead for a 7 pm pick-up. When I got there, they told me that they had forgotten to put the order through. The food was ready by 7:15 which wasn't much of a wait in my eyes, but the manager went ahead and covered the entire cost of the order since I had to wait past my scheduled pick-up time. I have never received such orderly, caring service in my life. Will definitely continue to go here.
(4)
Kristin K.
The service is a crapshoot. I've walked out 25 minutes after having been seated then never again acknowledged. But honestly, the food is pretty awesome. If you have a good waiter/waitress, then you'll really enjoy your experience and be sure to save room for dessert. There's always something new and amazing whenever I go, which is only once or twice a year cuz the line is usually out the door.
(4)
Linda P.
One of my very favorite restaurant chains - never disappointed. The bread and dipping oil is excellent, and I have not had a bad menu item. Their specials are usually quite good and they have nice cocktails at a reasonable price. If you want a quick bite before the movies (right next door), NYAJ is a really good choice.
(5)
Rose B.
My husband and I were at Joes for dinner on Thursday. It was my birthday, and I had my complimentary coupon. The service, and food were outstanding! Joes does not skimp, complimentary or not. This is one of our favorite restaurants. I cannot praise them enough. I highly recommend the new Autumn menu and the pumpkin cheese cake is to die for!
(5)
Looking F.
This is my favorite restaurant. I have been to this place almost 25 times. Every time I go they treat us with a big smile and have excellent customer service . We have tried almost everything on their menu. They do offer movie tickets of AMC in 8 bucks if u dine there. It's a ideal place to go for dinning and then movie , shopping etc. .
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Bonnie B.
Bought Gift Cards = Dine with Steve Silverstein, Founder and CEO I am officially a Not Your Average Joe's Koolaid drinker and with good cause! Honestly, my husband and I have ALWAYS loved this place but the perks are totally unbelievable! Back around November, they had this deal that if you bought $100 in gift cards, you got an extra $20, as I recall. Well, we dine here at least once/week and thought it made a lot of sense to get our money's worth and get some cards. And, if that weren't enough, if you bought $500, you would be invited to dine with the Founder and CEO for a personal event that he throws for his special patrons. We thought, what the heck! Given that we knew that between ourselves or holiday gifts for others, it was a great investment and we were curious to meet the man who created one of our favorite dining spots. Last night was simply MAGICAL! Sitting among others, like ourselves, we were spoiled absolutely rotten! The wine and beer flowed freely (literally) along with various appetizers brought to our tables by our favorite waitstaff. We then were asked which meal off the menu (absolutely anything) we wished to have as our entree. To top it off, they brought out cheesecake for dessert. This was all on the house from Mr. Silverstein as a thank you to us for buying the cards! Crazy - yes; Appreciated - beyond words. Who does that, anyway? Well, Mr. Silverstein is undeniably one of THE most humble, gracious, lovely individuals you could ever want to meet. The satisfaction of knowing he has such a dedicated following truly seems to delight him. He praised his entire staff and thanked all those who attended the event. He spent a great deal of time chatting individually with everyone. He is an amazing individual and has created one of the best eateries around, due, in large part, to his tremendous work ethic and genuine care for those who work for him. You can feel the love among his employees and totally understand why there is so little turnover. The chefs were spot on last night, AS ALWAYS. Everyone clearly had a grand time. Special thanks to our favorite servers - Ashley, Tim, Maria and Sophia as well as management - "G" - you ARE the best! And, if this isn't enough to make you drink the Koolaid, how many restaurants offer you a free entree and a free dessert on your birthday? If you join their NYAJ's club, it comes via e-mail. Don't know how much longer they will be able to offer this as they get ready for a major expansion among their chain. I keep hoping they will make their way to Ft. Myers/Bonita Springs/Naples, FL, area where the Red Sox nation seems to retire to or at least visit during the winter months. Thanks, Mr. Silverstein, for making your establishment feel like home.
(5)Selene K.
I like the food at NYAJ but the service at this location is really slow. The first time I came here we were on our way out after waiting at our table with no server. The manager stopped us and apologized, we stayed, ate and ended leaving with complementary gift cards. When we returned the service wasn't much better. Nothing like the Newburyport location; much better there. The watermelon sangria is a must to try. Very refreshing, not too sweet, perfect for a summer day.
(2)Bob B.
Have been to many locations, I do a lot of business meals in the Acton location as it's located near work. But frequent the Methuen location for personal dinning multiple times a week for the last 11 years. Service is always outstanding and in the very rare occasion when something isn't just right, the servers take care of it. You always have management circulating around to check on you whether you're a "regular Joe" like myself or a newbie. Food continues to be outstanding quality. Portions are just right, not too much and not too small. I find the prices good for the level of product and service quality. Some might find them a bit high, I'd say there are alternative restaurants to go to for cheaper prices. Especially if you have kids. I've found over the years if you are pleasant you'll have a pleasant experience. Don't be afraid to ask for something that isn't on the menu, many times they have the ingredients and will make it for you. Now, be reasonable, if they don't have the ingredients/ components to make what you want, then it is what it is. Also if it's crazy busy special request need to take a back seat. I can't and don't blame them for that. Favorite dishes - Herb Encrusted Haddock. It's been on the menu since day one and continues to outstanding. Mustard Crusted chicken, You'll only get it here. It's different but awesome. At least try it once. I bet you'll love it. Apps Crab Cakes, outstanding! this is New England right ;-) Buffalo-caribbean chicken tenders thai chicken lettuce wraps forno baked chicken quesadilla Soups Clam Chowda is always outstanding. My favorite is the Chicken Pepper noodle. Drink Menu This is where I probably would be the most critical. It is weak. Yea, they have about 10 interesting drinks but no longer any signature drink. Many use Ginger now, I'm personally not into the Ginger taste. One Exception, try the Ginger Bread Martini. Now that Hiram Walker doesn't make the Gingerbread liquor any longer they only use the Monin Ginger flavoring. Stirrings isn't making the spiced rimmer any longer so the use a crushed up gram cracker, It's still outstanding. Now they used to have a killer drink on the menu called "Joe's Twisted Tea." (It worked all year round but was at it's absolute perfection during the summer.) You can't get it in any of the locations as they don't stock Firefly Sweet Tea flavored Vodka on the bar any longer. If you are in Methuen, you can order it there. They stock the Vodka for me, yep, you're welcome!
(5)Stacey C.
The bread dipping oil to start with... Oh my goodness, I could eat it with a spoon! I then had the vegetable lasagna, and was skeptical, but it was so tasty! Not too much, perfect size and perfect amount of cheese. Glorious. Ended dinner splitting the peanut butter thing (yes, that's the actual name) and it was heaven. Noise level was low, no wait to sit on a Thursday night and the waitress was spectacular. I will certainly be back!
(5)Matthew A.
This place was spot on! We came in at 8:30 on a Sat night and it still was crankin. The food and service was perfect. Oil and bread on the table with in seconds. Drinks not far behind We had the chicken and pepper soup which warmed us right up. We both had burgers with bacon and blue cheese. So so good. Loved the cute little cornichon pickles that came with the burgers. The blueberry microbrew was YUMMY! We both ate for $30.00! That's with 2 drinks and apts. Great atmosphere too.
(5)Theresa R.
The waitress that we had was very nice as was her service. I brought my family there on Sunday 10/13/13. My mom hardly ever goes out. I suggested this or TGI Fridays. She said let's try somewhere new. OK. Her steak tips were over done. Sent back for new plate. My pork was pink and at that point I sent mine back (never even had one bite after cutting it). The waitress told me that it was an old wives tale and eating pink (I mean rawish) was ok. I had the manager come over and try to convince me to eat it. After about 20 min. my mother was no longer hungry after waiting for long and she had the bill for hers taken off also. It's not the money, but the quality in cooking I'm talking about. It was a real "let down" for someone who hardly ever gets out of the house. I'm wondering what cook told her that it was and old wives tale that it was okay to eat raw pork?
(1)Dania R.
We just came here for drinks, so this review is based on that experience only... the drink menu is different and delicious. I started with a margarita - I don't remember what it was called, but it came out in a shaker and it was super duper tasty. And huge. Like three margaritas in one. And I couldn't get over how reasonable the price was! Then I had a rum drink... don't remember what it was called either... but after the first sip I was immediately whisked away to a beach somewhere with steel drums and ocean breezes. Well, I wish that was the case. The service was great - very personable, quick, and polite. Much appreciated. Definitely a nice place for happy hour. Parking is easy - HUGE lot and we were seated right away. If I lived close, I'd probably be here with friends after work pretty frequently.
(4)Sarah S.
This is for sure the best thing about the Loop. I've been here a LOT over the years, and I don't recall ever having a bad experience. I think the last time I went was the day Michael Jackson died, but I doubt it's changed much since then. The food is good, and the atmosphere is nice too. There isn't a whole lot to say about the place, so I'll keep this simple. The bread and oil? Sooo good. The Joe Schmo and margherita pizzas? Mmmmm. The mashed potatoes? Om nom nom. I don't remember what else I've eaten here, but like I said, I can't remember ever having a bad experience.
(4)Barbara R.
Stopped by for the first time. First started with a pitcher of watermelon sangria which was very good. For appetizer we tried the chicken tenders, which had a great hot/ sweet combination, would definitely order again. We ordered, margarita pizza-- good, chicken parm tower w/spag squash-- yum, wasn't sure about the squash but was pleasantly surprised. Hamburg cooked just right, Caesar salad with chicken was also good. Everyone left happy and full. No room for dessert, server Ryan was very good. Liked the atmosphere and would definitely go back.
(5)Kyle W.
I give it two stars for good bread. but it was DOUGHY my last visit. The hostess sucks...(big time) the food ehhh....yea well it overall is gross... I mean please... expensive for what you really get. Do not even bother calling ahead for a reservation. They get so overwhelmed they pass out and start seizing.
(2)Carol M.
I come here repeatedly as it's close to home and GOOD! The focaccia bread & "schmere" is the best.
(5)Carly M.
soo i went there today and thought okay the menu looks delicious and it will probably be great. my server forgot what i asked for 2 times and was a little out of it when it came to remembering everything. so i got a bacon blue cheese burger.. the burger was juicy...but was completely flavorless and the bacon was burnt. I was completely not satisfied at all. I also ordered an iced tea, you figure if you order an iced tea they would ask if you would like sugar with it since its unsweetened. so the moral of this story is that I will most likely not come back to eat here.
(2)Laura M.
We have been eating at NYAJ's for years. The food has always been consistently good. I'm not sure if tonight was an off night, or if it's just this location, but tonight was horrible. Average would have been great! We waited for over 1/2 hour on a Monday night. When the food finally came a half hour after we were seated, it was ridiculously bad. The soup was cold. The surf and turf was cold, not to mention that the steak and crab cake were the tiniest portions that I've ever seen. The portions were appropriate for a small child, but for $25.00, it was really unbelievable. The table next to us sent their salad back, and the table next to theirs sent their lettuce wraps back, and I overheard people at the bar complaining about the food as well- so essentially everyone within an earshot was sending back their food. It was just awful. So an hour later, we had bread and water for dinner. We won't be going back there needless to say.
(1)Laura S.
Bread and oil was awesome, watermelon sangria was awesome. Guacamole and chips were just OK, pesto pasta primavera (summer best fest item) was just average. I always like the Not Your Average House salad. They also have a nice gluten free menu. Service was inattentive, we asked for more bread and he took our oil and bread bowl away, never brought any back. He dropped the leftovers on the table without saying anything. Seemed like he had something better to do than serve us.
(4)Sheila B.
We keep going back because there is absolutly no reason not too! Food has always been consistent and good. Service has always been good. Love the menu items and descriptions. Yum.
(4)Allison S.
I have never had a bad experience here! The free bread and oil is so amazing, it's worth going just to sit at the bar and eat this while enjoying some tasty drinks. Salads are excellent, and so are their pizzas. Great service and atmosphere. Would definitely recommend.
(5)Australia t.
The quality of food and service in the restaurant is consistently great. Their french onion soup is house-made and completely amazing. The waitstaff is friendly and very knowledgable about wine and the specials they are serving. This restaurant sources locally for the ingredients in some of their dishes. They change their specials frequently, and the dishes contain actual flavor and not just different ratios of fat/salt/sugar like most national chain restaurants. They offer $7.50 discount movie tickets. Their italian dishes are consistently better than the Olive Garden (see fat/salt/sugar comment above) and the management is excellent. Also, it is not seat yourself at the tables by the bar so don't cut us in line:)
(5)Angela M.
I had my first experience here not that long ago-to start, the bread and dip was delicious! For a mean, I got the veggie burger which was also very good. (I recommend it with blue cheese crumbles). However, the real 'wow' factor here was the dessert. I had the creme brulee cheescake-oh my gosh. I have eaten a LOT of desserts in my lifetime and this is among the best. Absolutely incredible, highly recommended!
(5)Mark A.
I usually hate chains, but Joe's is high above your average chain restaurant. Very creative menu, good pizza, and they usually have good specials...not to mention the onion bread with olive oil is to die for! Drinks are good too..Sangria in the summertime..Mmm
(4)Jesse B.
This place is extremely tasty for a chain establishment. Even at 2pm, you'll wait for a lunch table. I ordered the seared tuna wontons and the raspberry, candied nut, and goat cheese salad. Both were yummy and fresh. The wait was about an hour for food on a Friday afternoon at 2pm.
(4)Jess H.
I'm actually surprised at the number of reviews touting NYAJ's as simply average. It's one of my favorite restaurants and has been for years. Whenever I'm home for a weekend and someone wants to go see a movie, I always try to convince him or her to get dinner here, too. I've tried a wide variety of menu items and have been impressed with every single one. The chicken oscar and the carbonara are two of my favorites. The meatloaf is superb, and the seafood items are wonderful. I haven't had pizza, burgers, or salad, because I always try to get something I haven't had before when I go out to eat, but friends have had no problems with any of them. And, as others have mentioned, the free bread and dipping oil is by far the best in the business (although the Texas Roadhouse's honey rolls and sweet butter come in at a close second). I haven't been there since I turned 21 so I can't comment on the cocktail menu, but their flavored teas and Arnold Palmers are fantastic. And the Peanut Butter Thing definitely ranks among my favorite restaurant desserts ever. Service has always been great, and even on busy nights the wait isn't too bad. One time, a friend and I went to Chuck-E-Cheese down the strip a bit while we waited. =) The interior design makes for a very pleasing atmosphere, with the pretty dangly lamps and multicolored paint job. The prices are reasonable and there is always ample free parking at the Loop. I have absolutely no reason not to wholeheartedly recommend NYAJ's. I love it, every aspect, and it ranks among my all-time favorite restaurants. Plus, if you tell them your birthday and email address, you get a coupon once a year that you can use within your birth month.
(5)Cynthia H.
Nicely trendy sophisticated bar and restaurant right next to the Loews Theater in Methuen. One of the few places north of Andover that has that New York City upper east side local feel. We slip into the bar section, order appetizers and drinks and usually have time to spare before making a movie next door. They serve a wide selection of martinis and the bartenders are fun to talk to. Highly recommend the coconut shrimp appetizer--its a meal in itself. Prices are moderate to expensive, which makes the crowd mainly over 30. Only drawback is that it can be crowded. Love this place, nonetheless.
(4)Jennifer K.
This is the first, and hopefully, only time that I have to retract a positive review to slap a restaurant back into place. What used to be one of my favorite restaurants has turned into what can only be referred to as mediocre table fare. What happened, NYAJ? You changed the logo, jacked up your prices and starting cutting corners. And not the right corners, it seems. The downward slip started about a year ago, when the economy started failing. While some restaurants have held on and made small changes, in hopes to salvage what they can in a tough time, NYAJ seems to have thrown up their arms and said screw it. Or at least, from someone that has been going to the one in Methuen for several years now, that is how it seems. Or maybe I go on the bad nights? Not saying that every time I have been to NYAJ in the past year has been that bad, the pizza is still good and their dessert menu is fabulous. Though the Dessert Minis are gone? Why?!?! Those were good and a nice ending to the evening. Especially before a late movie, I have stopped in with a friend for a drink and a bit of dessert. The Dessert Minis were nice due to the size of the dish. I could still get popcorn if I wanted at the theater and not feel guilty. Last night had to be my final straw. I ordered a special; the Cranberry Glazed Chicken, and while the glaze was good, the chicken was inedible. It was dry and over cooked. I fear this is due to the cut of meat. My roasted butternut squash had good flavor and the asparagus was crunchy enough. But the over all presentation of the dish seemed slopped together. It wasn't good. The dessert made up for it, we had the fried apple sticks. My dinner companion quipped that he should have skipped his meal altogether (which was also disappointing) and just had sticks. Even the bread, which is usually good, was a disappointment. Half of the pieces were stale and one of the pieces was gooey!?!?!? Please, NYAJ, come back. We miss you. It is hard enough in this area to find a decent restaurant, especially one next to the theater.
(2)Anya L.
LOVE LOVE LOVE NYAJ's. I come here for date night and girls' night out. The drinks are delish, especially when they have their fresh fruit muddled mojitos. The baked haddock is amazing and I also love the specials that incorporate produce from local farms.
(5)Jessica P.
The service and food at NYAJ seems to vary quite a bit by location. The food and the service at this restaurant both left a lot to be desired.
(2)Jeffrey H.
Let's drop the "Not" and then you'll have my opinion on this restaurant. Average. I don't really remember this place after having visited. I know it wasn't gross or bad, but I do remember thinking..."And then what?" The appearance of the place is very cool, despite it's location. For those of you who don't know, it's next to the movie theatre at The Loop...which is an outdoor shopping mall filled with the middle school trash of Methuen, the Andovers, Lawrence, and Haverhill. Try not to trip over a retainer case or their 7th grade attitude when you walk thru. Anyway, so yes, the food is decent with adequate service. The prices are fair and the drinks are alright. The space is cool, but nothing memorable. Sorry Joe, but you is Average!
(3)dajian x.
Went to joes crab shack across the street. This restaurant is leaps and bounds better in all areas.
(4)Barry S.
My girlfriend and I have been eating here at least once a month for over a year now and we've never had a bad experience. The food is always fresh and, because they offer such great specials, we get to try something new each and every time. They are very very accommodating with dietary restrictions as well. The pizza is fantastic. The service is always very friendly and the food comes out pretty quick. Drinks are usually a good idea here, they have an expansive wine selection and some decent beers on draft as well. The margaritas are a great choice - $7 gets you a HUGE shaker, or you can get a pitcher for $15. Good stuff. Not Your Average Joes is one of the better restaurants in the Merrimack Valley area, I'd highly recommend this location.
(4)Riccardo D.
For a chain establishment, this restaurant has their culinary act together. The meal begins with a wire basket full of hearty artisinal bread. It's thick, crunchy, soft in the middle, and loaded with flavor. The bread is served alongside a saucer of rich olive oil mixed with pungent romano cheese. I had a waldorf salad which was breathtakingly delicious. The greens were crisp and uniformly cut. The chicken (not traditional in a waldorf salad but delicious all the same) was charred, marinated, and moist. Thrown in were sun-ripened dried cranberries, pecans, and a stunning sherry vinegar dressing. I wanted to lick the plate. My lunch partners had the encrusted goat cheese salad which they raved about. The stars at this restaurant are the salads. They are amazingly inventive with unique flavors and taste combinations. While our waiter rambled on a little too much about the wine special (at 11:30 A.M.), he was capable and efficient. I have eaten here before enjoyng equally pleasing results. My lunch partners and I plan to make this our signature lunch stop until we have tasted each and every salad. Whomever is creating their menu needs to be cloaned and sent out to other chains who suffer from the mundane and boring.
(4)Jules B.
Ok, I admit it, I go for the wine and the bread with dipping sauce! But overall the menu has great selections. My favorite dish is the mustard crusted chicken with mashed potatoes. They also have great sweet potato fries. Other perks of this restaurant are that they sell discount movie tickets to AMC which is right next door. And after dinner, if you go to the restaurant with your movie ticket stubs, you get 15% off your bill. I am told that is a well kept secret but it's true!
(4)Ashley C.
One of my absolute favorites. I love the bread and oil that they give you as soon as you sit down. Their salads are amazing, I particularly like the house salad with chipotle ranch dressing, I have yet to find a dressing I like as much as I like this. Their pizza is also very good. A new thing is that they offer you very cheap movie tickets with your dinner, I love going to Joe's followed by a reasonably priced movie.
(4)Clara P.
Great atmosphere, good service unfortunately I find the food to be just not that great. Maybe I'm just average :-)
(3)Linda S.
Great food, decent prices! Have never had a bad meal, app, or dessert here. Oh, I take it back - I did have a bad meal, called the manager and he listened to me respectfully and gratefully and then sent me a $20 gift card in the meal to come back and try again - which I did and loved it again! They take moderate dining and really do it up.
(5)Busy L.
Been here multiple times and a place we want to love but someone at the party always gets a meal that was fair at best. Chicken Oscar and their scallop entree is very good. Pizza is always a good bet. The bread and dipping oil they give is good but recently the bread was actually refrigerator temperature cold... I have to say they have improved in recent years. We had a button in our food and raw chicken in the past.
(3)Jenelle T.
Not Your Average Joe's has the BEST bread & oil in the business! The actual menu? Pretty average, as others have mentioned, but not bad. It would be awesome on a nice summer evening to sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere, if it weren't for the 500 teenagers hanging out in front of the movie theater ten feet away! On the plus side, they offer discounted movie tickets with your dinner, so you can save $2 per person at the AMC Theater next door.
(4)Minda H.
How can you not love the bread and parmesan and crushed red pepper dipping oil that is hearty and delicious enough to be a whole meal if not for the guilt factor. (Um, I think we should order something instead of just pigging out on the free bread...). That bread and oil really is someting. But so is the cocktail menu and the sashimi ahi tuna salad. Looking for "sushi" on the cheap? Get the sashimi tuna salad and you'll be all set. Comes with a fabulous citrus salsa. Go for lunch, same menu, less of a wait.
(4)J. Scott P.
They do a great job with creative casual cuisine. The marketing team does a fantastic job keeping guests informed of upcoming specials and promotions. The food is always fresh, expertly prepared and service is what one should expect. The prices are a great value for what is received. The only thing that gives me cause for concern is the high turnover of staff from servers to managers. It makes me wonder if they are being treated fairly and yes I do care about how the company I patronize treats its staff.
(4)Bob B.
Food is awesome. Freshly prepared/cooked. Open to changing things up when asked. The updated management team (Jenn, erin & mark) care about their customers.
(5)chad m.
The food took FOREVER..........FOREVER. One of the people i was with got blue cheese and avacado in her salad when she asked for no blue cheese in avacado. They took it back. We thought they would just put the gilled chicken on a new salad.... no they re-cooked a new chicken breast. She waited another 35 (or so) minutes. To boot-The food was just not good. Silverware was dirty. Won't go back to this one.
(1)Shawn F.
What a gem of a restaurant in the middle of suburbia. The interior is pretty hip, and the food is interesting and fairly delicious. My favorite is definitely the mustard-encrusted chicken. Superb. Service is friendly and efficient, and they have good bread to tide you over until your food arrives. Always a pleasure to dine here, even if it means paying a visit to an annoyingly bored suburban wannabe-punk middle-schooler hangout strip mall. (Sorry, I know that last description did not flow well).
(5)Steve N.
i like their pizza but i have to get it well done otherwise it can be a floppy mess. also, sometimes they will serve me a shot and a beer together, other times they make me keep my shot on the rail below the bar. strange rules here. on the plus side they will let my son (14) sit at the bar with me while we wait for our movie.
(3)Melissa M.
Good sandwiches and decent pasta dishes. They have a few vegetarian options. Nice atmosphere. I like the booths & the funky light fixtures. I think it's a little bit pricey for the quality of the food.
(4)Wendy H.
When my Husband and I go to a movie at the Loop, we usually stop here for lunch before. It's a nice way to have some drinks before the film, so if the movie is bad, we don't care as much. We stopped today and ordered off their specials menu, which are items made from locally produced food stuffs. I had the Balsamic Chicken and Brushcetta which came with a small arugula salad. The chicken was outstanding, moist, tender and flavorful. The bruschetta was also very tasty with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese melted on it, the arugula was a little wilted, but it is hard to keep fresh. My husband had the sirloin with horseradish and a wedge of iceberg lettuce with gorgonzola and bacon. They were both excellent. I had the leinenkugel summer shandy which is a lemon beer and very refreshing. My Husband had the Rapscallion Honey ale, which is bitter and sweet, he enjoyed it quite a bit. We split the Key Lime pie for dessert, which was excellent. This is a chain restaurant the way a chain should be done.
(4)Elizabeth F.
The BEST LOBSTER ROLL I have ever had, so good they serve it on a Grilled Brioche bun,omg it was AWESOME I am coming back..Michelle our waitress was wonderful, I have a Nite allergy and the Manager made they make mine on a separate pan and brought it to my table personally!
(5)Krissy H.
This place is conveniently located directly next to the movie theatre, my fiancé and I are big movie fans and usually go about once a week- we do a "dinner and movie" date and we always pick to go to 'Not Joe's' (as we call it) for dinner. Many times on a Friday or Saturday night there can be a bit of a wait, but it's usually not more than 10 or 15 minutes, so we grab a drink at the bar until our table is ready. Every time we have gone the waitstaff has been absolutely awesome. They are attentive, quick, friendly, and always let us know about updated menu choices and drink specials. Usually while we are eating the manager will come over and ask us how our food is, which is nice to see him so present and interacting with customers. We also discovered that you can buy movie tickets here too and they just add the price to your bill- the tickets are slightly cheaper than buying them at the theatre. The food is always good and presented well- we have tried almost everything on the menu and haven't had anything we don't like yet. I usually order something small because I always eat too much of their delicious bread and oil dip. The clam chowder is great, and my fiancé's favorite is the meatloaf- my favorite appetizer is the ahi tuna wontons that you can get on a wonton chip or a cucumber (the cucumber option is new)- they have a ton of fun drinks to choose from- I always get a pineapple drink they sprinkle nutmeg in, I wish I could remember what it is called because it's to die for. They have a small dessert menu but great choices! I love this place and would recommend it to anyone!
(5)Dan S.
I live a stone's throw from The Loop and dine here about once a month. Most recently I used my birthday gift certificate for October. Usually I get together with friends at the Burlington NYAJ's as that is closest to them. We apply the birthday person's gift certificate to the bill. We've never been disappointed there nor I at the Methuen location. Due to busy schedules this year we dined in Methuen. Everything was great. Salmon, steak tips, meatloaf were delicious. Drinks well made. The deserts, including the complimentary one very nice. The waitress was excellent. We had a nice time. Thank you, Dan
(5)Neal H.
We have been regulars for some time but on our visit last Wednesday we were surprised how we were treated. Because we made the required reservation to use their birthday coupon we were told we had to sit in the bar area. There were plenty of booths available and no one waiting. so much for a nice dinner for 2.
(3)Benny M.
Great service. Great beers on tap. Food is imaginative, inspired and delicious. Best I had in the area over a week long business trip. Thanks!
(5)Mike P.
The food was great...atmosphere was bustling and upbeat. We sat at the bar since we were headed to a movie and wanted to catch a quick bite before hand. The only negative was the bartender. Not friendly or experienced. We had to ask for everything and she was slow to greet us and take our order....yes it was a busy Sat night but stocking glasses should happen after you deliver a second round of cocktails when you patrons have empty glasses.
(4)Kristi Y.
I have been here numerous times, but recently was here twice in one weekend. I ordered the same thing both nights and was blown away at how different the service is from a Friday night to a Monday night. Friday was busy, we got a reservation for 815. The bar was busy too, which is to be expected. Friday I ordered the cranberry-teriyaki butternut squash pizza and the spinach salad. The waitress informed me that I could order the pizza to be personal sized, so that was very helpful of her. The food was great. I was surprised at how good it was. The salad was fresh and had a great balance of ingredients. The pizza was perfect, small dobs of ricotta, lots of butternut squash and some baby spinach and more dobs of the cranberry-teriyaki stuff. It was not at all cheesy, which made it very good. I left rather impressed by the food, especially for the price. Monday, I came back by coincidence. I decided to order the same thing since it was so good last time. After some minor misunderstandings with the waitress who seemed new (getting the smaller sized pizza, understanding that there was no chicken on it as listed in menu etc), I was totally let down. Now, I DO understand that the staff changes from night to night, and Mondays are probably the slowest night, but still... The salad was fine, the pizza was a mess - it was completely covered in ricotta and cheese... yuck. I don't know if there was not any cranberry-teriyaki on it, or if it just got covered... but there certainly was not a lot of butternut squash either. It was like a totally different meal. I would go back, I guess on a busier night. But still amazed at the inconsistency!
(3)Sabrina M.
Food-10 Service-0 Honestly I really like the food here, the bread is delicious and they have a variety of fun drinks an specials. What made it earn a two star review is the atrocious wait staff, I have gone in and my waitress only came buy the table twice, no lie. Also I do not eat Blue Cheese dressing, so when something comes with blue cheese I ask for ranch instead, NEVER have I gotten ranch, once when I had gone I noticed the dressing was blue cheese (you can tell if it is blue cheese because there will be chunks in blue cheese and no chunks in ranch) and I asked my waitress for ranch instead, she very rudely told me that what I had WAS ranch, I said no it was not she sighed very loudly and rolled her eyes and left the table, she brought me the ranch but did not come back once for the rest of the meal, no refills, no more alcoholic beverages, and no desserts. If they could have a better trained staff who know how to actually be polite and come check if you need refills and such then they would be a five star all the way.
(2)Frannie Z.
They brought back my favorite Not Your Average Chicken Oscar for the month! Oh, if they would only bring it back permanently, I'd be a happy happy girl. It was just as delicious as I remembered.
(5)Paul W.
Went to enjoy an evening with my dad and brothers and all four of our dinners were cold and undercooked. Manager comped our dinners and none of our appetizers. Second time in one year I have had a bad experience. Won't try a third. Stay away.
(1)Amy C.
Okay, I hate to re-up for a third time but seriously...this place is amazing. Went a few days ago for my mom's birthday and the wait was 45 minutes...well worth it!!! The food came out incredibly fast and our server (I can't remember his name) was AWESOME...so friendly, and not in that robotic-I-have-to way, but in a real genuine way. I got some chicken with spaghetti squash creation that was awesome too! The drink menu is fabulous as well, I got a jack and ginger beer but subbed captain for the jack and it was very tasty, went down a little too easily... As much as I dislike chain resteraunts this one is the only one that is consistently phenomenal every time I go. The one in NBPT isn't too shabby either!
(5)Jenny L.
This place is good. They offer tasty flavor combinations that work well, without seeming like they're trying to hard. I like their mixed drinks. Their desserts are good as well. If you want something slightly different, but not totally out there, this place is sure to have something you'll enjoy.
(4)Christina K.
I've come here quite a few times. I've never had a bad time here, however I've never had an amazing time here either. It's your basic run of the mill place with nothing too special about it. The place is dimly light for the romantic hippy mood, and it's always usually busy because this place is just an average American dining. They try to be different with various dishes that are influenced from different regions of the world. I've never had a bad time with the food or drinks, but it's nothing special. I do really enjoy the bread and oil in the beginning of the meal. But I haven't had a dish where I was blown away. I have enjoyed the sandwiches and burgers here more than the entrees. I do recommend the grill cheese and soup combo. It was quite good. For the ladies nights I've had here, the pitcher of Sangria is the way to go. The pitcher is great to split between ladies and reasonable priced as well. It's not watered down at all, and has always been a crowd favorite. I do wish they would do lunch specials, I don't think they will. All in all, it's an ok place with ok food. It's not a bad place, but it's not a place where you'll be wowed. If you're in the area, and don't feel like going to fast food or the other places around, then come here.
(3)cheri t.
Well, this is my 100th review on Yelp and I thought it would be for somewhere I never went to but in the end it happened to be NYAJ, whom I seem to have a love hate relationship with, so it is quite fitting. I have in the past had some not so great meals here, however, today was Excellent!, My husband and I ate at the bar for apps and drinks and we took advantage of the 50% off on all appetizers, that is really a great deal. We had the wontons, spring rolls and flatbread pizza, all great. I highly recommend going here!
(5)Felicha G.
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(5)Karen S.
I live nearby, so this is one of my mainstays...for that reason. It's good. A solid "good." But not very consistent, particularly with takeout. I love the Cobb salad: One time it will be perfect and a good portion, another time it is sparse and missing the avocado and/or the corn or bacon. One time it was missing the bleu cheese. This really isn't acceptable, especially for a salad that is far from cheap. The crab cakes are great -- as long as I order them "the old way." Apparently, the new recipe calls for greens that looks and taste like yard clippings, complete with big stems. But they are happy to make it "the old way" (with delicate mixed greens), so I'm fine with that. To be honest, I would make a trip there weekly simply to get the ahi tuna appetizer. It is consistently great and absolutely delicious!
(3)Chris M.
The menu here has gotten better. As with any chain, service is hit or miss. The menu does change every few months and they have some great German food in October along with some Oktoberfest and pumpkin drafts.
(3)Jay A.
If diarrhea is something you're willing to deal with, I can recommend the wontons. They are EXCELLENT, you just shouldn't have plans for the evening. If you have plans for the evening, I'd recommend their bread and oil.
(2)Cindi W.
We were just looking for an easy bite. We waited for ten minutes at a terribly sticky table and got no attention and left. Noisy and crowded....if your into that sort if thing.
(1)Lin E.
Love this place. I have always had a great experience. I've been in on a weekday afternoon, several early evenings, and tonight later evening. I went on Veteran's Day (Monday) at 7PM. The place was full except for 1-2 tables, so we were seated right away. Like most people, who doesn't love fresh bread to dip into a plate of olive oil, parmesan cheese and spices? We ordered two fancy drinks and appetizers. I do not know what "buffalo-carribean chicken tenders" actually means, but they were delicious. They didn't taste like buffalo tenders at all, the red hot spicy kind, but they were great and I'll get them next time too. The pina colada was very nice (It's my drink; I order it everywhere) and came in a nice, big glass making it feel like I got my money's worth for the drink. Good place - check it out! Oh, they close at 9:00 and my friend and I were talking and didn't even notice that it was 9:30 and we were the only people in there. If I was working there I'd have kicked our a$$es out, but they were very gracious. We tipped high an hour before and were just sitting with a glass of water talking, but I was a bit surprised when I looked up and was like, "Umm... I think they closed and we are still inside." Honestly, they were sweet to let our oblivious selves come to realize this on our own.
(5)Mark M.
April is "Wine Month"! Great... Except if you like white wine. They're out of 3 of the 5 white wines on the special menu. Bad planning.
(3)Julie H.
It really is kinda just average overall, No problem tho.. they had some excellent food and some playlist that was kinda going along with the overall theme of the night based on the clientelle and employees I saw.. lady gaga, ace of base, and madge. Good service, good food, and a good time! Me likey! Oh the decor is definitely late 90 to early 2000... kinda average decor, actually! funny!
(4)Giggi M.
My husband and I love,love, love this restaurant. I don't think we have ever had a bad meal or bad service from here. We always ate here when we lived in MA so now we always make it a point to go at least once or twice when we come up from FL. This summer I have to say the s'mores creme brûlée was so exceptional I would love to have the recipe seeing as they only go as far south as Virginia. Give this a try and try the dessert. I wonder if they could ship me a dessert hmmmm
(5)Susan D.
We were going to a Thursday midnight movie at the AMC at the Loop but wanted a place to watch the Celtics game before. I wanted to go to Not Your Average Joe's in the first place, but BF saw the TGIFriday's and wanted to check it out. The bar at TGIF was crazy busy, so my wish prevailed, and we sat at the sparsely populated bar to watch the game. The restaurant had a special for the game: two appetizers and a cheese pizza for $20. Score! We ordered some ahi tuna things and calamari for our apps, followed by our pizza. Everything was promplly served, hot, and delicious. The bar selection is all right too, with the expected Sam Adams and Harpoon and the unexpected Dogfish Head. While the result of the game was highly unsatisfactory and the movie a slight disappointment, the food and experience were not.
(3)Kate M.
Come here for their starting "snack", like an appetizer, but its free. The "homemade" bread with their oil dressing with parmesan cheese, pepper and some other things really does justice for this restaurant. It's amazingly good. Food prices are okay, bad if you're on a $10 budget since everything else is above that range. Nice atmosphere, comfortable seats, friendly workers. Come here and eat with friends.
(4)Keith M.
Turkey BLT with salad. Fresh Turkey, but dry - check. Hardly any bacon - check. Too much mayo - check. Salad with lettuce and nothing else - check. Slow service in the mid-afternoon with a 3/4 full room - got that too. meh.
(2)Matt G.
This NYAJ is pretty nice, it has a outside sitting area. Went for lunch, it was beautiful out so it was the highlight. The thing to make a note of, we went for lunch and service is overall slow. The servers were to busy texting on their phones to be focused on speed. The food was okay, overall not bad experience but a OKAY one.
(3)Michele P.
If your in southern NE and looking for a great place to meet friends in a central spot, this was so easy to get to being right off the highway. Food was good and so was service. We had three toddlers with us and the waitstaff was very patient. We will be back again. :)
(3)Michael L.
I recently received my complimentary birthday coupon and was looking over the menu on line. I was in the mood for steak and a movie. I have had sirloin strip before at NYAJ but I only saw a "steak frites". When I got to the restaurant I asked the bartender Mindy what that was, not knowing what a steak frite OR a hanger steak was. She went onto explain that a hanger steak is a cut of beef steak prized for its flavor. Derived from the front of a cow and is supposed to be the best part. In the past, it was sometimes known as "butcher's steak" because butchers would often keep it for themselves rather than offer it for sale. When she was done I was convinced this is what I wanted. While I was waiting, the manager on duty, I heard him called "G", but not sure what his real name is, came over and welcomed me and shook my hand. The meal was FANTASTIC, as I expect from Joe's. I mentioned to Mindy that it would be helpful if they had a picture or at least a description in the menu, like she gave me, as this is a higher priced item and more people may be interested in buying it. if Mindy hadn't been so helpful and took the time to explain all this to me, I never would have tried it. Overall it was a pleasant and very enjoyable experience. This is why Joe's is one of my favorite places!! OH and I got the movie voucher as well, to complete my birthday day.
(4)Scott H.
Went for a birthday celebration. We were seated promptly. The food and service were excellent. Always fresh and interesting twists on American fare. We've never had a bad experience at Joe's. We will definitely be back.
(4)Heidi N.
Great place, it is my first visit to this NYAJ and it is my Birthday. You get a free dinner and dessert if its your birthday :) You do havr to sign up for their email but so worth it.
(5)Alli E.
My recent trip to NYAJs was fantastic. Came here before a movie on a Friday evening, so I called ahead. When we arrived, the place was very busy, but we didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes to be seated. I think our table was directly below the AC vent because we were freezing! The manager on duty (I believe his name was G) noticed us bundled in our sweatshirts and asked if we were cold. Within a few minutes, there was a noticeable difference and the temperature was a million times better! I also noticed G making his way around the restaurant to ensure everyone was satisfied. It's great to see a manager who is so friendly and actively trying to improve the customers' dining experience! Our drinks came out quickly and the food was perfect. Our server also informed us that you can get discounted movie tickets through the restaurant if you dine there (I'm pretty sure she said $8 per ticket- I paid $11.25 online!). This is good to keep in mind if you plan to grab dinner there before a movie. I will certainly be back!
(5)Mark S.
In 2001 to 2004, I used to go to this place at times and order take out. I remember getting the Joe Burger with cheese, caremelized onions, and I believe bacon, the buffalo chicken strips appetizer, and the chicken quesadilla appetizer. So good! This place is the best restaurant at the Loop. The design they used for the restaurant was very cool.
(5)Amanda N.
Ate here for the first time to celebrate our birthdays. It was not too busy for a Monday night, but we had made reservations just in case. We were seated right away (15 mins early) and our waitress and our hostess were both very pleasant. She was prompt with ordering and bringing out our meals and drinks, and checking in on us. We ordered drinks (The Front Porch & Pomegranate Passion). My husband thought the Front Porch was a little too strong, not as in too much liquor, but as in the flavors didn't mix well and the alcohol was all you could taste. My Pomegranate Martini on the other hand was delicious! We ordered the buffalo-caribbean chicken tenders (hand-breaded and tossed with our addictive mango-buffalo barbeque sauce, served with pineapple-jalapeno salsa and blue cheese dip) they were delicious. Just a little bit of spice but good flavor, and the pineapple salsa was interesting but a good compliment. For entrees we ordered Vietnamese Salmon (curry spices add an exotic twist to grilled fresh salmon, served over rice noodles with snap peas, fresh herbs and chopped peanuts in a lime-infused chili broth) - Husband said this was only ok. Salmon was a little overcooked, and the meal was not that flavorful or as spicy as he would have liked/thought by the ingredients. & Mediterranean Chicken (lemon and garlic marinated chicken breasts with an arugula, olive, cucumber, tomato and feta salad, with edamame hummus) - this was really good but had an interesting presentation on a long rectangular plate (kind of made it hard to eat. Also, the "salad" that it comes with has Red Onions, I wish it said it as I had to pick them out. Overall, the flavors of the dish came together well. The edamame hummus (first timeI've had it) was surprisingly good and not too strong as a flavor. The "salad" was good; freshly made with fresh ingredients. The chicken was cooked to perfection. Overall, we were happy with our meals and plan on visiting again to try out some of the other interesting food on the menu.
(4)Blair A.
Two words for you: bread and cheese. Technically that's three words if you count the "and", which I do not. I am a carb-a-holic. No, seriously. If I could sustain myself on gluten and cheese alone I'd do it in .5 seconds flat. Alas, I cannot, for my tummy isn't iron clad, but if I did I'd fly all the way back to Methuen to try! The onion foccacia bread is scrumptious. The oil and parmesan/romano dipping sauce is to die for. Let me say that again, TO DIE FOR. I've never been to this chain and I'm sad they don't have them in Texas. Our first course was the Chicken Lettuce Wraps. I'm used to wraps that are Asian inspired, not doused in mayo, but these were pretty good. They come three to an appetizer plate and were large and satisfying. For dinner I tried the Cobb Salad with Orange Sesame Dressing. It was really good! The dressing was sweet and tangy and absolutely delectable. I nearly thought about asking for a container of the cheesy oil that's used for dipping the bread as my dressing but was afraid of the weird looks I'd likely get from my waiter. At 430 pm this place filled up quickly and was active with patrons coming and going. Our waitress was almost nowhere to be found ever. She'd randomly appear and say things like, "I'll get you more water" but then never showed up again. We waited 20 minutes for her to show up with our credit card in the bill and she never appeared. Odd, when I was a waitress I wanted to get paid. Just saying. Overall, Not Your Average Joe's was definitely not average when it came to the bread and dip, but rather average from a service standpoint. Three stars.
(3)Anna T.
I went here with some friends a few weeks ago before we saw a movie. I had never been to this restaurant before, but was told it was good. The food was really good, I had the salmon over noodles in a curry sauce. Curry sauce was not really spicy, salmon was cooked well, and the flavors were really nice. Good portions too, I got two small meals out of it! While the food was good, the service was anything but. The waitress we had was nice, but she was not very attentive; we had to ask for more water several times and she took away my friends lemonade before she was finished with it. It was as good as your typical chain restaurants with mediocre service. I will say though that my friends had a birthday coupon that they were unable to print out and the restaurant granted them the coupon anyway after checking their system, which was nice.
(3)John O.
Oue experience - horrible. Place was noisy and waiting inside was awkward. Service was lousy. Waiter was goofy and not interested in serving us (we sat outside and he was checking out other people as he talked). Food wasn't very good. My gf couldn't eat her food and my fish wasn't very good. Fries were good but were all small bits. Even the manager wasnt personable when he came over. Drinks were good though but not good enough to save this visit. Too many better places out there. Never return.
(1)Chuck C.
Seated at the bar. Martini was prepared perfectly. Food was served fast, fresh, correctly. No mistakes. Professional service. Clean place. Couldn't give 5 stars 'cause I need to go a couple more times to assess consistency. Enough said.
(4)Danny B.
I found myself at another chain, but luckily a good chain restaurant that usually leads to a good meal. While the wait can sometimes be excessive, this location of Joe's, as well as the one in Newburyport, has quality in it. The best part has to be the first impression: the bread with cheese and olive oil. I'm always a sucker for such things, and Joe's certainly aims to please with this beginning. My family and I enjoyed all of our dishes, ranging from the waldorf salad, squash ravioli starter, chicken piccata, and chicken farfalle. The wine list was pretty good too, and the atmosphere is always upbeat and lively. Overall, I'm a fan, so enjoy Joe's after a movie or shopping excursion!
(3)Ralph F.
Good place for a bite and a beer before (or after) a movie. They have a good beer selection and a much better menu than you'd expect. I happen to be a big fan of the Mediterranean Chicken dinner and the meatloaf. The service is usually good, but when they get really busy the wait times can get a bit rough, even just to get a re-fill.
(3)Nico H.
Good food. Good atmosphere. Nice bar. Hip. It's sort like the Cheesecake Factory but with better lighting.
(4)Steven T.
Came with family on my visit home, I live in New York City. As so, my standards have been high returning to small town settings like Methuen in terms of service and such. The host was warm and welcoming, I believe her name was Rebecca. We were hesitant about the menu, she reassured us of certain menu items and made great suggestions. Our server, Judy, was attentive and delightful. We like to have a slow coursed meal, she was very accommodating about that and was eager to express the different tastes of the drink and dinner menu. Also shoutout to the bartender (whose name I did not get).
(5)Kim D.
The bread & Olive oil mixture was awesome. Beef tips were a little over done but had great flavor. The jambalia was good. Service good as well.
(4)Chilly P.
The Loop is only five minutes away from my home and I've tried all the restaurants in the Loop but never NYAJ. It just never happened until last night. My party and I had a reservation for a birthday dinner. We were greeted by a wonderful team and served by a knowledgeable and friendly waitress. It was a Saturday night - so it was extremely busy but our waitress was on point the entire night - refilling our drinks without us asking, clearing our table when needed and constantly checking up on us. Their menu is awesome - there's a wide variety of dishes to choose from. The portions and presentation is perfect. Our dishes came out at the same time which is impressive because usually with a large party, it rarely happens! I decided on the sirloin tips which came with mashed potatoes and green beans - it was delicious. I tried my cousin's breaded chicken and that was juicy and flavorful. I know the bread and dipping oil is a favorite here but we actually thought the bread was too thick and chewy. The oil was tasty but we prefer a lighter, crispier bread. We had the Peanut Butter Thing for dessert and it mouthwatering! I'm only giving NYAJ four stars because it's hard to give a thorough review with only one visit. I can't believe I've waited this long to try. Their service hands down deserves five stars. We really enjoyed our experience but I really want to visit again soon so I can try their appetizers and a more unique entree.
(4)Mike G.
Went back here today because we got a $25 gift card from the manager because we gave it two stars last review. Update. Went today with my girlfriend. They dont serve SHED mountain ale anymore but had a similar brew. Ordered a southern burger. Girlfriend ordered a pizza with sliced mozzarella. So fortunately they had sweet potato fries...but theyre actually wedges. The first order of bread we got, was so hard I could barely chew it. The second batch was much better. Getting back to our orders....so they were out of sliced mozzarella so my gf had to get shredded. Not sure what it is with this place but we cant come here and get an order with all products in stock. This tells me they have a slight inventory problem. So....the pizza she got was excellent. Ive never had tried a tastier pizza. My burger on the other hand, the meat was good, but the bun was soaked in grease. So much I still have a stomach ache from it. sweet potato WEDGES were good. I was disappointed because apart from the grease bun, it didnt have onion strings, just raw red onions. I think this place should sell pizza....It was amazing and probably the best thing Ive had there. I think this restaurant needs to fix their inventory, and cut back on the grease, and they'd be ok in my book. I'll be back when I'm sick of the other restaurants in the area. Adding an extra star for the pizza.
(3)Michael G.
Great place for great food. The Mona Lisa Salad is incredible. Chicken encrusted pieces, fried to perfection over a nice mix of greens, and strawberries make this dish filling and refreshing. The service is quick and friendly and the prices are in a very affordable range. Though a little crowded and noisy at times it is a nice place to take your family or group.
(4)R M.
My friends and I all live out of town, and have for a while now. One of our friends is visiting from where she now lives--the Carolinas--and so we are all traveling 2-5 hours later tonight to have dinner out while she's in Boston. Although we don't live in the area any more, we remember the nice food and friendly service we used to enjoy at Joe's. When we reunite every so often, Joe's is always a serious venue consideration, because we feel happy to give them our money. For those of you Yelpers who leave crappy reviews on the FREE bread after the manager is nice enough to give you a $25 gift card: you suck. You're the reason that restaurant staff hate everyone. You ruin it for the rest of us. You probably only eat at failing restaurants that offer (bogus) 90% off Groupons. To the Yelper named George: Your fries were cut into wedge shapes?? GOSH. How do you find the will to carry on? You're *entitled* to instruct the chef on how he should cut his potatoes....after all, you're leaving a whopping 10% tip on that Groupon'd meal tonight. Ugh. I hope you contract anal warts! It may be odd to write a review BEFORE our meal,* but I'm doing so to balance out some of the obnoxious reviews I've seen of Joe's on Yelp tonight. It's important to recognize restaurant staff (both in the kitchen and in the dining areas) who work hard to create a nice experience for their diners. We can tell that there are so many people who are working hard to show us a good time when we eat at places like Joe's. The six or so of us girls who will be dining tonight are doing so because Joe's has left an impression with six girls who live far away. We look forward to tonight's dinner a and recommend that you check out Joe's as well! *It might also be odd to mention anal warts in a restaurant review. What can I say? I love food and I hate obnoxious patrons.
(5)Brian W.
This NYAJ location is similar to all the others I've been to. The food is always decent and the prices are always lower than what you'd expect to pay. This location was super busy around dinner time with the movie theater right next door so be sure to make a reservation in advance (nice and easy to make reservations on their website). They have a gluten free menu and gluten free bread available, which is a nice treat for my Celiac wife. The drinks are always made well and the prices are reasonable at $8 instead of $15 at a steakhouse. The entrees always sound better on the menu than they look/taste, but I didn't leave disappointed. I had the seasonal pork chop with some awesome apple chutney and some overly sticky candied brussels sprouts. Wife had the gluten free quesadilla and loved every bite. We usually skip dessert, but the gluten free carrot cake was too good to pass up - highly recommended.
(4)Leo Z.
I stopped going here a long time ago, the menu was ho-hum & never changed. Stopped in recently and was pleasantly surprised. It looks like they opened up the bar area and re-did the menu from my last visit (several years ago). Our waitress was very attentive & pleasant. The place was full and was clean & inviting. The prices were competitive. The menu looked to have something for everyone. I had a the chicken mona lisa and the veggie egg rolls as an app. They did a good job. Nice to see a corporate restaurant that has stepped it up. I'll be going back!
(4)Margaret J.
Slooooow service w no I've in the restaurant. Then we ordered salads and had to wasaasiiiit forever. Cesar salad had no taste of anchovies or garlic. The goat cheese salad was raved about by my guest It'll be a while before I return.
(2)Bob B.
It kind of is your average Joe's. I had the Asian Chicken Dumplings and the Chicken Enchiladas. The Dumplings were tasty, but not earth shattering. The Chicken Enchiladas were a bit too creamy for me. They do have a cocktail with whiskey and ginger beer that is pretty tasty.
(3)Kim S.
I've been a fan of Not Your Average Joe's for a long time. I usually go to the one in Westborough, MA when I lived in MA. And I always walked out happy and satisfied with my meal. Now my buddies and I are doing our annual Christmas lunch here at Joe's in Methuen location. The first time, I ordered Jambalaya and it didn't blew me away. Everything just felt kind of dried. Even the bread for the table. It just didn't leave me with a memorable note like all other times when I visited Joe's in Westborough. Nonetheless, we made our way to Joe's again yesterday for our second annual lunch. Again .. everything was 3.5 stars good, but not as good as it used to be..which was 4. I ordered rosemary skewered scallops. Scallops were pan seared just a tad too well done, but they had good flavor. Succotash of couscous, spinach, butternut squash, and bacon was good the first few bites. Then my palette felt overwhelmed with orange-chipotle chili glaze. There was just a lot of sweetness which I'm not a fan of sweets, especially for lunch. I wish there were more of spinach mixed in succotash, that might break up some of the sweetness a bit. I also think the dish was a bit pricey for lunch and for the size of scallops that I got. And when I checked up online for the menu, it seemed like they gave us dinner menu instead of lunch? Perhaps there's no lunch menu on the weekends? Aaanyway... I also tried meatloaf a few bites, it was good. I like a hint of bbq sauce and the meat was juicy. My hubby was pretty happy with his entree. I would still come back to Joe's. I like that they change menu often and offer us with creative foods. And another thing that I LOVE about Joe's is that they don't give you foam boxes for your left over, but paper material boxes instead. I will always support an establishment that's helping preserving our environment.
(3)Nikki T.
Love coming here every other month or so. I've had just about everything on the menu but I particularly like their special seasonal menu they have every month. I love the fact they toss up the change in style and flavors it's very refreshing, and the bread and oil mixture is awesome! Plus all the staff are so pleasant and attentative of their guests, good job!
(4)Brenda R.
Not happy, the last 3 visits! And only 1 vegan, vegetarian option a rice burger! Try putting rice between 2 pieces of a roll and see what happens the fries were brown and very small bits.
(3)Jim W.
When I order a martini at a bar, I don't think I'm asking too much when I expect it to be COLD. I ordered a smash berry cosmo. It was in front of me in 60 seconds flat. I took a sip and blech. Warm. It would be nice if you filled the glass with ice to chill it and shake the shit out of the shaker before pouring. None of that happened. I asked for some ice. Ordered the Caribbean buffalo chicken app that was mediocre at best. I liked the bread and oil for dipping (who doesn't). Chewed and screwed, had to get to the cinema, movie was about to start.
(2)Matthew F.
Seevice 10 Food 10 Eating outside... Added bonus! I would come back and i recommend it
(5)Earl G.
Anniversary of first January 10 205. Food is great. Service professional. Prices reasonable for size and quality. Perfect bread and dipping olive oil serviced quickly.atmosphere nice for drink and app or full meal. Noise level fair to moderate. Have been back many times.
(5)Heather S.
great food and staff and amazing gluten free menu
(5)I. R.
It's not as good as it used to be unfortunately. I had a salad there and it was of low quality for the price and the rest of the menu is a bit mundane. The service is good and I can't say I ever had problems. Love the bread even though last time I went it was very cold.
(3)Nick B.
Not Your Average Joe's in Methuen is one of my fiancé and I's favorite restaurants in the area and we are definately regulars here. NYAJ's seems to always be busy. There is a great atmosphere and the dining room is always high energy. I have tried many of the mixed drinks on the menu and all of them are great. The bar staff is fast, friendly and seems to be very consistent in their drinks. The food is great! I have not tried a dish here that I have not liked, but would recommend the Ahi Tuna appetizer or salad! They are both absolutely phenomenal! Most recently my fiancé and I were recommended an oyster and martini deal that was a special for the night. I am a big fan of oysters and took her up on the offer; however, she returned several minutes later to inform us that they had run out of oysters. Normally, I would view this as a negative, but it was so well handled by our waitress (who offered us a free appetizer) that we spoke with her manager that night to make sure he was aware that we had received great service from his employee. In fact, the staff at NYAJ's is one of the things that keeps us coming back! The managers are always on the floor and checking in with tables. The wait staff has always been friendly and well trained and the bartenders are funny, friendly and fast. I hope that Joe's management continues to train great staff, keeps the fun drinks and continues to delver great food! I will certainly continue to come back!
(4)Georgina C.
We had a wonderful dinner tonight and were served by Andrew (a witty and knowledgable waiter!) We started with the goat cheese salad (delicious, a tiny bit too much dressing) and selected the meatloaf and mustard chicken for our entrees. Both were cooked perfectly and we enjoyed them infinitely. Well done NYAJ's! I would absolutely return.
(4)Changun S.
+: typical consistent chain restaurant food....the menu items and drink specials changes so its refreshing to have/try different items...they improved the flat bread pizza and they now use fresh dough....so this tastes better -: still gets crowded!!! esp
(4)Katniss S.
Great food, nice selection, fair prices. I eat at NYAJ's about once a month with family or with friends, for dinner or lunch. Never been disappointed! The food is very high quality, some of the best around, with lots of great choices, even for those avoiding meat. We love the half-price apps for happy hour. My kids have always been welcome here and treated nicely. Service is always top-notch. Best kept secret is their awesome veggie side dishes. Can even make a meal of these with some yummy soup! Try the grilled brussells sprouts with maple syrup--divine! I love the sun-drenched dining room for lunch with friends or business associates. It's not a "cheap" meal, but it's the best food in the area.
(4)Lucy A.
Love this place. Any dish I get is done well without any compliant. You guys put a lot of love into you meal prep. The combination of flavors is beautiful. Recently went and our waiter Saul was great! Very attentive, polite, and professional. All other waiter are always great but he was worth finally putting a review. Keep up the good work! Please add Marin to your white wine please :)
(5)Danielle A.
Good food, Love the bread ... However saw a mouse on the floor once and that kind of put a damper on things.
(4)Erika O.
Really good drinks and food!! The bread and oil is addicting!!!! I really can't get enough of it!! I love their weekly specials as well
(5)Sara B.
I've been here on several occasions in the past but will likely not be returning. The service was slow and unfriendly, not to mention the cobb salad with chicken completely disagreed with me (not sure what was wrong with it). This place used to be great but I think I will be choosing another restaurant in the future when I want American fare.
(2)Amy M.
I can't believe I've never written a review for this place...I've been 2-3/yr for the past 5 yrs now, and am rarely anything but delighted - quite a surprise for a chain restaurant. Why do I keep coming back? It's convenient to meet friends from MA here, there's abundant parking, the food and service is consistently good, prices are reasonable, and the menu changes often enough to keep things interesting. Oh and they are super flexible about swapping sides :-) On those rare occassions when something isn't "right", the management remedies the situation quickly, with both courtesy and generosity. My favorite things here: Tuna Nachos (app - 1/2 price in bar M-F 3-6pm). Joe's Mustard Crusted Chicken Scallops on Rosemary (OMG - had that last visit and can't wait to go back - 5 stars for this dish!!) Peanut Butter 'Thing" - a desert more than enough for 2 people, worth breaking the diet for!! My only request is for the Methuen restaurant to offer some of the specials at other locations (like Oyster and Martini Mondays!). THAT would get me there at least twice as often ;-)
(5)Gevorg K.
When talking about chain restaurants, there aren't many better than Not Your Average Joe's. The Methuen location is definitely the best place to eat in the Loop. They offer an extensive menu that changes often in order to keep things fresh and lively. Their food is fresh and appears and tastes cooked to order unlike most chain restaurants that serve frozen, heated up meals. I have been pleased with the quality of every meal I've consumed at NYAJ, both in terms of taste as well as price. Each meal begins with complimentary bread and a delicious olive oil/garlic/parmesan mixture. The best feature about this NYAJ location is the staff. On my last two visits, there were minor mix-ups with my meal. First, they accidentally put the wrong cheese on my pizza. They immediately came out and informed me of the situation, offered me both pizzas if I wanted, threw in a free soup of my choice (on a side note, their tomato basil soup is amazing), and when it came time to pay the bill, they had taken the cost of my portion of the meal off the bill. During a visit last week, I had called ahead for a 7 pm pick-up. When I got there, they told me that they had forgotten to put the order through. The food was ready by 7:15 which wasn't much of a wait in my eyes, but the manager went ahead and covered the entire cost of the order since I had to wait past my scheduled pick-up time. I have never received such orderly, caring service in my life. Will definitely continue to go here.
(4)Kristin K.
The service is a crapshoot. I've walked out 25 minutes after having been seated then never again acknowledged. But honestly, the food is pretty awesome. If you have a good waiter/waitress, then you'll really enjoy your experience and be sure to save room for dessert. There's always something new and amazing whenever I go, which is only once or twice a year cuz the line is usually out the door.
(4)Linda P.
One of my very favorite restaurant chains - never disappointed. The bread and dipping oil is excellent, and I have not had a bad menu item. Their specials are usually quite good and they have nice cocktails at a reasonable price. If you want a quick bite before the movies (right next door), NYAJ is a really good choice.
(5)Rose B.
My husband and I were at Joes for dinner on Thursday. It was my birthday, and I had my complimentary coupon. The service, and food were outstanding! Joes does not skimp, complimentary or not. This is one of our favorite restaurants. I cannot praise them enough. I highly recommend the new Autumn menu and the pumpkin cheese cake is to die for!
(5)Looking F.
This is my favorite restaurant. I have been to this place almost 25 times. Every time I go they treat us with a big smile and have excellent customer service . We have tried almost everything on their menu. They do offer movie tickets of AMC in 8 bucks if u dine there. It's a ideal place to go for dinning and then movie , shopping etc. .
(5)