Maybe the most New Jersey of all New Jersey chainlets, MJ's is a no-frills food factory for hungry Jerseyites seeking simple pleasures at fair prices. Is the food great? No. Is the service great? No. Is the food edible? Yes, and in some cases very good (my Caesar salad with salmon was tasty). The point is, the views are nice, the beer is cold, and there's comedy and live music. Viva la Garden State. read more

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I stopped in this restaurant to get lunch. When I arrived I parked in their lot. I walked in and was greeted and sat in the back area. The place was huge! I was served by Jennifer. We ordered: Cool As A Cucumber Vacation in a Glass Surfin' In A Hurricane Love, Love, Love Pomegranate Martini Sicilian Pizza Chicken Taquitos Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites MJs Famous Wings Cuban Sandwich MJs Warm Brownie Sundae I loved the pizza the most followed by the Thai wings! All in all I had a good experience! read more

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Went here tonight with my family (group of 5) around 9 pm... 2 young staffs, one cashier of I think an Indian descent with another waitress were talking to each other, ignored us as we walked in, declined to sit us at the back portion of the restaurant as we prefer to stay away from the bar area...that part we understood and assumed that since we walked in a little late they may have cleaned up that part of the restaurant... as we sat ourselves and waited for one of them to acknowledge our presence for about 15 minutes, they continued on with their conversation. Since we felt ignored and unattended we got up and left and as we did one of them in a sarcastic tone said 'bye'. We will never set foot in this place ever again. Mind you we were here before and their food wasn't that great but we got an excellent service from our server Bre at that time so we didn't mind coming back tonight expecting the same service but got the exact opposite. To those 2 staff members consider yourself lucky I didn't get your names but we'll forever remember how we were treated tonight ! read more

We were a table of 8 and ordered plenty of food and drinks. Unfortunately, the hamburgers were not good at all and way over cooked. The gf pizza and garlic Parmesan wings were yummy but that's where it ends. Everything else was just ehhh. The craziest thing is after 2 hours a waitress whispered in my ear that they needed the table. That was right after my niece ordered another drink. Clearly there are time limits and with sub par food I won't be back. read more

MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill - Cesar salad with chicken - Pizza Near Me - Matawan, New Jersey

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The bartenders are nice and attentive. Food looks delicious. They put what I want to watch on the tv. read more

The kitchen at the Matawan location absolutely sucks. I never remember food as simple as wings and a burger tasting so disgusting! Management really needs to step up and do something - big time turnoff!! read more

I went here recently for a party. The lower level was where the room was located. The decor was outdated and the room dark, seating near the windows was absolutely freezing. The staff were ok, the food mediocre at best (bland) I was considering having a party here, not anymore. read more

MJ's is great place to go for happy hour. It's also not to be missed during the summer. Their outdoor dining setup is absolutely amazing. Right on the lake, they have plenty of outdoor seating and the background is so nice! The food in and of itself is pretty basic. This is not where the foodies and 5 star eaters go. However, for a nice lunch or happy hour drinks, this place does the trick! Typical bar food, some sushi options and sugary cocktails. The service is always decent and the place is huge so the waits are never very long. They also have banquet halls so you will often see weddings, private parties etc which can be nice if you like to people watch. They also have a DJ on weekend nights which can be nice but annoying if you are just coming for dinner. Not a date spot, but a great spot for a casual hang. read more

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This is my third or fourth time having lunch here. It is always delicious. The service has been excellent on every visit. The ambiance is always great and the staff very friendly. read more

MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill - Pizza Near Me - Matawan, New Jersey

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Been here a few times, this would be my first review for this location. The decor could use some updating, and the party room downstairs is dull and unappealing. Had Chicken Francese (very bland) and penne vodka (overcooked and little taste). The service was pretty good, the parking lot spots on a busy day are exceptionally tight ~ 3 strikes and they are out read more

The chef can't cook a steak or a hamburger to order. The waitress doesn't know what condiments to put on the table for the food that was ordered. Even though the badly over done steak was taken off the bill. The bill states that the customer "doesn't like". Lets say the truth. The chef didn't cook it right. MJ's also added a 20% tip for a 5% experience. Plus, added a cc charge and the charge slip was looking for yet another tip. I was there entertaining a group of friends and family from out of state. I am very embarrassed. . read more

It takes a lot for Bay Ridgians to travel to New Jersey. It's a bit of a schlep, however, friends with cars make it so easyyyyyy! Lol! One of my best friends'( talking High School here folks) sister threw her a surprise party ( my friend knew all along) at MJs which is located in Matewan. It states restaurant bar and grill but also it's a manor. MJ hosts private events and when you look at the space from the outside you don't realize how spacious it really is! The room we sat in was the restaurant space which was very lively and overlooked the waterfront. It was a mild day and I can only envision what a beautiful view in the summer. MJ offers pub food of course and the menu that was chosen for us were nachos ( chicken and beef) and pizza for starters.Sorry to say, neither thrilled me. ( you all know what pizza Fawn eats and in what borough, nuf said). The pizza had no taste and the nachos were mediocre. The lunch portion options were burgers, Reuben sandwich, tacos,corned beef and cabbage, fried chicken sandwich, steak sandwich and apple salad. Nice selection for everyone. I requested a turkey burger which didn't really cut it.( dry and I'm also a mayonnaise snob) Plus watching the Knicks game while eating is not recommended ( score was up, down and all around) The positive was the service, the servers were attentive and refilled water and soda pitchers constantly. The restrooms are clean which is a plus in a sports bar. ( The Knicks held my attention throughout the party, they won, a sigh of relief) We were a group of twenty and we really had a blast. I would recommend this place to hang out at the bar and consume a lot of beers ( I will need them in the future as Gerrit Cole is out so far 2 months for the Yankees. Oh, the alcohol I've consumed since hearing THAT news). As for the food, I've had better you know where and in what borough. Nuf said. read more

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I should preface this review with the fact that I do like MJs. The location is great and the views are really nice -- and up until yesterday I never had a bad or below average meal. We used to frequently come here for the steak sandwich and wings and they were always great. MJs bringing back their brunch buffett though needs some work. At almost $38 ( half off I believe for children under 12) something has to be fixed. While the sausage, eggs and chicken tenders were good -- the bacon was overcooked and dry, the French toast was burnt, the carving station was overcooked and dry, the fries were some kind of Sodexo or US foods school cafeteria fries and the only sushi was a California roll. That's only sushi for people who don't eat sushi. There were some made to order items like pancakes (very good), chicken and waffles (chicken was great waffles were burnt) and avocado toast which was good. Our server was very good even though she was slammed with requests and complaints from all over her area. The bus boys were helping her out when possible and quick to clear the tables. All in all I think they can make it work just need to address some things. read more

Went for lunch and drinks. Amanda was very attentive. Only ate appetizers but they were good. Sat at the bar and enjoyed my time there. I will return to enjoy a full meal read more

This MJ's is located on the site of Buttonwood Manor overlooking Lake Lefferts. Great entertainment and great sushi make this visit a pleasure. Ron, our server, has to be commended. Drinks are reasonably priced. I've been to other MJ's ie Middletown, Tinton Falls & Neptune. This one rules. read more

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I used to come here quite a bit and it was great. Went there tonight after about a year of not having been there. Ordered simple food, wings and an everything pizza. The wings are not hot, they felt as if they had been cooked earlier and then maybe kept in a warming area or placed under the broiler before serving (definitely not fresh from the fryer). The everything pizza pizza didn't have enough sauce on it, and the toppings were flavorless. Really didn't like it there at all this time. It seems like the quality has gone down a lot. Probably won't go back for another year or two to give them a chance to make it the way it used to be. read more

We have attended many events here over roughly thirty years and it is consistently bad!!! The catering staff is generally rude, almost every one. The faces change but the attitudes remain remarkably the same! The room is unchanged since the 90's. Same carpet, same everything! The basement catering room has a mildewy smell. The chairs are old and dirty too. The food is ok. Honestly, the staff, smell and room overshadow anything positive about it. The positives are the view of the lake, the view from the outdoor patio and a decent size parking lot. That's about it. read more

Was a guest at a catering hall party here... servers were rude and not good at their jobs... they would serve half the table and walk a way to the next bumping into people on the way... the tables were small and old .. the appetizers were basically frozen things from costco.. the main courses were half half.. tiny slivers if sirloin and bland chicken francais.. would not recommend having a party here.. walked through the downstairs room and smelled mildew but it had nicer views. read more

MJ's is a great place to bring the kids and watch sports. If you you love chicken wings this is a definite place to try. The wings are not breaded and are fried to perfection and then doused with one of their sauces. My son loves the Thai chili wings and I am more traditional buffalo. The service we received was great. Very attentive and a nice balance of attention vs space to enjoy our meal. The menu suggested a "famous" steak sandwich which I couldn't find a picture of so I ordered it and got a picture. The sandwich says it's made with hanger steak, but mine was definitely flank steak. The bread it came on want the best - too chewy. While I loved the flavors I would hope they improve the product if they claim it's famous (yes the menu used quotes, not me). The burgers and fries are pretty standard pub fare. My son's grilled cheese looked very tasty - on Texas toast style bread. The nachos I would pass on in favor of the wings and dips. read more

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Went for a birthday brunch and had a great experience! Carol, our waitress, was friendly and very observant of our needs. We ordered the pancake stack with syrup, chocolate chips, and whipped cream from the brunch menu along with the huevos rancheros and breakfast burrito. I ordered the grilled chicken BLT from the regular menu. The chicken BLT was very tender and full of flavor. It was served on a panini with French fries. My daughter loved the pancakes and even had enough to bring home. The Mimosas were fantastic and made with pineapple juice, at my request. Really enjoyed it! read more

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Very nice for comfort food . Went with my kids for dinner . Salad soup Sandwich and Ribs . Highly recommended!!

I've come to this restaurant on many occasions and I never had a bad experience. I always enjoy the food and the staff is always kind and efficient. The vibe of the place can vary a lot. If you come during the day, it's usually pretty quiet and scenic. On the weekends it can turn into a party in the evening. The bar area is a fun place to hang out with friends. What I like most about this place is the outside. Their patio area is great and it has the view of the fountain and the lake. read more

MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill - Sushi - Pizza Near Me - Matawan, New Jersey

So I'm a regular here now. Been coming here at least one day a week for about 2 years. The wings are consistently very good. Most of the food is usually pretty good. The special sushi rolls and pizza are actually very good considering it's not a sushi place or pizzeria. Went for Sunday brunch a few times and did not disappoint everyone enjoyed it. The bartenders are amazing. Great drinks and service. Love this place. read more

Went here last weekend, wanted to try the nightlife. The bar was fun, good drinks I got a vodka club. the music was good and tvs everywhere

We've been to the MJs in Neptune and the experience was great. Food was good and the service as well. We decided to try out the Matawan location. That was a completely different experience. We ordered a dessert martini Zero to sixty Expresso Martini from the menu priced at $9. Ordered the Honey Thai Chicken pizza (was good but not as good as Neptune) and the Philly Cheesesteak Egg Roll which were also good. The problem was when we received the check. I noticed that the martini was $12.50 rather than the $9 published on the menu. I asked the server and he said that the menu was outdated and he charged current price. I asked him to check with the manager. He came back a few minutes later and said essentially the same thing and said it is want is it and asked me what I wanted him to do. Now I worked in retail and I know what I would have done but I gave him my card. He came back and said he fixed it and took off $2 but not the $3.50 that he should have. This experience turned me off to this location and we will not be returning. They should have updated the menu or at least tell people that the prices are wrong instead of just sneaking it in and saying it is what it is. Also, if I was that manager, I would have come over to the table and apologized for the mix up. Ver poor customer service. read more

MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill - Menu of desserts and dessert drinks. - Pizza Near Me - Matawan, New Jersey

Useless bartender - spent almost the whole time on her cell phone. When lunch didnt show up after 25 mintues I asked her to check with the kitchen. She came back and said your sandwich isnt ready (duh) 10 minutes later The sandwich came out cold (steak sandwich). No ketchup salt pepper or a setup came with othe meal. I asked for all of the seasonings and was given ketchup and pepper. Never got a napkin or silverware. Hey Manager! Start supervising your day staff. Right now they are useless. read more

It's such a shame, my family and I had been looking forward to trying this restaurant and unfortunately it's not a place we will revisit. The restaurant is so nice in appearance (very clean and nice for hosting a party). Also, the hostess and servers were great. But sadly we cannot say the same for the food. Such a big selection from the menu, but NOTHING was cooked properly (either overcooked, dry, salty or bland). This place is definitely more of a bar hangout vibe, just wished they had good food to match the drinks. Wished we would've read some of the reviews beforehand. So disappointing! read more

Nice spot for some lunch and cocktails. They have an indoor bar and dining area with a sushi bar too! There is a great outdoor deck with beautiful flowers, and a great view of the lake. Our server was really sweet. Tried a few of the martinis, all very good. Food was delicious too especially the sushi which was super fresh. would definitely recommend a visit if you have not been to MJ's before. read more

MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill - Pizza Near Me - Matawan, New Jersey

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I love that MJs could be a local pub, but just not cutting it. Hoping for better I took a friend. The floor was filthy. Wait staff just walking over the food and napkins on the floor. I never complain about a restaurant but this was beyond bearable. I mentioned it to the manager and she grabbed a wad of trampled food with her bare hands (yuck) but missed most of it. I ordered fish tacos. Mistake. Miniscule bits of fish smothered in cole slaw. Might be the worst I ever had. Never again. Another customer applauded me for speaking up. read more

This is my new go to place. MJ's doesn't disappoint! As soon as we arrived we were greated and seated promptly. The server was friendly and quick with taking our order and providing us with our drinks to start with. The food was fantastic. Very friendly atmosphere. There was an awesome large bar great for watching sports that was packed with people. We decided to sit at a quiet window table and truly enjoyed the lovely view while we ate our meal. I highly recommend MJ's and will certainly be back. Thanks again for the great service! read more

MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill - Great view - Pizza Near Me - Matawan, New Jersey

Good place to watch sports. Plenty of room. Service is spotty. Some things come out quickly. Some don't. No rhyme or reason. Drinks were good. Sushi was real good If you are in the area. It's worth a trip for sure. Prices are reasonable as well read more

MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill - Some of the specialty cocktails - Pizza Near Me - Matawan, New Jersey

Went for the Easter Buffet and the food was awful. It was barley editable. The roast beef from the carving station was tough, chewy and tasteless. Pasta dishes were soggy and cold.Steak tips were dry. I've been there for a work retirement party and the burgers and wraps seemed to be ok. But this buffet was terrible!. The only thing that was nice was the view. Never again, ever!. And I feel really bad about leaving this review and never do this, but it was really that bad that I had to. read more

MJ's in Matawan where it took over the former Buttonwood Manor. We went for a quick bite and chose to sit outside that has been recently expanded to a garden like area overlooking a lake. I was tempted to order from their Sushi and Poke menu but it was Monday which I believe is not the best day to order fish, cooked or raw. Decided on Pulled Pork sandwich that was pretty good, topped with onions and Cole slaw. A panini with grilled chicken, substituted from the fried version, with fresh mozzarella was also very good. Both sandwiches were served with fries. read more

MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill - Pulled Pork sandwich - Pizza Near Me - Matawan, New Jersey

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We have been there a few times but Zander was a first! He was wonderful! Attentive which is needed when waiting on a table with two small kids! Great experience! read more

Not good. The people are nice but nothing in the establishment is worth the calories in my opinion.

We come here to enjoy the bar more than we come here to eat. The bar is usually crowded and the drinks are definitely strong and inexpensive. They have a dj on the weekends and usually no cover to get in. The food is not the best. Very basic dishes don't taste the best like boneless wings and nachos. I wouldn't recommend eating her but come to drink with a few friends and this spot will be a good choice. read more

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I gave them all the chances I could. It's just not good. Tried the grilled chicken panini. The components all sound great & it would be a good sandwich if you could bite through the chicken. Not possible. I switched to asking the chicken to be fried instead of grilled, hoping it could be saved. Nope. Not only is the chicken impossible to chew, both times the bacon was rock hard. Move onto my 3rd try. Ordered boneless wings. Couldn't cut them with a knife. Hard as a rock & served cold. That was the end for me. The first & best thing I had there was a turkey club. I thought, at least I could order that. It was gone from the menu by my second visit. That was the end for me. Never went back, never going back. This was the Middletown, NJ location. I'm never trying the others. read more

First time visitor and glad I picked this place. The covid menu has plenty good items to choose from. And from looking at other plates, they each have great portions. The staff was attentive, friendly and will take the time to answer any questions without making you feel rushed. The outside sitting area is nice. If you get a seat by the water. That is a great view in itself. They have a bar area seating away from the outside dining area as well. Started with the Asian Thai chicken wings. Crispy skin without being burnt. The seasoning was right on point. I ordered the chicken wrap. And that was really good. They did not skimp on the chicken. The wrap had a great proportion of everything. Big and the wrap was tight even after bitting into it. The meat seasoned and fresh ingredients. The house seasoned chips that came with the wrap. Slightly over seasoned but very good. That was a 1, 2 punch combo. I will be back to try other items that looked so good. read more

MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill - Asian Thai chicken wings Very tasty - Pizza Near Me - Matawan, New Jersey

Great tacos, steaks, and salmon. Terrific French Onion soup. Interesting specials on week nights. Particularly enjoy the Matawan location. Prices like most restaurants have soared. read more

Overall this was mostly an unpleasant experience due to poor service and secondly by mediocre food. We arrived around 5:15 and it took 15 minutes for a waiter to appear. He took our drink orders, but my drink didn't arrive for about 30 minutes. At that time we ordered a nachos platter as an appetizer and some fish tacos and a steak sandwich for an entree. We then started a long period of wait. We couldn't understand why it was taking so long to get the appetizer. Finally after 45 minutes everything appears at once. We were clear with the waiter when ordering we wanted the appetizer first, but they served it with dinner. There was no opportunity to eat our food before it became cool because everything showed up at once. To make things worse, after the delivery of the food by our food delivery kids, the waiter never appeared and asked if we needed anything else. I couldn't get a glass of water, salt, ketchup, etc. The waiter only made a reappearance after we ate and gave us the check. The nachos are fast food worthy, with a cheese wiz instead of melted cheddar, and it was mostly chips with very few toppings. The fish tacos seemed to be made with some sort of very bready fish stick. Not very good. The steak sandwich was okay but the fries were some horrible creation with some sort of coating to make them crispy, sort of like Burger King did years ago. They were also very disorganized. I saw food runners come out of the kitchen with food, then they spent minutes trying to figure out what table the food went to. So, not a good dinner experience!! read more