PJ’s BAR-B-QSA

Found this spot on Unilocal!Listened to the reviews and made the trip out of the city to heck it out … As good as the reviews are… They UNDER SELL how awesome this place is!!! Some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had, great beer, and a very cool atmosphere. But what makes it even better, are the people that work there!!! PJ himself, the owner/​pit master comes to ever table to make sure you are enjoying yourself … And with not a memorized greeting. You can truly tell he is excited to meet you and learn about where his customers are coming from. He found out we were come western NY. Told us he had been a bills season ticket holder for 15 years and makes the drive to buffalo from Saratoga for every game! He even gave us a tour of his kitchen and talked about how he makes all of his meats!!! This place is a real gem… I wish this place, and it’s owner, truly all the best in the world! Just can’t wait to go back! (Oh… And they serve labatt Blue!) you’re welcome!

Wonderful Authentic American BBQ.
We travel the country for BBQ and are usually disappointed but some times our effort pays off and restores our faith that great American BBQ does exist and it does at PJ’s BBQ and we have our new BBQ destination on the east coast.
PJ does it right and has for some 50 years. No taste enhancing msg chemical smoke nonsense at this icon of BBQ, just old fashioned slow cooking in decades old grills over apple, hickory, or mesquite wood that delivers exactly the taste and savoury flavours infused into the meat that falls off the bone and what we call authentic American BBQ.
Their burnt end brisket is like great sex, slow and satisfying for a long long time, and delivers an orgasim for your mouth.
PJ even does chicken right, slow cooking over an old circulating monster grill his father made years ago that slowly roasts the flayed chicken over white hot charcoal and basted with PJ’s family sauce.
There’s just to much goodness here to write about on Unilocal,much easier to go to PJ’s yourself and bring the family and experience for yourself the best BBQ on the east coast served in a laid back fun time atmosphere. PJ will even spin some great music for you so long as it’s from the 60’s. Enjoy!!!

One word… AMAZINGLYAWESOMELYDELICIOUS! So let me start by saying we heard of this place from a few locals at our hotel and boy are we glad we listened! When we first pulled up i was like «really?!» …not wanting to go in because it didn’t look very busy. However, from the meat cleaver front door handles (so cute and clever), to the friendly staff inside, it was well worth it! My fiancé had the special which was a 1.5lbs beef rib that fell off the bone! To quote «this was the best beef rib I’ve ever had! Like filet mignon on a bone then smoked»
I had the 2 region tour with brisket and Kansas city ribs… outrageous! The ribs were HUGE and fell right off the bone! the sides we had mac and cheese, which was generic but good, the collard greens, and cheese grits. We also ordered burnt ends… delicious! Too full to eat our dessert but it looked great!
Everything was delicious. The owner was extremely personable and chatted with us about football. Overall a great find! Lesson learned-​never judge a bbq joint by its cover! Would definitely return!

Color me impressed. I’m working in the area right now and I’m so glad I stopped here after having an awful meal at Shane’s in Clifton Park last week. I dunno if i will be in the area again after this week, but if i am then i am definitely going to make it a point to come back to PJ’s. I’ve had BBQ from all around the southern tier of NY as well as northeast PA, and i cook it myself once or twice a month, and this is some of the best i’ve had from a restaurant.
I decided that the real way to go was the QSA 5 region road trip. this plate includes 3 sides, 2 pieces of cornbread, half a sausage, a couple slices of brisket, 3 ribs, a quarter chicken, and a pile of pulled pork. All of this food is $ 28, and i think it’s a fair price. BBQ is expensive to make, it takes a long time to cook, and have you ever bought ribs at the store to make for yourself? they’re not cheap. and beef prices are pretty high right now. and i thought the portions were adequate. i’ll start with my favorite thing, the brisket. i ordered it moist, which means it was sliced to include meat from the flat and the fatty point. this is absolutely the way to go. it was just a tad over tender but the flavor was great, not too smokey and the bark on it was really good, i just may order this by the pound next time. The sausage was good, the outside was a little charred but the inside was good, not dried out at all. i did find it to be a little sweet though, seemed like more of a breakfast sausage. i don’t order sausage too often, but this was pretty good. I went with the dry rub ribs and i couldn’t really pick up much flavor from the rub, but there was plenty of smoke and like the brisket it was a little too tender, but not to the point of falling apart, they were very moist and i would order these again in a heartbeat. the pulled pork was probably my least favorite item. it wasn’t bad, i got it sauced North Carolina vinegar style and I probably wouldn’t do it that way next time. Usually when BBQ meats sit around in sauce for a while they lose the smoke flavor, but not in this pork, it cut right through. As for the Cornell chicken, i went dark meat and it was great. I’m from Binghamton and this stuff is everywhere during the summer, and the chicken here is as good as any i’ve had. moist and flavorful, and you can watch it cook in a really cool charcoal pit.
For the most part i really enjoyed the sides. The cornbread was good but i wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t made in house. It’s got a soft texture and it’s sweet. that’s the way we like it up north but i know that southerners don’t like it sweet. i dunno why others on here complained about the baked beans, i thought they were up there with some of the best i’ve had. they were sweet with a little bit of kick, it was a nice balance, but i feel like they could have used some smoked meat in them. the mac n cheese was ok, a little generic but i’d rather have mediocre generic than bland homemade, which i’ve had plenty of both in my lifetime. the hush puppies were pretty good. i really liked the flavor but they were a little dense, i like mine a little lighter. I ended the meal with a slice of pecan pie. again, it was good, but didn’t seem homemade, and the slice was a little on the small side.
Overall I enjoyed most of the sauces. I was most excited for the texas hot sauce but it ended up tasting more like a buffalo wing sauce. the original hickory was ok, but as far as the tomato based sauces go i think i liked the KC sweet one the best. the whiskey sauce was ok, but i’m not the biggest whiskey fan. The carolina mustard sauce is probably my favorite that i had. all of the sauces were thick with a corn syrup texture, so again i question that they’re homemade, but really, the meat speaks for itself here and the sauces should be an afterthought.
All in all, i really enjoyed my experience. the place looks great and i immediately smelled smoke when i went in. the service was good and the food was great. if i’m ever in the area again i would love to come back.

Wow! What a tremendous disappointment! I was really looking forward to this, too. You can cook this in your kitchen, kids! This is basically sub-​par rotisserie chicken with sauces. I had the ½ chicken and what I got was a cooked chicken (no problems with that– it was cooked a little too dryly) and directions to the sauce bar. I got a 14 oz. Labatt’s (really, you can’t do a whole pint?), the chicken and two sides in plastic containers (Something like Bush’s baked beans and some ordinary mac salad) for about $ 18. The pit master here should be thrown in the pit, lol. This is b.s. barbeque. It might play in upstate NY but this place would go out of business anywhere else where they know their bbq. I gave it two stars because the staff were very very pleasant!
EDIT: Is it just me, or do the reviews above me (by date) sound like overeager adverts from friends of the owner? Lol.

Okay barbecue, but not «knock-​your-​socks-​off». My experience there has been okay, but don’t go out of my way to go when looking for «Q» meal. Sometimes over-​cooked and dry meat. Have not tried their sandwiches, just ribs and chicken.

I love everything about this place… and honestly, BBQ isn’t really my «thing.» From the cleaver as the front door handle, to the pork rind samples as you order, I was instantly a happy customer when I walked in. My table ordered a little bit of everything (being sorta new to the BBQ scene). As we waited for our food, «PJ the DJ» was playing hits from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. He even takes requests! Our food quickly arrived and I was sure to get tiny cups of all the house made sauces they offered. The combination of the fall-​off-​the-​bone ribs, the sweet and dense cornbread, the thick bark on the brisket, my favorite Elvis song playing in the background… I’m sure I was making inappropriate sounds with my eyes closed.
On our way out, we had a chance to speak with PJ, the owner and mix master extraordinaire. A truly great guy that greets each customer with a smile, rocks a Buffalo Bills hat, and personally sees that everyone is enjoying themselves and their dish.

Nothing on the outside prepares you for the authentic BBQ experience you’re about to enjoy. And then it happens. You step into this carefully curated restaurant and realize you’re no longer upstate NY. You’re down home. And that could be the Delta, Texas, Virginia, or the Carolinas. The bbq is tender and, depending on what you get, smoky or vinegary. The sides could be entrees themselves. The staff is upbeat, friendly and immensely helpful. The owner moves about greeting customers as if they are old friends. All the while the sultry twang of blues accompanies you. Try the okra and the creamed corn. So good! Fair warning: You’re likely to lick your fingers. And forget you’re in upstate NY!

Absolutely amazing! I was visiting family in Saratoga and they took us here for a quick dinner and I must say I was very pleased with our experience! The food is great and the atmosphere is even better. Will definitely be back next time I’m in town!

Ordered Memphis ribs w sides mac&cheese and bbq beans.
Ribs were generous, meaty, well cooked, with a pleasant smoke aroma and flavor that did not overpower the meat. They had a nice, dark, firm crust. But, alas, they were too lean and more than a bit dry. No flavorful fat to be seen anywhere. «Healthy» say some folks, «pity» say I. The sides were Ok but nothing special. Atmosphere: Chain restaurant clean, unimaginative, plastic, big TVs. Bring the kids. Some nice outdoor seating on edge of a grassy field, though most at the edge of the parking lot.
Good if you’re hungry, want OK BBQ and are passing by; not for folks that know and love BBQ.

I’m surprised my husband didn’t leave me for PJ.
I liked the cafeteria style ordering. The sauces are divine. The meats were really incredible — I tasted the burnt ends, Carolina pulled pork, Texas brisket, and regular pulled pork. The portions were adequate, prices reasonable, and experience was great.
And the pit master was there, my husband professed his love — PJ was so gracious and talked to us for a while before going to tend to the radio station he mans on site! Can’t wait to go back!

Started as the original PJ’s and then I believe started to franchise the name. Good bar-​be-​que. Has some live music each night. I haven’t eaten on premise in years but the food is good and the prices reasonable. I would say it’s my second favorite in the region and certainly would not hesitate to stop by again.

Not impressed. Ate there last night. It used to be great until they made all the changes. It’s more like a cafeteria now. You go through a line. The staff were pleasant and we did receive our food pretty quickly. Prices were much higher, but understandable with the times. If it was good, I wouldn’t have minded the prices. Their sides all suck. Corn bread didn’t even taste like corn bread. Mac and cheese was not good at all. Brisket was tender and tasted good, but certainly not the best BBQ I have ever had like some have stated regarding PJS. Cole slaw had onions in it. (Why do people put onions in cole slaw???) They had a DJ there and played enjoyable music from the 50’s. Anyway, it was ok. I probably won’t go there again.

So very good. My favorite is the chicken and rib plate. The sides could be better, like the mac and cheese and baked beans. I loved the cornbread. Overall, the meat is smokin’ good.

We are fans since PJ’s opened. I started coming as a child and the tradition has been kept now with my own family. We love all the meats from the brisket to the ribs and have tried almost everything on the menu. I have even written on their behalf to Food Network. .still waiting… PJ has a passion. He and his family work tirelessly and you will him there working that meat!! Dedication and Well deserved pride!!! We always get the 3 region platter so we can have a little bit of everything but we suggest the 5 region to first timers. This way you get a real taste of his amazing products. And you can bring your dog too!!! Go support a Saratoga landmark! They have vegetarian and even a gluten free menu as well. Don’t forget the loganberry juice.

WOW. LOVE THIS PLACE. As a pescetarian, this is a dream. I love sauces, salmon and mac and cheese. WOOO they have it all! They knock it out of the park with their smoked salmon. Not to mention they are a dippers dream. They have all the barbecue and hot sauces you can imagine and you can take as many samples as you like!
If you are ordering while you are there be prepared to wait a bit but the great thing is you can call ahead and order! Definitely a must visit for anyone who loves barbecue!

PJ’s great service and welcoming atmosphere are masked by its blasé food and poor value.
ATMOSPHERE: PJ’s offers a nice family atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating. Classic oldies music plays, and during events where a DJ is present you can phone in requests.
SERVICE: While this restaurant is self serve, the counter staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and they are efficient at their jobs.
FOOD: For what you pay the BBQ quality is not the best you can find. I ate their pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast. The pork itself was sufficiently moist, albeit lacking seasoning. The Texas toast was very greasy. When I added one of the restaurant’s BBQ sauces the sandwich became more palatable. Also, the portions are incredibly small save their signature pig-​out entrée The Slop Bucket.
VALUE: Exacerbated by the small portions and mediocre food quality, you do not get much bang for the buck here. In spite of the high prices, I figured I’d try this place at least once to see if my preconceptions could be positively altered, but sadly they were not. My very small sandwich was $ 6.95 and included no sides. If you’re a rib lover, a half rack with two tiny sides will set you back over $ 16. Then, of course, you get to choose which overpriced beverage you’d like to wash down the hole in your wallet you’ve just created.
TLDR: PJ’s continued patronage is only a result of the perpetual ignorance upstate New Yorkers possess regarding good BBQ.

Pj’s food is amazing, but their guest servicing skills at the to-​go counter on April 28^th, 2015 at 6:45 pm was sub-​par.
As I traveled my daughter fell asleep in the car, and as many know, don’t wake a sleeping baby! So I ran in the ten feet to get a to-​go menu, advised Id be right in to make a to-​go order.
The young teenager working the counter said, «oh you have to wait in line if you want your food now, and your ticket not have a 20 minute hold.» I expressed all I want to do is place my order and pick it up at the to-​go window, due to my child. She told me she only takes phone orders. So I advised her I would call her from the parking lot.
This was the most absurd way to take an order ever. She was polite, but her process of guest servicing is definitely backwards.
She could have relieved this by taking my order and advising me it would be about 20 minutes.
I’ve grown up on pj’s bbq for the past 15 – 20 years!!! I love their food, but I was floored at the lack of guest service I received today.
I’m sorry pj, I gave you a 4 because of your counter clerk. Your food is beyond a 5 and well worth the wait.
I feel bad that my child fell asleep, but having to call her 10 feet away because she can’t take my order 10 feet closer??? That’s backwards.

I’ve been coming to PJ’s since the mid-​80s, mostly for their chicken and ribs. I would not put PJ’s at the top of my list of favorite BBQ places, but it’s definitely my favorite north of Troy, and I never turn down a chance to eat here. It does feel, to me, that the portions are slightly smaller here for your money than at others, but the taste compensates.
My favorite ribs here are the Memphis ribs. The rub is tasty without being overpowering and the meat is tender. The chicken has a taste that reminds me of my uncle’s «secret» barbecue sauce he made for decades, with a tangy vinegar-​like presence. Unfortunately, some times I’ve gotten the chicken lukewarm, a less palatable temperature for me.
I also almost always get the beans and cole slaw as sides for the platters, as well as the cornbread, which is always moist. The cole slaw is fresh and not too creamy. The beans are among my favorites anywhere with their unique kick. Again, I wish they came in larger portions.
The staff here are really good, really helpful when you order, and they make a great effort to help you enjoy your meal.
I have 2 items on my wish list here: (1) I wish there were more beer options, and (2) I wish the collard greens were an option for the platters.

Yummy! Great service