One of our spots we tend to fall back on when it's hard to make a decision, This AJ Gators has grown on us since moving to the Redmill side of town. We were frequent customers at the AJ Gators over in Kempsville and because of the servers we knew, the consistency, prices, low key but yet sports bar vibe, we were excited to here there was one on this side of town and were curious if it offered the same specials, food, vibe...everything we loved about the Kempsville location. Walking in for the first time, you had to pass the cool outside seating but the smoking section so if you are bringing kids in, the side entrance may be better because out there, you will get the vibe that this is a local's hang spot for adults to which when you walk in, that becomes more clear. I like the fact that it's a "watering hole" for the locals tucked away. The food quality is just the same as Kempsville except for one time they had a cook back there that was ROCKING THE FOOD! That separated everything for me to a higher level as I didn't feel the vibe was as cool as the other restaurant, it was smaller and could use a little upgrading but this chef was back there making some amazing food! He/she had this Friday food special going on (I have a few pics) that was home cooking and you could tell this wasn't something commercial or from the freezer. This was made from love. I had the meatloaf with green beans and mac and cheese that was to die for! The flavors were so authentic and on point along with the portion size and price, it blew my mind and had me calling in each Friday for the next month checking to see what the specials were. Even when I didn't get the special, the other menu items were cooked with just as much love. Unfortunately, that chef moved left..moved on..or whatever happened to him/her, and missed that special. That special gave me a reason to want to hang out in that Local's bar atmosphere on a Friday and talk to the other customers vs seeking some other Friday night spot that had "the it" factor. Nonetheless, the food quality there for what they have is still done well, and can't complain about that. It has grown on us the more we go and has made it to one of the "local spots" we navigate to when we go back and forth with deciding where to go but I do believe if they did a little more upgrading and maybe another type of special (especially with the location being tucked away and hard to see), it could get more business and be a cool place to hang. It is more on the adult side I would say and when we go, we tend to go without the kids but it is Kids friendly with lots of tables in there to accommodate. Just know it will have locals in there that go daily, have their spots, and will have that vibe going on but in a cool way. Nothing has been disrespectful or out of control. Just a cool laid-back spot. Again, if they would do something with the floors as far as painting it or putting some sort of flooring and maybe touching up the color or adding something that gave it a bit more of a modern kick, it would do great. So in short, solid food with lots of options and good dinners (was better with that chef special), well-priced drinks, and a cool vibe especially if you are wanting a local hang spot seeing similar faces and consistent service. We like it!
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