Growing up I had loved CJ's, then when I'd visited the last few years the food had dropped off a cliff. Really happy that my most recent visit they seemed to have recovered (at least on that day). Seeing other reviews, it seems like consistency may be the issue there. Probably mostly sentimental, but the chips are always great, and I've always loved their BBQ sauce. Can't go wrong with any meal that has those to elements (assuming you catch them on a good day). Ambience is cozy. Service was a little inconsistent, but we had a big group - so no big deal. read more

Cj's Bar and Grill - Barbeque Near Me - Billings, Montana

I will not be going there anymore. It is just to much to ask for a cold plate for a Caesar salad and that the lettuce not be soggy. The servers refuse to go out of their way when I ask for something like a lemon. The drinks are more expensive than anywhere else in town. When your bill is 100 bucks and they get twenty, you would think that they would appreciate serving you. After the sixth time getting a soggy salad, the message is clear that they don't need customers. read more

Bad Food... Bad Prices... Great service! It was recommended by a local to visit here while I was in town. I was not in the mood for a steak or BBQ so I ordered basic chicken strips for my lunch. We also ordered the crab wontons as an appetizer. Both came out cold and was literally just frozen Sam's club junk. Nothing was actually made in the kitchen and the price for each was too high for the low quality. However, the staff was very friendly and attentive! Our waitress was great! read more

Cj's Bar and Grill - Chicken strips and shoestring fries - Barbeque Near Me - Billings, Montana

The last couple of times we went, we went for nachos. There was enough chips and cheese for an army, but the meat was enough for a toddler. Service wasn't the best as well. Really disappointing with it not even very busy. I don't feel like we will be going back for a long while. read more

One of the last places I know with a salad bar! Little soup/salad bar for $15 is good! Nice atmosphere. Not crazy loud. Be careful of the summer drink menu...no prices on it. I had a Moscow mule and when we got the bill it was $12. Ouch!! That seemed a little over the top. read more

I had the Ruben sandwich. It was excellent. Fries were good as well. I will order from them again.

I wrote a bad review a year ago but am pleased to say CJs is back, baby. Went last week and had a delicious meal. Service was great and the sliders were delicious. So glad things are better for this fave place. read more

Will update this review if we visit again The menu looks great and the environment felt nice, at first. We were greeted right away, but chose to sit at the bar. There were plenty of seats and tables available. The hostess apologized after a few minutes saying she didn't know where the bartender was. We waited about 12 minutes total with no other service than the hostess grabbing some water and menus for us. So, we did not get a drink at all and we did not eat at all. We were happier and more comfortable taking our business elsewhere. I'm sure this doesn't happen often (I hope), it'd be difficult to stay open if that were the case. read more

Ordered the prime rib sandwich and a Ruben. Ruben was decent but the leftover "prime rib" was actually inedible.

Didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity of food that was served. The ribs were some of the best I've ever had at any restaurant read more

My wife and I ordered prime rib Sunday. It was a true disappointment. One third of each cut was fat cap. Both servings were not hot. One was cold and sent back. Returning on a hot China plate but not hot meat. Neither the meat or brown liquid served with it had any flavor or seasoning. If you change $35 per plate you need to get it right. This does no bode well for new owners. To many good places to eat to pay big bucks for poor food. Ps read more

Really good food. Pretty fast service and very nice staff. Cjs is definitely one of my favorite places to eat. read more

Cj's Bar and Grill - a plate of salad - Barbeque Near Me - Billings, Montana

The smoked meat plates here never did it for me. Neither did the salad bar. Buuuuut the Lavosh w/ salsa cream cheese or whatever that is, crowd pleaser and the WINGS are top 2 in town with Tinys. (Tinys sometimes undercooked them) CJs are always crispy and fall off the bone. Their ranch is solid not thick enough and their bbq is really growing on me. Like tangy and peppery. It's great read more

Cj's Bar and Grill - "Wing Zings" original ranch and BBQ sauces & the lavosh cracker and spread come out on a cool side salad plate. - Barbeque Near Me - Billings, Montana

Had a below average lunch at CH's bar and grill "known for their meats" the slider sampler I ordered off the appetizer menu came with literally meat on buns, might I add the meat temperature felt like it had just came out of the fridge. The waitress did not ask what kind of barbecue sauce or cheese I would like or what toppings my friend wanted on her burger sliders either. I could not finish a sentence or ask for anything as the waitress cut me off every time. If you're feeling sliders make some at home, or a place with fantastic service try elsewhere. read more

Sad day for CJ's. Been coming here for years. When I went in today I sat at the bar. I sat and sat and sat, 15 minutes or more and no one waited on me. Wait...no in acknowledged me. I got up and left. I'd like to say bad service but I'll go with NO service. Still hungry. read more

My favorite restaurant in Billings! Wonderful service and great atmosphere! The take-out drive thru window is a plus! Amazing family-friendly and local business. read more

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I went there to order lunch. The server that took my order upchargered me for bacon with out asking when I got back to work had cold fries they forgot my appetizer. An I had to wait over 25 min to be greeted an another 20 to have my order taken. By far the worst service I've ever received. I quit going an will not be returning. An advising all my friends to follow suit. Terrible customer service an food read more

Great food, and service! Brooklyn B and Dan where very professional! We will be coming back for sure!

We went to CJs for the Clam Chowder and salad bar. I was shocked that for soup and salad bar it was 15 bucks. The soup was gross, very mushy watery no seasoning, right out of the can and the salad bar was 1 out of 5. We told the waitress, short haired gal, that the clam chowder was not good and she became very defensive. She said they have sold a pot of it today and no one has complained. We told her we just wanted to let her know but she kept arguing and acting like we didn't know what we were talking about. We tipped her but she didn't earn it. She was extremely rude. Her attitude seems to be a trend with the other staff, It was tough to get anyone to wait on us, there were very young waitresses or hostesses stand around the bar area but they weren't helping anyone. It took awhile to get drinks or pay bill. I use to like CJs that's why we went there, but it has gone down hill. If you say anything about the food quality you will be made to feel like you are an idiot. Don't waste your money! read more

Decided to go here because I wanted a salad bar that also offered soup. The salad bar had very little to offer, so I was disappointed. The soups were really good. The 2 people that were with me weren't happy with what they got. Especially the Cajun chicken. It was very DRY and didn't have much flavor. I tasted it, and it was bad. Our waitress was great, so we left her a 30% tip. This is one place that we will never eat at again though. read more

Nice place, nice atmosphere, nice staff. The food? Not as nice as everything else. I ordered a combo platter with brisket and ribs. I had high hopes. The brisket was cut very thin, and had a consistency like roast beef. The ribs were dry, rubbery, and flavorless. Everything was doused in sauce. I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. I guess I'm still trying to convince myself that there's a good BBQ place in Montana. Needless to say, this isn't it. I'm still searching. I'm sure there are other items on the menu that are just fine. I will probably try a burger next time I visit. But the BBQ? If you come from Texas or any place that takes BBQ seriously, I recommend that you steer clear. read more

Cj's Bar and Grill - Brisket and ribs platter - Barbeque Near Me - Billings, Montana

Upgraded to 5-star after recent dinner here. We had a wonderful waitress. The best service we've received in recent memory. Heather was her name. Shout out! You want good food at Cj's? Do what we do and order what I order and you won't be disappointed. For starters, Wing Zings (best chicken wings on the planet but just a wee bit spicy so beware). They are fat, meaty, tasty, juicy, delicious! Another good starter is the Chicken Sliders w/ American Cheese. Again, a little spicy with a pickle, mayo and soft bun. Wonderful! Their nachos will fill four fully grown sumo wrestlers! It's huge and good and not very expensive. The salad bar has real bacon pieces! Plus French dressing which so many restaurants are refusing to serve. We also love their beanless chili which you have to add onions and cheese to! For dinner we ordered the rotisserie bbq chicken and it's the best I've ever had anywhere. Fat and juicy and a perfect golden brown with crispy skin and juicy center. Even the white meat, breast, was succulent and tender. The "skins" (homemade potato chips) have been much improved. They used to be soggy and greasy but now they're crispy with no sign of grease anywhere. My kids also love the shoestring potatoes. My son absolutely goes nuts over the cheese nachos on the Children's Menu. He likes them so much because they're like we make at home with a couple different kinds of hard cheese melted over the top instead of that processed "squeeze cheese" so popular at other restaurants. One of our guests had their BLT sandwich, which is huge and loaded with bacon, and it was outstanding as well. Very delicious and crispy with a nice CRUNCH when you bite in. If you like a little spice in your life, try their medium sauce. For us, it's just the right amount of heat that doesn't rob from the flavor. Wonderful for dipping the chicken or skins into. Finally, they have a really good bottle of Merlot here that we order by Frei Brothers.. Normally, we are Cab people but this wine was recommended and it was incredible. I love the ambiance of this restaurant and it's very popular in town. We prefer to eat in the bar area at a table over the booths in the restaurant. Go early or you're going to wait!!! And in the Winter when it's cold, wear something "light" under your jacket. They're not afraid of running the furnace in the winter. read more

I really like your salad bar and also there soups are great we came back for the barbecue and we got sidetracked because we found something else on the menu good thing because it shows they have a good selection. But I do wanna come back for the ribs at least it's keeping me coming back read more

When i say this place is AMAZING I mean legit they're food is amazing the brisket is TO GOOD this place is the go to restaurant for me

Sadly disappointed by the food...had brisket and pulled pork. Brisket was thin sliced and dried out...the only flavor came from the hot BBQ sauce that was about as spicy of ketchup. The pulled pork had good moisture but from a sauce that it was doused in not from the meat. Tried the recommended home-made chips which turned out to be another disappointment as they were soft and not crispy at all. The staff were friendly when they did interact with you. The food just doesn't live up to the hype unless this is the only BBQ you've ever eaten then maybe you will like it. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in BILLINGS. Went there this week during the quarantine. Food was fantastic we were very specific on order and they followed our request to the letter. Please get out and support our local restaurants. read more

They have a pickup window! I've never been disappointed with their food. Tonight was no exception. Everything was exactly how I ordered it and it was ready when they said it was going to be. The Montana Cut prime rib is exactly what you would expect it to be. read more

The old location was the best but the greedy mall ended that run. This place is hit or miss. One day the nachos are huge and piled full, next few times they are small and all chips. Salad bar is also a toss up. The cj's pork or brisket are strangely sliced and look all identical. Processed and bland. Last two times they were dry and cold. Would not recommend any of the "bbq." Sandwiches and pizza are the best choice. Service is also all over the place. Enter at your own risk. read more

I have been a customer since the 90's and I must say the quality of food is terrible.. I had a side salad and it was awful.. The waitress was in a hurry.. I miss the old Cj's.. read more

We go to CJ's just for the prime rib it is very good! The pulled pork nachos are very good also. The wait staff is attentive and friendly.

CJ's is a steakhouse that is trying to be a legitimate restaurant, and failing. If they decided to just be a steakhouse, and have awesome bbq and beers then it would probably be pretty great. Instead, they have some so-so barbeque and some flouncy menu items that they can't really pull off, and none of it is that remarkable, and the beer list is pa-thet-ic. I had the pulled pork, which suffered from being covered in a suace more suited for roast beef or ribs and also being way, way overcooked. Pulled pork should NOT be crunchy! I also had a bloody mary, and was charged extra for asking for it to be mixed with Absolut freaking Peppar, even though the menu said I got my choice of vodkas. It's not like I ordered Effen here folks. Our service was poor, of the toss the food down on the table and make a dash for it variety; the waitress came by our table THREE times before I managed to stop her for long enough to order my bloody mary. There were also a LOT of children at the restaurant, even though we went in the middle of the dinner hour. Sad as I am to say it, if you want barbecue in billings you're probably better off at Famous Dave's, and if you want a nice meal, you're probably better off at any of 100 other places (Walker's Grille, The Granary, Enzo, or even The Rex.) read more

My husband and I made a pact after this, our second, visit to CJ's Bar and Grill: if we ask our server, "what do you recommend that isn't breaded or that doesn't have gluten," and she says, "salad," we will walk out on the spot. Really we just avoid gluten, our food doesn't have to be sanitized of all gluten, so any grilled meat dish will do (this is a "bar and GRILL," no?) So, that being said, my husband and I had the rotisserie chicken and our son had the salmon. Both dishes were crazy over-cooked and SUPER dry. The chicken was described as being smoked, but there was no smoky flavor. I still haven't gotten used to "skin-on fries" really being potato chips, but they were our favorite part of the dinner. Note to self, just in case a friend drags us in here in the future: the shoelace fries (really, just regular food service fries) must have plenty flour in them, because I did wake up to a bit of a gluten hang over. In the end, the server was right: we should have opted for the salad bar. read more

Service was OK, but nothing to brag about. I had the Brisket, and it was far from tender like a brisket smoked 12 hours (as the menu claims). It tasted more like the steak strips from a Subway restaurant. Definitely not worth the money spent. read more

Our server was alright, I had the brisket, was sliced very thin, dry, no seasoning. Would not recommend it.

We have always heard about this place, but never made it in to try it. Finally went today and were both disappointed from start to finish. The hostess acted as if she hated her life. The iced tea was stale. The calamari was way over cooked and chewy, a tiny portion, and had sloppy presentation. The shoe-string fries were the best part, but it's pretty hard to mess up fries. The service was slow and almost non-existent (granted I think the waitress was new, so I'll give her a break). All in all - I would not recommend and we won't be going back. read more

The appetizer was only good food the waitress was trouble and dinner was bad the fries were cold pulled pork cold and everything was dry

My wife and I used to love this place. In our opinion, this was the go-to place to get ribs in Billings for many years. Not anymore. The ribs are dry, and I usually order the sliced pork and it is dry too and served at best, luke warm. We moved to Billings 6 months ago and we've been there 3 times since living here and each time was disappointing. It's too bad because the servers are all nice and good at their jobs and the atmosphere is nice but the food is disappointing if you have a true taste for BBQ that should be hot and juicy. 3 try's is a charm but unfortunately, the food wasn't charming so we won't be going back. I hate seeing a restaurant that was fabulous go to less than mediocre. Something has changed here from what it used to be but it didn't change for the better. read more

I could not disagree more with the other reviewer. CJ's ribs are probably top three in the world. I would put them against the best of Texas, Memphis, St. Louis or the Carolinas. They are cooked over mesquite to total perfection. They are cut St. Louis style. The house made chips complement them perfectly. The rest of the menu is decent, but it's all about the pork ribs at CJ's. read more

All the food was very good. Philly steak, pulled pork sandwiches, sausage and even the chicken bites. Love the chips and sauce. Had the BBQ with a 4 meat choice and salad bar. More than enough for 2 people. Server was outstanding. Food came out fast. read more

You'll never be sad you chose to eat at CJ's. I frequent this establishment all the time and hardly ever order off the menu. I have the soup and salad bar. The soups are always spot on and the salad bar has items that you don't find anywhere else. The marinated mushrooms, pickled fish, and cucumber/onion salad are worth the trip alone. When I do eat off the menu I always go for the sausage or ribs. If you love good food and generous portions you'll like CJ's. read more

Cj's Bar and Grill - Great food, service and cocktails!! Love this place. - Barbeque Near Me - Billings, Montana