We were in Batavia for an event and brought our pup along, so we needed a dog-friendly spot. This place checked the box with a cute patio right by the river (pup definitely approved ). Service was great and the drinks packed a punch (maybe a little too strong, but hey, no complaints there). The food, though, was kind of a mixed bag. I had the BBQ pork sandwich and it reminded me a lot of a Sloppy Joe -- not bad, just not what I was expecting. The side Caesar salad, on the other hand, hit the spot. Overall: awesome patio vibes, nice staff, decent drinks, but the food didn't quite wow me. Glad we tried it, but not sure it's one I'd race back to. read more

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We visited them during their last week open and I have to say it was not much of an improvement from the last time we went. The wait person did a decent job, but the pizza was very disappointing. We ordered their signature thick-crust pan pizza and got a domino's product served to us instead. I don't know why we expected it to have changed. It was all bread, covered with a slight thin coating of flavorless sauce, and barely any toppings. I ordered pepperoni and laughed to myself when I saw literally one piece of pepperoni on each slice. I could not have been more disappointed. I took the leftovers home, but wound up tossing it the next day. read more

Don't go here if you're on crutches. Have a Walker, have a cane or need a wheelchair. When you first arrive, you have to walk downstairs to get to the front door then you have to walk down stairs to get to the receptionist.Then if you want to sit where you Can watch The River There's another set of steps or a very long ramp. When you leave, if you don't want to walk back up all the steps.There is a ramp outside that is made of brick , which is very uneven and bumpy and steep. I can't even imagine trying to do that with a wheelchair , much less crutches or a walker. As for the food we ordered calamari , which was burned and chewy , so overcooked. My Friend ordered chicken marsala without mushrooms, thinking that there would be something besides mushrooms.But instead it came in a bowl with gravy and a plop of chicken in the middle of it. Nothing Else. There.\nWas some pasta on the side which I thought the chicken and the gravy sauce was supposed to be on top of the pasta, but that's not how it was served.And no spoon. I had a joey's special chicken, which was also in a bowl with not a sauce but a soup and no spoon. The breading on the chicken breast was burned , so it had kind of an odd taste. If it wasn't for the view of the river , it wouldn't be worth the visit unless you just had a drink. I will not be going back to eat read more

The service was awesome but the food and building we not. The food was bland. I had a chicken breast salad, the chicken was extremely dry, way over cooked. Another person had a burger and it was this really thin patty that was also over cooked. The garlic parm bits were like rocks. However the deep fried pickles were really good. The location is great since it's right on the Fox river the interior needs freshening up. The walls had paint peeling/chipped everywhere. The bathrooms were dingy and old looking. Place has potential, just seems like the owners don't care. read more

Lobster sauce is amazing pizza is excellent onion soup very flavorful will be back !!!! read more

My husband and I went to Pal Joey's last night for dinner. We order a pan pizza with pepperoni, green peppers and mushrooms. When it arrived it was barely warm and tasted like fish. Disgusting! They must not wash their pizza pans between uses. Really disgusting! read more

If you like a layer of grease on every dish you have here, this is the spot for you. Disgusting trash. read more

Service is lacking big time. I can see why it has a low rating on yelp. They make you wait for seating when there's several vacant tables. How does a restaurant run out of coffee? We had to wait 20+ minutes for beef sandwiches and they don't give you utensils. This place doesn't deserve a one rating. read more

Completely turned off by the outdoor cobwebs & leaves everywhere. Entryway needs a cleaning also. This place would be amazing if they cleaned it up. Laziness read more

Pal Joey's has the best patio, right on the Fox River; very prerty and peaceful. However, their pizza, which used to be excellent, is not that good anymore. There is very little sauce, and what sauce is there, is missing seasoning, no flavor. Guess I'll have to try other menu items. read more

Lunch today after the funeral service many family members joined for the get together! Pal Joey's staff was top notch friendly and Efficient. We all had the lunch buffet which included salad with option of ranch or house balsamic dressing mostacolio several pizza slice options and soup ! The pizza is awesome yum!! We have been here before and the service and food is always enjoyable and fresh! View is nice as it is right on the river! Stop in!! read more

Thought we'd try Pal Joey's because of the outside seating along the River. Could have been a nice patio, but it was unkempt. Tables and menus were dirty. Ordered a burger. It was obviously a premade frozen patty. Very inexpensive but I left feeling gross. Best part was our nice waitress! Sorry Pal Joey's, I won't recommend. read more

RIVER. FRONT. BEER. GARDEN. Cmon! It's European out there. Just gorgeous. Terribly slow service but that's to be expected in a place that size and I truly don't mind that, especially cuz they're super friendly, it's just big and gets busy. And who cares - I'm not there for the food or drinks, I'm there for the vibes baby. Happy to have a location like this, can't believe there aren't more establishments right on the river, it's incredibly charming and will continue to be a go-to for me, especially as motivation for a long bike ride, as it's right by the path read more

We got chicken Caesar salads and noticed our chicken was super undercooked. Our waitress never came back until it was time for the check. Eventually I just scraped it off the the side and ate the lettuce (probably not a safe decision) she finally came back and I let her know and showed her, she said "I'll let them know" and brought the check. Didn't even comp anything. read more

Pal Joey's - Undercooked chicken - Pizza Near Me - Batavia, Illinois

Longtime customer of the original West Chicago restaurant.. Batavia just bears the name, not the quality.. Crust was so hard,, had trouble cutting with a knife.. Sauce has changed, sausage tasteless,, the original taste profile changed.. Restaurant smelled,, beer garden dirty,, not cleaned from last year.. Leaves, cobwebs, tables with caked with dirt and food.. Just plan gross.. Service was horrible.. Will not be going back,, Lou Malnati's,, here we come.. read more

It is unfortunate when the first time you try a new restaurant is also the last time you dine there. The only positive from our experience was our wait staff was very personable. They deserve to work somewhere better. We dined with four other people last evening. The salad was brown and wilted and when mentioned was exchanged for a fresh green salad. Why try to get rid of garbage by hoping your customers will just eat it and say nothing. The wait times for everything were excruciatingly long. This included being seated, having our order taken, having our food delivered, receiving our bill , etc. it simply did not flow smoothly. The food quality was marginal and our ticket was 50.00 for 2 and we did not have drinks or desert. When our server gathered our plates / pans after the meal there was a "squashed" bug on the table under one of the pizza pans. We did have take home food but we threw it away once we got home because of the bug issue. Our friend reported the men's bathroom was "disgusting. I consider myself fairly forgiving and realize any restaurant can have an off night but believe Pal Joey's has a larger problem requiring a total overhaul. We would not recommend or go there again. read more

Disappointed not the old Pal Joey's, pizza crust poor, chicken tenders overcooked, dinner salad just thrown in container very forgettable. I thought I would give it one more chance, but never again. read more

I was very disappointed when Pal Joey's in West Chicago closed. I tried the pizza at the Pal Joey's in Batavia this afternoon and was disappointed again! I was finally in the Batavia area at lunch time and ordered a pizza to pick up. The pizza was ready when I arrived. The restaurant looked very nice once you went down all of the stairs to enter the restaurant! The patio looked like a nice place to sit on a nice evening. Now, the review of their pizza: The crust is good. It is the same crust that was used at the West Chicago location. However, the sauce is not the same! It is very bland. The sauce was the best part of the pizza in West Chicago! They need to consult with the G.M. from West Chicago and get their recipe! I would definitely come back if they did! read more

We recently were in the area and decided to stop at Pal Joey's...Trust me on this... Joey is not your Pal! After reading the elaborate descriptions of the entrees and beverages on the website we had high expectations. Very disappointed in the food, poor service and dirty unstocked restrooms. The pizza was the worst I have ever eaten in my entire life! The pan pizza was very doughy, sauce bland and no flavor, the cheese didnt melt very well and smelled like it was expired ( kind of like stinky feet). When I told the waitress she wrinkled up her nose and started laughing hysterically!!! She didn't offer to get the manager or apologize.... Well we had the last laugh! I'm writing this review to inform potential customers what they can expect at Pal Joey's. read more

I wish I could give them a -5 rating. This place is a disaster!! Service is horrendous and the bathrooms are disgusting. I asked for coffee and was told they were out! Saturday night at 7:00 pm and they were out!!'. read more

We came to celebrate my brother's birthday over the weekend as this is his favorite place. Our server Sophie went above and beyond to make our celebration special. They do charge a $20 cake fee however it was worth it. Our server sang happy birthday with us and even helped cut the cake and distributed to our family. Her kindness and energy made the day extra memorable. We'll be back soon! read more

I come here mostly for get togethers and gatherings for BHS events. Food is good, service is great.

Had a Big Radio Shopping Show Certificate for Pal Joeys in Batavia formerly in West Chicago we went on a date here late 70's gluten free pasta with marinara was excellent could've given a little more sauce bread and Pizza tasty glad we did carry out inside chaos with different parties rooms not ready or already occupied people in an uproar... read more

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Had dinner there last night. Party of 6. Eat outside, table and area was dirty. Had to ask to have the table cleaned. Waitress was horrible. I had to go and get our utensils. Waitress had all the excuses in the world. Food was just ok. Pizza was decent but apps were terrible. read more

Great service, great food, great staff. We had birthday party for my husband and the staff was fantastic!

I attended a work party at this location a week ago and waited an hour for a drink, after ordering it twice. The waitress was super flustered and not very professional. I decided to give it another chance tonight. We had the same waitress who has little patience. The couple I was with said they never came back because when the same lady served them, they waited an hour and a half for their food! Tonight's wait wasn't too bad, but I was disappointed with the cleanliness of the bathrooms and portion of food. You'd think for $15 you'd get more than a half price of garlic break and TWO manicotti rolls! Drinks were not included in the kids meals either. Not coming back again... disappointed. read more

Lunch at 11:30 on a Wednesday-two stars for the view and ambiance. Server was kind but missed a request on one of the meals. Once she finally returned to check on us the other member of our party had finished their meal. It was just two salads. Just very slow service when they weren't busy and incorrect meals. Left without eating. read more

This family owned small business should be considered a landmark for anyone wanting to experience true Chicago Pan Pizza and hospitality. The ambiance, staff, and eats cannot be beat. And the prices...seem too good to be true. I spent my childhood in this place. As a guest and then employee. I am SO PROUD that it has survived all these years. I am so thankful it has been a part of my life. I will be back as soon as I can. Can't wait read more

Went there for an event and we had a great time and the staff kept the pizzas coming. My only complaint is about the salad on the buffet. It was brown, wilted and looked just like bagged salad you buy at the store. The tomatoes were good. A restaurant like this should have a freshly made salad, not bagged salad. The restaurant is cute and full of good decor. read more

Best pizza in the area. My family have been going to this for years and are sorry the other location closed

That's it Batavia this is the last staw with Pal Joeys in Batavia. Tonight we found a 3in stick in my 1.5 yr Old granddaughters baked mostacholi. I have now notified the health department as this is getting worse. The owner Jon Hamel doesn't care what's going on at his restaurant. I have had so many complaints and the manager on duty always says Jon will deal with it. Nothing is ever done and we never receive a response from him. I give chance after chance but this is the end I am tired of this in our town. read more

Pal Joey's - Pizza Near Me - Batavia, Illinois

Went the first time with a group and we're all pretty dissapointed. Food wasn't terrible (not great) but service was ridiculous and said kitchen was backed up.. there were two other tables there when we ordered our food. Waited wayyyy too long and had to go to the bar to order drinks. Tried again two weeks later because we are going to the boardwalk shops and wanted to be by the water... let's just say will never go again. Nachos missing ingredients, lettuce brown and inedible, grilled chicken ice cold. Also, i understand it may be hard to keep outside area tidy because it is outside, but Jesus clean the glass tables etc it looks run down out back. read more

Last time I was there the partially eaten crust from last guy's pizza was found under OUR crust. When I called it to our waitress' attention, she just looked at us blankly. We weren't given any break on the bill and left to think "yuck"! If they can't make sure the pie tin is Clean before putting a crust in it, what other cuts are they taking??? Super gross... read more

Their pan pepperoni was good. Their sausage on their pizza was hugely disappointing - it tasted very gamey & not fresh. I think they just need to taste test their sausage and figure out a new recipe or figure out suppliers for their own sake. This won't fly with anyone who grew up off Italian sausage. However after picking off the sausage it was good. No complaints on the pepperoni! The pan reminds me of some elements of Pequod's- just on the bready side. I think if they fix their sausage they would be worth a 5 star in my book. In this competitive food service environment, I hope they last long enough for that to happen. Inside of the restaurant looks nice though I took it out. read more

We ate here for the first time this weekend and it was decent! The best part is the view... it's the only good spot on the river in Batavia. The back patio and bar is a really beautiful spot. The pizza was good, but fairly expensive for what it was. The salad was just okay, but the drink specials are good and service was also fabulous. We will be back! read more

Took my granddaughter for supper after seeing Frozen the Musical in Aurora. My granddaughter is 11 and she ordered a Kiddie Cocktail and an order of Fettuccine Alfredo. She ate half the order. And told our waitress it was fantastic. I had a glass of wine and the Angel hair pasta with shrimp, asparagus and lobster sauce and brought half of it home. The food was as delusional the wait staff wonderful and the pricing to me was good. $45 for everything we had. Thanks Pal Joey's for a great experience with my granddaughter. read more

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It pains me to write this review. I have fond memories of eating at the original location in West Chicago. The place would be packed with customers. The bar hopping. What happened?? Now, walked in on a Thursday evening and the place is empty. Not even a hostess! I had to have a busboy track down the young lady to ring me up. Anyway, the pizza was nothing like I remember it. More like cheesy bread. read more

We've been customers for over 10 years and enjoy the food. The last few years, however, have been hit or miss. Tonight we ordered pizza and asked for a little extra sauce because the last few pizzas we ordered had very little sauce under the cheese. When we got home, we found a small container of sauce with 2 1/2 tablespoons of sauce for which they charged us $3.00! I called to express my concern over this and was told that was the price for the side. They also apologized for the container not being completely filled. I pointed out that a side of sauce is not even on the menu, so how could they charge $3. I also stated that I could buy a large jar of sauce for less than that. I asked to speak with a manager and was told they didn't have a manager on duty and even if I called back, they'd tell me the same thing. Rather than provide customer service to try to make it right, this snarky employee gave me a reason to go elsewhere for pizza. read more

Pal Joey's - Marinara sauce - Pizza Near Me - Batavia, Illinois

The place is so dirty. If we can see this on our side, I can't imagine what's going on in the kitchen. Food was honestly, horrible. I had a Patty melt. The bread came out as hard as a crouton and all of the burgers at the table were dry and way over cooked. The nachos were hard and overdone with a very brown avocado on top. The drinks were not good either. The old fashioned was not made correctly and my rum and coke tasted like water. If I could give this place a negative rating, I would. It could have so much potential with the outdoor area on the river, but even the outdoor eating area was dirty and unkept. Our waitress was sweet and tried her best to make our experience better. read more

We had a luncheon for 40 ladies today at Pal Joeys. We arranged a buffet luncheon package. (The Napoli) which included a chicken entree, beef sandwich, pasta marinara, Caesar salad, focaccia bread, pizza, assorted pastries, coffee and soda. The food was delicious and very plentiful. It was very well received by everyone attending. Of special note was the outstanding service! The manager & staff responded to our every request. They were efficient, incredibly helpful & even offered to make a GF pizza for one of our guests. In addition, there's great ambiance at the restaurant overlooking the river. We were very pleased with our outing. We will be returning! read more