My guidelines say what roflwofl has. I am so glad they changed it. Much easier when you go alone. I was always so full by dessert I would get a scoop of ice cream and eat a bite or two.

I printed out the coupon from BJ;s site, going tomorrow with a friend, usually go alone, but this coupon helps.
Really fun to get to go out and eat for a report!!

Have they changed MS companies? I used to do BJ's shops a few years ago but havben't seen them in a while.

@Insight wrote:

Where do you get the coupons?

Go to the BJ's restaurant website. I believe the current coupon offer is good until early November. So hurry!

@FrugalCat wrote:

Have they changed MS companies? I used to do BJ's shops a few years ago but havben't seen them in a while.

I don't who the former MSC was but since I already named the client, I can't include the MSC. It would also depend on your area.

I have been doing BJ's loss prevention bar audits for this company for 10 years, however, I now don't see them, and see the dining only. I do believe someone else handled these, but the company that handled the bar audits now handle these. that's the best I can do!

There's a coupon on Offers.com that gives you $10 off over $35. It lasts till November 7th. But the BJ's web site only has one for $10 off if you spend $45.

I used my 10 off coupon Friday night, just downloaded and print out from BJ's web. I got a lot of food + a 7.00 dessert, two can easily eat on this.

Anyone who carries a cell phone does not need to download and print out the coupon. You can just bring up the coupon on your phone and show it to the server. They do not even need to scan it.

If you have not joined their preferred rewards club, join. When doing these shops, I am earning points toward $$ off of future BJ's meals. I don't tell them I am a Preferred Rewards Member when I do the shop, because they want to see if the staff suggests membership to you. Save your receipt and 24 hours later you can go online and enter the points yourself from your shop receipt. And, yes, it does say in the shop guidelines that you can do this.

I keep seeing the BJs shops here but have never been. If I went I would either be going with my son, 10, who eats off regular menu, big eater. OR with my husband AND son. Soit says kids allowed? I think I have avoided it because I didnt know if it was even kid friendly, in the sense of not a rough bar crowd.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2016 05:19AM by MavenMom.

@MavenMom wrote:

I keep seeing the BJs shops here but have never been. If I went I would either be going with my son, 10, who eats off regular menu, big eater. OR with my husband AND son. Soit says kids allowed? I think I have avoided it because I didnt know if it was even kid friendly, in the sense of not a rough bar crowd.

Kids not a problem. They even have a kids menu and make their own root beer. You can sit far enough away from the bar to not be near the "bar crowd".

Great food, great beer, and kids are welcome.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2016 11:38AM by AustinMom.

Does this shop require photos of the food/drinks?

@a-scho wrote:

Does this shop require photos of the food/drinks?

No. They don't even ask any questions about the quality of the food or drink.

Woo hoo, I took y'alls advice and scheduled one today. Quick response from scheduler MSC, so ready to roll with my coupon on Saturday!

@MavenMom wrote:

Woo hoo, I took y'alls advice and scheduled one today. Quick response from scheduler MSC, so ready to roll with my coupon on Saturday!

Enjoy, I had ribs (half a rack) mashed potato's and salad....a great dessert, their beiguet filled with ice cream and strawberries...OMG...that coupon helps.

I did one of these tonight. I hadn't done one in awhile, so I was surprised to learn that they don't ask one single question about the quality of the food. I ordered a queso dip appetizer that was not only prepared incorrectly, it was served cold and the cheese was a congealed nightmare. I suppose they're more worried about if the server attempts to upsell than how their food tastes. I found that strange.

I've searched and searched and am signed up with several MSC but can't seem to find the one that shops BJ's in my area. I know you can't name the MSC but any clues or other restaurants the company does? Maybe it's not shopped in my area?

@DareWright I did one last night and the restroom trashcan was overflowing but there was no where to put that. At the very end there was a spot for more comments so I mentioned it there. I too am surprised they don't ask about food quality - you would think that would be a big part of a successful restaurant.

The comments at the bottom, I will say, I enjoyed the meal, the plating was beautiful, etc., this only if it's true,
and it always is. Last dinner my side of salad was plated like an art piece, and delicious, I definitely mentioned it. The desert was spectacular and I took a picture of it. I sent it to the scheduler (didn't have to), but wanted her to see it, no, it wasn't the Pozooki.....Many tines they know what to expect, but when it's over the top, I always mention it.

My favorite dessert is the Baked Beignet, served with ice cream and strawberries.

@roflwofl wrote:

My favorite dessert is the Baked Beignet, served with ice cream and strawberries.

I'm so with you....it is excellent, and put your seat belt on, I ate the whole thing......gained two pounds, starved the next day, but it was worth it.

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

The comments at the bottom, I will say, I enjoyed the meal, the plating was beautiful, etc., this only if it's true,
and it always is. Last dinner my side of salad was plated like an art piece, and delicious, I definitely mentioned it. The desert was spectacular and I took a picture of it. I sent it to the scheduler (didn't have to), but wanted her to see it, no, it wasn't the Pozooki.....Many tines they know what to expect, but when it's over the top, I always mention it.

On a recent shop I had the Brussels Sprouts appetizer. It was burnt and inedible. I took a picture and like you sent it to the editor. Never heard back one way or another. When the Server checked back and asked about my meal, I mentioned the largely unfinished burnt Sprouts. He readily agreed with me and offered another appetizer to replace them which I accepted and reported. I have eaten at BJ's many times and for me this was certainly an exception.

I've only recently started shopping BJ's, but I've been eating there regularly since 2007. The food is usually very good, although I have had bad items a couple of times. It's' the service that I think they get dinged about most. The service is pretty spotty. I've had some amazing servers - quick, intuitive, totally on the ball - and some servers so bad that it makes me believe they must be new servers who will be fired as quickly as management realizes how incompetent they are, because they could not possibly make a living as a server - surely no one would tip them.

Since starting to shop BJ's, all my reports have been good, until last week. Not only was the server slow, plodding, forgetful, and inattentive, but there was a problem with my appetizer. It was served about 25 minutes after I ordered, a few minutes after my entree. Rather than visiting the table to apologize, the manager told the server to tell me she would comp the appetizer .... but then the appetizer wasn't comped! When the manager made her rounds through the dining room, stopping at every table (she stopped at the tables next to me on all 3 sides), she avoided my table. When I tried to make eye contact, she averted her eyes. When I looked at the check and realized the appetizer was not comped, I asked the server, who said she "didn't remember" saying the appetizer would be comped and would ask the manager. She came back and said she "couldn't find the manager." Clearly the manager did not want to address problems. Our beverages were not refilled so we were drinking out of each other's glasses. When all the glasses were empty for several minutes, I flagged down another server and asked her to please find our server. The other server refilled our beverages for us. The hostess was the highlight of the shop: delightful, personable and professional, and she explained the beverage menu and upsold, even though the server did not.

I worked SO HARD on the report, trying to be objective while still telling the absolute truth. I wroIte about the amazing hostess, not having to wait for a table, and the food, which was delicious. Then I told the story of my visit, careful not to make any judgements about whether the service was "good" or "bad," just describing what happened. My only judgement was, in answer to the question about whether I would return to the restaurant, that I would not return to this location. I left it up to the MSC and BJ's management to read my description of the events and determine whether the server and the manager met their standards. The editor approved the report, with a 10, just as all other reports have been approved, and with exactly the same comments all the positive reports.

I have had dishes I didn't enjoy, definitely have my favorites, however, the BJ's near my house has great service (always) and good food. There is one in another city that can't compare with ours, so, I guess it depends on location. I restricted myself to my BJ's only. My Manager jumps out and asks how I am, was everything o.k.
for a chain, that's rare......I always preferred restaurants that weren't chains, but this BJ's proves me wrong.
Wolfgang Puck has a great restaurant in Santa Monica, but not shopped , one of a kind (Asian based), unusual
and expensive.

Just got a BJ's coupon via email for buy one entree get one free. I've got a shop next week so should be a great visit.