AJ's Steakhouse at Prairie Meadows Casino

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1. BB

   BobB

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Super good food. A bit pricey. Outstanding service.
   

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2. A

   Annie

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 19, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   we enjoyed everything. And thank you for the dessert for our Anniversary Date.
   

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3. DA

   DanA

   Des Moines

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 14, 2023

   overall2food1service2ambience4

   Our food and coffee arrived cold. We ordered a GF steak meal, started getting GF pains before we left Prairie Meadows. Wait staff was too busy to refill or check on us during meal. Unable to get any condiments or our check. Asked other wait staff to assist us with condiments. No one ever came to our table. Last trip our beverages arrived after our meal. AJ’s is really going down hill.
   

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4. DF

   DustinF

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 12, 2023

   overall5food5service4ambience5

   This was an incredible experience for our Anniversary. The drink I ordered was perfect and delivered in a way i'd imagined (Old Fashioned). The *only* complaint we had was that the desert took about 30 minutes to arrive to the table. For it being a fondue, I thought it was a little long. Still highly recommend and will be returning often.
   

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5. PS

   PaulS

   Chicago

   8 reviews

   4.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on May 12, 2023

   overall4food5service5ambience5

   Good steaks, worth the expense. Comes with potatoes and salad.
   

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6. BD

   BobD

   Milwaukee

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on May 12, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience3

   Good good, service good. Lighting is a bit bright in bar area. Very friendly staff!
   

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7. SK

   SkincareK

   Denver

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 6, 2023

   overall3food2service5ambience4

   Overall I do think AJs has potential. There were some dishes that just was not it. Our server Ryan was amazing. Great sense of humor! We had the pork chop and the butternut squash ravioli for entrees. Both were great! The extra side we got for the pork chop was the white cheddar Mac it did not have any sort of cheese flavor at all which was a let down and I also feel like the sage flavor in my ravioli was not as strong (prob personal preference). The steak appetizer was good but I also saw opportunities to be better as far as flavor. Everything came out not timed well but it was Kentucky derby day so I assumed they were busy. Overall I felt like I expected more for the price as well as the upscale vibe they are trying to achieve. For fine dining I feel like it should be better food and overall better experience even the bourbon cocktail didn’t taste like bourbon.
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on April 30, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We love Ajs! We’re never disappointed The food is as fabulous as the service !!
   

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9. R

   Rich

   Des Moines

   12 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on April 29, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   My baked prime rib was excellent. My husband had shrimp and mentioned that they were delicious. Well done AJs.
   

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10. D

    David

    Des Moines

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    Good overall wait service. Waiter checked in frequently throughout our meal to see if we needed anything, which was a positive. Food was good but not excellent. French onion soup and prime rib were very good. Stuffed mushrooms were average. Chicken Parm was average. Chocolate cake was good. Drinks were disappointing and inconsistent when ordering the SAME drink. The first drink order of the Raspberry Lemon Martini had more flavor but was somewhat strong and not very sweet for a drink that is supposed to be sweet. The second order of the SAME drink was almost all alcohol and way too strong and not sweet at all. Each round of drinks for my wife and me (i.e., only 2 people) took way too long to arrive. First round of drinks arrived after the appetizer, even though drinks were ordered BEFORE the appetizer. The second round of drinks were ordered during appetizers but did NOT arrive until near the middle to end of our meal. Good atmosphere, with a classy upscale vibe. However, slight hint of cigarette smoke from the Casino, which is located in the same building as AJs, was not ideal, and the slight smoke smell was noticeable to non-smokers like my wife and myself. Since Altoona, Iowa, lacks other upscale options for eating, AJ's is worth a visit if you are looking for a classy, white-cloth atmosphere for a special occasion but set your expectations accordingly by knowing the food and drinks may not be completely worth the expensive prices. However, AJ's still meets most of the requirements for a classy evening for eating out for a special occasion, so we will visit them again.
    

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11. TH

    ThereseH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We went to AJs for our wedding anniversary. Will definitely return.
    

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12. s

    seefoodseafood

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food and drinks were great. Service by Titus was great. He made wonderful recommendations and was very knowledgeable. The raspberry lemon drop martini is a must have.
    

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was just a Prom dinner and we all really enjoyed the experience and the food!
    

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14. R

    Rjhuggi

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall2food1service2ambience3

    I wanted to like it! It's nice love the ambiance BUT if you can appreciate a good steak don't come here. The ribeye at $45 was walmart quality. It literally had no flavor with quite a few bites of hard gristle. The garlic mashed potatoes had a bitter aftertaste if you can imagine. You get a basket of subpar bread with only a teaspoon of butter. The best thing we had was the artichoke dip. I know this is harsh but it's true and I'm completely baffled by the good reviews???. For a $135 for two including tip, I was very disappointed 😞.
    

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15. S

    Susan

    Omaha

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3

    If offered a high top in the bar again I’d probably decline if we were on a date night. There was a group at the bar who were loud and using foul language. The service and the food made up for it.
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience4

    Ordered a filet, mashed potatoes and asparagus and it was all cold. The $9 asparagus was the size of blades of grass, rip off. My wife had French onion soup and we hunted and hunted in the cold soup and couldn’t find any onions, they should rename it to broth.
    

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17. A

    Ashley

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Did not have a good experience. Bread and salad was not brought out but the waiter kept coming to the table to say it was coming out shortly. Do not recommend it, rather go eat mcdonalds across the street for faster and better service.
    

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18. KR

    KennethR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My waitress was wonderful kind and had a good sense of humor the food was great the staff was great and I will recommend as one of the best restaurants around the first old fashion came in a smaller glass than the second one they should be consistent that is my only complaint
    

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19. JH

    JohnH

    Des Moines

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful restaurant. Great food, great service, fair price and very nice atmosphere.
    

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20. l

    lynnes

    Des Moines

    20 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    We have been big fans the past few years of AJs. Sadly our last 2 visits were not what we were used to. The food quality is not what it was nor the service. Hope you are able to get back to where things were.
    

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21. R

    Rich

    Des Moines

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Our server Titus was excellent. Very sociable and attentive
    

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22. LS

    LeonS

    New Mexico

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, great service, Seth at the bar is always very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable! Good variety of choices. Best Prime Rib around!
    

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23. DH

    DuaneH

    Des Moines

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A very pleasant repast. Excellent atmosphere. Professional wait staff (even the newbee)
    

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24. BG

    BobG

    Des Moines

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    Overall decline in quality since our last visit… not likely to return!!
    

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25. JH

    JohnH

    Des Moines

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very easy and user friendly to make reservation. Love hotel, casino and AJ's Steakouse all under one roof.
    

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26. C

    Chickelala

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We ordered prime rib which was fantastic. Had calamari for an appetizer- wasn't quite as good but we have had other apps that were excellent. Service was outstanding. This is a great place to go for a nice dinner-ambiance was quite good.
    

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27. L

    Ladylu

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience3

    We had a terrible experience in May 2023, but was willing to try it again. This time was just as bad, if not worse. Our food was unacceptable. The salad had brown lettuce in it, the side of asparagus was 4 wilty pieces, the beef stroganoff was very salty and the service was less than average. We love to stay at Prairie Meadows for many reasons, but AJ's Steakhouse is not one of them. The Cafe of the Meadows is where we'll eat our dinner next time. The Paddock on the casino floor is another great place to grab a bite. AJ's is not worth the money!!!
    

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28. SB

    StephanieB

    Des Moines

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We went to celebrate our anniversary The staff was phenomenal and the food was absolutely delicious! We had an amazing evening!
    

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29. NW

    NancyW

    Kansas City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    The shrimp was outstanding. 6 nice size shrimp with salad and a side for $26.00. That and the prime rib makes this my favorite restaurant in Des Moines and surrounding area. I will go back soon.
    

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30. JJ

    JuuJoo

    Des Moines

    14 reviews

    2.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience2

    The service was very poor for this type of restaurant. We had to ask for water and too much time between courses. They forgot to serve our dessert. French Onion soup too salty. Beef Stroganoff too much wine flavor.
    

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    244 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    244 reviews

    Dined on March 2, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Waiter Adrien was great. He made our experience great. Food was good. Steak great, but veges not good. Reasonable prices Again, awesome service.
    

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32. TE

    TedE

    Coastal Georgia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Meal was great, our server was friendly, knowledgeable and very attentive, it wasn't very busy so we were very taken care of. My steak was great. Husband ordered fried chicken, wasn't that impressed by it, but it was a large portion and I thought it tasted fine. I told him "you order steak at a Steakhouse" Were celebrating our 23rd anniversary and it was a very nice evening.
    

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kansas City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Nice restaurant, took us to a nice and quiet area for our date due to it being valentine day
    

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34. TT

    TimothyT

    Omaha

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience4

    Food was ok, 2 of the 3 steaks were not done to our preference.
    

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Des Moines

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful experience
    

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36. k

    kens

    Des Moines

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, wonderful server. All around excellent meal.
    

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37. 1

    1hawkz1

    Des Moines

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was amazing and service was even better. I like a side of pasta with my steak instead of potato. They didn’t even hesitate to make the substitution.
    

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38. I

    Iowafoodies

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My husband and I were pleasantly surprised. We were in a booth in the bar area. It was a bit more secluded/ private. The food was very good and their drinks were delicious. Very good experience even with a waitress that had 2 day's experience. She was excellent!
    

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39. JS

    JohnS

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Great place with great ambience. Everything was wonderful. My only minor complaint is that my Ribeye steak was just ok.
    

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40. JE

    JenE

    Des Moines

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3

    Great food & great service, but our waitress was wearing a lot of perfume. Never a good idea around food.
    

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