BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is known for its extensive menu—it contains 140 items, to be exact—and craft beer list, but you may be skipping over some of the best items on the menu if you stick to just pizza and beer.
BJ's opened in California in 1978. Even though the size of the menu rivals the Cheesecake Factory's—which got its start around the same time and in the same state—they aren't related. BJ's was originally named BJ's Chicago Pizzeria and was, first and foremost, a pizza joint before even considering craft beer. Luckily, the restaurant and brewhouse has come a long way from its modest beginnings, making my job of finding the best menu items more challenging than ever before.
Best Appetizer
Sauced 'N' Tossed Chicken Thighs
We've had chicken wings countless times, but chicken thighs as an app? Nope. The skin is crispy, the meat is beyond juicy, and the sauce (we chose the root beer glaze) is tangy and sweet. And let us tell you: You'll never go back to wings after trying these things. BTW, there are nine sauces to choose from, so you may need to come back a few times to find your favorite.
Best Pizza
Great White Deep Dish
The deep-dish pizza is a signature item at BJ's—it's double-proofed (aka it rises twice), which results in a lighter and chewier crust. At BJ's, it resembles focaccia, which makes each slice insanely filling. Out of all of the pizza combos, the Great White was the most interesting. Topped with grilled chicken, creamy Alfredo sauce, roasted garlic, and seasoned tomatoes, it delivers a variety of flavors in each bite, so you'll never get palate fatigue.
Best Beer
Oasis Amber
With more than seven brewing operations around America and having earned 220 awards in its 25-year history, BJ's doesn't mess around with its beer. Oasis is an easy drinking, malty beer that reminds me of a light milkshake. If you prefer a hoppy, higher alcohol beer, go with the seasonal Zany Zitrus IPA.
Best Salad
Enlightened Kale and Roasted Brussels Salad
Calling a salad fresh isn't groundbreaking, but this one actually deserves the descriptor. You won't even realize it's under 500 calories. The blueberries, grapes, and cucumbers offer the dish a satisfying crunch, while the goat cheese is giving you that creamy tangy bite you're craving. Because it's baby kale, it's not as rough on your stomach.
Best Entree
Bacon Jam Rib-Eye
This 14-ounce rib-eye is the juicy, marbled dream you've been looking for. You barely need a knife to cut through this. Get the honey sriracha Brussels sprouts and sweet potato fries as your sides, it's worth the upcharge.
Best Sandwich
Classic Prime Rib Dip
I've been waiting for the day I can recommend a prime rib dip from a chain restaurant and am, ecstatic to say that day has come. This slow-roasted prime rib is piled high in thin-sliced layers on a hoagie roll that mimics French bread. Crunchy at first bite, the bread is all soft fluffiness when you dip it in the au jus. If you're a horseradish fiend, you'll want to ask for extra sauce, since BJ's leans on the creamier side.
Best Burger
Hickory Brisket and Bacon Burger
The combo of sweet, tangy BJ's peppered BBQ sauce with creamy mayo is so delicious, it should be illegal. This burger screams you're here for a good time, not a long time. The bacon is paper thin so it's crispy and nearly melts when you bite into it. Between the smoky brisket, fire-grilled patty, and melty Jack and cheddar cheese, there's no way you're not going to love this.
Best Dessert
Giant Pizookie
The "world renowned" pizza cookie is probably at least one reason you've come here in the first place, so why not get four flavors at once. The cookie itself is extremely soft—almost under-baked—which makes the ice cream melt rather quickly. If a giant pizookie is a bit too much for you, try the chocolate chunk or the white chocolate macadamia flavor.
Best Dessert Beer
BJ's PM Porter
Smooth, creamy, with notes of caramel, chocolate, and molasses, this porter is perfect as a dessert. Teeny tiny bubbles from the nitrogen-conditioning give it an almost silky mouthfeel.
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Julia is the director of video at Delish. Previously, she worked on Food Network's Snapchat team as their "try" girl: trying new products and bizarre diets on the market. Currently she oversees the video team where content lives on YouTube, TikTok, onsite, Snapchat, and Facebook. She's also previously a host of the hit series "Julia Tries Everything" where she goes to top chain restaurants in America and finds her favorite menu items.
