Big Jim's Pizzeria - Haledon

Today Tuesday 8/25/2015, five retired employees from William Paterson University met for LUNCH in Big Jim 's Haledon, NJ. Three of the five women are of Italian origin and were looking for something that would satisfy our Italian taste. All three chose the sandwich called Grilled Chicken with Eggplant Milanese with Fresh Melted Mozzarella Cheese We had our choice either an Italian baguette or Rosemary Focaccio (we chose the Italian baguette). It came w/ a side of Marinara Sauce and cranked French fries all for the price of just $7.95. As an employee of the university and its convenience at the facility, we had lunch in Big Jim 's without problems. But I heard it was under New Management. We noticed that the young man who served us was polite, accepted us very attentively to our needs and we were not rushed. A fair price for a great lunch. We all agree that our food selection will receive our Italian approval seal.

I loved their pizza slices and their sub-parts... recently I went and ordered 2 slices... the guy who repaired the phone... tried to take it apart and put it together, took two old slices to warn them in the oven... not to close the oven door... went back to fix the phone and one minute later took the 2 slices that they drilled in box and handed over to me. Years ago it was GREAT now sucking it... the end of the story... and the place is dirty behind the counter which in the simple view when you order...

Even if I moved to neighboring cities, I have lived in the Big Jim (BJ) area for years and has been a loyal customer for years. I remember when BJ's was built and later renovated. It's been a great place for 30 years. For the last 10 years I have recommended BJ’s way-through the good tasting, but robust and expensive Positano and other Wayne NJ-based places. But my last meals (I ordered for my family) were not even close to what I expected from BJ 's. Today I order Bolognese over angle hair and the person who took my order did not know that Bolognese was meat sauce; which appeared with huge pieces of meat, almost no (marinara) sauce and tasted terrible. It looked like they had taken a meatball and crushed it easily; plus another big mistake with the meal of my wife and daughter. Of course, that was my third and last time to order from BJs. I'm sorry. But I don't know how you can make the bad taste I have for you now.

Absolute shame about this once great pizzeria. I stopped in the other day, after not being there for a few years (I moved out of the area) and was surprised how terrible things where. Especially since the owners gave the outside of the restaurant a full face-lift and made it look like a fancy restaurant. The food, however, is awful. The pizza is gross, salads looked old, sauce will give you heart burn and everything coming out of the kitchen dripped with oil. The worst part wasn't even the food but rather the kitchen and pizza area looked FILTHY!! I couldn't believe how much dirt, grease and garbage I saw. Sad to say but I won't ever go back again.

I don't even want to give them a 1 star rating! I stopped in the other day during my break from classes (Currently attending William Paterson). I ordered a grilled chicken salad to go. While waiting for my order I realized the girl at the counter never asked me for what dressing I wanted, so I figured I would let her know when I got my order and she could put it in a plastic cup for me. When she called out my order she said chicken ceasar salad. So i said whatever, I don't mind chicken casear salad's, so I got that and a 20 oz diet coke. Total came to be ten dollars and change. So I drive to the college, open up my salad, and...