Last weekend I had the pleasure of sneaking in some mommy time to spend the night out with some of my very favorite Bloggy Boos. We were invited to check out the new location and VIP soft opening/launch of Not Your Average Joe’s (NYAJ) in Downtown Silver Spring, MD. I actually hadn’t really heard much about NYAJ before they reached out to me on Twitter. And by the time I checked out the menu online, the only thing I needed to know was when and where?
I’m always talking about the need to make time for self, so when an opportunity like this arises, I try to take advantage of it. My favorite type of me-time is spending it with my girlfriends, laughing, talking and toasting. There is absolutely nothing like it!
Since this was a soft opening, we were somewhat limited on what we could order from the menu. When we asked our server what he would recommend as an appetizer, he immediately told us we should order the Caribbean Chicken Tenders. Now, in my head, I was thinking “what could be so fabulous about chicken tenders?” But honey, let me tell you: if you have an NYAJ within driving distance, the only way to really understand the sensation that ripped through our taste buds is to go and order them for yourself. Seriously, Jesus made these Himself and sent them our way. In fact, they were so good, we had to place a second order. Everything on this plate is there for a reason and you must eat it all together. These will give you life.
The only thing we paid for were our cocktails and I think I had 3-4 Pineapple Painkillers (superfantastic!). I can’t even describe this drink but just know it was yummylicious. Personally, I only drink cocktails that are sweet and make me feel like I’m on someone’s Caribbean beach. And this drink totally fit my bill. I even got my Bloggy Boo, Diana to convert to this Pineapple Painkiller.
What I loved about Not Your Average Joe’s
The service: I’ve worked as a server in restaurants and I’ve worked in hospitality. It is hard to wow me with service and I’m super picky when it comes to customer service. Like, I can deal with subpar food, but I can’t deal with subpar service. Thankfully, I didn’t have to. Absolutely everyone we came in contact with treated us like VIP. I think people started to think we were celebrities for real because all eyes kept pointing to us whenever we posed for photos. I mean, we did fit the bill, so we ran with it. While this was an event for media, we were definitely the main ones snapping, pointing and clicking away throughout the night.
The Food: Everything we ordered was delicious (I don’t typically eat burgers so that was the only dish I did not try, but was told it was gooooood). I hate ordering chicken and it comes out dry. This was not the case with my dish. In fact, even when I heated up my leftovers the next day, it was still juicy.
The atmosphere: NYAJ is the type of place you can get dolled up or come in a little more casual, but either way, you won’t feel out of place. I loved the fact that it has the open kitchen vibe going on and it was overall very inviting.
I can’t remember what they called this bread dip they gave us while we waited for our appetizer but I’ll tell you this: life was given and had. This bread/dip combo was scrumptious, we got to take some of this home as well.
What we ordered:
I’m not generally a fan of anything peanut butter in a dessert. So I had my hesitations on this peanut butter one, but it was really good. The chocolate chunks and ice cream definitely set it off for me. I’ll be ordering it again the next time I go.
I may not have posted a whole lot that night to Instagram and Facebook but I surely was on Snapchat, snapping away. Here is the recap.
NYAJ opened up to the public this week. So the next time you’re in or near downtown Silver Spring, be sure to check them out. Your taste buds will thank you for it.
Oh and to top off an already amazeballs night, we got to meet Joe (Joe Gartland, Regional Director of Operations) on our way out. He introduced himself after asking us how our experience was? Pretty cool guy and even happily took us up on our Bloggy Boo selfie request.
A very special thanks to Stacey Furtado (Digital Marketing Director for NYAJ) for not only making sure we got the VIP treatment, but also stopping by to make us feel at home.
Be sure to stop by and check out the recaps my girls shared or our ladies’ night out:
Diana of Sisters With Beauty: Date Night With the Bloggy Boos
Mimi of MimiCuteLips: Not Your Average Joe’s
T. Espi of TheStyleMedic: Girl’s Night Out at Not Your Average Joe’s
Disclosure: I was invited to attend the soft opening of NYAJ, in which I received a free meal. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
22 Comments
RattlesandHeels
July 15, 2016 at 8:53 AMYou ladies turned up on Snapchat LOL I loved it! Looks like such a fun time and the food and drinks looks good. You could never go wrong with good service.
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Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:23 AMLMBO Yes girl, turn down for what?! When you have good company AND the food, drinks and customer service are excellent, you have a winning recipe 😉
Mimi Green
July 15, 2016 at 9:18 AMGirl, this was a night to remember for sure. The laughs on top of laughs. I felt like a full on super star in Not Your Average Joe’s and I need to experience that more often.
My two favorites for the night were those dag on chicken tenders and my cocktail. I need more of that.
Thanks for an incredible evening, you are my favorite color. O_o

Mimi Green would like you to check out…Not Your Average Joe’s – Silver Spring, MD
Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:21 AMI am weak Mimi!!!!! No, YOU are my favorite color! hahahaha We must get another date on the calendar soon cause I, too need some more chicken tenders and pineapple painkillers LOL
Emerald
July 15, 2016 at 12:13 PMNow this looks like y’all had some fun! I definitely wouldn’t mind sipping one of those fruity adult beverages! If I’m ever around, I’m going to try the burger, it looks good!

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Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:22 AMWe really did have an amazing time! We’re going to have fun when we get together regardless, but it totally helped to have excellent customer service all around.
Girls Night Out with Not Your Average Joe's | The Style Medic
July 15, 2016 at 12:49 PM[…] my boos. You can check out their thoughts on our night out too: MomsNCharge, MimiCuteLips, […]
Kirstin N. Fuller (@thetravelindiva)
July 15, 2016 at 5:31 PMAn evening with your girls is always a great idea. The food looks amazing. I will definitely have to add NYAJ Silver Spring location to my Fab Food list to try.

Kirstin N. Fuller (@thetravelindiva) would like you to check out…Fabulous Travel Deal Alert!
Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:20 AMAbsolutely Kirstin! We’ll have to do it all over again so you can join us. But yes, it’s a must-add to your Fab Food list 🙂
Stacie
July 15, 2016 at 7:06 PMHow fun! It’s so good to take a me day. Especially when you can get together with some sistahs!

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Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:19 AMYes and Amen Stacie! I always make time to spend with my sistah-friends cause that’s how I keep my sanity LOL
Tia | Pennies In My Pocket
July 15, 2016 at 7:44 PMI love good food and it looks like you had plenty of that to go around at your table. I am hoping to build a blogger connection with some fellow bloggers in the area so we can get together like you ladies have.

Tia | Pennies In My Pocket would like you to check out…Happy Hour Hotspot: Thrive
Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:19 AMYes girl yes, plenty of good food to go around, it was amazing! You should absolutely look into getting together with fellow bloggers, always makes for a grand old time 🙂
Marsha
July 15, 2016 at 9:41 PMYou ladies look great, no wonder people were looking and pointing! The food looks good too and I’m glad you had a positive experience to report. I’ve heard of NYAJ but I’m not sure there’s one near me but I’ll definitely check now!

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Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:15 AMBwahahaha thank you so much Marsha!!! Yes, I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely be going back for multiple visits. Can’t wait to hear about your experience if you find one 🙂
Bijee
July 17, 2016 at 3:13 PMI am just like you! I want my drink to taste like someone’s Caribbean punch, you do that and we are in relationship. The food looked delicious, and as always you ladies looked amazing and like you had a great time. I will have to check to see if there is one locally, I am always looking for a new restaurant stop.

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Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:13 AMYaaassss girl!!!! That drink has got to transport me to the Caribbean LOL Thank you so much for the compliments! Definitely look to see if you have one locally as they are expanding.
VeePeeJay (Vashti)
July 18, 2016 at 8:12 PMOk, so NYAJ is to the be added to the list of spots we hit up next time I’m in DC LOL. And umm..can we talk about how great you all looked!?! So happy you got in some kid free time.

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Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:13 AMAwww thanks Vashti!!! Yessss next time you’re in town, we for sure will take you to NYAJ! You will love it 🙂
CheleVon The Review Chic
July 19, 2016 at 12:30 PMOh I love a good Girls Night Out! Looks like you all had an amazing time with some good eats. Loved this!

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Christine St.Vil
July 20, 2016 at 4:12 AMYes, we sure did! Always a good time with the ladies 🙂
Eva
July 22, 2016 at 7:01 PMLove that dress, and the food looks amazing! I may have to run up to Silver Spring and check it out 🙂

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