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ENTERTAINMENT: DINING
AJ's Pig Pickin'/Sundowner Key always expanding
ONA -- AJ Jones has been a fixture on the local catering scene since 1985 providing barbecue for a variety of parties, social events and corporate meetings.
While firmly rooted in the Tri-State, he has catered events as far away as Morgantown. After his family's business closed in 2001, he slowly started to repurpose the building to serve as a kitchen as well as a tropical-themed banquet room named Sundowner Key. There is also a patio and tiki bar in the back as well as a landlocked houseboat that serves as both a bar and a stage.
Jones also runs a deli with a luncheon menu serving takeout meals from Thursdays through Saturdays at AJ's Pig Pickin'/Sundowner Key.
"I grew up as a meat cutter, and I learned about barbecue when I was down south," Jones said. "With the access to the meat facility and the pigs for roasting, it all sort of fit together. When I was at my first cookout, two customers pulled up with a pair of kegs and paid me $200 to drink beer for the rest of the day. I knew I had found my calling."
The luncheon menu is fairly basic, and customers are invited to call ahead a few minutes before stopping in. One of the most popular items is a steak sandwich served with a side of potato chips for $6.25.
Customers can also enjoy a barbecue pork sandwich with coleslaw and chips for $6.25. A third rack of ribs is available for $8.25 with two sides such as potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans or a fruit cup.
AJ's has a variety of catering packages ranging in price from $10 to $20 per head. The least expensive package, AJ's Grill ($10), features an assortment of backyard style barbecue with hot dogs, burgers and metts. For $15 per person, the AJ's Succulent Baby Back Ribs package features a third rack of ribs, boneless chicken breasts and an assortment of sides. The largest package is the Cut to Order Prime Rib featuring prime rib, green beans amandine, garden salad and hot rolls for $20 per person. Customers can also order a party platter ranging in price between $25 to $59 depending on its size. A chocolate fountain is available at events for $5 a person.
"We set up the lunch menu because, while AJ is known for his barbecue, we wanted to let people sample some of the other things we can do," said Drema Goolsby, one of Jones' business associates. "We have the basic menu with the smoked chicken breast, ribs, barbecue, etc. But we also have the steak sandwich for people looking for a basic lunch as well as the salads for people looking to eat healthier. If you're looking to order lunch for say a company of 15, we have something for everybody."
While the Sundowner Key party room and the outdoor tiki bar are open, the business seems to be a never-ending series of expansions. A new kitchen is being built in the back while expansions to the outdoor dining area are being made as well.
"I figure that we will be finished around 2018," Jones said. "I started the Sundowner Key and the tiki bar because I always wanted to be at the beach."
An open house will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, to show off the banquet room. Cheese, deli meets and wine samples will be provided.
AJ's Pig Pickin'/Sundowner Key is located at 2563 Yates Crossing Road in Ona. While the catering business takes orders on all business days, the luncheon is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Cash, check and all major credit/debit cards are accepted.
If you go: AJ's Pig Pickin'/ Sundowner Key
Type of food: Deli, barbecue, catering
Address: 2563 Yates Crossing Road, Ona.
Phone number: 304-743-7990, fax 304-743-6817
Payments accepted: Cash, check and all major credit/debit cards.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Web site: www.ajspig-pickin.com/
