We’re always happy to see new full service restaurants opening in neighborhoods that are lacking in that category, which is certainly the case for the western stretches of Humboldt Park.
Enter CJ’s Eatery, on Grand and Avers, around where Potomac would be if it ran continuously from Hamlin through to Springfield - but it doesn’t, because Grand is a big ol’ diagonal out that way, and continues to be until it hits Lake way the eff out in Elmhurst or Addison or something.
Anyway, enough nerding out about the grid system. CJ’s offers breakfast (starting at 6am!) lunch and dinner, handily trumping most nearby option. The menu isn’t exactly cutting edge, but it is a cut above. For breakfast, we’d get the Southwestern breakfast burrito with eggs, chorizo, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and queso blanco, wrapped in a flour tortilla and topped with freshly made salsa. Why? Because it’s only $3.50! During lunch, you can choose from among thirteen different sandwiches between $6 and $9 (like a Southwestern turkey club sandwich with smoked turkey breast, bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado & pepperjack cheese, and a smoked chipotle ranch sauce for $8), and there are eight entree options for dinner (including a chili-rubbed sirloin with Southern style fried corn, topped with crispy onion strings for $14).
The restaurant, which opened three weeks ago, also offers a weekend brunch that includes (drumroll) chicken and waffles, and to top it off, the place is BYO. West Humboldt Parkers, welcome to your newly functional dining reality.
p.s. if you want to go, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow; they’re closed on Mondays.
CJ’s Eatery [MenuPages]
CJ’s Eatery [Official Site]
