CJ’s Eatery

Photo: Martha Williams

Charles Armstead (pictured below) and his girlfriend, Vanessa Perez, live in West Humboldt Park, but unless they wanted McDonald’s, they had to leave their neighborhood to dine out. So they pooled their money, found a storefront, invested some sweat equity, and recently opened the bright and cheery all-day restaurant CJ’s Eatery.

Armstead is no stranger to the industry; he ran two restaurants in St. Louis and was recently at Mag Mile’s Grand Lux Cafe. As with Grand Lux, Armstead knows that convenience is key, so he starts offering breakfast at the crack of dawn to tempt Grand Avenue commuters. His homey sausage casserole is worth stopping for; its baked layers of hash browns, eggs, cheddar, crumbled sausage, onions and peppers could get you through until dinner. Lavazza coffee, Mighty Leaf teas and chill background music help ease you into the day.

Photo: Martha Williams

Lunch and dinner are a who’s who of comfort food. Pulled pork isn’t exactly pulled—it’s chunks like you’d expect in Chinese dishes—but it’s tender and smoky nonetheless. Meatloaf is better than Mom’s, but hold the American cheese. For the star of the show, get the blackened salmon, well spiced, perfectly seared and plated with delicious garlic mashed potatoes. Follow up with the banana bread pudding with peanut butter anglaise. It’s so good Armstead should start passing out samples on the street to boost business.—Heather Shouse

3839 W Grand Ave at Avers Ave (773-292-0990). Bus: 53, 65, 70. Breakfast, brunch (Sat, Sun), lunch, dinner (closed Mon). BYOB.