CJ's Restaurant

update 11/4/06: CJ's turned into Mexicali Rose, then closed.

In a word: We didn't get where we are today not eating at CJ's.

The specs: #0086
Address, hours & details via Isthmus; Ultimate Madison Bar Tour review.

Latest CJ's Restaurant news and reviews

Amanda ate the Reuben and a salad.
JM ate the steak sandwich and the french onion soup.
Nichole ate the fish sandwich and potato soup.
The bill was $27, or $9/person, plus tip.
JM gave CJ's a B; Nichole gave CJ's a B-; Amanda gave CJ's a C+ (see our grading rubric).

Please pardon a short digression. "I didn't get where I am today" is a catchphrase from a very underrated (Stateside, at least) Britcom called the Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. CJ, the officious bossman, used it often. (Listen .wav, 800k).

That said, CJ's is a fine place to take your folks. In fact, we have more than a couple uncles who would relish the atmosphere and the many opportunities for a steak and a scotch that the menu affords.

The exterior is nondescript.

The interior is early 70's faux medieval. As for the fare, it fits the manly surroundings; there were plenty of meat-and-potatoes offerings. We all opted for sandwiches, which were just a variation on that theme.

There were no cock-ups on the catering front. JM found his steak sandwich not great, but OK, and the french onion soup was actually pretty super.  It was an OK experience but not really Haute Cuisine, Arizona.

Amanda said of her Reuben that it was "totally not interesting." The salad was good, middle-of-the-road iceberg lettuce plus some colorful accents.

Nichole was pleased with the potato soup; fresh bell pepper was a sweet touch. The sandwich itself featured two (!) generous slabs of breaded fish. If indicative of the fish fry, it would be safe to say that CJ's Friday night menu is solid, if not spectacular. Nichole ended up eating one piece on its own and extracting the meat from the breading to put between the toasted wheat bun provided.

All in all, probably a place CJ himself would rather enjoy.

Comments

Faux medieval--perfect description. : )