Drive by CJ's Corner Grill & Catering in Somers Point during lunchtime on any weekday, and you'll see that it's packed with a mix of locals and Shore Memorial Hospital staff members.
Usually, a routinely packed house means one thing: good food. So, we finally settled our curiosity about the place and walked in for a late Saturday lunch.
Unlike most weekdays, the place was empty … and I mean no other people. So we settled into a corner table overlooking a busy Shore Road and perused the menu, which is of the glorified-deli variety, offering everything from chicken waldorf salad to pastrami to breakfast all day.
Our friendly and attentive server - she really didn't have anything else to do - came right over and took our drink and appetizer orders. The limited appetizers meant our kids wanted one thing, of course: mozzarella sticks, while I eyed the pierogies, being from a mostly Polish town in Pennsylvania.
The mozzarella sticks ($4.75) would have been more than OK if they weren't overcooked. From the outside, the ends of the sticks were actually black, and when my son ripped into them, they were very dry from being left in the fryer too long.
When I ordered the pierogi ($3.75), I didn't realize they were fried, which is really a good way to ruin pierogi, in my opinion. Obviously frozen of the Mrs. T's variety, my wife loved them, but my son agreed with me that the proper way to serve pierogi is lightly pan fried with butter and onions. Oh, well. They also had a version that was smothered with cheddar cheese and bacon, which seemed like blasphemy to me, but you never know.
My wife had the Greek salad ($6.75), which was super fresh and equally delicious with romaine lettuce, red onion, black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and feta cheese, and was served with a balsamic vinaigrette. Healthy and hearty, there was enough left over for lunch the next day.
I had a hard time choosing between the chicken cutlet or the roast pork, so my waitress made my decision for me. The pork ($6.25), roasted on the premises, was smothered in melted cheese and served on a soft, Philadelphia-style roll. The pork was tender, lean and absolutely delicious, but there simply was not enough of it. Set in the oversized roll, there was more bread than meat. I also asked for a sharp provolone, and I think I got the mild; either that or CJ's needs to find a higher-quality sharp provolone.
My 11-year-old son had the same issue with his chicken cheesesteak ($5.95). Served on the scrumptious, fresh, soft roll, the meat portion was pretty paltry, but it was one of the best chicken cheesesteaks he ever had. I had a bite and agreed.
My 10-year-old stepdaughter was feeling less adventurous than usual and ordered the hamburger ($3.95). Served on a fresh kaiser roll with lettuce and tomato, the kitchen or server messed up and put cheese on it, which she doesn't really like that much. Be she soldiered on and ate it anyway, claiming the burger to be top-notch.
The kiddies also shared a basket of fries ($2), and they came out hot - and, unlike, the sandwiches - plentiful. There were enough fries there for at least four people, and the kids also thought they were great.
We were disappointed that the only dessert in the display case was a cheesecake the waitress said she believed came from Sam's Club.
We passed. The kids grabbed a couple of TastyKakes for the road.
If you're looking for kiddie diversions like crayons and coloring placemats, bring your own. But the food comes out so quickly, you won't need to pass too much time.
Overall, we had a good experience at CJ's and now understand why it's so busy. We agreed we would return, whether for a quick sandwich or a possible dinner when the restaurant expands its hours to include dinner Thursdays to Saturdays in the summer. We were also intrigued by its breakfast specials that were on a flier at our table that included french toast with caramelized peaches, a Grand Marnier whipped cream and brown sugar as well as crab cake benedict.
With so many good delis and sandwich shops on the mainland - Rose's Garden Grill in Northfield, Fitzpatrick's in Somers Point and Romanelli's in Linwood, to name a few - CJ's needs to step it up when it comes to beefing up its sandwiches.
Other than that, the place offers great variety and flavors at decent prices.
CJ's Corner Grill
& Catering
WHERE: 701 Shore Road, Somers Point
WHEN: Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, to 3 p.m. Sundays; hours expand to include dinner Thursdays to Saturdays in summer.
HOW MUCH: Our bill for four was $41.32 plus tip. Appetizers range from $2 to $10.95; salads $5.25 to $7.95; hoagies, wraps, burgers and sandwiches $3.95 to $8.50; breakfast $2.25 to $6.95.
SERVICES: Major credit cards accepted. Disabled access through front door. No liquor license. BYOB. Eat in. Takeout. Delivery to Somers Point, Northfield and Linwood. Catering. No kids menu. No smoking.
MORE INFO: Call 609-927-4701.