Charles Armstead and his girlfriend, Vanessa Perez, opened CJ's Eatery in the hopes of filling a void in their neighborhood. While plenty of carryout restaurants and taquerias exist (Jimmy's Red Hots, anyone?), people don't have many options when it comes to leisurely sit-down joints.

Set on a somewhat abandoned stretch of street on the West Side, this adorable restaurant actually seems so out of place that if you're not looking for it, you'll likely drive right past it. The inside of CJ's is as bright and cheery as the owner's demeanor. Decorated with lovely wall hangings, colorful, upbeat murals and pea green, brick and terra cotta walls, the eatery feels like a cross between a hip cafe and a neighborhood restaurant. It offers a wide array of options for any time of day, including plenty of vegetarian and seafood choices.

Popular breakfast items include the Southwestern breakfast burrito and the breakfast bagel, each just $3.50. For weekend brunch, you'll find additional items like eggs benedict and fried chicken and waffles. The lunch menu offers huge portions of calamari, creamy and tasty corn chowder and $6 sandwiches like the gourmet grilled cheese, which oozes American, swiss, Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses and caramelized onions, and the simply described "best sloppy joe sandwich." For dinner, try the blackened salmon fillet with Cajun cream sauce or the wonderfully presented chili-rubbed sirloin with fried corn for $14 each.

Centerstage Reviewer: Christy Bonstell