CJ’s Pub
236 S Michigan St, South Bend, IN, 46601
CJ’s Pub Menu
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Address :
236 S Michigan St
South Bend, IN, 46601 - Phone (574) 233-5981
- Website https://cjs-pub.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Yes
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
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Jill W.
Disappointed. I used to love this place. I came back last weekend and was seated next two a table with a guy smoking and another vaping. Yuck! The burger took 35 minutes from when we placed our order and arrived as an overcooked, dry baseball-shaped meat pile. I had to drown it in ketchup to make it barely edible. Not going back.
(1)Meredith B.
Checked out the menu before myself and a few others grabbed drinks and dinner. Was looking forward to their food and multiple vegetarian options. Unfortunately it was a ND football weekend which means they have a smaller menu, with higher prices, and no vegetarian options. Most likely will not be returning, especially on a football weekend.
(2)Conor O.
Not a big fan - wouldn't recommend for bar food.
(2)John M.
I've tried this place 3 different times, just to be fare. The first two times gave me diarrhea and add vomiting to my 3rd trip. I even posted it on thier Facebook page. No response but CJs did remove my post. I won't be back ever. If you go......don't forget to bring Imodium.
(1)Dave N.
Why am I giving four stars to a college bar, where three out of 12 tap lines offer Natty Light? Because they make some pub food that is well above average for anywhere. Grilled chicken sandwiches are perfectly cooked, remaining juicy and tender in the middle and are placed on top of fresh hamburger buns. Somebody went to the farmers market to get the thick, fresh slice of tomato on top of it. Burgers are also great here. Sweet and spicy wings are perfectly fried with just the right bit of tang to balance the heat. However, the hottest wings were inedible for my mild tastes and are only for those with a high tolerance for heat; I couldn't even finish one. Although Natty Light is in good supply, there are also some craft taps that should allow craft snobs to survive. I saw a couple Bells taps (Oberon, and Two Hearted) plus a couple of other names. Service was friendly, accommodating, and jovial as our party bounced around to play pool and the various bar games, and to watch college football. Normally, that's a nightmare for servers, but not here. No wonder the walls are covered with pictures of college kids having a blast. Next time you are in town visiting Notre Dame, swing by.
(4)Mike L.
Love those Pub Burgers! I try to get in there as often as I can. The burgers are awesome and the waffle fries are perfect for scooping up ketchup. I've been going to CJ's since the late 80's at the old location. If you're from out of town, you can't visit Notre Dame without stopping in for a meal.
(5)Mason B.
Randomly stopped into this bar on our way home from The Grateful Dead shows in Chicago... Instantly greeted with warm welcomes from the staff... My favorite part besides the food and drinks which were delicious (we tried a burger, the famous wings which the sauce was so good, and one of the chicken sandwiches that was on point) but let me get to my favorite part The Bartender Barb she was the nicest friendliest bartender I've had she made me feel at home.. Thanks again Barb!!! This is a must visit!!!!!
(5)Joe T.
Stopped by this wonderful gem in South Bend. Absolutely wonderful service, food & beer!
(5)Fresno G.
The Lone Star burger and CJs Famous chili! Food was good, service was good, atmosphere ok, kinda divish.
(4)Vincent F.
They only get three stars for a good Bacardi and Coke at a fair price. Living in this area all my life I always heard everyone praise their burgers. The wife and I went twice, first time was awesome! Great burger and fries were possibly the best I've ever had. Second visit showed the unfortunate ugliness of extreme inconsistency. It was the worst $25 I have ever spent in my life. Being a long standing business in our city I never expected it. We work too hard, and value our dollars too much to ever give it away on a chance there again. Second time = really that bad.
(3)Emmin M.
This place is a bit of a hike off ND's campus. Wife and I went here on a Friday night on a Notre Dame football weekend. it was very easy to get a table but we opted just to sit at the bar. Basically we just came for some drinks but we decided to get wings. we ordered a dozen mild wings and they were pretty good. Thee EXPENSIVE though. $15 for twelve wing dings?? C'mon man. Atmosphere was average. It was smokey which I didn't like very much. My wife had three drinks and I had three drinks as well. With the wings the total bill came to $38. It's a place I'll go back to ill be honest. Just don't expect to be blown away.
(3)Adam G.
I came here with a friend for a bite before a show because it was only a couple doors away and was highly recommended. That was a mistake. Even though it was 9 pm on a Saturday, you could here crickets inside, it was so empty. We took a table. My friend ordered one of the "cubby" burgers, a smaller not-quite-slider sized offering with bacon and BBQ sauce. I ordered the Home Run, with ham, a fried egg, and cheese. Then we waited. And waited. Aaaaaaaaannnnnnd waited. No one ever came by to say "hey food's coming, sorry for the wait" or even to offer another drink. There were only 3 other occupied tables, and none of them were or ordering food. In fact, the waitress was too preoccupied drinking at the bar with friends and making very loud racist comments. Oh, yeah. And we waited. Nearly 45 minutes later, our food arrived. Before we could ask the waitress for another round of drinks, a fork, or really anything, she was back to the bar continuing her loud rant. My friend didn't seem to mind his "cubby." It was completely overcooked, like a little charred golf ball. But it had bacon, so he was happy. My Home Run was anything but. The menu describes a 10 ounce wonder of meaty goodness. What I received was charred black on the outside, and so horrifically overcooked on the inside it was nothing but a dark grey, desiccated, flavourless mess. The patty, which was nearly 1 inch thick, had apparently been on the grill the ENTIRE 45 minutes we waited. It was simply gross. The fries were entirely un-seasoned, as well. The final insult...I spent the rest of the evening nauseous and on the verge of being sick. CJ's is a NO-GO.
(1)Brandon T.
Super good food and highly recommended. I only rated four stars because there are SO MANY TYPOS on the menu! I lost count at 30+. You have to fix it!
(4)David P.
Well, it certainly didn't live up to the hype. The appetizer of Irish Nachos was good (best thing all evening, I'd say). They were loaded with all the toppings & goodies. Burger was a fair size, but certainly overcooked & dry, even with my topping. Got the JALAPENO POPPER - Jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar & bacon bits. Still dry. Onion rings good, not great, but good. No one in our party thought their burgers were excellent. Oh well. Service was ok. Had to keep getting up for silverware as none was brought or on the tables. Had to get up & steal an ashtray from another table. Server was half friendly and ok. Considering the place was deserted on a Wednesday night, one would think the service could be better and the food would have been perfect, since they didn't have any other orders to take care of. Overall, I'm not in a hurry to get back, but I won't go out of my way to avoid it if someone else suggests it.
(2)Alex P.
This place is huge. Went for the first time after a ND football game on a recommendation from a fellow fan. Walked right in without a wait. They seem kind of power trippy on where you sit. It took some banter between two of the front ladies for about 3 minutes to decide where we would actually end up. Went for the traditional burgers with fries. Damn. So good. Super moist burger with the perfect amount of seasoning. They have burger making down. Tons of sports memorabilia on the walls. B-ball arcade games in the corner.
(4)Sean B.
There is a lot to be desired with this place. Lunch time it took awhile for our server to get us drinks and menus. Then after ordering, the food took a lot longer than usual at other places. Server didn't check in in us for refills. Food was ok but I can't see how the burgers are famous. Coworker had a chicken sammy and it was dry. I won't be returning.
(3)Dustin G.
Not only was the service terrible, but the prices were even worse. Hidden up-charges, such as 1.00 dollar for half of a souffle cup of BBQ sauce, 1.50 up charge for fries, and extra for condiments, are just a few boorish additions to a mediocre place. The alcohol prices are several dollars higher per item than anywhere nearby, and the service matches the prices. Overcharging and underperforming. If you value good food, reasonable prices, and mediocre service, then you can do better elsewhere. One of the worst place I have been to in a while.
(1)Mike D.
For a burger, fries and onion rings, you cannot beat CJ's. My favorites are Bubba burger with BBQ sauce and grilled onions. Burgers are extra thick and delicious. Also, I highly recommend ordering a basket of "half and half". Half french fries and half onion rings. I would definitely recommend sharing the basket among friends. The onion rings are extra thick and in a delicious beer batter.
(5)Troy B.
I find myself stopping by there a lot. The service has always been amazing, but the food is the main attraction. The burger and fries are always aces but the Irish Nacho's are the Bees Knees of the place. If you want to take a few minutes and stop in to grab a bite to eat I promise you, you will not be let down. Prices are well with in reason.
(4)Cecilia S.
It was a quiet new year's day in the little town of South Bend. The boyfriend and I were walking around downtown (it was quite dead...) looking for food. Since it's new year's day, all the shops and restaurants were closed. We saw a sign for CJ's Pub - famous for their award winning burgers. Boy, they weren't kidding. I'm not typically a burger person. In fact, I was pretty close to getting a grilled chicken sandwich (boring, but at least it's somewhat healthier!). After reading all the descriptions of their famous burgers, I had to give it a try. Both of us got the TOM GORMAN's ULTRA WORKS with bacon, olives, 'shrooms, swiss & BBQ sauce. *drop dead now* It was delicious! The burger was enormous! My boyfriend is a manly man and even he had to eat this monstrosity with a fork and knife. I probably only finished a quarter of it... hey, I gave it my best shot. Oh yeah.. WISCONSIN CHEESE CURDS! They are essentially breaded mozzarella balls with marinara. SO GOOD! Service was excellent. I love the Midwest.. they aren't the South, but they are still welcoming and very friendly. I'm a fan :)
(4)Kimberly H.
Barb and the owners are ridiculously accommodating to anything that will make your experience the best! I knew Rick and he would be proud of how this is still run. The best burgers in South Bend.
(5)Ricki S.
I didn't like how they poured red headed sluts out of a pre mixed pitcher... But hey what can you expect for 3 dollar shots?? Pretty decent place on a Thursday night, good music and a lot of good looking people. Dance floor and free popcorn too!
(3)Mason B.
Randomly stopped into this bar on our way home from The Grateful Dead shows in Chicago... Instantly greeted with warm welcomes from the staff... My favorite part besides the food and drinks which were delicious (we tried a burger, the famous wings which the sauce was so good, and one of the chicken sandwiches that was on point) but let me get to my favorite part The Bartender Barb she was the nicest friendliest bartender I've had she made me feel at home.. Thanks again Barb!!! This is a must visit!!!!!
(5)Joe T.
Stopped by this wonderful gem in South Bend. Absolutely wonderful service, food & beer!
(5)Jill W.
Disappointed. I used to love this place. I came back last weekend and was seated next two a table with a guy smoking and another vaping. Yuck! The burger took 35 minutes from when we placed our order and arrived as an overcooked, dry baseball-shaped meat pile. I had to drown it in ketchup to make it barely edible. Not going back.
(1)Meredith B.
Checked out the menu before myself and a few others grabbed drinks and dinner. Was looking forward to their food and multiple vegetarian options. Unfortunately it was a ND football weekend which means they have a smaller menu, with higher prices, and no vegetarian options. Most likely will not be returning, especially on a football weekend.
(2)Conor O.
Not a big fan - wouldn't recommend for bar food.
(2)John M.
I've tried this place 3 different times, just to be fare. The first two times gave me diarrhea and add vomiting to my 3rd trip. I even posted it on thier Facebook page. No response but CJs did remove my post. I won't be back ever. If you go......don't forget to bring Imodium.
(1)Dave N.
Why am I giving four stars to a college bar, where three out of 12 tap lines offer Natty Light? Because they make some pub food that is well above average for anywhere. Grilled chicken sandwiches are perfectly cooked, remaining juicy and tender in the middle and are placed on top of fresh hamburger buns. Somebody went to the farmers market to get the thick, fresh slice of tomato on top of it. Burgers are also great here. Sweet and spicy wings are perfectly fried with just the right bit of tang to balance the heat. However, the hottest wings were inedible for my mild tastes and are only for those with a high tolerance for heat; I couldn't even finish one. Although Natty Light is in good supply, there are also some craft taps that should allow craft snobs to survive. I saw a couple Bells taps (Oberon, and Two Hearted) plus a couple of other names. Service was friendly, accommodating, and jovial as our party bounced around to play pool and the various bar games, and to watch college football. Normally, that's a nightmare for servers, but not here. No wonder the walls are covered with pictures of college kids having a blast. Next time you are in town visiting Notre Dame, swing by.
(4)Mike L.
Love those Pub Burgers! I try to get in there as often as I can. The burgers are awesome and the waffle fries are perfect for scooping up ketchup. I've been going to CJ's since the late 80's at the old location. If you're from out of town, you can't visit Notre Dame without stopping in for a meal.
(5)Fresno G.
The Lone Star burger and CJs Famous chili! Food was good, service was good, atmosphere ok, kinda divish.
(4)Brandon T.
Super good food and highly recommended. I only rated four stars because there are SO MANY TYPOS on the menu! I lost count at 30+. You have to fix it!
(4)David P.
Well, it certainly didn't live up to the hype. The appetizer of Irish Nachos was good (best thing all evening, I'd say). They were loaded with all the toppings & goodies. Burger was a fair size, but certainly overcooked & dry, even with my topping. Got the JALAPENO POPPER - Jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar & bacon bits. Still dry. Onion rings good, not great, but good. No one in our party thought their burgers were excellent. Oh well. Service was ok. Had to keep getting up for silverware as none was brought or on the tables. Had to get up & steal an ashtray from another table. Server was half friendly and ok. Considering the place was deserted on a Wednesday night, one would think the service could be better and the food would have been perfect, since they didn't have any other orders to take care of. Overall, I'm not in a hurry to get back, but I won't go out of my way to avoid it if someone else suggests it.
(2)Vincent F.
They only get three stars for a good Bacardi and Coke at a fair price. Living in this area all my life I always heard everyone praise their burgers. The wife and I went twice, first time was awesome! Great burger and fries were possibly the best I've ever had. Second visit showed the unfortunate ugliness of extreme inconsistency. It was the worst $25 I have ever spent in my life. Being a long standing business in our city I never expected it. We work too hard, and value our dollars too much to ever give it away on a chance there again. Second time = really that bad.
(3)Emmin M.
This place is a bit of a hike off ND's campus. Wife and I went here on a Friday night on a Notre Dame football weekend. it was very easy to get a table but we opted just to sit at the bar. Basically we just came for some drinks but we decided to get wings. we ordered a dozen mild wings and they were pretty good. Thee EXPENSIVE though. $15 for twelve wing dings?? C'mon man. Atmosphere was average. It was smokey which I didn't like very much. My wife had three drinks and I had three drinks as well. With the wings the total bill came to $38. It's a place I'll go back to ill be honest. Just don't expect to be blown away.
(3)Dustin G.
Not only was the service terrible, but the prices were even worse. Hidden up-charges, such as 1.00 dollar for half of a souffle cup of BBQ sauce, 1.50 up charge for fries, and extra for condiments, are just a few boorish additions to a mediocre place. The alcohol prices are several dollars higher per item than anywhere nearby, and the service matches the prices. Overcharging and underperforming. If you value good food, reasonable prices, and mediocre service, then you can do better elsewhere. One of the worst place I have been to in a while.
(1)William W.
Can't beat the Lone Star burger. And love the beer battered onion rings. Nice cozy atmosphere. I can see why it was recommended.
(5)Adam G.
I came here with a friend for a bite before a show because it was only a couple doors away and was highly recommended. That was a mistake. Even though it was 9 pm on a Saturday, you could here crickets inside, it was so empty. We took a table. My friend ordered one of the "cubby" burgers, a smaller not-quite-slider sized offering with bacon and BBQ sauce. I ordered the Home Run, with ham, a fried egg, and cheese. Then we waited. And waited. Aaaaaaaaannnnnnd waited. No one ever came by to say "hey food's coming, sorry for the wait" or even to offer another drink. There were only 3 other occupied tables, and none of them were or ordering food. In fact, the waitress was too preoccupied drinking at the bar with friends and making very loud racist comments. Oh, yeah. And we waited. Nearly 45 minutes later, our food arrived. Before we could ask the waitress for another round of drinks, a fork, or really anything, she was back to the bar continuing her loud rant. My friend didn't seem to mind his "cubby." It was completely overcooked, like a little charred golf ball. But it had bacon, so he was happy. My Home Run was anything but. The menu describes a 10 ounce wonder of meaty goodness. What I received was charred black on the outside, and so horrifically overcooked on the inside it was nothing but a dark grey, desiccated, flavourless mess. The patty, which was nearly 1 inch thick, had apparently been on the grill the ENTIRE 45 minutes we waited. It was simply gross. The fries were entirely un-seasoned, as well. The final insult...I spent the rest of the evening nauseous and on the verge of being sick. CJ's is a NO-GO.
(1)Alex P.
This place is huge. Went for the first time after a ND football game on a recommendation from a fellow fan. Walked right in without a wait. They seem kind of power trippy on where you sit. It took some banter between two of the front ladies for about 3 minutes to decide where we would actually end up. Went for the traditional burgers with fries. Damn. So good. Super moist burger with the perfect amount of seasoning. They have burger making down. Tons of sports memorabilia on the walls. B-ball arcade games in the corner.
(4)Sean B.
There is a lot to be desired with this place. Lunch time it took awhile for our server to get us drinks and menus. Then after ordering, the food took a lot longer than usual at other places. Server didn't check in in us for refills. Food was ok but I can't see how the burgers are famous. Coworker had a chicken sammy and it was dry. I won't be returning.
(3)Troy B.
I find myself stopping by there a lot. The service has always been amazing, but the food is the main attraction. The burger and fries are always aces but the Irish Nacho's are the Bees Knees of the place. If you want to take a few minutes and stop in to grab a bite to eat I promise you, you will not be let down. Prices are well with in reason.
(4)Mike D.
For a burger, fries and onion rings, you cannot beat CJ's. My favorites are Bubba burger with BBQ sauce and grilled onions. Burgers are extra thick and delicious. Also, I highly recommend ordering a basket of "half and half". Half french fries and half onion rings. I would definitely recommend sharing the basket among friends. The onion rings are extra thick and in a delicious beer batter.
(5)Fanny Z.
The two times I've been here, there were only about a handful of people. The people that work there are somewhat interesting to talk to. Nice and accommodating. CJs Irish Nachos were awesome though! Potatoes smothered with cheddar cheese, bits of bacon, etc. I love potatoes and cheddar cheese so if you do too, get it! :D Other than that, I'm not sure about their other items, but I hear that they have really good burgers.
(3)Scott E.
CJ's is a great place to get a burger and watch sports. They have so many different options for burger toppings, and each time I go back the menu just seems to get bigger. The meat itself is seasoned nicely, so even just a plain burger is good. The burgers come in three sizes, and the normal side is chips. However, you can upgrade to fries. Some of the beers on tap are good (more of the local ones), and the price is reasonable. Large TVs are everywhere so you can watch several different games at once. I love having green olives as a topping option, along with serranos and onion strings. I was excited to find out in my latest trip that smoked gouda is now one of the cheese options.
(4)Will L.
Such a wide variety of burgers! They have dozens of varieties and sizes for any sort of taste/appetite. My favorite place to get a burger in town. Also have a great sports bar feel that is great for watching any big sporting event.
(5)Kim P.
I'll be honest, if you're looking for a great townie burger/bar, this is the place for you. Even though, I will forewarn that I hear on Friday Nights there tend to be a lot of students who frequent this place after 10:00pm. Now to the review! For some reason I have a secret love for bars with a vast variety of fried foods and cheap beer. When I first went to CJ's, I found the menu overwhelming, and I won't lie a little bit intimidating to look at but I will say since then they've updated their menu to look a little bit more appealing to the eye. Their burgers are awesome, probably my favorite burger place in South Bend because they are hand made and have just enough seasoning than just your plain burger. The patties are nice and big, and definitely can be a filling meal by itself. I've also had their wings, and I will say their wings are my favorite place for wings as of yet. They're not breaded but perfectly deep fried and coated in their home made sauces. My personal favorite sauce is the Savory and Sweet sauce that they usually serve with their dumplings. I always get my wings with the Half and Half order of Waffle fries and onion rings. I'm not sure if it's something in their oil or the batter, but it just has a taste that is rather addicting! (Than again, maybe that's just fried food in general.) To be brief, I highly recommend this place if you're looking for a townie kind of night with cheap beer and a good burger or fried food.
(4)Zach F.
Nothing special here as it relates to food. Had the four horsemen burger with a potato wedge/onion ring mix. The burger tasted more like meatloaf than a burger and the potato wedge/onion rings were super greasy. Perfect food if you are drunk, but not so much if casually drinking or sober. I would rate CJ's two stars if based purely on food, but the wait staff were all really nice and outgoing and the beer was tasty :D
(3)john s.
tasty food, great service. friendly folks.
(4)Alex N.
CJ's is staple among all Notre Dame students. CJ's is a bustling cafe during the day and a packed college bar/danceclub by night. If you are in South Bend as a student or making a pilgrimage to the Golden Dome CJ's is the place to go to see all the big name football players you see on TV. On victorious game days are the Dome more times than not the players go to CJ's that night to celebrate the victory.
(4)Rob K.
Ate there twice during my November, 2013 visit. I crave CJ burgers when I know I'm headed to the Bend. Had a great burger Friday night, and a very dry over cooked burger Saturday. Opted for fries on Saturday...5.00 for a basket of bland waffle fries. I'm hoping my Saturday experience was just because it was post-game. That was my first negative CJ experience. The new restaurant has some of the feel of the old place but much more open. Cjs isn't cheap, but is most instances you get one of the best burgers around!
(4)Debbi W.
3 D's Dissatisfied. Disappointed. Dirty. If you are looking for a good cheeseburger this is not the place. We ordered a stuffed burger and there was hardly any cheese inside. Only 3 other tables occupied at the time and still waited over 40 minutes for 1 burger and waffle fries served on a paper plate. Will not go back.
(2)Joe G.
Whenever I go back to CJ's the burgers are always freshly cooked - absolutely delicious. I have eaten in LA and Chicago and CJ's is the only place that cooks the burgers fresh to order. The server informed me this week that new beers are coming, which I'm very excited! A must visit for dinner, late night, or to watch the Domers.
(5)Steve B.
3 is generous, 2.5 I'm pretty sure CJ's has two goals: have their total costs be the lowest possible while still remaining open, and serve a great burger. And they completely succeed at both. Went on a Saturday, and the owners' unwillingness to spend money was evident from the beginning. Only two waiters were covering the whole restaurant, so service took forever. The condiments are kept in old 6-packs and food is served on paper plates, which we found pretty funny. But the burger was awesome, if I could get past the fact that the bun disintegrated into nothing by the time I was finished.
(3)Tobin h.
With another great night at CJ's, this place could push its way into top 5 hang out bars of all time. The bar is manned by a bunch of forty something's that make you feel welcome to a town that otherwise screams pompous, arrogant ass-whipes. Two hours of CJ's and your notion of South Bend and Notre Dame will sway far away from that golf clap and deusche-e little leprechaun stalking the NBC cameras. This place was fantastic and I will make it a point to go back and even spend a golf weekend (not quite ready for ND football) in South Bend. Go out of your way to hit CJ's but try to get there a little bit before the college crowd so you enjoy the banter of the bar staff and patrons. Awesome!
(5)Karl Y.
AWFUL!!!! The old CJ's pub used to be amazing....this place however, well, sucks. I'm not sure what happened but my last outing there has made me vow to never go back. I ordered a burger 30 mins ahead of time as i only have 30 mins for lunch break, I walk across the street to pick up my food at the time they said it would be ready and it STILL took another 30 mins. I ordered my food with no cheese as I'm lactose intolerant...and surprise surprise....CHEESE...may sound petty but when you charge 15 dollars for a burger and fries, I kind of expect it to be made to order especially if it depends on me getting sick or not. So I address this to the bartender/server giving me the food and he just looks at it and has this attitude like he didnt want to deal with it and said 'ehh....cant you just take it off?'. As if im bothering him to fix something I didnt want on it to begin with. REALLY!? no you take it off, thats why im paying for you to make the food for me. I dont understand how this is acceptable. They wouldn't expect you to only pay 3 dollars of what they charge, and when they ask for the full payment you just say 'ehh...cant you just take it off?' im just saying....kind of ridiculous. From that point forward I will go out of my way to NOT go there. Nobody should pay for something they dont ask for and attitude to go with it. The bad part was this was the 4th time I went since they moved to the new location to give them 'one more try' after what i thought was just an unorganized re open...but it's been progressively bad.
(1)Kymberly J.
Good burger...huge burgers! I got the Cubbie burger which is smaller but still enough to satisfy. The burgers are not grilled but fried so it makes them super juicy and flavorful. It came with fries that, wah wah, were previously frozen. the house salad was also a little generic. It was a huge salad and they didnt offere anything smaller. I only wanted a small side salad to go with my burger but only had an option of a $5.99 salad. The atmosphere seemed pretty standard for a college town bar/burger joint. Sports decor, TVs, darts.... Our waiter was very cool and friendly.
(4)Tim M.
Had the opportunity to visit South Bend, Indiana and found some reviews on a burger place that seemed worth looking into. Walking distance from the hotel I was staying at was an added plus. Being a burger fan I am always on the prowl for a good burger joint and my search this time was rewarded. Stopping in on a Monday night the place was practically empty. It seemed like there was only the bartender and cook on staff but they were friendly and attentive. The ambiance is typical of a tavern, however it did seem to be bending over to the seedy side. Dark interior and not spotless. I sat at the bar and was greeted immediately and had to ask to have the bar wiped down. Looking over the menu they show a good range of burger choices in size and additions. A 5oz, 10oz, and for the brave of heart a 16oz burger with standard trimmings of lettuce, tomato, onions(grilled or raw), pickle, mustard, ketchup, and mayo. Add to that many varieties of stuffings or toppings including 'shrooms, a wide selection of cheeses, different types of spicy peppers, bacon, etc. I settled for the 5oz bacon, swiss, and 'shroom combo with the waffle fries. Served quickly and hot the 5oz looked like more than enough for this light weight. The waffle fries were mediocre. I had to ad some salt for flavor. The first bite into the burger created a delightful explosion of different flavors that merged on my palette to my delight. The burger was seasoned well and juicy but not overpowering the other flavors. Thanks to the flavor of the burger it saved the rating i would have given on first entry. Getting paste the decor, cleanliness, and tasteless fries, I had to give it 4 stars based on the burger alone. I will stop in again next time I'm in the area.
(4)Mark Y.
;) Delicious Food and Great Service!
(5)Jason R.
We eat lunch here every Friday. I have tried most of the burgers on the menu and they are all great. It's the kid of place where you sit down and the waitress has the drinks ready for you. Are they the best burgers around? That's a personal opinion. You won't be disappointed. There's plenty of ND memorabilia on the walls. The staff is down to earth and super friendly. They don't like Manti Teo jokes and do not mention Charlie Weis.
(4)Erica D.
My husband and I were looking for a place to eat before a concert and we found CJs. I am glad we did!! It was a great place. The service was good. I am always iffy when I order a burger in places, but this was an awesome cheeseburger. My husband said it was the best cheeseburger he has ever had so far! They are pretty big compared to other places and not that expensive. Will definitely eat there again.
(5)James B.
Best burgers in South Bend: a claim you'll see several times on their menus, but a truthful one nonetheless.
(4)Elizabeth c.
One word: LONESTAR. After hearing it talked up by a friend, I visited CJ's and took the suggestion to try the Lonestar with extra jalapenos. AMAZING. It is a huge burger, and honestly the best burger I have ever had in my lifetime. Very worth the visit - you will not be disappointed.
(5)Heather B.
I haven't been to the new location but I am sure the burger taste hasn't changed. We spent many nights here eating, drinking and dancing. Great atmosphere and the best burgers known to man!
(5)Dmytro A.
DOMER BURGER! I hope they still have it at their new location after burning down. If immediately after eating a burger you wish that you had another, you HAVE to come to CJ's and try the Domer Burger. Its 30 oz. of burgery juicy goodness will leave you uniquely satisfied. To this day, the Domer Burger is my standard for monster burgers worldwide. If that sounds like too much, try any of their Super Pub burgers, which are only 10 oz. of beef. My personal Super Pub favourites include in the following order: 1) The Chicago 2) The Works/Works Captain 3) The Baja 4) The Tom Gorman's Ultra Works 5) The Bubba The waffle fries are always perfectly crisp and salty. Burgers and fries aside, this has always been a fun place to come just to have a couple beers. I hope that is still true in its new location.
(5)William G.
After all the hype, we finally went to CJs Pub for burgers and beer. It didnt disappoint. The place is plastered in Notre Dame swag. Thats to be expected in a sports bar located in South Bend. Theres a pool table, clean but very small bathrooms. I ordered the little cubbie burger ( crappy name) with cheese, grilled onions, BBQ and lettuce, tomato and mushroom. That particular night the special is a cubbie burger with all the topics you want so I went all out. I got fries with them which tasted like typical fries. Still, I left quite satisfied as it was just enough food. My only complaint with the service was that the waitress didnt ask how I like my burger cooked. Luckily it was well done enough for me. CJs didnt have much on imported draft beers but the standard beers are here. Word of advice: Look and see what the specials are any particular night. You can save some money.
(3)Adam S.
So, in my sixteen years of existence, I've had quite a few burgers. Maybe more than a few. Yeah, more like hundreds. Anyways, so out of those few burgers, just a couple have really stood out. The cheddar bacon charburger at Paradise Pup, the regular at Five Guys, the pub at Chief O'Neill's, and the one at Rosebud. This... beats... all of them. The "Bubba": Spicy BBQ sauce, grilled red onions, bacon. I've never had anything like it. The meat was tender and outstanding, even resembling tenderloin in its bursts of beefy flavor and tendency to fall apart. The sauce was incredible: tangy, with hints of chipotle peppers, and a perfect consistency. The red onions were sweet, which helped balance out the other flavors. If you're in town for a game, there is absolutely no reason not to stop here. Please, please, PLEASE STOP HERE. Thanks, CJ's.
(5)Lisa K.
We were devastated when we heard that CJ's Pub had burned down earlier this year ... and so when we heard that they had rebuilt and were reopening for business this fall we were thrilled! We made our annual football weekend Friday night pilgrimage to CJ's for beer and burgers, and the new establishment is better than ever. They were actually so crowded that they ran out of wings .. .but promptly sent someone out for more and the problem was solved immediately. We are thrilled to see the old place back up and running again and highly recommend a Friday night stop ... or a post game visit to CJ's Pub while you are in South Bend for a Notre Dame game. A must enjoy football weekend tradition! Cheers! Lisa
(5)Andrew W.
I have been hearing rave reviews about this place from my Notre Dame alumni friends for years. Finally after going to a Notre Dame game we got to check this place out. They recently had moved to their new location and opening with a lot more seating space than before. They are known for their burgers and the great number of combination's of toppings they put with them. Mine had sour cream, jalapenos, and cheese on it! It was DELICIOUS! Big, thick and juicy burgers with a secret seasoning that is to die for! The burgers are a hearty heart portion and I felt full after half but it was so good I had to eat more. If this place was in Chicago then I would be eating here at least once a week!
(5)John C.
I loved this place. Very good burger. I had the 10oz burger with Swiss cheese and bacon. I just had the chips but stole a couple of waffle fries from my friend -- they are also great. The finishing touch is when the brought me a Vodka soda and it was mad with Tito's. Tito's is the best vodka in the world made in Austin, TX. Seeing my Dad's and Mom's old stomping grounds. (Dad was the "Golden Domer" at ND '51 and Mom was SMC '53). Having a great burger. Finishing it with an awesome cocktail. What a truly fun evening!!! I APOLOGIZE AS THE STARS ARE BROKEN I GIVE IT 4.5 STARS!!!
(5)Mose O.
A right hook from Tate to Clausen is the best thing that has happened at this place. I like all the different hamburger options, but the service and presentation ruin any chance complete success. All the servers I have seen are nothing but nice and... slow. So very slow. Also, I requested a side of ranch with my fries... they left it out. As for presentation, the lettuce they use is unnecessarily bulky to give the impression of a "huge" burger. And the buns are of such low Wonder bread quality that I'd prefer removing them altogether. If you wanted to invest in the tools, you could make a better burger yourself.
(3)Comebackshane F.
Mushroom and Swiss burger was delicious. This is NOT a "bar food" burger joint. It's a bar. But - again - the burger is not "bar food." BUT DON'T expect anything more than what the name suggests: this is a pub. There's a familiar feel for the bar atmosphere. Staff are great and laid back and "fun." And I hear they start offering "stuffed" burgers next week. These people are authentic, the beer is priced right, and that meat - that burger - the seasoning they use... delicious.
(4)Daniel R.
You just can't beat the burgers at CJ's Pub. I was an employee here for a brief time and fell in love with the quality food and the family-owned atmosphere that makes the place a South Bend staple. The burgers might seem a little pricy on paper, but you get more than what you pay for. Pair amazing burgers with a great bar and unbeatable liveliness during ND games and you have a combination that is tough to beat.
(5)Jay n.
The atmosphere here is usually terrible, unless you go on 'game day' when it will be absolutely packed with ND fans. The place is an absolute dump and should probably be bull dozed to the ground. But.... The Burgers are INCREDIBLE. I'll stop any time that I am in South Bend.
(4)Em J.
$60 for an appetizer, a couple of burgers and a few drinks? Seriously, there's better burgers in town. Service was sub-par.
(2)Lauren T.
A tradition from when we were band members, when we were back for campus, we had to visit CJs. We headed downtown with a group of about 30 immediately following a game to the new location. Other than more space in the new location, I think most folks would still be happy to see the normal CJs flair still exists. Much on popcorn prior to getting your meal. Enjoy the charm of receiving the huge and tasty burger on the paper plate, accompanies by chips. Split an order of fries or half and half with onion rings with the rest of your party. Enjoy an Amberbock. Quite impressively as well, our server for this large of a group was amazingly attentive and also got every order right. CJs isn't the best burger I've ever had, but it's certainly top 10 and merits a visit if you're in the Notre Dame/South Bend area.
(4)Michael R.
This place is now relocating, but I still feel compelled to give my opinion. It used to be better than it now is. They became famous for having large and delicious burgers, if a little overpriced. Then, once the word got out, it became totally overrun by Notre Dame alumni and fans. On football weekends, they will only let you order their most expensive items, and raise their normal prices. The burgers are good and the wait staff is adequate. The prices are probably too much for what you can get elsewhere in the city, but not so outrageous as to not merit a visit. I imagine things will only become worse, as this is the now infamous location of THE SUCKER PUNCH.
(2)John H.
Is CJ's permanently departed from South Bend (or anywhere, for that matter)? Supposedly it's been closed for a while now. I made but one trip to the burger mecca that most ND students and SB locals have patronized dozens of times. A tasty burger, but not quite the culinary paradise that others have made it out to be. If they turn up again, I'll certainly try them again.
(3)ND U.
Its a clean new establishment with plenty of friendly faces. The hamburgers are big, juicey, and lots of toppings. This is the place for good drinks and food anytime your in South Bend!
(5)Mandi W.
Thanks to all the great reviews from you yelpers we decided to try CJ's as we were passing through South Bend. We were not disappointed! As soon as we walked through the door we were greeted, the friendliness was fantastic! As far as the food goes, the burgers r HUGE and the onion rings melt in your mouth! My husband and I were so full and extremely satisfied. We will definitely return next time we travel through Indiana!
(5)Beverly S.
Killer burgers! Yelp led us to the burger holy grail!
(5)Chris P.
My #2 favorite place to get a burger.
(5)Brian Z.
I said what I have said in the past about CJ's burgers and Since they have move to they new location I will say the food is better. Better burger, not overly seasoned and not burnt. My favorite is the chicken wings with they own pub sauce... Best around!
(4)Collin M.
One of the best places in town to get a burger. Nice spot to hit up for lunch when you want a 10oz juicy burger and a nice cold beer.
(4)Laura R.
i heard over and over again about how awesome this place is...and....not so much. Yes, it is good, but I have had much better burgers. These are really greasy and kinda charred so if you like that you'll like this place. Me, I think you can find a better burger at Max n Ermas or Houlihans in Mishawaka. I love the atmosphere though because they have good bands that my friends and I will go and listen to. again though, don't go for thr burgers...esp if you're from Minneapolis-home of the Juicy Lucy. You'll be disappointed.
(3)Wink B.
Not at all the best burger in town. That would be at Joe's. Not the cheapest drinks either. Walls covered with more classic ND stuff per square inch than any other obsequiously pandering business in Fighting Amish country. But there is something about this place that I love. I think it's the staff. Also the new location is a definite improvement on the old place.
(4)John H.
After all of the hype I read online about being discussed and praised by Sports Illustrated and other publications, I figured how could we go wrong? Needless to say we were a bit disappointed with CJ's. The atmosphere was great but come on... we order a Guinness in an advertised Irish Pub and our waitress doesn't even bother to say they only have it in a can. We assumed being in an Irish Pub they would have it on draft. I thought that would have been a safe assumption. I'm not knocking them because it's not on draft, I would just have expected the waitress to advise us of this. As for the burgers, well... the meat is favorable but if you'd prefer your burger to be something other than well done forget it. Unless she forgot to ask how we wanted it prepared. The bun is not your friend in this place either. It crumbles to pieces the minute you pick up the burger leaving you to eat it with plastic utensils. Additionally, one of the waitresses came and snatched our condiment holder which contained the roll of paper towels I needed. Had she had asked it would have not been an issue as I would have taken a few more paper towels and it would have been fine. Our waitress was super friendly and therefore I didn't have the heart to share my frustrations with her. All in all my first impression was not a good one and I don't see myself going back.
(2)Erin G.
I went there with 3 other people this summer, I would guess around 7-8pm on a Friday, for dinner. The place was EMPTY, the air conditioning was OFF, and the burger was...ehh.. alright I guess. I don't see myself going back, but thats ok- Roc's and Between the Buns has amazing burgers!
(2)Jill W.
Disappointed. I used to love this place. I came back last weekend and was seated next two a table with a guy smoking and another vaping. Yuck! The burger took 35 minutes from when we placed our order and arrived as an overcooked, dry baseball-shaped meat pile. I had to drown it in ketchup to make it barely edible. Not going back.
(1)Meredith B.
Checked out the menu before myself and a few others grabbed drinks and dinner. Was looking forward to their food and multiple vegetarian options. Unfortunately it was a ND football weekend which means they have a smaller menu, with higher prices, and no vegetarian options. Most likely will not be returning, especially on a football weekend.
(2)Conor O.
Not a big fan - wouldn't recommend for bar food.
(2)John M.
I've tried this place 3 different times, just to be fare. The first two times gave me diarrhea and add vomiting to my 3rd trip. I even posted it on thier Facebook page. No response but CJs did remove my post. I won't be back ever. If you go......don't forget to bring Imodium.
(1)Emmin M.
This place is a bit of a hike off ND's campus. Wife and I went here on a Friday night on a Notre Dame football weekend. it was very easy to get a table but we opted just to sit at the bar. Basically we just came for some drinks but we decided to get wings. we ordered a dozen mild wings and they were pretty good. Thee EXPENSIVE though. $15 for twelve wing dings?? C'mon man. Atmosphere was average. It was smokey which I didn't like very much. My wife had three drinks and I had three drinks as well. With the wings the total bill came to $38. It's a place I'll go back to ill be honest. Just don't expect to be blown away.
(3)Dave N.
Why am I giving four stars to a college bar, where three out of 12 tap lines offer Natty Light? Because they make some pub food that is well above average for anywhere. Grilled chicken sandwiches are perfectly cooked, remaining juicy and tender in the middle and are placed on top of fresh hamburger buns. Somebody went to the farmers market to get the thick, fresh slice of tomato on top of it. Burgers are also great here. Sweet and spicy wings are perfectly fried with just the right bit of tang to balance the heat. However, the hottest wings were inedible for my mild tastes and are only for those with a high tolerance for heat; I couldn't even finish one. Although Natty Light is in good supply, there are also some craft taps that should allow craft snobs to survive. I saw a couple Bells taps (Oberon, and Two Hearted) plus a couple of other names. Service was friendly, accommodating, and jovial as our party bounced around to play pool and the various bar games, and to watch college football. Normally, that's a nightmare for servers, but not here. No wonder the walls are covered with pictures of college kids having a blast. Next time you are in town visiting Notre Dame, swing by.
(4)Mike L.
Love those Pub Burgers! I try to get in there as often as I can. The burgers are awesome and the waffle fries are perfect for scooping up ketchup. I've been going to CJ's since the late 80's at the old location. If you're from out of town, you can't visit Notre Dame without stopping in for a meal.
(5)Fresno G.
The Lone Star burger and CJs Famous chili! Food was good, service was good, atmosphere ok, kinda divish.
(4)Brandon T.
Super good food and highly recommended. I only rated four stars because there are SO MANY TYPOS on the menu! I lost count at 30+. You have to fix it!
(4)Fanny Z.
The two times I've been here, there were only about a handful of people. The people that work there are somewhat interesting to talk to. Nice and accommodating. CJs Irish Nachos were awesome though! Potatoes smothered with cheddar cheese, bits of bacon, etc. I love potatoes and cheddar cheese so if you do too, get it! :D Other than that, I'm not sure about their other items, but I hear that they have really good burgers.
(3)David P.
Well, it certainly didn't live up to the hype. The appetizer of Irish Nachos was good (best thing all evening, I'd say). They were loaded with all the toppings & goodies. Burger was a fair size, but certainly overcooked & dry, even with my topping. Got the JALAPENO POPPER - Jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar & bacon bits. Still dry. Onion rings good, not great, but good. No one in our party thought their burgers were excellent. Oh well. Service was ok. Had to keep getting up for silverware as none was brought or on the tables. Had to get up & steal an ashtray from another table. Server was half friendly and ok. Considering the place was deserted on a Wednesday night, one would think the service could be better and the food would have been perfect, since they didn't have any other orders to take care of. Overall, I'm not in a hurry to get back, but I won't go out of my way to avoid it if someone else suggests it.
(2)Vincent F.
They only get three stars for a good Bacardi and Coke at a fair price. Living in this area all my life I always heard everyone praise their burgers. The wife and I went twice, first time was awesome! Great burger and fries were possibly the best I've ever had. Second visit showed the unfortunate ugliness of extreme inconsistency. It was the worst $25 I have ever spent in my life. Being a long standing business in our city I never expected it. We work too hard, and value our dollars too much to ever give it away on a chance there again. Second time = really that bad.
(3)Dustin G.
Not only was the service terrible, but the prices were even worse. Hidden up-charges, such as 1.00 dollar for half of a souffle cup of BBQ sauce, 1.50 up charge for fries, and extra for condiments, are just a few boorish additions to a mediocre place. The alcohol prices are several dollars higher per item than anywhere nearby, and the service matches the prices. Overcharging and underperforming. If you value good food, reasonable prices, and mediocre service, then you can do better elsewhere. One of the worst place I have been to in a while.
(1)William W.
Can't beat the Lone Star burger. And love the beer battered onion rings. Nice cozy atmosphere. I can see why it was recommended.
(5)Scott E.
CJ's is a great place to get a burger and watch sports. They have so many different options for burger toppings, and each time I go back the menu just seems to get bigger. The meat itself is seasoned nicely, so even just a plain burger is good. The burgers come in three sizes, and the normal side is chips. However, you can upgrade to fries. Some of the beers on tap are good (more of the local ones), and the price is reasonable. Large TVs are everywhere so you can watch several different games at once. I love having green olives as a topping option, along with serranos and onion strings. I was excited to find out in my latest trip that smoked gouda is now one of the cheese options.
(4)Will L.
Such a wide variety of burgers! They have dozens of varieties and sizes for any sort of taste/appetite. My favorite place to get a burger in town. Also have a great sports bar feel that is great for watching any big sporting event.
(5)Adam G.
I came here with a friend for a bite before a show because it was only a couple doors away and was highly recommended. That was a mistake. Even though it was 9 pm on a Saturday, you could here crickets inside, it was so empty. We took a table. My friend ordered one of the "cubby" burgers, a smaller not-quite-slider sized offering with bacon and BBQ sauce. I ordered the Home Run, with ham, a fried egg, and cheese. Then we waited. And waited. Aaaaaaaaannnnnnd waited. No one ever came by to say "hey food's coming, sorry for the wait" or even to offer another drink. There were only 3 other occupied tables, and none of them were or ordering food. In fact, the waitress was too preoccupied drinking at the bar with friends and making very loud racist comments. Oh, yeah. And we waited. Nearly 45 minutes later, our food arrived. Before we could ask the waitress for another round of drinks, a fork, or really anything, she was back to the bar continuing her loud rant. My friend didn't seem to mind his "cubby." It was completely overcooked, like a little charred golf ball. But it had bacon, so he was happy. My Home Run was anything but. The menu describes a 10 ounce wonder of meaty goodness. What I received was charred black on the outside, and so horrifically overcooked on the inside it was nothing but a dark grey, desiccated, flavourless mess. The patty, which was nearly 1 inch thick, had apparently been on the grill the ENTIRE 45 minutes we waited. It was simply gross. The fries were entirely un-seasoned, as well. The final insult...I spent the rest of the evening nauseous and on the verge of being sick. CJ's is a NO-GO.
(1)Alex P.
This place is huge. Went for the first time after a ND football game on a recommendation from a fellow fan. Walked right in without a wait. They seem kind of power trippy on where you sit. It took some banter between two of the front ladies for about 3 minutes to decide where we would actually end up. Went for the traditional burgers with fries. Damn. So good. Super moist burger with the perfect amount of seasoning. They have burger making down. Tons of sports memorabilia on the walls. B-ball arcade games in the corner.
(4)Sean B.
There is a lot to be desired with this place. Lunch time it took awhile for our server to get us drinks and menus. Then after ordering, the food took a lot longer than usual at other places. Server didn't check in in us for refills. Food was ok but I can't see how the burgers are famous. Coworker had a chicken sammy and it was dry. I won't be returning.
(3)Troy B.
I find myself stopping by there a lot. The service has always been amazing, but the food is the main attraction. The burger and fries are always aces but the Irish Nacho's are the Bees Knees of the place. If you want to take a few minutes and stop in to grab a bite to eat I promise you, you will not be let down. Prices are well with in reason.
(4)Mike D.
For a burger, fries and onion rings, you cannot beat CJ's. My favorites are Bubba burger with BBQ sauce and grilled onions. Burgers are extra thick and delicious. Also, I highly recommend ordering a basket of "half and half". Half french fries and half onion rings. I would definitely recommend sharing the basket among friends. The onion rings are extra thick and in a delicious beer batter.
(5)Elizabeth c.
One word: LONESTAR. After hearing it talked up by a friend, I visited CJ's and took the suggestion to try the Lonestar with extra jalapenos. AMAZING. It is a huge burger, and honestly the best burger I have ever had in my lifetime. Very worth the visit - you will not be disappointed.
(5)Heather B.
I haven't been to the new location but I am sure the burger taste hasn't changed. We spent many nights here eating, drinking and dancing. Great atmosphere and the best burgers known to man!
(5)Wink B.
Not at all the best burger in town. That would be at Joe's. Not the cheapest drinks either. Walls covered with more classic ND stuff per square inch than any other obsequiously pandering business in Fighting Amish country. But there is something about this place that I love. I think it's the staff. Also the new location is a definite improvement on the old place.
(4)Kim P.
I'll be honest, if you're looking for a great townie burger/bar, this is the place for you. Even though, I will forewarn that I hear on Friday Nights there tend to be a lot of students who frequent this place after 10:00pm. Now to the review! For some reason I have a secret love for bars with a vast variety of fried foods and cheap beer. When I first went to CJ's, I found the menu overwhelming, and I won't lie a little bit intimidating to look at but I will say since then they've updated their menu to look a little bit more appealing to the eye. Their burgers are awesome, probably my favorite burger place in South Bend because they are hand made and have just enough seasoning than just your plain burger. The patties are nice and big, and definitely can be a filling meal by itself. I've also had their wings, and I will say their wings are my favorite place for wings as of yet. They're not breaded but perfectly deep fried and coated in their home made sauces. My personal favorite sauce is the Savory and Sweet sauce that they usually serve with their dumplings. I always get my wings with the Half and Half order of Waffle fries and onion rings. I'm not sure if it's something in their oil or the batter, but it just has a taste that is rather addicting! (Than again, maybe that's just fried food in general.) To be brief, I highly recommend this place if you're looking for a townie kind of night with cheap beer and a good burger or fried food.
(4)Zach F.
Nothing special here as it relates to food. Had the four horsemen burger with a potato wedge/onion ring mix. The burger tasted more like meatloaf than a burger and the potato wedge/onion rings were super greasy. Perfect food if you are drunk, but not so much if casually drinking or sober. I would rate CJ's two stars if based purely on food, but the wait staff were all really nice and outgoing and the beer was tasty :D
(3)Alex N.
CJ's is staple among all Notre Dame students. CJ's is a bustling cafe during the day and a packed college bar/danceclub by night. If you are in South Bend as a student or making a pilgrimage to the Golden Dome CJ's is the place to go to see all the big name football players you see on TV. On victorious game days are the Dome more times than not the players go to CJ's that night to celebrate the victory.
(4)Rob K.
Ate there twice during my November, 2013 visit. I crave CJ burgers when I know I'm headed to the Bend. Had a great burger Friday night, and a very dry over cooked burger Saturday. Opted for fries on Saturday...5.00 for a basket of bland waffle fries. I'm hoping my Saturday experience was just because it was post-game. That was my first negative CJ experience. The new restaurant has some of the feel of the old place but much more open. Cjs isn't cheap, but is most instances you get one of the best burgers around!
(4)Debbi W.
3 D's Dissatisfied. Disappointed. Dirty. If you are looking for a good cheeseburger this is not the place. We ordered a stuffed burger and there was hardly any cheese inside. Only 3 other tables occupied at the time and still waited over 40 minutes for 1 burger and waffle fries served on a paper plate. Will not go back.
(2)Cecilia S.
It was a quiet new year's day in the little town of South Bend. The boyfriend and I were walking around downtown (it was quite dead...) looking for food. Since it's new year's day, all the shops and restaurants were closed. We saw a sign for CJ's Pub - famous for their award winning burgers. Boy, they weren't kidding. I'm not typically a burger person. In fact, I was pretty close to getting a grilled chicken sandwich (boring, but at least it's somewhat healthier!). After reading all the descriptions of their famous burgers, I had to give it a try. Both of us got the TOM GORMAN's ULTRA WORKS with bacon, olives, 'shrooms, swiss & BBQ sauce. *drop dead now* It was delicious! The burger was enormous! My boyfriend is a manly man and even he had to eat this monstrosity with a fork and knife. I probably only finished a quarter of it... hey, I gave it my best shot. Oh yeah.. WISCONSIN CHEESE CURDS! They are essentially breaded mozzarella balls with marinara. SO GOOD! Service was excellent. I love the Midwest.. they aren't the South, but they are still welcoming and very friendly. I'm a fan :)
(4)Kimberly H.
Barb and the owners are ridiculously accommodating to anything that will make your experience the best! I knew Rick and he would be proud of how this is still run. The best burgers in South Bend.
(5)Ricki S.
I didn't like how they poured red headed sluts out of a pre mixed pitcher... But hey what can you expect for 3 dollar shots?? Pretty decent place on a Thursday night, good music and a lot of good looking people. Dance floor and free popcorn too!
(3)Joe G.
Whenever I go back to CJ's the burgers are always freshly cooked - absolutely delicious. I have eaten in LA and Chicago and CJ's is the only place that cooks the burgers fresh to order. The server informed me this week that new beers are coming, which I'm very excited! A must visit for dinner, late night, or to watch the Domers.
(5)Steve B.
3 is generous, 2.5 I'm pretty sure CJ's has two goals: have their total costs be the lowest possible while still remaining open, and serve a great burger. And they completely succeed at both. Went on a Saturday, and the owners' unwillingness to spend money was evident from the beginning. Only two waiters were covering the whole restaurant, so service took forever. The condiments are kept in old 6-packs and food is served on paper plates, which we found pretty funny. But the burger was awesome, if I could get past the fact that the bun disintegrated into nothing by the time I was finished.
(3)Tobin h.
With another great night at CJ's, this place could push its way into top 5 hang out bars of all time. The bar is manned by a bunch of forty something's that make you feel welcome to a town that otherwise screams pompous, arrogant ass-whipes. Two hours of CJ's and your notion of South Bend and Notre Dame will sway far away from that golf clap and deusche-e little leprechaun stalking the NBC cameras. This place was fantastic and I will make it a point to go back and even spend a golf weekend (not quite ready for ND football) in South Bend. Go out of your way to hit CJ's but try to get there a little bit before the college crowd so you enjoy the banter of the bar staff and patrons. Awesome!
(5)Karl Y.
AWFUL!!!! The old CJ's pub used to be amazing....this place however, well, sucks. I'm not sure what happened but my last outing there has made me vow to never go back. I ordered a burger 30 mins ahead of time as i only have 30 mins for lunch break, I walk across the street to pick up my food at the time they said it would be ready and it STILL took another 30 mins. I ordered my food with no cheese as I'm lactose intolerant...and surprise surprise....CHEESE...may sound petty but when you charge 15 dollars for a burger and fries, I kind of expect it to be made to order especially if it depends on me getting sick or not. So I address this to the bartender/server giving me the food and he just looks at it and has this attitude like he didnt want to deal with it and said 'ehh....cant you just take it off?'. As if im bothering him to fix something I didnt want on it to begin with. REALLY!? no you take it off, thats why im paying for you to make the food for me. I dont understand how this is acceptable. They wouldn't expect you to only pay 3 dollars of what they charge, and when they ask for the full payment you just say 'ehh...cant you just take it off?' im just saying....kind of ridiculous. From that point forward I will go out of my way to NOT go there. Nobody should pay for something they dont ask for and attitude to go with it. The bad part was this was the 4th time I went since they moved to the new location to give them 'one more try' after what i thought was just an unorganized re open...but it's been progressively bad.
(1)Kymberly J.
Good burger...huge burgers! I got the Cubbie burger which is smaller but still enough to satisfy. The burgers are not grilled but fried so it makes them super juicy and flavorful. It came with fries that, wah wah, were previously frozen. the house salad was also a little generic. It was a huge salad and they didnt offere anything smaller. I only wanted a small side salad to go with my burger but only had an option of a $5.99 salad. The atmosphere seemed pretty standard for a college town bar/burger joint. Sports decor, TVs, darts.... Our waiter was very cool and friendly.
(4)Stella C.
I don't know how it is now but it used to be the best place to get a burger. They were mammoth, but so delicious. I do remember service being REALLY slow and it can certaintly get crowded easily.
(3)Collin M.
One of the best places in town to get a burger. Nice spot to hit up for lunch when you want a 10oz juicy burger and a nice cold beer.
(4)Laura R.
i heard over and over again about how awesome this place is...and....not so much. Yes, it is good, but I have had much better burgers. These are really greasy and kinda charred so if you like that you'll like this place. Me, I think you can find a better burger at Max n Ermas or Houlihans in Mishawaka. I love the atmosphere though because they have good bands that my friends and I will go and listen to. again though, don't go for thr burgers...esp if you're from Minneapolis-home of the Juicy Lucy. You'll be disappointed.
(3)Tim M.
Had the opportunity to visit South Bend, Indiana and found some reviews on a burger place that seemed worth looking into. Walking distance from the hotel I was staying at was an added plus. Being a burger fan I am always on the prowl for a good burger joint and my search this time was rewarded. Stopping in on a Monday night the place was practically empty. It seemed like there was only the bartender and cook on staff but they were friendly and attentive. The ambiance is typical of a tavern, however it did seem to be bending over to the seedy side. Dark interior and not spotless. I sat at the bar and was greeted immediately and had to ask to have the bar wiped down. Looking over the menu they show a good range of burger choices in size and additions. A 5oz, 10oz, and for the brave of heart a 16oz burger with standard trimmings of lettuce, tomato, onions(grilled or raw), pickle, mustard, ketchup, and mayo. Add to that many varieties of stuffings or toppings including 'shrooms, a wide selection of cheeses, different types of spicy peppers, bacon, etc. I settled for the 5oz bacon, swiss, and 'shroom combo with the waffle fries. Served quickly and hot the 5oz looked like more than enough for this light weight. The waffle fries were mediocre. I had to ad some salt for flavor. The first bite into the burger created a delightful explosion of different flavors that merged on my palette to my delight. The burger was seasoned well and juicy but not overpowering the other flavors. Thanks to the flavor of the burger it saved the rating i would have given on first entry. Getting paste the decor, cleanliness, and tasteless fries, I had to give it 4 stars based on the burger alone. I will stop in again next time I'm in the area.
(4)Mark Y.
;) Delicious Food and Great Service!
(5)Jason R.
We eat lunch here every Friday. I have tried most of the burgers on the menu and they are all great. It's the kid of place where you sit down and the waitress has the drinks ready for you. Are they the best burgers around? That's a personal opinion. You won't be disappointed. There's plenty of ND memorabilia on the walls. The staff is down to earth and super friendly. They don't like Manti Teo jokes and do not mention Charlie Weis.
(4)Erica D.
My husband and I were looking for a place to eat before a concert and we found CJs. I am glad we did!! It was a great place. The service was good. I am always iffy when I order a burger in places, but this was an awesome cheeseburger. My husband said it was the best cheeseburger he has ever had so far! They are pretty big compared to other places and not that expensive. Will definitely eat there again.
(5)John H.
After all of the hype I read online about being discussed and praised by Sports Illustrated and other publications, I figured how could we go wrong? Needless to say we were a bit disappointed with CJ's. The atmosphere was great but come on... we order a Guinness in an advertised Irish Pub and our waitress doesn't even bother to say they only have it in a can. We assumed being in an Irish Pub they would have it on draft. I thought that would have been a safe assumption. I'm not knocking them because it's not on draft, I would just have expected the waitress to advise us of this. As for the burgers, well... the meat is favorable but if you'd prefer your burger to be something other than well done forget it. Unless she forgot to ask how we wanted it prepared. The bun is not your friend in this place either. It crumbles to pieces the minute you pick up the burger leaving you to eat it with plastic utensils. Additionally, one of the waitresses came and snatched our condiment holder which contained the roll of paper towels I needed. Had she had asked it would have not been an issue as I would have taken a few more paper towels and it would have been fine. Our waitress was super friendly and therefore I didn't have the heart to share my frustrations with her. All in all my first impression was not a good one and I don't see myself going back.
(2)Erin G.
I went there with 3 other people this summer, I would guess around 7-8pm on a Friday, for dinner. The place was EMPTY, the air conditioning was OFF, and the burger was...ehh.. alright I guess. I don't see myself going back, but thats ok- Roc's and Between the Buns has amazing burgers!
(2)Mason B.
Randomly stopped into this bar on our way home from The Grateful Dead shows in Chicago... Instantly greeted with warm welcomes from the staff... My favorite part besides the food and drinks which were delicious (we tried a burger, the famous wings which the sauce was so good, and one of the chicken sandwiches that was on point) but let me get to my favorite part The Bartender Barb she was the nicest friendliest bartender I've had she made me feel at home.. Thanks again Barb!!! This is a must visit!!!!!
(5)Joe T.
Stopped by this wonderful gem in South Bend. Absolutely wonderful service, food & beer!
(5)James B.
Best burgers in South Bend: a claim you'll see several times on their menus, but a truthful one nonetheless.
(4)Mose O.
A right hook from Tate to Clausen is the best thing that has happened at this place. I like all the different hamburger options, but the service and presentation ruin any chance complete success. All the servers I have seen are nothing but nice and... slow. So very slow. Also, I requested a side of ranch with my fries... they left it out. As for presentation, the lettuce they use is unnecessarily bulky to give the impression of a "huge" burger. And the buns are of such low Wonder bread quality that I'd prefer removing them altogether. If you wanted to invest in the tools, you could make a better burger yourself.
(3)Jay n.
The atmosphere here is usually terrible, unless you go on 'game day' when it will be absolutely packed with ND fans. The place is an absolute dump and should probably be bull dozed to the ground. But.... The Burgers are INCREDIBLE. I'll stop any time that I am in South Bend.
(4)Em J.
$60 for an appetizer, a couple of burgers and a few drinks? Seriously, there's better burgers in town. Service was sub-par.
(2)Lauren T.
A tradition from when we were band members, when we were back for campus, we had to visit CJs. We headed downtown with a group of about 30 immediately following a game to the new location. Other than more space in the new location, I think most folks would still be happy to see the normal CJs flair still exists. Much on popcorn prior to getting your meal. Enjoy the charm of receiving the huge and tasty burger on the paper plate, accompanies by chips. Split an order of fries or half and half with onion rings with the rest of your party. Enjoy an Amberbock. Quite impressively as well, our server for this large of a group was amazingly attentive and also got every order right. CJs isn't the best burger I've ever had, but it's certainly top 10 and merits a visit if you're in the Notre Dame/South Bend area.
(4)Michael R.
This place is now relocating, but I still feel compelled to give my opinion. It used to be better than it now is. They became famous for having large and delicious burgers, if a little overpriced. Then, once the word got out, it became totally overrun by Notre Dame alumni and fans. On football weekends, they will only let you order their most expensive items, and raise their normal prices. The burgers are good and the wait staff is adequate. The prices are probably too much for what you can get elsewhere in the city, but not so outrageous as to not merit a visit. I imagine things will only become worse, as this is the now infamous location of THE SUCKER PUNCH.
(2)John H.
Is CJ's permanently departed from South Bend (or anywhere, for that matter)? Supposedly it's been closed for a while now. I made but one trip to the burger mecca that most ND students and SB locals have patronized dozens of times. A tasty burger, but not quite the culinary paradise that others have made it out to be. If they turn up again, I'll certainly try them again.
(3)ND U.
Its a clean new establishment with plenty of friendly faces. The hamburgers are big, juicey, and lots of toppings. This is the place for good drinks and food anytime your in South Bend!
(5)Mandi W.
Thanks to all the great reviews from you yelpers we decided to try CJ's as we were passing through South Bend. We were not disappointed! As soon as we walked through the door we were greeted, the friendliness was fantastic! As far as the food goes, the burgers r HUGE and the onion rings melt in your mouth! My husband and I were so full and extremely satisfied. We will definitely return next time we travel through Indiana!
(5)Beverly S.
Killer burgers! Yelp led us to the burger holy grail!
(5)Chris P.
My #2 favorite place to get a burger.
(5)Brian Z.
I said what I have said in the past about CJ's burgers and Since they have move to they new location I will say the food is better. Better burger, not overly seasoned and not burnt. My favorite is the chicken wings with they own pub sauce... Best around!
(4)john s.
tasty food, great service. friendly folks.
(4)Tracy B.
Cubbie burger perfect size for lunch!
(4)Lisa K.
We were devastated when we heard that CJ's Pub had burned down earlier this year ... and so when we heard that they had rebuilt and were reopening for business this fall we were thrilled! We made our annual football weekend Friday night pilgrimage to CJ's for beer and burgers, and the new establishment is better than ever. They were actually so crowded that they ran out of wings .. .but promptly sent someone out for more and the problem was solved immediately. We are thrilled to see the old place back up and running again and highly recommend a Friday night stop ... or a post game visit to CJ's Pub while you are in South Bend for a Notre Dame game. A must enjoy football weekend tradition! Cheers! Lisa
(5)Andrew W.
I have been hearing rave reviews about this place from my Notre Dame alumni friends for years. Finally after going to a Notre Dame game we got to check this place out. They recently had moved to their new location and opening with a lot more seating space than before. They are known for their burgers and the great number of combination's of toppings they put with them. Mine had sour cream, jalapenos, and cheese on it! It was DELICIOUS! Big, thick and juicy burgers with a secret seasoning that is to die for! The burgers are a hearty heart portion and I felt full after half but it was so good I had to eat more. If this place was in Chicago then I would be eating here at least once a week!
(5)John C.
I loved this place. Very good burger. I had the 10oz burger with Swiss cheese and bacon. I just had the chips but stole a couple of waffle fries from my friend -- they are also great. The finishing touch is when the brought me a Vodka soda and it was mad with Tito's. Tito's is the best vodka in the world made in Austin, TX. Seeing my Dad's and Mom's old stomping grounds. (Dad was the "Golden Domer" at ND '51 and Mom was SMC '53). Having a great burger. Finishing it with an awesome cocktail. What a truly fun evening!!! I APOLOGIZE AS THE STARS ARE BROKEN I GIVE IT 4.5 STARS!!!
(5)Comebackshane F.
Mushroom and Swiss burger was delicious. This is NOT a "bar food" burger joint. It's a bar. But - again - the burger is not "bar food." BUT DON'T expect anything more than what the name suggests: this is a pub. There's a familiar feel for the bar atmosphere. Staff are great and laid back and "fun." And I hear they start offering "stuffed" burgers next week. These people are authentic, the beer is priced right, and that meat - that burger - the seasoning they use... delicious.
(4)Daniel R.
You just can't beat the burgers at CJ's Pub. I was an employee here for a brief time and fell in love with the quality food and the family-owned atmosphere that makes the place a South Bend staple. The burgers might seem a little pricy on paper, but you get more than what you pay for. Pair amazing burgers with a great bar and unbeatable liveliness during ND games and you have a combination that is tough to beat.
(5)Dmytro A.
DOMER BURGER! I hope they still have it at their new location after burning down. If immediately after eating a burger you wish that you had another, you HAVE to come to CJ's and try the Domer Burger. Its 30 oz. of burgery juicy goodness will leave you uniquely satisfied. To this day, the Domer Burger is my standard for monster burgers worldwide. If that sounds like too much, try any of their Super Pub burgers, which are only 10 oz. of beef. My personal Super Pub favourites include in the following order: 1) The Chicago 2) The Works/Works Captain 3) The Baja 4) The Tom Gorman's Ultra Works 5) The Bubba The waffle fries are always perfectly crisp and salty. Burgers and fries aside, this has always been a fun place to come just to have a couple beers. I hope that is still true in its new location.
(5)William G.
After all the hype, we finally went to CJs Pub for burgers and beer. It didnt disappoint. The place is plastered in Notre Dame swag. Thats to be expected in a sports bar located in South Bend. Theres a pool table, clean but very small bathrooms. I ordered the little cubbie burger ( crappy name) with cheese, grilled onions, BBQ and lettuce, tomato and mushroom. That particular night the special is a cubbie burger with all the topics you want so I went all out. I got fries with them which tasted like typical fries. Still, I left quite satisfied as it was just enough food. My only complaint with the service was that the waitress didnt ask how I like my burger cooked. Luckily it was well done enough for me. CJs didnt have much on imported draft beers but the standard beers are here. Word of advice: Look and see what the specials are any particular night. You can save some money.
(3)Adam S.
So, in my sixteen years of existence, I've had quite a few burgers. Maybe more than a few. Yeah, more like hundreds. Anyways, so out of those few burgers, just a couple have really stood out. The cheddar bacon charburger at Paradise Pup, the regular at Five Guys, the pub at Chief O'Neill's, and the one at Rosebud. This... beats... all of them. The "Bubba": Spicy BBQ sauce, grilled red onions, bacon. I've never had anything like it. The meat was tender and outstanding, even resembling tenderloin in its bursts of beefy flavor and tendency to fall apart. The sauce was incredible: tangy, with hints of chipotle peppers, and a perfect consistency. The red onions were sweet, which helped balance out the other flavors. If you're in town for a game, there is absolutely no reason not to stop here. Please, please, PLEASE STOP HERE. Thanks, CJ's.
(5)Tracy B.
Cubbie burger perfect size for lunch!
(4)Stella C.
I don't know how it is now but it used to be the best place to get a burger. They were mammoth, but so delicious. I do remember service being REALLY slow and it can certaintly get crowded easily.
(3)Andrew W.
I have been hearing rave reviews about this place from my Notre Dame alumni friends for years. Finally after going to a Notre Dame game we got to check this place out. They recently had moved to their new location and opening with a lot more seating space than before. They are known for their burgers and the great number of combination's of toppings they put with them. Mine had sour cream, jalapenos, and cheese on it! It was DELICIOUS! Big, thick and juicy burgers with a secret seasoning that is to die for! The burgers are a hearty heart portion and I felt full after half but it was so good I had to eat more. If this place was in Chicago then I would be eating here at least once a week!
(5)John C.
I loved this place. Very good burger. I had the 10oz burger with Swiss cheese and bacon. I just had the chips but stole a couple of waffle fries from my friend -- they are also great. The finishing touch is when the brought me a Vodka soda and it was mad with Tito's. Tito's is the best vodka in the world made in Austin, TX. Seeing my Dad's and Mom's old stomping grounds. (Dad was the "Golden Domer" at ND '51 and Mom was SMC '53). Having a great burger. Finishing it with an awesome cocktail. What a truly fun evening!!! I APOLOGIZE AS THE STARS ARE BROKEN I GIVE IT 4.5 STARS!!!
(5)Comebackshane F.
Mushroom and Swiss burger was delicious. This is NOT a "bar food" burger joint. It's a bar. But - again - the burger is not "bar food." BUT DON'T expect anything more than what the name suggests: this is a pub. There's a familiar feel for the bar atmosphere. Staff are great and laid back and "fun." And I hear they start offering "stuffed" burgers next week. These people are authentic, the beer is priced right, and that meat - that burger - the seasoning they use... delicious.
(4)Daniel R.
You just can't beat the burgers at CJ's Pub. I was an employee here for a brief time and fell in love with the quality food and the family-owned atmosphere that makes the place a South Bend staple. The burgers might seem a little pricy on paper, but you get more than what you pay for. Pair amazing burgers with a great bar and unbeatable liveliness during ND games and you have a combination that is tough to beat.
(5)Jay n.
The atmosphere here is usually terrible, unless you go on 'game day' when it will be absolutely packed with ND fans. The place is an absolute dump and should probably be bull dozed to the ground. But.... The Burgers are INCREDIBLE. I'll stop any time that I am in South Bend.
(4)Em J.
$60 for an appetizer, a couple of burgers and a few drinks? Seriously, there's better burgers in town. Service was sub-par.
(2)William W.
Can't beat the Lone Star burger. And love the beer battered onion rings. Nice cozy atmosphere. I can see why it was recommended.
(5)Fanny Z.
The two times I've been here, there were only about a handful of people. The people that work there are somewhat interesting to talk to. Nice and accommodating. CJs Irish Nachos were awesome though! Potatoes smothered with cheddar cheese, bits of bacon, etc. I love potatoes and cheddar cheese so if you do too, get it! :D Other than that, I'm not sure about their other items, but I hear that they have really good burgers.
(3)Scott E.
CJ's is a great place to get a burger and watch sports. They have so many different options for burger toppings, and each time I go back the menu just seems to get bigger. The meat itself is seasoned nicely, so even just a plain burger is good. The burgers come in three sizes, and the normal side is chips. However, you can upgrade to fries. Some of the beers on tap are good (more of the local ones), and the price is reasonable. Large TVs are everywhere so you can watch several different games at once. I love having green olives as a topping option, along with serranos and onion strings. I was excited to find out in my latest trip that smoked gouda is now one of the cheese options.
(4)Will L.
Such a wide variety of burgers! They have dozens of varieties and sizes for any sort of taste/appetite. My favorite place to get a burger in town. Also have a great sports bar feel that is great for watching any big sporting event.
(5)Kim P.
I'll be honest, if you're looking for a great townie burger/bar, this is the place for you. Even though, I will forewarn that I hear on Friday Nights there tend to be a lot of students who frequent this place after 10:00pm. Now to the review! For some reason I have a secret love for bars with a vast variety of fried foods and cheap beer. When I first went to CJ's, I found the menu overwhelming, and I won't lie a little bit intimidating to look at but I will say since then they've updated their menu to look a little bit more appealing to the eye. Their burgers are awesome, probably my favorite burger place in South Bend because they are hand made and have just enough seasoning than just your plain burger. The patties are nice and big, and definitely can be a filling meal by itself. I've also had their wings, and I will say their wings are my favorite place for wings as of yet. They're not breaded but perfectly deep fried and coated in their home made sauces. My personal favorite sauce is the Savory and Sweet sauce that they usually serve with their dumplings. I always get my wings with the Half and Half order of Waffle fries and onion rings. I'm not sure if it's something in their oil or the batter, but it just has a taste that is rather addicting! (Than again, maybe that's just fried food in general.) To be brief, I highly recommend this place if you're looking for a townie kind of night with cheap beer and a good burger or fried food.
(4)Zach F.
Nothing special here as it relates to food. Had the four horsemen burger with a potato wedge/onion ring mix. The burger tasted more like meatloaf than a burger and the potato wedge/onion rings were super greasy. Perfect food if you are drunk, but not so much if casually drinking or sober. I would rate CJ's two stars if based purely on food, but the wait staff were all really nice and outgoing and the beer was tasty :D
(3)Alex N.
CJ's is staple among all Notre Dame students. CJ's is a bustling cafe during the day and a packed college bar/danceclub by night. If you are in South Bend as a student or making a pilgrimage to the Golden Dome CJ's is the place to go to see all the big name football players you see on TV. On victorious game days are the Dome more times than not the players go to CJ's that night to celebrate the victory.
(4)Rob K.
Ate there twice during my November, 2013 visit. I crave CJ burgers when I know I'm headed to the Bend. Had a great burger Friday night, and a very dry over cooked burger Saturday. Opted for fries on Saturday...5.00 for a basket of bland waffle fries. I'm hoping my Saturday experience was just because it was post-game. That was my first negative CJ experience. The new restaurant has some of the feel of the old place but much more open. Cjs isn't cheap, but is most instances you get one of the best burgers around!
(4)Debbi W.
3 D's Dissatisfied. Disappointed. Dirty. If you are looking for a good cheeseburger this is not the place. We ordered a stuffed burger and there was hardly any cheese inside. Only 3 other tables occupied at the time and still waited over 40 minutes for 1 burger and waffle fries served on a paper plate. Will not go back.
(2)Cecilia S.
It was a quiet new year's day in the little town of South Bend. The boyfriend and I were walking around downtown (it was quite dead...) looking for food. Since it's new year's day, all the shops and restaurants were closed. We saw a sign for CJ's Pub - famous for their award winning burgers. Boy, they weren't kidding. I'm not typically a burger person. In fact, I was pretty close to getting a grilled chicken sandwich (boring, but at least it's somewhat healthier!). After reading all the descriptions of their famous burgers, I had to give it a try. Both of us got the TOM GORMAN's ULTRA WORKS with bacon, olives, 'shrooms, swiss & BBQ sauce. *drop dead now* It was delicious! The burger was enormous! My boyfriend is a manly man and even he had to eat this monstrosity with a fork and knife. I probably only finished a quarter of it... hey, I gave it my best shot. Oh yeah.. WISCONSIN CHEESE CURDS! They are essentially breaded mozzarella balls with marinara. SO GOOD! Service was excellent. I love the Midwest.. they aren't the South, but they are still welcoming and very friendly. I'm a fan :)
(4)Kimberly H.
Barb and the owners are ridiculously accommodating to anything that will make your experience the best! I knew Rick and he would be proud of how this is still run. The best burgers in South Bend.
(5)Ricki S.
I didn't like how they poured red headed sluts out of a pre mixed pitcher... But hey what can you expect for 3 dollar shots?? Pretty decent place on a Thursday night, good music and a lot of good looking people. Dance floor and free popcorn too!
(3)Joe G.
Whenever I go back to CJ's the burgers are always freshly cooked - absolutely delicious. I have eaten in LA and Chicago and CJ's is the only place that cooks the burgers fresh to order. The server informed me this week that new beers are coming, which I'm very excited! A must visit for dinner, late night, or to watch the Domers.
(5)Steve B.
3 is generous, 2.5 I'm pretty sure CJ's has two goals: have their total costs be the lowest possible while still remaining open, and serve a great burger. And they completely succeed at both. Went on a Saturday, and the owners' unwillingness to spend money was evident from the beginning. Only two waiters were covering the whole restaurant, so service took forever. The condiments are kept in old 6-packs and food is served on paper plates, which we found pretty funny. But the burger was awesome, if I could get past the fact that the bun disintegrated into nothing by the time I was finished.
(3)Tobin h.
With another great night at CJ's, this place could push its way into top 5 hang out bars of all time. The bar is manned by a bunch of forty something's that make you feel welcome to a town that otherwise screams pompous, arrogant ass-whipes. Two hours of CJ's and your notion of South Bend and Notre Dame will sway far away from that golf clap and deusche-e little leprechaun stalking the NBC cameras. This place was fantastic and I will make it a point to go back and even spend a golf weekend (not quite ready for ND football) in South Bend. Go out of your way to hit CJ's but try to get there a little bit before the college crowd so you enjoy the banter of the bar staff and patrons. Awesome!
(5)Karl Y.
AWFUL!!!! The old CJ's pub used to be amazing....this place however, well, sucks. I'm not sure what happened but my last outing there has made me vow to never go back. I ordered a burger 30 mins ahead of time as i only have 30 mins for lunch break, I walk across the street to pick up my food at the time they said it would be ready and it STILL took another 30 mins. I ordered my food with no cheese as I'm lactose intolerant...and surprise surprise....CHEESE...may sound petty but when you charge 15 dollars for a burger and fries, I kind of expect it to be made to order especially if it depends on me getting sick or not. So I address this to the bartender/server giving me the food and he just looks at it and has this attitude like he didnt want to deal with it and said 'ehh....cant you just take it off?'. As if im bothering him to fix something I didnt want on it to begin with. REALLY!? no you take it off, thats why im paying for you to make the food for me. I dont understand how this is acceptable. They wouldn't expect you to only pay 3 dollars of what they charge, and when they ask for the full payment you just say 'ehh...cant you just take it off?' im just saying....kind of ridiculous. From that point forward I will go out of my way to NOT go there. Nobody should pay for something they dont ask for and attitude to go with it. The bad part was this was the 4th time I went since they moved to the new location to give them 'one more try' after what i thought was just an unorganized re open...but it's been progressively bad.
(1)Kymberly J.
Good burger...huge burgers! I got the Cubbie burger which is smaller but still enough to satisfy. The burgers are not grilled but fried so it makes them super juicy and flavorful. It came with fries that, wah wah, were previously frozen. the house salad was also a little generic. It was a huge salad and they didnt offere anything smaller. I only wanted a small side salad to go with my burger but only had an option of a $5.99 salad. The atmosphere seemed pretty standard for a college town bar/burger joint. Sports decor, TVs, darts.... Our waiter was very cool and friendly.
(4)Elizabeth c.
One word: LONESTAR. After hearing it talked up by a friend, I visited CJ's and took the suggestion to try the Lonestar with extra jalapenos. AMAZING. It is a huge burger, and honestly the best burger I have ever had in my lifetime. Very worth the visit - you will not be disappointed.
(5)Heather B.
I haven't been to the new location but I am sure the burger taste hasn't changed. We spent many nights here eating, drinking and dancing. Great atmosphere and the best burgers known to man!
(5)Dmytro A.
DOMER BURGER! I hope they still have it at their new location after burning down. If immediately after eating a burger you wish that you had another, you HAVE to come to CJ's and try the Domer Burger. Its 30 oz. of burgery juicy goodness will leave you uniquely satisfied. To this day, the Domer Burger is my standard for monster burgers worldwide. If that sounds like too much, try any of their Super Pub burgers, which are only 10 oz. of beef. My personal Super Pub favourites include in the following order: 1) The Chicago 2) The Works/Works Captain 3) The Baja 4) The Tom Gorman's Ultra Works 5) The Bubba The waffle fries are always perfectly crisp and salty. Burgers and fries aside, this has always been a fun place to come just to have a couple beers. I hope that is still true in its new location.
(5)Mose O.
A right hook from Tate to Clausen is the best thing that has happened at this place. I like all the different hamburger options, but the service and presentation ruin any chance complete success. All the servers I have seen are nothing but nice and... slow. So very slow. Also, I requested a side of ranch with my fries... they left it out. As for presentation, the lettuce they use is unnecessarily bulky to give the impression of a "huge" burger. And the buns are of such low Wonder bread quality that I'd prefer removing them altogether. If you wanted to invest in the tools, you could make a better burger yourself.
(3)Tim M.
Had the opportunity to visit South Bend, Indiana and found some reviews on a burger place that seemed worth looking into. Walking distance from the hotel I was staying at was an added plus. Being a burger fan I am always on the prowl for a good burger joint and my search this time was rewarded. Stopping in on a Monday night the place was practically empty. It seemed like there was only the bartender and cook on staff but they were friendly and attentive. The ambiance is typical of a tavern, however it did seem to be bending over to the seedy side. Dark interior and not spotless. I sat at the bar and was greeted immediately and had to ask to have the bar wiped down. Looking over the menu they show a good range of burger choices in size and additions. A 5oz, 10oz, and for the brave of heart a 16oz burger with standard trimmings of lettuce, tomato, onions(grilled or raw), pickle, mustard, ketchup, and mayo. Add to that many varieties of stuffings or toppings including 'shrooms, a wide selection of cheeses, different types of spicy peppers, bacon, etc. I settled for the 5oz bacon, swiss, and 'shroom combo with the waffle fries. Served quickly and hot the 5oz looked like more than enough for this light weight. The waffle fries were mediocre. I had to ad some salt for flavor. The first bite into the burger created a delightful explosion of different flavors that merged on my palette to my delight. The burger was seasoned well and juicy but not overpowering the other flavors. Thanks to the flavor of the burger it saved the rating i would have given on first entry. Getting paste the decor, cleanliness, and tasteless fries, I had to give it 4 stars based on the burger alone. I will stop in again next time I'm in the area.
(4)Mark Y.
;) Delicious Food and Great Service!
(5)Jason R.
We eat lunch here every Friday. I have tried most of the burgers on the menu and they are all great. It's the kid of place where you sit down and the waitress has the drinks ready for you. Are they the best burgers around? That's a personal opinion. You won't be disappointed. There's plenty of ND memorabilia on the walls. The staff is down to earth and super friendly. They don't like Manti Teo jokes and do not mention Charlie Weis.
(4)Erica D.
My husband and I were looking for a place to eat before a concert and we found CJs. I am glad we did!! It was a great place. The service was good. I am always iffy when I order a burger in places, but this was an awesome cheeseburger. My husband said it was the best cheeseburger he has ever had so far! They are pretty big compared to other places and not that expensive. Will definitely eat there again.
(5)James B.
Best burgers in South Bend: a claim you'll see several times on their menus, but a truthful one nonetheless.
(4)Tracy B.
Cubbie burger perfect size for lunch!
(4)Stella C.
I don't know how it is now but it used to be the best place to get a burger. They were mammoth, but so delicious. I do remember service being REALLY slow and it can certaintly get crowded easily.
(3)William G.
After all the hype, we finally went to CJs Pub for burgers and beer. It didnt disappoint. The place is plastered in Notre Dame swag. Thats to be expected in a sports bar located in South Bend. Theres a pool table, clean but very small bathrooms. I ordered the little cubbie burger ( crappy name) with cheese, grilled onions, BBQ and lettuce, tomato and mushroom. That particular night the special is a cubbie burger with all the topics you want so I went all out. I got fries with them which tasted like typical fries. Still, I left quite satisfied as it was just enough food. My only complaint with the service was that the waitress didnt ask how I like my burger cooked. Luckily it was well done enough for me. CJs didnt have much on imported draft beers but the standard beers are here. Word of advice: Look and see what the specials are any particular night. You can save some money.
(3)Adam S.
So, in my sixteen years of existence, I've had quite a few burgers. Maybe more than a few. Yeah, more like hundreds. Anyways, so out of those few burgers, just a couple have really stood out. The cheddar bacon charburger at Paradise Pup, the regular at Five Guys, the pub at Chief O'Neill's, and the one at Rosebud. This... beats... all of them. The "Bubba": Spicy BBQ sauce, grilled red onions, bacon. I've never had anything like it. The meat was tender and outstanding, even resembling tenderloin in its bursts of beefy flavor and tendency to fall apart. The sauce was incredible: tangy, with hints of chipotle peppers, and a perfect consistency. The red onions were sweet, which helped balance out the other flavors. If you're in town for a game, there is absolutely no reason not to stop here. Please, please, PLEASE STOP HERE. Thanks, CJ's.
(5)Lisa K.
We were devastated when we heard that CJ's Pub had burned down earlier this year ... and so when we heard that they had rebuilt and were reopening for business this fall we were thrilled! We made our annual football weekend Friday night pilgrimage to CJ's for beer and burgers, and the new establishment is better than ever. They were actually so crowded that they ran out of wings .. .but promptly sent someone out for more and the problem was solved immediately. We are thrilled to see the old place back up and running again and highly recommend a Friday night stop ... or a post game visit to CJ's Pub while you are in South Bend for a Notre Dame game. A must enjoy football weekend tradition! Cheers! Lisa
(5)Lauren T.
A tradition from when we were band members, when we were back for campus, we had to visit CJs. We headed downtown with a group of about 30 immediately following a game to the new location. Other than more space in the new location, I think most folks would still be happy to see the normal CJs flair still exists. Much on popcorn prior to getting your meal. Enjoy the charm of receiving the huge and tasty burger on the paper plate, accompanies by chips. Split an order of fries or half and half with onion rings with the rest of your party. Enjoy an Amberbock. Quite impressively as well, our server for this large of a group was amazingly attentive and also got every order right. CJs isn't the best burger I've ever had, but it's certainly top 10 and merits a visit if you're in the Notre Dame/South Bend area.
(4)Michael R.
This place is now relocating, but I still feel compelled to give my opinion. It used to be better than it now is. They became famous for having large and delicious burgers, if a little overpriced. Then, once the word got out, it became totally overrun by Notre Dame alumni and fans. On football weekends, they will only let you order their most expensive items, and raise their normal prices. The burgers are good and the wait staff is adequate. The prices are probably too much for what you can get elsewhere in the city, but not so outrageous as to not merit a visit. I imagine things will only become worse, as this is the now infamous location of THE SUCKER PUNCH.
(2)John H.
Is CJ's permanently departed from South Bend (or anywhere, for that matter)? Supposedly it's been closed for a while now. I made but one trip to the burger mecca that most ND students and SB locals have patronized dozens of times. A tasty burger, but not quite the culinary paradise that others have made it out to be. If they turn up again, I'll certainly try them again.
(3)ND U.
Its a clean new establishment with plenty of friendly faces. The hamburgers are big, juicey, and lots of toppings. This is the place for good drinks and food anytime your in South Bend!
(5)Mandi W.
Thanks to all the great reviews from you yelpers we decided to try CJ's as we were passing through South Bend. We were not disappointed! As soon as we walked through the door we were greeted, the friendliness was fantastic! As far as the food goes, the burgers r HUGE and the onion rings melt in your mouth! My husband and I were so full and extremely satisfied. We will definitely return next time we travel through Indiana!
(5)Beverly S.
Killer burgers! Yelp led us to the burger holy grail!
(5)Chris P.
My #2 favorite place to get a burger.
(5)Brian Z.
I said what I have said in the past about CJ's burgers and Since they have move to they new location I will say the food is better. Better burger, not overly seasoned and not burnt. My favorite is the chicken wings with they own pub sauce... Best around!
(4)john s.
tasty food, great service. friendly folks.
(4)Collin M.
One of the best places in town to get a burger. Nice spot to hit up for lunch when you want a 10oz juicy burger and a nice cold beer.
(4)Laura R.
i heard over and over again about how awesome this place is...and....not so much. Yes, it is good, but I have had much better burgers. These are really greasy and kinda charred so if you like that you'll like this place. Me, I think you can find a better burger at Max n Ermas or Houlihans in Mishawaka. I love the atmosphere though because they have good bands that my friends and I will go and listen to. again though, don't go for thr burgers...esp if you're from Minneapolis-home of the Juicy Lucy. You'll be disappointed.
(3)Wink B.
Not at all the best burger in town. That would be at Joe's. Not the cheapest drinks either. Walls covered with more classic ND stuff per square inch than any other obsequiously pandering business in Fighting Amish country. But there is something about this place that I love. I think it's the staff. Also the new location is a definite improvement on the old place.
(4)John H.
After all of the hype I read online about being discussed and praised by Sports Illustrated and other publications, I figured how could we go wrong? Needless to say we were a bit disappointed with CJ's. The atmosphere was great but come on... we order a Guinness in an advertised Irish Pub and our waitress doesn't even bother to say they only have it in a can. We assumed being in an Irish Pub they would have it on draft. I thought that would have been a safe assumption. I'm not knocking them because it's not on draft, I would just have expected the waitress to advise us of this. As for the burgers, well... the meat is favorable but if you'd prefer your burger to be something other than well done forget it. Unless she forgot to ask how we wanted it prepared. The bun is not your friend in this place either. It crumbles to pieces the minute you pick up the burger leaving you to eat it with plastic utensils. Additionally, one of the waitresses came and snatched our condiment holder which contained the roll of paper towels I needed. Had she had asked it would have not been an issue as I would have taken a few more paper towels and it would have been fine. Our waitress was super friendly and therefore I didn't have the heart to share my frustrations with her. All in all my first impression was not a good one and I don't see myself going back.
(2)Erin G.
I went there with 3 other people this summer, I would guess around 7-8pm on a Friday, for dinner. The place was EMPTY, the air conditioning was OFF, and the burger was...ehh.. alright I guess. I don't see myself going back, but thats ok- Roc's and Between the Buns has amazing burgers!
(2)