Driving I-10 we found ourselves hungry and in the area on a recent Sunday afternoon. Opted for something "better" than the usual fast-food fare and dropped into the Claim Jumper for a late lunch. Place looked about 1/2 empty inside so we expected to be seated right away. Hostess told us 15 minute wait - REALLY?? for what? So before she could pigeon-hole us into dining purgatory, we ducked into the bar and seated ourselves. Albert was tending the bar and waiting tables. Seems like he could have used another hand but he was attentive and pleasant.
We ordered a classic cheeseburger w/ fries and a citrus salad. The cheese burger was nothing to write home about. Ordered well-done and came out pink but by this time we figured it wasn't worth wasting the time and sending it back. The salad was a miserable combination based of iceberg lettuce and overpowered by onion, all swimming in dressing. Bleah!
CJ has a really nice setup, rich looking interior, well appointed, and attention to detail and design. The problem here is clearly the management. How can you expect to run a business (much less STAY in business) when you can't seat guests and serve in a half-empty restaurant? I watched several families and couples who went through the same "15 minute wait" process the hostess tried to pin on us earlier. NO management was in sight during our 1+ hour visit. I noted a sign on the door to the patio that said "Patio Closed" - odd since there were several tables with guests dining out there. Maybe there is no help to serve the patio either?
So to sum up the experience: The food was lousy and the management is non-existent. If this is the norm here, CJ isn't long for this location. We won't be back. Fast food in Avondale looks a lot more attractive now.