On the Menu: TJ Chumps is your new go-to lunch spot

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WHAT: TJ ChumpsWHERE: Four locations in the Miami Valley region

HOURS: Sun: 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Mon-Fri: 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.; Sat: 11 a.m.- 12:30 a.m.INFO: tjchumps.com | Facebook | Twitter 

We may have found a new quick lunch spot.

If you’re looking for a spot to grab a quick but filling meal, join a colleague and hunker down for some work between courses, or just grab a margarita or a beer and enjoy the game, TJ Chumps offers all in spades.

You sort of expect a lunchtime rush no matter where you go for a bite to eat around the Miami Valley, and even more so along the 675 corridor. But stopping in the Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd. TJ Chumps location at peak lunch time was a thoroughly pleasant experience from start to finish.

The family sports atmosphere of the local chain – with four locations in Fairborn, Huber Heights, Miamisburg, and Englewood – offers a spot for everyone: a standalone table, a booth with room to spread out, a seat at the bar or high tables, or one of several party rooms for a private event. We chose a comfortable booth, while gazing longingly at the popular patio (we’ll sit there next time, when the weather is more amenable).

Service is prompt and friendly at TJ Chumps. Though we had a designated server who guided us through the menu, many of the other servers who passed by our table checked up on us or were willing to respond to requests for ketchup, water and the like throughout our meal.

And speaking of that menu – talk about options! From sandwiches, to burgers, to their celebrated wings, TJ Chumps offers a wide variety of sports grill standards with great twists, and personal recipes for their soups, dips and sauces along with delicious monthly specials. If you’re really pressed for time, their Fast Break menu, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., lets you know which meals will emerge faster out of the kitchen.

But even if you don’t order off of the Fast Break menu, TJ Chumps’ service is so prompt and smooth that you can squeeze in three courses in under 45 minutes:

TJ Chumps soup (clam chowder) and salad (Caesar) combo ($6.99), and Garlic Chipotle boneless chicken wings ($7.99). VIVIENNE MACHI / STAFF

We started with the daily soup and salad combo ($6.99), opting for a creamy clam chowder that had just the right clam-to-broth consistency, and a classic Caesar salad. Then, how could we say no to some of TJ Chump’s wings? The boneless wings ($7.99) served with celery sticks and dipping sauce are a slightly less messy way to indulge (these are the things you think about while dining in business casual), and their Garlic Chipotle sauce offers a tasty, satisfying heat without burning your mouth off.

TJ Chumps Smothered Burger ($10.99) and Asian Smoked Salmon Sandwich ($7.99). VIVIENNE MACHI / STAFF

The ribs basket was really calling to us today, but we went with a slightly (only slightly) less messy option: The Smothered Burger ($10.99), a packed burger cooked to order with a slice of Portobello mushroom topped with Swiss cheese, served with all the trimmings. The mushroom adds a hearty flavor to an otherwise classic burger, but doesn’t overpower.

We also tried the Asian Smoked Salmon Sandwich ($7.99), which comes out as a scoop of spread on top of an open faced sandwich, served with lettuce, tomato, and pickles. A different presentation, but no less delicious! The salmon was fresh and the meal filling. Both sandwiches were served with chips and a pickle spear.

TJ Chumps Oreo Cake ($5.99). VIVIENNE MACHI / STAFF

And though we were already feeling satisfied, it was hard to say no to a slice of Oreo Cheesecake…but we did not realize what we were getting into. This giant slice of cake ($5.99) could easily be split between four or more diners, let alone just two. Nevertheless, it was hard to put our forks down after tasting the moist, flavorful cake and some darn good buttercream frosting.

Sadly, we did not defeat the cake: next time -- and there will be a next time -- we’ll bring a friend along.