BJ's Market & Bakery

Come see us at booth #23, the line moves pretty quickly!

…Johnson said in a statement. “I also want to recognize BJ’s Market and Bakery for being an anchor of the South Side, and for being a part of a number of community-based organizations stepping up to meet this moment by providing delicious and nutritious food to thousands of our new neighbors.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson touts $18M invested in Black, Latino businesses to feed migrants Johnson toured BJ’s Market and Bakery on the Far South Side, pointing to $17.6 million in mostly state funding that has gone to the endeavor.

“It’s important for us to provide support for the families who are arriving here while also investing in our Black and Brown businesses,” said Johnson in a press conference at the venerable South Side establishment. “That is who we are as a city, bringing people together to build a better, stronger, safer Chicago.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks as John Meyer, ChefOwner of BJ’s Market & Bakery, looks on.

More Than $17 Million Invested in Black and Brown Businesses to Feed New Arrivals | Chicago Defender The City of Chicago, Greater Chicago Food Depository and community partners celebrate economic impact while providing millions of meals to asylum-seekers.

Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Food Depository leadership today at BJ’s Market and Bakery, 1737 E. 95th St., to celebrate this impact and a shared commitment to continue investing in local minority-owned businesses.

Mayor Johnson Joins Greater Chicago Food Depository, BJ’s Market To Celebrate Nearly $18 Million Invested in Black and Brown Businesses to Feed New Arrivals CHICAGO – In partnership with the City of Chicago, over the past eight months the Greater Chicago Food Depository and State of Illinois invested $17.6 million in small, predominately Black and Latino owned Chicago businesses to feed more than 10,000 asylum-seeking new arrivals. Mayor Brandon John...

This is an opportunity to work with renowned Chef John Meyer. Become part of a winning team. We make people happy by serving “Fine Southern Cooking”. Now hiring, Manager’s, Line Cook’s, Kitchen staff and Counter Attendant’s. Pay is commensurate with experience. Driver’s License holders appreciated. Send resume to [email protected]

BJ's Market & Bakery "Food For the Soul® ”

We are Auburn Gresham PROUD!!!

St. Sabina, BJ’s Market collaborate for 13th annual holiday meal giveaway A cheerful scene unfolded Tuesday on Chicago's South Side – with a long line wrapping around the corner, filled with smiles, hungry folks, and appreciative hearts.

We’re here to 7:PM or until 2000 meals are gone. BJ’s on 79th and Racine.

"John Meyer, owner of BJ’s Market in South Deering, is paid by the Food Depository to provide 1,200 to 1,600 lunches a day at three city-run shelters on the South Side. The restaurant receives $7 to $10 for each meal.

Meyer has owned his soul food restaurant since 1992. To help feed asylum-seekers, he changed his meals from mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, cornbread and mixed greens to street corn, black beans and specialty spiced chicken. He said this type of work is “refreshing” and more feels more like “team-building.” His business struggled during the pandemic, but the mission to feed asylum-seekers helped it, Meyer said. It is now a takeout venue, with a lunch service for migrants. It employs a few workers from Venezuela. “The work changes our lives. It’s just so gratifying. It’s the best feeling I’ve had in all of the years of being in business,” he said.

Mariana Vavalla, 29, from the northwest state of Falcón, used to work in restaurants in Venezuela and now prepares lunch for thousands of people who — like her — came here from a food-insecure country. She works six to eight hours Monday through Friday, alongside kitchen employees who have worked at BJ’s for over 15 years. She got here in August and is staying with a friend nearby. She found BJ’s walking around the neighborhood looking for work, she said. Wearing rubber gloves and a hairnet, Vavalla moved around the industrial kitchen earlier this month — cutting open plastic bags stuffed with cooked penne and stirring a massive tilt kettle of bubbling Bolognese sauce. She loaded up large rectangular aluminum containers with pasta and sifted Parmesan cheese over them. Steam rose and drifted over the long wooden table.

“We make so many meals a week but this is my favorite,” she said in Spanish, waiting for the red beef sauce to reach the right temperature. Brandon Meyer, John’s son and the manager at BJ’s, said working with the Venezuelan population has allowed the restaurant to cater its food closer to asylum-seekers’ likes and dislikes. “They added their input to the menu. It was a tremendous asset,” he said. “They taste everything.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/immigration/ct-migrants-food-insecurity-pantries-20231124-4i5kfjbumjhuth6geduofzev4m-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2rnpmVljpkh8wxq8t-o4y3Z1QAbdlU3p4Y0kU59e-FspJ-swDjk0OZuEQ

Half full: Migrants struggle to eat in Chicago Thousands of migrants come from countries that can’t provide food to its citizens. But in Chicago, feeding nearly 14,000 food-insecure people daily in addition to existing populations who rely on food assistance is no easy task.

Happy Thanksgiving! We are incredibly grateful for everyone who patronizes our resturants. Whether you've been a loyal customer since 1992, or we've wowed you for the first time this year, we thank you for the spirit you've shared with BJ’s. And a big THANK YOU to our team who provides great food and service to our restaurants. We realize that our years in the industry would not be possible without our talented teams or our dedicated vendors. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Over 500 Carmel cakes crafted this week. Enjoy!!!

“Grab and Go” side’s feed 4-5 people only $12.49. While they last!

Don’t wait to order your Thanksgiving meal. Visit bjsmarket.com

HaPpYBirThDaY Mr. B!!!

BJ’s will closed until Nov 1st. for remodeling and vacations. We are looking forward to providing you your Thanksgiving meal! See you soon!!!!!

Booth #26 at the main entrance…we’re ready. The “Taste of Chicago” starts Friday!