North Side Review: Jun and Done

By Erin in Food on Oct 3, 2006 1:42PM

Chicagoist was pumped about checking out the newly opened Jün Bar in the old Green Ginger space on Division and Hoyne. From walking by a couple of times, first impressions were good; the bar's seen some decent business on the weekends. And, it looked so pretty!

On appearances alone, Jün Bar is a knockout. "Jün Bar" is written out in simple black letters on a video screen that projects down to the street. The soothing grass-green walls complement the bamboo booths and chairs. Tea candles seductively perch on the tables. You walk in, thinking it will be a minimalist lounge with Asian-themed food and swanky cocktails.

That is, until you notice the bar's four (!) flat screen TVs, each blasting football. Then came the menu. Hamburgers, quesadillas, Cobb salads, and lots and lots of French fries. Chicagoist's meal left nothing to complain about, but that was mostly because 1) French fries are awesome, and 2) the Buffalo chicken sandwich we ordered was about as average as a sandwich can be. The turkey club was perfectly delicious but, just like the chicken sandwich, was standard. We
totally get that people expect certain things -- consistent things -- when they order bar food. But at the same time, we are all in favor of restaurants trying to make dishes their own, and Jün didn't take any chances with any of the dishes Chicagoist tried.

The problem wasn't that the food was bad, it was just boring. And for a bar/restaurant trying to succeed on busy Division Street, we have the feeling they are going to need to step it up. On the other hand, we especially liked the Jün Burger, which came with sautéed onions on it … mmmm, sauteed onions and meat.…

And then there's Jün Bar's name. Christine, our server, explained that Jun is the owner's name. But why the umlaut topping the owner's name? Christine didn't know. Chicagoist supposes that Jun thought that Jün looked cooler. Confusion abounded as we tried to figure it all out. We think Jün should have spent the energy on the menu instead of on the umlaut.

As a bar, Jun isn't bad at all. Every day there are drink specials (the night we were there all domestic bottles of beer were $2). Fridays promise $4 Effen vodka cocktails. As pretty as the space is, we probably wouldn't go back for the food. But on a Monday, when the thought of a cheap bottle of Rolling Rock is haunting our thoughts, we might just have to stop by for a drink.

Jün Bar, 2050 W. Division St., (773) 486-6700, Monday through Friday: 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Thanks, Laura!