CJ's Jacket Potato

About the Founder

Jonathan Chardon brings a wealth of culinary expertise to the table, shaped by over two decades of experience in high-end hospitality. Originally from Puerto Rico, Jonathan’s journey brought him to Boston in November 2017 following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Driven by a resilient spirit and a passion for the craft, he quickly established himself as a leader in the city’s competitive culinary scene.

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Throughout his career, Jonathan has held prestigious leadership roles, including serving as Executive Chef at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor and his current role overseeing culinary operations as Executive Chef at The Row Hotel at Assembly Row. His resume also includes key positions such as Executive Chef at the Hilton Garden Inn Boston/Marlborough, Executive Sous Chef at Hilton Boston/Dedham, and Sous Chef at the Revere Hotel.

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While Jonathan has spent years managing luxury hotel kitchens, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a new creative mission. He envisioned a venture that combined his technical skill with the universal appeal of comfort food. Drawing inspiration from the storied tradition of the British "jacket potato," Jonathan saw an opportunity to elevate the humble baked potato into a gourmet experience for his local community.

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For Jonathan, cooking is a journey that weaves together tradition, innovation, and resilience. CJ’s Jacket Potato is the realization of that journey a mobile culinary destination where high-end expertise meets soulful, community-focused food.

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Our Mission

At CJ’s Jacket Potato, our mission is to redefine comfort food by bringing a touch of excellence to the humble baked potato. We are dedicated to serving our community with resilience, quality, and soul, transforming a simple staple into a premium culinary experience.

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We believe that great food should be both sophisticated and accessible. By blending the high standards of hospitality with the heart of local street food, we strive to:

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• Elevate the Everyday: Using top-tier ingredients and chef-driven techniques to turn every "jacket" into a masterpiece.
   

• Fuel Our Community: Providing hearty, wholesome, and innovative meals that offer comfort in every bite.

 

• Celebrate Resilience: Honoring our founder’s journey from Puerto Rico to Boston by building a business rooted in hard work, passion, and the spirit of entrepreneurship.

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Whether you are grabbing a quick lunch or looking for a gourmet treat, we are here to serve up a taste of home, elevated.

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Why the Potato?

At CJ’s Jacket Potato, we don’t just see a vegetable, we see a blank canvas. The "jacket potato" is a British classic that Jonathan has reimagined through the lens of a professional Executive Chef. We’ve moved beyond the basic butter-and-sour-cream approach to offer a truly gourmet experience.

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The Science of the Perfect Jacket

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A great jacket potato is a balance of textures. We focus on three key pillars:

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• The Signature Crunch: We focus on achieving a perfectly baked, hearty exterior that holds its shape and provides a satisfying texture.

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• The Fluffy Interior: Every jacket potato is prepared to be light and fluffy, serving as the perfect warm base for our premium toppings.

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• The "Chef’s Touch" Toppings: We apply high-level culinary rigor to every ingredient, from our slow-cooked BBQ chicken infused with chipotle in adobo to our signature CJ's Fire-Roasted Aioli and Smoky Herb sour cream.

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Our Gourmet Highlights

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To give you a taste of the bold flavor profiles we are bringing to the streets, here are a few standouts from our menu:

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• CJ's Loaded Potato Stack: A powerhouse combination of steak, juicy roast pork, and ham, topped with crispy potato sticks and our signature Fire-Roasted Aioli.

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• The Adobo Ember: Slow-cooked BBQ chicken infused with smoky chipotle peppers in adobo and a hint of garlic, finished with fresh green onions.

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• The Boricua Hearth: A jumbo salt-rubbed Russet potato filled with traditional Puerto Rican-style stewed beans, simmered with tender pumpkin, sofrito, and aromatic herbs. Topped with a melted 3-cheese blend and a bold drizzle of CJ’s Fire-Roasted Aioli, finished with fresh cilantro and scallions.

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Why It Matters

In a world of fast food, the jacket potato stands out as a hearty, wholesome, and deeply satisfying alternative. Whether it is the classic Butter & Cream Bliss or the innovative Kielbasa Kick featuring locally sourced peppers and onions, every dish is designed to offer total comfort.
 

By taking this humble root vegetable and applying over 20 years of culinary leadership, we are proving that street food can—and should—be world-class.