Simple EJ's Kitchen & Tap is a scratch kitchen and sports restaurant opening Spring 2026 at Fox Haven Square in St. Charles, Illinois.

Founded by hospitality veterans Erik Baylis and Jim Heflin, Simple EJ's brings together 45+ combined years of restaurant experience into a single concept built from the ground up. Erik led the expansion of Big Onion Hospitality to 11 locations across Chicago and Nashville. Jim spent 25+ years in culinary leadership, training at the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago and overseeing food programs for 45+ restaurant locations. Together, they've opened 65+ restaurants. Now they're focused on perfecting one.

The menu is entirely scratch-made. Linz Heritage Angus beef smashburgers. 16oz Berkshire Tomahawk Pork Chops. Wings that are brined and double-fried with house-made sauces. Nothing comes out of a bag. Nothing gets shortcut.

The space seats 200 across 6,149 square feet of indoor and outdoor dining, featuring a 22-foot LED video wall, stadium-quality sound, a full bar, and an outdoor patio with a retractable pergola overlooking the Fox Haven Square piazza.

Simple EJ's is family-friendly by day and full sports bar energy by night. Kids Eat Free through the Charlie's Crew family loyalty program. Adults get priority reservations, monthly giveaways, and members-only events through the Founders Club.

This is not a chain. Not a franchise. One restaurant, built for one community, by people who care about doing the basics right. That's what Simple means.

Come hungry, leave happy.

Simple EJ's Kitchen & Tap

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Simple EJ's Kitchen & Tap

Org chart

Teams

Offices

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