I’m starting Joe’s Burger Search with J.J.’s Gourmet Cafe and their amazing Ribeye Steak Burger.  Yeah you heard me right, its a ribeye that has been ground, perfectly cooked, and served up for your dining enjoyment.  J.J.’s is a very eclectic place from it’s location, landscaping, interior, hours, amazing burger and owner (Jerry J. Conley).

In his previous life Conley was involved in TV and movie production in lighting and set design.  Conley was also involved in miniature production on Stanley Kubrick’s classic “2001: Space Odyssey”.  You can see some of his model work hanging from the ceiling throughout the restaurant.  Much of the model airplane work was completed in a short period during an IRS audit as therapy.

I love J.J.‘s business model: hours open are only for 2 hours a day for only 4 days a week, only accept cash (no checks or credit cards), has no phone and does not advertise.  He also only grinds so many burgers a day and when they are gone he closes up early.  Oh yeah, almost forgot, you must be a member to eat there (see my VIP card in the pics).  Good news though, I’ve seen people get in and served without membership, but as the saying goes, membership has its privileges.  Membership will bring you a wonderful appetizer, in this case a shrimp cocktail, and dessert of espresso and pecan covered chocolate brownie.  Have I mentioned that I love this place!

The shrimp appetizer included some of the best cooked shrimp I’ve ever had – i.e. not overdone.  Included with the shrimp is a nice thai dipping sauce, a mixture of pretzels and crackers with a little fruit.

The menu selection is small which makes for easy main course selection – only burgers.  Your choice gets into type of cheese and sides.  Cheese selection include american, blue, pepper jack, and thai sauce.  Sides include a basket of ruffle cut chips, the best baked beans with one rib on top, slaw and potato salad.  There are no fries here, not sure why, and frankly afraid to ask (I say that because this place is so good and so eclectic I’m afraid to do anything wrong and get kicked out).

The ribeye burger is grilled to a medium rare to medium doneness all without asking.  I’ve was here once years ago when he asked my lunch guest how she wanted her burger done but did not ask me.  The burger is nicely seasoned and has one of the best beef tastes I’ve ever experienced.  The bun is a fairly plain bun which soaks up the wonderful burger juices great.  Accompanying the burger are toppings of onion, grilled pepper, pickles, along with fruit.  Man that burger is awesome.   After I finished the appetizer and burger all I can think about is a nap and then comes the dessert brownie and espresso.  Oh man I love this place.

This is not a cheap burger, running around $12.  If you are a tightwad and/or don’t carry much cash then you better go somewhere else.  My typical tab including tax and tip is between $20 to $25 a person when all is said and done.  Based upon the quality (and novelty) I feel it is worth every penny.

[reposted with permission from http://www.joesburgersearch.com/]