Jakes Burgers and Beer — Restaurant in Dallas

I went to Jakes Burgers and Beer in Fort Worth about eight or nine years ago. Then I wasn't very impressed. Part of that had to do with the fact that I didn't understand what Jakes really was and I think another part of that has to deal with the management of that specific store. The store was in a strip mall off of Camp Bowie so it didnt represent the feel of a fast food restaurant; it was styled closer to a sports bar, instead. Combine that with an abundance of cute, teenage and twenty something waitresses, the full liquor bar, the place set itself up to be something closer to Fred's Texas Cafe or Shaw's Patio Grill.

Where we really should categorize Jake's is in the realm of Fast Food since every other Jake's has a drive through and can deliver your meal in under five or so minutes. That pitts them against entirely different competition. Now instead of the previously mentioned restaurants, you're juxtipositioning them against places like Keller's Drive-In and Beck's Prime.

So when you go to a real Jake's (I went to the on Skillman in Lake Highlands) and get the Hot Cowboy, fried cauliflower, and a chocolate shake, there's something different, here. When I ordered, I asked what the best burger in the house was. The lovely lady behind the speaker first attempted to offer me the popular items and I respectfully asked for the best again. I'm not here for the things people get because it's easy, I'm here for the things that the employees, the people who have to make it and smell it all day, want to eat from there. If you can breathe the menu all day and still think of something you enjoy from it, I want that thing because that thing makes the restaurant worthwhile.

The chocolate shake is alright. Nothing to write home about. This place is named Jake's Burgers and Beer, not Jake's Shakes. It's the standard vanilla with chocolate flavoring that you could get at any other restaurant that doesn't pride on keeping a few flavors of ice cream just hanging around.

The fried cauliflower blew my mind. A savory pan fry of the vegetable that gave it a real umami punch. I would order that again in a heartbeat. They also supply a decent spicy ranch to go with it that compliments the flavors very well, if you can fish the small bits of cauliflower out of it. I didn't have too much trouble with that, but it's something you do have to be careful of.

The burger was alright. Two seared, real beef smashes with jalapeño bacon, hickory sauce and some chipotle cheese on a poppy-seed bun. There was no garden here. Felt a lot closer to fast food here than the side dish, I must say. Greasy (which was good) but it crushed the bun. If you like bread with your meat, which sometimes I do, this isn't the place to get that.

This meal certainly wasn't disappointing, the lady in the window talked mad hype about the restaurant and I don't think she was lying. Jake's has a lot to offer the meal-seeker on the go. It's just not the best I've had, even in its category. Would I visit again? Of course. Would I go on my own volition? Likely not.

4/5

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Perhaps my expectations were too high, but my family and I were underwhelmed by our experience at Jake’s. We’ve been to Keller’s, Burger House, and many other local burger joints of this sort. I looked online before going and was excited to finally try Jake’s.

The one employee I interacted with was very nice, so no complaints about customer service.

All the burgers are default double burgers. If you aren’t hungry enough to eat that much, you can request a single but, in the words of our cashier “we still charge you for a double”. This resulted in us feeling like we had to order more food than we wanted, and left food on the plate at the end of the meal. Although the selection of burgers is good, we got 3 different kinds, including Cowboy, Chili cheese and mushroom, and we all felt underwhelmed by the flavor. My son, who is an avid burger lover, said his seemed like the meat had been sitting for a while. Mine had a good spicy BBQ sauce, but otherwise it was a pretty empty burger, with just a slice of cheese and a piece of bacon. The fries we received were cold and not particularly flavorful. I’d take Five Guys fries over these any day. The cost for 4 of us to get burgers and drinks was comparable to what I’d pay at Red Robin with table service and better food. I was surprised at the cost, especially after looking at the Google pics of the menu prices, which were apparently pretty outdated.

In my opinion, it was not worth what I paid and my family was not impressed with the flavor or quality of the food. I felt like it was theme park pricing for theme park quality burgers.

The environment was what you’d expect from a small, classic burger joint. Self-serve sodas, vintage decor, plaques about awards for how good their burgers are.

I rarely leave low reviews. I wanted to like this, and I was disappointed. Maybe I went on an off day? At any rate, I’m not likely to try it again unless...

I live in Diversicare nursing home. I had to return something my sister bought me to Walmart last week and rode my mobility scooter the 4 miles and back. I rode past Jake's Hamburgers on the way there and decided to get a burger on my way back. I have only been in Dallas 15 months coming from Nashville Tn. I have never been to or heard of Jake's Burgers. I drove my mobility cart through the drive thru and the lady at the window was very kind and helpful. I ordered a double meat double cheese burger with mayo, no lettuce tomato or pickle, fries and a bottle of Coke. When she told me the price was $12 and change I thought these people are proud of their food. I paid the bill and took my food and rode up to the side walk to head home cause I still had a 2 mile ride. I opened the burger and took a bite of what I can only describe as the best burger I have ever eaten in my entire life and I am 68 yrs old and have been through or lived in 43 of our 50 states in my life (my father was retired military). It was so good I just sat there on the sidewalk and didn't move until my burger and fries were in my belly which was very full. I then rode home drinking the rest of my coke. I have wanted to return for more ever since. When my daughter and son in law come to take me out to dinner I am going to beg them to take me to Jake's. Next time I visit Jake's I will go inside to eat. I use the scooter due to breathing disability but can walk short distances. If and when my friends in Nashville come visit I will take them to Jake's. Oh, I should mention the price does not shock me after eating the food, well worth...