No matter which of the nine slated burgers you choose from the menu, all of which offer a good combination of condiments, that first bite says it all - the savory, seared coating disguises a juicy and flavorful, beefy morsel, so tender that it melts in your mouth. How do they do it? Char-broiling these massive mounds of meat on an open flame is just one way the Jackson House burgers are extra-special. Char-broiled burgers will never be thought of the same after a Jackson House experience. And, kneading the meat ever so slightly into a patty, is one great secret in avoiding the hockey-puck-burger-syndrome. Jackson House “burger-formers” are definite masters as they hand shape their burgers daily. Extremely fresh, toasted kaiser buns make the perfect classic encasing for these all-American lunchables.

The Jackson House isn’t much to look at. Their outside billboard-style sign is rightfully fashioned after the signs of hamburg shacks on boardwalks all along the Jersey shore. Once inside, head through the unassuming dining room, straight for the back of the tiny place, but try not to get distracted by those mammoth burgers being devoured by fellow burger lovers. Friendly and efficient veteran workers take your order at the single-file counter, and then call your name out just five minutes later in the dining area as they carry a cafeteria tray holding your burger in its bun, the lid open, on a no-frills paper plate.

Try the namesake Jackson Burger which oozes with melted cheese, leaf lettuce, tomato, crisp and meaty smoked bacon strips, and that “secret” sauce which brings out the natural flavor of the beef. A handmade sign promoting horseradish cheese as a topping, got one of our fellow diners favoring its agreeable addition as a topping to the Shroom Burger, which touts lots and lots of sauteed fresh Pennsylvania-grown mushrooms. A clear view of the lineup of industrial sized pizza sauce cans on the top shelf of the grill, may subliminally make some diners order the Pizza Burger topped with the sauce that gets enhanced with Italian seasonings, grated Romano and melted Provolone. But, the menu description of the Lester Burger with melted cheese, smoked bacon, slathered with grilled onions and sauteed mushrooms, tantalizes you into topping it all with hot sauce. The heat effect of that hot sauce has a big impact at first but then integrates with the rest of the classic ingredients, never concealing the fresh taste of the mighty patty. The Jackson House World Class Cheeseburger sports twice as much American cheese as found in other burgers - and may soon find it’s just acclamation. When asked by the staff, “How would you like your burger done? Medium?”, you know it’s a direct implication of how they know these burgers should be cooked. And, medium, is perfect.

No matter the size of the burger, you’ve got to mate it with a side of fries cooked in 100% peanut oil. These short, thick fresh morsels of skin-on potatoes, which can be ordered with vinegar, bring us back to the boardwalk again. If you opt for ketchup for your fries, don’t mind sharing that one large squeeze bottle that rests on a shelf between the framed story of the original Jackson owner, some local newspapers and magazines, and one lonely piece of memorabilia that could have come from the International Hamburger Hall of Fame in Daytona Beach, Florida - a ceramic chip bowl featuring that American icon - the cheeseburger.

Well, the Jackson House “Almost Famous” burgers may soon have to cast aside the word “Almost,” as A Matter of Taste has just entered the Jackson House world class burgers onto the world wide web, Cheeseburger in Paradise site, http://www.fdu.com/cburger.htm - a site that identifies the best locations worldwide to get a fantastic burger. And, you thought you had to go early before!

If you can restrain yourself from ordering a burger here, the Jackson House also serves an exceptional variety of South Jersey submarines, South Philly steaks and Italian hoagies, New York deli style “overstuffed” sandwiches, club sandwiches “Dagwood style,” and numerous salads and sides. And, only three of the over-fifty items on the menu, crest the five-dollar mark.

Location:
Had to Look Around

Parking:
On-Street Only

Handicapped Access:
Entrance

Exterior Appearance:
Average

Initial Interior:
N/A

Reservations Necessary:
No

Preferred Dining Attire:
Casual

Wait (to be seated):
5-10 Minutes
(go early)

Wait (for service):
Up to 5 Minutes

Lighting:
Bright

Decor:
Modern

Dining Area Appearance
Modest

Noise:
Chatter

Climate:
Fine

Tables:
Fine

Chairs:
Hard But Padded

Booths:
N/A

Table Setting:
N/A

Your Meal:
House Specialty - Burgers

Automatically Served:
N/A

Appetizers:
N/A

Cocktails:
N/A

Main Course:
N/A

Desserts:
N/A

Coffees:
N/A

Staff Attitude:
Friendly

Staff Appearance:
Neat & Clean

Hospitality:
Felt at Home/Served Efficiently

Cleanliness:
Average

Wash Rooms:
Clean/Would Sit

Crowd (Qty):
Packed

Crowd (Attitude):
Casual/Laughter

Food (portions):
Plus One Belt Notch

Food (prices):
Bargain

Overall Service:
Attentive