Review: Jack Brown’s is One of a Kind
Jake Delaurier, staff writer
There are few restaurants located in Charlottesville that are as unique, creative, and original as Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint. First opening up in Harrisonburg VA, Jack Brown’s is a small chain with other locations including Roanoke, Elkton, Richmond, and Norfolk.
Having worked at the Charlottesville Jack Brown’s last year for little over seven months, I was able to get a good feel for the place. Jack Brown’s of Charlottesville is located on 109 2nd St SE, right next to the Downtown Mall.
The inside is nice and quaint. There are old school license plates hanging on the walls and a spindle wheel with hanging bras. Jack Brown’s also provides a TV for watching sports. It becomes extremely crowded during week nights.
While scenery is nice, the real selling point of a restaurant is its menu, and Jack Brown’s does not disappoint. Jack Brown’s burgers are out of this world. Some standouts include the Jalapeño Popper, a burger topped with jalapeños and cream cheese, and The Greg Brady, a burger topped with macaroni and cheese and barbecue potato chips. Each burger comes with Jack Brown’s special sauce, which is a sweet and tangy sauce that goes great with french fries. Jack Brown’s provides both regular and sweet potato fries. The regular fries are crisp albeit little salty. The sweet potato fries are not quite as good, as I am not a big fan of sweet potatoes in general.
Easily the best part about Jack Brown’s burgers is the beef. Jack Brown’s uses a special type of grass-fed beef called wagyu beef. This gives the beef a rich flavor unlike any other beef. However this comes at a price as Jack Brown’s burgers are somewhat expensive. For example, a regular plain hamburger will cost $5. Specialty burgers are more expensive with prices ranging from $6.99-$7.49. Adding fries it will cost an extra $2.25-$3.25. The Nacho Libre with a side of fries cost me a little over $10.
Despite its pricey menu, Jack Brown’s is still a great place to eat. It has a great atmosphere, with an equally great menu making a fantastic place to be during the weekend.
