2 minute read

Food Crush: Jim’s Jumbo Burger

from Ponca City Monthly January 2022

from Ponca City Monthly January 2022, page 54

Stew on That

PONCA CITY MONTHLY

All right, I know January is all dieting and exercise and resolutions and that is great, but if you feel like you want to celebrate making it to 2022 with a meatday-cheat-day, check out Jim’s Jumbo Burger in downtown Ponca City. Nestled on the northwest corner of Fourth Street and Oklahoma Avenue, this low-profile, former Marland Oil gas station is home to a burger that is unique to Ponca City.

The menu isn’t flashy, the dated building has a walk-up window and it just seems so … simple. If you think about it, the simple is what makes it pretty rad. Simple means there is nowhere to hide. That’s why Jim’s has an exclusive grind made for them daily by Osage Meat Market. That’s why every burger is made to order with freshly cut veggies. That’s why owner Jimmie Akers still cooks on the same flat top griddle his father installed when he opened the burger joint in the 1960s. Guys, these are well-seasoned (thank you, original griddle!), thin burgers that somehow make the cheese melt down into the meat. How does this happen?!? And the buns. Let’s talk about the buns for a minute. These are not your selfish, steal-the-show buns. Nope. These are pillowy, soft, I’m-just-here-to-helpyou-enjoy-this-tasty-burger buns – selfless, unfancy buns that complement the burger perfectly. All this buns talk is making me a little breathless .

After an industry-challenging few years, Jimmie and his wife, Darla, are still serving our community delicious, beefy eats. If finding a solution to stay open amidst many new COVID-19 restrictions wasn’t impressive enough, their familiar building was recently nominated to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. Jim’s cool factor just jumped about 100 points in my book.

So next time you need to treat yourself, venture downtown to Jim’s, order the Quad and tots and take a minute to just enjoy your food and show some appreciation to local business owners that keep the wheels turning in our community. I read a quote that stated, “Eat clean to stay fit, have a burger to stay sane.” I couldn’t have said it any better. Happy Eating!!