Retro-themed burger, shakes and fries restaurant preparing to debut in Jacksonville

Teresa Stepzinski, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
·2 min read
1
Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries based in North Carolina is known for its freshly made to order fare including cheesesteaks, burgers, milkshakes and frozen custard. Its first Jacksonville restaurant is under construction on the city's Westside.
Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries based in North Carolina is known for its freshly made to order fare including cheesesteaks, burgers, milkshakes and frozen custard. Its first Jacksonville restaurant is under construction on the city's Westside.

A North Carolina-based, retro-themed restaurant known for its "fresh-never-frozen, hand-patted" burgers, premium cheesesteaks, handspun milkshakes and frozen custard is taking shape on Jacksonville's Westside.

Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries, at 1027 Danmac Lane off Commonwealth Avenue, will be the first in Northeast Florida.

The 2,490-square-foot restaurant is projected to be completed in September, Christopher Peden, project manager for U.S. General Construction Inc. of Alpharetta, Ga., told the Times-Union.

Neither Jeremy Bond, the Hwy55 area developer and franchise owner, nor other restaurant officials could be reached immediately for comment.

Burgers at the beach: Fictional Dick Mondell is bringing a real burger joint to Jacksonville Beach

Restaurants: What's new or coming soon to Jacksonville's Westside, Northside

Dining news delivered to your email: Sign up for our weekly Dining Notes newsletter

Construction is underway Aug. 9 on the new Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries at 1027 Danmac Lane off Commonwealth Avenue near Interstate 295. It will be the first of the North Carolina-based, retro-themed restaurants in Northeast Florida.
Construction is underway Aug. 9 on the new Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries at 1027 Danmac Lane off Commonwealth Avenue near Interstate 295. It will be the first of the North Carolina-based, retro-themed restaurants in Northeast Florida.

Restaurants also are planned at 2005 Ohio Ave. N. in Live Oak and 463809 Florida 200 in Yulee near The Home Depot at Shoppes at Amelia Concourse, Bond previously confirmed to the Times-Union. Eventually, there could be up to 10 new Hwy55 restaurants in his North Florida territory within 10 years, he said.

Hwy55 is a fast-casual restaurant that's also a family-style diner. It offers a full drive-thru with the goal of getting cars in and out within 2 minutes.

The cheeseburger reigns supreme at Hwy55, where the burger's flavor is accentuated by the house seasonings instead of relying solely on the toppings.

Fresh never frozen, hand-patted burgers and fries top the menu of Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries, which is building its first Northeast Florida restaurant in Jacksonville.
Fresh never frozen, hand-patted burgers and fries top the menu of Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries, which is building its first Northeast Florida restaurant in Jacksonville.

Hwy55's signature burger is its "Carolina Classic," an Eastern North Carolina-style burger, with a choice of American, provolone or pepper jack cheese dressed with mustard, onions, chili and cole slaw.

Another customer favorite is the John Boy & Billy BBQ Bacon Burger, served with a choice of cheese and dressed with mustard, chili, bacon, a crispy onion ring and tangy John Boy and Billy’s Grillin’ Sauce.

Cheesesteaks are also popular, including the Jalapeño Jack Cheesesteak, with grilled jalapenos on sliced steak with sauteed mushrooms, onions and melted pepper jack cheese. Another is the Moose, a chicken cheesesteak with crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, provolone and American cheese.

The menu also offers entree platters and baskets — such as fried shrimp or chopped steak, fried or grilled chicken, hot dogs and grilled cheese — and made-to-order salads, including Spicy Shrimp, Cobb and Garden, according to its menu.

Desserts focus on frozen custard served in scoops, sundaes, banana splits, floats, milkshakes and concretes.

North Carolina-based Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries is building its first Northeast Florida stand-alone restaurant at 1027 Danmac Lane off Commonwealth Avenue near Interstate 295 on Jacksonville's Westside.
North Carolina-based Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries is building its first Northeast Florida stand-alone restaurant at 1027 Danmac Lane off Commonwealth Avenue near Interstate 295 on Jacksonville's Westside.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on Twitter @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.

If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Hwy55: fresh, hand-patted burgers, cheesesteaks, frozen custard and more