Burgers, shakes and fries: Retro-themed diner makes Jacksonville debut

Known for its hand-pattied, fresh-never-frozen burgers along with premium cheesesteaks, frozen custard and fries, a much-anticipated North Carolina retro-themed diner is now open on Jacksonville's Westside.

Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries was standing-room-only in its dining room with cars lined up around the building in the drive-thru of the restaurant at 1027 Danmac Lane off Commonwealth Avenue during lunchtime Tuesday, its fifth day open.

Staff scrambled to fill the flurry of dine-in and takeout orders of the restaurant's signature offerings, including the Americana Burger, The Moose Chicken Cheesesteak, Shrimp Po'Boy or Carolina Classic Cheeseburger.

Hwy55 officials couldn't be reached immediately Tuesday for comment. However, they previously told the Times-Union that the Jacksonville restaurant would be the first of up to 10 planned for Florida.

The Jacksonville restaurant is the second in Florida. The other is in Live Oak, according to the Hwy55 website.

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It neighbors Jacksonville Fire Rescue Station 26 and is on the same block as Zaxby's, Hardees and Waffle House.

The Mount Olive, N.C.-based chain has about 135 restaurants in eight states, including North Carolina, where it was founded in 1991 as Andy’s Cheesesteaks & Cheeseburgers, the company's website shows.

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Hwy55 burgers and more

Hwy55 burgers are served with regular-size french fries or tater tots and a regular-size soft drink.

Customer favorites include:

• Americana Burger ($11.50): 5.5 ounces of beef with mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles and American cheese
• Carolina Classic Cheeseburger ($11.50): 5.5 ounces of beef with mustard, onion, chili, slaw and American cheese
• Pimento Cheeseburger ($13): 5.5 ounces of beef with made-from-scratch pimento cheese and bacon

Topping the cheesesteak menu are:

• Cheesesteak ($13.50): Sliced steak with mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and American cheese
• Jalapeno Jack Cheesesteak ($13.75): Sliced steak with mushrooms, onions, jalapenos and Pepper Jack cheese
• The Moose Chicken Cheesesteak ($13.75): Sliced chicken with crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, Provolone and American cheeses

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Hwy55 also features classics such as a Shrimp Po'Boy ($13.50), Shrimp Burger ($10) and the JB&B Chicken Sandwich ($10.25), which is grilled or hand-breaded chicken tenders, lettuce, tomato, bacon, American cheese and "tangy John Boy & Billy's grillin' sauce, according to the menu.

In addition, there is a Chicken Basket ($10.50), Shrimp Platter ($12) and a Chopped Steak Platter ($12.25). The platters are served with fries or tots, cole slaw and bread, the menu shows.

Freshly made throughout the day, frozen custard is available in scoops, sundaes, concretes shakes and floats with a variety of toppings.

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

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