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JJ’s Burgers’ relocation from 100 The Alameda in San Juan Bautista, a location it held for more than 20 years, to its new location at 300 Third Street, was oa jolt to the local food and beverage scene in a year that also saw the closure of The 18th Barrel and Dona Esther’s Mexican Restaurant.
Faced with a rent increase when many businesses in town struggled with a lack of foot traffic due to a drop in tourism, owner Jesus Zavala combined his iconic burger place with the breakfast restaurant GG’s Cafe, which he co-owned.
“Business at GG’s was slow,” he said. “We thought that because there was no breakfast place in San Juan, GG’s was a good idea, but it was busy only on weekends. JJ’s has also been slow, and its rent was higher, so it made sense to make the move.”
Before closing down the Alameda location, Zavala had planned to open a full-scale restaurant with a bar and second-floor apartments two blocks south of the San Juan Soccer Field. After rendering the plans and going through the approval process with the city, he dropped the project as the local economy continued to decline.
“It did not make sense to get the loan based on what we were selling,” he said. “Business started decreasing when they started work on the freeway. People used to come for lunch but they don’t want to sit in traffic. So, it is on hold; I still want to do it, but I don’t know when.”
Zavala said the transition to the Third Street location was relatively easy. All he had to do was to bring over his grill and install a bigger cooling station for his fresh produce, which he accomplished with only three days of downtime, reopening on Sept. 3, 2024.
He brought most of JJ’s menu and only dropped a few specialty items he had listed on a board behind the old counter. For customers who remember dishes like the JJ’s Wraps, Zavala said he can still make them by request.
In a sense, GG’s, which had been open for a year and a half before Zavala joined the two businesses under the JJ’s name, still exists. Zavala kept the breakfast menu intact, adding occasional specials like albondigas soup and a steak sandwich.
Now that he and his staff has settled into the new location and routine, Zavala is ready to launch his new food truck, which he purchased and had outfitted in Mexico.
“I got a little money,” he said, “ The idea had been in my head for a while. I knew it would disappear if I did not spend it wisely, and the truck might never happen.”
The truck will sell only burgers, and Zavala plans to offer private catering and participate in Hollister events, such as Food Truck Tuesdays and the weekly Wednesday Farmers’ Market.
I have to admit I am a sucker for the burgers at JJ’s. I have been a customer for about 14 years and am usually there at least twice a week. The burgers are substantial, made with a third-of-a-pound of Harris Ranch beef, and the El Jefe Burger is probably the most popular. It’s an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink choice, stacked with bacon, avocado, pineapple, jack cheese, grilled onions and jalapenos.
A friend of mine invariably orders the Jalapeno Burger, topped with grilled onions, jack cheese, and jalapenos. All the burgers come with lettuce, onions (grilled or fresh), tomato and pickles on the side and are served with regular fries, chili fries, garlic fries, onion rings or salad.
My go-to is either the Tex Burger—which is topped with BBQ sauce, bacon and an onion ring—or, more likely, the JJ’s Classic, a straightforward burger served on a sesame seed bun. I like the quality and flavor of the meat and the spice mixture Zavala adds, so I like to keep it simple.
I have not had a chance to check out the entire breakfast menu, but I have settled on a couple of omelets as my favorites.
The Bautista is my usual choice, made with chorizo, bell peppers, onions and a mix of cheddar and jack cheese. I get the hash browns, which I love for their crispiness, and I always slather the omelet with the house salsa. With an English muffin, it is a very filling breakfast.
I also enjoy the Los Abuelitos, an egg white omelet made with grilled nopales and served with refried beans and queso fresco. Zavala said the best-selling omelet is The Boss, made with linguica, bacon, onion, and cheddar cheese.
And when I want a dish with a little more kick, the Chiliquiles—fried tortilla chips in red sauce topped with an egg, chopped red onion, queso fresco and crema—are amazing,
Elise Brentnall, a regular customer and newly appointed San Juan Bautista city planning commissioner, said she appreciates the friendly staff and being greeted by name when she comes in. She loves the hot dogs, but her favorite meal at JJ’s is breakfast.
“They are always more than willing to make unique omelets that work with my diet,” she said. “I love that they accommodate me and my weird eating habits. It’s just very hometown here.”
JJ’s Burgers
300 Third Street, San Juan Bautista
Phone for to-go orders: (831) 623-1748
Hours:
Breakfast – 8 a.m. to noon
Lunch/Dinner – noon to 7 p.m.
Recommendations for future Eat, Drink, Savor articles can be emailed to roberteliason@benitolink.com.
BenitoLink thanks our underwriters, Hollister Super and Windmill Market, for helping to expand the Eat, Drink, Savor series and give our readers the stories that interest them. Hollister Super (two stores in Hollister) and Windmill Market (in San Juan Bautista) support reporting on the inspired and creative people behind the many delicious food and drink products made in San Benito County. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.
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