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

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.

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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.

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 Jalape?o 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.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on Twitter @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at [email protected].

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