J’s Breakfast & Burgers
Retro baby! This place is analog in a digital world but the wait staff can chew gum and call you ‘honey’ at the same time. J’s is now in its 29th year and its 2nd coat of paint. The front door is unlocked 24/7/364. If the key can be found they’re closed on Christmas. Being in Addison, the Marlboro Man is a regular. Seating for 42 in the front coffin section, 36 in the non-coughing section plus 6 at the counter pleases the fire marshal. Husky-voiced night shift manager/waitress Dorothy has been there the last 15 of her 64 years. Her cook has been there 24. This is where the bar habitués go after last call on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Breakfast and lunch are busy. During supper time feel free to cut the cheese because no other diners are there. J’s has no web site and they think Wi-Fi is some kind of knock-knock joke. The last cigarette machine in Dallas County is behind booth #1. There’s an 8-liner (it pays off in Walmart gift cards), juke box (the volume is turned down at 5:00 am) and (take a camera) an honest-to-goodness working pay phone complete with an honest-to-goodness working telephone book. Don’t ask them to change the channel on the lone TV set because someone walked off with the remote years ago. Before the question arises, it’s a black and white.
Coffee: Community brand served in a ceramic mug with 3-4 warm ups for a buck thirty-five. I take mine black. No cream, no sugar. Ask for a latte. Go ahead. I dare you.
Breakfast: Try the 1x4 which is one each pancake, egg, bacon strip and sausage link. Or try the 2x4 which is pretty much what you think it is. I like the two egg omelet. A popular choice is breakfast tacos (2) which costs $5.00 but come with free hash browns. Everything is available à la carte. Add a pork chop if you wish. Salsa for the scrambled will make you sweat and Tabasco and Cholula are on every table. Served 24 hours.
Lunch: Burgers baby. $5.50 and up. Make it yellow-topped for 40¢ more. There’s also chicken fried steak, T-bone steak, rib eye steak and hamburger steak plus old school sandwiches and salads. Served 24 hours.
Dessert: Home baked chocolate pie is $2.40 per slice. It’s big enough to share which saves time for the dishwasher who is also the cook and restroom attendant. You’re out of luck if you’ve just had your tonsils taken out because there is no Blue Bell here.
Tuesday Special: Any burger plus Idahos and a drink is just $5.95.
Tip: $1.00 per person.
J’s accepts Visa, MasterCard and, for the 3 people who still have them, Discover Card. If you try to use Amex or Diners Club cards, well, that’s too retro even for this place.
At J’s it’s hard to find any bells and whistles but if you can find a dial tone you can call 972-239-7619 and your order will be ready to go when you get there. In Styrofoam, baby.
14925 Midway Road, one traffic light south of Belt Line on the sunset side.
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