With its unique take on a classic menu, NN Burger has quickly become a regional favorite, racking up reader’s choice “best burger” awards for six years running. Setting off their hand-crafted burgers, Twister chips, and shakes is an equally unique atmosphere, which is both welcoming and engaging to all. However, this local favorite might not be ours alone for much longer. The folks at NN Burger are taking this “eatertainment” show on the road, offering franchise opportunities in all 50 states so you can get a taste of home the next time you’re out of town.
Crafted in the Northern Neck
Plato once said that necessity is the mother of invention. For Jay Wolfson, co-founder of NN Burger along with his cousin, Steven Sponder, the birth of their unique burger joint came out of one of Jay’s many family trips to the Northern Neck. Wolfson wanted a casual, craft burger and beer experience that adults would love right along with kid-friendly menu and surroundings. Realizing the opportunity, Wolfson and Sponder opened their first location in Kilmarnock back in 2013 and followed up with the flagship Tappahannock location in 2015.
Specially crafted burgers and more
You simply can’t have burger in your name and not get that part right. They start off with fresh, high-quality meat, a proprietary burger blend from Schweid & Sons, one of the top producers in the country. What goes with the patties is where the NN Burger magic happens. The Sunrise Burger, topped with a fried egg, bacon, and a hash brown is a meal unto itself. The new Top Notch Burger, made with 1/2 pound of 100% wagyu beef for an ultra-juicy, almost buttery tasting burger, is topped with black peppered bacon jam, portobello mushrooms, aged swiss cheese, and roasted garlic truffle aioli. All this burger decadence is sandwiched between fresh-baked brioche buns. Definitely not your typical burger ingredients.
If you’re going to have burgers, then you need to have sides, and NN Burger treats them in the same over-the-top fashion. They’ve improved on one of the local favorites—twister chips—which are fried, ribbon cut potatoes, by adding a topping of black truffle oil, parmesan-reggiano, and roasted garlic truffle aioli.
As a family-friendly concept, your menu has to have wide appeal. So, in addition to customizing your own burgers, there are Harvest Veggie Burgers, salads, and a kids’ menu, too.
Adults can wash all this down with a selection of beer, wine or mason jar cocktails. And in true NN Burger fashion, the draft beer comes with a frozen head. Almost like a beer slushy, the frozen beer foam is placed on top of the beer, keeping it cooler longer. Perfect for those warm evenings outside.
In addition to being voted “best burger,” NN Burger also has the distinction of “best desserts.” Kids (or the kid in us) can munch on sweet potato tots with marshmallow dipping sauce or enjoy one of 13 different hand-spun shakes. And if that’s not enough, there are the jaw-dropping Freakshakes. Aptly named, they are topped with a donut, whipped cream, sprinkles, and fun lollipops because…why not?
Magical, musical experience
That they would occasionally add sparklers to their shakes is part of the strategy and charm of NN Burgers. “Eatertainment” is not just about the food, it’s about the experience as well, and that starts before you even take a bite.
Your mama always told you to wash up before eating, and the automated handwashing station right in the dining area gets it done—washed and dried--in a fun,10 seconds flat. It’s also perfect for a quick clean-up after diving into those juicy burgers.
Now that the summer is in full swing, the dog-friendly patio means that even four-footed members of the family are welcome to join the family. Bowls of fresh water are always available and dog treats can be purchased inside. Whether you choose to feed your furry family member from the table, is up to you.
Socializing is a large part of the NN Burger experience, which is why so many sports teams make a visit to the eatery a part of their post-game plans (the 10% discount is pretty nice, too!) While they’ve always had customers posting pics, they now have a roaming photo booth, which allows people to take photos with a custom frame to post directly on to social media.
Not digitally inclined? Live every day from the NN Stage, the region’s best acoustic singer/songwriters perform, so you can kick back and enjoy before, during or after your meal. And on weekends there’s a roaming magician that performs magic right at your table. No matter how you choose to build your burger experience, it’s all designed to bring everyone at the table together.
Spreading some community love
NN Burger has been generous about giving back to the community that has been a big part of their success. Their 365 Days of Giving program chooses a charity for every month. Each Sunday, $1 from every sale of their shakes and Freakshakes goes to that charity. Proceed Nights also allows area groups and charities to crowdfund through food. Supporters come to the restaurant, pay for a wonderful meal and NN Burger gives the group 100% of the proceeds from the event. Everybody wins.
If you’ve never tried NN Burger before, you should definitely check out what your neighbors have been enjoying, and what you’ve been missing. And if it’s been a while, with so many changes it’s definitely time for a refresher course. You’ll be welcome.
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