Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint

lillitnn92

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Although I frequent Billy Jack's (owners other bar a building over) more, I do come to JB's a few times a month; more in the summer because of the outdoor seating. JB's is a great little place. Seating can be an issue and it can get packed pretty quick, but that's the JB character. Get there early!! :)

There's 3 beers on tap with 100+ bottles. Seasonal specials. Like Billy Jack's, there's usually Pint Nights a few times a month as well. Burgers specials daily and Fries, Fried Oreo's.

Jacktown (what we locals call both bars) are the best places within 30 miles of H'burg. Service and quality are top notch always. You can't go wrong here (or there).

12-10-2012 16:34:39 | More by lillitnn92

thegrimone

Virginia

5/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Jack Browns is a phenomenal place. The selection is constantly rotating. The place is very low tech chalk boards tell whats on tap. A chalk board is also used for seasonal/big bottles and the basic menu.

The burgers, oh so delicious. Everyday has a special or two, with Friday being the best. Greg Brady burgers on Friday are where its at, macaroni and cheese with barbecue chips (Martins for those who know) on a cheeseburger. Although Sunday comes in a close second with a bacon egg cheese burger on a regular potato bun or a doughnut bun.

The staff is very knowledgeable, many being temporary locals attending collage.

If you think you will be back ask about the notch club, drink 100 different beers (they have over 100 different in stock) and become a member.

01-20-2012 08:37:56 | More by thegrimone

SirWalkAbout

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

Awesome place.

When I lived near Harrisonburg, this was the place I most frequented. They have a ton of beers. I prefer getting a beer on tap when I go out, so a few points off for selection, but the quality is there. Sometimes they feature certain brewery’s, and if you buy a beer on that day, you get a free pint glass from that brewery. Not bad.

The food is also a home run. Their burgers are creative and delicious. They try new things, deep fried oreo's, burgers with peanut butter, jelly, cream cheese, etc. Sounds nasty, just give it a try.

This is one place I would go out of my way to drive and visit. If you prefer beers on tap, you can always walk next door to Billy Jack's (owned/operated by same folks), which is also outstanding.

01-13-2012 03:57:38 | More by SirWalkAbout

Boatmike

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Jack's is very small but homey. I'd suggest getting there before beer drinking rush hour if you want a seat.

Beer selection is excellent. True, only three beers on tap but they change so you have a reason to keep coming back.

Wait staff are very knowledgeable about beer. And they are attentive and appropriately talkative.

As for food, it's a burger joint which is probably why burgers are in the name of the place. The burgers were excellent - like home-made on the grill. Fries, both French and Sweet Potato were ok. By my hometown standards, the price of burgers is cheap. I didn't try the fried Oreos because I was too full from the beers and hamburger, but person next to me highly recommended them.

My kid is at JMU in Harrisonburg so I'll definitely go back there. I plan to go there every time I'm in Harrisonburg. Every beer fan should.

09-05-2011 16:13:58 | More by Boatmike

mcaulifww

Virginia

4.7/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I went to college in town and spent two years frequenting Jack Brown's. Out of all the places in Harrisonburg JB's is the best.

It's small, and if you go on a weekend night there will probably be a line to get in. It's set up like a rustic dive with some funky touches. The small space and limited seating (seats 25 inside) actually enhances the atmosphere.

The overall quality and selection is excellent, only three taps which rotate constantly, but enough bottle choices to give a man a heart attack. When ordering on tap they use the right glasses for each beer.

The service is exactly what I'd expect from a beer bar.

The food is great too. The burgers are kobe beef, french fries, and sweet potato fries, and the infamous fried Oreo. I admit I haven't had it, but I hear good things. They also have a daily burger special (The Elvis: peanut butter, mayo, smoked bacon, and cheese) which is usually crazy, but people love 'em.

The only knock to the food is that there isn't much selection. But, good news, they recently opened a wing joint two stores down the street.

The price is reasonable too. I can get a burger, and a great beer for 10 bucks. The best place in town for sure.

09-02-2011 14:22:32 | More by mcaulifww

legatovibrato24

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Outstanding selection of craft beers in bottles, not so much on tap, but nonetheless something for everyone. I enjoyed a Stone IPA with my delicious cheeseburger, which wasn't overly huge, but paired nicely with ale.

The server/bartender was friendly and knowledgeable and even laughed at my girlfriend calling me a pig, which was a nice touch.

At first glance the joint can seem cramped but once seated at the bar the character and charm on the walls seems to allow you to gloss over the cramped quarters. The corner location also allows for outdoor seating which could accommodate the more claustrophobic among us.

Finally the fried Oreo, where to begin? The way the oreo seems to melt into the surrounding breading is heavenly, which tastes of donuts and moderately sweet sticky buns. What a great finish to a delicious meal at Jack Browns.

04-06-2010 02:26:13 | More by legatovibrato24

advill88

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev -9.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

I went here for the first time for lunch recently. The burgers are excellent, if a bit on the pricey side. I would also recommend trying the fried oreos, which I've never had before, and are really good. The beer selection is quite a highlight as well, with about 80 micros available, and a good variety of styles at that. There were definitely some beers (e.g. Chimay) that I don't commonly see in Harrisonburg eateries. I ended up spending about 14 bucks plus tip for a burger, fries, a fried oreo, and a beer. Good place overall, but a bit too expensive for me to come back too often.

11-25-2009 05:29:19 | More by advill88