Do you folks know what the story is with the Jumbo and Jimbo's burger chains in Harlem and the Bronx? There seems to be a Jimbo's or a Jumbo every few blocks north of 116th Street. The two restaurants are virtually identical in every way: menu, awning, signs, decor, fonts, cooking technique (grill then steam), etc. I've eaten at one of each. The burgers and fries were decent, the staff was friendly, and each was well-kept and clean. They aren't destination locations but they make for a good neighborhood burger shop.
Are they the burger equivalent of Ray's Pizza or might they have the same owner? If the same owner why the different names? If different owners why go through the trouble of looking exactly like a competitor? There seems to be more Jimbo's than Jumbos.
I've got pictures and locations of four of them here. There are at least four more locations.
Dear Joe,
Unfortunately, neither Adam nor I have ever been to or heard of Jumbo or Jimbo's so we can't give any insight into their identical twin-like relationship. Does anyone have any insight into these two burger chains? My search for Jimbo on Citysearch came up with 11 results, but I only found two for Jumbo (the other locations don't seem to exist on the Internet).
Eating In Translation has a photo and blurb about Jumbo's burger. Joe says that Jimbo's and Jumbo use the "grill then steam under an aluminum bowl" cooking technique. And how do they taste? "The burgers were juicy and plump and tasted fine. Not a gourmet burger but also not dreck. The fries were likewise decent." Joe adds that Jimbo's and Jumbo also serve breakfast, salads, chicken tenders/wings/nuggets, gyros, and fried fish.
@Nick: Thanks for the info! I can't tell if it's related either; can't imagine it not being related since it has the SAME NAME, but that location has its own website and it doesn't mention the other 11 (or more?) Jimbos uptown. Hm.
Frankly, it's pretty good. I have no idea about it's relation to the uptown locations, but for a couple bucks you get a spot at the counter, a legit burger and fries reminiscent of why most people originally fell in love with McDonalds. But agree...just go ask
I've been there a couple of times- I remember hitting the one on Amsterdam off 125th and a newer one that opened on the corner of 207th and 10th Ave. Burgers are decent- but flat and wide. And yes, they steam them under the bowl- from what I remember. Beats a fast food burger.
I know they've been a Harlem institution for years. I'll speak to some folks to see if they have any further insight. I think Jim preceded Jum.
Uptown burgers are really awful. This 'steaming while grilling' many of these places do overcooks the gristly meat into grey, ghastly shoe leather. Please, please, someone put out a good uptown burger. And no, Piper's Kilt and Coogans, while serviceable and not horrible, totally do not. They are, though, miles better than these steamed horsemeat Jimbo/Jumbo burgers.
Carnegie John's burgers kick all those places butts and he does it from a stand on the side of the road, so there's no excuse for all the bad uptown burgers. I'm talking to you, too, Hudson View.
As far as the names, I have no real idea, but I suspect it's similar the 'Kennedy/Kenney/JFK Fried Chicken' places and now the new 'Trader John's' in Union Square. One guy ripping off another once the name gets well known.
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Do you folks know what the story is with the Jumbo and Jimbo's burger chains in Harlem and the Bronx? There seems to be a Jimbo's or a Jumbo every few blocks north of 116th Street. The two restaurants are virtually identical in every way: menu, awning, signs, decor, fonts, cooking technique (grill then steam), etc. I've eaten at one of each. The burgers and fries were decent, the staff was friendly, and each was well-kept and clean. They aren't destination locations but they make for a good neighborhood burger shop.
6 Comments:
I ate at the Jimbo's on First Ave a while back:
http://beefaficionado.blogspot.com/search?q=jimbo%27s
I don't know if it has anything to do with the ones further North...
Nick Solares at 10:21AM on 12/05/08
@Nick: Thanks for the info! I can't tell if it's related either; can't imagine it not being related since it has the SAME NAME, but that location has its own website and it doesn't mention the other 11 (or more?) Jimbos uptown. Hm.
Robyn Lee at 10:27AM on 12/05/08
In Austin, TX there is a Dan's Hamburgers and a Fran's Hamburgers which are identical. Fran divorced Dan.
I would assume Jimbo's and Jumbo's is the result of a partnership breaking up.
Why not go in one and ask.
eatorama at 11:44AM on 12/05/08
I'd like to think Jumbo divorced Jimbo, but somehow I see that fight going the other way these days.
I've been to Jimbo's on 1st down around 54th - Menupages URL:
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=3278&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=0
Frankly, it's pretty good. I have no idea about it's relation to the uptown locations, but for a couple bucks you get a spot at the counter, a legit burger and fries reminiscent of why most people originally fell in love with McDonalds. But agree...just go ask
Matt L at 11:59AM on 12/05/08
I've been there a couple of times- I remember hitting the one on Amsterdam off 125th and a newer one that opened on the corner of 207th and 10th Ave. Burgers are decent- but flat and wide. And yes, they steam them under the bowl- from what I remember. Beats a fast food burger.
I know they've been a Harlem institution for years. I'll speak to some folks to see if they have any further insight. I think Jim preceded Jum.
howfresheats at 2:01PM on 12/09/08
Uptown burgers are really awful. This 'steaming while grilling' many of these places do overcooks the gristly meat into grey, ghastly shoe leather. Please, please, someone put out a good uptown burger. And no, Piper's Kilt and Coogans, while serviceable and not horrible, totally do not. They are, though, miles better than these steamed horsemeat Jimbo/Jumbo burgers.
Carnegie John's burgers kick all those places butts and he does it from a stand on the side of the road, so there's no excuse for all the bad uptown burgers. I'm talking to you, too, Hudson View.
As far as the names, I have no real idea, but I suspect it's similar the 'Kennedy/Kenney/JFK Fried Chicken' places and now the new 'Trader John's' in Union Square. One guy ripping off another once the name gets well known.
MikeNYC at 11:42AM on 01/08/09