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Johnnie's Grill
301 S. Rock Island Ave.
El Reno, OK
(405) 262-4721
RESTAURANT INFO. RATING TYPE FEATURES BEST ITEMS/ SPECIAL RATINGS
Cost: $
Hours: Open Daily
23 Hamburgers
Best Item: Onion Fried Hamburger
Onion Fried Burger:
French Fries:
LAST TRIED TIMES TRIED
15-Aug-06 2
Having grown up with hamburgers as one of the staples of my diet, there were two ways of preparing them that made for an extra special treat: onion fried and charcoal broiled with hickory sauce. While there are still several places in Oklahoma that prepare decent charcoal broiled hamburgers, finding onion fried burgers that taste like the ones I remember as a kid seems to be increasingly difficult. One of the first places I would recommend trying, though, is Johnnie's Grill in El Reno. In business since the 1940's, it still prepares food the old fashioned way--with not much consciousness of fat or cholesterol, but very cognizant of maintaining the long-established standard for flavor and enjoyment of a burger.

While there are several items on the menu, the Onion Fried Hamburger is what has made Johnnie's famous throughout central Oklahoma. Each burger is individually prepared as you order it, with the onions cooked separately and then added into the patty as it is cooking in order to ensure a proper blend of beef and onion flavors. The end result is one of the best burgers around, and a meal that in terms of flavor rivals many "fine dining" restaurants. The meat is high quality, and the mustard and pickle toppings go perfectly with this creation. Only the white bread bun is a throwback to a half century ago that I think perhaps should be updated.

The French Fries are greasy, but not overly so. They are certainly better quality than is found at most restaurants these days.

Sitting at the counter is a great way to chat with people and watch the food being cooked, but tables are available for families and those who prefer more space. A drive-through window is also available for take-home or if you need to get back to Interstate 40 for a cross-country trip.

Most people do not have any trouble figuring out what to order: an onion fried burger would be a good bet here. The Coney Island hot dogs are also a popular choice, and are well known as a local specialty. After all, only Wimpy of the Popeye comics can subsist solely on a diet of hamburgers.

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