Freeway Burgers and Grill

The name «Freeway Burgers and Grill» might evoke anything from bland strip centers to fresh roadkill — none of them appealing. But this place used to be a Southwell’s location, so I was curious to see whether the restaurant had retained any of its burger heritage. It had, from what look like the same wooden booths right down to the waffle fries.
The burger menu features big, ¹⁄₃ lb. patties, including the ²⁄₃ lb. «Big Tex» double. If that’s not what you’re after, «Freeway Burgers» also has «and Grill» appended to its name, whence come the salads, sandwiches, and paninis, which include turkey clubs, Greek chicken, and Cuban pulled pork. I had come in for a burger, however, and I wasn’t going to shy away, so I went for the Jalapeño Bacon Cheeseburger. I grabbed a table and sat down, watching ESPN on TV and waiting for my order.
I didn’t have to wait long before a towering burger and a basket of waffle fries were set in front of me. It took a minute to figure out the logistics on how to attack this thing, but I could tell it was assembled not minutes before with fresh ingredients because the toasted bun wasn’t getting soggy as I set to work. The crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, jalapeños, and melted cheese were all delicious, and served to enhance a patty that was a touch on the dry side. I was about halfway through the two-​hander when I picked up on a flavor I hadn’t expected: they used bread-​and-​butter pickles instead of dill. Preferences aside, it wasn’t enough to derail an otherwise respectable burger. The waffle fries were crispy and well-​seasoned, and were an excellent complement.
All told, I probably wouldn’t make a special trip just to partake, but I’d certainly pay Freeway Burgers and Grill another visit if I’m in the area.