The longtime local favorite burger spot is now at The Virginian.
For years, locals and visitors to Jackson enjoyed a time when the cooks at Billy’s Burgers served up greasy burgers late into the night adjacent Jackson’s Town Square in what is today Local Restaurant & Bar. However, to the dismay of many, Billy’s Burgers closed up shop in 2012, leaving a burger-sized hole in the hearts of many. But fear not dear burger lovers, because Billy’s Burgers has reopened at its new home in The Virginian Lodge.
With its checkboard floor and the original Billy’s Burgers neon sign on display, the reincarnated Billy’s is celebrating the past, while simultaneously embracing its future. The ambiance at Billy’s Burgers adds to the overall experience—counter service allows diners to choose from the range of seating options on-property at The Virginian. These options include the family dining room, The Virginian Saloon, or—when the weather permits—in the outdoor courtyard. Here, seating options range from outdoor tables to Adirondack-style chairs gathered around outdoor fireplaces.
“It’s a pleasure to announce the long-awaited return of a beloved Jackson tradition, Billy’s Burgers, at The Virginian Lodge,” says General Manager Stacey King Brogan. “This casual spot will be a welcome family-friendly addition for locals and visitors alike. Billy’s will stay true to The Virginian’s laid-back hospitality tradition – you can count on friendly service, good times, great food, and a touch of nostalgia.”
As the name would imply, Billy’s is most well-known for its burgers, but more specifically, its namesake Billy’s Burger: a juicy, half-pound patty piled with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and special sauce. The Betty Burger is served similarly, but is half the size. In its first lifetime, Billy’s was known to serve waffle fries alongside its burgers and sandwiches, which it still does today. However, the waffle fries are now also offered as poutine or rodeo fries—topped with house chili, pickled jalapeno, green onion and queso. “They’re polarizing,” Chef Ryan Brogan says about the waffle fries, but love or hate the style of fry, Billy’s has them dialed.
Complimentary to its burger choices is a selection of sandwiches that include a bison strip cheesesteak, all-beef chili dog, loaded grilled cheese, falafel and fried chicken sandwich. Whereas the original Billy’s chicken sandwich featured chicken tenders, the new iteration is pickle-brined and buttermilk fried. Finally, old-school soft serve ice cream served by the cone or cup completes the menu offering.
The reopening of Billy’s Burgers symbolizes the return of a beloved institution, and The Virginian Lodge—a historic hotel that received a modern boutique update in 2022—provides the perfect location for the revival of this beloved restaurant. Serving up classic and mouthwatering burgers in a nostalgic Americana setting, we couldn’t have predicted a better fit for the new home of Billy’s Burgers. After all, Billy’s brings a quick service, family-friendly option to a lodge that embraces its sense of place and celebrates the community.
Come for the burgers, stay for the setting! Billy’s Burgers is open daily for counter service or takeout from 4 to 10 p.m.
