Locals Say This Colorado Burger Stand’s Double Cheeseburger Deserves All the Hype
Walking into Jim’s Burger Haven feels like stepping back in time to when burgers were simple, honest, and made with care.
This unassuming Colorado institution has been flipping patties since 1961, long before gourmet toppings and trendy brioche buns took over the burger scene.
While fancy burger joints come and go, Jim’s keeps doing what it does best: crafting massive, messy, absolutely perfect double cheeseburgers that have locals lining up for over six decades.
It is time you get in that line too!
Meet the Stand: Jim’s Burger Haven, Since 1961
Jim and Arlene Moser had no idea they were creating a Colorado legend when they opened their modest burger stand back in 1961. Their family-run operation started with a simple mission: serve the biggest, tastiest burgers in metro Denver.
Fast forward over 60 years, and their legacy lives on through two walk-in locations that still follow the original recipes. Jim’s has been home to Colorado’s original six-inch smash burger long before food bloggers made smash burgers trendy.
Current hours and locations stay updated on their official website, though regulars know the schedule by heart.
Why Locals Hype the Double Cheeseburger
That signature six-inch bun isn’t just for show – it needs every square inch to contain the glorious mess inside.
Two perfectly griddled patties get smothered in melted American cheese, then topped with yellow mustard, crisp, shaved lettuce, fresh tomato, onion, and tangy pickles.
You can order it as a single, double, or triple if you’re feeling particularly ambitious. They also offer a more manageable four-inch version for lighter appetites.
Locals swear the double hits that perfect sweet spot between satisfying and completely overwhelming your taste buds.
Smash Technique That Makes It Sing
Forget everything you know about gentle burger handling – Jim’s presses their patties hard against seasoned grills that have been building flavor for decades.
This smash technique creates those crispy, caramelized edges that burger purists dream about.
Every burger gets built to order, never sitting under heat lamps or waiting in warming trays. The shop proudly highlights this made-to-order tradition as their defining characteristic since opening day.
That sizzling sound when the patty hits the grill? That’s the sound of burger perfection being born right before your eyes.
What To Order With Your Double
Your double cheeseburger deserves equally impressive sidekicks, and Jim’s delivers with crispy fries, golden onion rings, or their famous chile-cheese fries. The spicy cheese curds add a Wisconsin twist that somehow works perfectly in Colorado.
Top everything off with a classic shake in chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry flavors. Black raspberry is a standard option, with other seasonal specials appearing from time to time.
Pro tip: order extra napkins because this meal requires serious cleanup afterward, and every messy bite is absolutely worth it.
Old-School Vibe, Zero Gimmicks
Local food critics consistently praise Jim’s as a refreshingly no-frills burger shack where the menu stays blessedly simple.
Your biggest decision involves choosing between single, double, or triple – no complicated customizations or trendy add-ons required.
The interior hasn’t changed much since the 1960s, and that’s exactly how customers like it. No Instagram-worthy neon signs, just honest burgers served with genuine hospitality.
Sometimes the best restaurants are the ones that refuse to change with every passing food trend.
When To Go and What To Expect
Lunch and dinner rushes bring steady streams of hungry customers, so plan accordingly if you’re in a hurry.
Counter service keeps things moving quickly, though you’ll want to clear your schedule because these two-hand burgers demand your full attention.
Current hours run Monday through Thursday from 11:00 to 20:00, extending to 20:30 on weekends. Smart diners arrive slightly off-peak to avoid the longest lines.
The quick turnaround means your burger hits the counter hot and fresh, exactly how it should be served.
Where To Find It
Thornton location sits at 595 E. 88th Ave., 80229, serving the northern metro area with the same quality that made Jim’s famous.
The Westminster spot at 7855 Sheridan Blvd., 80003, covers the western suburbs with equal dedication to burger excellence.
Both locations maintain identical menus and cooking standards, so you can’t go wrong with either choice. Phone numbers and detailed maps live on their official website’s Locations page.
Regulars often have their preferred location based purely on convenience rather than any quality differences.
Proof It’s Not Just Nostalgia
Recent restaurant features and burger roundups consistently place Jim’s among metro Denver’s must-try spots, with food writers specifically calling out the double cheeseburger on that famous six-inch bun.
These aren’t just nostalgic locals talking – serious food critics recognize quality when they taste it.
Denver Westword and other publications regularly include Jim’s in their best-of lists, proving that good food never goes out of style.
When food trends come and go, places like Jim’s remind us why classics become classics in the first place.