(NOTE: the above illustration does not do justice to the famous Superburger; federal
regulations do not allow displaying an actual likeness, in the interest of national security).
- The Early Years
- Jim and Denny's was founded in 1936 by Jim Van Nort. The original location was at 16th and J streets,
close by the then-new Memorial Auditorium. When World War II came, Jim and Denny parted ways, and Jim went
into the service. The present location on 12th street was opened after Jim got back (hence the "#2" in
the phone listing). Number one closed in the early sixties, and a third location was opened at 4195 Norwood Ave (but
having no relation to #2 any more).
- The New Era
- J & D was open around the clock for its first forty years. But as business moved out
of downtown, and the neighborhood began to change, hours were gradually cut back. Then Jim decided to
retire, after more than fifty years of service. The future of the finest old-time lunch counter in Sacramento
was in doubt! But two wonderful things happened: the City of Sacramento designated J & D as a historical
landmark, and the business was purchased in 1993 by Bonnie Norton. In 1994, she was joined by her partner Val
Leatherwood. They are dedicated to the great tradition of excellent food and friendly service, and our
favorite burger spot will steam into the 21st century in fine style!
- Historical documentation
- While there is no official Jim & Denny's museum, there are a few newspaper articles
framed inside the lunch counter, along with some nice old photos of the place in the thirties and forties, and a great
shot of Jim and crew. The Sacramento Union ran an article a few years ago. NOTE: if any viewers of this page have any
historical photos, articles, or other memorabilia, I'd be delighted to scan them in for this page, which will hopefully
evolve into the cyber museum of burgerdom.
- The service
- The service at J & D is best described as salty, more comparable to Joan Blondell in a
Warner Brothers movie from the thirties than the present "duh, you want fries with that?" attitude we are more
accustomed to in these latter days of Babylon. The customer is still king here. Jim was famous for doing magic
tricks with coins while returning change and making custom pancakes for children with their initials on them.
The waitresses were legendary for their superb use of psychology in handling even the most difficult situations.
The tradition of humor continues to the present day: take a look at the picture of
the counter; note two shelves below the "Fancy Cheesburger" sign you will see what appears
to be a fish (actually a replica), placed in a plastic wrapped tray, as you would find at a supermarket. I asked Val
if they were expanding their menu, but she said that a customer asked a few weeks ago whether they served fresh fish.
So she picked up the replica fish at a yard sale, and has it at the ready in case he returns. "I'll show him
his fresh fish!" was her comment. Gotta love that attitude!
- Phone rules
- There is a pay phone at the end of the counter, with a pad of paper and pen next to
it. Jim's house rule is that whoever sits next to the phone is responsible for
taking any orders phoned in.
- Trailways
- For many years, the building next door housed the Continental Trailways bus terminal. Jim used
to have a sign next to the cash register saying, "Miss your bus to Reno? A fellow came in last week and said
he wished he had!"
- The coffee
- No fancy expresso here; the coffee is the old-fashioned kind that the more timid souls can only drink if they have
a note from their doctor. The miraculous powers of this brew are best expressed by the Frank 'n' Ernie cartoon next to the
bean grinder - the picture is a couple of fellows down on their luck sitting on a park bench. The caption reads, I was
making $100,000 a year, had 75 people working under me, a condo in Aspen, and was being considered for
the Senate... and then I switched to decaf.
- The Sky Room
- There is a little back room containing the kitchen area,
where the chili, salads, and fries are prepared. In the days when the Trailways depot was next door,
there was a little table where the drivers could come in and relax with a cup of joe. This area has always been closed
to the general public, and was referred to as the Sky Room, implying a kind of V.I.P. status. You knew that
you had finally made it to the inner circle if you were invited back there.
- The KZAP Connection
- In the late sixties, the early "underground" radio station KZAP was located around the
corner in the Elk's Building. J & D was the favorite hangout for folks after a shift, due to its great coffee, 24 hour
operation, and the rejuvenating properties of the hamburgers. The late and beloved Jesse Robinson was a longtime
customer; his father worked for a local bakery and used to deliver the hamburger buns to J & D, so some of Jesse's
earliest memories were of the fabled J & D kitchen.
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