Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler is an Oklahoma institution as they are fast food meets fast casual restaurant, as they serve up some solid charbroiled burgers, in addition to sandwiches, chicken entrées and salads. What brought me here on weeknight evening for dinner was when I was visiting the area with family who live in the area and we were looking for a quick place to eat that would be affordable as well, and as we drove around one of my hosts suggested that we go to Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler and I was agreeable to try something new. Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler has been an Oklahoma City institution for over fifty years now, with five locations in the metropolitan area. What makes them so successful and unique is that their burgers are cooked to order, charbroiled style of course, topped with your choice of fresh vegetables such as iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and diced onions, and if you order their signature cheeseburger they actually top your burger with shredded cheese!
The exterior of the location of Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler in Edmond where we dined is a little innocuous, as they are all brick clad with very little in terms of windows, inside it's brightly lit and clean as you enter they have you wait behind an entry barrier and view their menu which is now shown on flat panel television screens until it's your turn to order at their counter. It's all fast casual here at Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler, as you order they give you a number and they call it out when your order is ready for pickup. The menu at Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler is separated into categories including Burgers & Sandwiches, Grilled & Deli Favorites, Platters & Plates, Sides, Chili & Soups, Salads, Drinks and Desserts. Of course I came for their Classic Cheeseburger which is listed as number 8, which comes with their "extras" at no charge including lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, grilled onions, mustard, mayo, ketchup and of course Johnnie's sauce. We also decided to all share in an order of their Onion Rings, which are homemade daily. Others in our party ordered their French Fries with Cheese, Chicken Fried Chicken Platter served with their option of French Fries, and a slice of their Banana Cream Pie.
It didn't take too long for our order to come out and our number to be called. As I found my burger nicely handcrafted and evenly charred thanks to it being charcoal grilled instead of on a flat top grill, which I would assume also meant that most of the grease from cooking it fell by the wayside too. Their onion rings are breaded which makes them unique when being served in a fast food setting. But overall, I was pleasantly surprised as the food was not only tasty but affordable, as we came for their signature burgers and we were not disappointed. The fact that they also serve various menu items like chicken, both fried and grilled, and a wide variety of salads only proves that Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler has adapted with the times, and we should all be appreciative of this fact. On the day we went, they were hosting a private birthday party in their small room, so Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler is clearly a local favorite for simply hanging out in a clean and familiar place. I like that they also serve up homemade pie slices, which gives them a real diner feel, reminiscent of my own local institution back in California called Nation's Giant Hamburgers. I'm partial to them and will now be partial to Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler whenever I visit family in Edmond, as this place clearly holds special memories for all who have visited. read more