One of the most notable settings of my childhood was the back seat of our 2001 Honda Odyssey as it rambled down I-40 across the breadth of the great state of Arkansas. I grew up in Memphis, but my family roots are planted in the red dirt of Oklahoma City, so for most holidays and during the summers, my parents, brother, and I would load up for an eight-hour road trip. Other than some Ozark-foothills beauty, it’s a rather boring drive; to entertain himself on the way, my brother invented The Sign-Reading Game, which is exactly what it sounds like (and just as irritating as it seems).
The most exciting part of the drive, though, was always when I started to see signs for Russellville. I’m sure the town itself is wonderful, but I’ve actually never made it that far in. This is because a true paradise exists just a hop and a skip off exit 81 from I-40: CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers. As a kid three hours into a monotonous road trip, stopping for fresh hamburgers and a lot of hospitality was a lifesaver. I was never happier than when their sign reading “BURGER BOY” appeared through the car window—even if it happened to be a fall Friday night with a longer-than-normal line because of all the high school-football fans congregating there.
Retro Charm And Classic Flavors
The interior of CJ’s is 1950s-diner-inspired, with shiny red vinyl-covered chairs, a glass-front meat counter showing the fresh beef they’ll use for your meal, and photos of folks who look like they just left a sock hop adorning the walls. The radio is almost always playing retro favorites like Elvis or Chuck Berry, and the menu board looks like it could have been left untouched for years. A painted wall on the outside of the building depicts a happy butcher with the phrase “When all you do are Burgers, they have to be the BEST!”
Although that sentence is slightly misleading (they have a few chicken and salad options as well), the sentiment is spot on. CJ’s burgers, which come in ⅓- or ⅔-pound sizes, are truly excellent. Cooked to order from chuck shoulders they grind in house, the patties are tender, juicy, and flavorful. They can be topped with American, Cheddar, or pepper Jack, and you can add bacon, jalapeños, or delicious grilled onions or mushrooms for a small surcharge. On top of a simple bun, they shine as an example of the exact Americana that the decor is replicating…