I'd like to start this review off by being g totally transparent here. This isn't the biggest place, neither is it the quickest place. However, what it is is something by itself, completely making it a truly unique experience to be had by all.
John, the owner, is an interesting cat with his approach as the proprietor, cook, bartender, prep cook, and short order cook. There is only one thing he makes, and that's hamburgers. The varieties available that day are listed on the blackboard on the wall to your right when you walk in.
The drinks available are on a blackboard on the wall to your left, and these are limited to a few domestics. Soft drinks are limited to bottled water or Ale eight one. Order placement is limited to your seating, which is limited to 12 stools at the counter. Orders are taken beginning at the left end of the counter, moving to the right, one order at a time, one burger completion at a time.
Be forwarned that this isn't the place to go if you're in a hurry! The decor is somewhere between dive bar and Americana diner with stickers from all over the country on the walls and ceiling. There's an old BMX from hanging from the ceiling to the extreme left ceiling, as well as a couple of vintage skateboard decks and motor cycle parts to round out the decor.
The structure itself is an old diner car circa in the 1950s housing this curiously eclectic collection. There are a few stools against the left back wall where you can sit while you wait for the counter stools to become available.
When we entered, the proprietor was playing some really great stoner metal from the band Sleep that wasn't overly loud but added yet another touch to the already unique experience. We were a party of five, all having a great time in this intimate place, enjoying each other company and that of the owner John.
John's hamburgers are started out as balls of ground beef that are flattened out on a griddle that is limited in size, yet adequate to include the strips of bacon for your order.
If needed, there are a few tables outside to sit once you've received your order. Hours of operation are limited, and John closes once he's sold out. Check hours in advance on John's Winks Facebook page for specials and hours.
A really cool experience with a local business owner, the type that needs your help to thrive to keep our downtowns alive.
I can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Joe Bullen
Best burger East of the Sterling Highway.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
John Wayne Lancaster
Call before you make the trip, John may show up and he may not... He shuts her down as soon as he sells out food too... Dang good burgers it was worth the wait...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Jigga FIRE
The Pineapple, Bacon & BBQ cheeseburger was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
William Burdine
Best burgers around!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Fitzsimmons
Best burgers!!
Blake Johnson
Seriously this place deserves a Michelin star. The burger is THAT GOOD.
Clay Royse
Wink's is special. Very special. John Dale has created here the perfect little burger joint, a redneck izakaya, a y'allternative oasis.He is the man that Bruce Lee feared, a man who has practiced one kick ten thousand times, only that kick is a lacy smashed patty, juicy and crunchy and incredibly flavorful.He cooks two burgers at a time, it takes as long as it takes, and no matter how long that is, it's worth it. There's cheap beer while you wait, slightly less cheap selections from Dreaming Creek, and your choice of Grippo's barbecue chips or plain Lay's. He does a special or two every weekend. Sometimes there's bourbon, which he sells at cost.This is, no joke, the best hamburger I've ever eaten, and I've eaten hamburgers all over the galaxy.I debated making this a one-star review in the hopes that it'd keep out the amateurs, the tourists, the turkeys, and the people who just don't get it the way I, the smartest person in the world, do, but my man is rolling a perfect game and that is bad juju.Drop whatever horrible thing you're planning on jamming into your gullet and get one of these immediately. You will see the face of God.
fatmanreviewsky
The Fat Man wanted a good burger and the fiancé was out with friends, so I decided to head down to Wink's Bar. Winks serves a limited menu, typically 2-3 burgers and then possibly a 3rd or 4th option. It's a one-man show, he is open 2-3 days a week(Thursday-Saturday) and closes when he sells out. @johndale_winksbarky I decided to try a couple of burgers. I started with the Bacon Bleu, made with bacon, Bleu cheese crumbles, sautéed onions and house made mustard. The bun had a good toast on, and it came with two pieces of bacon, and they were nice and crispy. The sweetness of the homemade mustard is killer and the onions are sautéed nicely Which pairs well with the salty melted Bleu cheese crumbles. This is a great-smashed burger with a great crust. Nice seasoning as well, SPG I believe. The next burger I tried was the All American, made with onions, pickles, ketchup, mustard and American cheese. Once again the bun is toasted well and holds up to the juicy burger. The burger is smashed, seasoned and cooked well with another great crust. The onions are sautéed well with a good crunch for texture. The sweet tomato ketchup mixed with the sweet bite of the mustard and brininess of the pickles helps cut through the salty American cheese plus adds great flavor. This burger is simple but so satisfying. The menu at Wink's rotates weekly, but it's well worth it to try out something new. It's a cool little joint that only has a few stools at the bar and there is usually a small wait. Wink will get you a beer while you wait and service is pretty quick. All sandwiches come with Lays original or Grippos BBQ chips. The Fat Man says that Wink's Bar is Fat Man Approved with 2 chins.
A Crowe
Our new go-to spot! Awesome food and vibe. Will be back next time we have a sitter! Delicious and great service! Another reason to love Richmond.
Best. Burger. Ever. And amazing service by John Dale!
Chadwick Horn
Wink's makes burgers special.
Britten McDowell
This place is awesome!!!!! My son took us here for dinner one night while in town for a visit. I love the way this place operates!!!2 burgers at a time! Great selection of beers.
Abbye Crowe
Our new go-to spot! Awesome food and vibe. Will be back next time we have a sitter! Delicious and great service! Another reason to love Richmond.
Thaddeus Moore
No frills, honest hamburger and can of beer hole in the wall. A true bar and grill as that’s about all is inside the place. Come early if you want a seat. Highly recommended.
I'd like to start this review off by being g totally transparent here. This isn't the biggest place, neither is it the quickest place. However, what it is is something by itself, completely making it a truly unique experience to be had by all.
John, the owner, is an interesting cat with his approach as the proprietor, cook, bartender, prep cook, and short order cook. There is only one thing he makes, and that's hamburgers. The varieties available that day are listed on the blackboard on the wall to your right when you walk in.
The drinks available are on a blackboard on the wall to your left, and these are limited to a few domestics. Soft drinks are limited to bottled water or Ale eight one. Order placement is limited to your seating, which is limited to 12 stools at the counter. Orders are taken beginning at the left end of the counter, moving to the right, one order at a time, one burger completion at a time.
Be forwarned that this isn't the place to go if you're in a hurry! The decor is somewhere between dive bar and Americana diner with stickers from all over the country on the walls and ceiling. There's an old BMX from hanging from the ceiling to the extreme left ceiling, as well as a couple of vintage skateboard decks and motor cycle parts to round out the decor.
The structure itself is an old diner car circa in the 1950s housing this curiously eclectic collection. There are a few stools against the left back wall where you can sit while you wait for the counter stools to become available.
When we entered, the proprietor was playing some really great stoner metal from the band Sleep that wasn't overly loud but added yet another touch to the already unique experience. We were a party of five, all having a great time in this intimate place, enjoying each other company and that of the owner John.
John's hamburgers are started out as balls of ground beef that are flattened out on a griddle that is limited in size, yet adequate to include the strips of bacon for your order.
If needed, there are a few tables outside to sit once you've received your order. Hours of operation are limited, and John closes once he's sold out. Check hours in advance on John's Winks Facebook page for specials and hours.
A really cool experience with a local business owner, the type that needs your help to thrive to keep our downtowns alive.
I can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Best burger East of the Sterling Highway.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Call before you make the trip, John may show up and he may not... He shuts her down as soon as he sells out food too... Dang good burgers it was worth the wait...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
The Pineapple, Bacon & BBQ cheeseburger was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Best burgers around!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best burgers!!
Seriously this place deserves a Michelin star. The burger is THAT GOOD.
Wink's is special. Very special. John Dale has created here the perfect little burger joint, a redneck izakaya, a y'allternative oasis.He is the man that Bruce Lee feared, a man who has practiced one kick ten thousand times, only that kick is a lacy smashed patty, juicy and crunchy and incredibly flavorful.He cooks two burgers at a time, it takes as long as it takes, and no matter how long that is, it's worth it. There's cheap beer while you wait, slightly less cheap selections from Dreaming Creek, and your choice of Grippo's barbecue chips or plain Lay's. He does a special or two every weekend. Sometimes there's bourbon, which he sells at cost.This is, no joke, the best hamburger I've ever eaten, and I've eaten hamburgers all over the galaxy.I debated making this a one-star review in the hopes that it'd keep out the amateurs, the tourists, the turkeys, and the people who just don't get it the way I, the smartest person in the world, do, but my man is rolling a perfect game and that is bad juju.Drop whatever horrible thing you're planning on jamming into your gullet and get one of these immediately. You will see the face of God.
The Fat Man wanted a good burger and the fiancé was out with friends, so I decided to head down to Wink's Bar. Winks serves a limited menu, typically 2-3 burgers and then possibly a 3rd or 4th option. It's a one-man show, he is open 2-3 days a week(Thursday-Saturday) and closes when he sells out. @johndale_winksbarky I decided to try a couple of burgers. I started with the Bacon Bleu, made with bacon, Bleu cheese crumbles, sautéed onions and house made mustard. The bun had a good toast on, and it came with two pieces of bacon, and they were nice and crispy. The sweetness of the homemade mustard is killer and the onions are sautéed nicely Which pairs well with the salty melted Bleu cheese crumbles. This is a great-smashed burger with a great crust. Nice seasoning as well, SPG I believe. The next burger I tried was the All American, made with onions, pickles, ketchup, mustard and American cheese. Once again the bun is toasted well and holds up to the juicy burger. The burger is smashed, seasoned and cooked well with another great crust. The onions are sautéed well with a good crunch for texture. The sweet tomato ketchup mixed with the sweet bite of the mustard and brininess of the pickles helps cut through the salty American cheese plus adds great flavor. This burger is simple but so satisfying. The menu at Wink's rotates weekly, but it's well worth it to try out something new. It's a cool little joint that only has a few stools at the bar and there is usually a small wait. Wink will get you a beer while you wait and service is pretty quick. All sandwiches come with Lays original or Grippos BBQ chips. The Fat Man says that Wink's Bar is Fat Man Approved with 2 chins.
Our new go-to spot! Awesome food and vibe. Will be back next time we have a sitter! Delicious and great service! Another reason to love Richmond.
Restaurantji Recommends
Best. Burger. Ever. And amazing service by John Dale!
Wink's makes burgers special.
This place is awesome!!!!! My son took us here for dinner one night while in town for a visit. I love the way this place operates!!!2 burgers at a time! Great selection of beers.
Our new go-to spot! Awesome food and vibe. Will be back next time we have a sitter! Delicious and great service! Another reason to love Richmond.
No frills, honest hamburger and can of beer hole in the wall. A true bar and grill as that’s about all is inside the place. Come early if you want a seat. Highly recommended.
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