Joe Metheny Burger Stand Novels & Stories

Jeremy smirks at the use of the word small and Eva flips him the bird. "I'm starving." Dree says and as if it was planned, a waitress came to our table. "Welcome to Benny Burger's. What can I get you guys today?" She asks politely. "I'll have the triple stack burger with a side of fries and a larger coke." I say and the rest get the same thing with the exception of fries on some of their plates. "I'll be back with your drinks shortly." She says and we thank her before she's off to the kitchen I suppose.

The air smelt of fryer oil, pure soda syrup, and sticky sweat. They took a booth near the back, a little cracked and sticky, but far enough from the noise. The red leather cushions wheezed as they dropped onto the seats and budged into place. Kieran sat on the inside, arms crossed, scanning the laminated menu like it held wisdom. Brock, who was near the window, leaned against the cold window, eyes glazed. Tanaka was already listing his combo out loud to no one in particular: “Burger, double patty, spicy fries, banana milkshake and no cherry." If they put a cherry on it, I swear –"

The doorbell rang, and Jane went to get the delivery. She particularly wanted a burger today. The masseur became even more confused. "Is a burger better than the Summit?" Jane nodded. "The Summit was bought by my ex. With the label of ‘ex’, I feel it’s much worse than a burger." The masseur understood and nodded vigorously. "I’ll help you finish it all. We can’t waste food." Jane gave a thumbs-up. Unexpectedly, the doorbell rang again.

"Well, let me tell you a little story. When I first arrived in New Hilton as a broke kid with big dreams, I stumbled upon Cozy Corner Diner. It was this tiny, hole-in-the-wall joint, but the aroma that wafted out of the place was irresistible. I stepped inside and ordered their classic burger. And let me tell you, Amanda, it was a game-changer." Curiosity piqued, Amanda leaned closer, urging him to continue. "The burger was simple yet mouthwatering," Ethan continued. "Juicy beef patty cooked to perfection, topped with melted cheese, crispy lettuce, and their secret sauce. It was pure bliss. And the best part? It came with a side of their famous hand-cut fries. They were golden and crispy on

My stomach let out a growl of betrayal. “Fine,” I muttered. “We eat first.” I made a quick detour to Burger’s 24/7, a cozy little diner tucked on the corner of the main road. It was practically deserted — no surprise, given how ungodly early it was — and smelled like toasted buns and hot coffee. Perfect. “Hi, one cheeseburger with egg, and an iced macchiato, please,” I told the sleepy cashier. She yawned in response and rang it up.

Josephine POV While I was eager to try the restaurants—Big Jim’s for the mural alone—I noticed a farmers’ market near the pier and decided to look there instead. It would likely give me a better feel for the community. The market was bustling with activity. Some stalls hosted ocean-themed crafts, while others displayed fresh bread, jars of pickles, and an array of cheeses. But what really caught my attention was the food truck selling burgers. The smell made my mouth water. I didn’t have to wait in line for long, and while they cooked my burger, I bought a beer from the bar in the next booth. Bottle in hand, I found an empty picnic table on the edge of the boardwalk. I sat and unwrapped my b

Most customers simply took their orders to go. "I used to frequent this place when I was starting out. Trust me, their burgers are divine,” Joseph answered. Chloe mumbled, "Starting out? Did you eat here because you couldn't afford anywhere else?" Picking up on her implication, Joseph gently pinched her cheek. "I didn't eat here because I was poor. I came here because other places were closed by the time I finished work." They stepped inside, and Joseph ordered burgers along with two bowls of mushroom soup. Even though Chloe was not hungry, she found the freshly grilled patties irresistibly tender and juicy. She polished off an entire burger and half a bowl of the creamy mushroom soup.

Menus got passed around fast. At Benny’s, the team took over half the diner, sliding into the big corner booths with loud chatter and laughter. The smell of grilled meat, fresh fries, and sweet milkshake syrup filled the air. Menus got passed around, orders shouted across the table. “I’ll take the double cheeseburger with extra bacon and a chocolate shake,” Jamal called out. “Turkey club for me, strawberry shake,” Tyler added. One by one the guys placed their orders—sandwiches stacked high, fries on the side, milkshakes in every flavor from vanilla to mint chocolate chip. Coach nodded at the waitress, then turned his attention to Ethan and Marcus.

But Dolly’s sudden question had apparently taken Atlas off guard; he only stared at the woman instead of responding to it. Well, the awkward silence wasn’t going to resolve itself, was it? “It’s called the Burger Windup,” Jia repeated. “Lamb burgers, steak burgers, chicken burgers - all sorts of gourmet options. I’ve never heard of anyone who’s disliked this place.” She chanced a quick glance at Atlas, who was, as expected, sending her a withering glare. Clearly, he was not convinced.

I asked Big Joe. Big Joe turned around and smiled broadly. “I’m getting it ready. Sorry to keep you waiting. The food and coffee will be ready in a moment.” To save time, I sat on a small chair near the refrigerator, waiting for Big Joe to finish his work. Fifteen minutes later, he approached me, handing me a large bag filled with food and snacks, along with three cups of coffee. When I took the bag and realized there was more food than we’d ordered, Big Joe had even made burgers and French fries, even though we’d never ordered those. “There’s so much food. We only ordered one dish earlier.”