West FargoFargo Monthly’s Flavor Awards 2024
Written by Geneva Nodland of Fargo Monthly | August 2024
Best Burger – JL Burger®
A classic is a classic fora a reason! The JL Burger® from JL Beers is a towering achievement of juicy, sizzling delight. Hearty meets heavenly with each bite of this grilled to perfection double stack, featuring seared onions and speical sacue to make an explosion of delicious. Pair it with JL’s classic crispy potato chips – which are hand-cut, fried, and seasoned in front of you – and, of course, a beer. Burgers are something that are done often, but not so often done well, and it’s no surprise that JL Beers took home the win on this one. With a menu that features crazy creations that the community swoons over, it’s nice to be reminded of a classic!
Locals Love Us 2023-2024
Voted #1 in Burgers and Carry Out!
Best of the Red River Valley 2023
Readers awarded JL Beers with “Best Burger” in this year’s competition for the 13th straight year!
Written by News Staff of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 25, 2023
What makes JL Beers unique?
“We’re a Fargo original,” President Lance Thorson said. “We take a lot of pride in what we do. Between our great staff that cooks the burgers and puts everything together, we just really strive to put out a great, quality product at a reasonable price.”
What are some of the more popular burgers?
“We have some staples that we’ve been serving since we opened,” Thorson said. “The Humpty Dumpty Burger® with a fried egg on it is always a favorite. We make fresh peanut butter for a burger called Not Just a Nutter Burger®. We have burgers that satisfy every taste.”
Are there any new burgers people can try?
“We just launched a new burger called the Wham Bam Bacon Jam Burger,” Thorson said. “It features bacon jam, Gouda cheese, crispy fried onions and pickles.”
The Best Places to Eat French Fries in Every State
Written by Chloe Miller of Mashed.com | March 23, 2023
The humble potato is really one of the most versatile crops on Earth, but perhaps no form of the potato is more widespread — and more beloved — than the French fry. The fry is thought to have originated in Belgium in the 1600s, but America has really adopted fries as a central facet of our culture. And we all have our favorites. No, it’s not McDonald’s or Five Guys, although those both showed up repeatedly in our research. There will always be fast food favorites, but there are crispy, pillowy fried potato goodness of all varieties to try.
Some fry facts may surprise you. For example, we all know Idaho produces the most spuds, but it’s actually their neighbor North Dakota that has an annual French fry festival. Whether you like them curly, thick, sweet, truffled, or topped, we’ve rounded up the best spot for french fries in every U.S. state. Who knew your frying liquid of choice, from duck fat to peanut oil, made such a difference?
North Dakota: JL Beers
North Dakota may be the only state on this list to actually host a French fry festival. It’s called the Potato Bowl, and it’s held in Grand Forks every year in conjunction with a big college football game. Tons of hot, fresh fries are served up for free. If you’re not there in September for the Potato Bowl, JL Beers has locations throughout North Dakota, and people say not to sleep on their fries. Again, toppings rule: You can go simple with sea salt, Cajun, jalapeño cheddar, dill pickle, BBQ, or parmesan garlic seasonings. Or dress it up with bleu cheese. You can also get any of these flavorings on their fresh-cut potato chips, which is really just a fry in another form.
Locals Love Us 2022-2023
Voted #1 in Burgers and Carry Out!
Best of the Red River Valley 2022
Readers named JL Beers the “Best Burger” in this year’s competition for the 12th year straight!
Written by News Staff of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 25, 2022
What do you recommend customers try? What’s an old favorite and/or new option people should try?
“Our Humpty Dumpty Burger® with a fried egg and cheese has been life-changing for many customers since we first opened,” President Lance Thorson said. “Or if you’d like to try our newest offering – ask for a Chicago Burger featuring giardiniera, red pepper dressing, provolone cheese, tomatoes, & diced red onions.”
What do customers enjoy the most about what you do?
“We consistently make mouth-watering burgers, fresh cut fries and chips,” Thorson said. “Guests rave about our one-of-a-kind burgers, pillow-soft buns, seasonings, dips, fast and friendly service, and impeccably clean locations.”
Locals Love Us 2021-2022
Voted #1 in Burgers and Carry Out!
Best of the Red River Valley 2021
Readers named JL Beers the “Best Burger” in this year’s competition
Written by News Staff of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 28, 2021
What makes a JL Beers burger better than the rest?
“Our fresh hamburger is hand-pattied and made to order,” Co-owner Lance Thorson said. “It’s topped off with our own seasonings and
sauces, as well as additional fresh ingredients. Lastly, it’s all happily nestled in our pillow-soft bun.”
What menu item do you think more of us should try?
“Our Humpty Dumpty Burger® has been a staple since the day we opened, but if you’ve never experienced one, now is the time,”
Thorson said. “It’s a simple-but-delicious burger with a fried egg and cheese on it. I recommend adding our fresh ground peanut butter
or bacon to it too.”
The 50 Best Burgers in The United States
BIG 7 Travel
Written by Big 7 Travel Team | August, 2021
The Best Burger in Every State
This list is packed with classic, straight-shooting burgers and the old-school institutions still making them.
Written by David Landsel | July 26, 2021
Locals Love Us 2020-2021
Voted #1 in Burgers and Carry Out!
The Best Bar Food in Every State
Written by Brittany Natale of Eat This, Not That | April 25, 2021
Throughout history, bars have been an essential place for people to come together in a relaxed setting to enjoy refreshing craft beers, cold beverages, and artisanal cocktails. Of course, all of that drinking and socializing can make one hungry, and this is where good old bar food comes in.
Bar food, the perfect accompaniment to any happy hour, is some of the tastiest, most comforting food out there, and we can understand why. From Knoxville’s duck confit fries to Seattle’s garlic burrata pull-apart bread, this list of some of the best bar food options throughout the States proves that bar food is so much more than just chips and peanuts. Have you been to your state’s top-pick?
NORTH DAKOTA: JL Beers
JL Beers, a neighborhood favorite bar in Fargo, serves such good food that it has won awards! For instance, it has received “Best Burger” in the state of North Dakota for 11 years in a row, and we can see why. Patrons rave about the Humpty Dumpty burger, which comes with a fried egg and melted cheese on a burger patty. Add some ground peanut butter to give it an edge.
www.eatthis.com/best-bar-food-state/
Best of the Red River Valley 2020
Written by Forum Staff of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 28, 2020
Longtime Favorite JL Beers once Again Walks Away with “Best Burger”
How does it feel to win? What’s your reaction to winning?
“We are extremely humbled to win this award for the past 11 years,” says president and co-owner Lance Thorson, “We’d like to thank our incredible customers that have continued to support us since we opened!”
What do you provide that people may not know about? What’s unusual on your menu?
“We’re known for our burgers and extensive selection of craft beer, but we also offer chicken sandwiches that are made with fresh beer-brined chicken,” he says.
What do you love most about this community? How does your business support this community?
“Our community cares about each other and supports one another,” he says. “When times are tough like when COVID-19 restrictions first began and we could only offer takeout we experienced incredible support from the community with all of the orders.”
The Best Burger in Every State
July 29, 2020 | By Taylor Rock and Dan Myers of The Daily Meal
These burgers are so much more than just meat on a bun
When you think of a food that’s all-American, the first thing that comes to mind is likely the burger. The simple sandwich of (typically) ground beef on a bun allows for considerable creativity. To celebrate this classic, we’ve tracked down the absolute best restaurant for burgers in every state as well as Washington, D.C.
In order to assemble our list, we started by taking a look at our annual ranking of the 101 Best Burgers in America, which is compiled via a survey with hundreds of burgers on it given to a panel of noted writers, journalists, bloggers and culinary authorities from across the country to vote on. We also extensively researched beloved burger joints in big cities and small towns alike, dug through online reviews and combed existing best-of lists, both in print and online.
North Dakota: JL Beers
JL Beers offers more than a dozen burgers made with never-frozen beef at several locations in North Dakota. The Original Hamburger Stand Burger, topped with only pickles and special sauce, is definitely enough to satisfy a craving, but you might as well go all-in and try the JL Burger with grilled onions, cheese, special sauce and two patties.
www.thedailymeal.com/eat/best-burger-every-state-gallery
CraftBeer.com Readers Choose Best Beer Bars in America
An impressive craft beer menu, a stellar atmosphere, and servers who know their stuff are all the makings of a great beer bar. With more than 8,000 small and independent breweries in the United States, great beer bars play an important role in the growth of local breweries.
Each year, we ask CraftBeer.com readers to tell us about their favorite local beer bars. Our editors tally the nominations on a state-by-state basis–as well as Washington, DC and Puerto Rico–to create the annual Great American Beer Bars list. We hope beer lovers use our list as a guide to explore new bars that support craft breweries.
NORTH DAKOTA – JL BEERS
Year Founded: 2009
JL Beers is locally owned and operated with a friendly staff that is knowledgeable about craft beer. Pair a local favorite, Drekker Broken Rudder, with one of JL Beers’ burgers made with the freshest ingredients and hand-cut fries for a classic All-American combination.
www.craftbeer.com/breweries/great-american-beer-bars
Best of the Red River Valley 2019
Best Burger
Written by Tracy Briggs of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 30, 2019
“It’s an amazing honor to win this award for the 10th straight year! Wow, thank you all for your support! We have really big smiles on our faces right now,” JL Beers co-owner and President Lance Thorson said. Thorson said his job is fun and rewarding because of the people he gets to work with and the customers they all get to meet. “Our focus is on consistently providing great quality food, craft beer, and customer service to all our guests, whether it’s their first time in JL Beers or their 100th time,” he said. He said the “Not Just a Nutter Burger” made with their fresh-ground peanut butter and topped with red pepper jelly, diced jalapeños, pepperjack cheese and cottage bacon, is a favorite for many guests. He said they also recently started serving breakfast sandwiches. “I enjoy the challenge of developing new ideas, equipment, technology and products to make the JL Beers experience even better. It’s definitely rewarding to be recognized with awards like this, but it’s always rewarding to be able to give back to the community and make an impact as well,” he said.
Best Beer Selection
Written by Melissa Davidson of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 30, 2019
What goes perfect with the area’s best burgers? The area’s best beers. JL Beers caters to all beer lovers’ palates with a wide selection of local, international, specialty and blended brews, from hoppy pale ales, ciders and funky sours to porters, stouts and blends. Many varieties are great on their own, but also pair well with the restaurant’s iconic 13 mouth-watering burgers. While its beer menu can change based on season and location, you’ll often have more than 30 beers on tap to choose from, including JL Beers’ own Berliner Weisse, a tart but easy-drinking, kettle-soured ale. The restaurant also has a diverse menu of bottled and canned varieties. Visitors can get a taste of one of the 16 brews from around the world or sip on one of its eight mixed beers such as the St. Andrea’s Fault, a blend of oatmeal stout, vanilla porter and 1919 root beer. You can also sample a range of brews with one of JL Beers’ flights or take a favorite on-tap variety home in one of their 32-ounce crowlers. In addition to its awesome beers and brews served every day, JL Beers also holds many events throughout the year, including ugly Christmas sweater parties, Ales for ALS and many “tap takeovers,” which are a collection of featured beers from other breweries.
JL Beers Locations: Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks plus additional locations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota
The Single Greatest Burger in Every State
Written by April Benshosan of EatThis.com | August 6, 2019
Our friends at Yelp helped us find which burger joint reigns supreme in your home state.
Sure, you can pull through the McDonald’s drive-thru when you’re craving a beef patty on a bun. But there’s something special about eating a gourmet burger—one that has fancy condiments, a special bun, or a slice of artisanal cheese. For those occasions, you’ll want to head to a local restaurant. And lucky for you, we have plenty of recommendations. We’ve partnered with Yelp to bring you the best burger in every state.
To come up with this list, Yelp went through the “burgers” category and found the best burger restaurant in each state. In this case, “best” is defined by both Yelp’s star ratings and by how many reviews each restaurant has. Using Yelp’s list of best burger restaurants, we looked through the reviews to find the individual burgers that stood out at each establishment.
NORTH DAKOTA: The Totally Slawesome Burger at JL Beers (Fargo, ND)
Sure, you can get a bacon cheeseburger plenty of places. But how many of them will serve a bacon cheeseburger that’s also topped with coleslaw? JL Beers does!
www.eatthis.com/best-burger-restaurant-every-state/
MSN.com – The Best Burger in Every State
Written by Dan Myers | May 29, 2019
When you think of a food that’s all-American, nothing comes to mind before the burger. The simple sandwich of ground beef on a bun allows for considerable creativity from the chef or home cook who’s making it, and there are thousands of variations out there, each more delicious than the last. To celebrate this all-American dish, we’ve tracked down the absolute best restaurant for burgers in every state as well as Washington, D.C.
On our hunt for the best burger in every state, we took into account the fact that there are three main burger styles out there these days: the inch-or-so-thick patties that drip juice down your arm; the “smash burgers,” sometimes called fast food-style burgers, thin patties cooked on a griddle that get an ample crust; and the high-end burgers, usually served in steakhouses and made with scraps of aged beef and other premium cuts, that elevate the burger to fine dining status. All of these styles are represented in our list.
In order to assemble our list, we started by taking a look at our annual ranking of the 101 Best Burgers in America, which is compiled by creating a survey with hundreds of burgers on it and asking a panel of noted writers, journalists, bloggers and culinary authorities from across the country to place their votes. For the remaining states, we extensively researched beloved burger joints in big cities and small towns alike and dug through online reviews and combed existing best-of lists, both in print and online. Even though each of the burgers we found was unique, certain qualities were universal must-haves: high-quality beef (you’ll find no non-beef burgers in our ranking), proper seasoning, well-proportioned components and an overall attention to detail.
North Dakota: JL Beers
JL Beers is a beloved local chain, with seven locations in North Dakota along with three in Minnesota and two in South Dakota. And with 40 beers on tap, a fun and welcoming vibe, and some truly great burgers, it’s not surprising to see why it’s so popular. More than a dozen burgers are available, made with never-frozen beef; The Original Hamburger Stand Burger, topped with only pickles and special sauce, is definitely enough to satisfy a craving, but you might as well go all-in and try the JL Burger (topped with grilled onions, cheese, special sauce and two patties); the Rajun Cajun (pepper jack, Cajun lime sauce, grilled onions and Cajun seasoning); or the Not Just a Nutter Burger (fresh peanut butter, red pepper jelly, diced jalapeños, raw onions and lettuce).
The Best Burgers in Fargo-Moorhead, According to Locals
Written by Danni of the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau | June 16, 2019
Photo credit @prairiestylefile
We polled locals on Facebook and asked them where to find the best burgers in Fargo. The response was huge. Apparently, people love their burgers. Below we compiled the ones that received the most love, in order:
1. Humpty Dumpty Burger at JL Beers
This burger was overwhelmingly the top choice among locals. Basically, it’s a freshly pattied burger with a fried egg and cheese on top… on one of the best buns in the league. JL Beers is a local chain with four locations in the area. They’re constantly voted as the Best of the Red River Valley and HPR’s Best of the Best as the best burger and fries in town. Each location has cozy (small) seating area indoors with a long bar serving up regional beers.
OTHER HONORABLE MENTIONS AT JL BEERS The 13th Avenue Burger (also called the 1st Ave Burger, 32nd Ave Burger, etc.), the Not Just a Nutter Burger, and the Totally Slawesome Burger.
CraftBeer.com Announces Great American Beer Bars 2019
Written by Andy Sparhawk | February 28, 2019
It is no secret that America is home to perhaps the largest variety of beers in the world. More than 7,000 small and independent craft brewers call the United States home, and they have great beer bars to thank for helping educate beer lovers about what makes their beers so special.
CraftBeer.com’s Great American Beer Bars 2019 highlights dozens of the unique, passionate and community-focused beer bars that work in partnership with brewers to serve the nation. Each of these beer retailers brings a unique approach to our favorite beverage. CraftBeer.com is proud to present you this year’s list of beer bars to seek out on your beer travels.
Congratulations to this year’s winners of CraftBeer.com’s Great American Beer Bars 2019.
NORTH DAKOTA – JL BEERS
Year Founded: 2009
JL Beers is locally owned and operated with a staff that is friendly and knowledgeable about craft beer. Pair a local favorite, Drekker Broken Rudder, with one of JL Beers’ burgers made with the freshest of ingredients and hand cut fries for an All-American classic combination.
MSN.com – The Absolute Best Burger in Every State
Written by April Benshosan | December 5, 2018
JL Beers (North Dakota) While JL Beers won the title of best burger joint in ND, the shack serves up a mean brew, too. The impressive beer selection ranges from robust Belgians to a hot beer cheese dip accompanied by crunchy chips. We’ll take another round of both, please.
Best of the Red River Valley 2018
Best Burger & Best Fries
Written by Lis Beam of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 25, 2018
What makes JL Beers burgers the best? “I really think it’s the time and effort that we put into our food,” said General Manager Caitlin Hedberg. “It’s all freshly made and we really try and take our time to prepare everything with as much flavor as possible.”
What’s new for JL Beers or coming up? “Our downtown location is now serving breakfast, which is going really well. We’ve got some super tasty sandwiches on the breakfast menu that are definitely worth trying out,” Hedberg recommended. “If breakfast stays popular at the downtown location over time, we’ll try bringing it to all of our stores.”
What’s a great burger and beer pair to try? “My favorite is the Ragin Cajun burger with our Bell’s Two Hearted Ale,” Hedberg said.
How does it feel to keep winning best fries? “It obviously feels awesome,” said General Manager Caitlin Hedberg, “and is just super encouraging to know that we have the support of our customers behind us.”
What’s the best thing to put on or drink with your fries? “We’ve got a ton of different seasonings that you can choose from, but my personal favorite is the Cajun seasoning,” Hedberg said. “My favorite IPA to drink with fries — or anything really — is the Bell’s Two Hearted Ale.”
Why are JL Beer customers the best? “Our customers are always in such a good mood and really create the positive, fun atmosphere that we try and go for here. We always want to have a good time and make sure everyone is in a good mood,” Hedberg said.
The Absolute Best Burgers in Every Midwestern State
Written by: Zach Johnston of UPROXX on July 11th, 2018
Is there a region of the United States more in love with the burger than the Midwest? The endless, snowy winters mixed with summers that demand plenty of “make hay while the sun shines” indulgence combine to create the perfect year-round atmosphere for burgers to dominate the scene. The Midwest is where burgers met their crazy, overblown, and delectable potential as a medium for getting calories into the body at the highest rates possible. As a result, the region is home to some of the cheesiest, heart-stoppingest, gargantuann riffs on the genre ever created. So let’s dive headfirst into a whole pile of great burgers where the blasphemous words “too much” are never uttered. These are our picks for the best burgers in the Midwest.
NORTH DAKOTA: JL Beers
Okay, we know JL Beers is a chain with spots in Minnesota and South Dakota too. But, goddamn if their burgers aren’t the best around in their home state of North Dakota. Pillory us for choosing a chain all you want but we dare you not to love the burgers at JL Beers. JL prides itself that “all of our ingredients come from someone’s backyard.” That care and localvore attitude translates to a great burger. The meat is freshly ground. The buns are a house recipe. The bacon comes from around the corner. The Humpty Dumpty burger is their award winner — with an excellently cooked runny egg on the classic cheeseburger. The real star, for us anyway, is the Not Just A Nutter Burger with a healthy smear of peanut butter accompanied by local red pepper jelly, diced jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and locally smoked bacon. It’s a spicy, umami, cheesy, crunchy mess of a burger that hits you deep in the far-reaches of your burger-loving soul.
HPR’s Best of the Best 2018
May 23rd, 2018
JL Beers Awarded – Best Burger!
Best of the Red River Valley 2017
Best Burger & Best Fries
Written by Kris Kerzman of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 24, 2017
What do you do that makes you stand out from other restaurants? “Our open kitchen behind the bar allows guests to see how their food is prepared and also the cleanliness of our kitchen,” said Lance Thorson, a co-owner of JL Beers.
What does it take to consistently make good burgers? “It takes great people that genuinely care about each and every burger that is made,” Thorson said.
Besides your burgers, what should people try on your menu? “We are best known for our burgers, but we also offer terrific beer-brined chicken sandwiches as well,” Thorson said. “Our name is JL Beers, so make sure to check out our extensive beer selection too.”
What makes for a good french fry? “We source all of our own potatoes, cut them fresh to order, and cook them in cholesterol free soybean oil,” said JL Beers co-owner Lance Thorson. “Once cooked, they are a beautiful white french fry packed with flavor.”
What sets you apart from your competitors? “We have a lot of our own proprietary products and ingredients that you simply can’t get anywhere else,” Thorson said. “All of our hamburgers and French Fries are fresh and made to order.”
Besides ketchup, what should people try on their fries? “First off, we have a wide assortment of seasonings that can be added for no additional cost — sea salt, Cajun, jalapeno cheddar, BBQ or parmesan garlic,” Thorson said. “Secondly, we make all of our own dips including ‘R’ Dip, cajun lime, ranch, BBQ ranch, chipotle, jalapeno ranch, and most notably our famous beer cheese dip. With all of these seasonings and dips, our guests have numerous options to take their taste buds on a little trip.”
HPR’s Best of the Best 2017
July 17, 2017
JL Beers Awarded – Best Burger & Best Restaurant Service!
Fargo Monthly’s Flavor Awards 2017
Written by Erica Rapp of Fargo Monthly | May 2017
Best Burger – Humpty Dumpty®
Back-to-Back Winner! The Humpty Dumpty burger has been a staple menu item at JL Beers since day one, and has created somewhat of a legacy for itself when it comes to local burger lovers. With just a fried egg and cheese stacked amidst perfect buns and a patty, this burger proves that less really can be more when it comes to great flavor. You can also add bacon or even substitute the beef for a black bean, wild rice and quinoa patty if you’re not a meat-eater.
Best of the Red River Valley 2016
Best Burger & Best Fries
Written by Tracy Briggs of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | October 29, 2016
What is your reaction to your follow-up win? “We try to put out the best burgers and beer everyday and we’re just glad people seem to appreciate what we do,” said Brandon Nilson, general manager of JL Beers in downtown Fargo.
What makes your burgers different? “We use the best possible ingredients because we know that’s how you get the best products,” Nilson said. “There isn’t a bad burger on the menu.”
What’s your favorite burger? “I’d have to say the Humpty Dumpty burger. It’s just a burger with a fried egg and American cheese on it. That’s it. But it’s really good,” he said.
What makes your fries different? “They’re ours,” Nilson said. “We don’t pre-cut our fries and chips. We cut them after you order them. You can’t get more fresh than that!”
What would you say to someone who has never been to JL Beers? “We’re in our seventh year in Fargo-Moorhead,” Nilson said. “I’d invite them to come out and try it.”
Fargo Monthly’s Flavor Awards 2016
Written by Erica Rapp of Fargo Monthly | June 2016
Photography by Paul Flessland
Best Burger – Humpty Dumpty®
As the winner of many burger awards, including some of our own, the Humpty Dumpty burger has been a staple menu item at JL Beers since day one. With just a fried egg and American cheese amidst a perfect bun and patty, this burger proves that less can really be more when it comes to great flavor. You can also add bacon or substitute the beef for a black bean, wild rice and quinoa patty as your heart desires.
HPR’s Best of the Best 2016
June 5, 2016
JL Beers Awarded – Best Burger & Best Craft Beer Selection!
The Best Bar in Every State
Written by Talia Avakian of Business Insider | March 4, 2016
America is home to some incredible drinking spots. We teamed up with Foursquare, the city-guide app for discovering new places, to put together a list of the top-rated bars in each state and Washington, DC, based on user ratings on the app. The list ranges from upscale cocktail bars to wine joints to craft beer bars.
NORTH DAKOTA: JL Beers
JL Beers is famous for its outstanding beer and burger selection. It has imported bottles from around the globe, mixed brew selections, and “beertails” like the Oatmeal Cookie — an oatmeal stout mixed with a splash of Lindemans Framboise (Raspberry) Lambic.
Best of the Red River Valley 2015
Best Burger & Best Fries
Written by John Lamb of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | October 31, 2015
What’s the appeal of the JL burgers? “Honestly, it’s the simplicity. We don’t over-complicate it. It’s straight-forward. Because we keep our menu simple, we keep our products fresh,” says Lane Johnson, assistant manager at the downtown Fargo location.
What about the fries? “It’s a fun thing to watch, people trying to see how that works. They see that pressurized fry-cutter and every time they hear that noise they look over and say, ‘Oh cool. That’s how they do it.’ It’s kind of entertaining to them. It gives them a show. They can see everything that’s being made for them. There’s no curtain.”
How many potatoes do you go through in a day? “It depends on the day, but we can go through 250 pounds.”
HPR’s Best Bets 2015
May 28, 2015
JL Beers Awarded – Best Burger, Best Craft Beer Selection, and Best Lunch!
MSN.com – The Best Burger in Every State
MSN Food & Drink | February 2015
We conducted painstaking journalistic research to figure out the very best burger in every state, from mom-and-pop joints to celebrity-chef restaurants and everything in between.
NORTH DAKOTA: JL BEERS
For less than five bucks, you can get JL Beers’ delicious Humpty Dumpty, which comes with cheese and a fried egg on a soft bun. This regional chain, which originated in North Dakota, recently won best burger by High Plains Reader and other publications.
2014 Best of the Red River Valley
Best Burger, Best Fries, and Best Beer Selection
Written by Dave Olson of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 22, 2014
Locations: 518 1st Ave. N., Fargo, (701) 492-3377; 4240 32nd Ave. S. Fargo, (701) 356-4240; 2902 Highway 10 E., Moorhead, (218) 422-4400; 810 13th Ave. E., West Fargo, (701) 373-8484
Reaction to winning: “We’re excited to be recognized again. We’ve won those same awards the last couple of years, and it really means a lot to us for our customers to vote and show their appreciation continually in those categories,” said Lance Thorson, co-founder of JL Beers.
Secret to your success: “I think just having a love for what we do and having a true passion for craft beer. As far as the food portion of it, we don’t have a huge menu, so items we do have – hamburgers, fresh-cut fries and chips – we try to do the best we can to maintain a quality and a value people enjoy.”
Something people don’t know about your business: “We are continuing to expand. We have a franchise in Minot that will be opening in February, and we’re looking at another location in Sioux Falls, S.D.”
Best Burgers in Fargo
Written by Andrew Jason of Fargo Monthly | June 12, 2014
Photography by J. Alan Paul Photography 
Of all the food groups, burgers might be our favorite. What other food says summer like a juicy, thick and succulent burger topped with unique toppings. We took a poll to find out your favorite burger in town. Welcome to Fargo Monthly’s first annual best burger competition.
Humpty Dumpty from JL Beers
Shocking, right? Was there even a debate about what the best burger in town was? The Humpty Dumpty burger is the consensus favorite in Fargo, and for good reason. Not only has JL Beers become a staple burger spot in Fargo, their beef is always memorable and they are always rolling in new beer on tap. Any burger on the JL menu is a winner, but there’s only one that can make you second guess your decision to order anything else. The simplicity of the ingredients makes the Humpty Dumpty burger extremely appealing for any hungry Fargoan. The flexibility that comes with a quarter pound burger patty, one egg and cheese is endless. Bacon is a popular choice among patrons looking to spice up their Humpty Dumpty experience. Add a shot of Sriracha if you dare to walk the line of deliciousness and mediocrity. Ultimately, like any great burger, it comes down to the burger patty. The quarter pound greatness that comes off the JL grill is juicy and enticing enough to have anyone salivating.
The Chive – Best Burgers in Every State
May 22, 2014
It’s National Hamburger Month for those of you who didn’t know. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m sure there will be much controversy over the burgers which were crowned the “Best” in the state. However, I think that makes for the perfect opportunity for you guys to voice your opinions as to what you think the best burger is in your own state. This list was created based on accolades, reviews, and taste tests according to the good people over at Businessinsider.
NORTH DAKOTA: For less than five bucks, you can get JL Beers’ delicious Humpty Dumpty, which comes with cheese and a fried egg on a soft bun. This regional chain, which originated in North Dakota, recently won best burger by High Plains Reader and other publications.
HPR’s Best Bets 2014
May 1, 2014
JL Beers Awarded – Best Burger, Best Craft Beer Selection, and Best Lunch!
JL Beers went home from HPR’s awards event with a triple win, so it must be doing something right. Clearly the extremely fresh and tasty burger selection, fresh-cut fries and variety of dipping sauces have something to do with it.
Clean Plate Award
Reported by Valley News Live | March 4, 2014 
Tuesday is time for the Valley News Live Restaurant Report Card. Every week we investigate area health inspection reports to see who is keeping up to code…and who isn’t. Heading out to West Fargo we find our Clean Plate Award winners JL Beers, who haven’t had any violations in the past three inspections. Recently we also awarded the JL Beers in Downtown Fargo. The beer and burger joint says cleanliness is a top priority. “Making sure that everything is clean and everything is spotless here is one of our-top-most concerns on top of giving the best service we can,” says JL Beers Supervisor and Beertender Christopher Narum.
2013 Best of the Red River Valley
Best Burger, Best Fries, and Best Beer Selection
Written by Wendy Reuer of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | November 16, 2013
Locations: 518 1st Ave. N., Fargo, (701) 492-3377; 2902 Highway 10 E., Moorhead, (218) 422-4400; 810 13th Ave. E., West Fargo, (701) 373-8484
Reaction to winning: “It’s always exciting to be recognized and honored as the local fans’ favorite in the community,” said Lance Thorson, part-owner of JL Beers. “We greatly appreciate that.”
Secret to your success: “We just love what we do and we’re passionate about craft beer, our burgers and our products,” Thorson said.
Something people don’t know about your business: JL Beers places a priority on using locally produced products as a way to give back. “Our potato products are all North Dakota potatoes, so they’re all grown locally,” he said.
JL Beers Says: ‘Tap That App’
Written by Angie Wieck of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | December 7, 2012
Photography by David Samson 
JL Beers is encouraging their customers to “Tap that App!” The bar and restaurant has launched a free mobile app to help customers keep up with JL Beers’ ever-changing selection of tap beers, read, write and share beer reviews, and keep a diary of personal consumption and tasting notes. Co-owner Lance Thorson came up with the idea based on existing beer review websites. He wanted to create a site that concentrated on the beers they serve locally. Because JL Beers brings in several beers every week, it doesn’t print new menus each time a new product is introduced. “This (the app) is the quickest and most informative way for us to get what we have on tap into the hands of our customers,” Thorson said. MacDalton Berns and the team at Absolute Marketing in Moorhead made Thorson’s vision a reality. They designed an app that also allows customers to search beer offerings by state or country of origin, by style of beer and by customer ratings. Berns said the original app was quietly debuted months ago. After making a few enhancements based on customer feedback, a second version was recently launched. The app has now been downloaded more than 1,000 times. The app is an extension of JL Beers’ social media strategy, Thorson said. When customers post a comment through the app, they will be able to post that information to their Facebook page. Friends who see the post may continue a conversation about the beverage through Facebook. “It kind of creates a beer culture and camaraderie,” Thorson said. “It’s just kind of a fun thing for our guests to experience and share with one another.” To download the app, visit jlbeers.com/apps or search for JL Beers in Google Play or the Apple app store. JL Beers has locations in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Sioux Falls, S.D.
HPR’s Best Bets 2012
November 16th, 2012
JL Beers Awarded – Best Burger, Best Craft Beer Selection, and Best Lunch!
Locals are extremely vocal about their love of JL Beers. My goodness, this burger and beer joint has it figured out. Since opening, the place can hardly keep customers away. For one, JL Beers has a feel-good atmosphere, its menu is simple, its food is full-flavored and its beers selection is far from wimpy.
2012 Best of the Red River Valley
Best Burger and Best Beer Selection
Written by Tracy Frank of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | October 26, 2012
Locations: Three locations in the FM area: 518 1st Ave. N., Fargo, (701) 492-3377; 2902 Highway 10 E., Moorhead, (218) 422-4400; 810 13th Ave. E., West Fargo, (701) 373-8484
History: JL Beers also won best burger last year. This is the third year in a row the business has won best beer selection.
Reaction to winning: “Woo hoo! We’re always excited to be recognized by our local customer base,” said Lance Thorson, JL Beers part-owner and director of construction development. “We strive to have the best burgers and the best beer selection in the area, so we’re thankful for the recognition.”
Reason for success:“We enjoy what we do, and we make it fun,” Thorson said. “We have a somewhat simple menu with the burgers and fresh-cut chips and fries, but we just strive to be the best at what we offer and offer good-quality products at a reasonable price.”
123 Ways to LOVE North Dakota on our 123rd birthday!
123 Ways to LOVE North Dakota on our 123rd birthday (Nov. 2nd)!
#11 on the list is Stop in to JL Beers and have a Humpty Dumpty burger! What’s more American than celebrating a state birthday with a delicious burger? Cheers, North Dakota!!
AdvoEats: JL Beers vs. Smashburger vs. Five Guys
Written by Matt Lech, Meghan Feir, Tyler Sorensen of MSUM’s The Advocate | November 17, 2011
Photography by Jessica Fleming
1st Place: JL Beers
Matt Lech: “JL’s success is well-deserved, with its trendy atmosphere, excellent burgers and excellent selection of beers. The inevitable wait is always worth it.” Meghan Feir: “They were accommodating, kind and gave me quick service. I only had to wait a few minutes to be seated, and after I ordered, it only took six minutes to receive my burger and fries. That’s what I call quality. The only thing I would change is the issue of water. You can get a bottled water, but free water is not offered. Their root beer is delicious, but slightly expensive at $4 a pop.” Tyler Sorensen: “While JL is rightfully known for its wide selection of beer — it’s in the name, after all — for me, their burgers deserve just as much praise. I’ve never had a subpar dining experience. Even during their busiest hours, the wait staff are consistently polite and responsive. One never has to wait too long for their order. The atmosphere inside and outside is pleasant as well. A burger at J.L. Beers should be a rite of passage for everyone waiting to turn 21. It’s hands-down the best local restaurant franchise.”
2011 Best of the Red River Valley
Best Burger & Best Beer Selection Winner: JL Beers
Written by Marino Eccher of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | October 28, 2011
Location: 518 1st Ave. N., Fargo, and 810 13th Ave. E., West Fargo Contact information: (701) 492-3377 Fargo and (701) 373-8484 West Fargo
Reaction to winning: “We’re very excited,” said Andrea Williams, manager of the downtown JL Beers. “We were telling people to vote for us. We didn’t get it (Best Burger) last year, so we’re very happy to get it done.”
Secret to your success: “We serve our food really fast, and we serve quality food. I think that’s something a lot of bars can’t offer. We have a really good lunch crowd, and we have a really good dinner crowd.”
One thing people don’t know about your business: “One thing people probably don’t know yet is we actually just got a couple of new burgers on the menu. We’ve got a Philly cheese burger and the coleslaw burger (a burger with coleslaw and barbecue sauce). They’re both really, really good burgers.”
bestof.areavoices.com/best-of-2011-the-winners/
HPR’s Best Bets 2011
June 30th, 2011
JL Beers Awarded – Best Beer Selection, Best Burger, Best Lunch, Best Meal Under $10, and Best New Restaurant (West Fargo)!
Always a fan favorite, J.L. Beers has once again swept the categories of best burger, beer selection and new restaurant. They have 40 beers on tap, imported beers, mixed brews, beertails (instead of cocktails), over nine burgers, and more, J.L. Beers has exactly what you need for fun!
Review of JL Beers
Written by Sarah Sutter of Feisty Eats | April 3, 2011
On Friday I had the pleasure of spending the evening with my parents. They drove down from Washburn to Fargo for my sister’s 30th birthday! One thing she really wanted to do was go to JL Beers. I told my parents we would have better luck going to the West Fargo location since they seat 49 (according to their website, the sign in the restaurant said 72 maximum capacity) versus the downtown Fargo location which seats 24. I also thought if we went at 8pm we might have a better chance of snagging a table for 6 instead of right at 6 or 7 when more people might be eating. I have been to both locations before and neither one of them disappoints in my opinion.
The appeal is the small restaurant which serves only burgers and focuses on beer. There is a limited 1 page menu of burgers and several pages of beers! They also have root beer on tap and fresh cut fried chips. Of course, I did forget that it was the Minnesota Twins opener that day! I think a lot of Fargoans support the Twins so there were some fans there. Although, they were probably sad because their opponent Toronto was whooping them. We got a parking spot in the lot and went in to see the seating situation. As expected we did have to wait a while for a table to open up. While waiting, our server asked us if we wanted a beer. My parents weren’t drinking but I asked our waitress for a recommendation for something similar to Blue Moon – light and fruity. She recommended the Widmer Hefeweizen – and I was skeptical. I have a few other Widmer beers before and I didn’t care for them. I wanted to go with the flow though and be adventurous and I said OK. To my surprise she brought over a small pour for me to sample. In my previous trips to JL Beers they did not offer this and I was very happy she did. I did like the beer and ordered a tall one. I wish it would have came with a slice of lemon or orange but otherwise it was great.
A table quickly opened – we probably only waited for 5-10 minutes and we snagged it. My sister was not scheduled to arrive for another 15 minutes (my parents surprised her with their arrival!) so the rest of the table ordered drinks. JL Beers doesn’t have ice! You can order a bottle of water or a pop but no ice. I think that is kind of neat and shows they focus on burgers and beers. We also decided to order a large fresh cut chips for the table. As always, they came out super quick and hot. I continued to sip on my hefeweizen which was refreshing, quenching and a bit hoppy. I also signed up for JL Beers text club where we are supposed to receive special offers on occasion so I’m looking forward to that.
My sister and her fiancé arrived and the table ordered. I got the Rajun Cajun burger which comes with pepperjack cheese, cajun lime sauce, grilled red onions and a hamburger patty on a fresh baked bun. Others at the table order the BLT Blu, Humpty Dumpty (with egg!) and a plain cheeseburger. My husband order a large Cajun chips for us to share. One of the best things about JL Beers to me is the quick time it takes for your food to arrive. The burgers are pressed and grilled from each side (no it does not make them dry) and take a mere 1 minute and 20 seconds to cook (I timed it). They hand cut the potatoes to make the chips and I think it takes longer for them to fry than the burger to be grilled on the flat top. The burger was delicious. The highlight for me was the bun. It was incredibly fresh, so soft and airy and grilled just slightly to warm it. The cajun lime sauce added a nice flavor and I suspect they also season the burger. The onions were grilled to perfection. My only complaint (and my sister had the same) was the cheese was a little overwhelming. We both love cheese and felt like it could have been less. I’m not sure if they use two slices or if it is sliced thick but there was so much cheese it took away from the burger. The burger was cooked perfectly with just a hint of pink inside. The chips were hot and seasoned great with the Cajun flavors. My Mom ordered the Cajun Lime sauce on the side for dipping and that was also yummy. I need to know where those buns are made!
Midway through my meal (we seriously only had to wait for like 5 minutes for our food is all!) I decided to order another beer on my own and asked for a Kokanee Glacier. At my last visit they were out so I was happy when I server said they had it. It was a very light pilsner lager and is created by making the beer from mountain stream water. I thought it was extra bubbly and had a very good feel in my mouth. I was happy with these two beer selections as I wasn’t in the mood for anything heavy or dark. For dessert Mom had ordered a 1919 Root Beer float and that thing was huge! I had a sip and it was also good.
Our server was always nearby to help us with anything and any questions we had. I will definitely return many more times. My sister was turned off by the “cramped” style but that is part of their appeal and what makes them unique. It is best if you have a small group and aren’t afraid of sitting at the bar. On the menu they said something about asking for a postcard. My Mom inquired and sure enough, they had a postcard with JL Beers on the front and our server told us we could fill it out to anyone we wanted and they would pay postage to mail it for us. Luckily, I had one of our family friends contact info in my phone so we sent her the postcard to Center, ND. Maybe one day they will join us for a hot burger and cold beer! My Mom also purchased one of the many t-shirts they had for sale. It was only about $17 and it was very soft.
JL Beers – I love your burgers, simple no nonsense menu and large selection of beers. Your buns are top notch and your quick service is appreciated. Two big thumbs up! Next time I will sit at the bar by the fryer and flattop so I can get some more details on your cooking techniques!
feistyeats.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/review-of-jl-beers/
Dining Review
Written by Mike Dragosavich of FM Spotlight | March 2011
Photography by Mjoy Photography & JL Beers
JL Beers expands to West Fargo
Written by Marino Eccher of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead | December 31, 2010
Inside and out, the new JL Beers in West Fargo looks as if it were plucked straight from downtown Fargo and planted in an open lot at 810 13th Ave. E. – a tan brick exterior, a long, slender profile, and even a soon-to-be-installed (and purely decorative) fire escape. “We wanted a downtown feel,” said Lance Thorson, one of the owners of both locations. “We’ve had a great response downtown.” The expansion, which opens at 11 a.m. today, is the first for the teeming First Avenue brew-and-burger-joint, which opened in Fargo in November 2009. Thorson said the growth of West Fargo and the opportunity to move into an area that’s already bustling with four other bars within walking distance made the move attractive. And JL Beers may not be done growing: Without saying where, Thorson said the owners – himself, father Randy Thorson, brother Shawn Thorson, and business partner Warren Ackley – are considering locations “in a few other spots.”
At first blush, the West Fargo location is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor, from the high aluminum stools in front of the bar to the vast selection of beers behind it. But there are a handful of subtle differences – four new flat-screen televisions, 32 parking spots and eight more beers on tap for a total of 40. And though it may not look it, the new building is quite a bit more spacious than the old one, seating 49 rather than 24. It’s still “an intimate feel,” Thorson said. “When you come in, you’re around people.”
The new beer additions, along with a variety of bottled beers, bring the total menu to around 100 offerings. Those range from regional products like Summit to craft beers from around the country. The food menu – a selection of burgers, fries, and homemade chips – is largely unchanged, with the exception of a new “Buffalo Blu” chip topping that combines wing sauce and bleu cheese. Unlike the downtown Fargo location, the West Fargo JL Beers has a full liquor license. Thorson said the bar has no current plans to offer anything other than beer.
Nate Wolf, a transplant from the downtown location, is the general manager of the new site. Wolf, who wasn’t yet on board when the first bar opened last year, said he’s excited to help launch the second. “It’s a great spot, it’s a great building, it’s great beer,” he said. While weather will likely factor into the opening-weekend turnout, Thorson said he’s heard positive buzz building around the opening. “From what we’ve heard from the community, they’re excited to have something in their backyard,” he said.