Since D's Joppa Burger is a walk-up or drive
through restaurant it was tough to get a photo of customers
enjoying the food so someone had to step up to the plate.
The solution, turn the camera over to owner Dena Hamby and dive
in with both hands. Just off camera is the mandatory stack
of napkins.
Dena and Grady, who now live in the Simcoe
community, moved from Winnemucca, Nevada, 5 years ago to be
closer to his new job with the Birmingham based Drummond
Company. Grady, who has family in the Haleyville area,
works for the Drummond Coal Company at the Mina Pribbenow coal
mine in Columbia, South America. Grady works two weeks in
Columbia then spends one week at home. He used to manage a
restaurant in a previous job.
Dena, who was a housewife prior to buying the
restaurant, says she enjoys the business. "I enjoy being
around people. You can only clean house and work in the
yard so much." Prior to the restaurant she made and sold
wedding bouquets, floral arrangements, and bridal books.
The restaurant is truly a family operation.
Dena works the drive through, windows taking orders and
servicing the customers. Grady helps out when he is home
from South America. Their daughter Shannon Rascoe does
most of the cooking.
The previous owners developed notoriety and a
following with the huge serving of onion rings or fries,
something that the Hamby's have definitely continued. None
of the small bags or boxed of fries that you might get from
other places. Theirs is a large lunch bag full to the top
with fries or golden brown onion rings
So how did Dena and family come to own the
restaurant? Dena said she use to stop by the restaurant
for an order of fries and a glass of tea on her trips to Arab.
"It was a full meal and so good." When she heard that the
restaurant was for sale, she asked Grady about buying the
business. He thought it was a good idea and so they closed
the deal last December.
Each item is cooked fresh at the time of
order. "We don't cook ahead and out the food under a heat
lamp, we want every order to be fresh and hot from the grill or
fryer," Dena says with pride.
Shannon Rascoe fills a lunch bag with fresh
cooked fries. The bag size would feed a family.
Onion rings get the same treatment.
Check out this order of golden fried onion
rings. You got it right, that is one order.
The business is strictly call-in, walk-up, or
drive through, although there are picnic tables underneath the
large trees behind the restaurant. Truck parking is also
available for big rigs. Shannon, whose husband is a truck
driver, said the local truckers appreciate the space to park
their rigs.
Dena says they derive a lot of their business
from the local schools and businesses. That is why they
are only open Monday - Friday. "There just isn't enough
weekend business to make it worthwhile and everyone needs a
rest." Dena said. But don't think that the schools are
their only customers. "We have one lady that drives all
the way from Vinemont just for a burger." The
business has developed primarily from word of mouth advertising.
They recently had a North Carolina family stop by for a burger
and fries. The family told them that, "We were told that
if we were ever in the Arab area we had to try your food."
Don't forget those law enforcement guys, Dena says that several
of the Arab Police and Cullman County deputies are regulars.
Lest you get the impression that it is only
about the burgers, D's Joppa Burger offers a wide menu.
Don't like the Southwest flavor? There are plenty of
regular burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, chili dogs, Philly steak,
BBQ, grilled chicken, chicken fingers, and BLT's. If that
doesn't tickle the taste buds, try one of their salads featuring
toppings of BBQ, grilled chicken, chicken fingers, Philly steak,
or just a side salad.
In addition to a Dollar menu, they offer daily
specials. On Monday buy a combo meal at regular price and
get the 2nd at 1/2 price. For Tuesday, buy a Joppa
Cheeseburger and large drink and get a free drink. On
Wednesday get a free fry with the purchase of two hotdogs and a
large drink. Thursday is chicken day where you get a free
drink with a chicken snack order. Holding out for the
Ortega taste? Try Friday when a Joppa Ortega Cheese Burger
and fry order will get you a free large drink.
New on the menu is a variety of Chimichangas
featuring steak and chicken or cheese and chicken.
Sweet tooth need satisfaction? Soothe
that urge with a Southern Fried Pie. A special treat through at
least December is a sweet potato fried pie. Other flavors
include, apple, peach, lemon, chocolate, and coconut. For
the diabetics they offer a Splenda sweetened apple pie.
Top any if the pies off with vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
Cones, shakes, and coke floats are also available.
To place a call in order, phone (256) 931-5522
or just stop by their location at 15880 AL Hwy 69 North, in
Joppa.
