Wayback Burgers was founded in 1991 in Newark, Delaware, as Jake’s Hamburgers. The restaurant quickly established a reputation for its high-quality, made-to-order burgers, attracting a loyal customer base.
The original concept was rooted in the nostalgia of old-school diners with a focus on simple, delicious food and a friendly atmosphere. Over the next decade, Jake’s Hamburgers expanded its presence, primarily along the East Coast, building a solid regional following.
Becoming Wayback Burgers
In 2010, the company underwent a significant rebranding, changing its name to Jake’s Wayback Burgers which was later shortened to just Wayback Burgers. The name change brought with it an expanded menu of milkshakes, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches.
The rebranding proved successful, and Wayback Burgers began an aggressive expansion campaign, opening franchises across the United States and internationally. In 2012, Jake’s Wayback Burgers opened their first South Florida location in Coconut Creek. At the time, the company was a little over twenty years old and had restaurants in ten other states.
Where Can You Find Wayback Burgers?
Now, Wayback Burgers can be found in Canada, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, and these states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Washington D.C.
Jake’s Wayback Burgers in Coconut Creek
After scanning the menu, I settled on the Jake Cheeseburger, which is a double and a chili cheese dog. The all-beef hot dog is split griddled on a toasted bun with American cheese, chili, and raw onions (my addition).
The chili cheese combo brought out a bit of sweetness, which I should have taken advantage of with some dabs of hot sauce but didn’t. The hot dog isn’t going to disappoint anyone.
Jake’s Cheeseburger was a beautiful sight: a fresh, hand-formed patty. I had mine with only American cheese. The flavor reminded me of Jack’s Old Fashion Hamburger House, which is a huge compliment. It was a throwback, a very old-school burger patty that I could imagine eating years ago before the recent burger revolution.
The fries were not fresh-cut, but they do have fresh-cut potato chips, which is a great option. I ended up closing out the meal with a very good Black and White Shake, which reminds me of the thick malt shake from Kewpee Hamburgers in Lima, Ohio.
Wayback Burgers in Coconut Creek, Florida, closed in 2023.