Big Jim’s on Angus Road closed in April, but it has re-opened as Winky’s.
PHOTO BY HOOK STAFF

“It’s a sad day for burger lovers,” civil rights attorney John Whitehead told the Hook when he heard the news that Big Jim’s had closed back in April. Indeed, after serving up their signature burger platters and BBQ for close to 30 years, Jim and Patricia Hope’s small place on Angus Road–and their catering operation on 10th Street–had become a certified local institution, and a favorite hangout of former Senator George Allen, Whitehead, and scores of others.

Sadly, Big Jim’s wasn’t quite the same after Patricia Hope followed her husband and passed away last year, of which the missing “B” and “S” in the name above the door seemed to be a symptom (see photo left). But it appears that Big Jim’s has returned; not in name, but in spirit.

Juanita “Winky” Hunt worked for the Hope’s for 12 years until an asthma condition and Big Jim’s smokey atmosphere finally forced her to quit. She says she discussed the idea of buying the restaurant with Mrs. Hope before she died, but when her estate settled both the restaurant and the catering business went up for sale together. Fortunately for Hunt, the man who bought the operation, Brent Lunnen, decided he didn’t want the restaurant.

“The only condition was that Brent wanted to keep the Big Jim’s name for the BBQ and catering business,” says Hunt. “And people have always known me as Winky, so…”

Winky’s opened on October 15, but as Hunt points out, the menu is “pretty much the same” as Big Jim’s. In fact, the burger platter that Whitehead mourned hasn’t change a bit–a half pound of ground beef, a big pile of fries, side of slaw or baked beans, and a drink for only $9.05. It’s even cooked by the same guy, ten-year Big Jim’s veteran Butch Finch, and served by the same gal, four-year veteran Caroline Barksdale.

What has changed? Well, Winky’s is non-smoking, the place has been spruced up, and they accept credit cards; but other than that it appears to be the reincarnation of Big Jim’s.

“So many people are saying how glad they are that we’ve reopened,” says Hunt, ” and how glad they are its non-smoking…..people are coming who didn’t come before when it was so smokey.”

Winky’s is open every day from 11am to 9pm, with a Happy Hour from 4pm to 7pm sure to make beer lovers happy for hours.