T-Rays Burger Station
First the essentials, for my three faithful readers who have millisecond attention spans unless whiskey is being poured.
Open six days a week, 0700 to 1400. For readers who are unfamiliar with the 24 hour clock, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt about 0700, but for 1400, just start with 12 and show me two fingers. By Jove you’ve done it! See how I’ve improved your self-confidence instantly? By next week, I’ll have you learning 3 o’clock by starting with 12 and holding up three fingers! For the nimble of mind, education never stops!
When I say “By Jove” I hope I haven’t added to the confusion. You surely know who Jove is. But, for those who consider learning of the Greek and Latin deities as sacrilege, I’ll explain it, but not make you say it. Jove is the Greek version of the Roman god, Jupiter, king of the gods, owner of the skies. I’m told that in a Greek court of law, they still swear by Jove to tell the truth. I do not know this for sure and hopefully will not find out on a personal level.
Now, where was I…..hummmm…..Ok, let’s leap forward to the present and enjoy a bit of true Americana with a meal at T-Rays Burger Station.
The saga begins in 1972 with the opening of a Standard Oil gas station in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Mr. Ray Mullis ran it. Then his son got involved….this is the short version, I promise. The son started selling sandwiches (First fashioned by a cook for the Earl of Sandwich…you remember him, right?). Soon the sandwich/gas station was very popular and thrived with the slogan, Eat Here and Get Gas. People began bringing in chairs and tables to sit while they ate. Then the son talked his daddy into expanding the menu with family recipes. There’s something magic about family recipes. Nothing fancy, nothing phony and aromas that bring a sense of calmness and contentment. With T-Rays, you may drive by once or twice without stopping. You notice families and smiles and few tables empty. You’ll stop the third time and the aromas will magnetize your taste buds and the atmosphere will put a smile on your face. T-Rays is much more than a place to eat; it’s a step back into the America you grew up with. Good times. Soothing. Satisfying. A sense of belonging.
Around 2003, the gas station became a full time restaurant, but kept the appearance of a gas station, as well as the odd collection of tables and chairs. People also dropped off football regalia, and various other pieces of Americana. Yes, it’s one of those great places that you find in America and nowhere else!
What about the food? Locals flock to T-Rays and it’s not just to look at Georgia and Florida football regalia. Besides the normal menu, T-Rays has specials everyday except Saturday. And they close on Sunday. For me, Friday is the big attraction. Local shrimp, very lightly battered, and fried to perfection. An alternative are crab cakes. I haven’t tried those yet.
I know many of my readers, all three of them, are trying to work their way back into the size they were in high school and are foregoing fried foods. For good reason; as the famous baseball pitcher, Satchel Paige said, “Fried foods anger the blood.”
Ok. I get it, but lightly battered and fried shrimp have a special dispensation from Jove. So, my advice is, eat the shrimp on the Friday Special and skip the overly delicious French fries. That’s what I do.
On different days, other Specials include fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, and fried fish. Read more about the T-Rays story and check the full menu and daily specials here: http://www.traysburgerstation.com
And, for goodness sakes, let's not forget the burgers! Hey, it in the name, T-Rays Burger Station!
Yes, they serve beer, bro! Order food at the window and they bring it to the rustic table of your choice.
This is the Deep South transplanted to Florida, and all the servers are women, so expect to hear plenty of darlin’ and honey and y’all. For my northern friends, it’s call being graciously friendly.
Now, let’s review the bit about the 24 hour clock….for the evening hours, you may have to put down the whiskey or burger and use both hands, or get your significant other to help.
T-Rays Burger Station, a fabulous bit of tasty Americana!
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