Big Daddy John's serves up burgers, family experiences

By Carrie Gauthier

Monroe residents in search of decadent chargrilled burgers and southern-inspired fare can now look no further than Big Daddy John's on Lewis Street, where the old Monroe Steaks and Spirits used to be.

It's not just about the food, but the experience. The roomy space manages to be both intimate and spacious, with a homey feeling. The overstuffed couch in the corner, artful wall floral arrangements and accent pieces and candlelit tables can be compared to stepping into a Zen dining cloister.

Proprietor John Borders, or as he refers to himself, "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer,GÇ¥ keeps the focus on the family experience. In his arsenal of family friendly goodies are Etch-a-Sketches and books. Count on personal greetings and full-on conversations with each table ' unless he's slammed.

Because of his own relationship with his father, Borders knows how important the role is for a child's development.

"Daddy is the most important thing in a little boy's life,GÇ¥ Borders said. "Children will mimic the way their daddy spoke to his partner; it's ultimately the way he comes to understand the world.GÇ¥

How Borders ultimately landed in Monroe is part of his unique story. One part entrepreneurial, two parts adrenaline and a boatload of gritty courage, he crisscrossed the country, with many stops and stints and quite the education along the way.

That included time with butter-churning and truck farmer share croppers on Gramma Kate's farm in Georgia; raising mules for the mule train pilgrimage from Georgia to Texas every six months; graduating the College of Insurance in New York; being a "pencil pusherGÇ¥ for Pacific Life; serving in the Air Force for six years during the Vietnam War; selling acres in the desert for a land company out of Oklahoma City; acting as food and beverage manager at a Texas country club; digging sewage for a moving company in Texas; sales manager at Anchor Printing in Texas; attending the experiential learning school, Paul Smith's College in New York; being an American folk artist in Charleston, South Carolina; a sales manager job for Engineered Roof Trust in Arkansas; and back to farming many times over, where he reminisces fondly about raising cows and sheep, recalling the "beautiful, vanilla rich smellGÇ¥ of the lamb.

He's also done work within Snohomish County for at-risk youth.

Now he's focused in Monroe and serving mouth-watering grass-fed burgers with a side of customer experience.

Big Daddy John's is at 114 N. Lewis St., Monroe, and open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The food

There's the signature Skagit Valley Burger with fries, or upgrade to The Mondo Burger (from 1/3 to 2/3 pound). Add onion rings the size of miniature bowling balls along with grilled garlic butter buns.

For variety, there's the Atomic Mushroom or the Big Bleu burger. Vegetarians and vegans can come along and order the Crispy Organic Ultra Veggie Burger or the BDJs Monroe Green Salad. Kids meals include a slider or hotdog.

Special menu items include the Famous Pulled Pork Sandwich and Georgia Dr. Pepper Full-Size Pork Ribs, Chicken Fried Sandwich and the Beer Battered Fish and Chips.

Specialty drinks without high-fructose corn syrup come in lime, strawberry, grapefruit and mandarin orange.

Experiences coming soon

" Pancake breakfast and classic movies (projected on the 12-foot HD screen), such as "The Wizard of Oz,GÇ¥ "Flash Gordon,GÇ¥ "Black BeautyGÇ¥ and "Laurel & Hardy.GÇ¥

" Open mic for aspiring musicians looking for additional venues to showcase their work. There's an onsite piano, but feel free to bring other instruments.

" Karaoke

" Theme nights after 8 p.m., like "American Graffiti.GÇ¥ Period clothing is strongly encouraged.

" Football Sundays and soccer games for Sounders fans on the big screen

Check www.facebook.com/bigdaddyjohns/ for the upcoming schedule of events.