If gooey, melty goodness is the key to excellence, the PB&J Burger at Between the Bun is the sultan of sandwiches. “When people ask what I recommend and I tell them the PB&J Burger, they’ll say, ‘I was thinking about it, but I don’t know about the peanut butter,’” says Lacia Rutherford, owner along with her husband John Rutherford of the Center Ridge Road establishment that opened in March 2023.

To appreciate the explosion of flavors that blend together for this colossal masterpiece, Rutherford breaks down the ingredients and details each essential layer from the bottom up.

Brioche Bun: A pillowy brioche bun begins the journey with a brush of butter and a toasty trip on a flat griddle that browns it to perfection. 

Bacon Habanero Jam: Bits of bacon combine with the spiciness of the habanero and the sweetness of the jam to put the pizazz in the PB&J. The bottom bun is filled with a generous ¼ cup of the jam, which as Rutherford notes, “has a little kick to it, but it’s not overpowering.”

Beef: Always fresh and never frozen, each 1/3-pound pre-pressed burger begins with an 8-minute sizzle on a flat griddle while being peppered to perfection with steak seasoning. For consistency and succulence, an 80/20 beef ratio combines just the right amount of marbling for a flavorful food frenzy.

While all burgers at Between the Bun are cooked to medium-well for safety, Rutherford notes that a “hint of pink” or “no pink” can be requested. 

Bacon: Two to three pieces of applewood-smoked thick-cut bacon perch atop the melodious mountain of layers below it to bring out the bacon flavor in the jam.

Peanut Butter: A ¼-cup dollop of good-old creamy peanut butter is slathered onto the top bun. Consider it the “mustard” or “ketchup” of a traditional burger, as it is the condiment that makes the rest of the dish sing. And once it melts, there’s no telling where it might ooze.

Once it is carefully cooked and compiled, the PB&J Burger is crowned with the top of the bun branded with the company logo for an added touch, which customers love, Rutherford notes.

She adds the burger pairs perfectly with the Sweet Potato Wafers because of the savory and sweet marriage between the main dish and the crunchy-coated side dish.

And for those who can’t wrap their heads around peanut butter on a burger, get a load of the Hangover Burger. It’s served with a side of maple syrup.