Jake's WayBack Burgers: Hartsdale's Surprisingly Tasty Chain Burger Joint

In the shopping center of North Central Ave, Jake’s WayBack Burgers has been open for business for two full years now. The franchise, which has 75 other restaurants in the U.S., has two locations in Westchester. Owners Debbie Smith and Deborah Decrescenzo chose to open theirs in Hartsdale, and thankfully because it’s one of our favorite burger joints.

Smith, who is also the full-time manager, says their business has constantly been growing thanks to their location. The restaurant only closes on major holidays—which is good news for burger lovers.

Jake’s boasts variety, ranging from veggie burgers, to turkey club burgers, to the beloved bacon cheeseburger. Besides golden French fries and crispy onion rings, Jake’s also serves its own homemade chips—order them plain or as a platter of Irish nachos topped with chili, Cheddar-Jack cheese, jalapeños, and onions.

Debbie Smith praises the variety that Jake’s offers its customers, but also praises a hard-working staff that has helped sustain Jake’s success. “No matter how good the food may be, people won’t come back if the staff isn’t good,” Debbie said. 

And in case you’re wondering: the other WayBack is in Yorktown, though not owned by Ms. Smith and Ms. Decrescenzo.