Image: Rooster’s

Rooster’s Restaurant in Fondren Corner received quite the honor this week: the Jackson burger house staple has been named to Zagat’s 2014 “Between The Bun: Must-Try Burgers Across the Country” listing.

The internationally recognized and curated consumer opinion firm calls the Rooster burger one of three to taste in Mississippi, joining Waveland’s Da Kitchen and Gulfport’s Lil Ray’s Seafood and Poboys.

“Being one (of those three) is cool,” says Nathan Glenn, Rooster’s operator and son of founder, Tim Glenn.

The veteran restaurateur says he doesn’t rely too heavily on food critics and their reviews, but the Zagat honor speaks of Rooster’s longevity and track record. “I would think being in business nearly 30 years in Jackson carries some weight.”

When the envelope arrived with ten copies of the booklet inside, Glenn says he didn’t think much of it at first. “I kind of blew it off a bit,” he laughs. “But I started reading and got excited when it said something about the views in the guide being based on public opinion surveys. To be recognized in some of (Zagat’s) literature…we’re honored. No way it’s a negative.”

What’s the secret to one of the must-try burgers across the country?

“Thirty years of cooking, being in that kitchen and understanding food at every level,” Glenn says. “Let’s be honest, any food you work with, if you don’t execute it right at that final moment, it won’t be any good.”

Glenn also gives a nod to his family’s work ethic for the last three decades. “It’s always having a family member in the kitchen, sacrificing time off,” he explains. “And, we help our staff understand the how and why of what we do.”

Using the best possible ingredients — like “never frozen” Black Angus chuck and bread baked fresh daily, Glenn says consistency is key.

“We’ll miss (the mark) somedays, but we’ll do whatever we can to fix it. We take it that seriously.”

Originally published in October 2013.