Peanut butter on a cheeseburger sounds like a dare, until salty bacon makes the whole idea click.
In Missouri, one burger spot turns that unexpected combo into a signature order: a cheeseburger spread with peanut butter, piled with double bacon, lettuce, mayo, and red onion.
The first bite brings creamy, savory, smoky, and crisp together in a way that’s far more satisfying than it sounds. This is the kind of burger that gets people talking before they even reach for the napkins.
The menu leans into smashburgers and bold combinations, so adventurous eaters have plenty to explore beyond the peanut-butter favorite. Still, that sweet-salty stack is hard to ignore.
If your usual cheeseburger order could use a plot twist, this St. Louis spot makes a memorable case for trying something unexpected.
And yes, it’s messy in the best possible way, so keep extra napkins within reach.
The Macklind Is The Burger Everyone Talks About
Okay, picture a classic cheeseburger in your head, and then imagine someone sneaks a big swipe of peanut butter right onto it. That’s the idea behind The Macklind, and it’s easily the sandwich that gets people curious about this spot in the first place.
Along with that peanut butter, you get double bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and red onion stacked onto a single cheeseburger. It sounds like a lot when you say it out loud, but the salty bacon and the creamy, nutty spread actually make a lot of sense together, kind of like a grown-up twist on a sweet and salty snack.
The name comes from Macklind Avenue, which is a well-known street in South St. Louis, so the burger carries a little bit of neighborhood pride with it. That local touch makes ordering it feel like you’re joining in on something the regulars already know about.
If you’re nervous about trying it, here’s a friendly tip you can actually use. Go in thinking of it like a peanut butter and bacon sandwich that happens to have a juicy patty, and suddenly it feels a lot less strange.
Honestly, wouldn’t it be fun to tell your friends back home that you tried the peanut butter burger everyone in Missouri keeps buzzing about?
Finding Your Way To Princeton Heights
Getting there is pretty easy once you know which part of town to aim for, so let’s talk directions for a minute. You’ll find Jovick Brothers Burgers at 4993 Loughborough Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109, sitting right in the Princeton Heights neighborhood of South City.
This area has that classic St. Louis feel, with brick buildings, quiet residential streets, and little local businesses tucked in along the main roads. It’s not a flashy downtown strip, and that’s a big part of the charm, because the burger shop fits right into the everyday rhythm of the neighborhood.
Parking is mostly on the street, so give yourself a few extra minutes to circle around if things look busy. Visitors have also mentioned that the front door can be a little stubborn, so don’t be shy about giving the handle a firm squeeze when you walk up.
Hours tend to shift between weekdays and weekends, with some days opening later in the afternoon and others starting around lunchtime. Checking their Facebook page before you head out is a smart move, especially if you’re making a special trip across town.
Once you’re parked and through that door, you’ll realize the little bit of planning was totally worth it.
Smash Patties With Seriously Crispy Edges
Let’s be real, the smash burger craze has been everywhere lately, but not every place gets that crunchy, lacy edge just right. From what people keep saying, the cooks at Jovick Brothers really know how to press a patty so it sears hard and stays juicy in the middle.
The basic idea is simple and kind of satisfying when you think about it. A ball of beef hits a hot griddle and gets smashed flat, which creates a deep brown crust packed with flavor, and then melty cheese gets draped right over the top.
Lots of reviewers call these some of the best smash burgers in St. Louis, which is a pretty big statement in a city that loves its burgers. They also mention that the build of each sandwich feels careful and thoughtful, with toppings stacked in a way that holds together.
If you like your burger a little heartier, going with a double is a popular choice here, since you get twice the crispy edges in every bite. You can also build your own with cheese choices like pepper jack and sauces like chipotle mayo, which is handy if you have picky eaters with you.
Either way, you’re walking out with a burger that tastes made with real care.
Loaded Tots You Will Want To Share, Maybe
Can we take a moment to appreciate a good tater tot, because these deserve some love? The loaded tots here come piled with cheese sauce, bacon bits, and green onions, and they show up in reviews almost as often as the burgers do.
There’s something about a crispy tot soaking up warm cheese that just feels like comfort food at its finest. The bacon adds a smoky crunch, and the green onions bring a fresh little bite that keeps the whole thing from feeling too heavy.
Portions are known for being on the generous side, so ordering one basket for the table is a smart way to start. That way everybody gets a handful while waiting on their burgers, and nobody fills up before the main event arrives.
If you’re with a group, try mixing and matching sides so you get to sample a bit of everything. Loaded tots, plain fries, and something like onion rings make a pretty perfect spread when everyone grabs from the middle.
Just a heads up, though, once these hit the table, the sharing plan sometimes falls apart because people get a little protective of their favorite pieces. You might want to order an extra basket just to keep the peace with your friends.
Cheese Curds, Onion Rings, And Crinkle Fries
If tots aren’t your thing, don’t worry, because the side menu has plenty of other crispy options waiting for you. Cheese curds, onion rings, and crinkle cut fries all get mentioned a lot by folks who stop in.
The cheese curds seem to be a real crowd favorite, with some people calling them the best they’ve had anywhere in St. Louis. They come out hot and golden, with that stretchy, melty center that makes you want just one more, and the order is big enough to share with a couple of friends.
Onion rings get praised for being light and crisp instead of greasy and heavy, which is honestly the dream when it comes to rings. They pair especially nicely with a burger that has plenty of toppings, since they add crunch without stealing the spotlight.
Then there are the crinkle cut fries, which bring a little nostalgia for anyone who grew up eating them at school or summer picnics. Those ridges hold onto ketchup or dipping sauce really well, so every bite feels fully loaded.
A good move is ordering a mix and passing everything around the table. You’ll quickly figure out your own favorite, and you’ll already know what to get next time.
Bold Combos Like The Carolina Cowboy
If The Macklind tells you anything, it’s that this kitchen likes to have a little fun with flavors. The Carolina Cowboy is another creative favorite, and it’s a great choice if you want something bold that’s not quite as unusual as peanut butter.
This one is a double cheeseburger topped with Carolina gold barbecue sauce and crispy onion rings. That gold sauce is mustard-based, so it brings a tangy, slightly sweet kick that plays really nicely against the smoky crust of the smash patties.
Other specialty burgers have shown up on the menu too, like a Reuben-style burger, a pizza burger, the Southsider, and a spicy one called the Des Diablo. You can tell that years of pitmaster experience inspired some of these ideas, since they lean into big sauces and layered seasoning.
A helpful tip is to look over the specialty list before you settle on building your own. Those chef combos were put together with balance in mind, so you’re getting flavors that actually work as a team.
Then again, if you show up on a second visit, why not order the one you skipped the first time? Working your way through the lineup is half the fun of having a spot like this nearby.
Laid-Back Seating Inside And Out On The Patio
You’re not going to find white tablecloths or fancy decor here, and honestly, that’s exactly how it should be. The vibe is simple and relaxed, the kind of room where you can show up in sneakers and nobody blinks.
Inside, people mention fun touches like artwork, flags, and the shop’s logo, which give the small dining area a bit of personality. It’s not a huge space, so on busy evenings it can feel cozy, but that adds to the neighborhood-hangout feeling rather than taking away from it.
When the weather cooperates, the outdoor seating is a real treat, and plenty of visitors love grabbing a table outside. Sitting out there with a warm burger lets you watch the neighborhood roll by, which feels very much like an easy evening in Missouri.
Takeout is also a popular option if you’d rather enjoy your meal at home or at a nearby park. Folks say the food holds up nicely on the ride, so you don’t have to worry about soggy sides by the time you sit down.
Whether you stay or go, the casual feel makes it easy to stop by on a whim without planning a whole big outing around it.
Why South City Locals Keep Coming Back
When a little neighborhood shop earns a loyal crowd, there’s usually a good reason behind it, and here it really comes down to the food. People keep praising the fresh ingredients, the seasoning, and how quickly orders come out from the grill.
Reviewers often mention that their food arrives piping hot, sometimes almost too hot to eat right away. That’s a great sign at a burger joint, because it means everything is being cooked to order instead of sitting around under a heat lamp.
Friendly service comes up a lot too, especially when people talk about the owner chatting with guests and helping first-timers pick a meal. Plenty of folks say they planned their first visit after driving past for ages, and then wondered why they waited so long.
So here’s my advice if you find yourself anywhere in South St. Louis and want something a little different from the usual chains. Come hungry, bring a friend who likes to share, and be open to trying at least one thing that sounds a little unexpected.
You’ll leave with a full belly and a fun story about the peanut butter cheeseburger you found in Missouri, and isn’t that the kind of food memory worth chasing?
