Aaron & Jillian Amspacker

Owners

THE SENTINEL

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New owners Aaron and Jillian Amspacker arrived back to Aaron’s hometown in October of 2016, and since their return have been working hard to put a fresh spin to the menu and the atmosphere at the Logan Boulevard staple. With a combined 31 years of experience in the restaurant industry, the Amspackers bring ample knowledge on how to create flavorful fare in a relaxed and friendly neighborhood establishment.

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Sporting 75 items on the menu, the couple highlights the food is made fresh, from scratch, and includes choices for everyone, no matter the age or interest.

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“We selected items we’re really good at,” Aaron said. “We do fresh items and unique items you can’t get anywhere else.”

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Known as the home of the “arrogant bastards,” JP’s most popular appetizer features spicy, jumbo shrimp sauteed in jalapeno butter, Cajun seasoning and olive oil. The crabacado, another unique appetizer, is a fresh avocado half, grilled, then filled with the house crab dip, topped with bacon and a chipotle mayonnaise. JP’s ultimate burger selection is also growing in popularity with each half-pound burger blended with chuck, brisket and short ribs.

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Want more? The menu also offers tacos, steak, pasta, sandwiches, salads, chicken, fish and wings. Offered in traditional or boneless, wing sauces range in heat intensity from mild to very hot. The restaurant also offers a seasonal menu that rotates every three months as well. 

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“We know everyone can’t eat out every night,” Aaron said. 

So daily specials are offered including wing night for $.50 a wing, $5 burger night, clam and crab leg night and TBF night (tacos, burritos and fajitas). Five dollar appetizers are served from 5 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight daily. Brunch is also served from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, where customers can get a lobster tail bloody mary that is essentially a “meal in a glass.”

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Drink specials are offered everyday including happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday with $1 off draft beers and house wine, then on weekends only, 2-for1 mugs for all beers. JP’s has 15 beers on tap with a rotation of seasonal beers on a few taps and a large wine and cocktail selection. To heighten the drinking experience, tap takeovers and vines and bines events are scheduled periodically.

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“This is a great way to get other local businesses in here,” Aaron said. “We try to incorporate local business and try to feature local wineries and breweries. I’d rather you eat, drink and shop local.”

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The couple, who were very community oriented at their last restaurant in Sayre, want to continue being part of local region where Aaron’s family resides.

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“We moved here because of family,” he said. “We genuinely care about the community and our family. We love our town and want to be part of the community.”

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“If we live here we want to make it a great place,” Jillian said.

Employing 38 people, who are thought of as family too, is something Aaron takes very seriously and he enjoys watching people grow during their tenure at the restaurant.

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The restaurant’s services are also growing since the Amspackers took over. Part of the interior has been sectioned off for banquets for 36 to 40 people and the room is offered for free as long as there is more than 20 people and the guests eat from the menu. JP’s caters not only on-site in the banquet room, but off-site as well. The “pit” area inside was also filled in allowing for more seating while viewing the multiple televisions placed throughout the restaurant.

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“It’s a great place for watching sports with family,” Jillian said.

The outdoor patio was also renovated with 30 seats now under roof, pergula-covered area and a fire pit section.

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Coming soon is a shuffleboard area and Aaron is currently working with a landscaper to convert an outdoor area for cigar smoking, of which they will be selling.

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“We are trying to make it more of a destination place,” Jillian said. “Take time to spend with family and friends and have new experiences.”

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“We love what we do,” Aaron said. 

Located at 203 S. Logan Boulevard in Burnham, the restaurant is open 11 a.m. to midnight or later, Monday through Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to midnight or later, Sunday. For more information, call (717) 248-1150.