Shakey J’s tops the list and serves up the borough’s best burgers

And the Newton-le-Willows venue has scooped not one but two Best of 2023 awards.

Hot on the heels of picking up the award for its fantastic breakfasts, Shakey J’s has added Best for Burgers to the list of accolades.

Each week, we will be searching for the best St Helens has to offer in different categories and we’ve given out 19 awards for 2023.

The winners so far:

Best for Hair – Hair by Alice Michelle

Best for Pies – Blackburn’s

Best for Nails – Kreative Kirsty

Best for Roast Dinner – The Brown Edge Pub

Best for Cocktails – The Townhouse

Best for Breakfast – Shakey J’s

Best for Fitness – Ashley-James Ward

Best for Fish and Chips – Paul’s Fishbar

Best for Tattoos – White Rabbit Tattoo Studio

Best for Pizza – Dial-A-Pizza

Best for Pets – The Dog House

Best Independent Shop or Business – Stone Tyres

Best for Dessert – Antonia’s Cakes

Best for Beauty – Chantel Louise

Best for Kids – Jo Jingles Warrington, St Helens and Wigan

Best Gym – Ruskin Fitness Club

Best Beer Garden – The Dam

Best for Afternoon Tea - Nirvana Coffee Shop

Voting for St Helens’ Best Café or Coffee Shop is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best for Curry.

Next on the menu was the search for St Helens’ Best for Burgers and Shakey J’s took the latest Best of 2023 crown – making them double award winners.

Shakey J's on High Street in Newton-le-Willows

Shakey J’s opened its doors in 2016 selling milkshakes and desserts to take away but after several years of deliveries and late nights, owner Christopher Jackson and his partner Claire decided to relocate to bigger premises.

Chris said: “We wanted to relocate to bigger premises while maintaining our high street location and the opportunity was too good to miss.

“We purchased an existing coffee shop on High Street in Newton-le-Willows and renovated it to create Shakey J’s family dining.

“We serve breakfast, burgers and desserts.

“As parents of young children, we wanted it to feel inclusive for everyone and people of all ages.

“We added booths and a free retro arcade gaming and toy cupboard.

“We hope customers like the warm and welcoming environment here at Shakey J’s.”

Shakey J's first opened selling milshakes and desserts in 2016

In May, Shakey J’s took St Helens Star’s Best for Breakfast title thanks to its full English mega breakfast – fried eggs, sausages and bacon with hash browns, beans and toast times three!

This week, they’re celebrating winning Best for Burgers and Chris and the team are proud of their burger bar menu.

Chris said: “We were thrilled to be nominated in this category and to win with such tough competition across the borough is a fantastic achievement.

“We are so proud of our burger bar menu with all our beef burgers delivered fresh each day by our local butcher Colin.

“We worked closely with Colin to create a burger patty that’s unique to Shakey J’s and they’ve been a huge success.

“Similarly, all our chicken is fresh and breaded in our signature seasoning specially blended by our chef and cooked to order.

“We aim to create a taste sensation that can’t be replicated.

“Our top three most popular burgers are the pulled pork burger, the salt and pepper chicken and halloumi burger and the classic bacon double cheese.

“Our plant-based offerings are increasing in popularity too and we’ve been cooking up some new exciting burgers that will be added to our new menu over the next few weeks.”

The classic bacon double cheese burger

So, what do the customers think of Shakey J’s? Why did they think their burgers should take the latest crown?

One nomination said: “These burgers are super tasty – packed with flavour and piled high with toppings.”

Chris said: “We know the quality of our produce is good and it’s prepared to a high standard for our customers.

“Everyone works so hard and Claire and I greatly appreciate all their efforts.

“The support from all our customers, old and new, has been incredible and we’d like to thank everyone for following us on our journey to serving the best breakfasts and the best burgers in the borough.

“It really does make all our hard work worth while.”

For more details go to facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063525765399

The award-winning full English breakfast