DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers to open first permanent location in March

DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers will be serving up its classic gourmet burgers from a new permanent location beginning in March.

DJ’s co-founder Jose Nieves told The Sun on Feb. 6 that a new brick-and-mortar location at 5141 NW 43rd St., Suite 106, and its original food truck will both be operating separately, seven days a week.

Nieves said he and business partner Miguel Cardona have had plans for the permanent location for more than a year.

“We have most of the equipment already in the building. Once the furniture comes in, we’ll confidently share a date of the grand opening and let the community know,” Nieves said.

DJ’s first launched as a small pop-up tent with friends and family on Nov. 28, 2020. Nieves said the name DJ comes from the first initials of his first name and friend Dan Anagnostou who came up with the concept. Inspired by fast food chains like Raising Cane’s, In-N-Out Burger and Chick-fil-A, Nieves said DJ’s strives to make high-quality food with a limited menu.

DJ’s launched during the COVID-19 pandemic while Nieves was operating another local business, Brio Cold Brew. Over time, he said, community support helped keep the tent operation afloat.

However, state officials later intervened and forced the pop-up to close, leading to the creation of the food truck in spring 2022. The truck can be found most days at 5310 NW Eighth Ave.

“Depending on the point of view, it forced us to level up with entrepreneurs and businessmen. I think everything that led us here has been hard work, dedication to the brand and vision, and have had moments where we thought to give up. Despite the dark times, the customers have lifted us up,” Nieves said.

As the business continued to grow, DJ’s began building relationships that led to collaborations, including one with former Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway. The partnership resulted in a burger named after his name and number — the No. 2 Lagway Burger — featuring double patties, cheese, mayo, bacon, charred jalapeños and cowboy candy, or candied jalapeños.

Lagway transferred from Florida to Baylor University in January, but Nieves said the burger will remain on the menu under a new name. The business is currently brainstorming ideas for the rebranding.

“It was an awesome opportunity for a small, local company like us to partner with DJ Lagway, especially someone who has worked with much larger, established businesses,” Nieves said. “The burger was inspired by Lagway and his Texas roots, and we also wanted to incorporate customer feedback, so it was a collaborative effort.”

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers to open first permanent location in March

Reporting by Elliot Tritto, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

By Elliot Tritto, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network