“Good luck to Winky as she starts her new business venture, keeping alive my favorite restaurant in Charlottesville.” -George Allen

FOOD- THE DISH- Burger swap: Big Jim’s reborn as Winky’s
by DAVE MCNAIR
The Hook
11/20/2008

Juanita “Winky” Hunt: “So many people are saying how glad they are that we’ve reopened.”
PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR
“It’s a sad day for burger lovers,” civil rights attorney John Whitehead told the Hook when he heard the news that Big Jim’s had closed back in April. Indeed, after serving up their signature burger platters and BBQ for close to 30 years, Jim and Patricia Hope’s small place on Angus Road– and their catering operation on 10th Street– had become a certified local institution, and a favorite hangout of former Senator George Allen, Whitehead, and scores of others.

Sadly, Big Jim’s wasn’t quite the same after Patricia Hope followed her husband and passed away last year, of which the missing “B” and “S” in the name above the door seemed to be a symptom. But it appears that Big Jim’s has returned; not in name, but in spirit.

Juanita “Winky” Hunt worked for the Hopes for 12 years until an asthma condition and Big Jim’s smoky atmosphere finally forced her to quit. She says she discussed the idea of buying the restaurant with Mrs. Hope before she died, but when her estate settled both the restaurant and the catering business went up for sale together. Fortunately for Hunt, the man who bought the operation, Brent Lunnen, decided he didn’t want the restaurant.

“The only condition was that Brent wanted to keep the Big Jim’s name for the BBQ and catering business,” says Hunt. “And people have always known me as Winky, so…”

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