Timothy K.
Yelp
This is a mostly unspoken truth in Paducah, that G&O is a great place to get an amazing, cheap lunch. As a Bentonite I haven't had chances to go. Today I made that change.
I had been told by three people to either get the patty melt, or the double cheeseburger. We decided to order both and split them, to get a good overall experience.
They have a full pharmacy fountain, which thankfully means we got cherry Coke, and the the real kind with actual cherry syrup! We ordered both onion rings & fries. The onions rings were browned but not burned, with a slightly sweet batter and a perfect, succulent, satisfying crunch. The fries were crinkle, well-seasoned, and both were a perfect side for the sandwiches to come.
The patty melt was complex, rich with deeply caramelized onions that perfectly blended with the gooey sharpness of the cheese, and the juicy, umami flavor of the beef. It was all nestled in a buttery cocoon of rye toast that, as with the whole sandwich, combined into an experience more than the sum of its' parts. I imagine it would be a great accompaniment to a cup of their chili, or a bowl of their homemade potato soup on a cold winter day.
The double cheeseburger, however, was another beast. A freshly flattop-toasted bun held within it two smashed patties of beef blanketed in melted cheese, and topped with extremely ripe tomato, lettuce, and raw onion. The beef was the star of the show, with its' crispy edges, and the juicy, savory, & umami flavors of the Maillard reaction lingering pleasantly long after the bite was no more. It was up front and center, a simple and pure burger for anyone that desires it, and one of the finest examples in the area. The most accurate assessment is that, indeed, they do make one of the best burgers in the Jackson Purchase. Which one I would choose on any given day is unknown.
For dessert, there was homemade pineapple upside-down cake, the slice being reasonably sweet, and very moist, without being a sloppy mess. For $2.25, it was a fantastic end to a memorable lunch.
All in all, it was a great experience. There are cheap daily specials, and I look very forward to trying their own recipe of chili, their "full house" which is two tamales slathered in said chili and covered with cheese, as well as their shakes and sandwiches. I hope this pharmacy stays around for a long time, to remind us what classic truly means.
