Win’s in Oxnard grills their “Billie” burgers for the true bun and meat aficionado. It’s a burger for purists who know that grease, fat and other heart-stoppers are synonymous with great flavor. In an age of soy, canola oil and fake meat, Win’s burgers serve as a beacon of hope.

This Oxnard burger shack is a lunch hour hot spot for anyone working near downtown. Around noon, dozens crowd the picnic benches or line up at the window while the guy behind the counter shouts orders to the customers.

“All right, come on, who’s next, what you need,” he rapidly shouts.

If he could just fling the burger into your mouth to serve it faster, he probably would. The guy at the window keeps the cook running on a tight schedule as well by shouting the occasional

“Move it you lazy ass” with a half-grin on his face.

The cook laughs back furiously laying out rows of patties and buns on the hot stove. The guy at the window hands out the burgers in brown paper bag, or if it’s a big order, packs the brown sacks into cardboard box.The paper bags are soaked through with delicious grease. The grease (a.k.a: flavor) operates in every square inch of that burger, including the bun. The patty is topped with gooey American cheese.

In an attempt to try and salvage some health value, the burger also comes with a slice of tomato and shredded lettuce. But these puny side garnishes get caught up in a tidal wave of juicy burger grease and are swept out into a vast ocean of cholesterol. Nothing is going to get in the way this burger’s flavor. NOTHING!

The sandwich comes with a Thousand Island dressing with a secret ingredient that gives the Billie burger it’s name and edge over the corporate chains. According to the guy at the ordering window, Billie was somebody the old owner new in Brooklyn, but that was all he was allowed to say. Usually stories about secrets, Brooklyn and guys named Billie involve the mafia, so it’s probably better not to solve the riddle of mysterious Thousand Island dressing.