All success stories start with a bit of inspiration, and those humble beginnings apply to big fast food chains, too. Wendy's, one of the most popular fast food chains in America (according to a survey), was launched by founder Dave Thomas on November 15, 1969. But Thomas had to have gotten the idea from somewhere, and legend has it that during his childhood years in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he used to visit a neighborhood burger joint that ended up inspiring Wendy's years later.
Though it, too, is a chain, very few locations still exist, and if you want to get a taste of old-time burger nostalgia, you'll have to make your way to one of the five remaining spots, all located in the Midwest. This chain, called Kewpee Hamburgers, has three locations in Lima, Ohio, one in Racine, Wisconsin, and another one in Lansing, Michigan. Its mascot is a Kewpie doll, which is what the chain is named after.
And if you couldn't guess by the other part of the name, it's primarily known for its burgers, which, incidentally, are square-shaped like Wendy's. Kewpee was founded in 1923 in Flint, Michigan, and during its heyday in the 1940s, it had around 400 locations. Here's what Kewpee Hamburgers serves Kewpee's menu is tight, and other than hamburgers and cheeseburgers, the chain serves fish sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, fries, chili, shakes, and just a few breakfast items.
To me, small menus are usually a reliable indicator that a restaurant knows what it's doing, so I'm sure Kewpee puts out a migh.
