Anyone Remember Burger Chef?
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (181730)
Boise, Idaho
November 10, 2025 4:28pm CST
Burger Chef opened in the U.S. in 1958 and was at its prime in the 1970's. It had 1,200 locations across the nation. It was popular for its flame-boiled burgers and its Funmeal which was a kid's meal that came on the scene before McDonald's Happy Meal.
In 1978 there were four employees that disappeared in an unsolved murder. This along with McDonald's and Burger Kings rise and a few corporate problems caused the decline of Burger Chef. In 1982 it was sold to Hardee's.
Then there was Red Barn, White Castle and a few others. I don't recall these I've mentioned. I think i ate at White Castle once when I was on the road. Can you think of any others.
6 people like this
6 responses
@FourWalls (80116)
• United States
11 Nov
I worked for Burger Chef when I was 19. I quit to join the Navy.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (181730)
• Boise, Idaho
13h
Interesting. I don't recall it at all. Not around here anyway.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (80116)
• United States
12h
@celticeagle — there are lots of regional hamburger places. Cook Out is North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky; In-and-Out is primarily California; Whataburger is Texas and the south (I can get them in Alabama now! 
), etc. I take it Burger Chef was regional, like White Castle or Druther’s/Burger Queen.
), etc. I take it Burger Chef was regional, like White Castle or Druther’s/Burger Queen.
@RebeccasFarm (90746)
• Arvada, Colorado
10 Nov
I remember that case..RIP all.
I used to manage a Burger Chef.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (181730)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Nov
How interesting. I wonder what happened in the case.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90746)
• Arvada, Colorado
6h
@celticeagle Yes I wonder.
The Burger Chef was in Kansas when I worked there.
@wolfgirl569 (124794)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Nov
I love white castle. Sometimes buy the frozen ones in the store
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (181730)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Nov
I don't remember it. I do recall it wasn't bad cause I think I'd remember if it was.
Maybe I will try some too sometimes.
Maybe I will try some too sometimes.1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (115950)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
11 Nov
I have never heard of Burger Chef before in my lifetime.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (205626)
• United States
22h
Beef Corral is one that pops into my head. I remember Burger Chef and White Castle. I'm not sure about Red Barn.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (181730)
• Boise, Idaho
13h
Beef Corral? Interesting. I don't think we had that around here.
