Fast food has been an American staple for many years. But during the 1950s, fast food joints were bustling hubs, dishing out burgers for a mere 15 cents alongside crispy fries and creamy milkshakes, all served with a side of nostalgia at classic drive-ins. While the American fast food landscape has evolved over the decades, we’re here to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about some beloved chains that have vanished into the annals of culinary history.
1. Henry’s Hamburgers
Henry’s Hamburgers thrived for three decades during America’s fast food boom. They were front runners with McDonald’s. In fact, the restaurant and its operations were modeled after the successful Southern California chain. Henry’s Hamburgers was opened in Chicago, Illinois when Bresler’s Ice Cream wanted to enter the fast-food industry and decided to expand.
The chain’s main strength was that they could sell hamburgers for just 15 cents, which means you could feed a family of six for just under a dollar. The last and only remaining Henry’s Hamburgers location sits in Chicago and still welcomes guests.