The Old School Fast Food Burger Chain That Didn't Stand The Test Of Time

Glory is fleeting in the fast food world, as witnessed by the demise of Burger Chef, the forgotten fast food giant that inspired Happy Meal toys, and the near-extinction of Big Boy, the chain that created fast food's first double-decker burger. Yet another one of the failed restaurants that we wish would make a comeback is Henry's Hamburgers, a chain that once rivaled McDonald's, back in the day.

Henry's, an offshoot of Bresler's Ice Cream Company, opened its first location in Chicago sometime in the 1950s when the drive-in business was booming (as were babies). By the time the next decade rolled around, Henry's had over 200 locations, which the chain says exceeded the number of McDonald's stores at the time (McDonald's also reportedly clocked in at around 200). In December of 1960, the chain not only claimed locations in 29 states and Canada, but it also boasted of being America's quickest-growing fast food chain. Alas, Henry's expansion period was short-lived. By the 1970s, Bresler's had ceased focusing so much time and attention on burgers, so many Henry's Hamburgers locations closed up shop.

It might be over six decades since the chain peaked, but Henry's Hamburgers isn't finished yet. The location that opened in Benton Harbor, Michigan, back in 1959, is still in business. It actually occupies a different building these days, albeit one right across the street from the original. It's been through a few changes of management, too, and is no longer affiliated with Bresler's (which was sold to Oberweis Dairy in 1987). The last remaining Henry's has also long since switched from drive-in to drive-thru, and burgers are no longer 10 for a buck. They are, however, still cooked according to the original recipe.

After going into business, the Benton Harbor Henry's Hamburgers introduced an innovative new product: the Brown Bag Special, a value-priced combo meal from back in the days before that was a thing. McDonald's dollar menu dates to 2002, but Henry's Brown Bag debuted in 1987. To this day, it remains a best seller, accounting for over half of the store's daily sales. Henry's also has a menu that's far more extensive than anything McDonald's has ever offered. While it hasn't jumped on the chicken sandwich bandwagon, it does offer chicken wings and fingers as well as hot dogs, chili, fish sandwiches, and fried shrimp. (And burgers, of course.)

The TripAdvisor reviews for Henry's Hamburgers in Benton Harbor are a mixed bag, but this seems to be driven in part by the chain's nostalgia value. Some people go looking to recreate old memories exactly as they were and are understandably disappointed. Others, however, are glad to visit the last remaining outpost of a burger chain they remember fondly.