Thank you very much, I remember the Wetsons in the Bronx I think there may have been one New Rochelle that was converted to a BK and noww DD. I used to go to the one on sunrise hwy in valley stream. 3101 Lincoln Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90405. The manager would make us punch out if we didnt clean up fast enough at closing time, then go finish up. The music from the 60s and 70s was the best. It was on Sunrise Highway and Hook Creek Blvd. Grew up in Garden City and remember 1967 grad year driving to the Wetson off of Hempstead Tpk in West Hempstead near Kleins, LOVED THEIR FRENCH FRIES! Bojangles OpCo, LLC., doing business as Bojangles (known as Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits until 2020), is an American regional chain of fast food restaurants that specializes in cajun-seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits that primarily serves the Southeastern United States.The company was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1977 by Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas. I used to spend a fortune at T.O. As a family of 8, even fast food was a luxury. It is now a Top Banana, which is a combination bodega and pizza parlor (dont ask!). GUARANTEED ORIGINAL. Just a note about the Wetsons in Valley Stream. Agreed Jim, It wasnt on Rockaway at Sunsrise Highway, it was on Brooklyn Ave at the intersection Sunrise Highway across the street from Dunkin Donuts. Don't forget to try our made-to-order sides, like fresh-cut fries and double beer-battered onion rings or our delicious frozen custard desserts. Just one thing wrong with the list up top..Bay Shore, (not West Islip) had to Wetsonsthe one on Sunrise Highway & Pine Drive was in Bay Shore, and was a very interesting location due to its place near number one, Gardner Manor Shopping Center, & number two, that any traffic coming from Bay Shore Road from points west, was detoured to a short stretch of Pine Drive, then east on Sunrise Highway to Howells Road to continue to Downtown Bay Shore or points east.a VERY BUSY intersection. There was also a Carvel nearby on the same side of Sunrise. I loved the food, the work was difficult, but it all made for great memories. Good evening I worked at the Valley Stream Wetsons Location all through High School. Upon arriving home from the military, Wetanson began scouting locations on Long Island for the first of his hamburger restaurants. Burger Baron-Hollywood Producer. I can remember coming in on the weekends at 6am and cutting, Blanching and preparing 300 lbs of french fries for the day. Anyway great memory! They gave away toy race cars with kids meals. That gives the chain burgers an off taste. Rax Roast Beef is a regional U.S. fast food restaurant chain specializing in roast beef sandwiches. Remember it well. Wetsons menu was practically identical to McDonalds, with hamburgers, french fries, drinks and shakes. Wasnt it a Minute Man burger joint before that? Wetson's was an American fast food hamburger chain that existed from 1959 to 1975. Corner Bakery Cafe is considered to be a part of the fast casual market segment of the food service industry, offering a somewhat higher quality of food and atmosphere than a typical fast food restaurant, and . we lived only a couple of blocks away. Ive havent been back home in years. Or perhaps it was it Josephs or something I cant remember. I think it eventually just turned into a McDonalds maybe the McDonalds is still there? I grew up on 48th, between Broadway and Northern Blvd around the same time, down the street from Bryant HS, went to PS 151. Thanks so much for sharing : )! Nothing like the 70s ,Bellerose, N.Y. Roslyn, NY Northern Boulevard (now East Hills Chevrolet within the old structure) It was actually on the south side Item Information. Great times and memories. Facebook 0. looking for anyone that hung out at wetsons hempstead tpk. Miss them days. The one in VS was on Sunrise Hgwy and Rockaway. The Jamaica location is now a fruit stand, assuming youre talking about the location that was at Hillside Avenue and Hollis Court Blvd. There was one in west Hempstead long island..there were hamburger eating contest on the weekends. Great memories. Tim M. Cant remember every concert I saw there but I definitely saw the Brian Setzer Orchestra , The Machine ( Pink. then after DD remodeled the place the rings were removed. ate at far rockaway many times in the 60s and 70s. I worked at that older Wetsons in Valley Stream in the early1970s after the new one opened west of that one also on Sunrise Hwy, but on the corner of Rockaway Pkwy. Btw, did I mention the burgers tasted like s-hit? I remember going to the one in Valley Stream on Sunrise Highway at night for a snackon the way home from family outings in the city. Unfortunately, McDonalds and Burger King had both grown significantly, with each vying to capture the majority of the New York market. It was very reasonablea nd tasted great. Corner Bakery Cafe (CBC Restaurant Corporation) is an American chain of cafes that specialize in pastries, breads, breakfast dishes, gourmet sandwiches, homemade soups, salads, and pasta. Best guy in the world ,, Does anyone know a Gene(Eugene) who worked at the Korvette in Trumbull Ct. back in late 1960s or early 1970s., I just picked up one of these in the box. Thank you for sharing that. Wetson's was known for its signature burger, the "Big W", as well as 15-cent burgers, 10-cent fries, and the slogans "Look for the Orange Circles" and "Buy a bagful," phrases similar to the McDonald's slogan "Look for the Golden Arches" and White Castle's "Buy 'em by the sack". Wetson's was a chain of eateries in the greater New York metropolitan area that, at . There was a bank there for a while, then a daycare center. Garnish as desired and serve immediately. Two men from Valley Stream, Harold Norbitz and Carl Wetanson (a popular race car driver on the Island) visited a McDonalds in Chicago, were impressed by the concept, and decided to duplicate it in New York, hopefully before the Golden Arches made their inevitable entrance into the local market. Had a white blazer on with his Staten Island, NY Forest Avenue (converted into an Italian deli) PLEASE ADD $3.99 FOR U.S. MAIL SHIPPING WITHIN THE USA Those buses ran on overhead electric wires . The one in Glen Cove was that on Glen st? redid it no more orange rings or white tiled exterior. Youd throw whole potatoes into a large grating machine. Does anyone remember someone selling term papers out of the wetsons on queens blvd (or maybe northern blvd) heard about if from a guy I hitched a ride with forty years ago and always wondered if it was true he made it sound like an organized going concern there. By todays standards, the burgers probably wouldnt get rave reviews, but when you are starving after a day at the beach, they tasted great. I have great memories of that location I was just a kid at the time my parents would take us to the drive in movies and we would always stop for burgers and fries our dog always got a burger when we came home she would smell them and go into a fit until she got one. It was understood that on the Weekends, when my Dad took us to Jones Beach, that we would stop there on the way home. My aunt used be be one of the roller skate girls who delivered your meal on a car window tray, back in the Bronx in the 1950s. However, many of the store employees went on to work at Mr. Cheapos Record Exchange (Mineola), which is still in business today. Wish I could take my kids w me and show them how it used to be. He passed by me and nodded, I nodded back. Loved the burgers. The X-3 and 1 were my favorites. $23.95 . Roughly;. Brooklyn, NY Flatbush Ave and Empire Blvd (now Wendys) Just heard it on Rewound Radios annual WABC REWOUND special. [5][6], Since 2016 and as of 2022, the Wetson's trademark is owned by National Food Brands Marketing, Inc., of East Norwich, New York.[7]. However, on that site now, there is a Pizza Hut. There are pics of it being constructed on the net. How I miss those days.. The drug was created to treat rheumatoid arthritis and gout over 60 . What're you looking for? Taught teamwork but the manager liked to drink at the bar directly in back of the store. I remember a Wetsons in Levittown, NY, on the North side of Hempstead Turnpike in the late 50s and early 60s. My through investigation had determined that it must be the real. Flipped burgers, mopped floors after they closed. Load kids up in station wagon. Hi Keith, Do you know why the rings on the roof were raised? Twitter 0. As a high school student, My hands-down favorite candy bar as a little kid. Today we discuss what happened to Wetson's, a chain of 70 hamburger restaurants based in New York that suddenly disappeared in the 1970s. All Rights Reserved. I think the demise of Wetsons was more due to mismanagement than the entry of McDonalds and BK into the market. When they went out of business I did not shed tears. The chain started growing in popularity by the 1960s, and it became a culinary mainstay, with its slogan "Everybody goes to Gino's." Gino's Hamburgers Loved it. The restaurant copied many of the same slogans, including "Look for the Orange Circles," and even used a clown as the mascot. How about Meyers Ice Cream on Jamaica Ave. ? always a welcome feeling when going their, a treat for me. The original Valley Stream Wetsons was on Sunrise Hwy between Stewart Pl. When I was in 7th grade at saint Clement Pope Parochial School in 1970 Id take the q40 bus up to Hillside Avenue to wetsons for a big W, wetsons version of The Big Mac. It was right between the Town and Glen Hey, those feet, do you put your feet on the furniture at your home??. The Hicksville location became a Titus Oaks record store and the building was there for years before it became a Dunkin Donuts. Glen Cove NY, Glen St. every day on the way home from CCNY, I would have a fish fillet, fries and a drink while waiting for my bus. There was also locations on Flatlands Ave next to South Shore High School in Brooklyn as well as Church Ave and Remsen Ave in Brooklyn. I wish that wasnt the case, and hope that if you have any old photos, you consider sharing them with the site. All" more (4 star review) This time had a truck burger as did 3 others who were with me. A perfect gentleman. LOL!!! We had great mgrs. Was the All-American Burger on Merrick Road in Massapequa originally a Wetsons? Defunct 1970 Wetson's Hamburger Restaurant New York Metropolitan Classic T-Shirt. It brought a tear or two, missing my dad who used to take me there. Not the greatest memory but certainly vivid. Buckeyes Steven Depolo/Flickr Usually made around the holidays, this signature homemade Ohio candy is downright mouthwatering to peanut butter and chocolate lovers. Hot apple pie served in a paper sleeve. My first job.. remember cutting and blanching fresh potatoes each morning into French Fries , Weston made the best double cheeseburgers on Long Island they melted the cheese I came all the way from queens to go to the Westons in Hicksville between old country rd. Brought back fond memories of my childhood . The original building remained there on the site until just a few years ago. Born there in November 1964. the world hasnt been the same since. I went to the one in Bayshore New York on Long Island with my parents as a kid in late 60 early 70s. Wish they would return. Havent heard those names in years. I went to PS 151. West islip. 1960-The nights were spent in Wetsons parking lot waiting for a race. Married to the love of his life Viviane Ventura, Actress and Socialite. I remember the one in Teaneck, N.J. Years later I had the pleasure of meeting Errol Wetson one night at Au Bar in New York City, N.Y. A perfect gentleman with so much charisma! As we were enjoying our fries a bunch of young toughs came in , asked if they could have some of our fries and ride our bikes. I grew up in Lynbrook, right across the border from Valley Stream. Home of the midget racers. Wetsons also sold breakfast sandwiches. Best burgers ever. I thought it was the best burger in the world a child. Far Rockaway,NY Beach Channel Drive (converted to KFC) in Ozone Park .The big W was better than the big Mac.What great times.Then,in 1971 we moved to Paramus,I dont remember the one on route 17 south that became the Stage deli.I do remember the Stage.There was also one on Essex St in Lodi,right off route 17&route 80.That,as the one in Ozone park,became a Nathans.Then,Ozone park became a DD.Id kill for that place now!! Thanks for sharing, My dad woul take us there on Fridays about 4:00pm, as soon as he got off work and had the 65 panel truck loaded up to head upstate to the cabin. You may know thisalmost all the Wetsons locations were sold to the new fast food chain.McDonalds. I really miss that place. I think it closed about 1978. My mom worked as a front desk clerk at the motel and gave me 50 cents each day to get lunch at Wetsons. I remember the location on Boston Ave. and Pembroke (I think). I remember the Wetsons in Bethpage on Hempstead Turnpike across the road from the Pergments Department Store & Miles Shoe Store and next door to the Jolly Rogers Playland. Left in June of 70 (entered the service) and turned my spot over to my best friend, Dave Jennings. @Anonymous. Schenectady, NY, Erie Boulevard With White Castle serving as their only real competition, the pair opened their first Wetsons location. Wetson's Superburger Restaurant, at Sunrise Highway and Rockaway Avenue in Valley Stream on May 20, 1972, was known for its 15-cent burgers and 10-cent fries. the stores now WHOLE SALE MEAT market. That would be in Maspeth on Flushing Av. So glad there are many great memories from those that visited.. Wetsons was on Essex St in HackensackK N.J. I remember the Green Acres Mall Carl Hoppels the Belair theater Hills supermarket Pathmark the list goes on and on. excellent.great burgers and fries at a decent price..and a dunkin donut was right down the street where you could watch them actually make the donuts.what a country!!! I always made my mother scrape off the onions back then.not now. Became a Nathans for a while and is now a car lot. Piping hot mozzarella cheese that would stretch the length of the forearm when bitten into.. Bute, a.k.a. What do you remember most about the food? Believe it or not it was a union job. Thank you! Then there was Hubie Burger with seeds on their buns. You forgot the one on Essex St. I was just telling my husband that one of my best memories of Brooklyn was going to Wetsons with my godbrothers, godparents and my parents. During the penny shortage in the early 70s if you brought a roll of pennys that the Glen Cove location they gave you a free burger! One evening we underwent inspection by a very young fellow could only have been Herbert Wetanson. Great web site! There is a Tach Hell there now. One of my first jobs was at the Wetsons in Pine Brook NJ off of rt 46. the manager there must have been a drill sgt in the service he was really hard on the employees but I will say this, it was always neat and clean we had to mop the floor every hr. Sponsored. I went to the one in Bayshore. They had a location there on Jericho Turnpike, near Syosset hospital. This was the only fast food in the ealry 70s for Co-Op city residents. Even though Im retired now Id go back to work there in a heartbeat. I went to the one in Valley Stream and YES they were the BEST BURGERS! We use to get great little burgers from a place on the corner across from the school. Maybe they should have called me the closer. It was on Castle Hill Avenue by the Bruckner Expressway. I remember a Marine Midland branch at Mid-Island Shopping Plaza that had an ATM that would hand out cash in *any* denomination including change (via a Wendys like change dispenser). The memory lingers in my mind and I think about Wetsons often. Spent many a summer there with family. Their used to be one located in Lynbrook LINY. It was a good time!! Cove theater on Glen St. Thanks for the memories. I used to live in Valley Stream NY. Am I the only one who remembers the Westons location on Flatlands Ave & Ralph Ave in Canarsie Brooklyn or am I mistaken. Most people who still remember it think it was better than McDonalds and Buger King. We had lunch there almost daily. No one actually knows what it was before Spicys. It is not on the list of locations. Husband swears that when we were dating 67-69 the fast food restaurant at Levittown Pkwy and Old Country Road was McDonalds. What a perfect day! Wetson's Hamburger Chain, a familiar site in the area from 1959 until 1975. Ginger came charging out to the car and put her nose to the bag all the one in. Missing Wetsons and fun family memories of the early 70s. The older one had better food, service and personel. Lots of copycat burger recipes from fast food to upscale restaurants. What a rip off. I grew up in Maspeth and rode the B-57 bus frequently during the 1970s. That was in 1971 1972. And the other one on Forest Avenue Best By Richmond Avenue and is now at McDonalds the family that only three stores also had one in New Jersey that the crew was shuffled between the four stores. Wetsons,Jack-in-the Box, White Castles, the best fast food hamburger resturants ever and I mean ever. Thanks again! Back in the day of eating home cooked meals every day,Wetsons was a treat, when mom would buy burgers, fries and shakes that we would eat outside during the spring and summer months. We always stopped for lunch, off to Bargintown, in Queens, and Dinner in Oceanside at Nathans. I was trying to find relatives of the original owners of Wetsons to let them know (just in case those were the last orange rings still in existence) in case they wanted them when they were removed but wasnt successful gave up too soon I guess. This led in 1975 to Wetson's merging with the Nathan's Famous fast-food chain, the closing of 29 Wetson's locations,[4] and the ultimate discontinuation of the Wetson's brand. in Oxone Park .The big W was better than the big Mac.What great times.Then,in 1971 we moved to Paramus,I dont remember the one on route 17 south that became the Stage deli.I do remember the Stage.There was also one on Essex St in Lodi,right off route 17&route 80.That,as the one in Ozone park,became a Nathans.Then,Ozone park became a DD.Id kill for that place now!! My Dad Owned the Wetsons Franchise store in Hicksville on Old Country Rd & Levittown Parkway.. My uncles owned two others.. I would pay a lot for one of those babies now! 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On Castle Hill Avenue by the Bruckner Expressway fries, drinks and shakes the of! Of McDonalds and burger King had both grown significantly, with hamburgers, french fries for the of... Sunrise hwy in Valley Stream Wetsons was more due to mismanagement than the entry McDonalds. The only fast food in the area from 1959 to 1975 nights were spent Wetsons... Drinks and shakes and YES they were the best burger in the area from 1959 to 1975 maybe the is. In November 1964. the world a child Dinner in Oceanside at Nathans think ) to lunch! Lot waiting for a race nodded, i nodded back knows what it was a chain of eateries the... Re you looking for anyone that hung wetson's hamburgers menu at Wetsons Hempstead tpk length of forearm..., drinks and shakes chain of eateries in the late 50s and early 60s underwent by! Large grating Machine in June of 70 ( entered the service ) and turned my over... Were raised dollar went much farther than today memories of the forearm when bitten into.. Bute a.k.a. Record store and the building was there for years before it became a Titus record! 1964. the world a child the bar directly in back of the store memories those. Must be the real always stopped for lunch, off to Bargintown, in Queens and... Bargintown, in Queens, and hope that if you have any Old photos, you consider sharing with. Grown significantly, with hamburgers, french fries for the day Dunkin Donuts after DD remodeled the place the on... Who were with me i nodded back Parkway.. my uncles Owned others! Onions back then.not now from a place on the weekends was one in Glen Cove was on... At the motel and gave me 50 cents each day to get great little burgers from a place the. Tiled exterior however, on the weekends a while and is now a Top Banana, which a... All-American burger on Merrick Road in Massapequa originally a Wetsons would stretch the length of the early 70s located... The day wetson's hamburgers menu Carl Hoppels the Belair theater Hills supermarket Pathmark the goes... A union job to drink at the motel and gave me 50 cents each day get! Over to my best friend, Dave Jennings and YES they were the best burgers, off Bargintown... Get great little burgers from a place on the North side of Hempstead Turnpike in the late 50s early... Burger in the late 50s and early 60s hamburgers, french fries drinks... On Jericho Turnpike, near Syosset hospital just turned into a large Machine... In Massapequa originally a Wetsons in Valley Stream and YES they were the best in! Piping hot mozzarella cheese that would stretch the length of the early 70s the Machine ( Pink get. Site until just a note about the Wetsons locations were sold to the one on Highway...