Chuc Wagun Hamburgers

[Disastro]

Anybody remember the Chuck Wagon restaurant? I think it was over on Airline or somewhere near Garden Oaks. I remember my parents taking me there when I was a little kid...remember the food being good. Can anyone give some details or pictures of the joint?

Dis

Edited September 16, 2007 by Disastro

[Earlydays]

Anybody remember the Chuck Wagon restaurant? I think it was over on Airline or somewhere near Garden Oaks. I remember my parents taking me there when I was a little kid...remember the food being good. Can anyone give some details or pictures of the joint?

Dis

I remember them well....I used eat at the one on OST.

Wheel Burger, Hub Burger and Spoke Dog..........

[Heights2Bastrop]

The only one I can remember going to was the one on Long Point at Antoine, but I believe there were a number of them around town.

Edited September 17, 2007 by Heights2Bastrop

[Dan the Man]

I think there was also one on Lawndale Ave.

[sevfiv]

the ones i could find in my directories were at 1132 E 11th, 7414 Long Point, 6817 Bissonnet, and 3418 Broadway in the seventies, and 5210 Kirby, 4546 OST, 117 W Crosstimbers, and 3418 Broadway in the fifties.

ooh, and they were listed as "The Chuc-Wagun" - the one on Broadway was a pupuseria when i lived over in that area

[J W]

Broadway and Park Place , Their big Wagonmaster burger on a poppy-seed bun was truly food for the gods !

[Vertigo58]

I think there was also one on Lawndale Ave.

It is directly across the street from the current Post Office, or rather slightly to the left of it. Now called Stephanies Bar. It operated up until about 1976. I clearly recall that they would stock the soft drinks in those wooden crates and have them on the outside of the building. Thats how trusting it was around there then. Too bad we dont have pictures of the little wagon cover on top of the building.

This also reminded me of the Chuck Wagon dog food commercial. The dog gets startled to see a tiny chuck wagon parading around the kitchen. Remember? lol

[northbeaumont]

Broadway and Park Place , Their big Wagonmaster burger on a poppy-seed bun was truly food for the gods !

Yes, that one was a "teenage hangout" for Milby High School students.

[westhu]

There was a Chuck Wagon on W. 34th st. next door to Waltrip High School, about the 1300 block. I know that it was in operation from the mid 50's until around 1968, likely longer than that.

Wheel Burgers were $.35, Hub Brurgrs were $.25 and Spokes were $.25. They had the best tater tots ever made. When you called to place an order, they answered the phone Chuck Wagon #9. The location is now an abandoned auto repair.

The only better hamburger I ever had as a kid was at Linder Lake. Now that goes back a long, long time.

There is still an old building on Broadway that has the wagon top. I'll see if I can get a pic.

[sevfiv]

There is still an old building on Broadway that has the wagon top. I'll see if I can get a pic.

that's the pupuseria - i think it is pink now...

[gnu]

that's the pupuseria - i think it is pink now...

and fluorescent green, too.

the pupusas there are okay but i like the pupuseria on telephone rd better. you know the one, sevfiv...near your old digs just down from the santa rosa theater site.

[jwphillips2]

The Chuck Wagon I remember was on the South East corner of Willow Bend and South Post Oak.

Wheel Burgers, Hub Burgers and Spoke Burgers. Best chocolate malts (not shakes) in Houston. You drove up, parked, and walked up to that little window in the front to place your order. I still can't imagine McDonalds under-cutting their price by a nickel!!

[northbeaumont]

There was a Chuck Wagon on W. 34th st. next door to Waltrip High School, about the 1300 block. I know that it was in operation from the mid 50's until around 1968, likely longer than that.

Wheel Burgers were $.35, Hub Brurgrs were $.25 and Spokes were $.25. They had the best tater tots ever made. When you called to place an order, they answered the phone Chuck Wagon #9. The location is now an abandoned auto repair.

The only better hamburger I ever had as a kid was at Linder Lake. Now that goes back a long, long time.

There is still an old building on Broadway that has the wagon top. I'll see if I can get a pic.

Yes, those days and the 15-cent Burger Chef burgers are part of a memorable past. I just remembered a burger place we went to when I was a kid. I was placing the order, the person asked me if I wanted that burger "all the way." I had to go to the car and ask my dad what that meant. He told me that it meant a burger with everything on it.

Someone from New Jersey told me that up there they'll ask you if you want your burger to be "dragged through the garden."

[EastEnd Susan]

It is directly across the street from the current Post Office, or rather slightly to the left of it. Now called Stephanies Bar. It operated up until about 1976. I clearly recall that they would stock the soft drinks in those wooden crates and have them on the outside of the building. Thats how trusting it was around there then. Too bad we dont have pictures of the little wagon cover on top of the building.

This also reminded me of the Chuck Wagon dog food commercial. The dog gets startled to see a tiny chuck wagon parading around the kitchen. Remember? lol

I remember that place now. It was close to Dismuke, and Hackney.. around that area. They had the cloth awnings to park under. I remember you would walk up, place your order in the little enclosed area and you could either eat in your car or on one of those concrete tables under the awnings. Ooooh, wheel burger!! They had the best onion rings in town. Thanks for the memory.

Edited September 18, 2007 by EastEnd Susan

[Vertigo58]

I remember that place now. It was close to Dismuke, and Hackney.. around that area. They had the cloth awnings to park under. I remember you would walk up, place your order in the little enclosed area and you could either eat in your car or on one of those concrete tables under the awnings. Ooooh, wheel burger!! They had the best onion rings in town. Thanks for the memory.

How can I ever forget that one? We were throwing rocks at windows at the big old abandoned house across the street. Some car pulled up out of nowhere and we all ran in different directions. Of course I was crazy enough to follow my friend across the street to Chuck Wagon cut across and kept running. One of the kids (got caught) parents snitched to mom and we all eventually got busted big time.

Another great way to never forget that specific Chuck Wagon. I was grounded for weeks and it hurts just thinking about the whippings!

[jwphillips2]

Someone from New Jersey told me that up there they'll ask you if you want your burger to be "dragged through the garden."

If you didn't specifically ask for it, your burger would arrive as a pattie in a bun with catsup. Yum! There didn't have malts, but they did have frappes. I was always afraid to order it. River Oaks Drugstore in front of Lamar and St. Johns had the best fountain drinks. White Oak Pharmacy in the Heights was a very close second. Brittains' Broil-a-burger anyone?

Edited September 18, 2007 by jwphillips2

[Blender]

This also reminded me of the Chuck Wagon dog food commercial. The dog gets startled to see a tiny chuck wagon parading around the kitchen. Remember? lol

Haha - I'm glad you brought that up. My sister cried one time because she thought our parents were taking her to eat dog food.

[IHB2]

the original Bellaire area Chuck Wagon was on Bellaire Blvd a couple of blocks west of Chimney Rock. around 1965 that location closed (maybe to make way for Vance & Sons Auto dealership expansion) and opened the larger one at 6817 Bissonnet (currently El Pupusadromo #2).

the post-football/basketball practice order: Wheel with cheese (or a Spoke with chili), onion rings, and a giant tub o'Coke. then head home in time for dinner.

in 1982 I drove into Abilene and saw a Chuck Wagon still in operation. you can guess where I had dinner that night, and lunch the next day.

[Vertigo58]

There was a Chuck Wagon on W. 34th st. next door to Waltrip High School, about the 1300 block. I know that it was in operation from the mid 50's until around 1968, likely longer than that.

Wheel Burgers were $.35, Hub Brurgrs were $.25 and Spokes were $.25. They had the best tater tots ever made. When you called to place an order, they answered the phone Chuck Wagon #9. The location is now an abandoned auto repair.

The only better hamburger I ever had as a kid was at Linder Lake. Now that goes back a long, long time.

There is still an old building on Broadway that has the wagon top. I'll see if I can get a pic.

You are right! They all had those funny names. Eastend Susan was right too, the one on Lawndale had an enclosed little area surrounded by glass and a rail you could lean on? Lady would take your order and I think they called your number. This one had those outdoor concrete table/benches with inbedded colored chips of tile inlaid.

We kids always wanted to climb on top of the building and get inside the wagon. Like when Beaver Cleaver got stuck in that billboard of the coffee cup with steam.lol

[Mikeytex]

Broadway and Park Place , Their big Wagonmaster burger on a poppy-seed bun was truly food for the gods !

I went to that one several times. I can still remember the smell of those bugers cooking in the cozy little grill area.........yummy!

[Sharpstown Bill]

I used to work @Chuc Wagun on Bissonnet back in 72-73 for the one & thank God only Richard Warren (yep--remember his name after all these years...some restaurant mangaers will do that to you) for the whopping amount of $1 an hour---wow! and no 401K's back then! But I did like the food & the neon sign out front was really cool

Edited September 19, 2007 by Sharpstown Bill

[Vertigo58]

I used to work @Chuc Wagun on Bissonnet back in 72-73 for the one & thank God only Richard Warren (yep--remember his name after all these years...some restaurant mangaers will do that to you) for the whopping amount of $1 an hour---wow! and no 401K's back then! But I did like the food & the neon sign out front was really cool

Wow! Now that's a first, to find someone that actually worked there. I can only imagine how "uncluttered" or un-crowded Bissonnet was around that time.

Edited September 19, 2007 by Vertigo58

[GoneGator]

I used to work @Chuc Wagun on Bissonnet back in 72-73 for the one & thank God only Richard Warren (yep--remember his name after all these years...some restaurant mangaers will do that to you) for the whopping amount of $1 an hour---wow! and no 401K's back then! But I did like the food & the neon sign out front was really cool

Chuck Wagon Alumni Representing!

I worked there back in '76. The same Richard Warren was there. This was my first real job. I had the glamorous task of mopping, taking out the trash, etc. for about $1.50 per hour. Couldn't work in the grill or behind the counter. This was back when a 12-year-old could actually get some semblance of work and, of course, minimum wage rules didn't apply. As I recall, Baskin-Robbins was paying 1.25/hour at the time for 14 year olds.

On a side trip, the Kroger across the street had a deal where coupons were given out for carts that were returned from the lot. There were little books we could fill up. Fifty coupons could be exchanged for one dollar and this was another job of sorts I had to make spending money at that age.

Bissonnet was fairly built up in that area by that time.

[nm5k]

Chuck Wagon Alumni Representing!

I worked there back in '76. The same Richard Warren was there. This was my first real job. I had the glamorous task of mopping, taking out the trash, etc. for about $1.50 per hour. Couldn't work in the grill or behind the counter. This was back when a 12-year-old could actually get some semblance of work and, of course, minimum wage rules didn't apply. As I recall, Baskin-Robbins was paying 1.25/hour at the time for 14 year olds.

On a side trip, the Kroger across the street had a deal where coupons were given out for carts that were returned from the lot. There were little books we could fill up. Fifty coupons could be exchanged for one dollar and this was another job of sorts I had to make spending money at that age.

Bissonnet was fairly built up in that area by that time.

That must have been the one I went to sometimes.. I knew I'd been to a chuckwagon,

but I totally forgot where it was.. :/ I just generally remember it being semi near

the Southwest freeway for some reason, so that was probably it I guess..

We went to it when I was working one of my first jobs.. Soliciting for the Houston Post..

We'd all go to chuckwagon before we hit the streets after school.

Needless to say, I didn't last too long at that job. I hate sales... Not to mention

I hated knocking on peoples doors and bugging them, etc.. And most already

took it, or didn't want it.. I was probably lucky to clear enough to pay for going

to chuckwagon before starting work.. I'm fairly sure I was still in jr high at

that time. Maybe 9th grade or so..

MK

[Disastro]

the ones i could find in my directories were at 1132 E 11th, 7414 Long Point, 6817 Bissonnet, and 3418 Broadway in the seventies, and 5210 Kirby, 4546 OST, 117 W Crosstimbers, and 3418 Broadway in the fifties.

ooh, and they were listed as "The Chuc-Wagun" - the one on Broadway was a pupuseria when i lived over in that area

The one on Crosstimbers...that's the one I remember!

[TJones]

For some reason I remember there being a Chuck Wagon in front of the Dillard's there at the Galleria. It is now a "420 Head Shop" or "Zone D' Erotica". but before it was a Roy Roger's restaurant and before that I feel certain that it was a Chuck Wagon in the 70's.

Edited September 22, 2007 by TJones

[Disastro]

For some reason I remember there being a Chuck Wagon in front of the Dillard's there at the Galleria. It is now a "420 Head Shop" or "Zone D' Erotica". but before it was a Roy Roger's restaurant and before that I feel certain that it was a Chuck Wagon in the 70's.

It was Larry's Hamburgers for a while...during the early 90's...

I remember it was Roy Rogers first...that's what the restaurant was built as.

[Sharpstown Bill]

You & I must've had the same job because that fit my descripition as well!!!

Chuck Wagon Alumni Representing!

I worked there back in '76. The same Richard Warren was there. This was my first real job. I had the glamorous task of mopping, taking out the trash, etc. for about $1.50 per hour. Couldn't work in the grill or behind the counter. This was back when a 12-year-old could actually get some semblance of work and, of course, minimum wage rules didn't apply. As I recall, Baskin-Robbins was paying 1.25/hour at the time for 14 year olds.

On a side trip, the Kroger across the street had a deal where coupons were given out for carts that were returned from the lot. There were little books we could fill up. Fifty coupons could be exchanged for one dollar and this was another job of sorts I had to make spending money at that age.

Bissonnet was fairly built up in that area by that time.

[Vertigo58]

It was Larry's Hamburgers for a while...during the early 90's...

I remember it was Roy Rogers first...that's what the restaurant was built as.

Wasn't Roy Rogers restaurant kind of popular for a while?

and I wonder if the real actor gave his ok to use his name? I understand you just cant grab a famous name and use it without consent, etc.

[EastEnd Susan]

Wasn't Roy Rogers restaurant kind of popular for a while?

and I wonder if the real actor gave his ok to use his name? I understand you just cant grab a famous name and use it without consent, etc.

I remember a Roy Rogers by Gulfgate Mall close to Woodridge.

[Vertigo58]

I remember a Roy Rogers by Gulfgate Mall close to Woodridge.

I think your correct. For some reason I recall that checkered pattern of white and red like you see on picnic table cloths? It was either on the roof or part of the employees uniforms. Apparently there are some still kicking around but with a more modern look? Yippee cai yay!

http://www.royrogersrestaurants.com/

[Disastro]

Wasn't Roy Rogers restaurant kind of popular for a while?

and I wonder if the real actor gave his ok to use his name? I understand you just cant grab a famous name and use it without consent, etc.

I'm sure he did.

The RR restaurants didn't seem to do a good job of competing with Arby's and went away...at least in Houston. However, if I am ever in a place with a RR's, I'll have to check it out for old time's sake...

[markwz]

Chuck Wagon Alumni Representing!

I worked there back in '76. The same Richard Warren was there. This was my first real job. I had the glamorous task of mopping, taking out the trash, etc. for about $1.50 per hour. Couldn't work in the grill or behind the counter. This was back when a 12-year-old could actually get some semblance of work and, of course, minimum wage rules didn't apply. As I recall, Baskin-Robbins was paying 1.25/hour at the time for 14 year olds.

Hello all, I stumbled across this fourum by searching for "Chuc Wagun".

Richard Warren was my uncle. He was one of the co-owners of the place along with my dad Ken Whetzel, and his friend, Tony.

My dad built the building on the Bissonett location. My grandfather, Marshal Warren, ran the location with the old Wagon top on OST. My mom worked there while she was going to school.

I spent much time there in my teens working jobs around there and making onion rings, which we made fresh each day by hand. Luckly, we had an automatic, "manual" onion slicer that made part of that process a lot quicker. Intresting to hear of so many people that remember the old places.

[Disastro]

Hello all, I stumbled across this fourum by searching for "Chuc Wagun".

Richard Warren was my uncle. He was one of the co-owners of the place along with my dad Ken Whetzel, and his friend, Tony.

My dad built the building on the Bissonett location. My grandfather, Marshal Warren, ran the location with the old Wagon top on OST. My mom worked there while she was going to school.

I spent much time there in my teens working jobs around there and making onion rings, which we made fresh each day by hand. Luckly, we had an automatic, "manual" onion slicer that made part of that process a lot quicker. Intresting to hear of so many people that remember the old places.

You or someone in your family should bring back "The Wagon"...Princes' made a comeback, why not Chuc Wagon?

[Idylweird]

I remember a Roy Rogers by Gulfgate Mall close to Woodridge.

It's a taqueria now:

http://www.daplus.us/ShowPhoto.aspx?abi=C0...;Partner=400240

[Vertigo58]

It's a taqueria now:

http://www.daplus.us/ShowPhoto.aspx?abi=C0...;Partner=400240

That was an Arby's in the late 70's. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Most Chuck Wagon's had the wagon cover on top.

[yams69]

The only one I can remember going to was the one on Long Point at Antoine, but I believe there were a number of them around town.

That one was the only one I knew also, so you must be a Spring Branch native too. It must have closed down in the mid-to-late '70's.

[Disastro]

It's a taqueria now:

http://www.daplus.us/ShowPhoto.aspx?abi=C0...;Partner=400240

Considering its location it might as well be!

Ay-yi-yi!!!!

[Whitesman]

There was a Chuck Wagon on W. 34th st. next door to Waltrip High School, about the 1300 block. I know that it was in operation from the mid 50's until around 1968, likely longer than that.

Wheel Burgers were $.35, Hub Brurgrs were $.25 and Spokes were $.25. They had the best tater tots ever made. When you called to place an order, they answered the phone Chuck Wagon #9. The location is now an abandoned auto repair.

The only better hamburger I ever had as a kid was at Linder Lake. Now that goes back a long, long time.

There is still an old building on Broadway that has the wagon top. I'll see if I can get a pic.

In the 1980's the owners son of that property, had a type of flea market there ,where you could trade items you had, for items they had, and he also sold some metal detectors.You could also commission what you had to sell or he would buy it or trade.

After he left the location, a few years later the Auto Repair shop opened up.

I used to go to Waltrip in the late 60's and remember ordering a "Suicide" soft drink at the Chuck Wagon. You got a little of each flavor of soft drinks they had, and 3 straws to drink it.

I swear you could taste each flavor out of the individual straws!!!!!

[Poppahop]

[Sharpstown Bill]

That looks like it was painted with that temper paint we used in elementary school

[PapillionWyngs]

Yes, that one was a "teenage hangout" for Milby High School students.

Yes, indeed it WAS a hangout for Milby High School Students - I was one!!! Class of 1973!

[raindrop]

I worked at the Chuc Wagon on Bissonnet in 1975ish. I remember Richard Warren and his wife, along with several other co-workers. The onion rings were the best. I was actually trying to remember that darn recipe a few months ago. I do remember the Post solicitors (back when there WAS a Houston Post) and that little bitty window next to the large flat griddle that you ordered from. I can still hear those metal spatulas clanging............... The uniforms were yellow checked shirts and those fake leather (vinyl) aprons <ick>. It could be a crazy place at times. For those who worked there, remember the little office in the back...and that squeaky back door? Too funny.

Edited April 25, 2008 by raindrop

[NenaE]

I think there was also one on Lawndale Ave.

It is directly across the street from the current Post Office, or rather slightly to the left of it. Now called Stephanies Bar. It operated up until about 1976. I clearly recall that they would stock the soft drinks in those wooden crates and have them on the outside of the building. Thats how trusting it was around there then. Too bad we dont have pictures of the little wagon cover on top of the building.

This also reminded me of the Chuck Wagon dog food commercial. The dog gets startled to see a tiny chuck wagon parading around the kitchen. Remember? lol

Wasn't there something like that next to the East End theater, on 75th? Don't think it was a chuck wagon...was it?

It's funny how so many of the old buildings have those palm trees in by them (see the picture above)...I see it all the time. Vertigo mentioned it before...

Edited April 25, 2008 by NenaE

[Vertigo58]

That looks like it was painted with that temper paint we used in elementary school

That is quite hilarious, but hey it matches the underpass column's at 45 and Wayside now! Must be the same designer. lol

Hang them pinata's! What the heck... Cinco de mayo's almost here anyway.

[dntbother2610]

My parents purchased a Chuck Wagon built in Dallas, Texas. Our family business is named Carrizales Taco Wagon, but is also known as just the Taco Wagon for short & it is located in Oak Cliff. I would LOVE to see any of the other Chuck Wagon's if they are still standing.Can anyone help me find the other restaurants? I believe there was a total of 7 Chuck Wagon's built. Thanks in advanced for any info or comments.

[Texasepies]

This one was on Broadway, gone now.

[Dan the Man]

There was another one on Lawndale & Des Jardines. It has also been demolished.

[crambole]

There was one in Irving at the Northwest corner of Irving Blvd. and Loop 12. I believe the year was 1953. I remember their slogan was "There is a meal in a wheel", and a "Hub" was a small hamburger, a "Spoke" was a hot dog, and a "wheel" was a giant hamburger. The couple that owned it worked very hard, but did not do well. It was only there for a couple of years, probably because of the dairy queen less than a block away. I also remember that the hamburgers we're really tasteless and looked like they had a cardboard filler in the meat. Too bad they didn't have better quality management at the franchise level, or they could have been the McDonald's of the 50's.

[NenaE]

There was also one on Telephone Road, close to and across from the now defunct Santa Rosa Theater, was located before Bellfort.