I was a manager at BK back in the 1990s. Around 1998 they changed from the original fries to a "coated" version. They were not great. The 2012-present fries are much better. The Whopper has changed slightly over the years as well. They no longer steam the buns which I think makes them too dry. They also stopped using shredded lettuce, which I miss, but I know some people like giant hunks of lettuce. Pro tip. If you want fresh fries, order them with no salt. They'll have to drop a fresh basket. Then ask for a salt packet.
I was an asst manager and went up to a Company district Mgr for them in the 80's I worked In Windsor Ontario the home of the first CDN Burger King In1969.
Allow me to fill in the blanks. Maybe the OP will read. I worked at this exact Burger King in the late 70’s. There is an explanation to the “consistency “ question. At that time, most of the BKs were franchises by a company called Chart House. The south Naperville location for this video was actually a privately owned sub franchise from Chart house. The menu was set but the supply chain was not. We (I say we because I was in it!) were not required to buy meat, buns or fries from a BK approved supplier. Our owner didn’t like frozen patties so he bought fresh. He bought fries from wherever he could so there were inconsistencies. We only had one register and we had no printouts for the sandwich makers. The order taker read the order over the speaker and the sandwich makers simply remembered what to make! We rocked! I’m 64 and am still in contact with some of my coworkers!
I am from Germany. I ate my first Whopper at a BK on a US military base. We more or less snuck into the army post to get our Whoppers, BK Broilers, BBQ Bacon Double Cheeseburgers and all the other stuff. Believe me, I have eaten at BK Restaurant in many different countries around the world. No other Burger King could compete with the Burger King at this military post. I am now over 50, the army post is closed, the Americans have left and “my” good old Burger King has been demolished. I still miss these times and these phenomenal Whoppers.
Great story, It was so good back then. Good thing Germany has a Burger King in every town now and German BKs have a way bigger selection than Swiss BKs, ja.
Back in the 80’s when I was in the Navy, after being at sea for six months, the first place I hit when we got back to Norfolk was BK’s on Hampton Blvd. That first whopper with cheese after six months was the best tasting burger in the world !
Times have changed for Sailors these days! When I'm in port I get what I need! Not just Havanas or Bananas or daiquiris, but that American creation on which I feed! Cheese-Burger in Paradise!
Relics tend to be fun... Doesn't help that current places have been eliminating everything unique about each place. Now it's just the sign slapped on the same mass produced building
I used to ride my bike to BK everyday. Whoppers were 99 cents and they had a Street Fight II arcade machine. If i ever hit the lottery, hopefully that BK is still there and i can franchise it
@@Edwarddiaz21 Yes it was I'm happy it was cheap I didn't have any money I was trying to graduate highschool while my parents lived in other states that dollar Whopper saved My life
I grew up in Naperville in the 90s, and I ate at this BK all the time. There was a comic and game store next door so I'd bike down with my friends and go to the store then BK. I never knew this was the last original style BK left, very cool.
I grew up in Naperville, Illinois when the town was less than 24K residence. Went to Naperville North H.S. during the early 70's . this was the do to place on Washington street when I was a teenager! Thanks for the memories....
Back in the 60' s and 70's I used to stop at a Burger King in Miami and the Whopper was great! Even today I stop about once a month into a nearby Burger King and even though many things have changed, if the Whopper is done right and fresh, it is still outstanding.
I'm definitely with you on that. I know a few things about Burger King's food safety, they go way beyond health regulations, watching this guy eat that burger makes me want one right now!
What a great video! The history, jingles and commercials, photos, AND visiting this last original location...you hit it out of the park. It's easy to tell you put a lot of work into this with all of the history and facts. Such a nostalgic feeling watching this. I have good memories visiting Burger King as a child. You just earned a subscriber.
My mom ate at Burger King on the night before I was born, June 25, 1968. I now live 5 minutes from one in downtown Austell, GA, and I just had some BK tonight! The $5 Your Way Whopper Jr meal!
HERE IN SOUTH JERSEY THEY HAVE THE 2 WHOPPER JUNIORS, AND 2 SMALL FRIES AND 2 SMALL SODAS FOR 5.99 AND IT ENDS JAN 15,2025. WISH THIS WOULD CONTINUE IF SO IT WOULD BRING PEOPLE IN MORE.
BK is also an official fast food at military installations and they would set up pop up BKs overseas in war zones. BK has and will always be my favorite and the most affordable especially with their app deals
The 80s were the last great Western decade, the 90s up until about ‘96 represented the last gasp of American greatness. Thanks for sharing such a cool spot, I hope it’s stays just like that forever.👍
Parked by the river behind this Burger King was a van while Bob Odenkirk was growing up, this in turn inspired him when he was writing the best SNL Skitch ever. Van down by the river was born right there.
My sister had a restaurant on Jefferson, Steve from Sex and the City goes there. Russal Crowe when he filmed Superman & mike Starr from Goodfellows went there before.
Great video, I remember these when I was a kid. There used to be several still in Miami. I worked 13 years for Burger King headquarters in Miami and receive a pension from them. Today. Was really great seeing a lot of the old stuff in your video. My dad would tell me stories about the first Burger King that opened in South Florida.
I throughly enjoyed this video my friend!! We have a Burger King about 4 miles from our house. It’s connected to a convenient store called “Spinx”. They’re really huge here in the Greenville, SC area. But the Double Whopper with cheese combo is my favorite as well!! I’m 54 years old. And for some reason, I remember the onion rings tasting better when I was a kid, than they do today. But maybe it’s just me. And I definitely remember those Star Wars Glasses!! I had a few of those back in the early 80s. Ahh…to be able to relive those days. It would be great. Take care and God bless!! 🙏🏻💯🤘
Great video. Seeing the last original BK and the history lesson is cool. The first waves of franchises and independent drive-ins in the US were run by returning GIs like my uncle. He told stories about price wars that would occasionally flare up along the “main drag” of the town. It’s hard to believe that a free scoop of ice cream could cause a small riot.
Thanks for sharing this experience. I grew up in Naperville and ate there from the early 1960s until now. I assumed it was probably one of the few locations that retained the original building but was unaware that it was the last of its kind on earth. I even remember the sign with the "king" on it. During the summer, my friends and I would ride our bikes down to this Burger King and get a burger fries, and a coke and eat at the counter that faced Washington street, so that we could keep an eye on our bikes parked outside. Just North, down the street, on the other side of the DuPage river was a Cock Robin restaurant, with its signature cube-shaped ice cream scoops (I always ordered the Concord grape flavor. Great memories!
I grew up on Burger King when i was a little kid in Staten Island. The smell of the literal flame broiled burgers was to die for. I miss those simple pleasures. I was blessed to have a simple yet special childhood.
My oldest brother worked at Bugar King back in the late 60s and I remember that style of building with the large neon red angles and Burger King on the top. Brings back fond memories
Місяць тому+2
Growing up in town, they were the most consistent BK. We used to walk down before school and grab burgers before class. That building is a historical landmark and will be there forever
You'll have to come up to Hamilton Ontario, Canada. They have the first Tim Hortons, which opened on May 17, 1964 it has an upstairs museum. Also, in Hamilton, they have the first international Wendy's, which was also the first Wendy's in Canada, it opened on Sept 23, 1975! If you're ever on the West Coast Vancouver British Columbia, Canada has the first International Starbucks, which opened on March 1st, 1987
Amazing! I worked at this BK for one summer when I was in college at nearby North Central College. Employees always got a meal included. We made a special off menu “Double Whopper Cheese Trio” and of course it was OTB. This was also when I met probably the 2 fastest burger line cooks I have ever seen. Each could crank out 18 burgers a minute. Whoppers or Big Kings….
I go to Naperville occasionally and never knew they had this Burger King there. The next time I go, I'll have to check it out. I'm just used to hitting up Portillos in Naperville. LOL!
As a kid & to this day as an adult I ALWAYS loved Burger King & its my go to place to eat. I loved everything from the Whopper, to the Kids Meal & Toys, Slides & the 90's is where they really hit the jackpot. I have noticed a lot of changes too from the buns, to the fries & collaborations with IP's but still love it. I do miss those cool & wacky commercials they did between 90's through 2010's. Now its just singing & rhyming My location in my area know me so well whenever I put in a mobile order or enter the building & present a coupon from the mail but my fav Burger King spot is the 1 in Burbank which is the same BK that was shot in the opening sequence of Back To The Future when Marty was late for school. Everytime I visit that BK I feel im in the movie
This is nice, I miss the old Burger King commercials, especially the Burger King town commercials from the 80s. If I see another BK have it your way commercial I think I’ll scream
You mean that stupid "You Rule" commercial with that tone deaf guy? Makes me wanna throw a hammer through my TV every time! Thank God for mute buttons.
Coincidentally, since Pillsbury once owned Burger King, you can buy Hungry Jack branded pancake mix and instant mashed potatoes in boxes at the grocery store here in the USA.
The fries in the 90s were my favorite. I used to go to McDonald's and get a Big Mac and then run over and get BK fries. They still had a little skin on them and tasted fresh. After they changed them it was never the same. They were like mashed potatoes formed and deep fried to look like fries. They tasted awful and it wasn't until 2012 that they finally started to taste somewhat palatable...but never like they were pre late 90s. Just my two cents.
When Burger King expanded to Australia they discovered the Burger King name was already trademarked there. So they’re named Hungry Jack’s. Everything else is basically the same aside from the name.
Another fun fact…. Canadian, Jack Cowan was responsible for Australian franchise, starting in Perth and Sydney simultaneously. My younger brother was in primary school with his daughter in 1978…. happy days…. Yes there fries were always shit. Also no Maccas in Perth till the early mid 1980’s….. and cops got their food for free….. do any 70’s Aussie kids remember hunger jacks birthday club? Also they used to do hotdogs. And the salty ham cheese roll the yumbo. Nice memories. Can’t ember the last time I ate Hungary’s….. weird, in Victoria circa 2000 Burger King came and competed with Hungry Jacks…. Exactly the same, different packaging.
Canadian, Jack Cowan was responsible for Australian franchise, starting in Perth and Sydney simultaneously. My younger brother was in primary school with his daughter in 1978…. happy days…. Yes there fries were always shit. Also no Maccas in Perth till the early mid 1980’s….. and cops got their food for free….. do any 70’s Aussie kids remember hunger jacks birthday club? Also they used to do hotdogs. And the salty ham cheese roll the yumbo. Nice memories. Can’t ember the last time I ate Hungary’s….. weird, in Victoria circa 2000 Burger King came and competed with Hungry Jacks…. Exactly the same, different packaging.
Fantastic video!!! I have a BK tip for you. I love the Whopper, but I don’t like the cheese they use at all. I don’t know what they do to it, but melts too easy and it’s more like a sauce. I use my own American cheese and it’s so much better. I’ve even put a couple of slices in a sandwich bag and taken them to the restaurant with me. I recommend that you give it a try whether you pack it yourself to BK like a nut or just add your own cheese at home. If you do it at home, set the cheese out on the counter before you leave the house so it isn’t refrigerator cold when it goes on your burger. I think you will be impressed.
Fun fact. The original Burger King is in Mattoon, IL and has nothing to do with Burger King the fast food chain. It existed before the Burger King franchise and the court ordered that the Burger King franchise could not open within 20 miles of the Burger King in Mattoon. That would make a good video for you.
My mom and Dad took us to Bk after church on Sunday's that was in the 60's remember it well looking that way. And it is still there today in Tucker Georgia back then Lawrenceville was country Dad drove 15 miles to the only BK around.
THANK YOU SO Much!! For sharing as well putting this masterpiece❤ been a BK lover ever since my dad took the family out for dinner and I clearly remember them having a playground ❤ such nostalgic in this video❤❤❤❤
I grew up in a small Massachusetts town south of Boston, and we had a Burger King. The only fast food place in town. I didn't grow up on McDonald's like my friends in the surrounding towns. It was Burger King. After little league in the 70's, we'd always go to Burger King. On a Saturday, we'd bug our parents to go to Burger King. And then in High School in the 80's.. the after school hangout was... Burger King. Where did a ton of us get our first jobs? At the Burger King. It was such a huge part of my childhood, that Burger King will always be my favorite fast food spot, and I'm so glad they're getting rid of that 90's early 2000's logo and color scheme garbage, and going back to their 70's designs. I only wish the buildings and interiors went back too. So much nostalgia and so many memories.
The very FIRST Burger King building still stands at 7146 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216! It is a Supermarcado now, but the shape of the building still stands! The dyanmic I-beams were taken down years ago, but there are other buildings in the Jackonsivlle, FL area that were former BKs.
@@misterwhipple2870 Probably. It's a supermarket now, but I believe it had been resturants/burger joints after BK was done with it. If I have time soon, i'll drive over there and go in to look!
I about eight years ago, I was a taxi driver in downtown Naperville for almost three years and ate more times at this BK than I had in my entire life. It was a great option for food on the go when working the nightlife crowds on Chicago Ave. At the time, it was still a good value too. I’m glad the Naperville city council hasn’t pushed for modernization of the buildings facade like they’ve done to everything else.
The original is actually Mattoon, Illinois. It's the one that won the lawsuit to keep the name despite the national chain. They have their own everything there, and feature shake fries with malt vinegar.
I'm from the Chicago area, I can remember eating at that store in the late 70's and through the 80's. And, I can remember those commercials. I also used to eat at Geri's Hamburgers in northwest of this location in the 70's / 80's.
I used to manage this location. The exterior was remodeled. The original exterior was where the front counter is currently. The glass wall was added later. Also, Bob Odenkirk grew up in Naperville and wrote the "Matt Foley" SNL sketch based on the stoneRs who hung out in a van behind this location ... by the river.
I don't know what they're doing to the food now, but in recent years I always get "The Burger King Hangover" after eating there, I feel like absolute crap and absolutely lethargic. My parents noticed the same thing. No other fast food places, just Burger King, multiple locations. Only eat it like twice a year now.
There’s a 70s/80s Burger King Building next to a modern one in Blue Bell PA. It became a dry cleaner and then closed in 2020. Still has tables outside. Can see where the sign was
Fun fact in 1971 Burger King came to Australia, however the name Burger King was already trademarked here so Burger King named their Australian restaurants "Hungry Jack's" so if you are ever in Australia looking for the nearest Burger King best look for Hungry Jack's!
@pika23 Yeah, the current sign is based on an older Burger King sign from 1994. Apparently, they did go to update it to the 1999 version but never used it. So if you know the 1994 version of the Burger King sign and replace the words Burger King with Hungry Jack's, then you've pretty much got it.
That was the Indian chief from the TV show 'F TROOP' !!???❤ The 2nd commercial had big name actors!❤ I love BK bacon double cheeseburgers when I crave a burger, but like McD fries instead, and IN n OUT vanilla shakes
Actually, the real Burger King is in Mattoon, Illinois. The chain had to pay royalties because the one in Mattoon had the name first. The one in Mattoon is still in operation.
I am surprised this video does not mention the true original Burger King in Matooon, IL. You are right, it is still serving buirgers. it is THe "Burger King" #MatoonIL
I didn't mention that because I'll be doing a video there in the future. And that restaurant technically has nothing to do with the franchise restaurants of burger king outside of the name so it really didn't have anything to do with thier story
@@SetsStreetsEatsActually it has a lot to do with their story because if it wasn’t for the original restaurant, the franchise might not be a thing. You might be going to Burger Queen’s instead. There is a vast story behind both restaurants.
I live In Naperville, Yo Chris thanks for coming to visit man it would have been cool to meet you. All of that road construction has been going on for 2yrs now 🙄 It’s soooo annoying.
I was a child in the late 50's early 60's when Burger King opened two blocks from our house in Champaign, Illinois. Amazed at seeing a salad on my burger I enjoyed the hell out of it and still do to this day.
I remember as a kid traveling from NJ to Florida on vacations in the mid 1960's and stopping at Burger King and getting a Whopper for 59 cents. They later opened one in Metchun, NJ about a year after.
In the 60s my parents would take us from New Jersey to Florida each year for vacation. It was a huge treat to eat at Burger King since none had made it up to where we lived yet. Good video.
I was a manager at BK back in the 1990s. Around 1998 they changed from the original fries to a "coated" version. They were not great. The 2012-present fries are much better. The Whopper has changed slightly over the years as well. They no longer steam the buns which I think makes them too dry. They also stopped using shredded lettuce, which I miss, but I know some people like giant hunks of lettuce. Pro tip. If you want fresh fries, order them with no salt. They'll have to drop a fresh basket. Then ask for a salt packet.
That's a great tip!
I was an asst manager and went up to a Company district Mgr for them in the 80's I worked In Windsor Ontario the home of the first CDN Burger King In1969.
And if you want a fresh whopper say off the Broiler.
I remember their 1998-2011 fries... they were like eating a shoe string!
I remember when whoppers were 99 cents
Allow me to fill in the blanks. Maybe the OP will read. I worked at this exact Burger King in the late 70’s. There is an explanation to the “consistency “ question. At that time, most of the BKs were franchises by a company called Chart House. The south Naperville location for this video was actually a privately owned sub franchise from Chart house. The menu was set but the supply chain was not. We (I say we because I was in it!) were not required to buy meat, buns or fries from a BK approved supplier. Our owner didn’t like frozen patties so he bought fresh. He bought fries from wherever he could so there were inconsistencies. We only had one register and we had no printouts for the sandwich makers. The order taker read the order over the speaker and the sandwich makers simply remembered what to make! We rocked! I’m 64 and am still in contact with some of my coworkers!
That's awesome!
I am from Germany. I ate my first Whopper at a BK on a US military base. We more or less snuck into the army post to get our Whoppers, BK Broilers, BBQ Bacon Double Cheeseburgers and all the other stuff. Believe me, I have eaten at BK Restaurant in many different countries around the world. No other Burger King could compete with the Burger King at this military post.
I am now over 50, the army post is closed, the Americans have left and “my” good old Burger King has been demolished. I still miss these times and these phenomenal Whoppers.
Great story, It was so good back then. Good thing Germany has a Burger King in every town now and German BKs have a way bigger selection than Swiss BKs, ja.
These establishments should be preserved. Thanks for a great look at a classic building.
Yeah they should. History is important!
Back in the 80’s when I was in the Navy, after being at sea for six months, the first place I hit when we got back to Norfolk was BK’s on Hampton Blvd. That first whopper with cheese after six months was the best tasting burger in the world !
I'll bet!
That was Oh so long ago...
Times have changed for Sailors these days!
When I'm in port I get what I need!
Not just Havanas or Bananas or daiquiris,
but that American creation on which I feed!
Cheese-Burger in Paradise!
YOU AND ME BOTH! 👍
I was in 85-93.
It was easy to walk to BK whenever they stuck us at the D&S piers at NAVSTANORVA ❤
THANKYOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
Man, this is an original! I love seeing stores that have old relics, but the whole restaurant? That’s on another level.
I can't imagine Naperville with out it.
Relics tend to be fun...
Doesn't help that current places have been eliminating everything unique about each place. Now it's just the sign slapped on the same mass produced building
Fast crap food 🤣🤣
Great chicken sandwich@@MichaelJohnson-kx3ln
I used to ride my bike to BK everyday. Whoppers were 99 cents and they had a Street Fight II arcade machine. If i ever hit the lottery, hopefully that BK is still there and i can franchise it
YEP I survived off the dollar Whopper back in the 90's
Man, when was a whopper only a buck. That had to be in the 70's, or early 80's, cause that's cheap.
@@Edwarddiaz21 no it was a Dollar back in 1993 I remember because that's what I ate EVERYDAY I didn't have any money I was in 12th grade
@@Shuntae-p9o that was cheap.
@@Edwarddiaz21 Yes it was I'm happy it was cheap I didn't have any money I was trying to graduate highschool while my parents lived in other states that dollar Whopper saved My life
I’ve been a fan of Burger King since 1970, and I still am.
I grew up in Naperville in the 90s, and I ate at this BK all the time. There was a comic and game store next door so I'd bike down with my friends and go to the store then BK. I never knew this was the last original style BK left, very cool.
I remember the one on US 34 in Naperville from when I lived there in the early 80s, but not the one being featured here (at 506 South Washington).
The stores next door got bulldozed 10 or 15 years ago to make room for that bridge to the stadium.
1:59 The original Burger King looks like a character from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
That’s what I was thinking!!!
You are right
King Friday XIII
I went to the same school as Fred Rogers: Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Class of 1952. (Of course, I went in the '80s.)
"At The Land of Make Believe, have it your way! 🎶 You're a good neighbor!."
As a child of the 1970's & 80's, I've got this committed to memory! "Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce...special orders don't upset us!"
the next line was..."all we ask is that you let us serve it your way"
😊😊😊😊😊😊
I grew up here, this was my childhood Burger King location. So nice to see it on a video!
Long days and pleasant nights, I still live there.
We had one in Massachusetts that was still in the 80’s set up until 6 months ago, don’t understand why change it now it was nostalgia
At a guess business wasn't good enough so they revamped or whatever corporate bs term they use.. 😊
Wow. I knew this BK was old but the OLDEST ORIGINAL in the world? I live 3 miles from this location. Thanks for sharing.
@@bigdogs-29 Thanks for watching!
GO VISIT IT I WOULD IF I WAS YOU. IM CURIOUS IF THE PRICES ARE LOWER THERE AT THAT ONE.
I grew up in Naperville, Illinois when the town was less than 24K residence. Went to Naperville North H.S. during the early 70's . this was the do to place on Washington street when I was a teenager! Thanks for the memories....
Fellow NN Huskies 90’s same I saw the opening and was like that looks like Naperville…can’t be
I went to North and worked here in 87. I used to go to Cock Robin too.
@@bradhill1099 I was sooo pissed when they tore down cock robin. All the best places that made the riverwalk the riverwalk are gone.
Whoppers were 75 cents when I was a teenager. And the shop had those brown roof shingles and the uniform was brown and orange.
And smoke comes ng out top smelling the neighborhood up
Hey I remember that. A regular hamburger was 55ct I think and a hot dog 45ct in 1969.
Yep 😊, loved who BK embraced brown earth tones in the 70s
Back in the 60' s and 70's I used to stop at a Burger King in Miami and the Whopper was great! Even today I stop about once a month into a nearby Burger King and even though many things have changed, if the Whopper is done right and fresh, it is still outstanding.
Awesome video I'm 29 love burger king and especially old buildings.
I'm definitely with you on that. I know a few things about Burger King's food safety, they go way beyond health regulations, watching this guy eat that burger makes me want one right now!
Cool show. Love the old ads and great history.
What a great video! The history, jingles and commercials, photos, AND visiting this last original location...you hit it out of the park. It's easy to tell you put a lot of work into this with all of the history and facts. Such a nostalgic feeling watching this. I have good memories visiting Burger King as a child. You just earned a subscriber.
Thank you so much, I appreciate that!
My mom ate at Burger King on the night before I was born, June 25, 1968. I now live 5 minutes from one in downtown Austell, GA, and I just had some BK tonight! The $5 Your Way Whopper Jr meal!
HERE IN SOUTH JERSEY THEY HAVE THE 2 WHOPPER JUNIORS, AND 2 SMALL FRIES AND 2 SMALL SODAS FOR 5.99 AND IT ENDS JAN 15,2025. WISH THIS WOULD CONTINUE IF SO IT WOULD BRING PEOPLE IN MORE.
BK is also an official fast food at military installations and they would set up pop up
BKs overseas in war zones. BK has and will always be my favorite and the most affordable especially with their app deals
The 80s were the last great Western decade, the 90s up until about ‘96 represented the last gasp of American greatness. Thanks for sharing such a cool spot, I hope it’s stays just like that forever.👍
Parked by the river behind this Burger King was a van while Bob Odenkirk was growing up, this in turn inspired him when he was writing the best SNL Skitch ever. Van down by the river was born right there.
My sister had a restaurant on Jefferson, Steve from Sex and the City goes there. Russal Crowe when he filmed Superman & mike Starr from Goodfellows went there before.
Great video, I remember these when I was a kid. There used to be several still in Miami. I worked 13 years for Burger King headquarters in Miami and receive a pension from them. Today. Was really great seeing a lot of the old stuff in your video. My dad would tell me stories about the first Burger King that opened in South Florida.
Very cool!
Not many original locations are still open, so to see this is pretty awesome. Thanks for uploading
Where a king can be a king
Now it's, At BK have it your way , you rule !
In Great Britain my boy! Great Britain 😅
In Great Britain my boy! Great Britain 😅
Yes we had that design on York Rd and Butterfield in Elmhurst. Red triangles instead of golden arches ... the whopper is still great!
Burger kings standards have gone way down since the 90s
I throughly enjoyed this video my friend!! We have a Burger King about 4 miles from our house. It’s connected to a convenient store called “Spinx”. They’re really huge here in the Greenville, SC area. But the Double Whopper with cheese combo is my favorite as well!! I’m 54 years old. And for some reason, I remember the onion rings tasting better when I was a kid, than they do today. But maybe it’s just me. And I definitely remember those Star Wars Glasses!! I had a few of those back in the early 80s. Ahh…to be able to relive those days. It would be great. Take care and God bless!! 🙏🏻💯🤘
Great video. Seeing the last original BK and the history lesson is cool. The first waves of franchises and independent drive-ins in the US were run by returning GIs like my uncle. He told stories about price wars that would occasionally flare up along the “main drag” of the town. It’s hard to believe that a free scoop of ice cream could cause a small riot.
Thanks for sharing this experience. I grew up in Naperville and ate there from the early 1960s until now. I assumed it was probably one of the few locations that retained the original building but was unaware that it was the last of its kind on earth. I even remember the sign with the "king" on it. During the summer, my friends and I would ride our bikes down to this Burger King and get a burger fries, and a coke and eat at the counter that faced Washington street, so that we could keep an eye on our bikes parked outside. Just North, down the street, on the other side of the DuPage river was a Cock Robin restaurant, with its signature cube-shaped ice cream scoops (I always ordered the Concord grape flavor. Great memories!
Love the old Burger King commercial and songs that you played in your video!!
I grew up on Burger King when i was a little kid in Staten Island. The smell of the literal flame broiled burgers was to die for. I miss those simple pleasures. I was blessed to have a simple yet special childhood.
My oldest brother worked at Bugar King back in the late 60s and I remember that style of building with the large neon red angles and Burger King on the top. Brings back fond memories
Growing up in town, they were the most consistent BK. We used to walk down before school and grab burgers before class. That building is a historical landmark and will be there forever
You'll have to come up to Hamilton Ontario, Canada. They have the first Tim Hortons, which opened on May 17, 1964 it has an upstairs museum.
Also, in Hamilton, they have the first international Wendy's, which was also the first Wendy's in Canada, it opened on Sept 23, 1975!
If you're ever on the West Coast Vancouver British Columbia, Canada has the first International Starbucks, which opened on March 1st, 1987
Thanks for the tips!
@@SetsStreetsEats and In Windsor the first Burger King Taco Bell and Red Lobster and a few more fast food places that are no longer around.
Amazing! I worked at this BK for one summer when I was in college at nearby North Central College. Employees always got a meal included. We made a special off menu “Double Whopper Cheese Trio” and of course it was OTB. This was also when I met probably the 2 fastest burger line cooks I have ever seen. Each could crank out 18 burgers a minute. Whoppers or Big Kings….
I worked at BK in high school back in the mid 70’s and the fries were fried in beef fat. Sunday mornings with fresh fat in the friers they were great.
I go to Naperville occasionally and never knew they had this Burger King there. The next time I go, I'll have to check it out. I'm just used to hitting up Portillos in Naperville. LOL!
Keep going to Portillos as it is at least local. Way better offerings too!
It is on Washington Blvd. downtown Naperville.
Thanks!
Thanks, you rock!
As a kid & to this day as an adult I ALWAYS loved Burger King & its my go to place to eat. I loved everything from the Whopper, to the Kids Meal & Toys, Slides & the 90's is where they really hit the jackpot. I have noticed a lot of changes too from the buns, to the fries & collaborations with IP's but still love it. I do miss those cool & wacky commercials they did between 90's through 2010's. Now its just singing & rhyming
My location in my area know me so well whenever I put in a mobile order or enter the building & present a coupon from the mail but my fav Burger King spot is the 1 in Burbank which is the same BK that was shot in the opening sequence of Back To The Future when Marty was late for school. Everytime I visit that BK I feel im in the movie
thx for taking me back in time when America was simple & better!
Long Live ❤BK!
This is nice, I miss the old Burger King commercials, especially the Burger King town commercials from the 80s. If I see another BK have it your way commercial I think I’ll scream
You mean that stupid "You Rule" commercial with that tone deaf guy? Makes me wanna throw a hammer through my TV every time! Thank God for mute buttons.
I’ve lived in Florida most of my life and didn’t realize BK started here. Thanks for sharing.
In Australia the master franchise for Burger King is hungry Jack's
Coincidentally, since Pillsbury once owned Burger King, you can buy Hungry Jack branded pancake mix and instant mashed potatoes in boxes at the grocery store here in the USA.
The Burger Kings in Switzerland are incredible. Everything is super fresh with locally sourced ingredients.
@@matthewrammig that sounds amazing
I am a Jacksonville resident and if I ever knew about the history of Burger King I totally forgot about the Jax connection. Thanks for the video!!
The Original Insta-burger king location is still standing and is a Mexican restaurant now
wow didnt realize naperville had that, been in the chicago area most of my life, will have to check it out! great videa!
The fries in the 90s were my favorite. I used to go to McDonald's and get a Big Mac and then run over and get BK fries. They still had a little skin on them and tasted fresh. After they changed them it was never the same. They were like mashed potatoes formed and deep fried to look like fries. They tasted awful and it wasn't until 2012 that they finally started to taste somewhat palatable...but never like they were pre late 90s. Just my two cents.
Agree😎👍
This is the kind of video I love watching. Very cool. I want to go here one day.
Wild, I have seen so many people do the first McDonalds but never the last original Burger King. They get slept on. Thanks for this
So informative, LOVE IT!
When Burger King expanded to Australia they discovered the Burger King name was already trademarked there. So they’re named Hungry Jack’s. Everything else is basically the same aside from the name.
@WillWatchAnything That's really cool. Here in America, Hungry Jack's is a brand of pancake. Mix LOL.
@@SetsStreetsEats that would make sense since Burger King was still under the Pillsbury umbrella at the time and Hungry Jack’s is one of their brands.
@@WillWatchAnything makes perfect sense
Another fun fact…. Canadian, Jack Cowan was responsible for Australian franchise, starting in Perth and Sydney simultaneously. My younger brother was in primary school with his daughter in 1978…. happy days…. Yes there fries were always shit. Also no Maccas in Perth till the early mid 1980’s….. and cops got their food for free….. do any 70’s Aussie kids remember hunger jacks birthday club? Also they used to do hotdogs. And the salty ham cheese roll the yumbo. Nice memories. Can’t ember the last time I ate Hungary’s….. weird, in Victoria circa 2000 Burger King came and competed with Hungry Jacks…. Exactly the same, different packaging.
Canadian, Jack Cowan was responsible for Australian franchise, starting in Perth and Sydney simultaneously. My younger brother was in primary school with his daughter in 1978…. happy days…. Yes there fries were always shit. Also no Maccas in Perth till the early mid 1980’s….. and cops got their food for free….. do any 70’s Aussie kids remember hunger jacks birthday club? Also they used to do hotdogs. And the salty ham cheese roll the yumbo. Nice memories. Can’t ember the last time I ate Hungary’s….. weird, in Victoria circa 2000 Burger King came and competed with Hungry Jacks…. Exactly the same, different packaging.
Fantastic video!!! I have a BK tip for you. I love the Whopper, but I don’t like the cheese they use at all. I don’t know what they do to it, but melts too easy and it’s more like a sauce. I use my own American cheese and it’s so much better. I’ve even put a couple of slices in a sandwich bag and taken them to the restaurant with me. I recommend that you give it a try whether you pack it yourself to BK like a nut or just add your own cheese at home. If you do it at home, set the cheese out on the counter before you leave the house so it isn’t refrigerator cold when it goes on your burger. I think you will be impressed.
Fun fact. The original Burger King is in Mattoon, IL and has nothing to do with Burger King the fast food chain. It existed before the Burger King franchise and the court ordered that the Burger King franchise could not open within 20 miles of the Burger King in Mattoon. That would make a good video for you.
@@dozer101308 Yeah, I already filmed it and it'll be coming out in the next few weeks
My mom and Dad took us to Bk after church on Sunday's that was in the 60's remember it well looking that way. And it is still there today in Tucker Georgia back then Lawrenceville was country Dad drove 15 miles to the only BK around.
Fun fact - this is Bob Odenkirk's childhood burger king.
Fun fact I am friends with Bob and his brother Phil and sisters Maria and Laurie. Great family. I worked at this BK in 1987.
THANK YOU SO Much!! For sharing as well putting this masterpiece❤ been a BK lover ever since my dad took the family out for dinner and I clearly remember them having a playground ❤ such nostalgic in this video❤❤❤❤
I grew up in a small Massachusetts town south of Boston, and we had a Burger King. The only fast food place in town. I didn't grow up on McDonald's like my friends in the surrounding towns. It was Burger King. After little league in the 70's, we'd always go to Burger King. On a Saturday, we'd bug our parents to go to Burger King. And then in High School in the 80's.. the after school hangout was... Burger King. Where did a ton of us get our first jobs? At the Burger King. It was such a huge part of my childhood, that Burger King will always be my favorite fast food spot, and I'm so glad they're getting rid of that 90's early 2000's logo and color scheme garbage, and going back to their 70's designs. I only wish the buildings and interiors went back too. So much nostalgia and so many memories.
Me too. What town? I grew up in rockland
@@71sc502 Randolph. Sadly the Burger King is no longer there, but now there's a McDonald's, Wendy's, Popeyes..lol everything but BK.
O.m.g.! I did not know this original B.K. existed! Thank you for this entertaining and nostalgic post!
Where is it ?
@@Chemical_Recon_M93A1 I think he said Napierville IL
me either this was cool
@@tomawen5916correct
As indigenious man.....😂BAHAHAHAHAHHA!😂 @ first whopper commercial
I literally said “wtf” than started busting out laughing 😂😂
He played the Indian chief on the TV show "F TROOP" too.
I drive past this store all the time and always wondered what the story was about it. Thanks for the tour ❤
Something changed with the Burger King fries maybe 10-15 years ago. They used to have a unique good flavor to them and now are just very plain.
They stop flame broil years ago that the taste you remember.
@@earleneworrell3447 Do you know why?
@@Michael_Hunt microwave.
I worked at that exact Burger King in the late 70’s. We had a lot of fun working there and we kicked butt with only one register!
The very FIRST Burger King building still stands at 7146 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216!
It is a Supermarcado now, but the shape of the building still stands! The dyanmic I-beams were taken down years ago, but there are other buildings in the Jackonsivlle, FL area that were former BKs.
yeah, I put a picture of it up in this episode 😊
That huge vent stack - it's made for a restaurant. I wonder if it's left over from the original burger grill?
@@misterwhipple2870 Probably. It's a supermarket now, but I believe it had been resturants/burger joints after BK was done with it.
If I have time soon, i'll drive over there and go in to look!
I about eight years ago, I was a taxi driver in downtown Naperville for almost three years and ate more times at this BK than I had in my entire life. It was a great option for food on the go when working the nightlife crowds on Chicago Ave. At the time, it was still a good value too. I’m glad the Naperville city council hasn’t pushed for modernization of the buildings facade like they’ve done to everything else.
The original is actually Mattoon, Illinois. It's the one that won the lawsuit to keep the name despite the national chain. They have their own everything there, and feature shake fries with malt vinegar.
Yes. They used to have an exclusion zone of 20 or 30 miles around the location that BK could not move into. Don't know if it's still in effect.
Still in effect
As long as it's in the family I believe it's in effect.
I want a Hooter and lemon cone.
The original McDonald's is in des plaines, now it a historical site so funny
Wow. Amazing history. Thanks.
Good video thank you
Burger King’s burgers with McD’s fries is the EXACTA of fast food. 😂
I did not know that the very old Burger King still exist😮
I grew up in Naperville in the 60s I ate at this Burger King alot when I was in high school. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for watching!
Man, you helped me through a tough time. Now I’m doing better thanks to you. Thanks Chris Bower
@bluehorsedef Wow. That means a lot for you to say that. Thank you so much. I'm really happy that I could help, truly
I'm from the Chicago area, I can remember eating at that
store in the late 70's and through the 80's. And, I can
remember those commercials. I also used to eat at Geri's
Hamburgers in northwest of this location in the 70's / 80's.
“I like the Whopper, F the Big Mac!”
Name it!
None other than Rob Base and Dj Easy Rock "It Takes Two" Fucking classic my guy!!!!!
i love them both , but whopper is it ! the triple one , awesome and throw some onion rings on it
Whopper forever
I worked at this Burger King beginning when I was in high school 1976… off & on early 80’s … Joe Schultz was the owner …Love the history!
In 1976, when I worked at BK, a regular hamburger did NOT have onions.
I used to manage this location.
The exterior was remodeled. The original exterior was where the front counter is currently. The glass wall was added later.
Also, Bob Odenkirk grew up in Naperville and wrote the "Matt Foley" SNL sketch based on the stoneRs who hung out in a van behind this location ... by the river.
I don't know what they're doing to the food now, but in recent years I always get "The Burger King Hangover" after eating there, I feel like absolute crap and absolutely lethargic. My parents noticed the same thing. No other fast food places, just Burger King, multiple locations. Only eat it like twice a year now.
It's the lettuce.
I live just a few miles from this location and visit it often. Their breakfast burrito and hash rounds are awesome!
Growing up in Miami, this is what Burger King looked like. Although for some reason, I remember a king sitting on the roof ledge, holding a milkshake.
From London England UK much ❤, you. Cannot beat the tastes from the 80s and 90s
The pre 2012 french fries always left your mouth dry was the biggest problem
I wonder if Sonic got the recipe, because their fries are just as bad.😂😂😂😂😂😂
There’s a 70s/80s Burger King Building next to a modern one in Blue Bell PA. It became a dry cleaner and then closed in 2020. Still has tables outside. Can see where the sign was
Fun fact in 1971 Burger King came to Australia, however the name Burger King was already trademarked here so Burger King named their Australian restaurants "Hungry Jack's" so if you are ever in Australia looking for the nearest Burger King best look for Hungry Jack's!
The sign even looks like burger kings right?
@pika23 Yeah, the current sign is based on an older Burger King sign from 1994.
Apparently, they did go to update it to the 1999 version but never used it. So if you know the 1994 version of the Burger King sign and replace the words Burger King with Hungry Jack's, then you've pretty much got it.
That was the Indian chief from the TV show 'F TROOP' !!???❤
The 2nd commercial had big name actors!❤
I love BK bacon double cheeseburgers when I crave a burger,
but like McD fries instead,
and IN n OUT vanilla shakes
Actually, the real Burger King is in Mattoon, Illinois. The chain had to pay royalties because the one in Mattoon had the name first. The one in Mattoon is still in operation.
I am surprised this video does not mention the true original Burger King in Matooon, IL. You are right, it is still serving buirgers. it is THe "Burger King" #MatoonIL
I didn't mention that because I'll be doing a video there in the future. And that restaurant technically has nothing to do with the franchise restaurants of burger king outside of the name so it really didn't have anything to do with thier story
@@SetsStreetsEatsActually it has a lot to do with their story because if it wasn’t for the original restaurant, the franchise might not be a thing. You might be going to Burger Queen’s instead. There is a vast story behind both restaurants.
@ItsSoDane correct its closer to the chain than the video producer thinks.
I have a lot of fond memories at this location, cool to see this video
Is that the Naperville IL location?
Yep
@@SetsStreetsEats Wow, I just passed that place by yesterday night among many other times!
Think dey bulldozed dat 1
@@SetsStreetsEatsHOLY HECK I LIVE NEAR NAPERVILLE
I live In Naperville, Yo Chris thanks for coming to visit man it would have been cool to meet you. All of that road construction has been going on for 2yrs now 🙄 It’s soooo annoying.
Thank you for sharing this! I did not know that any original style's even existed still!
Seems the BK stores got a little inspiration from the Golden Arches of McDonald’s 🤔
True fact👍
I was a child in the late 50's early 60's when Burger King opened two blocks from our house in Champaign, Illinois. Amazed at seeing a salad on my burger I enjoyed the hell out of it and still do to this day.
Never understood the hate to burger king, sure maybe the fries but everything there is just better sometimes even better than mcdonalds
I've always really thought the whopper, and some of their other burgers were just consistently better sandwiches than a lot of McDonald's offerings
@@SetsStreetsEats sometime, even the offers, like 3 whoppers and fries for i think 9 something
I live a half hour away from this location and love it but did not know it was the last original. Have to take my kids there soon !!!
Why haven't a group of girls make burger queen
I remember as a kid traveling from NJ to Florida on vacations in the mid 1960's and stopping at Burger King and getting a Whopper for 59 cents. They later opened one in Metchun, NJ about a year after.
I stop there whenever I am in Naperville, which is about 35-40 minutes from where I live. This BK is such a cool place.
I worked at that Burger King in 1986 . I graduated from Naperville North High School and worked there while attending College of Dupage.
In the 60s my parents would take us from New Jersey to Florida each year for vacation. It was a huge treat to eat at Burger King since none had made it up to where we lived yet. Good video.