People from Greater Manchester have been reminiscing about a lost fast food restaurant that some think sold better burgers than McDonald's.
It's been many years since a Wimpy last graced a high street in Greater Manchester. If you're craving a Wimpy burger, you'll have to travel to Huddersfield for the closest place to pick up one today.
Back in its heyday, you could find Wimpy restaurants on Market Street, Piccadilly Plaza, Salford, Sale, Bury and Altrincham to name but a few places. The chain was founded in the US in 1934, with the first UK Wimpy Bar opening in Coventry Street, London in 1954.
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In Manchester, the first restaurant opened in Piccadilly in 1958, offering untold numbers of Mancunians their first taste of American-style fast food. For years, Wimpy was the go-to burger joint in the UK, long before the big chains such as McDonald's, Five Guys and Burger King began to dominate our high streets.
By 1970, Wimpy was a global favourite with more than 1,000 outlets in 23 countries around the world - including many in Greater Manchester. The restaurants were seen as "cool" places for teenagers and young adults to hang-out and socialise.
Wimpy was also a popular destination for kids in Manchester to celebrate a birthday. In 1978, the chain even introduced its own Mr Wimpy character - an exaggerated beefeater figure to entertain kids in its restaurants.
Although the chain was the place where many people had their first experience of American-style fast food, if you were eating in, everything would still be served with cutlery and on proper plates. By the late 1980s, however, Wimpy was losing ground to other fast food outlets, especially McDonald's.
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Wimpy was hit hard by competition from its American rivals, and many of its outlets disappeared after the chain was taken over by the company that owned Burger King. Although Wimpy outlets have dwindled drastically in numbers in the United Kingdom, they can still found in many towns and cities.
Recently, when photos of the restaurant were posted in the We Grew Up in Manchester Facebook group, many took to the comments to share nostalgic memories of eating there.
Wendy Smylie posted: "I was in primary school in the early '80s and a friend had a Wimpy party. It was the first time I'd ever heard of anything like that. Mr Wimpy was there."
Margaret Kenney Hibbert said: "I loved the one on Deansgate. We went as teenagers in the late '70s. My friend had her birthday party/get together there and we thought we were so cool."
Patricia Grote said: "I worked in the one in Bury. I was 12 when I started in 1970. I started doing the washing up and managed to work my way up. Happy days."
Rob Ellis posted: "My mum used to take us to the one in the shopping centre in Middleton. Proper sit down with knives and forks, plus knickerbocker glories as an extra special treat."
For many, Wimpy Bars were a great place to socialise or soak up the beer after a big night on the town. Graham Beesley said: "Been in the Piccadilly one many times for a 'Beer Blotter' usually an Egg Burger. Buns toasted on the griddle which was at the counter."
Edward Slattery remembers Wimpy providing a similar service in his own youth. He said: "Spent a few late nights in there whilst enjoying the many clubs in Manchester."
While Jeff Rea Snr posted: "When my wife and I were courting, 1956, we would visit the Apollo on Ardwick Green and complete our evening with the extravagance of a superb Wimpy at their establishment directly adjacent to the cinema. I can't think that they have been bettered since."
Jeff wasn't the only one to praise the food, with several people commenting that they preferred Wimpy burgers to McDonald's. Karl Curtis said: "Wimpy King-size - much nicer than a Big Mac."
Meg Tubb said: "Loved it, they toasted the buns and fried the onions." While Anthony Leak said: "I always thought they had the tastiest burgers!"
James Barlow agreed saying: "I remember those days! Love Wimpy, better than Macdonald's."
Does this story awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
While Anne Bailey posted: "The burgers were fantastic then. I used to sit and wait for it to be cooked put onto to a toasted bun with freshly cooked onions. Delicious."
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