"A cheeseburger with the works. In a state with far more than its share of excellent hamburgers, this stands out as one of the best."
Michael Stern
"The burger maker asked if we wanted our cheeseburger whole or halved. We asked for the latter and took this lovely cross-section photo before digging in."
Michael Stern
"When we ordered the fruit salad pie, we anticipated a canned fruit cocktail filling. Instead, it tastes like a really good strawberry glaze. This pie is a better than it looks."
Cliff Strutz
"The chili is mild and slightly greasy, but it still makes for a fine Fritos pie. Jalapenos are available on request."
Cliff Strutz
"Hamburger King's grill man assembles a burger with lightning speed."
Michael Stern
""Electronic order system for your convenience," boasts the menu. "Lift receiver and the operator will take your order and we will bring it to you. Thank you!""
Michael Stern
"There is a counter in the back, but the choice seats are at one of the booths, from where you can call your order in to the kitchen."
Cliff Strutz
"This picture on the back wall shows music star Bob Wills and movie star Jack Hoxie on either side of George Macsas, Oklahoma's Hamburger King. Wills once wrote a song to honor his favorite burger shop. It begins like this:
"When you're feelin' blue, and hungry too//
Here's a tip to make you sing//
Pick up your hat, close up your flat,//
Go down to the Hamburger King.""
Michael Stern
"On Main Street in Shawnee, Hamburger King shares a building with a former Rexall Drug Store. We found it only because Jane haunts all old drug stores looking for discontinued perfume. While she was sniffing Chanel, I wandered next door and sniffed, and ate, a delicious cheeseburger."
Michael Stern
When George Macsas opened for business in 1927, his Hamburger King sold large hamburgers for 5 cents apiece, extra-large for 10 cents. Today's prices are $3.05 for a regular burger ($3.70 for a basket with potato wedges) and $3.80 four a double, with cheese 20 cents extra. While hamburgers are its raison d'etre, this vintage lunch room has a broad menu that also includes catfish dinners, Frito pie, stew, chili, or "redtop stew," which is stew topped with chili.
