The Burger Chef Reliquary

RE: Order Ticket & Tie Pin

Hello again, RT,

I found a couple of other items I thought would be good for the Reliquary. I think these are the last two items I have, but then again I wasn't sure about these, either!

The first pic is a sheet off an order pad used by the frontline cashiers to take the customers' orders. Notice the "W" and "WO" next to the sandwich columns. This was for "With" or "Without", for the Works Bar. All the menu items of the time were listed, plus some that were probably still sold by some of the franchisees. This was from 1976, when I worked at Tyson's Corner, VA, because there's a note written on the back from somebody who worked for me there at the time.

The second is a tie pin. I don't remember when I got it, and it was only by looking for something else that I found it.

I hope these find their place in the Reliquary, as probably nobody has seen either one of these items for years.

Talk to you later,
Bill

RE: Waymarking

R.T.

You have a wonderful resource of Burger Chef information.  I wanted to let you know that I have recently created a "Remembering Burger Chef" category on Waymarking.com.  It is only a couple of days old right now, but hopefully we will begin to see locations and photos of former Burger Chef from all over.

Here's the link: http://www.waymarking.com/cat/details.aspx?f=1&guid=65766bda-9049-4276-9ee6-1fe3ed9e6d1f

Rupert2

Thanks for the info.  I'll add it to my Burger Chef Links.

R.T.

RE: Name Tags

Hello, RT,

I've known all along that I had these, and ran across them when I was looking for something else in my storage unit the other day. They are name tags from the different BC eras, and I thought they would make a great addition to the Reliquary. It's amazing the things you tend to hold onto over the years, and these brought back some great memories for me.

The first pic is an "Open Flame Cooking" patch from the late '60's. I know you already have a pic of one of these, but it's a part of my collection.

The second pic is a nametag from that same era. I think it was the first style of nametag used by BC.

The third pic shows a nametag from the beginning of the General Foods era. Note the "ball and flame" logo.

The next pic is a hostess nametag with the "lollipop" logo. No, I wasn't a hostess, but I do remember Jeanne very well!!

The last pic is my nametag from the late '70's, when I worked in Northern Indiana. It clipped over your pocket and was always falling off, so it's really amazing I still have it.

I think these will bring back some memories for others who visit the Reliquary, as they did for me.

Talk to you later,
Bill

Bill,

Thanks, these are great!

R.T.

RE: Button and Order Ticket

R.T.,

I found this order ticket I used at the cash register when I worked at Burger Chef in the 70's.  I had written the prices on it so I wouldn't have to keep turning around to see the prices.  I have also attached a picture of a button I found recently.  You've probably seen it but I just wanted to show you. God bless.

Alan Crabtree

 

RE: Hardee's Big Shef

R.T.,

I was in St Louis today where Hardee's has rolled out the Big Shef again (in addition to Indianapolis).  What I found was a bit of a surprise. The sandwich isn't the Big Shef at all.  It's the "Big Twin" with mayo instead of Big Twin sauce.  No center bun.  No Big Shef sauce.  In fact, there isn't any pickle product of any kind on it. It doesn't resemble the Big Shef, and it certainly doesn't taste like the Big Shef.  It's not a very good sandwich by any stretch of the imagination. I realize they only rolled it out to try and keep the Burger Chef trademark, but this is just stupid. Picture of Hardee's promo attached showing the "nothing in common" Big Shef St Louis is currently getting. Is this what they rolled out in Indianapolis too?

Thanks, Sam Graham

Sam,

Thanks for your observation.  Just to contrast, here's a link to a picture of the original Big Shef.

R.T.

Burger Chef & Jeff Watch

Watches such as this one sold for $8.95 with a mail-in coupon in the mid 1970s.  It's Swiss made, manufactured by Trice Watch Inc, with stem wind and stem set.  Width (not including crown) 34mm, Length (lug to lug) 42mm.  Total length with the band and buckle 9 inches and will fit a 7 1/2 inch wrist.  This particular example is still in excellent working condition with it's original black leather band and silver toned buckle:

Set of Eight Card Games

Eight different card games distrubuted by Burger Chef.  Each deck contains 45 cards and rules.  Made in U.S.A. by Western Publishing Company, Inc., Racine, Wisconsin 53404 (same folks who- in partnership with Simon and Schuster- originally printed Little Golden Books.)

Hearts

Animal Rummy

Crazy Eights

Fish

Old Maid

Slap Jack

Snap

War

The back of each card features the Burger Chef logo:

Re: Jumbo-Sized Birdhouses

R.T.,

Any pictures of Burger Chef birdhouses standing?  We lost out last one in Paducah Ky 3 or 4 years ago.  I know of another about 80 miles away.  How about pictures of them?

Jim

Dear Jim,

I'm not aware of any in the wild.  I know there's an oversized one on display at Schroeder's in Danville, IL.  You see the regular-sized ones on EBay periodically, but it looks like they've spent more time in someone's garage than housing birds. I'm attaching a picture of the one at Schroeder's.

   

If you ever come across any photos of any others I'd be happy to post them for you.

Cheers,

R.T.

R.T.,

Great.  Thanks for the picture.  I know of one in the wild.  It is not well kept, but intact.  It is about 80 miles away.  By the way, I am from Paducah, Ky.  Home of WKYX radio.

Jim

R.T.,

This stands just north of Carbondale, Kentucky on Highway 51.

  

Jim

"Sports Facts Game" Counter Sign

Copyright 1978, this sign measures 7 7/8" x 9".    It reads:

Meet the Challenge.  Play the  Big Shef Sports Facts Game with the purchase of a Big Shef, French fries and drink combination.

The small print states that answers are determined by The Sporting News "The Only Newsweekly of Sports Since 1886."

RE: Trademarks Challenged

Dear R.T.,

I ran across an interesting bit of "trivia" today. It appears that the trademark for Burger Chef is being challenged by River West Brands out of Chicago. They filed their claim with the US Patents Office in January of this year. This probably explains the re-release of the "Big Shef" by Hardee's in February to the present.  Here the link.

Thanks,

Heath