111 N Elizabeth St Lima, OH 45801-4334 Phone: (419) 228-1778
With its bold Deco lines, brilliant orange stripes and pure white porcelain & enamel siding this 1928 original Kewpee Burger building is an architectural marvel. Kewpee Burger (America's second oldest hamburger chain) was founded in Flint, Michigan in 1923. The Kewpee Burger chain once numbered 200 Midwest restaurants after the Great Depression; now only five remain. Three are located in Lima, Ohio, one is in Lansing, Michigan, and the other is in Racine, Wisconsin. The downtown Lima, Ohio Kewpee Burger is always hopping. The drive-through and the inside lines are constant, but quick. I ordered a couple of very good, square beef patty cheeseburgers topped with mustard, onions, ketchup and relish. Even if you are not hungry, you really do need to see this incredible building. Founded in 1921, White Castle® is America's oldest hamburger chain. Note: Dave Thomas grew up eating at Kewpee Burger in Kalamazoo, Michigan and this inspired him to go into the burger business. The well-known national chain that Dave Thomas founded also serves square hamburgers.