Tag Archives: French fries

Kewpee Restaurant in Lima, OH

When I mentioned to my friend Heidi that I was driving up to Lima, Ohio for a concert and looking for a quick meal, she suggested that I try Kewpee (pronounced Q-P) Hamburgers.  A local chain  which originated out of Flint, Michigan, this restaurant’s headquarters is now located in Lima.  I was incredibly surprised by its history in the fast food industry.

The restaurant’s name is based on the popular early 1900s cartoon character, the Kewpie doll, named for the Cupid.  From standing over the front door to overlooking the dining room from a corner, these petite, baby-like dolls seem to stare over the restaurant from every angle.

By the time I had arrived, there was a long line to order food, but I had some time before I needed to reach the concert .

Waiting in line, I couldn’t help but look at the decor of the restaurant and wondered when it had last been updated.  The slogan, “Your Grandpappy ate here.” was over the door entering the kitchen made from vintage lettering that one would find on a group of mailboxes.  Locals swear it is the “Hamburg-Pickle-on-Top-Makes -Your-Heart-Go-Flippity-Flop.”

Red benches along the side of the wall were full of patrons either eating or waiting on their order.  The line was going fast and the restaurant was calling out a group of numbers for patrons to collect their meals.

Within fifteen minutes of waiting in line, the cashier, Matthew took my order and explained that it would be a ten minute wait.  I confirmed that I would be eating my meal in the restaurant and found a seat close to the door to the kitchen until my order was completed.

By the 1950s, fast food restaurants and diners were opening through out the United States.  Uniforms included white pressed shirts and the white hat which is still worn at all of the Kewpee Hamburger restaurants, taking diners back to another era.

As I picked up my tray, I could smell the combination of cooked beef and fried French fries.  I hadn’t eaten all day so I quickly opened the wrapper to take my first bite.  Kewpee hamburgers are made with local ground beef, prepared fresh daily and never frozen.

The sandwich was perfectly cooked with fresh vegetables with a little, ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard.

I hadn’t realized how hungry I had been until taking my last bite, I noticed the Kewpee doll in the corner.  I was just happy she wasn’t looking directly at me, but it was close enough.

Have you had a Kewpee burger in Lima, Ohio?   What did you think?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Kewpee Hamburgers and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Kewpee Hamburgers
111 North Elizabeth Street
Lima, OH  45804
Telephone:  419 229 1385

Hours:  Open Monday to Thursday from 6:30AM to 8PM (the drive thru opens at 5:30AM); Friday and Saturday from 6:30AM – 9PM (the drive thru opens at 5:30AM; Closed on Sunday

What to Eat:

I highly recommend the hamburger and now I wished I would have tried the frosted malt.

Rudy’s Smokehouse Barbecue in Springfield, Ohio

Growing up, one of my summer jobs was working at Perkins on Upper Valley Pike.  It was a temporary position, but it was such a great opportunity to stay in touch with some of our great family friends and to meet new ones.  I will never forget the day that I first met the owner, Rudy Mosketti and his family.  They owned the three franchises in my hometown and were always so kind when they visited.

During a holiday visit to my hometown, I learned that the Perkins was no longer in business, but that the Mosketti family had opened up a barbecue place and I couldn’t wait to try their pulled pork. My friends had been raving about the restaurant and provided me with some suggestions on what I should order.  It was fun listening to their advice and recommendations.

Entering the restaurant, I could hear the tunes of John Mellancamp on the radio and stood back from the counter to look at the menu.  I had already made up my mind to order the barbecue sandwich, but there were so many sides available and I could select two.  From baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, homemade chips, hush puppies, potato salad, scalloped potatoes, French fries, mac n’ cheese, scalloped corn and sweet potato casserole, this was going to take some time.   After a few moments, I placed my order, prepared my drink and sat down at a table until my food was ready.

Within a few minutes,  I picked up my sandwich along with my sides of coleslaw and mac n’ cheese.  Sitting down, I added some additional sweet barbecue sauce to my pork, which was provided at the table and added a little slaw to my sandwich.

I loved the cheesiness of the macaroni and creamy tanginess of the coleslaw.  The portion sizes were quite generous and nearly halfway into my meal I was beginning to feel full.  I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish the meal and I was happy to have some leftovers for the next day and besides, I was prepared to listen to the best advice that my friends had given me about Rudy’s….

Save some room for their no-bake chocolate cookie!  And of course, they were right…

Have you been to Rudy’s Smokehouse or have a favorite barbecue spot?  I would love to hear about it if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Rudy’s Smokehouse and wishing you many Happy Travels!

I love supporting Christian organizations who are generously giving back to their communities, so if you are ever in town, please visit Rudy’s Smokehouse as he financially supports the amazing community of Springfield.

Where to Eat:

Rudy’s Smokehouse
2222 South Limestone Street
Springfield, OH  45505
Telephone:  937 324 0884

Rudy’s Boxed Lunch includes:

a sandwich (Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken, Bourbon Chicken and Beef Brisket for an additional $1;

two sides:  Potato Salad, Fresh Potato Chips, Cornbread, Hush Puppies, Scalloped Cornm Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Green Beans with Bacon, Scalloped Potatoes, Mac N’ Cheese

and a cookie!