britishers -- tell me about WIMPY BARS and their shitty burgers

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I am going to have to walk up Union Street tonight to make sure it's still there.

― onimo, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:04 (sixteen years ago) link

xxpost

wow, that post is apostrophe crazy. I hate people who use apostrophes incorrectly.

― Ms Misery, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:04 (sixteen years ago) link

Little Thief are the exception to my fast food fandom. Evil beyond belief.

― Noodle Vague, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:05 (sixteen years ago) link

Fuck a fast food hater, basically.

oh, i don't hate fast food. i just didn't like wimpy's burgers when i ate one ages ago. didn't quite get why they were necessary w/ mcdonalds and burger kings being franchised all over the place in the U.K., anyway.

― Eisbaer, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:06 (sixteen years ago) link

Sorry dude, that wasn't aimed at you.

― Noodle Vague, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:07 (sixteen years ago) link

I think Wimpy was around in the UK well before MacDo and BK, is why they were necessary.

― Noodle Vague, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:09 (sixteen years ago) link

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a6/HappyEater.jpg

― admrl, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:09 (sixteen years ago) link

Wimpy isn't really a fast food place as such any more. It's waitress/waiter service and cook on demand.

― onimo, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:09 (sixteen years ago) link

Wimpys predate their expansion Eisbaer, so it's been a decline ever since. When I was growing up in the 70s Wimpys were probably the #1 brand, McDonalds the glamorous challenger. BK not even on my radar until a while later.

Doctor Beak's had a very limited run.

― Groke, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:10 (sixteen years ago) link

RJG, it was up near where Underworld is. I'm almost convinced it is now Subway, but I await Onimo's reporting back with bated breath.

― ailsa, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:10 (sixteen years ago) link

Yeah Eisbaer, you should be supporting your homegrown businesses and shit!

― Ms Misery, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:11 (sixteen years ago) link

There's a Subway around there and I can't picture in my head whether they're the same place or not. I think Wimpy is next door to Jessops, maybe.

― onimo, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:11 (sixteen years ago) link

Wendys was great. There's a wimpy on the high st at West Norwood. Haven't been in one for years though.

― Vicky, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:12 (sixteen years ago) link

When I was a child, going to Wimpys was a cultural novelty, it was the first fast food place I'd ever been to. It really stuck in ~~the craw~~ the mind.

I can remember the first time I ever went to MacDonalds - this was on the first visit to the States. When was the first MacDonalds opened in the UK? Because I can remember it being a big deal. But I'm not sure if it was the First One, or just the first one in our area.

― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:12 (sixteen years ago) link

Doctor Beak's had a very limited run.

a TV ad campaign featuring the Miami Sound Machine would've helped.

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:12 (sixteen years ago) link

1973 - McDonald's Golden Arches Restaurants Limited founded in UK as a joint venture partnership between the McDonald's Corporation and two businessmen; one British, one American.

I *do* remember it, then!

― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:14 (sixteen years ago) link

When was the first MacDonalds opened in the UK?

It was in Woolwich (SE London again!) in 1973 or thereabouts iirc. There's a plaque on the wall outside it as I think it was also the 1000th or 10000th McD's in the world or something.

― onimo, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:14 (sixteen years ago) link

xpost

― onimo, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:14 (sixteen years ago) link

Oh wait, the shop wasn't opened until 1974, though. Woolwich, apparently. 3000th.

― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:15 (sixteen years ago) link

1974!! (First McDs in Britain)

It's weird when you realise that these absolutely monolithic inescapable brands arrived in your lifetime.

― Groke, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:15 (sixteen years ago) link

there was a lovely romantic and charming article in a late 90's SELECT mag by steve lowe all about WIMPY bars. i must dig that out. i couldn't believe it when he wrote those 'isn't everything shit...' books. they were the total opposite of this particular piece.

― pisces, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:16 (sixteen years ago) link

We had a Wimpy's in Edgware. I think it was replaced by a KFC. And the supermarket was replaced by a Blockbuster's. And the Loppylug's video outlet was replaced by a Haagen Dazs concern. And the betting shop closed down. Thus even Edgware is not immune to creeping globalisation. Even Poundstretcher is gone.

=''(

― admrl, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:16 (sixteen years ago) link

...which is strange because I can remember going into the centre of town (London) to go to McDonalds, and it was strange and exciting. By that point, Wimpys must have been a bit old hat.

Now I remember - first trip to the US (1977) was when McD's breakfast was launched. It was truly revolting.

― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:16 (sixteen years ago) link

Oh where was I? I had one...

Oh yeah, Teddington.

― Mark G, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:17 (sixteen years ago) link

think the subway on union st (there is one on almost every other st, these days) is next to the jessops and has been for a while. I do remember a wimpy on union st, though... but think there was a burger king, too, because I remember there was one inside central station and one outside and the prices were different. maybe the wimpy turned into a burger king and closed down. when the burger king on sauchiehall st (near the CCA and eh ABC ish) closed down and they took the signs down there was a kind of scorched impression of an earlier wimpy sign!

― RJG, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:17 (sixteen years ago) link

In 1989, the Burger King brand acquired many locations of its major UK rival Wimpy when its parent company bought the brand from its previous owner United Biscuits and re-branded them as "Burger King", giving it an even greater presence in that country. While other "Wimpy" locations are still trading today (now independent from BK) they no longer have the presence they once did (the market is now dominated by Burger King and the larger McDonald's).

― Groke, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:18 (sixteen years ago) link

Burker King on Union St is opposite the station. The Wimpy that I'm almost sure is still there is on the same side as Subway/Jessops and possibly in the same place as the former.

― onimo, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:20 (sixteen years ago) link

No mention of Mr Wimpy yet? Surely the creepiest creation ever to turn up at a children's party?

― Matt DC, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:23 (sixteen years ago) link

I can't remember if there was actually a Wimpys in Cheshunt or if we had to go down to Waltham Cross for it. Though for REALLY exciting shopping expeditions, we went to the one in Wood Green.

― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:24 (sixteen years ago) link

I am off to find a Wimpy Bar!

― onimo, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:24 (sixteen years ago) link

Didn't they rebrand a few years ago? Please, let's keep our native culture alive.

― admrl, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:25 (sixteen years ago) link

yeah, mr. wimpy was a bit crap. unlike j. wellington wimpy (I looked it up)

― RJG, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:25 (sixteen years ago) link

The last time I had a Wimpy was in Brighton, I think, the day of the S1n1st3r picnic when I bad-manneredly gatecrashed bedspace at Archel's and Ben bought a hat (for the possibly 3 ilxors who'll know what I'm talking about). I had a bender and it came on a china plate, anyway.

― Madchen, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:25 (sixteen years ago) link

from j. wellington wimpy's wikipedia page:

The Serbian name for this character is Pera Ždera. There are quite a few grill meat restaurants named after him there.

― RJG, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:26 (sixteen years ago) link

http://www.wimpyburgers.co.uk/holding.jpg

― admrl, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:26 (sixteen years ago) link

I was just trying to look at that website. But...

[url][Removed Illegal Link]

apparently the Seth Efrikans are coming!

― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:27 (sixteen years ago) link

bah

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2311387.ece

― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:27 (sixteen years ago) link

No mention of Mr Wimpy yet? Surely the creepiest creation ever to turn up at a children's party?

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40122000/jpg/_40122284_blair_nursery203.jpg

http://www.nff.org.uk/chancellor/chancellor_nff6.jpg

― Tom D., Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:28 (sixteen years ago) link

no way is Mr Wimpy creepier than Ronald Macdonald.

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:30 (sixteen years ago) link

is this mr. wimpy?

http://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/large/1113917736-00.jpg

― Eisbaer, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:32 (sixteen years ago) link

clowns or clown-like people at children's partys...no problem

cartoon beefeaters...um

― RJG, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:33 (sixteen years ago) link

http://www.describe-online.com/glasgow/unionstreet.htm

According to this, Wimpy is there, next door to Subway. I hope Gerry enjoys his walk. Though they also seem to think that Fopp is called "Gary Jules", so I'm not sure they are to be trusted.

― ailsa, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:33 (sixteen years ago) link

"doorway not known" sounds mysterious.

― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:34 (sixteen years ago) link

http://www.ben-eden.com/images/wimpy_game.jpg

― Eisbaer, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:34 (sixteen years ago) link

if that IS mr. wimpy, he looks pretty cool -- more like a sports team mascot than a burger joint mascot.

― Eisbaer, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:35 (sixteen years ago) link

clowns or clown-like people at children's partys...no problem

oh really

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:35 (sixteen years ago) link

not that you'd have either of them turn up to a children's party not taking place within the restuarant anyway surely?

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:36 (sixteen years ago) link

WAIT...there was a Wimpy game?

― admrl, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:37 (sixteen years ago) link

Onimo has just texted me to tell me that the Wimpy in Union Street in Glasgow is no more :-/

― ailsa, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:41 (sixteen years ago) link

Wimpy Milkshake however are another kettle of "cumberland rings". (Am I making them up??? OH SO INDIE ARGH)

Milky Wimpshake! My indiest pals liked 'em so I pretended to too but I had never heard a note of theirs until I decided to steal some from the internet, at which point I said "eh" and forgot about them again.

I really liked Swindon Wimpy as a nipper. That is the kind of classy individual you are dealing with here. Anyway, I liked the food better than McDonald's and the Burger King it turned into, and you didn't feel so pressurised to rush and leave, maybe because it wasn't usually as busy.

― a passing spacecadet, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:42 (sixteen years ago) link

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Staff seem to be mostly Spanish, kids seem to be leaving, still most of the tables are occupied. Stereo is playing Sweet Harmony by The Beloved, always a favourite. let's see what's on the menu.

https://i.postimg.cc/Rh01JDZw/20230113-154751.jpg

― Camaraderie at Arms Length, Friday, 13 January 2023 15:59 (one year ago) link

chose the "bendy with cheese" - a little disappointed that it isn't called a "bender in a bun" now, but relieved that I can ask for it without difficulty.

https://i.postimg.cc/J7yvF6qs/20230113-155141.jpg

sausage is good, meaty, tomato is mealy, too many onions, bread is nasty, like the cheapest rolls from the supermarket, actually crumbles as I eat. I'll give it a 5/10

― Camaraderie at Arms Length, Friday, 13 January 2023 16:08 (one year ago) link

they started playing Shape Of My Heart, so I made my excuses and left.

― Camaraderie at Arms Length, Friday, 13 January 2023 16:12 (one year ago) link

Last Wimpy I had was at a service station en route home from Reading festival in like 2003 or so. Bun was brown and stale and gross.

― his cartoon heart expands, then he relaxes by smoking crack (stevie), Friday, 13 January 2023 16:47 (one year ago) link

last nostalgia Wimpy i had might have been around the late 2000s. normally i'd say no such thing as too much onions but given these had the texture and flavour of boiled sellotape i'd make an exception

― Wyverns and gulls rule my world (Noodle Vague), Friday, 13 January 2023 17:07 (one year ago) link

My mate Paul worked in Stevenage Wimpy and used have to put on the Mr Wimpy costume for kids parties and have the shit kicked out of him by sugar-crazed nippers.

― Piedie Gimbel, Friday, 13 January 2023 17:22 (one year ago) link

yes, the onions were still like boiled sellotape, no idea how / why you do that to a poor onion.

― Camaraderie at Arms Length, Friday, 13 January 2023 17:37 (one year ago) link

wonderful revive. still laughing at adam faith. still laughing at boiled sellotape

aesthetic charming, bun looks heinous, menu doing too much. recalls french outlet flunch somehow

had a small fight with an ex once because he went on a longed-for nostalgia visit to the nearest wimpy without me while I was on a very prohibitive diet. thought it was brazen at the time, but in retrospect it was the low blood sugar / yearning for a bendy colouring my thinking.

― verhexen, Saturday, 14 January 2023 07:21 (one year ago) link

i think the spicy beanburger is the only thing i miss and would cautiously revisit

― Wyverns and gulls rule my world (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 14 January 2023 07:28 (one year ago) link

I don't think I've posted this before - UK competitive eater Beard Meats Food tackles pretty much the full Wimpy menu at the Milford, Stafford branch a couple of years ago. It's a curious wee shack rather than a sit in restaurant, for added novelty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QG3LIX4gQY

― brain (krakow), Saturday, 14 January 2023 16:57 (one year ago) link

THAT'S MY CHILDHOOD WIMPY!!

― Wyverns and gulls rule my world (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 14 January 2023 17:06 (one year ago) link

and yes, it's a shack. but then Milford is basically a pub and a row of houses

― Wyverns and gulls rule my world (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 14 January 2023 17:07 (one year ago) link

one year passes...

Wimpy in Woolwich, London 1987

https://i.imgur.com/u5gqwBM.jpg

― Ward Fowler, Sunday, 11 February 2024 17:48 (two months ago) link

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