Kewpee Hamburgers on Allentown Road is one of three Lima outposts of a burger chain that has operated in this city since 1928. It is a fast, no-frills stop on Lima’s west side where locals and road-trippers line up for griddle-fried burgers, thick malts and drive-thru convenience. The brand began in 1923 in Flint, Michigan, as “Kewpee Hotel Hamburgs,” and is widely cited as the second-oldest hamburger chain in America (Wikipedia). Today Lima is its headquarters.
Order a burger “with everything,” which gets you mustard, ketchup, pickle and onion on a soft bun. Pair it with crinkle-cut fries and a malt thick enough to test your straw. The Kewpie doll mascot appears on packaging and signage, and the menu has changed little in decades. According to the restaurant, consistency is the point (Kewpee Hamburgers). In autumn, regulars watch for seasonal pumpkin treats, a long-running local favorite.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The weekday lunch rush, roughly 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., brings the longest drive-thru lines. Mid-afternoon visits move faster. Prices remain modest, and ordering a sack of burgers to share is common. Before you go, check current hours on the official locations page. History-minded visitors should also see the downtown original at 111 N Elizabeth St. Its vintage storefront captures the chain’s early character.
