Only hardcore burger fanatics are familiar with Weston’s Kewpee Hamburgers. Established in 1923, Kewpee is originally from Flint, Michigan. Making them the second oldest hamburger chain behind White Castle.
Weston’s Kewpee Sandwich Shop
118 S Washington Square
Lansing, MI
(517) 482-8049
Website – https://westonskewpee.com
Instagram –
Monday 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Tuesday 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
Friday 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED
Weston’s Kewpee Sandwich Shop
Kewpee Burger History
Unofficially, 5 Kewpee locations (3 Kewpee Hamburgers in Lima, Ohio, Kewpee Lunch in Racine, Wisconsin, and this one in Lansing, Michigan). Three separate families own them. Halo Burger, out of Flint, Michigan, and Wilson’s Sandwich Shop in Findlay, Ohio, are former Kewpee restaurants and only historically associated with the chain.
One last fact that adds to Kewpee’s importance in hamburger history is that Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas’ inspiration for his restaurant was Kewpee. He frequented the Kewpee in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as a child.
Weston’s Kewpee Sandwich Shop has sold its burgers in Lansing, Michigan, since 1923. It is still family-owned, and 4th generation owner Autumn Weston is now running the show.
My wife Marcela and I were lucky enough to talk to her after we enjoyed a Coney Dog and their signature Olive Burger. I’m not a fan of lettuce, so we were in business once I removed that criminal from my Olive Burger.
It was my first time eating an Olive Burger, and I have found a new regional burger to obsess over. So, if you love olives and mayo, this burger is for you.
If you don’t, there’s still the Crumble.
What Is A Burger Crumble?
What is the Crumble, you say? While speaking to Autumn, she mentioned that the Crumble had been on the menu since Weston’s Kewpee opened.
I had noticed the “Try a Crumble!” but it didn’t cross my mind to ask what it was. The Crumble is a loose meat ground beef sandwich.
I knew that we needed to try it. So it was “Order up!” time. Autumn suggested we try her version of the Crumble with American cheese and Olive Sauce.
Who are we to argue?
In the over ten years of writing the Burger Beast blog, I was left speechless only a handful of times. But I’m happy to report this was one of those moments.
I was absolutely and unequivocably flabbergasted. Of course, we were not expecting that. As I write this, I feel like jumping on a plane to Lansing to have another Crumble.
The sad truth is I only took two bites. Unfortunately, I was so busy talking to Autumn that Marcela had taken the opportunity to eat the entire Crumble. I’m not mad about it; I’mmostly jealous.
I have that beautiful memory (in slow motion) of my two love bites, and it will have to hold me over till my next visit to Weston’s Kewpee Sandwich Shop.
Weston’s Kewpee Menu
Inside of Weston’s Kewpee in Lansing
2020 Burger Bash Champs
Weston’s Kewpee competed at the 2020 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash. They faced off against 30 known burger pros from around the United States and came out on top when the judges chose them as the Schweid & Sons Very Best Burger Award for 2020!
In the 1940’s and 50’s my dad had a Store ” Wheelers Wallpaper and Paint” Just down the street and we kids often ate at Kewpees. I believed my dad Keen Wheeler was a friend of the guy that owened the place. Best burgers anywhere anytime!