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.
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. There is also Halo Burger out of Flint, Michigan, and Wilson’s Sandwich Shop in Findlay, Ohio, who are former Kewpee restaurants and only associated historically with them.
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 (118 S Washington Square) has been selling its burger to 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 spend some time talking to her right 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 now found a new regional burger to obsess over. So, if you love Olives & Mayo, then this is the burger for you.
If you don’t, there’s still the Crumble.
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 exactly 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, there are only a handful of times I was left speechless. But, happy to report, this was one of those moments.
I was absolutely and unequivocably flabbergasted. Of course, we were not expecting that. As I’m writing this, is 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, primarily jealous.
I do have that beautiful memory (in slow motion) of my two love bites, and it’s going to have to hold me over till my next visit to Weston’s Kewpee Sandwich Shop.
Weston’s Kewpee Menu
Inside Weston’s Kewpee
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!