Indy Beacons: Burger Chef, Indy’s biggest-ever restaurant chain

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5 thoughts on “Indy Beacons: Burger Chef, Indy’s biggest-ever restaurant chain

  1. Great history, Mr. Gunderman; thanks for the “readable” report. Are you related to the Indianapolis Gunderman Speed Shop family?

    I hadn’t realized that the first full-fledged Burger Chef was the one across from The State Fairgrounds on 38th Street. It was immediately east of what was then Purdue University / Indianapolis campus. Both have long since been demolished and are now State Fair parking lots. As a student at Purdue University / Indianapolis in 1964-1966, I had many 50-cent lunches next door at that Burger Chef….as you reported, a hamburger, fries, and a shake for about 50 cents.

    Recently, a Speedway woman (IIRC) published a lengthy book on the infamous abduction and murders of the four young employees at that Speedway Burger Chef location. It was the opinion of several remaining investigators (long since retired) that they had a good idea who the perpetrators were…but, as you say, did not feel they had enough evidence to bring them to trial. Again IIRC, they said one of the probable perps had since died in prison of another charge.

    Again, as one who loves recent Indianapolis history, thanks for this article.

    1. I must have missed the reference on Mad Men. I was young so the only location I remember was at the corner of Kessler and Michigan Road.

  2. I remember liking the Fun Meal so much better than the Happy Meal; generally liked Burger Chef more than McDonald’s. Thinking back, I recall the the burger tasted better, and of course, there was the Works Bar!

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