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Y! MyWebBurgers, breakfast and more at Wympee's
Photos: Downtown Dayton's Wympee's celebrates 70 years
Comment: Share your memories of Wympee's in downtown Dayton
Video: Wympee's manager talks about the diner
Friday, May 23, 2008
DAYTON — Wympee's manager Linda Anderson watches over the tiny diner on East Third Street every minute it's open — that's 88 hours a week serving office workers in suits alongside regulars in T-shirts and baseball caps. And she wouldn't have it any other way.
"It's the customers — if it is wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here," Anderson said. "I have people come in and tell me they haven't been here for 30 or 40 years. Some of them tell me they met their husbands or wives in here."
The 'Fat Boy' burger is a house specialty at Wympee's restaurant on Third Street and Wayne Avenue in downtown Dayton.The landscape around Wympee's — located at East Third Street and Wayne Avenue in the shadow of downtown Dayton — has changed dramatically since the burger joint/coffee shop/diner opened in 1938. Auto-parts plants and factories have closed, a baseball stadium and condos have been built. But Wympee's itself has remained frozen in time.
And that's just fine with the regulars.
"This is the same ceiling that was here in 1952 — I know because I cleaned it several times," said 72-year-old Howard Robbins. The Harrison Twp. resident pointed over to the lunch counter that faces the street. "Same stools, too." The building's exterior also remains virtually unchanged since 1938.
Robbins worked at Wympee's for only five weeks when he was 16, but something about the place stuck with him, "and I've been coming back here ever since."
The diner has several regulars, some of whom occupy designated stools every afternoon. The camaraderie between them and Anderson is apparent. They finish each other's sentences and trade gentle barbs. Birthdays are celebrated. And the coffee flows.
A yellowing newspaper clipping posted on a wall chronicles a visit from an Elvis impersonator. And Hank Snow has been here, Anderson says.
Years ago, someone — Anderson thinks it was "the third owner back" — tried to spiff up the place by placing cruets containing herb-infused olive oils in the old diner's window sills. The cruets still are there, looking oddly out of place.
The menu briefly expanded to include burritos and other Mexican food a year or two ago, but the new menu didn't stick, and the Mexican specialties were dropped. But Anderson says she makes a fine Giant Southwestern Omelette ($5.49), and she recently added an eight-inch Philly Beef & Cheese sandwich ($3.99). On Fridays, she makes fish.
Breakfast is served all day. Anderson notes with just a hint of derision that this isn't a place you'll find blueberry pancakes.
"We sell eggs, meat and potatoes, mostly — and plenty of biscuits and gravy," she says.
Comments
By HOWARD ROBBINS
May 28, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
We got mustard and pickles in 55 gallon drums. The cook climbed on top to reach shelf for cups, the wooden lid came off sliped and one leg went to bottom of barrel which was 3/4 full of pickles. Thanks for the memories.
By HOWARD ROBBINS
May 28, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Barry, I didn’t know you. I served your dad breakfast at least twice a week at the wympees at Salem and Superior. The First day, he introduced himself to me. I took his order and laid his silverware down wrong on the napkin. He let me know about it. From then on silverware was right.We called each other by first name. He told me to call him Sol. worked with Whitey,Vince Brady and Charlie Dunn. I also worked at downtown wympees.
By Jim Colegrove
May 28, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
I was just visiting Dayton a week before the celebration. I am so dissapointed that I missed it. I went to high school in Fairborn and started going to Wympee when I started driving a car in the late ’50s. Also went to the White Tower—both places— right on up through til 1967 when I left the area. I remember the signs in the parking lot “Flash Lights For Service” and “Try The Fat Boy.” Wish I had one right now! Happy Anniversary and many, many more!
By Jo Ann Friedman Timbanard
May 27, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
I loved reading the blog. I, too, was the original owner, Sol Friedman’s daughter. I remember “helping out” when we were little kids. My brother and I were discussing the hamburger quality. In those days, nobody wanted the beef tenderloin, so my dad had the hamburgers made primarily of the tenderloin! Today, that would be the $15 burger. And I remember Whitey, and the carhops, the little Jukeboxes on the counters. Am so proud that my family has a small place in the history of Dayton!
By barry friedman
May 27, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
My father was the one who built the place( of course before my time) but I also remember the late 40’s and 50’s well. My sister and I used to ” make rounds ” there on Sat and or Sun AM and visit with Vince Brady and Charlie Dunn- and of course many others along the way. 25cent burgers and 45 cent Fatboys- at least the first I can remember. Learned how to flip burgers then too. Ground our own meat in the comissary in the back building. Free food for the PD(as I remember hearing about it). jukes!
By Brian
May 25, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
I graduated from Wilbur Wright HS on the east side in ‘77 and Buckholdt’s Tavern and Wympee’s were where you got your burgers. Take my boys there when I’m down from Columbus. Still the same after all these years.
By Bill
May 24, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
Ah yes those “were the days”. Patterson Co:op, class of ‘55. Ate many lunches at Wympees. Just a short run from school. Sometimes we cut class and stopped at the upstairs Pool Hall on second street.
Boy, were we cool. Cashmere sweaters pegged pants and all.
Loved Whmpees and all of downton Dayton.
Best wishes, Bill Doersam, Minot, North Dakota
By Belinda Morrison
May 24, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
Happy 70th anniversary to a great burger joint! I worked there in the mid 60’s and early 70’s. Met a lot of people from all walks of life. Here’s to at least 70 more!
By Belinda Morrison
May 24, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
I have some pretty fond memories of working at Wympee’s when it was owned by George Thomas in the mid sixties to early seventies. I met a lot of great people from many walks of life. Back then the Dayton police, and channel 7 newsmen would stop for coffee. I often wonder what has happend to a lot of them. The names I can remember are Spook Jones, Jimmy Paxton., Marshall Manning ,Leroy Williams, Chuck Upthegrove, Bob Tomaskas, Any Casalls to name a few. Here’s to 70 more years!!
By LINDA ANDERSON
May 23, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
I have so enjoy reading all the comments people have made about Wympee’s of its past history I found it is so truly important to have history of this resturant. If you wish to share your story or photo’s of Wympee’s please feel free to talk to at the resturant any time.
By Nikki
May 23, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
I remember my grandparents talking about how they would go on dates to Wympee’s back in the late 40’s! Congratulations on your 70th anniversary!
By Springboro
May 23, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Never heard of this diner wha a great article. can’t wait to bring my kids. everybody loves a good burger and the old fashion diner is almost a thing of the past. we all need to slow down and take in some of our past. will bring my parents when they here from PA.
By William O.
May 23, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
I wonder how many people remember how “Wympee’s” got its name? My girl friend Gerry and I used to go there quite often, they had/have a hamburger that would rival Marion’s Ice Cream. I’ll stop in for sure when in town. Congratulations on the anniversary and many many more!!!
By Donna Higgins
May 23, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
My aunt Ruth was a bell hop there and Uncle Elmo Clark was a cook there, some 55 or so years ago. They met there, married, and went back for their 50th anniversary quite some time ago. She’s now deceased and he’s in a nursing home, but there were many fond memories shared about their courtship and good times at Wympees. I wonder how many people remember them. They also operated Clark’s Superette only a few blocks from Wympees. Time sure flies!
By Greg Tampa Fl.
May 23, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
i can remember riding the bus from wayne ave. and wyoming to wympees to get a fatboy the money we had from shoveling snow or cutting grass what a treat boy i,ve been in tampa fla. for 2 years now and the food capital of fla.has no burger like wympees also does anyone remember Hecks cafeteria on wayne ave.best fried pork chops i,ve ever eaten!!!!!!
By Bill DeH
May 23, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
As an 88year old man, I remember Wympees very well. We went there in l939 and 40 just for the Wympee hamburgers. When I return to Dayton for visits, I usually drive by, but never stop. When I return in September I definitely will stop in. Congratulations on the 70 th anniversary.
By Tim
May 23, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
No Alex. YOU are the joke.
By Alex
May 23, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
What a shock another burger place in Dayton?!?!? Dayton is a culinary joke.
By Alex
May 23, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
What a shock another burger place in Dayton?!?!? Dayton is a culinary joke.
By Woody
May 23, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
My brother Gary, my mother and my father ate at Wympee’s regularly on Saturday’s when my parents drove from Van Buren Township, later Kettering, to downtown Dayton to shop at Rike’s and other stores in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. We all loved the burgers and chili for lunch. Afterwards, my parents would frequently stop by Frank’s for take-out barbequed chicken for dinner at home. Saturdays were fun days out with the family.
By Pat Cornett
May 23, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
As a native Daytonian, I remember Wympees well. And, yes, those were good burgers!! A group of us from the East End would stop there on the way home from football games. I’m living in Brooksville Florida now, but I sure do have some good memories of Wympees and of Dayton.
By Dayton Dude
May 23, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
I have never been to Wympees, but after reading this article and all the positive comments, I will be going soon!
By Amy
May 23, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
This is were my grandparents met, hope it stys forever, just like them
By Joe Ross
May 23, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
While with Dayton PD, I shared many cups of coffee at Wympee’s along with fellow officer Ralph “Spook” Jones while working the night shift. It was a good place to just take a break.
By Moreland
May 23, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Always went pass there on my home, never ate there the way gas prices are going up 70 cents burgers not a bad ideal.
By Evelyn
May 23, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
I passed Wympees often but never went in until I participated in Urban Nights last year…the burgers was the best! I love the old-fashioned feel of the restaurant and the employees were very nice…I am hungry now…see you at Wympees for lunch!
By bob
May 23, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Stopped there every day.Worked at DUELLMANS 2 blocks from there.MARY LOU was was great.
By ms pepsi
May 23, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
I don’t think there is an alumni of Patterson that hasnt eaten Wympee’s as a staple of our diet! Think I’ll have a Fat Boy today! Congratulations and thanks for not changing a thing!
By donna
May 23, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
I remember Wympees very well because my mother Mary Lou worked there for over thirty years. Iremember going to Wympees as young child. My mother met alot of people working there over her thirty plus years. There is probably still customers that go to Wympees that remember my mother.
By Carrie
May 23, 2008 6:19 AM | Link to this
I love that it has survived for so long. What a great piece of history.
By Robert Hunter
May 23, 2008 3:29 AM | Link to this
Wympee’s history is a little more personal to my family. My uncle worked there decades ago (more than we care to count) as a cook, being his first job when he came to Dayton. I can’t even drive by without that memory popping to mind. When my mother’s in the car, the story about it usually follows… ;) Happy Anniversary, Wympee’s!
By thepummeler
May 23, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this
Now it’s Burger King and McDonalds. Well, its been THAT way for a long time. But, I remember when it was Wympee’s and White Tower, across the street from each other, who built the best burger,…. HUH?
By thepummeler
May 23, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this
stick-to-it-ive-ness. That’s Wympee’s. In a world anticipating change, its RE-freshing and rare to see a place like this. I occupied one of those stools frequently as a teenager in the 70’s when I went to Patterson. and it was over 30 then. Warm and Fuzzy, ooh yeah