tesg's guide to big chain road food consumption

CHAIN -- Hamburger Stand (Also known as "Original Hamburger Stand")
Owner -- Galardi Group
Primary Operating Region -- Southwestern US
Number of Locations --  23 (uh, early 2000's sometime)

Hamburger Stand is a sister chain to Wienerschnitzel that amassed a stunning 24 locations (over six states, no less) in its 20 years of existence.  There may have been more at one point.  I don't know.  It seems to have started out as a double-drive-thru concept with a very generic presentation.  It was gussied up when the Wienerschnitzels of Colorado were rebranded.  The Wienerschnitzel brand has since returned to the Denver area via locations inside a few Wal-Marts, replacing their "Radio Grill" thing.

Hamburger Stand (also known as “Original Hamburger Stand”) used to be the best low-budget burger joint out there.  You could get a plain burger for $.59, or you could make it a double for $.99, or go for a triple.  The burgers were tasty.  The patty was better sized than McDonald’s and tastes every bit as good, if not better.  The topping balance was also done well.  

But the menu has been retooled a couple of times in favor of specialty burgers with premium toppings, and the simple burger menu kind of fell by the wayside.  The menu overall these days is the regular single-patty burger, specialty burgers, and the Wienerschnitzel hot dog line, minus limited-time specialty dogs.  Making Hamburger Stand for me just an overglorified Wienerschnitzel, where I'd order the same thing I'd order at a Wienerschnitzel anyway.  I guess it is a sign that Galardi Group is still trying to make Hamburger Stand fly.

Tastee-Freez was added to the mix at the Colorado Hamburger Stands in what must have been a test.  Galardi purchased Tastee-Freez outright shortly thereafter and has been adding Tastee-Freez desserts to Wienerschnitzel stores.  The Tastee-Freez shake is about as good as it gets, and the Tastee-Freez menu rounds out the burgers and hot dogs on the menu nicely.

So Hamburger Stand still exists in a minimalist sort of way.  They're a value player in a market where premium is favored, but they're still good too.

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