Burger Chef, at it's peak, was the #2 fast food burger joint in the mid 70s (behind McDonalds, of course). It served the usual fare - burgers, fries, shakes - and even had a burger called the Big Shef (yes, the S is correct) - which was a double decker sandwich that looked exactly like a Big Mac.
I remember going to Burger Chef when we lived in Lansing - 4th and 5th grade. A few memories stand out:
1. Bacon! I think Burger Chef was the first time I had a bacon cheeseburger. What a concept - bacon on a cheeseburger. It was heavenly for this 9 year old.
2. I distinctly remember our Mom buying a burger maker at home - this was one of those
Procter Silex appliances that was used twice a year and other than that was buried in the cabinet. These burger makers were like mini griddles, with a lid - so it was like frying your own burger at home. So you could make the unhealthy burgers without leaving the comfort of home!Also - we somehow bought/found/went to the library and got a booklet on the recipe for the famous burgers of the time. For instance, how do you make a Big Mac? This booklet had the recipe - all the way down to the recipe for the sauce (which, of course, is just 1000 island dressing). There was the recipe for Big Shef also - with a different special sauce. I remember having these frequently at home as Mom tried the various toppings and sauces. Where did she get the double decker buns?
3. Kids meal! Apparently, Burger Chef was the first restaurant to sell a kids meal. It was called a Fun Meal, and they had characters to represent the chain just like McDonalds would. There was Burger Chef, his kid sidekick Jeff, a vampire, a talking ape, and a magician. They actually had a license with the Star Wars franchise for the Fun Meals - remember, this was the late 70s. I think I remember getting a Fun Meal with C3PO one time.McDonald's introduced their Happy Meal in 1979 - Burger Chef sued, but lost. A huge loss for the company.
So what ultimately happened to Burger Chef? It was sold to Hardee's in 1982. Hardee's was the "winner" and the Burger Chefs were converted to Hardee's. I don't think Hardee's had as much clout as Burger Chef - but whatever. The corporation left the Burger Chef name to die.
Talk about dying - there is also the "Burger Chef Murders" from 1979. Apparently, 4 young workers were abducted from a Burger Chef in Indiana late one night - and their bodies were found a day later in nearby woods. This made national news and the murders are still unsolved. Kind of scary if you ask me.
Here's a commercial for Burger Chef from the 70s - kind of catchy, except for the "Open Wide, America" opening line.....
Open wide, America, the Browns are on Sunday Night Football! First time since 2008, when I was unable to watch the game since Hurricane Ike knocked power out of our house for 5 days - and this was when Martin was 2 weeks old. That was hell. At least our insurance covered roof damage from a hurricane - in Ohio.
On to the games:
Buf 20, Cin 13. I can't get this Bills team right. Cin has the defense to stop Allen, but they have no run game and Buffalo's pass D is impressive. See a low scoring game here.
Dal 33, Mia 16. Is Jason Garrett as ruthless as Bill B? I know bad 0-2 teams, and one of these days Miami will at least play decent. Dallas will get ahead early and take the foot off the gas.
GB 27, Den 17. Third game in a row where the Packers play a solid defense. Think they will get something going in their pass game - and I can't trust Flacco on the road.
Ind 27, Atl 20. What a lucky game I got Sunday night with the Falcons - they dominated the game and should have lost. They have flaws all over the place - and Reich will take advantage in the Colts' first home game.
KC 34, Bal 27. Let's not crown the Ravens yet. They beat Miami and a one-score game vs. the Cards. Their O is good, but their D - not sold on it yet. A shootout in KC? KC by a touchdown.
Min 30, Oak 20. Oakland has a good run D, so Min will have to lean a little more on Cousins - and they can do that at home. Which forces Oakland to pass - a high scoring game here.
NE 30, NYJ 10. What is there to say here? The Jets D isn't that bad - we will have to check on Mosley - but their O is LeVeon and nothing more. Maybe I am optimistic thinking the Jets will get 10.
Phi 27, Det 24. This is not a slam dunk for the Eagles - with the receivers out (Jackson, Goddert) they have to rely on the run game some, which is weak. Detroit is a little more impressive this year.
Arz 27, Car 16. I need to watch the Cardinals more to really understand their offense. So far, it's at least average and they should be able to move against a Carolina team ready to crack.
TB 20, NYG 17. I think Daniel Jones is a real upgrade - now, can he use Engram and Shepard to move the ball? And how can you lay almost a touchdown with Winston?
LAC 31, Hou 24. I don't believe in the Houston run game- Hyde? - so the Chargers can focus solely on Watson. And their D is not that good - Rivers and the Chargers are pissed.
SF 27, Pit 16. Still love Kyle Shanahan and he should be able to scheme against this weak Pit pass D. Can Rudolph show anything with a week of practice? Maybe a bit...
Sea 27, NO 13. The key here is the NO average run D vs. Seattle's focus on running the ball. Seattle will dominate the time of possession and march on the Saints.
Was 20, Chi 17. I'm not convinced the Skins D is all that bad - they played Philly and Dallas. The Bears just seem off kilter on O - and Washington will score just enough to keep this close and win at the end.
Oh - and for our game? I'll leave you with Ben Crenshaw to sum up my thoughts.
Best bets: 15 of them. Last week: 9-5-1; overall 21-9-1
ATS: 4-4-1 last week, 10-8-1 overall
Over/under: 5-1 last week, 11-1 overall
Cin/Buf under 44
Mia +22.5
Ind -1.5
Bal/KC over 52
Oak/Min over 43.5
Det +5.5
Det/Phi over 45.5
Arz -2.5
NYG +6
NYG/TB under 47.5
LAC -3
Hou/LAC over 48.5
SF -6.5
Sea -4.5
Was +4
Supercontest picks: Last week: 3-2; overall: 6-4
Ind -1.5
NYG +6.5
LAC -3
Sea -4
Was +4
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