"Mary" in the name is a reference to the slang descriptor "Mary" used for gay men as far back as the early 1900s. In 1972 the original Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille was introduced in San Francisco as an “open air bar & grille for open minded people”. This article contains new, firsthand information uncovered by its reporter(s). There are many reasons for opening a Hamburger Mary’s franchise, but perhaps the best one is that you can finally be your own boss! Hamburger Mary's owners, brothers Ashley and Brandon Wright, wouldn't specify why the city shut the restaurant down. Twelve youths and young adults are being paid an $800 stipend for the 10-week program, where they create holiday decorations and learn workplace skills and etiquette. "It's just hard to do business in Andersonville," he said. DJ Smukrs. “I don’t like it when businesses close or move with no notice to their employees,” Wright said. Local owners and partners Doug Hanchett and Tom Zarkowski will open a Hamburger Mary’s location this fall at 6240 28th St. newsletter, Hamburger Mary's Shut Down For Health Code Violations [DNAinfo], Chongqing-Style Hot Pot Chain Adapts to Takeout at First U.S. Co-owner Brandon Wright said it is an "exploratory listing. So far he has fielded offers from chambers of commerce, restaurants and other commercial properties. These are selected by the writer and confirmed by the editor. There is still over a year left on the current lease, Wright said. Hamburger Mary's appears on Eater Chicago's best places to watch the NCAA basketball tournament. Nov 2010 – Present 9 years 1 month. Athletes. This includes directly interviewing sources and research / analysis of primary source documents. Cannon Doll-X Roller Derby. Let's see if the health department allows them to attend the Big Dance by game time. Co-owner Ashley Wright prepares for a drag show at Hamburger Mary's. Other. Co-owner Brandon Wright said it is an "exploratory listing. “It’s just hard to do business in Andersonville,” said Brandon Wright, co-owner of the restaurant chain. A green department of public health sign, … Jan. 2019: Hamburger Mary's owner claims health department targeted his restaurant for being gay Everything you need to know about hepatitis A in the Tampa Bay area Do stories like this matter to you? ANDERSONVILLE — Hamburger Mary’s, the iconic LGBTQ-friendly burger chain, has listed its Chicago location for sale. The district is laying out several different plans and time frames for an eventual return, but will rely on schools to create specific plans. “We can only charge so much for a hamburger,” he said. A daily dose of neighborhood news delivered to your inbox every morning. Hamburger Mary's owners, brothers Ashley and Brandon Wright, wouldn't specify why the city shut the restaurant down. Wright said rising costs are “outpacing the price increases” the burger chain charges. Two weeks after the failed inspection, city officials made another visit and found management had cleaned up the restaurant, earning them a pass. Hamburger Mayr's retail space has been listed for sale. It is important to him that they aren’t blindsided by anything, he said. When asked what other locations he was exploring, Wright said it was too soon to know where Hamburger Mary’s could move. ANDERSONVILLE — Hamburger Mary’s, the iconic LGBTQ-friendly burger chain, has listed its Chicago location for sale. It was a funky friendly dive put together on a shoe-string budget. But I guess the health department wasn't satisfied, so they are giving us time to clear it up. A green department of public health sign, dated March 17, was posted on a restaurant window reading that the license was suspended. While there are some strict standards for all Hamburger Mary’s franchises to assure quality and consistency, we offer the most flexibility in operating your restaurant. "We had a few health code issues, which we thought were rather routine. Andersonville restaurant/bar closed on St. Patrick's Day after inspection. DNAinfo first reported the restaurant's suspended license. Hamburger Mary's Owners Hope Health Code Shutter Lasts Only A Day, Sign up for the And if they move, they’ll open another Chicago location. Realtor Tim Rasmussen, with SVN Restaurant Resource Group, said they are selling “the leasehold interest.” In other words, they are selling Hamburger Mary’s rights to the lease the space. We are hoping to be open tomorrow," Ashley Wright wrote in an email. The eateries are often in gayborhoods and are intended to represent stereotypical gay culture through, for example, humorously named menu items, flamboyant decor and many of their locations hosting drag shows on weekends. Owner Hamburger Marys Bar and Grill Tampa, FL. The mismatched flatware & dishes, kooky artwork and antiques added to the kitsch and charm of the place. “I can’t imagine Chicago without a Hamburger Mary’s,” he said. Movies. Published on Aug 9, 2019 11:41AM CDT Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park Primary category in which blog post is published But just because the restaurant isn’t closing or leaving its current location anytime soon, doesn’t mean they don’t need your patronage, he said. But the owner said the restaurant, 5400 N. Clark St., isn’t going anywhere for at least a year. And if they move, they’ll open another Chicago location. Posted on May 16, 2016 | 03:20pm. Leave It On The Floor. Television. “The business space is up for sale and our hope is that we are able to move somewhere with a bigger dining area and less rent,” he said. With humble beginnings as an eclectic late-night beer and burger joint, Hamburger Mary’s quickly established itself as a staple in the LGBT community. Glee. Hamburger Marys Long Beach is located at 330 Pine Ave, Long Beach CA. "We are extremely disappointed with the overzealousness of the health department here," Ashley Wright wrote. It was an “open-air bar and grille for open-minded people” (a motto we still use today), where everyone was welcome. “If you like Hamburger Mary’s and you have enjoyed your time there, then come back because we are still there and we could use your support,” he said. When Hamburger Mary's co-owners and identical twin brothers Ashley and Brandon Wright went undercover to perform separate jobs in their LGBT-friendly restaurants, they accomplished a lot more than they ever thought they would. Back in August, city officials cited the restaurant for storing for the improper temperatures, a few flies, poor hygiene and mice droppings in the beer storage area and behind the bar. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. He said the listing went on the market nearly three weeks ago. Subscribe to Block Club Chicago. We aren’t looking for world domination, with a gazillion “cookie-cutter” locations all robotically moving to the same beat. Among the most recent victims were 55 people in Cook County, including a man in his 30s. "It's just hard to do business in Andersonville," he said. With humble beginnings, Hamburger Mary’s quickly grew into a staple, and is now the only national franchise with a strong history in the LGBTQ community. “Even a gourmet one.”. The original Hamburger Mary’s was a funky, friendly dive put together on a shoe-string budget. "Of course it didn't help they showed up the day after a record-busy weekend, so things weren't as clean as they should have been.". Wright said his employees have been looped in every step of the way. About Us. No favorite quotes to show; Favorites. SE. “And that goes for all the small businesses in Andersonville.”. Hamburger Mary’s is not your typical franchise system. It's not the first time the restaurant has failed an inspection. Identical twin brothers Ashley and Brandon Wright, co-owners of Hamburger Mary’s, a flamboyant franchise of LGBT-friendly restaurants that serve gourmet burgers and cocktails, along with drag shows and nightly entertainment, each work undercover as the other watches via a live video feed. Primary category in which blog post is published, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Lincoln Square, North Center, Irving Park, Learn more about Civil’s Credibility Indicators, Coronavirus Kills 197 More Illinoisans Since Wednesday, Bringing Death Toll To 12,029, Chicago Could Reopen Schools In January. Hamburger Mary’s Storefront Is Up For Sale, But Owner Says He Has No Plans To Leave Chicago. “It’s a great corner and it’s an architecturally significant building, so I’m assuming whoever goes in there will have the ability to operate there successfully,” he said. Hamburger Mary's owners, brothers Ashley and Brandon Wright, wouldn't specify why the city shut the restaurant down. But Wright made it clear Hamburger Mary’s will be staying at its current location for the foreseeable future and that the restaurant is not closing.