Monday, April 16, 2007

How It All Began ....

Welcome..... My interest in the former Biff-Burger drive-in began during my childhood when I frequently visited the Biff-Burger located in Hummels Wharf, Pennsylvania. 

Sadly, this location closed after 35 years of service and was torn down in 2001. As a tribute, I created and continue to manage a website to document and preserve the history of the former Biff-Burger chain (National Biff-Burger System), for all to enjoy and reminisce. 

When I started this blog back in 2007, only two Biff-Burger locations still existed.... The 3939 49th Street North location in St. Petersburg, Florida which still uses the same name and has many of the original "classic" biff-burger architectural features and a second location, re-named to Beef-Burger during the 1980s, however is still referred to as biff-burger by the locals, is located at 1040 West Lee Street in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

Unfortunately Ralph Havis, owner of the former Beef Burger in Greensboro, NC died and the place was sold off and the St. Petersburg, FL location closed. So, Biff-Burger is all but a memory now. (Updated - August 2023)

Please feel free to share your experiences and stories of a former Biff-Burger location. 

Christopher "Orange Bird" Catherman 
Biff-Burger Fan and Historian

89 comments:

Rod Ice said...

Dear Biff-Burger,
Thanks for your insight and comment on my 'Biff' feature!

Regards, Rod / Thoughts At Large

Anonymous said...

At the Biff-Burger closest to me, the one in front of Plant High School in Tampa, a couple of times a year the franchise owner would bring in trampolines for its customers to jump on (for a small fee, of course). Definitely a personal injury attorney's dream come true these days. We'd fill ourselves up on fast food and jump up & down until we were sick!

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy visiting your site. What's weird, I can vividly remember my experiences going to the Biff Burger in Marion, Indiana. Always great memories.

I only wish the chain was revived. It would be a good investment.

Anonymous said...

HI MY NAME IS JACKIE. I LIVE IN HOUSTON TEXAS AND AS A CHILD I LOVED BIFF BURGER. I'M 54 YEARS OLD AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE BIFF BURGER COME BACK TO HOUSTON, TEXAS. PLEASE SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO BY BRINGING IT BACK. I GRANT YOU, YOU COULD NOT GO WRONG BY BRINGING BIFF BURGER BACK TO HOUSTON. HOUSTON IS A BOOMING TOWN. IF YOU PUT BIFF BURGER BACK ON WESLYN BY WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE I GUARANTEE BIFF BURGER WOULD NOT GO UNDER. PLEASE BRING BIFF BURGER BACK TO HOUSTON, TEXAS THANK YOU

stan said...

PLEASE COME BACK TO MIDDLE GA! the building that is now at 49 and 41 hgy. never did open after being moved almost 35 years ago-i was told that the owner was told it had evil spirits. the place is mostly complete w/rotrobroild sign out front.even the menu is still up. i use to eat there when it was in warner robins.

Anonymous said...

It's so sad to hear the last Biff Burger store closed in PA. I remember my mom taking my brother and I there for lunch everytime we went shopping in Selinsgrove. They had THE BEST burgers! Bring back the BIFF, I mean, the SUPER BIFF WITH CHEESE!!!

Willa said...

I just went to the Biff-Burger in St. Pete yesterday. I ate TWO Biff Burgers with sauce. The waitresses seemed oblivious to the fact that there were people still pining for them and that there was some discussion on the web about it. The burgers were VERY close to the ones I remembered but the menu was huge and they have a huge breakfast menu as well with REAL breakfast. She told me what the sauce was but I really don't think she told me the whole truth...LOL! It is actually mostly ketchup based but still imparted whatever that "special" little twangy flavor is. The Jamaica dog is also still on the menu. Remember those with the shaved bun? It seems to be a hangout for car and bike enthusiasts. But it was worth the stop.. I will go back.. hey, it's only two hours away.

Anonymous said...

My partner Frank and I found Biff-Burger In ST Pete, shortly after moving here from Mass. Both remembering the 50's, we immediately identified with the concept and food.
We try to bring all our visitors to experience Biffs. Our best friends Jim & Marcia, and both our brothers and their families insist on visiting Biffs when they are here fron New England. It's a treat to visit and enjoy Biffs every time.
Ernie C.
St Pete Fl

Anonymous said...

My wife and I passed the Biff Burger in Hummels Wharf, PA on a trip north to New York state in the mid-80's. We joked about the name on our trip, wondering who "Biff" was. On the way back south we decided to stop there just so we could say we ate at "Biff Burger." It was 2:30 in the afternoon, we had eaten lunch and it was too early for dinner. We decided to get just one burger with sauce and split it between us. We did -- and then we went back in and both got another whole burger each. The sauce was fantastic! It's sad that the PA location has closed.

Anonymous said...

Oh how well I remember going with my family to the Biff Burger on the Queensway in Toronto, Canada. We loved the burgers dipped in the sauce and how my Dad loved to order a "shake". It was a great family outing "sitting in the car" in those days (late 50's)eating a burger and shake. Could hardly wait until the next week we would be going back again as a "treat"
Wish they would bring them back again but sometimes memories are sweeter.
Lorna Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Anonymous said...

My best memory of the Biff-Burger in Hixson (Chattanooga), Tennessee, was that, as a special reward for doing well on a test at school, I was allowed to get one of the Biff-Burger chopped weiner sandwiches (don't remember what they were named) which were slathered with their wonderful sauce! I've told a lot of people about Biff-Burger, and most of them think it's a figment of my imagination, but it's nice to know that the next time I'm in (or near) St. Pete, I can actually prove there is still such a place. Thanks for helping one of my fondest memories live again!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful discovery today over the net. My friends at work and I were sharing memories of the 1960's and fast food places. I brought up Biff Burger and we agreed they were the most unique, best tasting burgers we could remember. My Mom would take my sister and I to the one in Winston Salem, NC about once every week or two, usually on a Sunday after church... great memories. Thank you for all the work making these sites so we can look back and revive the memories. I can almost taste those burgers as I recall our visits. I plan on a road trip to Greensboro to Beef Burger to see if they still taste as I remember them, I'm lucky to be close to one of the two remaining restaurants! I will definitely be sharing my experience! Thanks again for the Biff Burger history and franchise story.

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! You mean a Biff Burger still exixts!!! I grew up in the small town of Gadsden, Alabama and ours closed down in the early/mid 80's. I remember the Biff Burger very well. Still the best tasting burger I've ever had.

Thanks to this website, luck is on my side. Only 2 left (Greensboro and St. Pete). I live in Charlotte, which is less than an hour from Greensboro and I visit Orlando once a year, which is also less than an hour from St. Pete. I'll let you know how it turned out. THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!!!

Anonymous said...

Our family ALWAYS stopped at one of the Biff-Burgers in Tampa on our way to my grandparents home in old Sun City during the mid to late 60s. The particular Biff-Burger we stopped at had the best deviled crab rolls ever! They were fabulous!

Anonymous said...

IN OUR SMALL TOWN OF PALATKA FL BIFF BURGER WAS THE ONLY "CHAIN" FAST FOOD PLACE I CAN REMEMBER AS A KID. IT WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT OF A SHOPPING PLAZA THAT CONTAINED A SKATING RINK AND A MOVIE THEATRE. EVEN SANTA CAME TO THE SEARS THERE EVERY YEAR. THIS WAS TRULY THE "CAPITOL" OF FUN IN OUR LITTLE TOWN.

Anonymous said...

We lived in Winston-Salem, NC and about once a week Mom would take my
Grandmother, sister and me to the Biff Burger on Corporation Parkway.
How we loved those delicious burgers
and eating on the concrete tables below the big metal umbrellas. I liked pickle relish on my burger and
remember fighting the yellow jackets
at the condiment counter to get at the relish. Oh what happy days those were! Thank you so very much for the great website!

Anonymous said...

I was lucky enough to frequent Biff Burger #1 located in the West Ashley area near Charleston, SC. Two things I recall as a small child then were the tater tots which had to be the first served by any fast food establishment and the small multicolor swirl "super ball" toys that were dispensed from a gumball type machine in the lobby. I have tried to find a picture of Biff Burger #1, but no one seems to recall it being there. Thanks to your website though, I have all the proof of its existance necessary, although a nostalgic photo would be nice to have. -Keith C. in Charleston.

the pawnbroker said...

date night was friday night in our little town of pahokee, fl on the shore of lake okeechobee...

my girl and i were 16 and would go to the local drive-in theater in nearby belle glade, then back to pahokee to hit the biff burger for a sack of fries to munch on as we made the circuit through "downtown", up to the levee overlooking the lake, and back again in a constant circle...

that was 1970, and we were married the following year at age 17, had two girls by age 20 and a boy ten years later...next week on december 18 we will celebrate our 37th anniversary, have four grandkids and a good life in sebring, fl only about sixty miles from pahokee.

pahokee is an agricultural town in western palm beach county, and the sugar cane business is dying off, and along with it pahokee and belle glade; the biff burger closed in pahokee long ago, and though the belle glade location lasted longer, it too is now history...and what a history it is to us...biff burger is one of our brightest and fondest memories and we will never forget it.

fran and terry curtiss, sebring, fl.

Anonymous said...

I moved to Greensboro, NC in 1971 and have been enjoying Biff/Beef Burgers several times a year ever since. I like to get one biff and one cheese burger with extra sauce. They are still wonderful. The Greensboro store always posted autographed posters/photos of various celebrities, wrestlers, sports people who appeared at the Greensboro Coliseum which was a short distance down High Point Road. Thanks for your great info

Anonymous said...

My uncle used to own the Biff Burger in Tallahassee, Fl. I remember when they had a price war with McDonald's after one of them raised the price of a hamburger from 15 to 18 cents.

Anonymous said...

Hello:

My name is Jim and my friends and I used to go to the Biff-Burger at the Junction, in Toronto, about 4 times per week. The food was great ( a Biff-Burger, fries and a shake ) and we would meet our friends there during the week. We all had cars, hot rods or customized, souped-up, 1954-1967 Fords, Chevy's, Dodge's, etc. It was a fantastic meeting place to show off our cars, meet and be with friends........ eat, talk and have fun for hours. Saturdays and Sundays we would spend hours there. Thank you Biff-Burger for all the great memories of our youth and happy times in the 50's and 60's!

Anonymous said...

the one in warner robins ga. was the best place for a burger. the old building was moved outside of byron and never reopened.it still there-most of it original including the sign.

Anonymous said...

bbdynomite
I will always remember the Biff on the Golden Strip in Hummels Wharf Pa. When I was a kid my girl frind lived near the Biff. We new we could have a good time there with our friends aslong as we had a dollar in our hand. You could get fries, biff and a drink. Plus site with friends. Then when I had children I even took them there. They loved it. Wish the place never closed.
Thank for the memories! Love the Web site, am telling everone about it.

Don Clements said...

I miss the Okeechobee Biff

Dave Karchner said...

My dad, Dave Karchner, owned the Biff in Hummels Wharf for a number of years. My brothers, sisters and I worked there all through high school and college. My dad used the income from the restaurant to help pay for our college educations. To this day I have never found a fast food meal better than the Super Cheese Dog smothered in the special sauce!

jjk said...

My father owned the Biff in Hummels Wharf PA (near Selinsgrove)from 1976-77 through 1987-88. My two older brothers and one older sister worked there in the late 70s. My younger brother and I worked there in the early 80s. Lot's of fun and great memories of the Biff and the great burgers. When I would work after school and be starving I would make a double decker Deluxe Biff with sauce (not on the menu). Hands down, the best tasting burgers ever. Big Mac didn't come close... I still remember the "Day Ladies", Helen, Nancy, Delores and Jane. They really taught you how to work! Constantly cleaning... Everyone had to put in some training with the "Day Ladies". Too bad it's a Kia dealership today...

Anonymous said...

I remember the Biff- Burger in Kingsport,TN with fondest of memories. The "Biff-Dog" was a segmented hotdog heated in their special suace and served on a hamburger bun with slaw placed in the middle. Oh to relive that time again. I still believe they were the first to have tater tots as a normal menu item. The Kingsport TN location also had a small fountain that as children we treated as a wishing well. I have just learned of a NC location for the Biff(Beef)- Burger and will post again after I visit To see if I may recapture a moment of my youth. Thanks for the very fondest of memories.
CaptnJack@gmail.com

Willa said...

I just went to the one in St. Pete Saturday. It is now kind of a biker hangout. I go there whenever I am in town. I just get the simple Biff Burger. They have tons of things on the menu now and they still have that jamaica dog with the crazy relish.

Anonymous said...

Courtesy of Google Steetview, here is the former Biff Burger building in Whitfield, Georgia than Stan was referring to in his post.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Georgia+3+%26+Hwy+41,+Westside,+Whitfield,+Georgia+30755&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.23349,75.673828&ie=UTF8&cd=2&geocode=FWByEwIdhVPu-g&split=0&hq=&hnear=Georgia+3+%26+Hwy+41,+Westside,+Whitfield,+Georgia&ll=32.675217,-83.706894&spn=0.064734,0.1478&z=13&layer=c&cbll=32.67537,-83.706842&panoid=yOYpdTm0KZINa-icFACKSg&cbp=12,155,,0,5

Anonymous said...

we allways went to Biff Burger in toronto junction best burgers and shakes the fries ewere crinkle cut great sauce just lasting memories of happy days great food that you cant get now kids are missing out big time jack

Stuart said...

My wife and I love the Biff Burger in Pinellas Park, Fl. It was our date night when we were flat busted broke, we always had a great time with the wonderful people you met there, and as always the terrific food. Our family has been in Florida since before Statehood (an ancestor was the 1st Territorial Governor of Fl. after Gen. Jackson, Keith Call)A trip to Biff's has always been a part of pretty much every celebration in the family, unfortunately though we recently had to move to Ky for a job, but our home, and our hearts, are still there (along with everyone else in the family) in St. Pete, and Biff's, until we can come home again.

Thanks for the great memories!

Hal (RSAuto) said...

I feel bad for all those who don't live close enough to visit the Biff-Burger here in St Pete. It's doing quite well and we have such a great community of classic car owners that on Friday nights this place is a walk through automotive history.

There's some pretty wild bike nights too.

Jim said...

When I was growing up I lived just a couple of blocks from the Biff Burger Headquarters on Ulmerton Rd. in Largo, FL. I went to elementary, middle, and high school with the daughters of the man who started and ran the chain, Beth and Anna Lee Brane. I live in Tampa now, but I still make the trip across the bay to have a Biff on occasion. I had lunch there today !

Ed said...

Here's a bit of Biff Burger history for you. The year was 1964. To promote the upcoming Beatles concert in Toronto, the Biff Burger on the Queensway offered a Beatle Burger. Customers filled out a ballot to win 2 free tickets. Our family won the contest and our mother would not let my brother and I go because she thought we were too young and might get trampled by the hysteria that the Beatles were causing in North America.

Joyce said...

Joyce said,I remember BIFF BURGER in Belle Glade,Floride.that place was the hang out spot.It had the best burger in town,no one could not compete with them.My family and I wish it can be reopen again.We miss it so badly.Please bring it back to our town,the building still standing we just need the original Biff Burger food/sauce.WOW what great memories that we have.

Anonymous said...

When I was a kid I used to go to the Biff in the Warf and the one thing I do remember was the Deal you would get on food. Better food and better price. The craziest thing was me sitting on the chair watching the NASCAR race and "Biff Burger" popping into my head....finding this blog and all the memories.
Thank you "Biff Burger" ....I miss ya...but we have "Char-Grill" here in Raleigh NC and they are pretty good. I might have to make a run to Greensboro if
"Biff" is still open.....

Bill said...

Hi,
I can't tell you how pleased I was when someone from facebook posted about the Biff Burger website. I have craved a cheese biff since I was in elementary school, 45 years ago. We had a Biff Burger a block from my school in Gadsden, Alabama. Our school was so small, we didn't have a lunchroom for at least my 5th and 6th grade years. They used to just let us go out for lunch. Something that could never happen today. I would go to Biff Burger everyday. This was around 1965 and 66. They would run specials everyday and when I saw 2 Cheese Biffs Tater Tots for 99 cents, I would be a happy kid.Can't remember if the drink was included or not. I was and still am a picky eater and the Cheese Biff is the only thing I would eat. My favorite part was the sauce. I remember like it was yesterday, watching them take the burgers off the spinning grill and dipping the whole thing down in the pan of sauce. I wrote the recipe down and will try and make some, but I doubt it will be possible to live up to my memories. I just wanted to say thanks for bringing back all the good thoghts.

Bill Mincey

hardluck trucker said...

7:53PM 01/14/2012
I love your website and what you are doing to keep the memory of this old establishment alive. My family moved to Baton Rouge, La. in 1967 and about three blocks from our house was the Biff-Burger located at 3875 Plank Road (which is kind of funny because our house number was 3785). Of course, neither this building or the house that we lived in stands any longer.

A few months back a local DJ on 107.3 had as his "Fun Friday" segment, the opportunity to call in and talk about former attractions in Baton Rouge. My call was in reference to the Biff-Burger on Plank Road.

In 1967, at the young age of fourteen and without any way to make money, other than cutting yards, my funds were somewhat limited but from time to time I would find myself in front of the Biff-Burger, craving one of their delicious burgers.

To put things into perspective, at that time, a gallon of gas or a pack of cigarettes was nineteen cents. I remember Biff-Burger having two burgers, one for nineteen cents and one for twenty-nine cents. The more expensive one had the best sauce you could imagine and I loved it but so often I only had enough money for the cheaper one.

We moved away a few years later and I joined the Navy and when I came home, my beloved fast food restaurant was, no more. If I could have known that this place was going to close, I would have made one final trip.

Such a shame that progress left in its wake the destruction of such great establishment as Biff-Burger.

Thanks for what you are doing and thanks for allowing me to add my memories to your fine website.

Sincerely,
Rodney Halley
Baker, La.

Winifred St. Jay said...

One of my first memories of eating out was the Biff Burger at Westgate in Asheville NC. It was more of a counter with a window than a restaurant. And I remember the way the man would call them "boorgers

Anonymous said...

I worked at Al's Biff Burger in Evansville Indiana from 1965-68. Al is gone, but his ex-wife and co-owner is still alive in Scottsdale Az. I remember having to dismantle and clean those round grills in lye. What a hot job. Glad the place is remembered.

Anonymous said...

For the past 35 years, I have been writing my memoirs. Yesterday, while driving along The Queens Way in west Toronto, the name BIFF-BURGER popped into my head just as I passed its former location. I suddenly realized that BIFF-BURGER existed ten years before McDonalds came to this area. I will never forget the taste of their burgers and the uniqueness of how they were prepared.
Leo

wanda said...

Growing up I lived behind the Biff-Burger along the strip in Hummels Wharf,Pa so guess where I spent alot of my time? Yep at the good-ole Biff Burger..loved it!and I miss it dearly.I think it was like my second home.So many memories.

Unknown said...

On this mornings Charley Belcher segment of "FOX 13 GOD DAY TAMPA BAY" on WTVT channel 13 they had a special segment featuring the "Biff Burger" in St. Pete, FL. Only $1.19.
They have the same special sauce and the large menu of those great delicious items. Opens at 6;00am.
Biff Burger is having a poker run this weekend to raise money for Veterans holiday improvement. Lots of music and activities. I'LL BE THERE.

Anonymous said...

Doug
Were from MD but grew up in St Pete, he head back several times a year just to go to the Biff Burger, Was there last Feb for the cruse in, had my freshly painted 87 Dodge van, and felt right at home. Great food great music.

Anonymous said...

I worked at the Biff Burger on Pass Rd in Gulfport, MS in 1968 and 1969. The owners were Lawrence and Doris Mahalak and not long ago I saw a post by Mrs Mahalak that employees made the sauce. Not so. Not at lest when I worked there. Biff Sauce came in #10 cans and I opened so many of them with one of those counter mounted industrial can openers (hand cranked) that I can still see them in my mind. The sauce was labeled as Biff Sauce, Clearwater, Florida and the ingredients. We'd open the can and pour the sauce into a stainless steel pan and put the pan on top of the roto-broiler to warm up. That was it. Simple and delicious!

Rob and Sue said...

We used to go to the Biff-Burger at the Junction of Dundas Street West and Annette and Dupont Streets, in Toronto. The food was fabulous and cheaper than A&W's at the time. A Biff-Burger, fries and a shake was the meal of the day and we could meet other car and bike enthusiasts. Sadly it closed in the early 1970's and a Roy Rogers took over. Now I believe it is a tire dealership. Thank you Biff-Burger for being part of the great memories of our youth. Hopefully you will consider returning to the Toronto Area. More and more U.S. companies are coming north and Biff-Burger would be the best in Town. Rob and Sue

Jon said...

I worked at Al's Biff Burger in Evansville Indiana for 3 years (1965-1968). Al and Joan Hortman owned the place. They helped a lot of kids stay out of trouble. Al passed several years ago. He also was the model for the Shriners man carry the child to get help. The girl walking with him was his daughter Laura. Joan is still alive. I made a lot of friends there. No one could pronounce my name and being French, I was addressed as "Frenchie".

Sandie Cassidy said...

I use to eat at the Biff-burger in Gulfport, Mississippi. I loved the chili hotdog burger with tater tots.

Tim said...

I was 10 when my family moved to Okeechobee, Fl. in 1971. The ONLY "fast food" was KFC and Biff Burger. I would ride my bike to Biff Burger for the best chocolate shake I have ever had. Man they were amazing! Now I'm in the Tampa - St Pete area and just found out Biff Burger us still alive and well. I will be going very soon!!

Anonymous said...

I have recently come into possession of an original Biff-Burger Jingle advertising 45 record. Does anybody have any idea as to the value of such an item? Can find NOTHING like it on E-bay to compare. Have found the words and date on the Biff-Burger web site.
L. Henderson

Bruce Borgan said...

Interesting that a site exists for Biff Burgers. I believe I went to elementary and junior high with the owner's daughter back in the early 1960's. As I recall, Bruce Brane was owner and his daughter, Annalee was one of my classmates. We lived in Largo, FL at the time and the one on Missouri Ave was our favorite. After football practice at Largo High School, it was in walking distance and so that's where we went when we had some extra money. They did quite well until McDonald's opened across the street.

Brian+ said...

We had a Biff Burger in Ft. Myers, Fl on Cleveland Ave. (U. S. 41) across from the hospital and origional high school. When in middle school I was a paid boy chorister at the nearby Episcopal church. We were paid a dime for rehearsals and 20 cents a service. Our monthly take could be as high as $2.40. Each month we would pour out the door in order to get a Super Biff with its special sauce. Voice change was a tramautic event as I lost my place in that line of fifteen boys.

Annie said...

Yep, the Marion Big Burger is what I recall!

Anonymous said...

I remember another location in Greensboro, NC was on Bessemer Ave. Across town was an awesome place to eat as a kid. Parents use to take us there when possible. Thanks for the memories.

Unknown said...

I worked at the Biff Burger in Belle Glade, Fla and Okeechobee, Florida for 6 years. My Mother Geraldine Beard manged both.. There is no Hamburger on the market to day that has the taste of the Biff Burgers. I was also introduced to my first Tater Tots and the Corn Dog there. Also our hot dogs were served on Hamburger Buns and deep fried in a c shape. Each one was served with two hot dogs per bun. We also sold Dixie Fried Chicken and Catfish and had a Ice Cream Parlor. It closed after a McDonalds moved in a couple of blocks from us. We lasted about 2
months after that. I worked there all though High School. It was a great place to work.

Rev Terry J Carter

Anonymous said...

I briefly worked at the Biff-Burger in Daytona Beach (928 Volusia Ave) just before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1968. That Biff-Burger was next door to the Direct Oil gas station where I pumped gas while in high school and just after graduating in 1967. I eventually grew tired of pumping gas and wanted to work in air conditioning! LOL The burgers were good until I got sick of them as the owner allowed employees to eat free. Unfortunately, the Biff-Burger was located along a bad neighborhood but it still attracted locals and out of town tourists heading back and forth from the beach. I believe it closed in the mid-1970's.

BTW -- I doubt that the other Daytona Beach location listed as 5840 Volusia Ave in the "Former locations" section ever existed. I lived in Daytona from 1964 to 1976 and don't recall another Biff-Burger. In addition, that street number would place it miles west of I-95 where there was nothing back in that day. In fact, the existing McDonalds just west of I-95 is in the 2900 block and is the last fast food restaurant heading out of town.

Anonymous said...

Marion Biff Burger was so good, i remember it as a child

Anonymous said...

Marion Indiana, going to the Hi-Way drive in on buck night. A car load could get in for a buck. Right in front of the drive-in was also a go-cart track. Now in front of these two was a Biff Burger. Movie night we would load up on Biffs and Fries, and cart nights we would eat inside Biffs and then go racing. Best food and times of my life. They are all gone now and the world hasn't been the same since these icons are gone (but not forgotten). I can still smell the broiling. TLBud

Unknown said...

Loved biff location in Phenix City Al. Many GREAT MEMORIES THANKS !!!

Unknown said...

Loved biff location in Phenix City Al. Many GREAT MEMORIES THANKS !!!

Anonymous said...

Me and my young boys loved the Biff Burgers, They had one in Phenix City Alabama next to the river, Me and the boys would go fishing at night and would always make sure we got there before the Biff Burger closed and get a sack full of them to take down too the river, thank you for the Biff Burgers, I sure wish you still had one here. Thanks again. Dale acub20@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Took visiting relatives to Biff Burger in St Petersburg -
They loved it- food was awesome as always!!

Susan Kuehling said...

Loved Biff Burger, loved that sauce!!! My family ate there as often as we could!! There was one around the corner from my house in Handsboro Mississippi!!! Great memories!!

Anonymous said...

I grew up on 49th St in St Petersburg and remember when they built the location where it stands now. A far cry from the original building with its additions over the years. It was only an 8 block walk to Biff Burger from my house and when I had a couple of quarters in my pocket from collecting pop bottle deposits, I would walk there. I also had a friend who lived adjacent to Biff Burger on a small-ish farm. Embry was their last name. We would play in Joe's Creek that ran just south of Biff Burger. After eating our two burgers, we would always go there and play in the water at the bottom of Joe's Creek on the west side of 49th ST when it was only two lanes.

Terry Bane said...

My name is Terry Bane. I grew up in Greensboro, N.C. eating Biff Burgers every chance I got. I still live near Greensboro today and make my weekly trek to what is now called BEEF BURGER which is on Lee Street. It is the same building I remember from back in the late sixties. When you walk in it is like a time warp. That same rotary broiler and that same wonderful "Biff Sauce". It is like nothing has changed except the price...wonderful. Cheeseburgers are now a fair $1.17 each and they are just as good as they ever were. If Ralph is there you will be looking at a man who has been running the place for almost 60 years. He is a Greensboro icon. For everyone on this site it is NOT TOO LATE. Take a trip to Greensboro, N.C. and step back into the past at one of the best burger places around...BEEF BURGER (Biff Burger) and enjoy the memories.

D. Poole said...

Loved the Biff Burger that was in Phenix City, Alabama. It was at the Broad Street and 13th Street intersection in big parking lot on the Chattahoochee river, across from Phenix Plaza. So many awesome memories going their as a kid, and taking my girlfriend there when we were old enough to drive. Loved it. Wish Biff Burger would come back. GOOD TIMES

Dave said...

I grew up in St.Pete on 45th St and 40th ave North 2 blocks away from the Biff Burger. Me and my friends watched them build it. It was an odd looking structure at first, but over the weeks it started to take shape. We used to jump off the road (49th St) down into Joe's Creek and then back up again. What a cool place and great times! Burgers were 15 cents. I still live here but have not been back to Biff Burger in 43 years. Dam how time goes by. I think it's time to go and see it again.

Anonymous said...

I dearly loved the Biff Burger in Marion, Indiana. That was over 50 years ago. When I heard about one being in St. Pete I couldn’t wait too sink my teeth into one of those delicious tangy Burgers. We live in another part of Florida so my family made it a day trip for MOMMA and the family. When I sat down all excited too sink my teeth into one of those special sauce burgers and OH what a disappointment it was. It was nothing but a burger with BBQ Sauce dripping out all around the bun. What a disappointment it was after all the bragging I did about them. I had even taken a cooler too bring some home too enjoy..We’ll needless too say didnt need the cooler. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND WONT GO BACK.

Unknown said...

Please come back to Kingsport TN.The original Kingsport Biff Burger building and Roto Broiler is in storage at nearby Rogersville TN waiting to be resurrected.Hands down the best burgers ever.

Unknown said...

As a kid I can remember the restaurant in Gretna LA a suburb of New Orleans on the West bank Expressway. Food was great and not expensive but than salaries were low. Please check on this location and add it to you map. It was not far from the original Burger King which is now a Dairy Queen. I guess everything has to change. My memories of Buff Burger are about 1960.

Unknown said...

It took me several decades to discover Biff Burger In St. Petersburg, because of my infrequent visit to the Bay Pines Va Hospital. We used to have a Biff Burger in LaBelle, Fla., where my siblings and friends would frequent quite often while we in our teens to young adulthood. When I tell my friends in LaBelle, they freak out...some tell me to bring back tator tots to them. I go two or three times to your area to the VA and the majority of the time I try to go out of my way to frequent your restaurant. I'm 63 now and feel like a teenager when I chomp down on a deluxe and tator tots, I bring my 80 year old mother with me and she freaks out why I like to go there. Memories are forever and I thank you for being a part of my life!

Saul Gonzalez Jr.

terry Linton said...

Living in Van Buren In. one of the most unforgettable times growing up was the trips to Marion In. to Biff Burger, Custers Last Stand, Meyers Drive-in and Azars big-boy to get the most iconic burgers and fries. Cruising up and down the bypass in my Dodge Super-Bee, buzzing these drive-ins to see the who's who in their hot rods and chicks. This was the American Graffiti of my time. All are gone now, except for the last Biff Burger in Tampa and it is on my bucket list. Terry Linton

Sunni Lott said...

I remember going to Biff Burger over McDonald's. I loved the sauce that they dipped their burgers in. I would really like to have that sauce recipe.

Unknown said...

I’d be interested in purchasing that record if you still have it. My father was the Operations Director of National Biff-Burger Systems.
(He’s deceased now)
He started with Biff-Burger as a manager of one of the original Biff-Burgers in Kenneth City FL. He got promoted by Bruce Brane ( one of the brothers who founded Biff-Burger.
I grew up with Biff-Burger and have many fond memories. Please let me know if you’d be interested in selling it.
Thanks,
Keith Bedillion

Jim Crissman said...

I grew up in Hummels Wharf from 1961 to 1970 then we moved to Northumberland in 1970. My earliest memories are the Biff-Burger and the red lights behind the counter. From the time I was little till I left, I was a Biff-Burger fan. Nothing like a bunch of burgers to satisfy the munchies. I left PA in 1978 and am now in Florida but, when visiting family, was lucky enough to treat my wife and kids to lunch several times before it closed. I will definitely be visiting the St. Pete location the next time I am over that way. Great Page.

Thanks,

Jim Crissman

John Y said...

I just looked for the Greensboro location on Google Maps. It is showing the address as 1040 W Gate City Blvd

Keith B. said...

That Biff-Burger building is now located in Hendersonville NC. I visited it about 2 months ago.

Unknown said...

I was born in 1951 in Atlanta, GA and remember from my youth a hot dog notched and curved to serve on a hamburger bun. Did Biff Burger ever have a hot dog on the menu?

Biff-Burger Drive-In said...

Greetings! You are correct. Biff-burger did have a hot dog on the menu and you described it exactly; it had notches so that the hot dog would curl when being cooked. Hence, the signature "curled hot dog". Thanks for writing. - Christopher

George Smith said...

For over 35 years, I’ve been fascinated by the remains of a near complete(but abandoned) Biff Burger building near Warner Robins Georgia. I say near complete, because the only thing that appears to be missing is the “Biff Burger” portion of the giant neon sign out front, The “roto broiled” part of the sign is still there, and looks like it would light right up should someone put power to it.
Since the name is missing, it wasn’t until I tracked down this site several years ago that I was finally able to identify the mystery restaurant. Interestingly, it’s located kinda out by itself…away from town…which makes it seem almost surreal. I never had a Biff Burger in my life, but I love the building.
As it stands, the place still looks stable. I mean, naturally, some of the steel needs paint, but overall it appears sturdy. The colored horizontal diamond shaped tiles(?) covering the facade are all there and don’t even appear faded. It’s an absolute time capsule and such a beautifully cool slice of vintage, untouched Americana. I desperately wish there was some way to save/restore it.
My wife and I were in that area yesterday and I stopped and snapped a few photos.

George Smith said...

For over 35 years, I’ve been fascinated by the remains of a near complete(but abandoned) Biff Burger building near Warner Robins Georgia. I say near complete, because the only thing that appears to be missing is the “Biff Burger” portion of the giant neon sign out front, The “roto broiled” part of the sign is still there, and looks like it would light right up should someone put power to it.
Since the name is missing, it wasn’t until I tracked down this site several years ago that I was finally able to identify the mystery restaurant. Interestingly, it’s located kinda out by itself…away from town…which makes it seem almost surreal. I never had a Biff Burger in my life, but I love the building.
As it stands, the place still looks stable. I mean, naturally, some of the steel needs paint, but overall it appears sturdy. The colored horizontal diamond shaped tiles(?) covering the facade are all there and don’t even appear faded. It’s an absolute time capsule and such a beautifully cool slice of vintage, untouched Americana. I desperately wish there was some way to save/restore it.
My wife and I were in that area yesterday and I stopped and snapped a few photos.

Anonymous said...

You are absolutely correct. I live in Gulfport Mississippi during this time. I was 12 years old. In August of 1969 Hurricane Camille devastated that area. I was born and raised in the community of Handsboro close to Hardy Court Shopping Center and Biff Burger parking lot joined that shopping center.

Anonymous said...

Sad news. As of December 7th, 2021 the Biff Burger in Pinellas Park, Fl. has closed and sold at total auction.. The building and land to be redeveloped. Only a fond memory left.

Unknown said...

In 1973 went to biff's with grandmother in phenix city alabama good ol days I miss you nanny

Unknown said...

I'm Paul Klein who as a young boy from 1952-1958 lived two doors away from Bruce and Quineth Brane. Our address was Route 2 Box 872 Largo, Florida, on Ulmerton Road. They had two young daughters at the time. My parents had a gas station and grocery store which was attached to our house on Ulmerton Road and we enjoyed knowing the Brane family. My mother worked for Biff Burger and was close friends with Ruth Brane, who I recall was Bruce's aunt. My older sister baby sat the two girls. Somewhere I have home movies that included short footage of the Brane family, and the burro they kept fenced next to our place and a day at Phillppe Park, swimming in the Hillsborough River. I recall my Dad was on a bowling team with Bruce. We witnessed the fast early growth of the Biff Burger business and I'm happy I ran across your website. You have revived old and pleasant memories for me and my sister. Thank you, God bless you and keep the Biff Burger memories alive!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading the history of Biff Burger. I lived in Palm Springs Florida as a child. One night after a little league baseball game, my Dad took me to Biff Burgers which I thought was located on S. Congress blvd. I believe it would have been 1968. I don't see it on the list of locations. It was the first time I ever ate out. Recall eating 3 hamburgers. :)

Jon said...

Just drove by the 48th St Biff's yesterday and saw it was all fenced off and part of the building had collapsed. Sad to see it go. Good times eating there in the late 70's when I was going to Bogie! Class of '77...

Clark said...

You know a burger is good when you're an adult now and still remember it. We had one in Phenix City, Alabama. One of my best childhood memories🥰

Anonymous said...

I live here and definitely miss biff burger! I loved it so much I named my dog biff in the 80s!! Lol The little old lady that owned the biff burger is the sweetest thing and has worked at the Walmart in Hummel’s wharf forever, and she still will not give up her secret sauce recipe! Numerous people have asked her for it and even offered to pay her for it, I would love to be able to make it like she did! I guess she will keep that secret to her grave!