In the 1950’s, drive-in burger joints began spreading across the American landscape and jetted into our nuclear family way of life. Finally, in the late 60s Warner Robins welcomed a fast food chain out of FL that embodied this blip of American culture. What took you so long Biff Burger?!
To this day, the name Biff Burger stirs up nostalgia for many who grew up in Warner Robins. One Facebook user commented, “That was my last stop of the night. Hamburger and tater tots. Trying to sober up enough to get home.”
Well times have changed but two original Biff Burgers still stand tall. Can’t get a Biff Dog for .20¢ anymore but you can reach out and touch the past in St Petersburg, FL and Greensboro, NC. Road Trip!
Biff Burger opened up on Watson Blvd and later moved to Byron at the intersection of hwy 41 and hwy 49. Certainly an unusual choice for a store location. However, the Byron store never opened even though construction was mostly complete. The giant Rotro-Broiled sign still stands out front. So far, I’ve had two sources tell me the Byron location was rumored to be haunted. Is that why it never opened? 35 years later the building still sits as a ghostly reminder of the past and looks like the setting for a creepy slasher movie. I just know, that if I show up, I’ll be murdered by a clown.
#4 Pepe’s
On December 10, 1968 E C Lopez registered as the agent for Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in Warner Robins. Over 47 years ago Pepe’s Mexican Foods, Inc quietly began. While a Top 5 article can only scratch the surface, I wonder of the human story.
As a kid I was genuinely excited to be at Pepe’s Mexican restaurant in the Zayre’s Shopping Center. The atmosphere was pure fiesta. It was the 1st time I thought eating out with adults was fun and where I fell in love with Salsa. What were your goto menu items at Pepe’s?
Cilantro was hard to find in Warner Robins back then. Someone told me they may have used chives. What did they use in their salsa?
#3 McGillicutty’s
My big brother Joe’s initial reaction to hearing the bar’s name for the first time in decades? “I spent too much money there , I’m glad those days are over, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY !”
You see, Brother Joe was a wild child but has since exited the highway to hell for a stairway to heaven. Back in the McGillicutty’s days Joe was a menace to society. In fact, one time he bought a brand new bullwhip. After whipping our tree in the backyard to hone his natural whipping skills, he came after Chris Davies. Chris was and still is our neighborhood’s Bart Simpson equivalent. Now Chris could really push Joe’s buttons and this was a showdown in the making.
After Chris’ torment was complete, Joe took his show on the road. Legend has it he stopped at a local club for more libations and to challenge any man to a cage match. McGillicutty’s is rumored to be the location where Joe may have used a bullwhip in a bar fight and was crowned dual Champion* of both Warner Robins and Centerville. What are your McGillicutty’s memories?
#2 Nygaard’s
Do you remember German Chocolate Cake for .97¢ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday? If so, then you were at Nygaard’s Pastry Shop in the Miller Hill’s Shopping Center.
Who remembers when Wilson’s Bakery was Nygaard’s? The question was posed on the facebook group, Warner Robins GA in the Good Old Days. One user only had this to comment, “I recall the chocolate doughnuts. Had to be there early to get one!!”
#1 Barrel of Fun
Warner Robins native and Barrel of Fun aficionado Amy Brown (NHS Class of 92′) recalling her totally awesome to the max youth, “The Barrel of Fun had a unique doorway, it was like you were walking into another world. It was every young person’s dream. Unlike today, it was a place where you could play the games but still have actual social interaction.”
Sometimes I’d hit the games at the Putt-Putt but it was not quite the same. Putt-Putt culture is starkly different than Barrel of Fun culture. The Putt-Putt was way more California surfer and the Barrel of Fun was a refuge for the hoods, dorks and the marginalized of society.
Recently, my search for redemption and lost youth brought me to back to the old Houston Mall. If you listen to the wind on a fall evening, the ringing of pinball machines from the Barrel of Fun DO indeed still echo 25 years later.
- John Wilson, Mid-GA Buzz
This is a companion article to the Mid-GA Buzz podcast. Listen to the episode here:
Honorable mention to Shakey’s Pizza and local radio icon, Bill Elder.
Sprinkler Troubles? As heard on Mid-GA Buzz. Rain Irrigation & Hardscapes offers a full line of services to install, repair, or update your existing sprinkler system.
Middle Georgia Buzz 
What’s up guys! Great article and awesome to hear you guys talk about the old days. I know I had some good times back in the day on Gilchrist. I’m going to throw another one at you…I know you remember the “International Bazaar” in the Houston Mall right? What a crazy store, but my absolute favorite! What other store , especially today, where you could buy an Ozzie t-shirt, a set of ninja stars, a strobe light, a “tobacco pipe”, and nun-chucks in the same store. I spent a lot of time there and at Starship Records, when they sold….records and these new “cassette tapes” lol!
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Loved the Intl Bazaar!! Down there by Barrel of Fun!! My fashion and accessory store! 😎
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Don’t forget Spanish Fly, a Doc Johnson Vibrator, a pair of Edible Undies… all crammed in a couple of showcases. If you were a kid, staring into this case of wonders, the owner would let you know to move on.
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