| Imagine yourself in 1956 going to the local hardware store and buying a pack of seeds marked “The Great Americana,” then taking the seeds and planting them at what is now 9025 St. Charles Rock Road. That is in essence what Bud Taylor did. I’m not sure he knew it back then, but he had all the ingredients for what we all know and love as “The Great Americana” experience. Chuck-A-Burger is far beyond a fast food joint. It is a Mecca for car enthusiasts, Rock & Roll, and nostalgia of the fabulous 50’s & 60’s. People all over the world are trying to capture this look and feel as they build new diner looking restaurants, but what sets them apart is the fact that Chuck-A-Burger has been there through thick and thin since 1957. It’s the real deal.
I grew up in St. John & Overland, and Chuck-A-Burger was always one of the stops we kids would make on our bikes for a Cherry Coke, or even a shake if we had the extra change. Mom and Dad would take us there back in the late 60’s and early seventies in my Dad’s 1969 Olds Cutlass Supreme. We thought that it was cooler than cool that the waitresses still came out on roller skates to take your order and deliver your food. By the 80's, cruise nights became a major event, and my Dad and I, and my friends spent many a night drooling over muscle cars, hotrods, and classic automobiles of all makes and models. Since High School, I dreamt of having a 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 . My opportunity soon presented itself and I bought my first ’69 4-4-2 in 1984 (complete with a 455 Rocket and NOS). I finished restoring it, with one of my inspirations being to bring it to a condition that it would be worthy of showing it at Chuck-A-Burger. I showed it with pride at many cruise nights in the mid-to-late 80’s and the memories I gained will never be forgotten. John Francis, an old friend of mine who I haven’t seen in years, used to work there at the time. After much thought, I sold the 4-4-2 in 1989 to go back to college and it was the end of one era for me, but the start of another. I met my wife in college, and we married in 1991. I had gotten very comfortable in my family life and had somewhat grown used to not having the ol’ 4-4-2 (but secretly missed it from time to time). Little did I know, but after my wife had heard all the stories of the 4-4-2 from all my friends and family, she was keeping a regular eye out for another. One day, she excitedly spouted out “Hey, Jeff: There’s a 1969 4-4-2 in the paper here.” I wasn’t about to fall for that trick again, for she enjoyed pulling my leg many times before. This time she said, I’m not kidding! I called the number, and the guy describes the car as “Blue with a light blue interior, and all original.” This was the same exact color combination of my old 4-4-2. I was so excited, but had to contain my excitement. I went the next morning and at first sight, it was the spitting image of the car I sold in 1989. After striking up a deal, I paid him in cash and drove home ‘Ol Blue - that’s what he called her. The name stuck, and I have since completely restored her and she is now on a “History of the Oldsmobile 4-4-2” poster that the Oldsmobile Club of America is selling. Ol’ Blue has been to Chuck-A-Burger several times, and participated in a couple cruise nights. I now live in St. Peters and CAN”T WAIT for the new Chuck-A-Burger to open, but I’m sure I’ll still be partial to the original.
Thanks Bud (RHS), and thanks Ron for Chuck-A-Burger. In a city that does not seem to appreciate history and landmarks, Chuck-A-Burger stands today as a reminder of our youth, and of a time when things were simpler. The food is great, but it is the timeless atmosphere that keeps us coming back.
Best regards,
Jeff
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