Mt. Greenwood is a place that many may not think of as having its own delicacy. In fact, I couldn’t blame you if you thought that Mt. Greenwood is a place so small that it couldn’t possibly have its own delicacies.
But, you would be wrong. There is one food item that Mt. Greenwood is incredibly well versed in: the hamburger.
Consider this interesting fact: between 103rd and Kedzie and 111th and Kedzie the following hamburger joints reside: McDonalds, Pops, Burger King, Lindy’s and Wonderburger. This real miracle mile is a stretch that I like to call Hamburger Lane.
(An honorable Hamburger Lane mention is Fat Tommy’s – just a few blocks north of Kedzie.)
Ah, this brings back fond memories. There is not a time in a Mt. Greenwood child’s life more precious than when their father or mother says that they can go out with their friends and walk to one of the locals on Hamburger Lane.
Precious, precious memories.
The taste of Saturday’s from summers past return as I write this column.
The taste of McDoubles, Burger King double cheeseburgers, and vanilla malts from Pop’s dance across my tongue.
Fond memories of going to Wonderburger – back when it was still edible – with my dear Grandma Donna are given a warm welcome with every word that I write.
Hamburger Lane is indeed a significant part in the life of any Mt. Greenwoodian.
I can still recite the routine of every Mt. Greenwood pre-teen (usually in 7th grade or 8th grade). The day begins with a text or call from a group of friends. Then you and your friends ride your bikes like knights on noble steeds for sustenance.
Once arrived at the place of consumption, the feast of hallowed hamburger meat begins.
Then, once finished, it is off to one of the many parks in the Mt. Greenwood/Beverly area to play a game of baseball or football.
Oh…back when we were kings. Sometimes, though not often, I find myself longing for those Saturday’s once again.
But those days are long gone.
My waist line has expanded since the tender ages of 12 and 13 and needs to be watched more carefully.
Yet, in my mind, one more chance at this childhood glory would taste sweeter than any such hamburger that I have ever come to consume.
Some of my youth’s most memorable moments – and funniest inside jokes – came from these Saturday’s out. Some of the greatest laughs and most exciting adventures were kicked off with a trip first to get local Mt. Greenwood cuisine.
Every great adventure needs a great (and tasty) start.
I must confess that I am not the sole creator of the concept of Hamburger Lane.
A great deal of credit must go to my good friend – a Beverlarian – Andrew Wegner.
Wegner was a constant childhood companion of mine and always in that ragtag fellowship that would cruise from house-to-house, to a hamburger joint, and then off to one of the surrounding parks.
One day we were sitting around on my front porch, shooting the breeze.
Somehow the course of our conversation got onto how many hamburger joints there were in the neighborhood and we noticed that from 103rd, 111th and Kedzie just happened to have a lot.
Thus, the name was created.
This column is dedicated to my good friends from the Good-Ol’-Days: Kevin Lindemann, Brian Brennan, Garrett McGarry, Andrew Wegner, and Will Rook.
I hope you remember these Saturdays out as fondly as I do.
If you witness a mass of teens flocking from or to a hamburger joint on Hamburger Lane during any given Saturday of the spring or summer, know that you are witnessing a formative moment in the life a young Mt. Greenwoodian.
For today, here endeth the lesson. Join us next week for another installment of the Mt. Greenwood Chronicles for more explorations of the wonders of Mt. Greenwood.
Brian Laughran
Senior Viewpoints Editor