Growing up in Sapulpa, Okla., Reggie Hankes and a buddy used to walk to the Happy Burger restaurant on Route 66 for a bite to eat.
As he grew into adulthood, his sentimental attachment to the restaurant strengthened. Whenever he was in town, Hankes would stop by, he told the Sapulpa Daily Herald.
It was during one of these visits that Hankes was presented with the chance to buy the restaurant, an offer he couldn’t turn down.
“I am so thankful that this opportunity was offered to me,” said Hankes, who previously worked in advertising. “This has literally made my dream come true.”
Hankes says he doesn’t plan big changes for the restaurant, which opened on its Mission Street location in 1957. He just wants it to be the same great place where he got a hamburger years ago.
Good Luck to The Hankes Family with the Happy Burger. A group of us from Florida stopped in for dinner last Summer and made some new friends. Hope all is well with the restaurant and the family.
Mal Harpell
Kissimmee, FL
peggy got the danged happy burger back,,,,slomo!!!!! hey moses,,wake up and smell the roses!!!!
Yes I got it back. The extensive remodel took 2 months to complete. We offer fresh cut fries, burgers made from fresh meat delivered daily and all the trimmings cut fresh daily. Speciality of the house is the Peanut Butter Shake. It made history when a local television station did a story on it a few years back. We are up and going strong! Friendly service with a little bit of Sapulpa Route 66 history to keep you entertained. We also have a huge Pepsi collection that will keep you busy while your food is being prepared. We cook only when you order and make it the way you want it. A lot of the original building is still there and is a wonderful place to visit! The original counter was saved during the remodel with fifty years of gum still stuck to the bottom. Some don’t understand that but to me it is pary of the history of the place and quite the conversation piece! Stop by for good hot fast food. I’m very glad to be back and love to visit with all the 66er’s so come in and check us out. We have “cold air” as they use to say!