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Griff's Burger Bar

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Griff's Burger Bar
1965, location unknown
The Griff's Burger Bar chain was founded in 1960 by H.J. Griffith. The first location was built in Wichita, KS. By 1965, there were 65 locations. The company had locations nationwide with the majority of them in the South near highway exits. The earliest locations were housed in A-frame style buildings. These A-frames were produced by Valentine, a diner manufacturer. Griff's featured drive-thru windows and giant signs. Griffy, the company's mascot, was used extensively in signs and advertising. There are 11 locations still operating. Only six of these are housed in A-frame buildings. Several other remaining A-frame buildings have been repurposed for other businesses. For more, see this website. [photo scan thanks Robby Delius]

former Griff's Burger Bar
Sedalia, MO
This Griff's Burger Bar appears to be from the 1960s. These photos are from 2010. This location closed in 2011. The building was still vacant and the sign was still there in 2013. In 2015, Yummy's Donut opened in the building and adapted the sign. [map]

former Griff's Burger Bar
Raytown, MO		 former Griff's Burger Bar
McPherson, KS
This former Griff's Burger Bar in Raytown is mostly concealed behind additions. The building appeared to be either vacant or in use as a residence when this photo was taken in 2010. By 2011, the building was housing the Blue Yuu restaurant. [map]

This former Griff's Burger Bar in McPherson now houses the Learning to Live school program office. This photo is from 2010. By 2018, the zigzag canopy had been removed and an addition was made to the front of the building. For more, see this website. [map]

Griff's Burger Bar
Albuquerque, NM
This Griff's Burger Bar is located on Route 66. There was once another location in town. This is now the only operating location in New Mexico. The original round part of the sign next to Griffy is now missing. [map]

Griff's Burger Bar
Ruston, LA
2007: 2019:
This Griff's Burger Bar is still in great shape. The sign was damaged during a 2019 tornado just a few months before the photos above. I have never seen the insignia sign above the entrance at any other Griff's. [map]

Grinder Man
Wichita, KS
Grinder Man was originally a Griff's Burger Bar. It was built in the late 1960s. [map]

former Griff's Burger Bar [gone]
Kansas City, KS

2006:
2010:
This former Griff's Burger Bar was vacant but recently painted in 2006. By 2010, the building housed Cancun Fiesta Fresh Mexican restaurant. The building was gone by 2012.

former Griff's Burger Bar
Shreveport, LA
2010: 2018:

former Griff's Burger Bar [gone]
Shreveport, LA
Both of these Griff's Burger Bars housed Tom's Seafood restaurants when these photos were taken in 2007. The first building shown above now houses Lee's Seafood. The A-frame was painted white around 2017. [map]

The second building shown above had been demolished by 2014.

former Griff's Burger Bar
Paducah, KY
This former Griff's Burger Bar last housed Kevin's Ole Tyme Meat Shop. The building is vacant now. For more, see this website. [map]

Griff's Burger Bar
Irving, TX
2011: 2018:
The originally Griff's Burger Bar building at this location was demolished in 2013 for a modern box. The sign remains but has been remodeled. This location was built in 1963 and was the third built in the chain. [map]

Griff's Burger Bar
Dallas, TX
I believe this Griff's Burger Bar is the only location left with a neon sign. [map]

Griff's Burger Bar
Haltom City, TX
2011: 2018:
This Griff's Burger Bar was built in 1964. The sign would originally have had the Griffy character on top. Around 2017, the sign panels were replaced. In 2019, the A-frame was replaced with a modern box building. It is still operating as a Griff's. [map]

Griff's Burger Bar
Fort Worth, TX		 Griff's Burger Bar
San Antonio, TX
This Griff's Burger Bar in Fort Worth was built in 1964. For more, see this website. [map]

All that is left of this Griff's Burger Bar in San Antonio is the adapted sign. [map]

Griff's Burger Bar
San Antonio, TX

2013:
2018:
2021:
This Griff's Burger Bar was built around 1960. Griffy is missing from the top of the sign. In 2021, the rocks were gone from the front of the building and it was being renovated. [2013 photos thanks Robert J. Casares] [map]

former Griff's Burger Bar
San Antonio, TX

2018:
2019:
This former Griff's Burger Bar has housed a variety of restaurants over the years. In 2018, the building was repainted and it began housing La Flor de Michoacan. [map]

former Griff's Burger Bar
San Antonio, TX		 former Griff's Burger Bar
Tulsa, OK
This former Griff's Burger Bar is buried in the construction of the Mi Guadalajara Grill #4. [map]

This former Griff's Burger Bar building now houses an auto repair shop. [map]

former Griff's Burger Bar [gone]
Arvada, CO		 former Griff's Burger Bar
Englewood, CO		 former Griff's Burger Bar
Cheyenne, WY
I believe this Griff's Burger Bar in Arvada opened in 1965. This photo is from 2012. This location closed in 2015. The building was gone in 2021.

The former Griff's Burger Bar in Englewood now houses Just Right Motors. [map]

The former Griff's Burger Bar in Cheyenne began housing the Burger Inn in 1966. The building now houses Espi's Restaurant. [map]

former Griff's Burger Bar [gone]
Denver, CO
This Griff's Burger Bar sign is missing the Griffy character at the top. These photos are from 2012. This location closed in 2015. By 2016, the building was boarded up and surrounded by chain link fencing. It was demolished in 2017 for a new development.

former Satellite Burger & Dairy Bar
Little Rock, AR
2008: 2019:
This former Satellite Burger & Dairy Bar sure looks like a former Griff's Burger Bar. The building housed a liquor store in 2008. By 2014, it was in use as a shipping container store. [1963 advertisement scan thanks Robby Delius] [map]

More Griff's Burger Bar Buildings and Signs:
Mundelein, IL
Leavenworth, KS
Pittsburg, KS
Topeka, KS [map]
Lee's Summit, MO
Monett, MO
Springfield, MO

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