I hate stories like this:
SAN ANTONIO —
After satisfying San Antonio’s need for grease for 42 years, the last Little Hipps hamburger was flipped Friday.
The burger stand, in a tiny converted gas station just north of downtown, has fed hundreds of thousands of people since it opened in 1960.
The owner, Dick Hipp, is in failing health and made the decision to shut down the joint, even though hundreds still flocked there daily.
“He wants to go out on top,” manager Tim Lang told the San Antonio Express-News. “He had the best burgers, the best place. He did it his way.”
It’s been a common sight to see crowds stretched outside the bright orange, corrugated metal building on McCullough Avenue. After all, the dimly lit dining room officially holds 86 customers — and that’s if one sits in an old-fashioned barber chair.
Little Hipps is known for its mega-size burgers, wonderfully crispy tater tots and Shypoke Eggs, a creation of Hipp’s father, Loyal D. Hipp, who died last year.
Sold by the half-dozen, Shypoke Eggs, a staple at A Night In Old San Antonio, are nachos made to look like sunny side-up eggs, with white and yellow cheese.
Many of the employees at Little Hipps have been there for more than a decade and know customers by name and what they want to eat without asking.
Helen Aleman, 66, walks the two blocks from her home to the restaurant, where she’s worked as a hostess since 1989.
“It’s very sad. It’s like my second home,” she said last week before the final day. “I’m broken-hearted. I’ve been crying for a solid week.”
Little Hipps insiders say Dick Hipp is not interested in selling the business. No one seems to know what will happen to the building, which sits on a prime piece of real estate near the downtown medical center.
Andrew Weissman, chef and owner of the swank restaurant Le Rêve, said he stopped at Little Hipps on Wednesday with an offer to buy the stand.
“I went over there and asked them if they’d be willing to sell it to me. I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Weissman, who has eaten at Little Hipps since he was a child.
“I’ve been going there forever. That’s the kind of food I love to eat when I’m not working,” he said. “It’s very simple, straight-forward, honest food. You get total bang for your buck.”
My college roommates and I lived in an old house on McCullough that was easy staggering distance from Little Hipps from the summer of 1988 to 1989. I was there for the summer, before I came to Houston. I visited often the following year. Little Hipps was our usual spot for Happy Hour. At least there’s still Chris Madrid’s…
Here’s the story in the Express News, basically the same thing with a couple of pictures. So long, old friend.
I ALSO LOVED LITTLE HIPPS FOR YEARS AND YEARS TO COME, DO YOU HAVE ANY ADL INFO, AS TO WHERE I CAN CONTACT ANY OF THE PREVIOUS EMPLOYEES AT HIPPS EXCEPT FOR THE 66 YEAR OLD EMPLOYEE, I KNOW WHO SHE IS, SHE IS REALLY A NICE PERSON, BUT HOW ABOUT THE COOKS OR A MANAGER. PLEASE EMAIL ME. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THIS
FAB:
Try TIMBO’S on the corner of 306 & 281 outside San Antonio, going towards Blanco. Address: 14370 US Hiway 381 North, Spring Branch, TX 78070 PHONE# 830 885 2325. TIMBO’S even have the in-famous Shypoke Eggs!! Tim, the manager of TIMBO’S, was also the night manager @ Little Hipp’s, received permission to have the “eggs” on the TIMBO’S menu! They had their “GRAND OPENING” on March 1st, 2003. Had a live band, too! A couple of the waitress’ are also from Little Hipp’s, as well! Try ’em while your on a Hill Country Drive… it has a lot of the Little Hipp’s ambiance…
Mags.. a Little Hipp’s fan, too…
Fab: one more thing. Check out this article in the SA paper…
http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlc=962482
Fab: one more thing. Check out this article in the SA paper…
http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlc=962482
Mags,
Just wanted to thank you for the information. My wife and I were watching TV Food Channel tonight and they showed a big hamburger that reminded me of Little Hipps. I didn’t know that they had closed until I searched for their phone number on the Internet and came across a website that indicated it had closed. What a shame. I used to eat there for lunch a lot when I worked at Kelly AFB. It’s nice to know that Tim Lang opened his own restaraunt. I drive from Austin to San Antonio nearly every week, and will plan to stop at Timbos real soon. Good luck to Tim and Teresa with their new business, and best wishes to Dick Hipp.
Check out Tim and Teresa Lang’s new website for information regarding Timbo’s in Spring Branch/Blanco Texas.
http://www.timbosburgers.com
Map, Menu, History, and soon to come special events as well as some photos of the new location.
Compliments of friends of Tim and Teresa.
We saw the “big” burger on the Food Network, and being a n8v San Antionian, I wondered why I had never been blessed to eat there. When I looked up the site, I found the place closed. Next time I am in town (husband is AF) I would like to experience something close to what we saw on TV. Has there been any change in opening the hamburger place? Is Timbos still around? Thanks,Cyndie
Cyndie,
Timbo’s is still there but I have to admit, The family owned establishment is usually closed on major family holidays.
The burgers are still as tasty and juicy as ever. I will be down there this or next weekend as it is Timbo’s birthday today.
Your interest is much appreciated. Jimbo
Timbo’s has relocated to 13100 US HWY 281 N. just one mile south of the old location. It’s moved to a metal building reminiscent of Little Hipp’s building. Same great food with the addition of a knock out fish sandwich, which weighs in at 8 oz. served on a 5 1/2″ bun with all the fixin’s and house made tartar sauce. The one pound Jumbo burger is still a favorite, along with the shypoke eggs. Look for Timbo’s next to
The Country Dollar Store. They reopen November 2, 2004.
Tim Lang said he was moving to San Antonio around April,06 to a location on Broadway close to Josephine St. I can’t find it and DA has no listing. If ya’ll hear something let us know.
Timbo’s is moving back to San Antonio and are bringing all the good Little Hipp style food with them. They will be located at 1639 Broadway, off Pearl Parkway ( down by the old Pearl Brewery and The Pig stand on Broadway.) Their hours will be identical to Little Hipp’s, and the Gimmiedraw is back! Original Shypoke Eggs ( with permission I might add) and forget all the wanna-be’s when it comes to the Hot Burger Steak! Should be opening around the 1st part of November 2006. Will keep you informed! T Lang
Just took a drive to your old location…NOT there…went by new location (this past Sunday no luck)..do you have a current phone yet? Can’t wait to have that sub hamburger (jalapeno) Yeah! Thanks
Went by the new location today. They have alot of work to go. Keep posted on their new website: http://www.timbosburgers.com
See you at the opening
please send a menu, we will be passing through in march and would like to stop in and grab a bite. here is my adress. 2515 dahlia ln.pueblo co,81004. hope to hear from you.
After construction delays, it looks like the restaurant will be opening in January ’07. You can visit the website for details.