Wetson's

RE: Wetson's (Buddy Dek)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:03:49 GMT

PaulBPool I do recall a Hubies hamburgers at that location,347 & veterans hwy, I thought it came after Wetsons. I remember 15c and 19c prices. I could be wrong about location though, since I was away 4 years in a war. Thanks for the correction. In high school I made 15c hamburgers at pancake cottage (one of three locations) on vets hwy , a few hundred feet from the last exit 57, of the LI Expressway. Wow, did we make alot of burgers, 30 at a time.

RE: Wetson's (PaulBPool)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:06:33 GMT

Actually, the hamburger stand at the intersection of Vet's Highway and 347 was NOT a Wetson's. It was a "Hubie Burger" stand. Hubie Burgers were Tom Carvel's answer to McDonald's/Wetsons. There were only a few of these stands back in the mid to late 60's, and I'm familiar with them because my neighbor back in those days worked at the only other one I knew of, which was on Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park (which was later turned into a Wetsons, and which is now a Taco Bell).
There was a carvel next to the Hubie Burger stand at the Vet's/347 intersection, which I think might still be there, and there was also one next to the Hubie's in New Hyde Park.
As I recall, the Hubie Burger was very similar to a Wetson's/McDonald's burger, but they always seemed to have more of the fried onions on them, as well as more generous dollops of ketchup. Many nights, when the Hubie stand closed, my neighbor would bring home sacks of the leftover unsold burgers, and my parents, sister and I would have a real treat as a midnight snack!
If I remember correctly, the burgers were .12c each when they first opened, by the time the place closed, I think they were up to .19c.

RE: Wetson's (peppertree)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:56:20 GMT

The Wetson's on Empire Blvd and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn converted to a Nathan's. Now hamburgers are still sold at the location, but it is a Wendy's.

Once in a while, when I walked by, I would reminisce about the days when it was a Wetson's.

RE: Wetson's (Buddy Dek)

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:44:19 GMT

In addition to Sunrise Hwy, Bay shore there was another location at the intersection of Veterans Hwy & Rt 347 in hauppauge vicinty. Building still stands as a swimming pool store, with its sloped roof.

Don't ever remember seeing or tasting mustard on any of their hamburgers.

RE: Wetson's (turtlestomper)

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:13:33 GMT

I never ate at Wetson's, but I remember that Herb Wetson used to race Porsches at Lime Rock (CT) and elsewhere back in the '60s. Here is a link to one of the cars that was sponsored by Wetson's:

http://www.a2zracer.com/page25.html

RE: Wetson's (kozel)

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:16:22 GMT

Again, for the ladies of the 5 towns:

sitting down? It seems Fortunoff's may be closing for good.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/07/fortunoff-household-bankruptcy-face-markets-0206_retail_23.html

RE: Wetson's (mc_883)

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:28:49 GMT

Yes it was on the corner of Sunrise Hwy and Oceanside rd

RE: Wetson's (KonaErnie)

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:41:53 GMT

There used to be a Wetson's in Rockville Centre on the corner of Sunrise Hwy. and either Long Beach Rd. or Oceanside Rd. (to long ago to remember ). My mom used to take us there as kids. Cheeseburgers, fries and shakes were the order of the day.

RE: Wetson's (Twinwillow)

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 11:34:54 GMT

LindaW

kozel

There is still a 'Carl Wetanson' on Links Road in Woodmere. And Linda, Toddy's is still a fixture on Central Ave. Here is a link to a dated page on Cedarhurst you both may enjoy.

http://www.ade-re.com/1959/rodeo/drive.htm

Thanks Kozel...and Twinwillow...I've recently been finding out more of the history of the 5 Towns and the Rockaways on Facebook.

My mother's father owned Finegold Pontiac, and my father's father owned Cohen's Dairy. I still have some family down in the 5 towns, but don't get there too often...I am thinking that a roadtrip may be needed to get some decent herring and other delicatessen items.

Kozel; Thanks for providing the link to the history of Cedarhurst. I really enjoyed reading about my old home town.
Growing up in Cedarhurst and the 5 Towns was, a most wonderful experience. I consider myself lucky that I was living there during the, "best of times". I have a cousin still living in Woodmere on Barnard Avenue and she say's, "the town had changed so much from what it was".

RE: Wetson's (LindaW)

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 11:13:18 GMT

kozel

There is still a 'Carl Wetanson' on Links Road in Woodmere. And Linda, Toddy's is still a fixture on Central Ave. Here is a link to a dated page on Cedarhurst you both may enjoy.

http://www.ade-re.com/1959/rodeo/drive.htm

Thanks Kozel...and Twinwillow...I've recently been finding out more of the history of the 5 Towns and the Rockaways on Facebook.

My mother's father owned Finegold Pontiac, and my father's father owned Cohen's Dairy. I still have some family down in the 5 towns, but don't get there too often...I am thinking that a roadtrip may be needed to get some decent herring and other delicatessen items.

RE: Wetson's (kozel)

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 10:31:01 GMT

There is still a 'Carl Wetanson' on Links Road in Woodmere. And Linda, Toddy's is still a fixture on Central Ave. Here is a link to a dated page on Cedarhurst you both may enjoy.

http://www.ade-re.com/1959/rodeo/drive.htm

RE: Wetson's (Twinwillow)

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:06:38 GMT

LindaW

Twinwillow

Scallion1

I'm under the impression that no one needs to worry about the owners of Wetson's. As far as I know, they now own two chains in NYC, Tony's di Napoli and Dallas BBQ. I've eaten in both, numerous times. They're not great, but they are consistent, and the service (much more so in Tony's)is excellent, and the prices (much more so in Dallas BBQ) are very reasonable.

They must take the cash out of these joints in dumptrucks. I have no doubt that the original Tony's on Second Avenue can serve, especially in the summer when the outdoor cafe is open, well over a thousand meals an evening, and I could be low on this estimate.

I think the owners' name is Weston.

As I stated in an earlier post, I knew one of the brothers while growing up in the 5 Towns during the 50's. The family name is, Wettinson.

Hey Twinwillow, where in the 5 Towns? I grew up in Hewlett...we moved there from Far Rockaway. I went to Hewlett Elem...Woodmere JHS and then Hewlett HS. I graduated form HS in 1979...went to school with Liza...part of the Wettinson family I believe.

I lived in Cedarhurst and Woodmere during the 50's. I went to the #5 (elementary) school and then to Lawrence High School. Graduating (in the late Central theater) in 1958.
My cousin was very good friends with Errol Wettinson. I also lived in Far Rockaway. For a short time before moving to the 5 Towns.

RE: Wetson's (LindaW)

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:53:25 GMT

Twinwillow

Scallion1

I'm under the impression that no one needs to worry about the owners of Wetson's. As far as I know, they now own two chains in NYC, Tony's di Napoli and Dallas BBQ. I've eaten in both, numerous times. They're not great, but they are consistent, and the service (much more so in Tony's)is excellent, and the prices (much more so in Dallas BBQ) are very reasonable.

They must take the cash out of these joints in dumptrucks. I have no doubt that the original Tony's on Second Avenue can serve, especially in the summer when the outdoor cafe is open, well over a thousand meals an evening, and I could be low on this estimate.

I think the owners' name is Weston.

As I stated in an earlier post, I knew one of the brothers while growing up in the 5 Towns during the 50's. The family name is, Wettinson.

Hey Twinwillow, where in the 5 Towns? I grew up in Hewlett...we moved there from Far Rockaway. I went to Hewlett Elem...Woodmere JHS and then Hewlett HS. I graduated form HS in 1979...went to school with Liza...part of the Wettinson family I believe.

RE: Wetson's (Twinwillow)

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:57:58 GMT

Scallion1

I'm under the impression that no one needs to worry about the owners of Wetson's. As far as I know, they now own two chains in NYC, Tony's di Napoli and Dallas BBQ. I've eaten in both, numerous times. They're not great, but they are consistent, and the service (much more so in Tony's)is excellent, and the prices (much more so in Dallas BBQ) are very reasonable.

They must take the cash out of these joints in dumptrucks. I have no doubt that the original Tony's on Second Avenue can serve, especially in the summer when the outdoor cafe is open, well over a thousand meals an evening, and I could be low on this estimate.

I think the owners' name is Weston.

As I stated in an earlier post, I knew one of the brothers while growing up in the 5 Towns during the 50's. The family name is, Wettinson.

RE: Wetson's (MacTAC)

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:16:44 GMT

BTW, welcome to Roadfood potato222. Coincidentally, I was in that area of GC today...

RE: Wetson's (MacTAC)

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:12:03 GMT

potato222
About the Wetson's burgers, though... you mentioned ketchup but for some reason all I can remember about those things was the mustard on them. I could be way off here because I was a little kid at the time and maybe I'm just not remembering right, but does anyone know if Wetson's used to use mustard as a standard topping on their regular burgers?

I don't remember mustard at all, at least at the Levittown store...

RE: Wetson's (potato222)

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:40:37 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by colt4x5

remember wetson's? i'll never forget!
glen street in glen cove.
right next to a movie theater.
until the late 60s, the city supported three movie theaters (big, cavernous ones where the soundtracks echoed, not the ka-chunk cookie-cutter wannabes of nowadays), a wetson's and the greatest luncheonette on the island: henry's, where they made REAL burgers (as well as their own chocolate bunnies at easter).
my brother hated henry's beause the burgers were too fat and juicy. he only ate burgers from wetson's. he wouldn't even eat a burger mom cooked, unless it was "just like wetson's" ... flat, gray, cooked to within an inch of its life and smothered with ketchup.
wetson's was razed and is now a strip mall.
the theater was razed and is now a gas station.

Colt, I remember that Glen Cove Wetson's too. And of course those great movie theaters as well. The Glen Cove Theater was on one side of it and The Town Theater on the other. I could never keep it straight in my mind which one was which when I was a kid, but have since found out that 'Town' was to the left of Wetson's (and like you said was torn down), and the 'Glen Cove' was to the right of it and that building actually still stands today. It became a CVS for a while and not sure what it's being used for now.

As far as the spot where the Wetson's was, isn't that the same spot where the McDonald's is now? I hated to see Wetson's go at the time, but once I had my first quarter pounder I have to admit I was pretty ok with change.

About the Wetson's burgers, though... you mentioned ketchup but for some reason all I can remember about those things was the mustard on them. I could be way off here because I was a little kid at the time and maybe I'm just not remembering right, but does anyone know if Wetson's used to use mustard as a standard topping on their regular burgers?

RE: Wetson's (Markoneill)

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:50:04 GMT

I live right behind Wetsons, 33 Colonial RD

quote:
Originally posted by mitros

We had a Wetsons hamburger restaurant in Elizabeth, N.J., many, many years ago. What stood out to me was the fact that their french fries were made fresh on site. They had this huge electric potatoe peeler againest the left hand side of the kitchen, and you could see the operater making french fries out of actual potatoes!
I also recall the yellow color of their hamburger buns,{the first potatoe buns?} I certainly, and IMHO, don't think that Mcdonalds was better. Whenever I go back to visit N.J., I still stop in and have a hot dog at the Nathan's that went up when they bought out Wetsons. And after White Castle, Wetsons was the first burger chain that I remmember.

RE: Wetson's (Markoneill)

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:49:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by mitros

We had a Wetsons hamburger restaurant in Elizabeth, N.J., many, many years ago. What stood out to me was the fact that their french fries were made fresh on site. They had this huge electric potatoe peeler againest the left hand side of the kitchen, and you could see the operater making french fries out of actual potatoes!
I also recall the yellow color of their hamburger buns,{the first potatoe buns?} I certainly, and IMHO, don't think that Mcdonalds was better. Whenever I go back to visit N.J., I still stop in and have a hot dog at the Nathan's that went up when they bought out Wetsons. And after White Castle, Wetsons was the first burger chain that I remmember.

RE: Wetson's (Flavum)

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:01:42 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by pizzastoner

Another long gone chain, Wetson's. Anyone? It's so vague in my memory,I almost think I dreamt it.It was like Mickey D's, Only not as good.The one in my hometown, Stamford Ct. was closed after several food poisoning incidents. The location became a Nathan's, then a local hot dog stand, a bank, now Donut Delight the local Dunkin Donut nemesis.

Yes, I frequented the Glenbrook (Stamford) Wetson's as a young boy in the very early '70s! I especially liked their burgers because they put finely chopped onions on them, as well as pickle slices. My best friend and I would stuff ourselves for under $1. I'd never heard about the food poisoning incidents and just assumed that Nathan's, the parent company, took over for corporate reasons. Fond memories indeed!

RE: Wetson's (chickenwingking)

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:09:27 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by kozel

quote:
Originally posted by Ivyhouse

In the late 1960's/early 1970's there was a Wetson's on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset or Roslyn (not sure which town it was in).

I think the building is still there. It is part of a car dealership and the old Wetsons is in the used car lot. I was a CW Post student in the 60's and stopped there often. Further east on 25A on the south side was a bar called 'The Knotty Knee'; the 'Good Rats' used to play there. I heard at one time it was a brothel and now it is a kitchen remodeling place. Times change.

You're right - I lived in Manhasset for about 15 years and my Grandparents lived there when I was a kid. The site of Wetson's is a used car place and the building is still there. The place a few blocks east that is now a kitchen place used to be a hotel - probably not the type you bring you bring luggage to!

RE: Wetson's (kozel)

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 09:13:50 GMT

One bizarre footnote on the history of Wetson's is that Errol Wetson (or is it Wettenson?) was the first husband to Margaux Hemingway.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00EED61339F930A35754C0A960958260

Another interesting article where Errol and Margaux are mentioned on the last page...
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,917429-1,00.html

RE: Wetson's (dfox123)

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 13:24:23 GMT

image link

http://oldstatenisland.tripod.com/Wetson's.jpg

RE: Wetson's (dfox123)

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 13:18:44 GMT

Here's a link to a picture

http://www.alphaomegatheta.com/photo_gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1138

RE: Wetson's (dfox123)

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 12:50:49 GMT

I as well remember the Wetsons on Old COuntry Road at the intersection of Levittown Parkway. It became a number of things, Titus Oaks being the most memorable. It is now a Dunkin Donuts.

I remember the french fries most vividly. Limp, greasy and salty (don't get the wrong idea, this is a FOND memory).

There was some clown dude mascot "Sonny Wetson" ? Maybe he morphed into Ronald McDonald ?

My current favorite fries are Nathan's. Especially the burnt crispy ones.

Cheers

RE: Wetson's (kozel)

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:10:29 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Ivyhouse

In the late 1960's/early 1970's there was a Wetson's on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset or Roslyn (not sure which town it was in).

I think the building is still there. It is part of a car dealership and the old Wetsons is in the used car lot. I was a CW Post student in the 60's and stopped there often. Further east on 25A on the south side was a bar called 'The Knotty Knee'; the 'Good Rats' used to play there. I heard at one time it was a brothel and now it is a kitchen remodeling place. Times change.

RE: Wetson's (David_NYC)

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:16:39 GMT

About all those new members,

If you google Wetson's, this site is the first result you see. I think a lot of people got to talking and asked "I wonder whatever happened to Wetson's?" Most people don't remember that Wetson's was acquired by Nathan's. But, I'm not sure if they were initially acquired by Nathan's in 1975, or just acted as franchisees for a while. In fact, a few months after my then-local Wetson's on Flushing Avenue in Maspeth was converted, I saw the manager of the restaurant handing out paychecks that clealy had Wetson's name printed on them. In any event, all the stores were just not boarded up one day.

There aren't any Wetson's tribute websites out there, so people come here.

Edited to inclue ownership info.

RE: Wetson's (wheregreggeats.com)

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:38:07 GMT

I don't think there was ever a post that engendered so many new members.

RE: Wetson's (Ivyhouse)

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:32:07 GMT

In the late 1960's/early 1970's there was a Wetson's on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset or Roslyn (not sure which town it was in). From Port Washington (where I grew up) that was the closest fast food restaurant and we were smitten with it. Pretty soon a Burger King opened up further east on Northern Boulevard in Glen Cove, and that became the fast food restaurant of choice. No McD's anywhere near us, those two were our closest fast food choices -- other than a Chicken Delite in Port Washington that I worked at part time in high school. Came home smelling like grease every night.

RE: Wetson's (Dan1)

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:44:11 GMT

I remember a few Weston's in Brooklyn. Empire Blvd near Flatbush Avenue, Flatbush Avenue & Ave U or V, 86 Street & 7 Avenue, and Bay Parkway & Belt Parkway.

86 Street became, and still is, a Nathan's. Bay Parkway became a Roy Rogers amomg other things. Don't know what happened to the other locations.