Where to Eat
The food at Wimpy’s Paradise is not for wimps
BY JUDI KING
Named after J. Wellington Wimpy, the hamburger aficionado in the Popeye comic strip and cartoons, Wimpy’s Paradise in downtown Chandler is the goto place for hamburger lovers.
Wimpy’s Paradise serves up more than just award-winning burgers, though. Owner Randy Walters grew up near Pittsburgh where his father opened the original Wimpy’s Paradise in 1939, and another in 1941. Both closed after he left to fight in World War II. His son always hoped to recreate his father’s restaurant. So in 2014, Walters was able to acquire a location in downtown Chandler to open the restaurant as a tribute to his dad. The “new” Wimpy’s Paradise was launched on Valentine’s Day, 2014.
Walters infused the flavors and specialties of his hometown into his menu.
“We definitely have people from the Pittsburgh area seeking us out to get a little bit of taste from home. Pittsburgh is known for its comfort food. It’s a regional thing,” he said.
He said that some of the most popular items on the menu are the Steel City Sliders made from Pittsburgh’s famous chipped ham on potato rolls ($1.95); grilled peanut butter, jelly, banana and bacon sandwich ($8.10); fried bologna sandwich ($5.75) and the hot dogs.
The Wimpy Burger is made with handpressed Angus ground chuck and comes with a choice of a sesame, pretzel or
brioche bun and a side.
I chose the juicy, scrumptious onethird pound burger ($6.45) and potato salad. For the bigger appetite you can select the half-pounder ($8.35). Or, you can get the Dirty Burger, an open-face half-pound of beef covered with no-bean chili, cheese and French fried onions ($9.35). Those up for a challenge can order the Belly Buster Burger made with five hamburger patties, two eggs and four slices of cheese for $37.50; patrons who eat it in less than 30 minutes are charged $30 and inclusion on the Belly Buster Hall of Fame. Break the record and you will get it free.
Let’s talk about the hot dogs. The longtime owner of a hot-dog cart called Pittsburgh Willy’s inside of the Merchant Antique Mall in Chandler, Walters earned a first-rate reputation and gained a huge fan base, as well as awards for his Pittsburgh-inspired hot dog creations.
His Pittsburgher hot dog is an all-beef dog topped with chipped ham sautéed in butter and topped with grated cheese ($6.50). Other hot dog favorites include the Arizonan with fresh guacamole, bacon, green chilies, fire-roasted tomatoes and cheddar cheese ($5.95) and the Big Willy Mac and Chili with mac and cheese, Willy Chilly and French fried onions ($7.85). A true novelty is the Twilly Dog—a hot dog served on a Twinkie bun with smoked bacon and creamy peanut butter ($3).
Where to Eat
Sit outside of Wimpy’s under the big red umbrella. STSN photo by Judi King
On Sundays, Wimpy’s offers breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., featuring more comfort food including downhome biscuits and sausage gravy ($3.95).
There is something for everyone at Wimpy’s Paradise. It has a fun, nostalgic soda-shop feel featuring old-fashioned candy and ice cream treats, a Pittsburgh vibe, an outdoor seating area with a bright red umbrella and truly innovative, wimp-free food. WIMPY’S from
The award-wining Pittsburgher hot dog. STSN
Wimpy’s Paradise is located at 48 S. San Marcos Pl., downtown Chandler. For more information, call (480) 821-3197 or visit www.wimpysparadise.com.
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