Where to Eat
www.SanTanSun.com
Dec. 19 - Jan. 8, 2016
55
The food at Wimpy’s Paradise is not for wimps 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).
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
58 S. San Marcos Place Downtown Chandler 480-812-1588 MurphysLawAZ.com
FREE
2 for 1 Fish & Chips EVERY WEDNESDAY
Brownie Fridays
see WIMPY’S page 56
From the creators of
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GET A BOWL FOR YOUR
with any purchase while supplies last
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with any 2 regular priced beverages. No coupon needed. Dine in only.
OUR FRESCHE ACAI BOWLS ARE A TASTY SOURCE OF THE ANTIOXIDANTS AND NUTRIENTS YOU NEED TO ROCK YOUR DAY! with any regular priced beverage
8:00am -2:00pm Bottomless Mimosa Brunch $12/person
7 days a week 2-6pm, sun-thurs 10pm-close
FREE lunch
Buy One, Get One free
With two beverages purchased, Mon-Fri 11am-4pm. Cannot be combined with any other specials or Historic Downtown promotions. Dine In Only, Chandler must present c/s Chandler & Arizona coupon. So many darn rules. 480-812-1588 EXP 1/31/16
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GET ONE 50% OFF! ON ANY MENU ITEM WITH THIS COUPON (One per customer please)
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4040 S ARIZONA AVE SUITE 15, CHANDLER, AZ | 480.802.0254 | OPEN 8AM-9PM | CLOSED SUN.