Man Eater.com was called the “legend” of the rich history of Los Angeles’ roadside burger stands, but fans of Sherman Oaks’ Bill’s burger are determined to keep his memory and menu alive.
Bill Elwell passed away on July 21, 1998. He died until the end of the fixtures behind the counter at a small restaurant on Oxnard Street.
“It’s a typical small business,” said Steve Barding, a Bills fan since 1981.
Over the years, Balding has become quite familiar with Elwell and has been intrigued by the owner’s work ethic. Like the ancient cash registers at the counter and the quality griddles of the same vintage, Elwell was a throwback to another era in the city, perhaps from the 1930s.
However, he kept the menu simple and added it to his legacy by working directly.
“We couldn’t drink fries or fountains. It’s always been ‘chips and soda’. There are only chip bags and cans. ”
Elwell, which opened Bill’s burgers in 1965, has personally served tens of thousands of burgers for nearly 60 years, and continues to attract new fans, including locally seasoned ground beef, American cheese, onions and lettuce.
“This is my third time,” Katia Stewart said. They line up for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. “It’s just so tasty. I don’t know what it is. I think it’s fresh ingredients.”
Like many of Bill’s younger clients, she vaguely knew that the man cooking her burger was in fact the owner, let alone in the 90s.
Bill’s exact fate is not yet completely clear, but Barding hopes that Elwell’s five ex-wifes, an adult child, or one of his grandchildren, will keep the business open. For now it is listed as open from Monday to Friday from 4pm
“It was forever,” he said, “and I hope it lasts a little longer.”
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