A Tale of 2 Charley's

The name “Charley” has a long history in burgers. In 1885, a 15-year-old boy named Charley Nagreen came to the fairgrounds in Seymour Wisconsin, in an ox-drawn wagon. There, he set up a food stand—clever lad that he was—and placed plain ground beef patties between two slices of bread and called his production a hamburger. Charley Nagreen has been duly honored in the "International Hamburger Hall of Fame" for his contribution to burger history.

One hundred and three years later, in 1988, Charley Watkins was searching for a high-quality, affordable burger that he could truly make “his way.” First, Charley started with the burger itself. He experimented with all types of burgers, looking for the freshest and tastiest he could find, and the best preparation methods. Charley then went outside the box, burger-style. Considering cheese a tasty but standard addition, Charley began experimenting with all sorts of condiments, mixing them with produce toppings and taste-testing the results with friends & family. His kitchen became a veritable “burger bar” with assorted sauces, vegetables, dressings, and more. Unable to select just one favorite item, Charley realized where the burger met the bun was just the beginning—and the secret to his signature concept…

Charley wanted to give others the same experience he had inadvertently created for himself at home. Start by offering high-quality, flame-broiled, & delicious “burger bases” of fresh (never frozen) beef, & then create a “burger bar’ so guests can select their own blends and special concoctions of tastes & flavors that they can experiment with and enjoy.

Over the years, Charley continued to redefine and challenge conventional burger ideas and has expanded his “burger base” to include vegetarian, Beefalo, house made black bean, turkey, chicken, and salmon burgers. Charley’s experimentation continues today and the delicious results and recipe suggestions can be found in Cheeseburger Charley locations all over. Charley hopes his innovative approach to burgers someday makes him the second Charley in the “Hamburger Hall of Fame!”

Put Charley Watkins in the Hamburger Hall of Fame!