Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger
When I pulled into the parking lot, I felt like I’d arrived on the set of Happy Days.
At any moment, I expected Chachi to roll down the window of the baby blue Ford Fairlane and call out Joanie’s name, or for the Fonz to make a dramatic entrance, roaring into the parking lot, parking his bike under the neon sign, then checking his hair in the mirror before strutting into the diner.
This is the parking lot at Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger in Miami, Oklahoma, place that makes you feel as though time travel really is possible. Sure, there are modern vehicles interspersed with vintage cars, but the ones that stand out are the polished beauties of yesteryear, setting the tone for the nostalgic experience that visitors to Ku-Ku Burger have, both outside and inside the restaurant.
Built in 1965, Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger is the last remaining one of a popular 1960s chain that once had more than 200 restaurants.The building itself looks like a giant cuckoo clock, with the yellow Ku-Ku bird cheerfully perched in the upper front window.
The original cuckoo clock outside was partially covered up when the restaurant expanded in the 1980s. But the expansion was necessary to accommodate the many diners who flocked to Ku-Ku Burger to enjoy made-to-order burgers in a fast-food culture.
Eugene Waylan has been keeping the Ku-Ku Burger legacy alive since he bought the restaurant in 1973. In 1977, he added a drive-through – the first one in Miami. He continues to flip burgers here, cooking each one to order.
While I was tempted to order the Reuben ‘n’ Rye special that was advertised on the sign outside, I went with a cheeseburger instead because that’s what this joint is known for. I sat down at a table in the 1980s addition while I waited for my order number to be called, and enjoyed a clear view of the neon sign and vintage cars in the parking lot – perfect ambiance for my old-fashioned meal.
My cheeseburger tasted like a homemade, backyard-grilled burger. I want to point out here that I ordered the small cheeseburger, although the giant-sized burgers seem to be more popular.
The fries were perfectly done – no burned ends in the entire bunch. I also ordered a side of the fried yellow squash because how often is that in season, right? The squash was tender and flavorful, like it had been picked straight from the garden, then tossed in the fryer.
The fried pickles and mushrooms are supposed to be outstanding here, too, but I’ll wait for another season to try them.
I washed down my meal with a fresh limeade that was not too sweet and not too sour. Goldilocks would have loved it.
Ku-Ku Burger is one of the remaining burger joints from the good old happy days, where people gather to socialize face-to-face in booths, and not screen-to-screen on phones, where food is cooked fresh to order and not taken out of a freezer and microwaved.
Ku-Ku Burger offers a taste of Americana, and it’s not surprising that the restaurant is popular with people – many of them foreigners – who are traveling Route 66, searching for places where they can sample what life was like in this country during the heyday of the Mother Road.
Back when life was slower and simpler.
Back when personalities like the Fonz ruled the roost.
Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger is located at 915 N. Main Street, Miami, OK. Click here to follow Ku-Ku Burger on Facebook.
Find out about other great places to eat at in the region by clicking here.
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This article was commissioned by the Joplin CVB, however the opinions expressed are purely my own. The purpose of Joplin MO Life is to highlight all the best that our area has to offer, and when an article is written about a restaurant, business, attraction, or event, it is because I have had an enjoyable experience and want to share it with others.
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Living Life to The Fullest!
I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.
