Charcoal Oven (Demolished)
Oklahoma City, OK
Photos and info courtesy Tony Craig

Even beneath a blanket of snow, the Charcoal Oven sign stood out along Oklahoma City’s Northwest Expressway. Its geometric design gave this burger stop plenty of mid-century roadside personality. 02-07

Opened in 1958, the drive-in became known for charcoal-broiled burgers, Suzy-Q Fries and Chick-a-Doodle-Doo chicken sandwiches. Customers could order and eat without leaving their cars, while the porcelain-and-neon sign handled the advertising.

The original restaurant closed in 2016, but fortunately its marquee escaped demolition.

UPDATE: The original building is gone, and a later revival elsewhere in Oklahoma City closed in 2025. The historic sign was donated to the Billboard Museum for preservation; its current display status remains unconfirmed. 06-26

Bronco's Hamburgers
Omaha, NE
Photo courtesy Chris Richey

The first thing you’ll notice at Bronco’s Hamburgers might be the sign rather than the menu. Its Western theme and neon cowboy rider have been catching the attention of hungry Omaha motorists for decades.

Opened in 1959, Bronco’s held onto its local identity while national chains spread across the country. The distinctive marquee supplies the roadside showmanship, while burgers and fresh-cut fries give visitors a reason to stay. Don’t forget to grab some grub after photographing the sign. 05-04

UPDATE: Bronco’s continues operating in Omaha. The Leavenworth Street sign remains standing, welcoming another generation of customers to this longtime local burger stop. 06-26

Dog N Shake
Wichita, KS
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

The Dog N Shake sign keeps things simple, but its alternating red and yellow colors make it hard to overlook. Sometimes bold lettering is enough to get hungry motorists thinking about lunch.

The Wichita chain traces its roots to the late 1940s, building a following with hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and thick milkshakes. Its small roadside locations recall the days before national fast-food chains became familiar at nearly every highway exit.

UPDATE: The locally owned chain continues operating multiple Wichita locations, serving the longtime favorites that have kept customers returning for generations. 06-26

Coleman's Burgers
Okmulgee, OK
Photo courtesy Charles Brock

The rooftop sign at Coleman's Burgers is the kind of thing that makes you slow down for a second look. Perched above the building in downtown Okmulgee, the sign proudly advertises "good's food" along with the curious promise of "Marvin too!" Who Marvin was remains a mystery, but the unusual wording certainly gives the place a little extra personality.

Coleman's has been a longtime local favorite in Okmulgee, serving up burgers the old-fashioned way for generations. The restaurant's classic roadside appearance and prominent roof sign help it stand out from the crowd, recalling an era when independently owned burger joints relied on memorable signs rather than massive advertising budgets to bring in customers.

UPDATE: Coleman's remains a popular Okmulgee destination today. Operating as Coleman's Burgers & Bakery, the family-run business continues serving its well-known burgers along with a variety of homemade pies and baked goods. It does appear that this sign is now gone. 06-26

Happy Burger
Sapulpa, OK
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

A giant smiling chef tops the Happy Burger sign along Route 66 in Sapulpa. Bold lettering and a Jumbo Cheese Burger advertisement complete the invitation. This fellow certainly looks pleased with the menu, and hungry motorists might find themselves agreeing.

Bob Nabozny opened the stand as a Tastee-Freez in 1957. After Jim Summers purchased it in the 1970s, it became Happy Burger. The little Mission Street restaurant survived changing owners and travel patterns while many similar roadside stands disappeared.

The sign supplies much of the roadside personality. Between the oversized chef and the straightforward promise of a big cheeseburger, it gets the message across without making anyone study the menu first.

UPDATE: Happy Burger remains a family-run stop for locals and Route 66 travelers. The original building and familiar chef-topped sign continue welcoming customers, keeping a little old-fashioned burger-stand character along the Mother Road. 06-26

Hamburger Inn
Ardmore, OK
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

The bright green Hamburger Inn marquee stretches along the building in downtown Ardmore. Paired with the diner’s mid-century exterior, it offers an inviting glimpse of earlier roadside dining. It’s the sort of place where the sign gets your attention and the smell from the grill finishes the job.

Earnest and Lillian Brown opened the business in 1938, moving across the street to its present building in 1956. Fried onion burgers, homemade pies and custard-style pancakes kept generations coming back. Quite a selection for anyone arriving hungry.

The diner briefly closed in 2021, but former waitress Elyssa White and her brother, Braeden Griffin, purchased and reopened it in 2022. Someone already familiar with the place helped give this longtime restaurant another chapter.

UPDATE: The family-run Hamburger Inn continues serving customers in its 1956 building. The familiar green marquee remains part of the downtown scene, pointing another generation toward burgers, breakfast and a seat inside an old-fashioned diner. 06-26