Eating hamburgers and weinnies in old-time Phoenix


It's 1920, we're on our way to the Arizona State Fair, and I'm looking forward to eating a hamburger, and some weinnes there.

What? You've never heard of them? They're all the rage. They're ground-up meat served in a roll. I understand that the Arizona Packing Company here in Phoenix makes them. No, you don't need to sit down with a knife and fork, you just pick it up and eat them with your hands.

Very funny - yes, I know that joke - yes, you can eat your hands separately. Sure, I've eaten them before. Where? Up in the City, in California. But they're better here in Arizona. We have lots of cows and pigs here. Yes, a hamburger is made from beef. No, not ham. I'm not really sure why they call it that, I think it has to do with a city in Germany?

The Arizona Packing Company in 1920. You're looking south from what is now called Van Buren on the Tempe Road, which was between Phoenix and Tempe.

Here we are at the fair, at a concession stand. Just go up there and ask. Get a whole bunch of weinnies. And yes, I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.

The Arizona State Fair letterhead in 1914

That was delicious. No, I don't want any more. My stomach feels funny. Excuse me for a minute.
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