Kincaids Burgers in Fort Worth

[JPalmer]

Saw this today on the Star-telegram website... and it's shocking to say the least.

Is the original Kincaid's Burgers done?

When I was in high school... my friends and I would celebrate every report card and end of semester waiting an hour at lunch time for a burger and lemonade at the original Camp Bowie location.

Now, I know they have 3 locations other than that one... but it's the ORIGINAL! Sad state of affairs.

[brad]

I ate at the one in Arlington this week.. and was not impressed.. maybe its time.

[CaptainTom]

I've been to Kincaids a few times and was never overwhelmed by their hamburgers.
But, it is an institution in Ft. Worth and it does seem that the new landlord is either trying to get them out, or doesn't have a handle on the market in the area right now. It's always surprising to me about how short sighted some people are in the real estate market.
I've put an offer on rental property that wasn't quite up to the requirements of the owners, been turned down, and the property remained vacant for 6 more months. How can that be justified financially ?

[L Stegall]

Oh noooooooooooooooo, I remember my dad taking me over there when I was a kid for burgers at the back of the store. I'd hate to see Ft. Worth landmarks go the way of some here in Dallas.

[Rson]

First Burrus in Gvine, then Mexican Inn in Dtown FTW, now Kincaids.

Sad.....truely Sad

[Jay Henley]

I agree. I have always thought they were okay but never did see why everyone raved about it.

My favorite growing up was the hamburger stand across the street from the Fort Worth Courthouse. Forgot the name of it though. It closed up I believe in the eighties at some point.

[AndrewCCM]

I liked Kincaid's personally. Didn't like Mexican Inn at all.

It is sad.. Never forget my Grandmother taking me there when I'd stay over... She always called it Pope Kincaid's. I enjoyed it's old school charm. Everything now is too commercialized. I like to support local companies when I can.

I hope the new owners get an empty out of code shell of a building that never rents out and the local ill-will that comes along with that greed.

[Debbi]

Haven't been there in years even though I'm right across the street every time I get my hair cut. They are an institution in FTW. Maybe they'll find a new spot in the area with better parking.

[Wes]

I like the burgers at the original location, but I've heard that the other locations are nowhere nearly as good.

[Hogleg 44]

Oh What A Shame!!!!!!!!!

Back in 1960, when I first met my Wife Judy, she lived with her Mother and Brother in a small frame house that stood right across the alley behind Kincaids. A small apartment building stands in that spot today.

Her brother Johnny, worked for Mr Kincaid in the store after school, stocking and delivering. It was an actual neighborhood grocery store at that time, and Gentry (thats what everyone called him then...just Gentry) was the butcher in the meat department. The Kincaid's were good friends of Judy's Parents.

Through Judy and Johnny, I got to know the Kincaid's, and Gentry, fairly well. They were wonderful people. It was always a happy place to go. Johnny enjoyed working for them.

After Gentry took over the store he still operated as a neighborhood grocery for a few years. Only fixing his special hamburgers for any of their regular customers that wanted them.

I guess the grocery business deteriorated after that, and Gentry then converted the store to his Specialty Hamburger shop, but it was still Kincaids Grocery.

Frequently, his burgers were rated by critics as the best in Ft. Worth!

That place should be in the historic register!

Here is an old scanned photo of Judy's house. 4900 El Campo. "1960's". The back corner of Kincaid's Grocery is barely seen through the tree in the back yard.

[brad]

Never been to any others.. but the one in Arlington was all communal seating.. long tables and benches.. with half inflated blow up dolls (get your mind out of the gutter) hanging from the ceiling... so yea, even the atmosphere was unimpressive.

[Shane Jennings]

Man, that SUCKS!!!

I was just in there last Friday. It was the first time I'd been back in about 15 years.

[JPalmer]

Brad... that's generally how they all are. Long benches for "elbow rubbin"

I've been to all 4 and the meat at the original was just better. Maybe it was the old old grill they used.

Sad day if it happens

[AndrewCCM]

Yep.. The original is definitely bench, "elbow rubbin" setting. It still has some of the old grocery store fixtures too.

If you want booths and normal tables, go to Chilli's. LOL
(actually, I like Chilli's burgers just fine too). I am just a fan of something real and not commercialized. Can't say that I love sitting on benches with people I don't know...But it had something that made it special. Probably my grandmother more than anything... She just lived down the road a bit...

[JPalmer]

My dad maintains that Tommy's are still better. But not any Tommy's... it has to be the Texaco Gas Station Tommy's Burgers on Loop 820 near Lake Worth.

I'm sure when I tell him about this story he'll say something like: "Well, Tommy's are better anyways so I won't miss anything."