Grab a seat, and let's take a trip down memory lane together. Do you remember those mouth-watering Lum's hot dogs steamed in beer? I mean, how could you forget? For those of us who lived in South Florida from the 1950s to the 1970s, Lum's was THE place to go for a satisfying bite of nostalgia.
Ah, the memories of the Pearlman brothers - Cliff and Stewart - who started it all with that tiny 16-seat diner on Miami Beach back in 1956. And who could forget that iconic Ollie Burger, with its 32 spices and special sauce? Lum's had that certain je ne sais quoi that made it a hit, and soon enough, the brothers expanded to four locations by 1961.
If you were like me, you might've gone all out with a sauerkraut-topped specialty dog for just 45 cents. But Lum's wasn't just about hot dogs; they had that amazing international beer selection long before the craft beer craze! And let's remember those fried seafood dishes, hot roast beef sandwiches, submarines, and burgers.
You may recall the Pearlman brothers taking their fast-casual franchise public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1969. Not only that, but they also purchased Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, effectively changing the financial structure of the casino industry. Eventually, they sold Lum's to John Y. Brown, the chairman of Kentucky Fried Chicken, who brought the Ollie Burger to the chain after buying the secret recipe for a cool million.
Even though Lum's saw some changes in the 1970s, like the introduction of the children's Stars and Stripes menu and comedian Milton Berle as their commercial spokesman, they needed help to keep up with the competition. By 1982, the Swiss holding company Wienerwald Holdings filed for bankruptcy, and Lum's began to fade away.
It's sad to think that no Lum's locations are left today. But as we reminisce about those delicious beer-steamed hot dogs and our good times, it reminds us of a simpler time in our lives. So, let's raise a frosted mug to Lum's and take a look back at this video that takes us right back to those unforgettable days.
Now, let's all enjoy this trip down memory lane together. Cheers, my friends!
