In The Beginning

The year 1972 ushered in Liza Minnelli’s Oscar winning performance in Cabaret, the technology breakthrough of Atari’s “PONG,” and the introduction of Hamburger Mary’s to the SOMA District of San Francisco. With humble beginnings as an eclectic late-night beer and burger joint, Hamburger Mary’s quickly established itself as a staple in the gay & lesbian community.  Almost forty years later, we’re thriving as an “open-air bar and grille for open-minded people.”

You could say that Mary has “gotten around” over the years, with locations up and down the West Coast and as far-spanning as Hawaii to Tampa. And like most businesses, she has seen her own ups and downs. The original Hamburger Mary’s in San Francisco is no longer open, and other locations have opened and closed (and some even reopened again) over the years. Through it all, Mary has stayed true to her roots and maintains the standards people have come to expect, not to mention her unforgettable smile and great figure!

Under new ownership since 2007, the franchise system has grown to ten locations across the United States. People have come to associate Hamburger Mary’s with friendly service, a mouthwatering menu and an overall flamboyant dining experience. Our “family dining” concept guarantees everyone is welcome at Hamburger Mary’s but our concept is distinctive because we are the only national franchise actively marketing to the LGBT community.

Mary’s Today

From cleverly mismatched dinnerware to colorfully framed artwork hung in crooked collages across boldly painted walls, today’s Hamburger Mary’s is much like the original San Francisco location. Walking into any Mary’s is an act of stepping out of the chaos of daily life and into Mary’s comfortable home. Each restaurant may be unique in its eclectic décor (Mary can’t ever seem to make up her mind), but they all provide the friendliest service and highest quality food.

Speaking of food, nothing beats a Hamburger Mary’s burger… always fresh and made-to-order with an assortment of fun toppings on a bakery-fresh bun, including the popular “Buffy the Burger Slayer,” “Queen Mary” and the one-pounder “Proud Mary.” Mary starts with fresh (never frozen!) all-natural Angus beef for her half-pound burgers. But if you’re looking for something lighter or different, most locations also offer turkey burgers, homemade black bean patties, chicken breast, buffalo and other substitutions available on any of our delectable burgers.

Of course, there is more to Mary’s than just hamburgers… We offer a full lunch and dinner menu including our famous homemade chili, soups made daily, a variety of garden-fresh salads, mouth-watering appetizers, substantial sandwiches, home-cooked entrees, and comforting desserts (featuring Deep-Fried Twinkies and Mary Tyler S’Mores!). There’s even a kid’s menu for Mary’s “Little Lambs.” On weekends, Mary offers up her scrumptious “Mimosa Brunch” with an exceptional breakfast menu you’d be pressed to find anywhere else (not to mention a mean Bloody Mary!) And since Mary believes in the old adage “You are what you eat,” we serve only the freshest ingredients. We also use no trans-fats in our frying oils, where available. There are slight variations from location to location, so check out the Mary’s nearest you to find out what’s on the menu!

Let Us Entertain You!

Don’t think that the fun stops at the clever menu items and décor. Oh no, a trip to Hamburger Mary’s is all about the experience. And Mary knows how to entertain! Each location boasts a full service bar with dozens of tantalizing martinis and cocktails, wines and a specialized beer list. While each location is different, most have a patio for the warmer months and offer late-night entertainment such as MaryOke, HamBINGO, weekend DJs, and drag shows. For more information regarding events at a Hamburger Mary’s near you, click on the link to any Hamburger Mary’s location and browse weekly events and specials. We look forward to seeing you!

Mary also likes to mix a good time with a good cause. One thing that sets Hamburger Mary’s apart from other restaurants is our fervent commitment to supporting our local communities. From hosting charity bingo events and fundraisers to sponsoring local athletic leagues and theatre troops, each location does its part to give back to its surrounding neighborhood. Over the years, Hamburger Mary’s has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthwhile organizations.

In recent years, Hamburger Mary’s has made strides to be more “green” and reduce our impact on the environment. Switching to recycled paper products, energy-efficient lighting and biodegradable containers are just some of the ways many locations are doing their part. Some locations have fitted their bathrooms with dual-flush handles and top-of-the-line hand dryers, because water conservation and waste reduction is part of Mary’s “Green Initiative.” Through all of these efforts, Mary is making every possible effort to reduce the carbon footprint left by her fabulous red stiletto!

Eat, Drink, and be… MARY!

At almost 40 years old, Hamburger Mary’s is in its prime. We are very grateful and proud of the support we have gotten from communities across the U.S., and our goal is to bring a Hamburger Mary’s franchise to every major city in the country. Until then, come on in to the Mary’s nearest you, and don’t forget to “Eat, Drink, and be… MARY!”