Burger Baron & Pizza - Raymond, AB
Posted by: 
T0SHEA
N 49° 27.914 W 112° 39.722
12U E 379573 N 5480503
Once a regional burger chain, Burger Baron was quite popular in Western Canada.
Waymark Code: WMZ81X
Location: Alberta, Canada
Date Posted: 09/25/2018
Views: 0
The chain was started in either Lethbridge or Calgary (the location of the first site is still in dispute) in 1957, becoming the first drive-through chain in Western Canada. With the arrival of large multinational burger chains in Western Canada, the franchise collapsed into bankruptcy with many of the individually owned Burger Baron restaurants remaining in operation as independents. This would be one of those, a few of which are still to be found in small towns in Southern Alberta, with a slightly greater number still operating in Northern Alberta and Edmonton. We know of one in British Columbia, in Rutland (a suburb of Kelowna). It, incidentally, reopened in February of this year, after being closed for half a year and is reputed to be quite popular for its breakfast and its inexpensive burgers. Reviews of the Raymond Burger Baron indicate that it, too, is renowned for its burgers, though it had fallen into disrepute several years ago, ostensibly bouncing back admirably, possibly the result of a change of ownership.
Truth be told, I can't remember the last time I saw a Burger Baron. Upon finding this one in the little town of Raymond, I was sufficiently surprised as to be motivated to take some pix of the place. In front, on their sign, they advertise the fact that they offer burgers, pizza, fried chicken, finger food, fish and chips, shakes and ice cream, not to mention coffee and mini donuts. It's a shame that we went through the town early on a Sunday when they weren't yet open, depriving us of the chance to sample their offerings, perhaps to bring back memories of Alberta in the '50s and '60s.
