After all the wonderment expressed in my previous post, I decided to do a little research at the library over the weekend. It appears that the Wonder Burger flamed out pretty quickly in Elyria – and maybe everywhere for that matter.
The Lorain Public Library has an incomplete set of Elyria city directories, but I was able to determine that before it was the Wonder Burger Drive-in, it was listed in 1962 as Larry's Drive-in and Sport Shop. Then for that brief period around 1965 it was the Wonder Burger Drive-in.
Although Wonder Burger didn't last long, at least the owner seemed to find the right formula for success for 506 Middle Street with the next venture. Around 1966 it became the Top Spot Dining Restaurant – which lasted all the way until the end of the 1970's, when Mr. Hero moved in.
I guess we'll never know whether Wonder Burger was just a short-lived idea, or whether it succeeded in other markets (if it was indeed a regional or national chain). I'm guessing it was an attempt to compete with the Big Boy, with its double-decker design. But most likely it didn't stand a chance against the beloved Midway Oh Boy on Lake Avenue.
