Big-T Burger, Devon and Milwaukee Avenues, Chicago.

Looking Northwest from Devon and Milwaukee Avenues. The late 1970s.

Charles "Chuck" Nichols ran a Tastee Freeze franchise (still serving the "Big Tee Burger"), which closed every winter when ice cream lost its appeal. Nichols renegotiated the lease with the building's owner and turned the space into a burger business to operate year-round. To attract teens from nearby Taft High School, he dubbed the restaurant "Big-T Burger." 

Nichols worked there seven days a week. He overcame competition from a nearby McDonald's, Burger King, and Superdawg across Milwaukee Avenue.

On the last day of business, before Nichols was forced to close Big-T Burger, he told his sons to be at their "very best." He adhered to the 'always do your best' philosophy and ingrained it in his employees. 

Nichols gave more than his time to the business. Homeless people often wandered into Big-T Burger, and Nichols knew everyone by name. He would give them a hot dog and a cup of coffee when they came in and let them warm up or cool off. 

 

Chuck Nichols of Park Ridge died on October 26, 2003, at 89 years old.

INDEX TO MY ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO FOOD & RESTAURANT ARTICLES.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.