Hamburger Mary's is the name of several related hamburger restaurants that started in San Francisco, California, in 1972. The name of the business refers to both the original San Francisco location, which closed in 2001, and Hamburger Mary's Bar & Grille, a spun-off franchise with several locations around the United States. The current franchise is a drag-themed casual dining chain[1][2] The eateries are often in gay districts and are intended to represent stereotypical gay culture through humorously named menu items,[3] flamboyant decor, drag shows, and drag queen servers.
History
"Hamburger Mary" Morris (ca. 1888–1940) was a restaurateur and personality from San Francisco who operated a restaurant known as "Hamburger Mary's" in the Radio City Music Hall area of Midtown Manhattan. The restaurant was very popular with theater people, models, and other, often-struggling performers.[4]