Saturday, September 5, 2009

Claude's / Van's Hamburgers, 1950


3834 South Peoria Avenue
(photo courtesy of the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library and Tulsa Historical Society)


Claude's old fashioned hamburgers may boast that they have been in business since 1954, but before it was Claude's it was Van's. For a time there were several Van's hamburgers in Tulsa. Van's is long gone but Claude's still grills them up and serves them with that little dab of grease on the bun from being warmed up on the griddle. Just like they used to make.

9 comments:

  1. we went to claudes for the first time several months back and LOVED it...my mom told me about another long time burger joint(with one name-I'm drawing a blank) that is next on my list to try

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  2. Claud's actually started on Admiral blvd in 1954. When Van decided to sell the place he had in Brookside he made the offer to Claud first. With the destruction of houses for I244 expressway Claud and Van agreed Brookside would stay the way it is forever. So in August of 1965 Claud's relocated to Peoria. His sons Larry and Cliff kept it going after Claud died. Robert the youngest son, is now the main cook and Larry is retired but helps periodically

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  3. anyone remember the hamburger stand at Houston and 11th street in the late 50 early 60?

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  4. THE ORIGINAL SIGN FOR CLAUDES ON ADMIRAL IS NOW THE SIGN FOR RON'S IN SKIATOOK.

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  5. Vans is listed as 1950's? to 1965 at 3834 S. Peoria
    Claud's was located at 6002 E. Admiral pl. 1954-1957, 6104 E. Admiral Pl. 1958-1964, at 3834 S. Peoria 1965 to today.

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    Replies
    1. I grew up in Tulsa in the mid 1950s. We lived just a few blocks from Van's that was located on 15th Street near the intersection with Utica. Great greasy burgers. We bought them by the bag full.

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    2. I lived right across the street in my grandparents apartments. Scarfed down burgers when it was Vans and I was not yet a man.

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    3. I lived right across the street in my grandparents apartments. Scarfed down burgers when it was Vans and I was not yet a man.

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    4. very old thread but hoping someone has some info or photos of the Vans that was at 15th and Lewis in the 60's???

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