Campbellsville, Ky – Home to the Last Operating Druther’s Restaurant
Unless you’re a Millennial, you probably remember Druther’s restaurants. My parents and I ate at the one in Madisonville frequently and, before it became Druther’s, we ate many a burger at Burger Queen.
I fondly remember the little plastic rings I’d collect featuring the restaurant’s Bee mascot Queenie Bee.
What I wouldn’t give to still have that massive collection!
The Burger Queen chain of fast food restaurants were based in Louisville, Kentucky and served up ridiculously delicious hamburgers from 1963 to 1981. In 1981, Burger Queen changed to Druther’s – they kept serving outrageously delicious hamburgers, as well as chicken, fries, salads, etc.
“Andy Dandytale” would become the new mascot – though he and I never really caught on. My heart belonged to Queenie Bee.
On one of our frequent Road Trips Around Kentucky, my husband and I spent some time in Campbellsville. One of the first things I noticed when we pulled into town was the image of Queenie Bee on the sign in front of Druther’s… the last operating Druther’s Restaurant. Like a kid calling out to McDonald’s, I exclaimed, “Queenie!”
I See You, Queenie Bee.
Did You Know:
- The first Burger Queen was built in Middletown, Kentucky, in 1963. The original building still stands on Shelbyville Road.
- Druther’s slogan was, “I’d Ruther Go to Druther’s.”
- The last Druther’s in operation stands at 101 N Columbia Avenue in Campbellsville, Kentucky (pictured here).
I’ll add more pictures of Central Kentucky, including Campbellsville and Greensburg over the next few days. I should have had the pictures up by now, if we’re being honest, but I’m fighting a cold and the victor has yet to be determined!
The Last Operating Druther’s Restaurant – Campbellsville, Kentucky
Next time you’re near Campbellsville, Kentucky, be sure to park your car and walk around the beautiful downtown. Just remember… whatever you do… eat lunch at the LAST operating Druther’s Restaurant.
Druther’s Restaurant on Columbia Avenue in Campbellsville, Ky.
I’m 62 I used to work for Burger Queen, and Druthers when our restaurant changed names. I helped close ours down.
It was some good slop
Perhaps I’m being technical, but the last original “Burger Queen” restaurant (not a re-named Druther’s restaurant!) is still around, serving burgers, fried chicken, pizza, & pasta here in Taipei, Taiwan! Just took my son there for a fish burger, fries, & juice this afternoon (July 3, 2018). Oddly enough, although there were Burger Queen restaurants in my home state of Tennessee, I never heard of the chain or visited one until my first trip to Taiwan in 1979. At that time, it was the *only* western fast food restaurant here. Since then other US chains have come & gone (Hardee’s, Wendy’s, Dunkin’ Donuts), others continue to thrive (McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Dominos), but the single Burger Queen restaurant roughly a 5-min walk from my grandparents’ former apartment still exists & continues to serve delicious fast food (while bringing back great, fond memories from almost 40 years ago!) 🙂
The Druther’s that I remember was located in McKenzie, Tennessee. My family and I used to stop there for breakfast on the way home from Uzzle Hallow, Kentucky where we had a summer place. I really enjoyed the breakfasts and missed them after the restaurant closed. You won’t find Uzzle Hallow on a map but you will find Shannon Creek which winds its way through the hallow. It is fairly close to Kentucky Lake and Ft. Henry.
iknowmuch about Burger Queen as I worked at the store on Preston in Okolona. I was also the 1st manager to go work for the 1st franchisee in Radcliff Ky.Iworked for corporate also. If you need any info or the real truth Iwas there for almost 20 years.