Most places on the highway feel like quick stops. Hank’s Hamburgers on old Route 66 feels like a pilgrimage.
This Tulsa landmark has been smashing Oklahoma‑style onion burgers since 1949, grilling diced onions right into the meat and stacking patties into Big Okies and six‑patty Okie Dokies that people talk about for years.
It’s the kind of spot where a half‑pound burger and a paper sack of onion rings make you feel like you’ve time‑traveled in the best way possible.
How they won locals’ hearts
Hank and Ruby Henry opened Hank’s Hamburgers in 1949 on Route 66, later moving to the current East Admiral Place location in 1955.
From day one, the signature has been Oklahoma‑style fried onion burgers, a ball of ground beef smashed on the grill with a mound of onions cooked directly into the patty.
- A Route 66 news site calls Hank’s “one of the oldest and greatest hamburger joints” in Tulsa, famous for burgers with onions grilled directly into the meat.
- Roadfood highlights Hank’s as a “good old-fashioned delicious burger” stop, with hand‑formed patties, fried onions, and simple toppings done right.
The menu stayed tight and old‑school: burgers, Frito chili pie, corn dogs, onion rings, tots, fries, and house‑made chocolate‑covered peanut butter balls for dessert.
Prices stayed reasonable, with burgers, sides, and drinks hovering around $12–$13, which Yelp reviewers repeatedly point out as a huge value for fresh‑griddled burgers.
They’ve celebrated major milestones 70 years, then 75 years in 2024, with specials on their old‑fashioned burgers, reinforcing Hank’s as a true Tulsa tradition rather than a relic.
That mix of history, simplicity, and seriously tasty onion‑fried patties is why people still recommend Hank’s any time “best burger in Tulsa” comes up.
Food Highlights
- Big Okie Burger: Four patties with all the fixings, an Oklahoma onion‑burger monument that Route 66 blogs warn might keep you full for a week. 🍔
- Okie Dokie Burger: Six patties stacked with mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, fried onions, and raw onions, the “come hungry or don’t come at all” option Hank’s proudly promotes. 🥵
- Half‑Pound Hank Burger: A half‑pound patty (two standard patties) with cheese, mustard, pickles, grilled and raw onions, lettuce, and tomato, classic and more manageable for most appetites. 🍔
- Hank’s Special Burger: A fully loaded, extra‑large build that regulars call out on Yelp; one popular combo pairs it with onion rings for maximum satisfaction. 🧅
- Frito Chili Pie: Fritos topped with house chili, melted cheddar, and onions, a Route 66 staple that fits Hank’s diner‑counter energy perfectly. 🌶️
- Onion Rings, Tots & Fried Okra: Crispy sides that Discover Oklahoma and Yelp reviewers both praise, though one regular notes they could stand to double‑bag the fried okra because it’s that hot and oily. 🧅
Atmosphere
Hank’s is a true roadside joint small counter, a few stools and booths, and a steady stream of regulars and travelers ducking in off Admiral Place.
Discover Oklahoma describes it as “legendary,” with fun‑loving staff and a playful atmosphere that keeps people smiling while their burgers sizzle on the flat‑top.
Bottom Line
Hank’s Hamburgers has been doing onion‑fried Oklahoma burgers the same way since 1949, and the results still hit harder than most modern spots.
Between the Big Okie, the Okie Dokie, and the half‑pound Hank Burger with onion‑fried patties, this East Admiral Place landmark is as “Tulsa” as it gets when you’re talking burgers.
If you’re anywhere near Route 66 in Tulsa, skip the chains, grab a sack of burgers and rings, and taste why Hank’s has lasted 75+ years. 🌟
Address:
Hank’s Hamburgers
8933 E Admiral Pl, Tulsa, OK 74115
📞 (918) 832‑1509
🕔 Mon–Sat: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Sun: Closed