A landmark since 1959, this burger grill near Fort Worth is about to change hands
The first Clown in town still stands tall.
But six decades of hamburger history will come to an end Dec. 16 when the iconic 1950s Clown Burger grill in Haltom City changes hands.
Before California clowns like McDonald’s or Jack-in-the-Box came to town, families from all over Fort Worth came to the Clown beginning in 1959 for 15-cent burgers, chili dogs and fresh-cut, thin french fries.
Kari Snodgrass of the founding Louthan family is leaving the Clown after — well, just say her whole life. She sold it to Haltom City residents Matt and Willis Odell.
The Clown, 5010 Stanley Keller Road off Haltom Road, will be open for lunch daily Tuesday through Friday through Dec. 16. Then, it closes for new equipment and a fresher look, Snodgrass said.
“I’ve been working in this kitchen since I was 11, but running it is totally different,” Snodgrass said this week, when Clown Burger opened again after a worker’s short illness.
Snodgrass’s father, Bill Louthan, retired in 2016 after 53 years working the grill.
“We’re not done yet!” she said.
As she spoke in mid-afternoon, customers were still straggling in for double cheeseburgers with grilled jalapenos (about $7) or a foot-long chili dog (about $5).
Clown Burger promises on a sign: “The burger you get today will taste exactly like the burger you would have ate here in 1959.”
It does.
The ⅙-pound patties are the original old-school thin style, so order a double or triple cheeseburger to get a third-pound or half-pound.
The burgers, dogs and fries actually do taste like they always have, dating back to the days when Clown Burger started in a drive-in at 5512 E. Belknap St.
So far, the only changes are that the walls are cleaner and the trophy cases have been cleared out. Snodgrass’ family is keeping personal memorabilia, although the giant display of Elvis ephemera will stay.
Willis Odell wrote in an online message that he is proud to keep Clown Burger family-owned by someone who grew up and lives in Haltom City.
He hopes to extend the hours into early evening.
Clown Burger is open at 11 a.m. for lunch Tuesdays through Fridays.
It’s 1 mile south of NE Loop 820 or 3 miles north of Texas 121; 817-298-1477, facebook.com/ClownBurger.
This story was originally published November 17, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
