THE HIRES BIG H STORY
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Hires Drive-In was founded in 1959 by Don Hale. Don was a grocer by trade. During the depression, his parents built a grocery store onto their home to help supplement the family income.
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Years later, Don worked his way through school and supported his young family by operating the grocery store. Always being involved with fresh produce and quality meat through the grocery store, Don decided to become a restaurateur by opening a hamburger drive-in in Salt Lake City.
Because of Don's attention to detail, Hires Big H Drive-in has become famous for its sensational Big H, fresh cut fries, homemade onion rings, special dipping sauce and frosty mugs of root beer.
Alongside a successful man, there often stands a wonderful woman. Such is the case with Don Hale. Don married the beautiful Shirley Hickman in 1947. Shirley has supported Don in his many endeavors, assisting in the restaurants, particularly in the early days, by providing recipes and making sauces. Shirley happily raised four children and in many respects is the reason for any success the Hale family has achieved.
National and
Regional Acclaim
Hires Big H has proudly been mentioned in several national and regional reviews as one of our country's favorite drive-ins.
Female Foodie: Top 15 Burgers in Salt Lake City — Dec, 2017
OnlyInYourState: 11 Tasty Restaurants In Utah Out Of Towners Will Simply Love — Nov, 2017
2017 TOP 10 PLACES TO EAT IN SALT LAKE CITY — Dec, 2016
Deseret News: ABC's 'Nightline' follows Evan McMullin around the Salt Lake — Oct, 2016
Good4Utah: Wirth Watching- The Good Ole Days of Drive-Ins — Jun, 2015
MADE 4 UTAH: HIRES BIG H (abc4) — Aug, 2013
Food Network Magazine — Jun, 2013
USA TODAY - The Best Burgers in 25 Cities — Feb, 2013
Magazine features the 'best' in Utah - KSL 5 News — Jul, 2011
An Era Ends With Passing Of Big H: Deseret News — Jan, 2011
Hires Big H Founder Known For Work Ethic: The Salt Lake Tribune — Jan, 2011
Don Hale: Founder Of Hires Big H, Dies At Age 93: Deseret News — Jan, 2011
Big Half Century: Deseret News — Aug, 2009
Comfort Burgers: The Salt Lake Tribune — Jan, 2009
Road Food — Jun, 2007
Dining Out: Hires Big H — Feb, 2004
Big H Still Hot — Jan, 2004
Deseret News — Jun, 2002
Gourmet Magazine — Jan, 2002
Drive-Thru Classics: The Wall Street Journal — Sep, 2001