The Last Great American Diner Lives On in the Thumb (For Now)

Lexington — Everything in this town screams “lakeside haven.” The pastel buildings. How Huron Avenue leads down to a marina dotted with little shops for tourists selling fudge, clothing, and gifts.

But also along Huron, nestled in between tourist traps, is a slider and hot dog diner called Wimpy’s Place, which is authentic not only for its atmosphere and food, but because of the unique personalities that have shaped it.

The diner hasn’t changed a bit. There’s almost nothing in it that would be out of place from the 1990s or early aughts at the latest—the only exception being a newer TV mounted on the wall above the bar seating.

Wimpy’s serves breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs, with a smattering of other meals and sides. Everyone comes for the burgers and the dogs, though. The hamburgers are small sliders, so you can eat two or even three.

Wimpy’s has carryout specials: six coney dogs, six cheeseburgers, or six burgers. Order ahead, pick them up, and go to the beach. It’s as easy as it is delicious.

The meat is hot, salty, and lacy between two pillowy steamed buns. The burgers are so good that my daughter still talks about them weeks after she had two. You can see the employees dropping the meat on the griddle as soon as you order.

Amazingly, cheeseburgers only cost $2.99 each. A double cheeseburger is $4.49. Try both with fries and a drink and it’s still cheaper than McDonald’s, and a whole lot tastier.

The fries are hot—add your own salt at the table. A hand-written sign says there are no refills on drinks, but a server got me one anyway. All of the staff were nice.

Wimpy’s owner Jim Gresock is a polarizing figure in town. Some people love his sarcasm and over-the-top attitude, but others find him rude and obnoxious, at least according to Facebook comments about his business on one Lexington group.

When I visited, Jim was making jokes and telling people what to do. Not seriously, but in good fun. It’s like getting a great dinner and a free show—but you might be subject to scrutiny.

I’ve spent a lot of time around people like Jim, who seem really gruff on the outside, but when you get to know them, they’re total softies who just want the best for the people around them.

To the thin-skinned, Jim’s jokes are something to be avoided. People named Kathy have called him rude and snarky on the internet.

No—Wimpy’s Place is not for those who can’t take a small joke at their expense. It’s also not for those with food allergies or complicated dietary preferences. What you see is what you get. It’s unfussy.

Between the corporate wastes and social media shun campaigns, it might be the only place left that still serves up personality with its sliders. But it might not last that long.

I heard that Jim has sold the business, but it’s taking a long time to get someone else to do the work to keep it running. So go now to get the full experience before Jim is gone.

Get six burgers for the beach or sit down with the kids before the thin-skinned crowd descends on what will remain of Wimpy’s Place.