On any given weekend in the busy season, you’ll find Jerome, Arizona’s, Haunted Hamburger packed with tourists. They come to eat a Ghostly Burger, Haunted Burger (or the Double Haunted Burger), $17-$20, or to simply brag later to friends that they dined at a famous ghost town eatery.
So how did the restaurant get its ghostly reputation? Believe it or not, it started with missing hammers. Here’s the story, slightly edited, as it was presented on its first menu:
It all started years ago when Michelle and Eric Jurisin acquired the restaurant. The building, old and abandoned, was in need of great repair. That’s when the funny business began.
As with all old buildings, when inhabitants take initial occupation, from its walls come the spirits to observe, and sometimes greet the newcomers. The Haunted Hamburger spirits were no different. Not only were these spirits curious but possibly frustrated tradesmen from long ago as it was tools they liked to take. More specifically, hammers. Yes, hammers. One hammer, then two, then three hammers disappeared.
Was this a case of memory loss? At first, it was thought so until a prior owner asked the Jurisins if they had met the ghosts yet and to beware—they liked hammers! Shortly after this confirmation, the hammers began to reappear showing up in the most conspicuous places.
WHAT FOLLOWED NEXT was too “in your face” to ignore, says Eric. One day, in the middle of repairs, he remembered he needed to go upstairs to finish a project. Just as he reached the top floor, the door he was standing next to slammed, nearly smashing him in the face. You could argue a cross breeze was strong enough to slam a door. Except in this case, Eric had just sealed all of the building’s windows with thick plastic and tape to keep out the cold winter air.
Other odd occurrences that have frightened staff, owners and guests alike have included cans flying off shelves, the hot water being turned on in the middle of the night and distinct smells in the stairwell. Some photographs taken by guests have captured the vague image of a woman.
So, is the Haunted Hamburger truly haunted? Hang out for a while and see for yourself.
Oh, and the food is excellent.
##RVT1125
The first time I was in Jerome was 1952. It was a ghost town then, the newest in AZ. I can’t remember any operating businesses at the time.
At one place we saw an old man and we stopped to talk with him. He told us about the town and school.
It had the newest high school in AZ, only a years or two old, that was already closed. The rocky field we were sitting next to had been the football field. The old man said that before the first game started the entire two teams lined up on the 50 yard line, each teams members facing back-to-back and then walking toward the end zones throwing every rock larger than 6 inches off the field. I can’t vouch for the truth of the old man’s story, only for the fact that that was what he told my cousin and me. (It’s funny that I call him an “old man” because he was probably only about 60. That was 1952 and I was 17. I’m now 86 years old, I’m probably older now then he was then.
Great story, Sam. Thanks! Take care, and stay healthy. 🙂 –Diane
I believe you didn’t say WHERE this place is.
As Roseanne Roseanna Dana once said…….Nevermind!
OK, I won’t mind. And I’ll leave your comment and correction in, because as she also said, “It just goes to show ya. It’s always something. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.”😉😅 Have a great day, Larry. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
We visited Jerome several years ago and somehow missed this place. Nuts! We’re not going back.
And visit the old school. I personally encountered a ghostly image and felt the icy chill as it passed by me.
And I never believed in ghosts and even though I had this experience, I’m still not convinced.
We ate there this past spring. I didn’t know the place was really haunted! Some of the tables have absolutely beautiful views and I had one of the best hamburgers I’ve ever had. The whole town of Jerome was very interesting, and I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.
I was in Jerome years ago and don’t remember ever seeing this restaurant. Wish I had. My family would have loved to eat there. A memory to die for. Hint.
Thank you, Chuck! Have a great weekend!
We ate lunch there in June 2023. Very cool place and town. Didn’t see or feel any ghosts. We also visited the Old Gold Mine too. Wonderful scenery while riding the Harley.
Thank you for the tale, Chuck. Perhaps we will get there one day. In the meantime it is enough to be entertained by the story. Have a great weekend and safe travels!