Contributed by Amit Uppal
During my adolescent years, the concept of fast-food was fairly new. It caught up with us so fast and so deep that all of us youngsters soon began shunning home cooked food. All three meals had to be burgers, pizzas, fries, shakes, et al and we would save our measly pocket money to buy fast food. My favourites at the time were Wimpy’s Hamburger with Cheese and Chicken Nuggets. Wimpy’s other stuff, i.e. the pizzas, chicken drumsticks, vegetarian burgers and shakes used to be good too. I belong to Jalandhar and the city didn’t have too many fast food outlets in those days; Wimpy’s therefore was one of the few places we could eat as well as gossip about who’s going around with whom.
Sadly, over the years, Wimpy’s quality, service and worst of all, their attitude, has taken a nosedive. What used to be the best burgers I’ve ever eaten, have now become dry and lumpy, and the fries are soggy. I had last been to the Connaught Place outlet almost six months back and tried a hamburger, fries and a shake. Somehow, the burger didn’t have the same great taste and flavour. The fries were tasteless, and the shake, neither thick nor frothy, tasted more like milk mixed with sugar and some essence. I spoke with the manager and tried to find out why and what went wrong, but he didn’t have much to say.
This time, desperately hoping for change, Shefali and I ventured again to Wimpy’s Connaught Place outlet. As you enter the restaurant, you get a dingy, haunted feeling, as if you weren’t expected. The menu boards above the counter, half printed and half handwritten, give you an impression of apathy. The staff aren’t properly dressed or communicative. I asked for my favourite Hamburger with Cheese, and to my dismay I was told it wasn’t available because of a ‘technical reason’. I then settled for a Spicy Chicken burger, Fries and Coke. Shefali had a Chana Masala Burger and Fries. The Spicy Chicken Burger did not have the ‘spice’, as the name suggested and the bun felt a couple of days old. The Fries were soggy and smelled of burnt oil. The Chana Masala Burger was a wee bit better and had the right spices. Even the ketchup was wrong – I couldn’t taste any tomato in it!
This seems to be the trend with Wimpy outlets across India. I checked with one of my friends in Bangalore, and he echoes my experience at Wimpy’s. It appears therefore, the malaise has deeper roots and one outlet cannot be singled out for criticism. The company may wish to pull up its socks, reinvent, re-create, or shut shop.
Despite the let-downs in the past, I have always wanted to maintain my loyalty towards Wimpy’s. This time however, they’ve forced me to change. Perhaps KFC, McDonalds or some other such brand will now be my destination for fast food.
ed: front page photo is a stock photo and not of a Wimpy’s burger.
Hi Amit,
This is what I heard from a senior person working with Wimpy’s a few years ago. Wimpy’s owner left the country several years ago due to political reasons. Based out of the country, Wimpy’s management was put on the back-burner and hence the drop in standards at every level.
Also, one of the reasons for the loss of their outlet at the New Delhi railway station.
Sameer
Hi Sameer, thanks for the input. This definitely seems to have been the reason for their fall. the New Delhi Railway station outlet used to be one of my favorite ones. Have had many a meals there.
Hey ,
It’s been long I went to Wimpy’s . The last time I went I found Wimpy’s in pathetic condition . Now It’s seems they have gone worst from bad .
HI sir/madam, i would like to start a Wimpy’s franchisee in Agra. please let me know the investmnet , requirements and other details
Hi Guys, Sad to read this Review. I was one of the founding members of the Wimpy’s at CP and took great Pride in working in that organization. we had the best staff then and always used to give Nirula’s good competition. Our Work Ethics was the best, something that I even use it today. Lack of Funds. direction and motivation could be the reason for this downfall. In this days of Booming Indian Economy, no other reason seems to be logical. trust better sense will prevail and the management will re invent itself. My best Wishes to a Iconic New Delhi Restaurant.
@Santosh: I used to love it too; loads of associated childhood memories. Am with you in hoping it comes up… and Nirula’s too!
Hi,Santosh,
I also worked at Wimpy, at Cannaught Place in 1983-84, good nostalgia and felt elated to hear to be in the inaugaration group, I remember few names like Charu, Vasudha and Gags. One of our duty Manager by name Gadiok. This much I remember. I still remember how we would work at Make talble, Chip dump and Bun chute etc.
A trip down nostalgia lane .. had some great yimes at Wimpys in my college times. Bean burger was the only veg burger that i would ever like to order on days besides tuesdays
sad to see that wonderful institution gone to dogs