It may be hard to believe in an industry now dominated by McDonald’s, KFC and Burger King that there was once a different chain that ruled the fast-food roost.
And that chain was Wimpy - a pioneer which allowed the now-popular brands to flourish.
Whether it was a birthday party venue or a more frequent outing, Berkshire residents of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s would all have experienced some great times at their much-loved restaurants.
READ MORE: 1970s Wimpy menu's incredible prices
While their eateries do still exist, with a new outlet set to join Bracknell's Princess Square, our recent discovery of a 1970s menu got all of us reminiscing about Wimpy in its heyday.
Following a country-wide cull that saw thousands of Wimpys depart, including one on Oxford Road in Reading, it became much more difficult for locals to get their Wimpy Bender or Knickerbocker Glory fix.
It could be argued that this is a classic example of "you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone".
When responding to our Facebook post about the classic ‘70s menu, you delivered in providing us with some fantastic memories and favourite aspects of the once go-to burger joint.
We’ve picked out a few of our favourites from joyous times spent in those iconic red seats.
Val Evans: "I used to go to the West Street one on a Tuesday night with my girlfriends for a burger and chips. Then on to Top Rank nightclub after in Reading. Was such a fun night out! This would have been in 1978. The burgers had gone up significantly in price by then!"
Rachel Davies: "Remember I had my 5th birthday party at Wimpy 1989, miss it lol."
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Linda Hillsdon: "Loved their egg & chips."
David Brick: "Don't remember the Delta or Shanty, but so remember the International Grill."
Mark Palmer: "Still is one in Basingstoke. A lot of the old menu is still available (though not the old prices!) but they've moved with the times - some nice vegan and veggie options, too."
Dre Springer: "Best burgers and food, Reading sold out to McDonald's poison food. Bring Wimpy back."
Adrian Cairns: "Brings back fond memories, that and the Berni Inn."
Jenny Whyle: "Loved Wimpy!"
Mark Hill: "I used to love the Bender."
Susan Christine Wood: "Loved the Wimpy Grill."
Andrew James Alfred Perry: "Bring back the Wimpy Bar."
Danny D'Arcy: "My second job in '65 was a van boy helping the driver load & unload food for Wimpy bars all around the UK, based at Langley, opposite the Catholic girls school, great job, getting paid to travel around the country overnights and see towns & cities like Cambridge & Brighton, happy days."
Helen Spall: "Those red leather like seats in little booths are perfect for today. Easy to wipe down. And a bit of Perspex behind would fit with small socially distanced groups."
Lorna Beaton: "Fond memories of double egg and chips, best value meal when one only has pennies as a teenager."
Mitchell Davis: "In 2015 I went into a Wimpy Bar in Teddington, London. It brought back Memories of the '70s in Stratford Upon Avon Wimpy Bar and later '80s with a Drive Thru in Shirley High St, Solihull."
Christine Freeman: "Loved Wimpy back in the day."
James Coltart: "Wimpy was a treat a few times a year.... Shows how different the world is now. Best burgers ever."
Mick Andrews: "Loved a Wimpy..., toasted buns and the bender sausage."
Nicky Waters: "Miss Wimpy in Reading, me and my then boyfriend, now husband, used to meet in there every Saturday, good times."
David Suarez Grey: "Hopefully comes to Reading, love Wimpy especially the Derby doughnuts and whipped cream etc, tasty it was."
Colin Baker: "They don’t taste like they used to back in the '70s, totally different."
Mick Woodley: "Now you're talking, proper burger restaurant."
Colin Humphries: "West Street many a Saturday night in there."
Joey Condún: "Remember these when we were kids, most birthday parties ended up here."
Karen Capewell: "Knickerbocker glory!"
Karen Jacqueline Absolom: "Banana milkshakes!"
What do you remember about Wimpy? Let us know in the comments
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