3.12.09

KELLY'S HAMBURGERS



KELLY'S HAMBURGERS

Had several locations - such as Warwick Avenue by
Governor Francis Farms & Olneyville.

"A lot of us grew up hanging out there.

This is great stuff, it brings a tear to a grown man's eye!" - Greg Page

101 comments:

  1. We had one of these in New London on Coleman Street. My first evah fast food hamburger. They had great clam fritters too. McDonald's moved in across the street - the OLD style Micky's with about 4 tables in the joint. This wrecked Kelly's business. Later Burger King moved into Kelly's location after Kelly's floundered on for a few more years.

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    1. That's the one we used to go to in the mid sixties. I remember the "Rico Petrocelli Power Pack" being advertised on the radio. I also remember the McDonald's across the street, the burgers cost a few cents more but the national advertising gave them a better rep...

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    2. On my return from Vietanam (Swift Boats) I lived off base on Coleman Street, right down the street from McDonald's and Kelly's Burgers. I was a waiter at Don Pablo's Mexican Restaurant near by. Concur on Kelly's clam fritters...anyone have a good recipe for them?

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    3. Ahhhhhhh Kelly's. Yes the best in New London. Was a treat to go there with my parents. Then off to A&W down the street Good memories, one thing people can't take away from you.

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    4. Anyone remember Kelly's in Plainview ny long Island?

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    5. No, but growing up in the 1960's we lived in a 5 room apartment on the 2nd floor of a 3 family house at the corner of Mount Pleasant and Walden St.in North Cambridge,MA near Porter Square, and I remember there was a Kelly's Hamburgers at the corner of Rindge Ave. and Alewife Brook Pkwy. The teachers at the school I went to would take us there to eat. You could get Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers, Fish & Chips, Shakes, just about anything you wanted.

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    6. Yes there was a Kelly's hamburg on Taunton ave.in east.providence. i.worked there

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    7. I spent summers with my Aunt, Uncle and Grandmother on Connecticut Avenue in New London. I used to take my bike up to Kelly's on Coleman Street for a 15 cent burger on many occasions. Then, I'd play baseball in Morgan park.

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  2. My mother used to takes us kids to the Taunton Ave location in E. Providence every week in the early 70`s.

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    1. I used to go to the one on Broad st in providence near Central high-school it got turned into A MCDONALD'S AND IS STILL THERE

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    2. No, the Mickey Ds is where Lutz Eng. was, Kelly's was next doo, where the Asian market is, same building. If you remember the decor, you can tell it was a Kelly's.

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    3. I grew up on the east side of Providence North main Street pleasant Street used to go to that Kelly's next to the armory on North main Street all the time they had to kill a apple turnovers. That was owned by the Kelly family they lived on pleasant Street they also own Kelly's Sunoco down across the street from the Marriott.

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    4. I remember the one on rte 44 East Providence as a child. It is now a Burger King.

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    5. I went to East Providence High School - basically across the street. A lot of kids went over at lunchtime. But it was a hang out place for us. I graduated in 72.

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  3. We also had a "Kelly's Hamburgers" in Norwich CT. One evening Boston Red Sox shortstop Rico Petrocelli made a guest appearance (turns out that he was a part owner.

    Bill Connor
    Smyrna, Delaware

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  4. I walked by the Kellys on North main St. in Providence every Saturday on the way home from Sullivan's Bowling lanes. I'd stop and buy clam cakes or a cheeseburger and a shake, all for less than 25 cents.

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    1. Remember going to the lanes on Saturday to bowl. Across the street was a Howard Johnson's restaurant and then The Ground Round. Next to the bowling lanes was Anderson Little and the Sear's (it was a 2 level store). on the other side was the drive in movie.

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  5. Kelly's also had a location in olneyville on Hartfiord Avenue, where Burger King is today behind the gas station... Fond memories...

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    1. Yes that's the one I remember in olneyville, I used to love going there as a kid, it's now a burger king, seems like a few that I've heard of are now burger kings I wonder if that's who bought Kelly's out

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  6. I'm fairly certain the was a Kelly's situated on Taunton Ave in East Providence (RI), right where a Burger King stands today.

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    1. I remember when that Kelly's opened. It was the first 15 cent hambuger place I ever saw. We had a choice of a hambuger or a wiener for the same price. :)

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    2. Yes you are absolutely right we used to go to Kelly's hamburgers years before Burger King even existed Rite in East Providence on Taunton Avenue so long ago the good old days East Providence Rhode Island

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    3. Yes you are right and right across the street was Warwick Shoppers World Newport Creamery and Ames department store my father would buy a bag of burgers for $1 so long ago miss those days

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  7. in the mid 60's...or so... we used to scavenge the parking lot around the old auditorium for loose change (perhaps after a patron or two had a brew too many)so we could go to kelly's for a burger and fries... those WERE the days,
    dave meyers
    formerly of tenth street..

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  8. ANYONE REMEMBER THE LEMON ICE STAND ON PEQUOT AV NEXT TO WHERE STASHES CAFE IS TODAY? WE'D GO THERE AFTER CRABBING ACROSS THE STREET BY NEW LONDON MILLS FACTORY,USED TO GET BLUESHELL CRABS BY THE BUSHEL FROM THE THAMES RIVER IN CT.

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  9. anybody know the name of the nightclub @ the shipyard in the '60's ?

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  10. I'm not sure about Rico Petrocelli owning any of Kelly's. My ex wife's family, the Ryan's of Providence owned it. My ex was in the commercials and I still have a few Kelly's pencils.

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    1. Was Kelly's a national chain or was it just a RI enterprise?

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    2. Tony Ryan was my dad's boss. I was in a parade in probably '67 or '68 in the Kelly's float (which was my dad's Mustang).

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    3. Was a Kelly's on Broad St in Providence

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    4. yes it was the Ryan,s, dermatologist if i remember, my dad cut his lawn at the end of double lane 2 blocks over from Black Stone Blvd. nice guy i still have the 38 Lionel Train set, layout 8x16, he gave my dad for me at 12. My first burger eats place 5 CENT BURGERS, 10 CENT CHEESE BURGERS. I took out his chain link fence while home on leave after grad S.E.A.L. training.

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  11. I remember Kelly's on Main Street, used to stop there and eat grilled cheese sandwiches after delivering the newspapers.

    I'd give my right arm to have that taste again...bittersweet...

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  12. I can remember going to Kelly's Hamburgers with my parents as a kid in the late 1960's. There was one in Cambridge, Massachusetts across from where the current Alewife T stop is today. This place was also a drive in with girls who would bring the food out to your car.

    Does anyone remember this?

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    1. Yes, as a kid we hopped onto the side of freight trains and road along what is now the Minuteman Bikeway to Kelly's

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    2. There were Kelly's hamburger places in Somerville Massachusetts as well as Malden Massachusetts because I remember my mother taking me and my siblings there back in the 60s

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  13. I remember going to Kelly's Hamburgers with my family in the late 60's on Grand Army Highway Rt 6 Somerset Ma. Today I drove by the Pizza Hut thats there now and told my wife that thats were I would be eating right now! "If it was still a Kelly's Hamburger!!!"

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    1. Same Kellys restaurant that my father would make beleive the car would not go past without pulling in..next to the GOB SHOP...LOW PRICE LENNY...LOL WITH THE KAZOO

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    2. My mom used to take us there after the last day of school. I miss that old red building. My brother cried all day when it burnt down.

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  14. The one in Norwich is now a Dunkin Donuts. I still remember the red and white exterior and the fries that came in a little box like you get at a carnival. Just a sweet distant memory from the twilight of my life gone like burger chef.

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    1. ya but before it was dunkin ds it was the tiki garden who knows what went on behind those doors lol

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  15. I remember Rico P. at Kelly's on N. Main St. To make an exit he threw out a baseball and when the kids went for it, he jumped in a car and sped off. Hey Dave Meyers of 10th Street, it's Steve Seddon of Eleventh Street. Remember me?

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  16. I woeked at kelly's hamburgers in Warwick in 1969. John Greene was the manager, George D'saia and Bob Petty were the district managers. Some of the employees that I worked with Bob Small, Jim Sprague,Ron Fargnoli,Dennis Gallant, Bob Roque, Steve Abrahamson, Paul Tognetti, Jimmy martin. I remember Bozo the Clown came one day.

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    1. Where was it located ??? On Warwick Ave near Governer Francis Farms ??? Thanks

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    2. I believe Kelly's was the restaurant my father always took me to when I was a young boy. I remember they had a hamburger sauce that was delicious.. do you recall what it was ? john.marsten1@gmail.com

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    3. I believe Kelly's was the restaurant my father always took me to when I was a young boy. I remember they had a hamburger sauce that was delicious.. do you recall what it was ? john.marsten1@gmail.com

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    4. Yes, it was on Warwick Ave near GFF. I think an A&W had preceded it there, and after it closed, they built a bank branch there. I worked there in 1972 and John, George, Bob S, Jim, Steve A, and Paul were still there. I think Bob P had been replaced by Pat (Patrick) by then. Also working there then were Pat (Patricia), Darla, and Pete.

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  17. ahhh, this is the old burger place that had a burger called the "topper" like a BK whopper wasn't it ?

    I used to like going there as a kid and getting the grown up burgers when I was about 5. and am 43 now... o.O

    also, does anyone recall there being one on elmwood avenue on public right near potters ?

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    1. the Topper was their signature "large" burger Yes !!

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  18. Kelly's hamburgers was in Lowell,Mass. area where I still live now.we had two of them in the city.I did not know that it was a national franchise restaurant.I only thought it was local.There is a Kelly's hamburgers restaurant inTexas but I don't think it is part of the old Franchise restuarant.

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  19. I worked at the Warwick"s Kelly's in 67 for John Greene, who was also my next door neighbor. I have so many fond memories there. I went to Pilgrim High School while working there, and my group of friends, mostly surfers hung out there. It was a great place to socialize and work all at once, when not working it was our hangout. John was a good boss and friend.

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    1. Remember eating there as a young boy.. the hamburger sauce was to die for... do you know what it was ? john.marsten1@gmail.com

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    2. Remember eating there as a young boy.. the hamburger sauce was to die for... do you know what it was ? john.marsten1@gmail.com

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    3. We had a great time hanging out there.

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    4. The hamburger sauce was cum, that's why you liked it so much

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  20. My dad worked at the N. Main St. location sometime in the late 60's, was just telling me a couple nights ago about hockey players from the auditorium trying to pay for burgers with Canadian money.. and making a few extra bucks from hockey fans park in the lot (he was adamant that it was not on purpose.. "here kid, we'll back for a burger in a few"). And there's still no parking there.. my buddy owns the Penalty Box bar which is still in the original location.

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  21. I remember Kelly's in Olneyville. They sponsored a team in the Olneyville Little League and would also give you a free hamburger for A's on your report card. I also remember the North main Street one, but not the others

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    1. I remember that one in Olneyville. We used to go there after shopping at the Star Market across the street. We had a lot of fun feeding french fries to the seagulls.

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  22. Can someone please settle a question? Was there ever a Kelly's in Groton, CT? I say no, but some say there was one for a while where Topsy's used to be. Please be the referee.

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  23. The Kellys I remember was at the end of Elm St. in Gardner, MA, across from Mister Donut. I recall they had their own version of a Big Mac called "The Topper". The bun must have been about 8 inches around! Good stuff! This was between 1968 and 1970. Used to eat lunch there often while a student at Mount Wachusset Com Col. Ah memories....

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  24. My dad was a manager when I was a little girl. The one in EP and I think the one in Somerset, MA.
    We knew Rico Petrocelli very well.
    They also had really good clam cakes.
    The Topper was HUGE (but I was a kid)

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    1. I went to the EP location for a treat with my mom after shopping at ZAYRE across the street of Warwick Shoppers world behind the store....your dad have anything from there?

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  25. I was an assistant manager at Kelly's in the early seventies on North Main Street and Smithfield Avenue. I met my wife in the north Main Street store.

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    1. North Main next to the Arena??

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    2. I was also an assistant manager at Kelly's on North Main Street and Smithfield Avenue in the early sevevties. I also met my wife while working in the North Main store. How ironic is that ?

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  26. Was the Kelly`s on No. Main in Prov next to the RI Auditorium?

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    1. Yes. I would run over after a high school hockey game and grab a burger, fry,and drink for 50 cents. Then run to make the fan bus back to Burrillville.

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  27. I remember the sandwich called the TOPPER

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  28. They used to give out Super Balls when you punched a card they gave you

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    1. That would probably be forbidden today; choke hazard.

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  29. I worked at a Kelly's on N. Main in Providence, RI in either 1964 or 1965. I hated it. I could smell the fries and burgers cooking and couldn't eat any except for my dinner break. I was pretty good on the grill, but terrible at the window.

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  30. There was a Kelly's on Broad St in Providence, down near Central High School, next to the Dunkin' Donuts. They turned it into a McDonalds. There was one on Warwick Ave also, near Gov Francis shopping center, they tore it down to put up a bank, the bank used to be People's.

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  31. We had a Kelly's on Walton Way in Augusta, GA

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    1. 1962 I worked there was married and in the Army lived close by Great food an Great place to work..

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  32. We used to have two Kelly's hamburger's restaurants in Lowell,Mass.I heard that the franchise closed down because of the hamburgers were being made out of horsemeat.

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  33. I remember getting the cheese sandwiches on a roll for $.15 each.

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  34. I remember getting grilled cheese on the roll for $.15.

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  35. There was one in Savannah GA in the 193260. I had no idea it was a franchise.

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  36. Fresh Pond in Cambridge Ma. Had a Kellys, the best fries and burgers

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  37. There was a Kelly's in Bristol during the early 70s. Building is still there as Agave Restaurant. Was the Topside for many years.

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    1. Yep ate a lot of Toppers there.

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  38. There was one in Springfield MA in the 60's

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  39. Kelly's, home of the TOPPER!... any coincidence that Burger Kings is now where Kelly's used to be and they sell the WHOPPER?? Those Toppers were delicious!...Whoppers, not so much....

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  40. Kellys in Springfield, Mass I beleive it was next to Channel 40 or real close to it. I remember walking in going up one or two steps to the counter to place your order, then getting a tray of burgers then going to your left up two or three steps into the dinning room. mid to late sixtys

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  41. Kellys in Springfield, Mass I beleive it was next to Channel 40 or real close to it. I remember walking in going up one or two steps to the counter to place your order, then getting a tray of burgers then going to your left up two or three steps into the dinning room. mid to late sixtys

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  42. The sign said Kelly's 5¢ Hamburgers near the RI Auditorium.
    Parked one time in the sloping lot and my father's 1960 Ford slid down sideways two spaces on the ice!
    Lucky it didn't hit anything.

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  43. Yes, Kelley's was next to Channel 40 in Springfield. As a 8-year old in 1968, I remember meeting Rico Petrocelli and getting his autograph there. Great food - loved the chocolate milkshakes!

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  44. I worked in the East Providence location as well as Govennor Francis, Farms, South Providence. My dad sold advertising for WPRO TV and that is how I got the job through the owner, Tony Ryan. One of the unique things about Kelly's was we served clam cakes as well as french fries. They also served hot dogs. It was the first place I ever saw a micro wave oven.

    One summer I even worked on the maintenance crew, traveling from store to store painting trash cans and staining the wooden decks that many of the stores had. My brothers and I even appeared in TV ads because all they had to do was feed us.

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  45. I worked at Kellys in New London, CT in 1962!

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  46. I remember hiking to the Kelly's on Warwick Ave.,on a Saturday morning to see Rico Petrocelli. He was standing on a flatbed truck signing autographs. He tried on my brand new Spaulding fielder's glove but didn't sign it for some reason. Oh well. Kelly's had the best vanilla shakes on the planet.

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  47. Kelly's Hamburgers...such a memory of my childhood. Last time I was there it was the one in Bristol, RI back in 1975.

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  48. Went to the Kelly's in Norwich alot back in the day. Seemed like it did well at the time.Im 62 now it was just around the corner from Vocuturas

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  49. Used to go to the Kelly's in Olneyville every Saturday after the Boys Club. $1.00 for a burger, fries and drink! The good old days!

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  50. I worked at the one on Taunton Ave in East Prov between 1968 and 1971. Near the Wampanoag mall location.

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  51. Did they have a name for there fish sandwich??

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  52. The Kelly's in Lowell (Chelmsford St) was simply a franchise failure. It did not close because of the silly horsemeat rumor. I knew the people well there. The expanded building is still there and is now a subshop.

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  53. As a little kid, I lived in Olneyville (Providence R.I.) and long before I knew of Macdonald's I went to Kelly's where you could get two regular burgers french fries and a strawberry shake for under a buck (early 60's)

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  54. Do you remember why they closed

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  55. Found out they had horse meat in burger but they were good 👍

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