Bartels Giant Burger - The Community Comes Out to Honor Carole & Dennis Bartel
- Jerry Sanchez, Sr.
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 24 hours ago
Do you remember that mid ‘70s Rod Stewart song, with the following, very apropos, lyric: “Young hearts be free tonight, time is on your side?” The song, titled "Young Turks", featured high school sweethearts escaping from their somewhat staid Ohio environs for the excitement and riches that were California.
Ditto for Dennis and Carole Bartels, also high school sweethearts in Nebraska who, like the lovebirds in Stewart’s ditty, ventured away from the Cornhusker state in a 1940 Ford Pickup, via Auburn, Scotts Bluff, and Lincoln for, you guessed it, the excitement and riches of California!
Landing in California’s Bay Area, and enjoying every second that the Golden State had to offer, the time seemed to go so fast and, before you know it, the Bartels found themselves in Redding, California, in 1967. “We loved the slower pace, the mountains (Mt. Shasta!), the river, the people,” Carole said, “and Redding was so close to other inviting things, with the beach to the west, even northward throughout Siskiyou County, a stone's throw from the entrance to the mighty Pacific Northwest,” Carole was wont to say.
Eight years later, in 1975, and with the encouragement of Dennis’ brother, Don, the Bartels took that proverbial “Leap-of-Faith” and opened a simple hamburger stand on Redding’s Bechelli Avenue, just south of Cypress Avenue and across the street from the Country Bowl. “We just wanted to serve a really good, old-fashioned GIANT Burger,” Carole recalls her husband, Dennis, saying, “And using fresh ingredients, plus French fries, milkshakes, soft drinks, and serving it with a Shasta County friendly smile.”
Then in 1976, barely a year later and in the midst of celebrating America’s bicentennial, the Bartels opened their second Bartels GIANT Burger on Redding’s Lake Boulevard. Then, in 1977, the Bartels completed a trifecta, acquiring their third Bartels GIANT Burger on Anderson’s Balls Ferry Road, which later relocated to Anderson’s North Street. At one time, a Bartels GIANT Burger was even on Eureka Way, across from the Shasta High School, although that spot has housed a string of different restaurants since.
Today, more than 50 years later, Bartels GIANT Burger has locations on Anderson’s North Street, in downtown Corning just off Interstate 5, and on Redding’s Lake Boulevard, its busiest location. “Just at our Lake Boulevard location, not including Anderson and Corning, I’m estimating that we’re puttin’ out 800 regular and GIANT hamburgers a week, which comes to an astounding forty-one thousand plus a year,” exclaimed Jonny, who’s been with Bartels GIANT Burger for 30 years, first in maintenance, then transitioning to cook.
Here, dear reader, we offer comments from four people who’ve long been associated with (and consumed!) Bartels GIANT Burger:
Trish Clarke - Bartels in Anderson was the first business we patronized, in March of 1977, when we moved to Shasta County! Since then, it is the closest I get to fast food. I have worked with Dennis and Carole on everything positive going on in Shasta County all these years—business, great community members, and best friends.
Clarke continues: Bartels GIANT Burger has always been the first choice for the quick lunch between a break while I was on the Shasta County Board of Supervisors or in the City of Anderson on my days as Mayor—and Councilmember for the City of Anderson. Nothing better than an order to go while planning a Chamber of Commerce Parade. Never put a fundraiser together in the last 50 years without Bartels GIANT Burger certificates, or planned a parade without the Bartels wagons and horses. Oh, so many memories! They continue to be a part of the Frontier Senior Center’s success and activities in the Anderson community, and they strongly support the Anderson Fire Protection District.
Authur Gorman - My grandmother worked at Bartels GIANT Burger during its early years, including at the Anderson location on North Street and the spot off Hilltop Drive on Lake Boulevard. She brought dedication and ❤️ heart to everything she did behind the counter. I learned so many life lessons watching her cook burgers, fries and making milkshakes. Bartels was a true community hub where you really got to know the person making your food.
Gorman continues: The burgers were high-quality and tasted like nothing else. I’d watch her carefully as the blood would rise to the top at just the right moment, then she’d flip them perfectly, add the cheese and all the fixings, and present a wonderful meal that brought people joy. It wasn’t just a job for her—it gave her real satisfaction from doing it well. She networked with customers in that warm, local atmosphere, took pride in her work, and taught others how to cook, clean, and serve with a true servant’s heart. Grandma showed us that with hard work and dedication, you can do anything you set your mind to.
Dale Ball - I have known the Bartels family for over 45 years. They are a very hard-working “community-oriented” family. They have a great business that’s persevered through good times and bad. What keeps me coming back, if I’m in Corning, Anderson, or north Redding, is great food with dedicated employees.
Carole Bartels - Dennis and I would like to thank our many local customers for all their business over the past 50-plus years. We have been blessed with many hard-working employees all these years. Without their good service and good food, our businesses would not have been so successful. We plan to provide “old-fashioned quality” food and service in the years to come! Thank you, Shasta and Tehama counties, and the entire North State.
Haven’t tried a Bartels GIANT Burger yet? Just call the Anderson location at 530-365-5300, the Corning location at 530-824-2788, or the Redding location at 530-243-7313 and order yours to go. And, yes, if you can’t imagine finishing a GIANT burger, they’ve got regular burgers, too. Either way, you’ll be a happy camper.
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