A fair proportion of us grit our teeth and bear working life whilst dreaming of putting our feet up at retirement, although of course that dream seems to be making a break for the horizon where Millennials, Gen Z and incoming generations are concerned.
Some of us, however, can’t imagine a life without work. That was certainly the case for Bill Elwell who sadly passed away at 98 on 21 July 2025. Despite being well into his ninth decade, Elwell never retired from his burger joint on Oxnard Street, Los Angeles.
Branded a ‘legend’ by Eater.com, Elwell’s roster of fans and loyal customers was developed over several decades of hard work at the grill. Those fans are now determined to honour his legacy.
"It’s the quintessential small business," said Steve Balding, who had been buying burgers from Elwell since 1981. "A very small place with a very old griddle with an old man back there with a spatula."
Balding described how Elwell would flip burgers from the crack of dawn to the early afternoon, whatever the weather. He maintained an antique till, and his griddle was notably old school as well with some theorising that it dates back to the 1930s.
Over the decades, Elwell maintained a simple menu and a work ethic that had him flipping burgers in person during his final days.
"You couldn’t get French fries or a fountain drink,” said Balding. It was always 'chips and soda.' There’s no deep fryer in there; just bags of chips and cans of Coke."
Bill’s Burgers, Elwell’s store for 60 years, first opened in 1965. His burgers were always made with local, lightly-seasoned beef, American cheese, onions and lettuce, and this back-to-basics style struck a chord with locals for over half a century.
"This is my third time," said Katia Stewart, a burger fan interviewed in line by NBC4 Los Angeles. "It just tastes so good. I don’t know what it is. I’m guessing it’s fresh ingredients."
Despite the incredible innings Elwell played behind the counter, it seemed he didn’t make a big deal out of his tenure or his burger shop’s longevity. Stewart reportedly said she was scarcely aware that Elwell was the proprietor, let alone that he was still working through his 90s.
Fans, such as Balding, are hoping that Bill’s Burgers will remain open in his absence. He left behind an extensive family of adult children and grandchildren and fans hope they will keep the doors open at Bill’s Burgers.
"It’s been around forever," said Balding. "I hope it stays around for a bit longer."
For now, at least, the shop remains open Monday to Friday until 4pm.
Featured Image Credit: Gregory Nameth/Google ImagesTopics: US Food, Social Media, News, Fast Food
Rachael Davis