In its 66th year, Whitey’s burgers, chili still a big draw

by Laura Straub

Richfield’s iconic Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers celebrates 66 years in business in 2019. Over the decades, regulars, occasional customers, celebrities and diehard Whitey’s fans have stopped by for a drink and burger. Even more have tried the renowned chili, which is now made in Texas and distributed across the county.

But what has become an area legend had humble beginnings.

The Whitey’s legacy began as a leisurely drive. Harry R. “Whitey” Bigadza and his wife, Magdeline, would often spend Sunday afternoons cruising Cleveland Massillon Rd., and they always seemed to stop at Bob Norris’ tavern.

So in 1953, Whitey decided to lease the building from Norris, and Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers was born. Ten years later, he purchased the property.

Operating Whitey’s was a family affair. Whitey and Maggie were partners, and as they got older, their children pitched in too.

“My mother was behind the bar all the time when he was in the kitchen,’’ said Jon Bigadza, the son of Whitey and Magdeline. “That’s why they used to call it Maggie’s instead of Whitey’s.”

Whether patrons knew the tavern as Whitey’s or Maggie’s, the couple always had one focus, the customers.

“We were extremely fortunate, I will put our customers against anyone’s,” Jon said. “We have the nicest people that come and see us, and they support us through thick and thin.”

The construction of the Ohio Turnpike and the opening of the Richfield Coliseum meant more crowds at Whitey’s.

“When Whitey took over, he was open 24 hours a day,” said Jon. “The construction of the turnpike was going on. They were building truck terminals, and there was activity going on all day.”

The Richfield Coliseum opened in the mid-70s, ushering in a new era for the burger joint that included celebrity sightings.

“When Kareem Abdul Jabbar came in the restaurant,’’ said Jon, “I remember he came into the kitchen and was talking to my dad, who goes, ‘Do you want a burger?’ ”

Whitey was also a big fan of Joe Tait, radio voice of the Cavs. He became a close friend of the family.

According to Jon, regular customers had some of the best stories.

Jon remembers one Whitey’s regular coming in with the first prototype of what became G.I. Joe. When Maggie saw the 1 ½-foot, all white plastic toy, Jon said her response was, “What boy is going to play with dolls!”

 “The guy was a talent and no one even knew he lived here,” he said. “There’s a lot of extraordinary people in our town, I think we’re truly a hidden gem.”

Jon said that his secret to success is simple.

“We just try and do our best job every day,” he said. “We understand we can’t be everything to everyone, but my father always used to say, ‘Do a good job and the rewards will come.’”

Whitey’s accepts cash only, and for a good reason. “Maggie, she was an orphan, so my father decided to give a portion of his proceeds to an orphanage,” Jon said.

To this day, money that would be spent covering credit card fees is donated.

Whitey’s has made changes through the years.

“Every 10 years we try to do something to refresh the building,” Jon said. That included adding volleyball and a patio. Jon said he is looking at refreshing the front entrance and adding an air lock to minimize the draft for patrons on the south side of the bar.

Although he doesn’t have any special plans to celebrate the 66th anniversary, Jon said every day at Whitey’s is special for him, and he is already looking toward what to do when the restaurant celebrates 75 years.

Featured image photo caption: Three generations of Richfield patrons (and those from several other communities) recognize the bar at Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers, which has been in business for 66 years. Behind the bar (l-r) are bar manager Willie Anderson, owner Jon Bigadza and general manager Rob Shaffer. Photo by C. Wells