13 S Brooksville Ave

Pete’s Hamburgers

In the warm, bustling spirit of Brooksville, the places that fed the town’s residents were more than just spots to grab a meal—they were the glue of community life. Among these cherished haunts, one stands out like a perfectly grilled patty: Pete’s Hamburgers, a small but mighty eatery that dished out burgers so unforgettable folks still talk about them decades later. From the 1950s to 1970, Pete’s was the heart of Brooksville’s food scene, serving up flavors and memories that nourished both body and soul. Let’s flip open the menu of the past and dig into the story of Pete’s, the little joint that left a big mark.

Picture Brooksville in the 1950s, a time when downtown was alive with the clatter of soda fountains and the hum of classic cars. Tucked into a modest spot—near the old City Hall on Main Street—Pete’s Hamburgers was a beacon for hungry locals. Pete, a virtuoso of the grill, had a knack for turning simple ingredients into magic. His secret? As Joe Weeks of Week’s Hardware Store once said, “You could travel all over the world, but you wouldn’t find a better burger than Pete’s.” He’d grind soda crackers into the beef, add a splash of Wesson Oil, and season it with heaps of salt and pepper. Some swore he tossed in grilled tomatoes and crushed apples, too. The bun? Buttered and toasted to golden perfection on the grill. Every bite was a symphony of flavor, making Pete’s a legend in a league of its own.

Pete’s wasn’t a big place—just a cozy nook where the aroma of sizzling patties drew you in—but it was a giant in Brooksville’s heart. Teens piled in after school, their laughter mingling with the jukebox’s rock ‘n’ roll. Families stopped by for a quick supper, and workers grabbed a burger to fuel their day. The late Joe Weeks wasn’t alone in his praise; older locals, even now, rave about those burgers, their eyes lighting up as they recall the taste 50 years later. A photo from the era captures Sheriff Cobb standing across the street in front of the 1950s City Hall, with Pete’s Hamburgers proudly in the background, a testament to its place in daily life.

But Pete’s was more than a burger joint—it was a slice of Brooksville’s quirky charm. Pete ran a shoe repair shop right out of the restaurant, hammering soles while flipping patties, a multitasking marvel that added to the place’s character. And here’s a juicy tidbit: In 1932, none other than Babe Ruth, the Yankee legend himself, swung by while getting his luxury car serviced at the local dealership after a fishing trip in Bayport. The Sultan of Swat grabbed a hot dog from Pete’s, a moment that locals still recount with pride. That brush with fame only added to Pete’s allure, making it a spot where history and hamburgers collided.

New research digs deeper into Pete’s legacy. A 2024 Hernando Sun article reveals that Pete’s Hamburgers operated from a building that later housed other eateries, including a short-lived diner in the 1980s and a coffee shop in the 2000s, none of which matched Pete’s magic. Local historian Andrea Read notes that the site’s proximity to the old City Hall made it a hotspot for courthouse workers and shoppers, cementing its role as a community anchor. Posts on the Brooksville History Facebook group share memories of Pete’s hand-cut fries and homemade ketchup, with some claiming his recipe was a closely guarded secret passed down from his mother.

Pete’s Hamburgers was a stage for Brooksville’s stories. Teens flirted over milkshakes, their sneakers tapping to Chuck Berry. Parents savored a rare night out, splitting a burger with their kids. Even Babe Ruth’s hot dog added a dash of stardust to the menu. The shoe repair corner, with its whiff of leather and polish, was a quirky touch that made Pete’s feel like home. Although the restaurant closed in 1970, its legacy endures in the tales shared at local diners or posted online, where people recall the crunch of those cracker-infused patties or the buttery bun that melted in their mouths.

Citations

Brooksville History. (2025). Community Memories of Brooksville’s Historic Businesses. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/brooksvillehistory

Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. (n.d.). Vote in Honor of a Vet. Retrieved from https://www.hernandovotes.gov

Hernando Sun. (2024). Pete’s Hamburgers: A Brooksville Legend. Retrieved from https://www.hernandosun.com

Old Brooksville in Photos and Stories. (July 2023). Volume 302: Pete’s Hamburgers. Retrieved from https://www.oldbrooksville.org

Old Brooksville in Photos and Stories. (March 2021). Volume 274: Babe Ruth at Pete’s. Retrieved from https://www.oldbrooksville.org

Old Brooksville in Photos and Stories. (March 2018). Volume 238: Babe Ruth’s Bayport Trip. Retrieved from https://www.oldbrooksville.org