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A couple of years ago while traveling home to Wisconsin from the West, we had lunch at a "Happy Chef" restaurant in Cedar Rapids. "Happy Chefs" used to feature huge outdoor fiberglass statues of the chef himself, but they're gone now. So I asked the waitress, "Where's the Happy Chef cemetery? . . . figuring they'd been moved and abandoned somewhere. She said she didn't know where most of them were but did know what happened to "ours."
She said, "He's an umpire now!" and went on to explain that the little town of Ryan, Iowa, purchased the chef and morphed him into an umpire to stand in the outfield of the municipal ballpark.
We traveled a little east, then north on state highway 13 to Ryan where, indeed, we found the fellow. The former Happy Chef has doffed his chef's toque in favor of a bill-backwards cap and a "wire" facemask. And, his white suit has been repainted to a gray suit and chest protector. He's dropped the wooden spoon he used to hoist in his right hand and now holds up his index finger to signal "You're OUT." What a great second career.
[E. Pearson, 05/22/2000]Happy Chef - Now an Umpire:- Address:
- Main St., Ryan, IA
- Directions:
- At the far western end of Main St. Take Hwy 13 to Ryan, turn west into town, drive three blocks and turn onto Howard St. After three blocks, turn west onto Main St.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
Chimney Sweep is visible from I-35
[dottecom, 06/26/2018]The billboard behind him advertises a stone landscaper, so this former Happy Chef-turned-chimney-sweep may be headed for another career change.
Happy Chef - Chimney Sweep:- Address:
- I-135, McPherson, KS
- Directions:
- I-135, southbound side, between mileposts 57 and 56.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
The Happy Chef is looking good on I-135 South. Seems to enjoy his new career as a chimney sweep.
[Jen Bee, 07/17/2014]Since the Happy Chef is rapidly disappearing, I was gratified to find one reborn as a chimney sweep at M.P. 54/55 on I-135 in Kansas - just south of McPherson and near a turn-off to a place called Elyria.
[J.D. Taylor, 05/18/2004]- McPherson, Kansas - Happy Chef - Chimney Sweep
Large Chimney sweep on the side of I-135 between Wichita and McPherson Kansas. Used to be a large baker with a wooden spoon poised in front of a greasy spoon in McPherson, KS. Bought and renovated into a chimney sweep a couple of years ago.
[Mike, 09/09/2001]
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Nathan Forrider sent us a photo in August 2002.