The "Havin' A Rosey Burger In Lititz" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Driving through the small town known as Lititz, Pennsylvania.  Lititz was voted the "Coolest Small Town in America" by readers of Travel Magazine in 2013.  It won the vote due to its charming and walkable small town flavor.  At times it is said to be the most unique place in the world!  Stroll down the quaint downtown streets, shop at some of Lancaster County's most charming shops,  and eat at some of the best little restaurants you will ever find.  Oh yeah...and don't forget to pick up a few Rosey Burgers which can be found on weekends at Rosey's Lunch wagon at the downtown square.  Some say there is a magic about the burgers with their secret ingredients.  And...they must be good since they have been around Lancaster County for over 100 years.  The iconic food trailer first opened in 1922 when Charles Rosenberg began making his iconic burgers in downtown Lititz.  But, Charlie Rosenberg was known for more than just hamburgers.  He traveled to carnivals and festivals up and down the East Coast selling his "Great Century Oil" as well as his "Rosenberg's Hair Tonic."  The Lancaster Newspaper said he would come home from carnivals with bags filled with "rolled-up money."  He had created a secret recipe that made his product cures for a wide variety of ills.  Rosenberg's tonics and liniments are no longer available today, but his "one of a kind" hamburgers can still be found at Rosey's Lunch in downtown Lititz on Saturday.  You can also find hot dogs and pork BBQ sandwiches every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  You can find Rosey's food trailer on North Broad Street near the entrance to Lititz Spring Park.  Rosey's Lunch began on July 4, 1922 when Charles Rosenberger's son, Arthur, put a food stand together and walked it in a wheelbarrow down to the square where he sold hot dogs and hamburgers.  Since then a few more generations of Rosenbergers, as well as non-family owners have sold the hot dogs and burgers.  

An early food wagon for selling Rosey's Lunch

At one time a wooden stand was built on top of a 1923 Studebaker while a 1948 Dodge van was converted to sell dogs and burgers.  Today Wally Ream runs the stand in Lititz.  If you happen to stop in Lititz on a Saturday, try to make a stop at Rosey's Lunch Wagon for a good meal.  

Another generation of food wagon.

Rosey's Lunch Wagon will more than likely be in the square in Lititz.  He now sells ice cream to go along with his burgers and hot dogs.  Burgers are $2, cheeseburgers are $2.50, hot dogs are $2.00 and pork BBQ's are $2.50. Sorry to say I couldn't find the price for the ice cream.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Lancaster Newspaper Photo of the current food wagon.