05/29/2026
Its signature U-shaped counter with only 15 stools has survived in appearance since the beginning. And it's where you might find yourself today celebrating National Hamburger day: Schlenkers "Same Schlenker’s Sandwich Shop - New Owners!"
Schlenker's sandwich shop was founded in 1927 by George M. Schlenker at 1104 E. Ganson St.
At the time, Ganson was still a dirt road and many of the now-lost Jackson staples, such as the Regent Café and Fairy Garden, were also just opening.
When George passed in 1947, his wife Bertha, son Robert, and daughter Karline (Gennety) took over. They ran the shop until it was sold to Daniel Shaughnessy in 1979. Before then, Shaughnessy was a Schlenker's regular.
In 1998 Schlenker's was taken over by the Fitzpatrick family who returned the restaurant more towards the old-style burger joint.
In 2018, the Fuller family (Nick and Tina Fuller of Fullers Chemdry and 1-800 Water Damage) purchased Schlenker's with the intention of switching their burgers back to 100% original beef. Today, Schlenkers-Fuller cooks and sells anywhere from 30-70 lbs. worth of fresh meat a day.
Thank you Schlenker's for serving Jackson since 1927.
This week’s Jackson history is brought to you by Auto-Owners Insurance and Walton Insurance Group.
