Feltner’s Whatta-Burger: A beloved landmark in Russellville will soon be under new management

Russellville, Arkansas – The same family has owned this popular burger shop in Arkansas since the 1960s. It has gained recognition over the years.

One of the mainstays of the Russellville neighborhood is Feltner’s Whatta-burger.

“It is more than just a burger; it is something unique,” stated Missy Ellis, the proprietor and daughter of Bob Feltner, the original owner.

Bob Feltner founded Feltner’s Whatta-Burger, a restaurant that epitomizes Russellville and is located on the corner of Hwy 7 and E. Oak Street.

“He had a little burger place on El Paso which used to be the state highway,” Ellis said. “He had heard rumors that it might be moved to this location. This is where I want to put a hamburger shop, he added, as he counted automobiles on a gravel road while sitting in a lawn chair in the parking lot. Thanksgiving Day 1967 was inaugurated there, marking the beginning of the dream.

It took off, according to his daughter Missy Ellis, and her husband Randy Ellis.

Ellis remarked, “Oh yeah, they came in, mud and all.” “A 46-cent burger cost. For less than $1, you could purchase a drink, fries, and a burger.

They had no idea that a legacy from Russellville was about to begin, but Mr. Feltner, the guy behind the grill, had the key.

“He knew exactly what he wanted, when he wanted to do it, how he wanted to do it, and he always told us to buy a good product to put out a good product,” stated Ellis. “Never use inexpensive ingredients. That’s what we’ve always been taught.

But they also said that it was a work of love for his neighborhood, in addition to being a high-quality product.

Ellis remarked, “Oh yeah, he loved it here.” “He cherished being of service to others. He would feed anyone who was in need. He would go and help the tech students if they got into problems. He was just that way. He was a really generous person.

Ellis claimed that they had never needed to promote and that her father had always favored simplicity, all the way down to the cup that your drink is served in.

“He never thought we needed our name on the cup,” Ellis replied. “He kept things rather simple, because that cup will wind up on the side of the road. And it was successful? It was successful.
And he was right—some people must visit Russellville if they are passing through because they come in for lunch every day like clockwork.

“Bill Clinton came because he said he loved our fries,” stated Ellis. “I can’t recall the name of the country western artist we had, but she arrived in the most gorgeous bus. We were all in disbelief when our eyes grew enlarged. Like everyone else, she entered and placed her order. Jones enters and sits down to dinner with his spouse. He asks for a double double and is a really pleasant chap. We are aware of his interests.

Over the course of the last fifty years, Whatta-Burger has established a reputation for itself. The walls of the restaurant display trophy after award, a testament to the family’s achievements and memories.

“Dad never wanted us to claim supremacy in anything. You never do that, he said. We just want to bring out a nice burger, so you just keep working and never declare you are the best,” Ellis said.

Missy and Randy worked with her father for a number of years until his death in 1997.
Following his passing, the two carried on operating the eatery, guaranteeing the heritage of Feltner’s and its founder would be preserved.

However, they just decided to close this chapter of the restaurant’s history.

“That’s what he wanted us to do,” Ellis remarked. “He desired that none of us give up. We had no one to take over, which is why selling was such a difficult decision. We wish to take a little time off.

For the first time in its existence, the restaurant will be owned by someone other than the family after they decided not to continue running it after them. This was not an easy decision to make.
Ellis remarked, “It is going to be tough.” It’s going to be difficult. Although we just don’t know what the future holds, we hope that things will remain as they are.

They stated those burgers will continue to cook until the deal is completed.

They extend their gratitude to the Russellville community, past and present workers, and all walk-in customers for the many wonderful years they have spent working and managing Whatta-burger.

“Just want to thank everybody for all of their support over the years,” Ellis remarked. “We just appreciate everyone over the years, and it has been fun to see them when they come in, see old faces and people that went to college but always come back through Russellville and stop to have a hamburger.” I’m hoping it opens a positive new chapter. It’s a tragic conclusion to a lovely beginning.

Whattaburger is still operating and will stay open till they decide to sell in order to completely retire and sell owing to health concerns.

The eatery’s future decisions will be made by its new owners. For $2.5 million, the restaurant is presently up for sale.