With Taipei American School and considerable number of foreigners in early period, Tianmu (天母) was the place where many western food and American restaurants rise in business. Among these restaurants, Mary's Hamburger was the most famous hamburger diner. In 1978, when Taiwan broke off diplomatic relations with U.S., Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) was immediately withdrawn from Taiwan. The chefs and waiters formerly employed in MAAG had together opened a restaurant of American hamburger, fried chicken and French fries in Tianmu since then and named it as Mary after one of the partners. During the era when McDonald’s had not been introduced to Taiwan (later in 1984), Mary's Hamburger had caused a sensation as one of the few restaurants serving traditional American food. Unfortunately, its founders decided to divide the business due to different opinions on operation, with one choosing to open a branch of the same name in Neihu District. Although the diner's decoration is poor compared with other modern hamburger restaurants in Taipei, it reminds people of the old times when Taiwan's economy was still under development thirty years ago and brings a mood of nostalgia. In addition to the authentic flavor, its food is unbelievably low-priced in contrast to those of the restaurants in eastern district of Taipei, with a set of Bacon beef cheeseburger only costing TWD140 and a fresh milkshake costing TWD70.
The restaurant can be reached by convenient transportation with ten minutes' walk from Xihu MRT Station. If you choose here for a date and have to wait for your friends, go inside and feel free to play SNK Arcade Classics games offered by the restaurant. Some people would recall the fun of playing The King of Fighters with classmates in video game store after school in those days.
