Hamburger Phone: The Juno Classic, Ready for Your Desk
The top bun is the handset. The keypad lives between the patty and the lettuce. It is perfect.
Some props become more famous than the movies they appear in. The cheeseburger phone from the 2007 film Juno is one of them. Watching the title character casually chat into a giant plastic burger made an entire generation want one, and years later, burger-shaped landlines are still out there, waiting to bring retro absurdity to your home.
It is weird, it is nostalgic, and it is an instant conversation piece.
And yes, it really works as a phone if you still have a landline.
How does the hamburger phone work?
The hamburger phone is a corded landline telephone shaped like a cheeseburger. The top bun lifts off as the handset, revealing a keypad nestled inside the burger. According to the listings we checked, it can dial in either tone or pulse mode, will redial the last number you called, and has a little light that shows when the line is active.
To use it, you plug it into a standard landline jack, just like any other corded phone. It does not connect to cell phones, so it is best for households, offices, or dorms that still have a landline or a VoIP service with a phone port.
The design traces back to a novelty phone from the 1980s. The promotional burger phone associated with the movie was based on a 1987 Burger King-branded model, which is part of what makes it such a fun piece of pop-culture history.
Even if you do not have a landline, it works as a retro decor piece for a desk, shelf, or themed room.
It is a perfect gift for movie lovers, retro collectors, and anyone who appreciates kitschy design.
The sheer absurdity of answering a sandwich never really wears off.
If you want to fully commit to the bit, put it in your kitchen and watch guests try to figure out whether it is a toy or a phone.
Hamburger phone: who it’s for (plus gift ideas)
The hamburger phone is ideal for Juno fans, retro tech collectors, diner-themed rooms, and anyone who still keeps a landline.
It is also a hilarious gift for friends who love 80s and 2000s nostalgia.
- Juno fans and movie buffs
- Retro collectors with a landline
- Diner or kitsch-themed decor lovers
- Pair it with The Clapper for a full retro-gadget shelf
Pros and cons
What we like
- Iconic pop-culture design
- Works as a real corded landline
- Handles tone or pulse lines
- Redial button and a line-in-use light
- Great retro decor piece
What gives us pause
- Requires a landline or phone jack
- Not a cell phone accessory
- Bulky compared to modern phones
- Build quality is novelty-grade
FAQ
Does the hamburger phone really work?
Yes, it is a corded landline phone that plugs into a standard phone jack.
Is this the same phone from Juno?
It is a similar cheeseburger-style phone. The one used to promote the film traces back to a Burger King phone from 1987.
Can I use it with my cell phone?
No, it is a corded landline phone.
What features does it have?
Per the listings: tone or pulse dialing, a redial button for the last number, and a light that shows when the line is in use.
Should you order a hamburger phone?
If you love retro tech and movie nostalgia, the hamburger phone is a weird but wonderful buy. For more retro fun, check out The Clapper and Big Mouth Billy Bass.