FOOD BIZNOTE: Burbs Burgers’ West Seattle expansion site revealed

The man who revived the once-hot smash-burger joint Burbs Burgers has revealed his West Seattle expansion site. Three weeks ago, in a restaurant-opening roundup, The Seattle Times noted Bersain Gutierrez‘s revival of Burbs and mentioned in passing that he expected to soon expand to West Seattle. We’ve been working since then to find out where – many readers emailed us to ask – and just talked with Gutierrez tonight. He is a former Burbs employee who bought the brand to bring it back. Similar to his first revived Burbs Burgers, which shares space with Last Call in Frelard, he says this one will share space too – with Ounces in North Delridge (3809 Delridge Way SW), which has long offered food from a rotation of trucks. Gutierrez says Burbs will take over the Ounces truck space. hopefully in just a few weeks if permitting goes well.

Why West Seattle? Turns out he’s a WS resident! If you’re not familiar with the Burbs backstory, it was founded in 2020 by Josh Henderson of Skillet (etc.) fame, and had five locations before he closed them all earlier this year. (If you’re not familiar with smash burgers, here’s an explanation. We asked Gutierrez about his most popular burger. “Definitely the Special,” which includes onions, cheese, secret sauce, lettuce, and pickles, on a potato bun. The Burbs fried-chicken sandwich comes in second. He says they’ll have some “free food” events before opening, so watch for word of that. He’s “super excited” to be able to cook up Burbs Burgers in his own neighborhood and expects to operate seven days a week.

15 Replies to "FOOD BIZNOTE: Burbs Burgers' West Seattle expansion site revealed"

  • East Coast Cynic September 16, 2024 (9:46 pm)

    Doesn’t the 3803 Delridge location have a short life line since West Seattle link is going to have a stop built around that spot, with Skylark and other soon to disappear?

    • WSB September 16, 2024 (9:52 pm)

      Sorry, that’s actually 3809, fixed. Construction is at least three years away from starting.

  • Leslie September 16, 2024 (11:11 pm)

    How does one smash a burger? Seems pretty violent! Still, I just might try one.

  • Rebecca September 16, 2024 (11:20 pm)

    Very exciting! I loved the truck in Georgetown and was so sad when they closed 😢 I will have to try again when they arrive! Still think Farmboy at Future Primitive is and always will be the best burger in the West Seattle/WC

    • Jeff September 17, 2024 (10:22 am)

      I agree, Farmboy burger at FP is one of the best I’ve had in Seattle. 

  • foop September 16, 2024 (11:28 pm)

    I am iffy on this. While I enjoyed the burger I had in georgetown before he shut it all down, when the news of bankruptcy dropped I was reading online that he wasnt paying staff. Frustrating to say the least, considering how gross and overpriced Skillet (his other prior ventures) are. Farm Boy at Future Primitive in White Center is one of the best burgers I have had in all of Seattle though.

    • WSB September 16, 2024 (11:44 pm)

      I’m sorry if it’s not clear enough in the story. The founder, who declared bankruptcy and then closed all locations, has zero involvement with the new operation. (He hasn’t been involved with Skillet for a decade, either.)

    • Brian September 17, 2024 (6:57 am)

      Are you iffy on reading the article too? Give it a shot.

      • foop September 17, 2024 (10:46 am)

        I suspect the article was edited for clarity, given WSBs comment, or I missed the one off bolded name and focused on the word ‘revival’.  Thanks for your kind response. 

    • Christopher B September 17, 2024 (9:26 am)

      @Foop  Yes. And this was after Henderson paid a $1 million  to settle a class action lawsuit from his previous employees after accusations of wage theft and violating sick leave laws. That guy seems to have the opposite of the Midas touch when it comes to food businesses…everything he touches turns to failure. I know chefs who have worked for him and they say they’d never repeat the mistake. So yes, there is good reason to avoid patronizing any of his future businesses. But as Tracy adroitly points out, it seems Burbs is being revived under new ownership. 

  • Rb September 16, 2024 (11:30 pm)

    Yeay. Any updates on more food trucks in the old Tony’s space on 35th and Burton?

    • Owner September 17, 2024 (11:50 am)

      Aimee Owenz(one of the trucks there) will have Cuban sandwiches, regular and vegetarian sandwiches, boiled peanuts and an exclusive new sparkling water!   Opening date to be determined ;)

  • Jason September 17, 2024 (9:50 am)

    Looking forward to supporting them now that the new owner actually pays his staff proper wages. Would never support the old one.  Odd location to pick knowing they got to move later for Lightrail. 

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.