Gott's Roadside Opens in Los Angeles

Before it was Gott's, the original St. Helena location was a 50-year-old roadside stand called Taylor's Refresher, first opened by Lloyd Taylor in 1949. In 1999, brothers Joel and Duncan Gott, who came from a winemaking family, took over the lease, aiming to elevate the classic American roadside meal. The initial days were challenging, with Joel Gott himself on the grill as they struggled to refine operations. Their concept was to apply a fine-dining sourcing ethos to fast-food, using high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients for an "idealized version of the American roadside stand." This strategy proved successful, transforming the humble burger stand into a Napa Valley destination. A trademark dispute with the original owner's family led to the rebranding from Taylor's Automatic Refresher to Gott's Roadside in 2010. Despite the conflict, the brand's reputation for quality continued to grow, leading to gradual expansion into key Bay Area locations like San Francisco's Ferry Building and the Oxbow Public Market in Napa. The menu extends beyond standard burgers, featuring items like Ahi poke crispy tacos, chicken schnitzel sandwiches, and seasonal specials. This culinary breadth is paired with a California-centric beer and wine list, a nod to the founders' roots and a key differentiator in the fast-casual market. The company has sold over 12 million burgers across its eight Bay Area locations. The new location at The Grove is part of a deliberate Southern California expansion strategy, with another restaurant planned for Santa Monica. For its L.A. debut, Gott's partnered with BCV Architecture & Interiors to create a space with bright interiors and a large patio, designed to integrate with the indoor-outdoor culture of the historic Original Farmers Market.