Gott's Roadside Arrives in Los Angeles

The new location at the Original Farmers Market is set to open on March 6, 2026. This marks the brand's first foray into Southern California, with a second location planned for Santa Monica in the fall of 2026. A unique feature of the new spot will be a dedicated soft-serve window, a first for the company, offering Strauss organic ice cream. Before it was Gott's Roadside, the eatery was a 50-year-old burger shack in St. Helena called Taylor's Refresher. Brothers Joel and Duncan Gott, from a winemaking family, took over the humble stand in 1999, rebranding it as Taylor's Automatic Refresher. A trademark dispute led to the name change to Gott's Roadside in 2010. In 2006, the James Beard Foundation recognized the restaurant with an "America's Classics" award, an honor given to timeless, locally-owned restaurants. This award came before the name change, when the establishment was still known as Taylor's. While known for burgers, the menu extends to California-inspired dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Offerings include Ahi Poke Crispy Tacos with sushi-grade tuna, a Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich, and various salads. The restaurant also emphasizes a California-centric list of wines and beers. The company has expanded from its original Napa Valley location to include spots in San Francisco's Ferry Building, the Oxbow Public Market in Napa, Palo Alto, and at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, among others. All of its locations prior to the Los Angeles opening have been in Northern California.