NorCal Burger Chain Gott's Roadside Opens in L.A.

Gott's Roadside began in 1999 when brothers Joel and Duncan Gott took over Taylor's Refresher, a 50-year-old roadside stand in St. Helena. After a trademark dispute, the business was renamed Gott's Roadside in 2010. The brand has since expanded to eight locations in the Bay Area, including at the San Francisco Ferry Building and Chase Center. The company's growth has been intentionally methodical and self-funded, avoiding private equity to maintain control over its brand and quality. This measured expansion strategy focuses on one store at a time, ensuring that each new location adheres to the company's standards for high-quality ingredients and a "wine country picnic experience." The move into Southern California is the company's first major expansion outside of its home market in 25 years. The new 3,500-square-foot location at The Grove is just the first step in the Southern California expansion, with a second, larger 6,600-square-foot restaurant planned for Santa Monica in the fall of 2026. The Grove location will feature a dedicated soft-serve window with Strauss organic ice cream, a unique addition designed to attract foot traffic in the busy retail environment. While known for its burgers, Gott's menu is broad, featuring dishes like Ahi Poke Crispy Tacos and a Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich, positioning it in the "high of the low and the low of the high" price range. This diverse menu, which also includes a California-centric wine and beer list, helped the brand earn a James Beard "America's Classics" Award in 2006. The company sources ingredients from local suppliers like Cream Co. Meats and Larder Baking Co. to maintain its quality standards.