NorCal Burger Favorite Gott's Roadside Hits LA
Popular Northern California burger chain Gott's Roadside has officially arrived in Los Angeles. The restaurant opened its first SoCal location at The Grove, bringing its well-known classic American menu into the city's crowded dining market.
Before launching in LA, Gott's Roadside cultivated a loyal following across eight locations in Northern California, starting with a revamped 1949 roadside stand in St. Helena. Brothers Joel and Duncan Gott founded the restaurant in 1999, originally named Taylor's Automatic Refresher, before a trademark dispute led to the name change in 2010. The Napa Valley original stands among fine dining landmarks like The French Laundry, carving a niche with its "swagger" and elevated American classics. This approach earned the restaurant a prestigious James Beard America's Classic award, recognizing its timeless appeal and quality. Co-founder Joel Gott emphasized their focus on key elements, stating, "What's important on our end is the bread and the meat." While known for 100% Angus beef burgers, the menu extends to California-inspired options like Ahi poke crispy tacos and a Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich. The chain was also an early adopter of plant-based options, adding the vegan Impossible burger to its menu in July 2017. The LA menu will mirror these offerings, sourcing from local suppliers like Larder Baking Co. The new 3,500-square-foot location at the Original Farmers Market features a large patio and, for the first time, a dedicated soft-serve window. This expansion has been years in the making, with the company scouting meaningful community locations south of its Palo Alto outpost even before the pandemic. Another Southern California restaurant is already planned for Santa Monica, expected to open in the fall.
