Napa Valley-based gourmet burger joint Gott’s Roadside is making progress in constructing its new location at Town & Country Village, which is set to open on Sept. 23.
The restaurant, which was originally slated to open in June 2013, has taken over the southwest corner of the mall in the space which had previously been occupied by Hobbee’s, Halo and Jamba Juice.
There will be seating for 90 inside and 90 outside under portable heaters. Jamba Juice has already moved to the rear of the complex. However, Hobbee’s will not return to Town and Country as part of the reconfiguration, but is staying in Palo Alto at its El Camino Real location.
Owner Joel Gott has three other locations in St. Helena, Napa and the Ferry Building in San Francisco, and feels the new addition is in “about as good a location as you can get because we need a lot of customers willing to spend money on good food,” according to restaurant news site Inside Scoop SF.
“Unlike the Ferry Building and Oxbow [in Napa], where we were the first tenants, here [at Town & Country] we’re the last tenants, so it’s nice to go where there are already people.” Gott said, according to SFGate.
Gott’s serves burgers made of all-natural Niman Ranch beef or ahi tuna, with optional sides of sweet potato or garlic fries. They also offer organic “Let’s Be Frank” organic hot dogs, a variety of chicken sandwiches and salads, a choice of fourteen draft and bottled beers and an extensive selection of Napa Valley wines.
“The Ahi Burger is the one thing that we have gotten the most press on,” said Staci Raymond, Gott’s Director of Operations. We have people who come from overseas to seek it out to try.”
The menu includes the price of a cheeseburger ($7.99), fries ($2.89) and a fountain soda ($2.69) to total over $13 without tax or tip. This is approximately $2.50 more than the comparable meal at Kirk’s Steakburgers, Gott’s new neighbor that will soon be leaving Town & Country. However, Gott’s may attract a broader clientele with its all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner menus and reputation for high quality, local organic ingredients. Shakes are $6 and the kid’s menu offers a main dish, side and drink for one fixed price of $8.49.
“Gott’s is great, humanely raised food that is good for you and good for the environment,” Raymond said.
Online customer reviews from Gott’s current locations on Yelp are positive in regards to its food quality, fast service and family-friendly atmosphere. However, some customers feel the prices are too high for a fare as small as a simple burger and shake.
Ellis Partners, the owners of Town and Country, moved to add Gott’s in order to “evolve to meet the needs of modern clients” Caroline Morris, Vice President of Asset Management at Ellis Partners said, in an interview with The Registry.
“This latest improvement allows us to stay freshand relevant,” Morris said.
Raymond believes the move to Palo Alto is a perfect fit for the chain.
“Palo Alto is a great community and we feel like it represents our target demographic.” Raymond said.
Some students are sad to see Kirk’s, a longtime Town & Country resident, leave and think that Town and Country should stop eliminating old restaurants.
“Kirk’s has such a big connection to Paly,” senior Blake Smith said. “I can’t imagine seeing it go because it fits so well with Town and Country.”
Gott’s will open on Monday, Sept, 23.
