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Step back in time at Patty’s Retro Diner, a new addition to Broadway in Burlingame.
Patty’s Retro Diner opened in February and held its grand opening on March 12. Founded by husband and wife duo Keith and Berry Lakstigala, Patty’s Retro Diner builds on Berry’s 16 years of experience in the Bay Area restaurant industry.
Berry previously worked at Tacolicious, Slice House by Tony Gemignani and Super Duper Burgers and thought it was time to open her own restaurant. Keith’s background is in the medical device field, and he joined forces with his wife to launch their own concept. Berry explained that the couple’s Italian and Middle Eastern roots make hospitality and welcoming others through food an innate part of their operation.
The owners describe the menu as comfort food in the form of smashburgers. Seven signature smashburgers are on offer, ranging from $9.50 to $10.50 for a single patty version, or $12.50 to $14 for a double.
Other entrees include hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks, salads and wings. Popular burgers include the Southwest Smash with pepperjack cheese, jalapenos, and chipotle sauce, Patty’s Smash with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion, and the Oklahoma Smash with onions cooked into the meat for extra caramelization. Its packaging is designed to travel well for to-go orders and deliveries, and each burger is precisely timed to achieve the classic smashburger crust.
“While the patties do cook quickly, it’s a careful process,” Berry said. “With smashburgers, 30 seconds can make a lot of difference.”
Berry’s own recipe of chili is also a standout as well as their loaded fries, which come topped with housemade sauces like ranch, garlic butter, or buffalo sauce, fried chicken, and other fixings. The patties are a custom blend sourced from Certified Meats in Fresno, and Patty’s also serves a custom blend of cheese. On the sweet side, Patty’s uses Straus organic milk and Ghirardelli syrups for its shakes and sundaes.
A native of Burlingame, Berry knew Broadway would be the perfect spot to open her retro-themed eatery.
“I wanted to add to the nostalgia of the neighborhood,” Berry said.
Berry’s appreciation for the city’s small business community motivated her to open in her hometown. Berry grew up going to shops along Broadway and fixtures like Preston’s Ice Cream. While the neighborhood has changed over the years, Berry considers Broadway a one of a kind place along the Peninsula.
No detail was spared in creating the old-school design. Think black-and-white checkerboard floors, pink painted walls, turquoise blue retro diner booths, red and yellow condiment bottles, Coca Cola napkin dispensers and atomic star clocks. Hand-picked vintage movie posters adorn the walls and a projector screen above the kitchen plays black-and-white classics like “I Love Lucy.” With a penchant for interior decorating and having taken classes in the field, Berry designed all elements of the restaurant herself.
Patty’s is currently the only smashburger concept on the block. Since opening, the eatery has drawn crowds of all kinds, from families, friend groups, locals, out-of-towners and students. Patty’s even offers a happy hour meal deal just for students, which includes a smashburger, fries and shake for $20. The restaurant is currently open every day for lunch and dinner, with happy hour weekdays from 2:30 to 4:30 PM.
Patty’s Retro Diner, 1184 Broadway, Burlingame; Instagram: @pattysburlingame. Open Wednesday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m..
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