Kirk’s Steakburgers in Town and Country will close down by the end of the month as it prepares to open up in Midtown at 2680 Middlefield Road.
According to manager Eduardo Gonzalez, the move came because of a transfer of ownership to brothers Maurice and Giuseppe Carrubba, who want to expand the business.
“Around March of this year, there was an ownership change as the previous owners decided to sell the place,” Gonzalez said. “They [the new owners] wanted to grow the brand a bit more, and it wasn’t really growing much here. Business has been a little shaky since COVID, and now we’ve got competitors [like Gott’s Roadside] next door.”
According to Gonzalez, the new location will come with an expansion to the menu while keeping the traditional recipe for steakburgers the same, just like how the founders Bill Sincere and his wife, “Kirk,” did it: over an open charcoal flame with customizable condiments and homemade milkshakes.
“They’re going to add a lot more appetizers,” Gonzalez said. “We’ll have a bigger kitchen and more selection. But recipe-wise, our burgers are going to be the same, the same way they’ve been doing it since 1948.”
Gonzalez said the new location, where Mike’s Diner used to be, is larger and will help them expand their operations.
“I went to go look at it, and it’s a lot bigger of a place,” Gonzalez said. “They’ll have a full bar there, and we’ll be able to increase our staff a lot more.”
Senior Christopher Lai said he will miss Kirk’s quality and student discounts.
“I’m kind of disappointed,” Lai said. “It’s a local place, the burgers are great, and the price for Paly students is good. For the Paly deal, the burgers are big and all the toppings on it are free.”
According to Lai, he thinks other businesses like Gott’s will become more popular.
“I usually went to Kirk’s like once a week,” Lai said. “Now, I think students will just go to other places to eat, like Gott’s.”
Kirk’s is expected to open their Midtown location shortly after they close down in Town and Country, according to Gonzalez.
