Burgers, Brew Bus and Bottles Spark Frenzy
Burgers, beer and bottles have been in high demand since the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group (TKRG) popped open Burgers & Half Bottles at Washington and Yount streets last week. A similar pop-up was opened during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns in 2020.
Early reports indicate that this may be one of the hottest culinary pop-ups in recent memory, and perhaps throughout all of the Bay Area. Locals and visitors alike have been lining up daily for the bougie bites, which resulted in long lines and shortened hours of service on opening weekend. The feeding frenzy caused the restaurant to run out of food last weekend, twice!
A press release from the TKRG states, “Chef Thomas Keller’s beloved pop-up Burgers & Half Bottles is back for a limited run—just in time to close out summer and roll into harvest season in the Napa Valley. Designed to be a fast-casual option and offer an affordable quick stop in Yountville, it’s a simple neighborhood hangout with classic American favorites, local beers and great wine.”
An iconic 1965 VW van called the “Brew Bus” filled with five popular micro-brew taps is parked at the southern end of the patio, setting the scene and establishing a laid-back, sip and stay vibe. Popular brews like Pliny the Elder, STS Pils and Velvet Glow are available, along with the non-alcoholic Lost Coast Brewery Root Beer.
After braving the lines, guests order inside at a counter that used to be the bar of prior establishments, and then have the option of dining inside or out. Even though there were roughly 40 people in line an hour and 45 minutes into service on Wednesday, Aug. 6, there were plenty of seats available as diners arrived and departed, and the wait time and service team appeared to be swift.
Yountville residents and vintners Joe and Margaret Valenzuela had just received their lunch, and this was already their third visit to Burgers & Half Bottles. “It’s fun, it’s easy, it’s drawing an audience. I think it’s a great thing,” Margaret Valenzuela said as they prepared to enjoy burgers, fries and a lobster roll.
The Valenzuelas had just come back into town after picking up their friends Wynn and Madeline Cary, who arrived from Dallas, Texas with their toddler daughter, Carter. The Carys, frequent visitors to the Napa Valley, made their first stop on this return trip at Burgers & Half Bottles.
Carter was enjoying nibbles of a cheeseburger and fries while her father said, “We follow Thomas Keller’s restaurants closely, so when we heard that this opened we had to try it.”
“The environment at Burgers & Half Bottles was the perfect place to welcome Napa-loving friends who had just arrived from Dallas. We hope this concept is here to stay,” the Valenzuelas said.
The menu is focused on classic comfort food including hamburgers, cheeseburgers, lobster rolls, crispy fried chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, crinkle-cut fries and desserts such as milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches. TKRG touches abound: the burgers are made from Wagyu Beef, and the baked goods, including hamburger buns and cookies, are from Bouchon Bakery.
Many wineries are represented with a wide selection of half bottles, and of interest to locals are weekly specials include BYOB (no corkage) Thursdays, Happy Hour Fridays and Sunday game-day viewings.
The prices are reasonable for Napa Valley, and Yountville in particular. Sandwiches range from $12 for a grilled cheese to $29 for a lobster roll. Central to the menu, the American Wagyu beef hamburger is $14 and $15 for a cheeseburger. Combos that include fries and a non-alcoholic beverage of choice are $22 (+$6 to add a beer).
Burgers & Half Bottles, at 6518 Washington St., is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m., although hours may be adjusted to accommodate Sunday sports schedules.
The TKRG has announced that Burgers & Half Bottles will be open through Oct. 31. If the feeding frenzy continues, however, this concept may be here to stay.
