Owners Robert and Leilan Kitchens love their customers. They want to help the community through car shows, car washes and more. Photo by Janice Row

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Most people saw in the news last October that Lou’s Burgers in North Highlands was closing. It was big news that hit all the news channels. Fortunately for us, they won the battle and are here to stay.

Here’s the whole story.

Seven locations of Lou’s Burgers opened in 1958. In 2009, Don Roberge owned the last two of these locations. He sold the one in Citrus Heights, which is now Sam’s Classic Burgers. In 2010, Roberge sold the North Highlands location to his grandson. Robert and Leilan Kitchens were proud to love and own their grandfather’s restaurant. The one bit of advice his grandfather gave him was “Don’t change the secret sauce.”

 Lou’s Burgers is a must-visit restaurant in Rio Linda for many years. The yummy burgers include a secret sauce that keeps customers coming back all the time. Photo courtesy of Lou’s Burgers

Life happens and things change. The landlord that their grandfather had passed away and a new landlord bought the building and the land. And had big plans but since they had a lease, he had to put his plans on hold. The two sides tried to work out something that worked for them both but the landlord decided to sell to someone else. The new landlord also wanted the land for other things and when the lease was up, he raised the rent and the lease agreement was not in Lou’s Burgers favor at all. Lou’s Burgers wanted to buy the land and building but it wasn’t for sale.

Now we are at October 2023. Lou’s was given an eviction notice. When some customers found out, they told media. It was quite a scene; the line to get a burger was down the street. You see, the customers of Lou’s Burgers grew up on these burgers. It is nostalgia.

A customer said, “It’s a staple of my childhood. Sometimes it is just really nice to go back somewhere you know you got a good burger.”

There are former residents who moved away and when they come back to visit must come back for a good burger. There is a family that celebrates their dad’s birthday every year by coming to Lou’s. The whole community rallied around them with paying it forward, car shows and more. Robbie and Leilan appreciated the response of their customers and the love and support shown to them.

 This grill is where the magic happens. But don’t stop with hamburgers; try one of Lou’s Burgers many milkshakes. Photo by Janice Row

Oct. 31 was the court date and they accepted an offer from the landlord to buy the building and the land. Now Lou’s Burgers is solely theirs, they get to stay with the community they so love to serve. It is a dream come true to be able to stay in this location and continue to serve their customers and community, for many more years.

Customers love nostalgia, food, amazing burgers, secret sauce and of course milkshakes. The milkshakes are handmade, delicious and there are 25 flavors or more. Come back and see the owners and staff and enjoy their awesome burgers, fries, tots sandwiches and shakes. Tell them you are glad they were able to save Lou’s from eviction.

Robbie and Leilan love this place, their customers and this community. They would love to have more car shows, car washes, here and other community type events. Contact Leilan to get on their calendar at 916-271-2458.

Lou’s Burgers is at 6229 Watt Ave., North Highlands. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Also check out all that is going on through Facebook and Instagram. As their Facebook says, “We’re not “fast” food It’s a drive in, not a drive through.”

Contact Janice Row at [email protected].