Good Ol’ Burgers in Paso Robles is closing after 28 years. Here’s what’s coming next
A Paso Robles burger joint is closing after 28 years, making way for a new restaurant with a fast casual concept.
Good Ol’ Burgers will close its doors at 1145 24th St. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, restaurant owner and founder Roger Sharp said Friday.
“I am sad to see it go,” said Sharp, who started Good Ol’ Burgers when he was 26. “It was my first restaurant of many. ... There’s definitely a lot of heart there, as with all of them.”
In its place, he’s bringing in a new eatery.
Sharp, a Paso Robles High School graduate who began his career selling cinnamon rolls at the California Mid-State Fair, is the owner of two other Paso Robles restaurants: Big Bubba’s Bad BBQ and Tortilla Town. All three eateries are located in the shopping center across 24th Street from the Paso Robles Event Center.
In addition, his company’s mobile eateries serve up food at “about 40 major events across the U.S.,” including the Paso Robles fair, he said.
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Asked why he decided to shutter Good Ol’ Burgers, Sharp said he’s ready for “something different, something new and exciting.”
In particular, he’s looking forward to opening a “walk-through” restaurant where diners can customize their dishes via assembly line.
The new Crazy Asian Express will serve up Asian favorites including Chinese-style barbecued pork, kung pao chicken and Peking duck, Sharp said, as well as chow mein, egg rolls and wontons.
Customers can expect a little entertainment with their food, he added, such as employees whipping up fresh noodles on the spot. “That’s the show business part of what we do,” Sharp said.
Sharp said Tortilla Town has a similar “walk-through” concept.
“To be honest with you, I feel that society wants things a little faster these days,” he said, such as a restaurant where customers can “walk up and get (food) as opposed to sit down and wait for 8 to 12 minutes.”
Although Good Ol’ Burger’s former 1,400-square-foot location will remain the same size, Sharp said Crazy Asian Express will feature a “modern Asian” look and more outdoor seating.
According to Sharp, Good Ol’ Burgers currently employs 10 workers. Some of those employees will move to Sharp’s other restaurants, he said.
Sharp said Crazy Asian Express will employ 10 to 15 people.
Sharp hopes to open Crazy Asian Express by March 2020.
This story was originally published December 27, 2019 at 3:24 PM.
