Make a Pit Stop at This Local Burger Joint Before it's Too Late
The beloved burger joint set to close in April leaves patrons to reminisce on the good times.
By Sharon Kim
The beloved burger joint set to close in April leaves patrons to reminisce on the good times.
By Sharon Kim
The Burger Pit, just off campus in Blossom Hill Plaza, has served the local community for 60 years and will be closing its doors in April. The loss of a genuine business resonates with long-time patrons including Pioneer alumni and staff.
The first Burger Pit was opened in Cupertino in 1956 by Al Berger, now the last location is run by his son, Paul Berger, on Blossom Hill Road. The small business had traction during the mid ‘70s to late ‘80s when the competition was low for the eateries and had their other locations running. However, with the arrival of bigger corporations, and the struggle of growing rent, business slowed for the old-school diner business.
After running a family business for the past five decades, Berger’s biggest takeaway will be the people that surrounded the establishment.
“It has been very rewarding. It has (been) fun meeting all of my customers and making friends with lots of them,” said Berger. “I am going to miss the employees, customers and having a place to go every day.”
Math teacher and Pioneer graduate Eric Perry, who has eaten at Burger Pit since the mid ‘80s, feels the loss of another convenient and decent eating spot.
“I’m just upset, you know? It was always a go-to, ‘Hey if we need something to eat close to school when you’re hungry, Burger Pit,’” said Perry.
In the past, social studies teacher Tim Koring would occasionally head over with former math teacher and girls’ basketball coach Bryan Lacaille to Burger Pit during their prep periods. The location was a great spot for the coaches to catch up over a good burger.
“After ordering our meals at the counter we would find a table and relax and talk about school, coaching and our lives outside of Pioneer,” said Koring.
For others Burger Pit was more than just a place to dine, it was a hub of fond memories especially for English teacher Stephanie Harvey who has been eating there since the early 2000s.
“Burger Pit was often allocated for celebrations and family get-togethers. My parents grew up eating there with their parents, and then when my brothers and I were born, it became very much a go-to generational place for my family to eat at,” said Harvey.
For students back then, it was a spot close to school to earn some job experience and cash. Having his own past athletes taking advantage of this, Perry recalls seeing the great effort from the staff to give the establishment that old-school feel.
“They have guys or gals that will buss the tables and help you out. Matter of fact my nephew still works there and I’ve had a number of former football players work there,” said Perry.
Jody Millermom, manager of Burger Pit for the past 30 years, had the pleasure of training all the students that came their way.
“It's been very rewarding working with mostly high school students. Being their first job and to mentor and teach them different jobs,” said Millermom.
With the smaller presence of mom-and-pop shops, Koring appreciated all that the small business meant and the space it provided for its community.
“I know our society is driven by change and the latest and greatest technology needs to be incorporated into all aspects of our lives, but the Burger Pit was a great, even though often brief, trip back to a time when the pace of life was a little slower and people could enjoy the taste of a great burger,” said Koring.
As patrons resume to find other substitutions for what Burger Pit was, Harvey believes that there are still locations out there that can fill people’s hearts and stomachs.
“I think places like Burger Pit very much do exist. Establishments that are homey, have quality food, and have long-standing, positive relationships with the community,” said Harvey. “These places are out there, and they are worth exploring. Wait times might be longer and prices might be a bit higher, but they are for sure worth supporting.”
The first Burger Pit was opened in Cupertino in 1956 by Al Berger, now the last location is run by his son, Paul Berger, on Blossom Hill Road. The small business had traction during the mid ‘70s to late ‘80s when the competition was low for the eateries and had their other locations running. However, with the arrival of bigger corporations, and the struggle of growing rent, business slowed for the old-school diner business.
After running a family business for the past five decades, Berger’s biggest takeaway will be the people that surrounded the establishment.
“It has been very rewarding. It has (been) fun meeting all of my customers and making friends with lots of them,” said Berger. “I am going to miss the employees, customers and having a place to go every day.”
Math teacher and Pioneer graduate Eric Perry, who has eaten at Burger Pit since the mid ‘80s, feels the loss of another convenient and decent eating spot.
“I’m just upset, you know? It was always a go-to, ‘Hey if we need something to eat close to school when you’re hungry, Burger Pit,’” said Perry.
In the past, social studies teacher Tim Koring would occasionally head over with former math teacher and girls’ basketball coach Bryan Lacaille to Burger Pit during their prep periods. The location was a great spot for the coaches to catch up over a good burger.
“After ordering our meals at the counter we would find a table and relax and talk about school, coaching and our lives outside of Pioneer,” said Koring.
For others Burger Pit was more than just a place to dine, it was a hub of fond memories especially for English teacher Stephanie Harvey who has been eating there since the early 2000s.
“Burger Pit was often allocated for celebrations and family get-togethers. My parents grew up eating there with their parents, and then when my brothers and I were born, it became very much a go-to generational place for my family to eat at,” said Harvey.
For students back then, it was a spot close to school to earn some job experience and cash. Having his own past athletes taking advantage of this, Perry recalls seeing the great effort from the staff to give the establishment that old-school feel.
“They have guys or gals that will buss the tables and help you out. Matter of fact my nephew still works there and I’ve had a number of former football players work there,” said Perry.
Jody Millermom, manager of Burger Pit for the past 30 years, had the pleasure of training all the students that came their way.
“It's been very rewarding working with mostly high school students. Being their first job and to mentor and teach them different jobs,” said Millermom.
With the smaller presence of mom-and-pop shops, Koring appreciated all that the small business meant and the space it provided for its community.
“I know our society is driven by change and the latest and greatest technology needs to be incorporated into all aspects of our lives, but the Burger Pit was a great, even though often brief, trip back to a time when the pace of life was a little slower and people could enjoy the taste of a great burger,” said Koring.
As patrons resume to find other substitutions for what Burger Pit was, Harvey believes that there are still locations out there that can fill people’s hearts and stomachs.
“I think places like Burger Pit very much do exist. Establishments that are homey, have quality food, and have long-standing, positive relationships with the community,” said Harvey. “These places are out there, and they are worth exploring. Wait times might be longer and prices might be a bit higher, but they are for sure worth supporting.”