Campbell’s iconic Kirk’s Steakburgers reopens in new home. Here’s what has changed, what hasn’t

Restaurant partners buy, reinvigorate this community classic

Kirk’s Steakburgers, in business for more than 70 years, was facing redevelopment at its South Bascom Avenue site. Would what’s been called “Campbell’s original burger joint” fade into history?

Bay Area restaurateurs and brothers Maurice and Giuseppe Carrubba made sure that didn’t happen. They bought the business in October, acquired the Grill’em location across the street, and set about transforming that place into Kirk’s. Partnering with them on this project is Silicon Valley venture capitalist Jeff Housenbold, a foodie and fan of these burgers since his days at nearby eBay.

We stopped by on a weekday afternoon, just three days after the soft opening, to find longtime Kirk’s customers raving that the Triple Double — that’s three slices of cheese, two patties — and the Bacon Cheeseburger were as good as ever, and Grill’em customers expressing delight that their favorite servers are now working here. “You can call us Kirk’ems,” veteran bartender Cindy Dang joked.

 

Here’s our First Look report:

THE BACKSTORY: Besides their shared vision to rekindle this community place, the three partners have seven children among them. They say they know how important it for parents to have a restaurant with a big patio where they can take the girls’ soccer squad or the boys’ baseball team after games. Or for family birthday parties. Or other get-togethers.

THE VIBE: Friendly and welcoming.

THE LOOK: Indoors, the new Kirk’s has booth, table and bar seating for 111 people, patio dining for 70, and 20 TVs in all. Housenbold has curated a smart sports memorabilia collection on the walls, where photos of such Bay Area luminaries as Kristi Yamaguchi and Brandi Chastain mingle with the jerseys of Jerry Rice, Patrick Marleau, Steph Curry, Steve Young, Dennis Eckersley and others. A  high-kicking Juan Marichal winds up to pitch in an old black-and white photo near the bar, and current Niner stars — Purdy, McCaffrey, Kittle, Bosa — are repping the NFL in the dining room, along with local hero Patrick Tillman.

THE CLASSIC MENU: The Brothers Carrubba, who own San Jose’s Grandview and La Foret, stick to the “if it ain’t broke” style of restaurant management. They have wisely left the Kirk’s menu intact, and the beef burgers are made with the same proprietary butcher’s blend — fresh, never frozen — that’s been a Kirk’s hallmark. All burgers are still grilled over charcoal. And all the fan-favorite sauces and toppings are available. The classic Steakburger is $11.99 for a one-third-pound patty; the signature burgers start at $12.99.

If your go-to order at the old Kirk’s was one of the sandwiches (chicken, tri-tip, BLT, Philly, grilled cheese) or The Lighter Side options (salmon, turkey, veggie or black bean burger) or hot dogs, they are all here on the new menu.

WHAT’S NEW: Appetizers, crinkle-cut French fries and cocktails.

Six appetizers ($10.99-$13.99) have joined the menu: House-made Garlic Mozzarella Sticks, with marinara sauce that’s also house-made; meaty Fried Chicken Wings with dipping sauce; Shrimp Daddy, breaded shrimp with sweet and sour or habanero barbecue sauce; Bases Loaded, tater tots topped with chili, cheese, jalapenos and more; house-made Chips & Queso; and Jalapeno Poppers.

Another addition is Crinkle Fries (small order, $3.99) for those who adore this OG style with ridges that capture the ketchup and salt.

THE DRINKS: Kirk’s customers, who formerly had just beer and wine to choose from, now can order from a full bar menu. And there’s a lineup of signature cocktails ($13-$16), mostly sports-themed. Sharkies Smash is a refreshing vodka, blueberry puree, lime and mint concoction; the Orange & Black is a barrel-aged Black Manhattan; and the Ol’ Faithful combines bourbon, passion fruit puree, fresh lemon and honey.

Boilermakers are new. Ten are offered, from Jameson with a PBR ($12) to Mezcal Modelo ($14) to Fernet with an Allagash White ($16).

NICE MOVE: The owners have kept virtually all of the prices the same as they were across the street.

DON’T MISS: The Spiked Shakes ($12-$13) for adults. Your choices are Take Me to the Beach, with Malibu Rum; the Young Lad, spiked with Baileys); and the Mudslide, with Kahlua, Frangelico and chocolate.

GOOD TO KNOW: Coming soon will be a menu of mocktails. And pet owners can look forward to ordering “Fido bowls” on the dog-friendly patio.

DETAILS: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 2509 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell. (The Kirk’s in Palo Alto is under separate ownership.) www.kirks-steakburgers.com