'It's part of my family.' Burgermaster customers say goodbye to Seattle original

For Burgermaster CEO Alex Jensen, a tiny table overlooking the front counter of the University District restaurant holds special meaning.

It’s the table where, as a child, he would sit and eat breakfast with his grandfather, Burgermaster founder Phil Jensen.

“My grandfather could have an eye of the kitchen here, and the counter, and make sure customers are being taken care of,” Jensen said.

At the same time, his grandfather could take a break and enjoy a meal of pancakes and sausage, much to the chagrin of his grandmother, who wanted the elder Jensen to watch out for his cholesterol.

“He’d often let me get a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie if I ate my breakfast, which seemed like a tremendous treat,” Jensen said.

Now, after 73 years and countless milkshakes, burgers, and slices of pie, the University District Burgermaster will close its doors at the end of February.

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The announcement, which was shared by the company on Facebook last week, ushered a flurry of remembrances from customers, many noting not just the quality of their meals over the years, but the feeling associated with the spot.

Most of Burgermaster’s locations are drive-in restaurants, but the University District location is different. Customers have their pick of tables and brown vinyl booths where they can sit down and enjoy their meal. Smooth 70s pop classics pepper the atmosphere as the steady sizzle of the grill enhances the natural soundtrack of the restaurant.

That welcoming atmosphere has kept regular customers coming back day after day, decade after decade, Jensen said.

“They’ll sit here for about two hours every morning talking politics and just catching up on life,” he said. “There’s a real sense of community here, and those folks are really wondering where they’re going to go next.”

Jensen rattles off the names of regulars who are as synonymous with the history of the city as the restaurant they ordered from: Bill Gates, Jay Buhner, Cam Chancellor.

One regular, Roy McCready, a former Navy pilot and father of Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, has received a special distinction.

“He's got a plaque behind his chair, so people know it's reserved for him [at] certain times of the day, and he is just a real salt of the earth, nice guy,” Jensen said.”

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While it’s not clear where Burgermaster customers will go now to grab a bite to eat and opine about the state of the world, the plans for what will take Burgermaster’s spot are already set.

Housing — and a lot of it.

In April 2023, the Seattle Design Review Board approved a proposal from developer Quarterra for three residential buildings consisting of nearly 800 market-rate and affordable housing units. The plan also includes space for retail.

Requests for comment from Quarterra were not answered.

Jensen says his feelings about the end of this Burgermaster are “nuanced.” He believes Seattle needs housing, but feels a sense of loss and regret.

“Selfishly, I’d like us to stay. But looking at the good of the city, there are some real benefits to the development that’s going to go on here,” Jensen said. “It’s not like we’re getting kicked out so they can bring in a Jack in the Box or something.”

After the company announced the closure on Facebook, comments came flooding in, many from nostalgic customers sharing memories of first dates and first jobs. Several reminisces came from family members of past and current patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

During a Thursday afternoon lunch rush, Melissa Robbins is stopping in with her son, Aiden.

Aiden has been undergoing testing at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and a post-appointment lunch at Burgermaster has become a tradition.

“It’s just a special time for us to de-stress after a hard appointment and have something to look forward to,” Melissa explained.

Aiden is a burger connoisseur. He keeps track of his favorite burgers, and Burgermaster lands in the top five. As her son munched on fries, Melissa ate a cheeseburger wrapped in lettuce, and reflected on what makes this spot special.

“It feels like kind of a small town… it feels very much like community here,” Robbins said. “You come in and you see people from all walks of life and all ages. You can tell there are people who have been coming here for years and years and years. Everyone is so friendly.”

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The Robbins live in Snoqualmie, and Melissa says the loss of this Burgermaster echoes the end of another local establishment — the Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-In.

Burgermaster is slated to open a new location in the Triple XXX’s spot this year, and Jensen said there are plans for another restaurant in 2026 or 2027. In the meantime, Seattle-area customers can still grab a meal at the Burgermaster on Aurora Avenue, or drive to Bellevue for a bite.

Matthew Becker has also stopped by for lunch. He grabs a meal from this Burgermaster a couple times a month and said it’s his favorite location because it brings back memories from his childhood.

“Me and my grandma used to come here all the time,” Becker said. “She’s passed now. She normally got the crab and swiss and onion rings, and we’d split it all the time.”

Today, Becker is grabbing a crispy Chickenmaster — no pickles — and a side of onion rings to go. Becker said he found the closure announcement “depressing,” because while there are other fast-food restaurants to grab a bite, none of them have the same “homey” atmosphere.

When Becker saw the announcement that his favorite Burgermaster would be closing, he was worried that the memories of meals with his grandma would be lost as well.

“I know they’ll still be there,” Becker said.

And while the memories will live on long after Burgermaster’s building is gone, and the apartments go up, Becker still can’t shake the sadness that comes with saying goodbye.

“It’s part of my family,” he said.