Hamburgers are as all-American as apple pie and baseball and the Temecula Valley has just added another burger joint mainstay to the line-up.
Fatburger restaurant opens in Temecula. (Stephanie D. Schulte/SWRNN)
Nestled into a cozy spot flanked by Chipotle and Chick-Fil-A near the Promenade Mall, the doors to Fatburger flung open on Dec. 16, 2012.
Long lines and a bustling atmosphere paint a picture of the public’s love of a great burger.
“I opened my first Fatburger franchise in Riverside in Sept. of 2007,” franchise owner Ray Malik explained. “As I could see the economy starting to turn around I decided to open the Temecula location.”
Malik added several reasons prompted him to open up a Fatburger in Temecula, including the rich history of the 60-year-old restaurant chain.
“There was no Fatburger within 30 miles to the north or south of Temecula and the fact that the Promenade Mall is close by means there is a lot of traffic.”
He said that his research showed a large percentage of Temecula residents are from out of the area and have most likely visited a Fatburger.
“I believe local residents will be thrilled to have a Fatburger to call their own.”
That sentiment rang true for a customer who was all smiles as she enjoyed her burger and fries.
“This is my first time to this location and I am so glad it’s here,” local resident Jennifer Rizzo explained. “The food is delicious and it’s a great place to bring the kids.”
Rizzo added the last time she was at a Fatburger was many years ago at an Irvine location.
Enthusiastic employees sang out orders as the fast as the patrons placed them.
The burgers range in several sizes depending on how hungry you are: Small through XXXL means any appetite can be quenched.
There is even a wall of fame dedicated to people who put away the 2 pound XXXL burger. Those who finish the massive hamburger are given a certificate and have their pictures posted on the wall.
Chicken sandwiches, a veggie burger and a turkey burger round out the menu. Sidekicks include fries, onion rings and hand-scooped ice cream shakes.
“This is really tasty,” Anita Duhamell, of Temecula said in between bites of a turkey burger. “It’s been years since I have been to a Fatburger.”
Duhamell’s young children both raved about their old fashioned root beer floats one slurp at a time.
Chances are the Temecula Fatburger will stick around and become a local favorite.
“I am so excited about the future of this restaurant,” Malik said with a big smile. “We are planning a grand opening in the near future.”
The Temecula Fatburger is located at 40573 Margarita Road Suite 100.
Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer with SWRNN. She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com.
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Getting tired of having to drive to Mall to find new or large restaurants, we need new ones off Temecula Parkway!