Broadway in Burlingame just got a new throwback hangout. Patty’s Retro Diner opened this spring at 1184 Broadway, pairing black-and-white checkerboard floors and turquoise booths with a tight menu built around smashburgers and milkshakes. The counter-and-booth spot leans into 1950s-style diner vibes while turning out quick, made-to-order burgers for lunch and dinner crowds, already sliding into the lineup as another easygoing Broadway stop.
Owners Berry and Keith Lakstigala quietly welcomed in customers during a soft opening in February, then made it official with a ribbon-cutting on March 12. Berry told Palo Alto Online she designed the space herself to "add to the nostalgia of the neighborhood." She also noted that "with smashburgers, 30 seconds can make a lot of difference," underscoring the diner's focus on timing and technique. The pair bring prior Bay Area restaurant experience to the new Broadway address.
Menu, prices and specials
The menu revolves around seven signature smashburgers - including the Patty’s Smash, the Oklahoma Smash (with onions pressed right into the meat) and the Southwest Smash - with single patties listed around $9.50 to $10.50 and doubles roughly $12.50 to $14.00, according to Toast. Beyond burgers, the kitchen turns out hot dogs, grilled-chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks, salads, wings and loaded fries, plus shakes made with Straus organic milk and Ghirardelli syrups. The online menu also highlights monthly rotating specials and allows takeout and delivery ordering.
Design and neighborhood fit
Inside, Patty’s commits fully to the retro theme: black-and-white floors, pink walls, turquoise booths and vintage movie posters, along with a projector playing black-and-white film clips. Berry said the look was meant to echo old Broadway diners, according to Palo Alto Online. A weekday happy hour runs from 2:30 to 4:30 PM, and students get a $20 meal deal that bundles a smashburger, fries and a shake. The kitchen’s patty blend comes from a Fresno meat supplier, giving the smash technique a consistent base for caramelization.
Who’s behind the counter
Public business filings list Patty’s Retro Diner LLC as the operator, formed in September 2025 and naming Berivan and Keith Lakstigala among its principals, according to Bizprofile. The documents show the business as active and list a corporate filing number that matches local business directory listings. That paper trail helps explain how the concept moved from planning to a Broadway storefront in just a few months.
Practical details
Patty’s serves lunch and dinner most days and posts its hours, full menu and ordering options on Toast. The diner also shows up on delivery platforms and keeps counter seating open for walk-ins, giving customers the choice of a quick sit-down bite or an order placed ahead. For the latest hours and to place an order, Toast carries the current information.
With its old-school color scheme, relatively accessible prices and shakes built from Straus milk and Ghirardelli syrups, Patty’s Retro Diner is staking out a role as both midday hangout and neighborhood throwback on Broadway. Early feedback suggests it is already sparking conversation among locals who care about a crisp edge on a burger patty and a classic strawberry shake to go with it.
