Q&A With Gott's Roadside: The Secret Sauce For Success

ST. HELENA, CA — It's been 25 years since Gott's opened for business in the heart of Napa Valley on Highway 29 in St. Helena.

Brothers Joel and Duncan Gott took over a humble roadside stand dating back to 1949 and remade it into the cult favorite it is today.

We congratulate Gott's on this major milestone and wish them another 25 years of success. Because we love a Q&A, Patch reached out with some burning questions; here is what Gott's had to say.

Question: What did the roadstand on Highway 29 used to sell and how did the Gott brothers come to own it?

Answer: Gott’s started in St. Helena in 1999 when the Gott brothers bought a roadside restaurant called Taylor’s Refresher, a humble roadside stand dating back to 1949. Taylor’s was known for "drive-in"-style hamburgers, fries and shakes.

Q: What is your favorite menu item at Gott's and why?

A: Favorite menu item: Baja Fish Tacos. "I love seafood and particularly Mexican-inspired dishes." (President, Clay Walker)

Q: What menu item is most popular among customers?

A: "Still the classic cheeseburger. It is perennially ranked as one of the best burgers in the country and our customers go back to the classics on our menu."

What made Gott’s expand beyond the first location in St. Helena and when?

A: "Rural to urban to suburban. Experimentation with different-sized footprints. Continued evolution of the elevated wine country picnic experience."

Q: What made Gott’s expand beyond that and would Gott’s ever consider expanding beyond the Bay Area?

A: "With each opening, Gott’s recreates the magic of its original St. Helena location through its breadth of menu, focus on quality, and unique brand of wine country hospitality. Site selection was opportunistic in the early days. The Ferry Building was being redeveloped in 2003, and Gott’s had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a founding tenant. A similar opportunity occurred with the redevelopment of the Oxbow Market in Napa. Then we turned our sites to the suburbs: Palo Alto, Walnut Creek and Marin. Opening a unit at SFO International proved to be great for brand exposure. Of course, we jumped at the opportunity to partner with the Golden State Warriors when they developed Chase Center.

"Expansion outside the Bay Area — If the right opportunity presented itself."

Q: Any lessons learned over the past 25 years?

A: "We started as one fledgling roadside stand and are now one of the most well-respected restaurant brands in Northern California. Without great people, it would be impossible. Kudos to our team for their dedication to their craft and for making our guests happy 363 days per year!"

Q: Is there anything you would like to get across to customers during this year of celebration?

A: "Gott’s is always a good time and we hope that our commemorative 25th Anniversary menu sparks some excitement in guests. Regardless of what you eat, we hope that the hospitality keeps you coming back."

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?

A: "This October, we’ll be hosting a Blow-Out Picnic Party filled with family fun, great music, and of course, delicious food and drinks at our St. Helena location. Mark your calendars!"

P.S.: Throughout 2024, Gott’s will introduce new specials each month from its commemorative 25th Anniversary Specials Menu at all locations.

• February: Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, Mozzarella Sticks, Pistachio Shake
• March: Cubano Sandwich and Dulce de Leche Shake
• April: Crispy Chicken Torta, Chorizo Cheese Dip with Tortilla Chips, Strawberries & Cream Shake
• May: Crispy Tofu Sandwich, Grilled & Fried Artichokes, Caramelized Pineapple Shake
• June: Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, Street Corn, Fried Calamari, Cherry Cobbler Parfait
• July: Coho Salmon Sandwich and Coho Salmon Niçoise, Street Corn, Watermelon Wedges, Blueberry Shake
• August: Lobster BLT with Heirloom Tomatoes, Street Corn, Peach Cobbler Parfait
• September: Crispy Chicken Club with Heirloom Tomatoes, Fried Green Tomatoes, Banana Nutella Shake
• October: 25th Anniversary Burger, Truffle Fries, Pumpkin Shake
• November: French Dip, Wedge Cut Fries, Pumpkin Shake
• December: Dungeness Crab Sandwich, Dungeness Crab & Bay Shrimp Louie, Candy Cane Shake