A pair of chefs are turning the old Charlie’s Cafe building on Auburn Boulevard into what they describe will be a cafe-style atmosphere with crepes, burgers, beer and more.
See updated story: Opening date finally set for new Crepes & Burgers restaurant
Jose Garcia and his business partner, Martin Garcia, met 12 years ago when Jose was a manager at Sacramento’s popular Crepeville restaurant and hired Martin as a cook. Several years later, the two Garcias (no relation) went into business together, taking over an East Sacramento crepe restaurant and naming it “Crepes & Burgers.”
After a suspicious arson fire burned through their eatery in 2014, the pair say they began searching for a new location. They settled on their future location in Citrus Heights after Charlie’s Cafe moved across the street several years ago, leaving the spot on Auburn Boulevard vacant.
“We expect it’s going to be good for us,” said 30-year-old Martin. He contrasted his future restaurant to the former American-style food once offered at Charlie’s and said the new Crepes & Burgers cafe will offer “a completely different experience.”
Located across from the temporary city hall near Grand Oaks Boulevard, Jose said the ample-sized parking lot and future renovations planned for Auburn Boulevard were key features that made the location attractive. Martin hopes the crepes twist will create a distinctive draw unique to the area. Their menu will also feature a wide variety of other foods such as lamb and turkey burgers, seven different salads, beer and wine, a full range of specialty coffee drinks, and a kids menu.
The 3700-square-foot restaurant is currently undergoing extensive interior demolition work. The Garcias, who are doing most of the work themselves, were seen laboring on the inside earlier this week. Nearly everything is stripped out and all-new kitchen equipment is waiting to be installed.
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The partners hope to open by late July or early August; they plan to being the hiring process within a month. Martin said the two plan to hire a staff of about 20, with Jose and himself serving as the primary chefs in the kitchen.
Crepes & Burgers, once open, will tentatively operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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