Tucked away in a shopping center in Tustin sits a burger spot that’s been quietly winning hearts one juicy patty at a time. 🍔
Peter’s Gourmade Burgers proves that greatness doesn’t need a fancy address—just incredible food and a chef who cares.
What started as a tiny operation in a converted gas station has grown into an Orange County favorite, where locals return again and again for burgers that taste like they came straight from a backyard grill, not a commercial kitchen.
How Peter’s Won Tustin Hearts
The story begins with Peter Stavros, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef who once worked at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel.
In 2010, Stavros opened his tiny restaurant inside a Valero gas station on McFadden Avenue in Tustin—just a kitchen and an order window where customers ate on the curb or their car hoods.
The concept was simple: gourmet ingredients, careful preparation, and recipes that elevated everyday comfort food.
Word spread quickly after OC Weekly featured the gas station gem, praising how Stavros brought Ritz-Carlton-level attention to detail to every burger and side dish.
Food critics and bloggers couldn’t stop talking about this unlikely spot where an overqualified chef was creating restaurant-quality meals at gas-stop prices.
The Norman family took over in 2013, keeping Stavros’s original recipes while adding their own touches.
They moved the operation from that cramped gas station kitchen into a proper brick-and-mortar location at 14311 Newport Ave, expanding seating capacity and creating a warm, family-like atmosphere that customers describe as feeling like home.
What makes Peter’s different is the unwavering commitment to quality.
Every burger gets hand-crafted attention, with freshly made patties that are smashed and grilled to order, creating that perfect crispy-yet-juicy texture.
The beef is high-quality Angus, never frozen, and ingredients are sliced fresh throughout the day.
Customers noticed—and they kept coming back, creating lines out the door during lunch rushes.
Reviews consistently praise how the burgers deliver bold flavor without being greasy, a rare accomplishment in the burger world.
The generous portions and reasonable prices sealed the deal.
Peter’s built a loyal following by treating every customer like family and every burger like it matters—because at a small, family-owned spot, every satisfied customer does matter. 💯
Food Highlights
ABC Burger: The undisputed champion and #1 bestseller features a juicy Angus beef patty loaded with avocado, applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, mustard, mayo, and ketchup. Customers rave about the generous avocado portions and how this burger stays flavorful without feeling heavy or oily. Add a fried egg for $1 if you’re extra hungry! 🥑🥓
The Hermanator: Named after the head chef Herman, this spicy-but-approachable burger brings the heat with Angus beef, bacon, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayo, jalapeños, and lettuce on a toasted potato bun. The charbroiled beef creates that perfect tender-yet-crispy texture that keeps people daydreaming about their next bite. 🌶️
Mushroom Swiss Burger: The #2 seller pairs perfectly cooked mushrooms with melted Swiss cheese over a juicy beef patty. Add bacon to make it a Mushroom Swiss & Bacon for an even richer experience that customers call “a great combo together.” 🍄
Bubba Burger: A crowd favorite that keeps things straightforward yet incredibly satisfying, this burger showcases the quality of the beef itself. Regular customers say it’s “so freakin’ good” and many consider it the best burger in OC.
Greek Fries: These shoestring fries topped with gyro meat, feta cheese, onions, tomato, oregano, and tzatziki sauce are an absolute must-have. The tender, seasoned gyro meat and cooling cucumber sauce create a Mediterranean flavor explosion that customers claim “saved the trip” on their first visit. 🇬🇷
Patty Melt: This classic gets the gourmet treatment with crunchy rye bread and melted cheese creating a Rockwellian tribute to American comfort food. The simple preparation lets the quality ingredients shine through. 🧀
Atmosphere
Walking into Peter’s Gourmade Burgers feels like stepping into your favorite neighborhood hangout.
The space has a rustic cafe vibe with colorful, vibrant decor featuring quirky quotes on the walls.
It’s casual and unpretentious—order at the counter, grab a seat at one of the tables inside or in the covered outdoor seating area, and wait for your number to be called.
The family-owned operation creates a warm, homey atmosphere where the friendly staff genuinely seems happy to see you.
Service is notably personal—staff members offer recommendations, remember regulars’ orders, and treat everyone like they’re part of the Peter’s family.
You can even text your order ahead for pickup, which locals love for quick lunch runs. 📱
The vibe is comfortable and welcoming, with none of the pretension you might find at trendy burger spots.
This is a place where quality matters more than flash, and where the food speaks louder than the decor.
Expect it to get busy during lunch hours—if you see a line out the door, know that it’s totally worth the wait. ⏰
Bottom Line
Visit for the Ritz-Carlton-trained chef’s attention to detail, the incredibly juicy yet not-greasy burgers, those legendary Greek Fries everyone raves about, the family-owned warmth, and portions that actually fill you up.
This is Orange County burger perfection. 🏆
Address: 14311 Newport Ave, Ste A Tustin, CA 92780
📞 (714) 832-2099
🕐 Open Daily, 11:00 AM–8:00 PM