By Juan Jocom

Capitol Hill restaurant spaces left empty by recent closures of neighborhood favorites won’t stay quiet long. For some, they will barely skip a beat. The latest example? There is a new burger joint ready to belly up to the burger bar left empty by the departure of 8 Oz. from the northwest corner of Broadway and Union.

First Hill-born 206 Burger is moving in marking its fourth burger joint in Seattle.

Suren Shrestha’s dream of expanding his Seattle burger empire is continuing with the opening on Capitol Hill. As an immigrant from Nepal, Shrestha’s journey from being a dishwasher to a business owner is quite a climb.

“It feels great, It’s my American dream. I came to this country with nothing.I came as a student with $1,300 in my pocket. I’m just proud of myself, you know,” said Shrestha.

Back in 2017, Shrestha told CHS his plans of opening a new store every year, however the pandemic in 2020 has forced him to adapt to the volatile market that he is still feeling the blow up till now.

A new opening in Wallingford has gone slower than planned. But the new opportunity below the Harvard Market shopping center is a dream. CHS reported here earlier this month as 8 Oz. closed after a dozen years on Capitol Hill. At one time, it had been part of a burger empire dream, too. Now 206 will move in with hopes of future growth to come.

Shrestha says his first 206 Burger on First Hill has been keeping his other locations afloat while he waits for business to pick up. With the opening of his new location on Capitol Hill, he’s hoping for a new burst of energy for the small burger chain.

“I’m opening one up now [in Capitol Hill], because that’s a good and very busy location. So I’m just taking a big risk because I have confidence in my product,” he said.

Shrestha says he’s aware of the challenges of being a small business owner in Seattle, citing the recent closures of many Capitol Hill restaurants like Blotto, Machiavelli,and Boca. There is also the ever increasing burden of inflation that makes operating business in Seattle challenging.

“Minimum wage definitely is a big burden for a small business… Definitely, it’s a good market, but it’s definitely hard in terms of labor and in terms of rent,” he said.

Shrestha said that he used to spend around $30 on a case of eggs but in 2024, he finds himself spending $80-$90 a case, almost triple of what he used to pay.

“Everything has doubled,” said Shrestha .

Still, Shrestha believes in his burgers and feedback from his customers fuels his optimism about the future of his restaurant.

Passion, hard work and dedication can take you so far. 206 Burger also gets a lot of support from Shrestha’s family members who help him operate the restaurants.

The original 206, meanwhile, has weathered years of street construction for the Madison RapidRide G bus line that will finally be wrapping up this year. That should also give a boost to business. Though competition always looms. CHS reported here on the plans for a location of the national Five Guys burger chain lining up for the street.

Apart from serving its staple local, simple, and delicious burgers, the new addition to the 206 family on Capitol Hill will stay open late to cater to the nightlife crowd. This location will also be 206 Burger’s first resto bar, where they are going to adapt the bar that the previous business left and get into the burger bar business with booze and beer.

206 Burger will also be introducing new items on its menu for its Capitol hill location, including chicken wings, pork sandwiches, cheesy fries, vegetarian options and a few Capitol Hill themed burgers like a Redhawk Burger in honor of nearby Seattle University.

The new Capitol Hill 206 Burger should open sometime in April at 1401 Broadway. Learn more at 206burgercompany.com.

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