Cari, Kelsey and Ted Lewis, new owners of The Burgie. Courtesy photo.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley Ice.Burgie or The Burgie, as many residents know it, has been a beloved part of Gridley and ‘Home of the Bulldog Burger’ for more than 70 years.

The restaurant is at 1575 State Highway 99, Gridley.

Originally, the name was Ice Burgie Heaven. The Fillmore family of Gridley was one of its earliest owners.

 The Ice.Burgie has been a Gridley staple for more than 70 years. Courtesy photo

The restaurant was recently purchased by Gridley residents Ted and Cari Lewis in a deal that has been in the works for several months. The Lewis family has resided in Gridley since 2003.

Jayne Barrow, who owned Gridley Ice.Burgie for 34 years, has retired and will help the Lewis’ for about a month during the transition. 

Barrow commented on “how weird it is” to be retired after that many years.

“I already miss seeing all my people, families with kids who now have kids. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to own a Gridley icon for so long. It’s been a big journey and a lot of hard work,” Barrow said. 

Over the years, Barrow wanted to keep the restaurant a safe and happy place and stressed that with her employees. She has also remained friends with former employees.

Jayne Barrow recently sold Gridley Ice.Burgie. Courtesy photo

Many of the present employees will remain at the restaurant, including Barrow’s daughter, Danielle. She has worked at the Burgie for 20 years as manager and cook. 

“It’s been a real joy, a good, thriving business and I think it will be for Ted and Cari too,” Barrow said.

Ted Lewis said that owning the Burgie was not a long-held goal but “everything fell into place. It was meant to be. We’re extremely grateful to have Danielle on board with us. She will continue to be a big part of it. We want to keep the tradition going and keep it just the way it is, satisfying customers’ expectations of what the Burgie has always been.”

The mushroom Swiss burger is just one of the many choices on the Burgie menu. Courtesy photo

Many words of congratulations were posted by well-wishers on social media. Some residents expressed concerns about not wanting anything at the Burgie to change.

“We don’t plan to change anything,” Lewis said.

Hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. An added bonus is that the Burgie is listed on BringFido.com as “pet-friendly.” Dogs are welcome.