Wahlburgers, Mark Wahlberg’s Burger Chain, to Hit Palo Alto This Spring

The first California location of Wahlburgers, the burger chain owned by Mark Wahlberg of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch fame and his two brothers, is headed to Palo Alto. It’s set to replace Sam’s Chowder House (185 University Avenue), which opened in 2013 and maintains a location in Half Moon Bay.

Though Sam’s is closing, Palo Alto’s dining scene continues to fill with buzzy chains, and big name expansions, including Nobu in the Epiphany Hotel, and Marc Vetri’s Terrain. Sam’s co-owner Julie Shenkman told Inside Scoop that the space has already been sold, and is in the process of transforming into one of the 30 Wahlburger restaurants headed to California in 2017, and could be open by spring. That’s a lot of burgers, people.

Despite the rapid expansion, the Wahlberg’s company isn’t all Marky Mark’s and Funky Bunches— five employees leveled a class action lawsuit against the Coney Island franchise (which Eater NY critic Robert Sietsma found only average), alleging wage theft and violation of labor laws.

Stay tuned for more information on opening.

• Mark Wahlberg’s Wahlburgers headed to Palo Alto, will replace Sam’s Chowder House [Inside Scoop]
• Nobu to Hit Palo Alto in June 2017 [ESF]
• The 15 Hottest New Restaurants in Silicon Valley, April 2016 [ESF]