A very cheesy goodbye A very cheesy goodbye A very cheesy goodbye

It's official: Burgermaster's original location closes at the end of February. Take one more trip down memory lane.

Photos by Kris Ladera | January 27, 2025

Burgermaster announced its final days in operation at 3040 N.E. 45th street near University Village: The end of February. That means you have just a few more weeks to grab a Double Baconmaster.

To celebrate their legacy in the University District, a few UW staff members gathered for burgers, keeping with Burgermaster’s tradition of being a revered hangout spot for UW students and community.

A mid-century-modern style sign reading "Burgermaster" with a minimalist silhouette of a steer framed by two blue squares.

“While we knew this day would come, it doesn’t make this goodbye any easier,” read a social post from Burgermaster announcing their impending closure.

A closeup on a piece of machinery in the Burgermaster kitchen shows the logo with the slogan "A Northwest Original"
When he discovered the property would eventually be sold, Chief Operating Officer Alex Jensen vowed to keep the grills running until the last possible day.
A closeup on the menu at Burgermaster shows breakfast favorites like crepes, eggs and toast.
The location where Burgermaster (and a former Safeway location) now stand will eventually become condominiums.

Now, if you don’t mind us getting a little cheesy, we’ll just ketchup with friends at Burgermaster one last time.

Customers wait in line and look at a menu on a TV screen inside Burgermaster

Formerly a drive-in, the U-Village Burgermaster switched to its current sit-down format in the 1970s.

We find it bun-believable that they’re closing. They’re bacon our hearts.

A man holds a burger at an outdoor table surrounded by other people also eating.
Burgermaster locations remain in North Seattle, Bellevue, Mill Creek, Issaquah and Mount Vernon.
People eat from cups of fries and ketchup in the center of an outdoor seating area at Burgermaster.
According to a social post from Burgermaster, the U-Village location “has been more than just a restaurant; it has been a place where memories were made—first dates, late-night study sessions, and quick bites before Husky games.”

We’re simply mustard-ing the strength to say goodbye, relishing our last few moments together.

UW staff members Napha Nammathao, ’12, and Jeunai Emery, ’10, enjoy a final trip to Burgermaster.

Time to patty like it’s 1952 (the year this location opened). Bring out the big buns when you say goodbye.

People laugh, cry and eat at the outdoor tables outside Burgermaster.
UW Advancement staff laugh, cry and enjoy burgers.
People laugh, cry and eat at the outdoor tables outside Burgermaster.
Some staff members had a hard time saying goodbye.

We don’t have beef with the owners; we understand it was the landlord’s decision. But that still puts us in a pickle. Holy cow, just think of their impact.

An abandoned storefront of a large grocery store with an empty parking lot.

The owners of the Safeway next door originally purchased the Burgermaster property and made the decision to sell.

Lettuce bid them a dear goodfry. Fry high, sweet Burgermaster.

Alex Jensen’s grandfather opened the first Burgermaster location in 1952.
Thank you, Burgermaster! Sincerely, UW staff.

 

Mayo final visit to Burgermaster be filled with love.

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