A Bonita couple legally runs Burger Kook from home under a San Diego County permit, serving gourmet burgers crafted from premium ingredients.BONITA, Calif. — Ryan Cunningham and Kalina O'Connor opened the Burger Kook about a year ago and have built a devoted following through word of mouth and social media. The business operates under a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation, or MEHKO, permit issued by San Diego County."And we get to run a restaurant essentially out of our house with that permit," said Ryan Cunn...
A Bonita couple legally runs Burger Kook from home under a San Diego County permit, serving gourmet burgers crafted from premium ingredients.
BONITA, Calif. — Ryan Cunningham and Kalina O'Connor opened the Burger Kook about a year ago and have built a devoted following through word of mouth and social media. The business operates under a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation, or MEHKO, permit issued by San Diego County.
"And we get to run a restaurant essentially out of our house with that permit," said Ryan Cunningham.
The restaurant's tagline—"World's Second Best Burger"—is intentionally unconventional. "Everyone says they are the best. Everyone's slogan is the best. Best pizza, best burger, best ice cream. World's best this, world's best that. Says who? Yeah, we are different," said Ryan and Kalina.
Burgers are crafted from a blend of filet, ribeye, and top sirloin. All ingredients are handpicked and prepared fresh daily using premium cooking methods. "Everything is cooked in beef tallow, real butter, we are not using any margarine or fake butter, all of our ingredients are handpicked, we cut them daily," said Ryan.
The menu also features cheese fries, Kook Fries, and real ice cream shakes, with the family and their children helping to prepare orders in their home kitchen and living room.
Without a traditional storefront sign, customers find the Burger Kook by looking for its distinctive marker. People driving by look for yellow umbrellas. "Look for my Christo yellow umbrellas," said Ryan.
Customers have embraced the unique concept. "Where have you had the best burger? At barbeques and they are at houses and parties and they are at houses, so why wouldn't the best burger be here at a house right?" said customer Yazmin Diaz.
The Burger Kook also offers "World's Second Best" corn dogs and chicken sandwiches too. The restaurant is located at 5114 Central, Avenue in Bonita. For more information, visit their Instagram page or by clicking here.