The Great Root Bear may be gone, but a menu filled with burgers hasn’t.
On Friday, independently-owned and run Beach Burgers opened at 4903 Lakeshore Drive in Sylvan Lake — the same place where A&W used to be.
Noel Pinada is managing the fast food outlet. He says it’s an industry he loves.
Pinada moved from the Philippines about five years ago with his wife and two children.
“People like their fast food restaurants, especially here on Lakeshore Drive and it’s a summer tourist location,” said Pinada. “Sylvan Lake is beautiful, especially in the summertime.”
Pinada used to live in Wetaskiwin, a community he describes as quieter.
For two years, Pinada managed the Sylvan Lake A&W under Diane Stewart.
Then the fast food company was looking to move off Lakeshore Drive and into the industrial area. The A&W brand was sold to a different operator and is expected to re-open later this year, said Pinada.
Stewart is now the owner of Beach Burgers, a place decorated in brown and beige.
“We came up with the name because we are along Lakeshore Drive,” said Pinada.
Pinada said their restaurant is far different than A&W. Burgers and chicken are still sold, but the menu has more breakfast items and salads.
The burgers are bigger. Plus, he thinks they are tastier.
“We have a little more healthy stuff,” said Pinada on Tuesday.
Right now, they are open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Once the summer season begins in about a month, the restaurant will open about a half hour earlier and close a half hour later.
They have about 12 staff. Plans are to hire additional summer staff.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com