Campus Burgers Is Bringing the $1.99 Smash Burger to UC Davis
Campus Burgers is coming to 720 2nd Street in Davis, with business partners George Petroutsas and JT White confirming to What Now Sacramento they are targeting a September opening just as UC Davis students return for the fall quarter. The two plan to bring the low-budget burgers brand to a community they both have deep personal connections to, making this more than just another franchise location. Campus Burgers is very well known as the home of the $1.99 smash burger, with fresh-ground beef sourced daily and cheeseburgers starting at $2.99. The menu is tight, with smash burgers, fresh-cut fries, shakes, and a handful of other classic items, all priced for students working within a budget. When the brand’s original San Jose State location opened, it was serving over 1,000 people a day, mostly students. “Students as well as anyone will love us,” said co-founder Jim Angelopoulos. The 900-square-foot Davis location will lean hard into nostalgia, with a 1950s burger stand aesthetic, retro details, and music from the era to create a fun and nostalgic atmosphere. But the experience will be modern, with self-service kiosks, phone ordering with text confirmations, and remote payment so customers can walk in, grab their order, and get back to campus without missing a beat. Catering will also be available for student organizations, athletic teams, and local businesses.
