A buzzy burger joint, famous for its signature sauce syringes, is gearing up to fire up the grill at its third location.
Secret Burger Kitchen, co-founded by longtime friends Paul Sandhu and Amit Jouhal, is set to open its new Kirkland location at Juanita Village this spring.
The concept launched inside the Holiday Inn Hotel & Candlewood Suites in Tacoma, which Sandhu owned, and quickly gained attention for its burgers.
“When we started the launch, he [Sandhu] put some ads about burgers on Instagram, and it slowly started to trickle into something really big, really fast,” Jouhal told What Now Seattle. “People would come to the Holiday Inn and they were so thrown off. It was funny. We’d greet them to let them know they were in the right place.”
After word spread about Secret Burger Kitchen, the team decided to open a brick-and-mortar location in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood in May 2025. With continued growth, they later signaled it was time for another outpost.
“Kirkland–the same idea and concept, except this is more of a family environment. Juanita Village is close to the park, close to the beach access, and located below some apartments. There’s more accessible parking, so we’re testing this version,” Jouhal said.
Secret Burger Kitchen’s menu features a range of offerings, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Highlights include the “Notorious D.O.B.,” featuring two smashed beef patties stacked with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and signature SBK sauce; the “Attitude Adjusta,” a quarter-pound smash patty topped with melted cheese, grilled onions and Caribbean jerk sauce; and the “Maharaji Burger,” a smash patty with white cheese, cucumber, cilantro, the Maharaji spice blend and garlic sauce.
The menu also includes chicken sandwiches, wings, tenders and bowls, all of which can be paired with a flavor syringe. Sauce options include SBK sauce, ranch, Caribbean jerk and garlic.
Jouhal said he and his team are eager to continue growing and serving the area.
“The hospitality is what keeps people coming back, the flavor, the vibe, the essence. We’re going to continue to push, grow and challenge ourselves,” he said.
In the future, the owners plan to franchise Secret Burger Kitchen.
“We have FDD [Franchise Disclosure Document] locked in, but we’re holding on tight. We want to protect what we’re building until we perfect it. Then, we’ll be able to align with the right people who will understand our vision and the thought that went into everything we’ve put together,” Jouhal said.
Jouhal said they plan to launch the Kirkland location with a soft opening in March, followed by a grand opening in April. For updates, visit the Secret Burger Kitchen website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
