The Oinkster operates out of a classic A-frame building—an increasingly rare architectural style emblematic of mid-century California fast food restaurants. It was, in fact, a former fast food spot that Andre Guerrero frequented in his youth. The Oinkster quickly built a strong following for its unique approach to “slow fast food”—elevated, house-made versions of American classics like burgers, pastrami, and Belgian-style fries. Everything is made in-house, right down to the ketchup—and The Oinkster has cultivated a loyal following because of it.
“When you’ve been open for this long, and you reach a point where you can be called a legacy restaurant, it goes beyond just serving food,” said Max Guerrero. ”People who have been patrons for 18 years become more like family than customers who are just buying food because you hear their stories.”
In 2024, The Oinkster was one of 50 restaurants across the country that received $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grants. The funds allowed the Guerreros to repair the restaurant’s neon sign and repaint the entire building—critical upgrades that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
“Being a small business, there’s not always money to throw at painting the building or making all these repairs to beautify the space and make sure it looks good from the outside,” said Max. “Having that financial aid to preserve this building, which is so iconic in the neighborhood, it really helps us to serve our neighbors and to create a safe and clean space for the community.”
