NEW ORLEANS — A favorite burger spot in Metairie will rebuild, according to the owner’s husband, after it caught fire Monday night. Jefferson Parish firefighters responded to Ground Pat'i Grille and Bar around 7 p.m.
"Everything pretty much collapsed in here. They have to tear down the whole building," said head server John Randall.
Randall began working at Ground Pat'i 12 years ago.
"I loved it. I loved my job," he said.
It's been a staple in Metairie for about five decades.
"It's been here since 1971," Randall said. "We have a lot of regular customers that come here on a weekly, daily basis, and they would eat the same thing."
Monday, just after 7 p.m., 35 Jefferson Parish firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire. It took two hours to get the fire under control. A Jefferson Parish spokesperson called the property 'a total loss.'
"I was doing paperwork in my office, and I heard all the fire trucks. I came outside, and I couldn’t believe it was the Ground Pat'i," said Joe Galiano, who owns Sidepocket Billiard Supply Company.
His business is two buildings down the road.
"It was a very good burger," Randall said. "I'd like to see her rebuild."
The owner's husband posted to Facebook: "We will rebuild, and we'll build it better than before."
"We're going to expand, and it's going to be okay," Randall said.
The State Fire Marshal's Office is still investigating the cause. The restaurant was closed at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.