KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

Gee Scott doubts Lil Woody’s popularity ahead of Tacoma debut: ‘Never heard of this place’

Jul 3, 2025, 4:57 PM | Updated: 5:04 pm

Lil Woody's burger...

A Lil Woody's burger and fries. (Photo @spikenheimer via Flickr Creative Commons)

(Photo @spikenheimer via Flickr Creative Commons)

Lil Woody’s, a beloved Seattle burger and shake chain, is expanding farther south to Tacoma, according to The Tacoma News Tribune.

While locals are excited for more burger options, KIRO host Gee Scott is doubtful of the restaurant’s popularity.

“I’m upset. There is no way — hold on — there is a popular Seattle burger and shake spot that’s going to be heading south. Basically, they’re saying that this place is one of the top burger places in the Seattle area, in the state of Washington. And I’ve never heard of this place,” he shared on “The Gee and Ursula Show” Thursday.

Does Lil Woody’s deserve best burger in WA?

Lil Woody’s was named the best burger in Washington by Reader’s Digest last year.

“Before Five Guys came to town, Burgermaster had been putting on for a minute. Love that place,” Gee responded. “And you mean to tell me, y’all gonna talk about Lil Woody’s over Dick’s burger joint? You know what? I’m being punked right now. There’s no way. I’ve never heard of Lil Woody’s.”

However, Gee noted that a lot of people are pumped for a new burger spot.

“Cool, I keep saying Tacoma is a desert when it comes to burger and pizza options,” a Reddit user commented in a thread about Lil Woody’s opening in the Stadium District.

“We have been in dire need of a burger spot,” another Reddit user commented in the thread.

Lil Woody’s first opened in Capitol Hill in 2012, according to The Tacoma News Tribune. Right now, the only location outside of Seattle is in Tokyo, Japan.

The new Tacoma restaurant will be in the former Harvester diner building, The Puget Sound Business Journal reported. It is set to open in early 2026.

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio. 

Gee and Ursula Show

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