Client Feature: Nonla Burger

A look at menu favorites from Nonla Burger | Photo courtesy Nonla Burger

Founded by childhood friends bonded over good food, Nonla Burger has opened their fourth Michigan location on Bridge Street in Grand Rapids and brought with them a West Side-worthy menu of burgers, fries, shakes, and more. 

Kyle Monk and Johnny Nguyen have been friends since they were kids. They loved burgers and fries then, and they sure do love them now!

Johnny has an extensive culinary background and has worked in kitchens in California, Hawaii, and Michigan, including Michelin-starred restaurants in two of those states. In 2015, Johnny and his wife, Kelly, opened their first restaurant, Nonla Vietnamese, in Mattawan, Michigan. It wasn’t long before they wanted to bring on a partner to open up a second restaurant and Johnny called on his longtime friend, Kyle, and his wife, Natashia, who were living in California at the time.

With passion in their hearts and ideas in their mind, the foursome was up for the challenge! They soon found a perfect spot nestled in downtown Kalamazoo on the corner of Burdick and Alcott and quickly realized it was begging to be turned into a burger joint. The building was previously used as a restaurant space, so it had the nuts and bolts but needed a personal touch and a good scrub. Michigan, meet Nonla Burger!

The OG Nonla Burger in Kalamazoo, Michigan | Photo courtesy Nonla Burger

A BURGER IS BORN

The OG Nonla Burger in Kalamazoo opened in 2017 with much fanfare and local support. The menu was fun and approachable, the vibe was relaxed and casual yet unique, and the pricing was just right. 

Even quicker than they heard the building telling them to make it a burger joint, they knew this was a concept that needed to grow in order to succeed. 

The foursome was back to planning and a second Kalamazoo location on Drake Road opened in 2020, followed by Mattawan’s Nonla Vietnamese transitioning to Nonla Burger in January 2022, and finally, Nonla Burger on Bridge Street opened in late 2022.

The Nguyen and Monk families outside what is now Nonla Burger on Bridge Street | Photo courtesy Nonla Burger

Order your burgers single, double, with cheese or without, Beyond or the “Nonla Way” – you really cannot go wrong. You can even order your fries the “Nonla Way,” and they’ll come out hot and topped with melted cheese, grilled onions, jalapeños, cilantro and Nonla spread. Is your mouth watering yet?

“We are not a chain, just a couple of friends with a dream. Our goal is to serve our community fresh comfort food with our own creative touch. Our chefs are always supported in their craft hence all the daily specials we offer. The reason we got into this business is to have fun while creating good food!” says co-owner Natashia Monk.

A look at menu favorites from Nonla Burger | Photo courtesy Nonla Burger

Outside of their standard menu, they have daily specials featuring unique combinations and creativity from their chef team. Some recent specials that have caught our eye have been the Blueberry Bomber (Belgian waffles, crispy fried chicken breast, jalapeño blueberry cream cheese, blueberry compote, bacon, and powdered sugar and served with maple syrup) and the Korean BBQ Fried Chicken Sando (fried chicken hand-dipped in BBQ sauce with toasted sesame seeds, pickled veggies, cucumbers, jalapeños, cilantro, and mayo topped with a fried egg). Daily specials are posted in advance on their Facebook and Instagram, so give them a follow so you don’t miss out!

The Korean BBQ Fried Chicken Sando | Photo courtesy Nonla Burger

INTRODUCING: NONLA BURGER GRAND RAPIDS

More specifically, Nonla Burger Bridge Street! We are so happy to welcome Kyle, Natashia (Tash, as we call her!), Johnny, and Kelly to the West Side neighborhood. 

At Nonla Burger Bridge Street, you can enjoy an 80s-inspired experience in their eclectic atmosphere with brightly-colored booth and table seating, custom murals on the walls, and a whole collection of arcade games. When the weather turns warmer, you may even see outdoor seating and open garage doors looking out onto Bridge Street!

The indoor space at Nonla Burger on Bridge Street | Photo courtesy Nonla Burger

“Kyle and I live on the West Side of Grand Rapids with our kids, and we have always wanted Nonla Burger Bridge Street to be a place that felt welcoming for families,” says Natashia. “You can bring your kids here and take a step back in time while enjoying good food at good prices. The restaurant is colorful with lots to look at for littles and our vintage arcade games are great to entertain older kids.”

Opening their doors was just the start for Nonla Burger, and they have so much in store for the neighborhood as the weather warms up. A liquor license is on the way and will be the catalyst to bring boozy milkshakes, crafted draft cocktails, and a carefully-curated list of local brews to Nonla Burger. An outdoor patio, shared with neighbor Condado Tacos, will open up in the spring in their “backyard,” and we’ll see more themed events and special offerings (think: Bloody Mary and Burger Sundays, and an event dedicated to Ferris Bueller). 

SWIFT PRINTING: ALL THAT THE NAME IMPLIES

From the moment you walk through the door, you might be able to spot two printed pieces from Swift Printing: menus and business cards! 

Their iconic orange and white menus are printed on a waterproof and stain-resistant synthetic stock. We love this paper choice and it is the top choice for many bars and restaurants because it’s resistant to water rings, can be wiped clean, and is recyclable!

Photo of Nonla Burger Menu on synthetic stock

“We choose to work with local businesses whenever we can because as small business owners, we know how important it is to connect with and support your community. When I met Jes from Swift Printing, I knew we had to work with them. The convenience of having your printer across the street is great, but having a friendship with your printer is even greater!” said Natashia.

Nonla Burger Grand Rapids is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight, Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 pm. and closed on Mondays. In addition to their regular menu and daily specials, they offer catering for groups of 20 or more – take a look at their catering menu here!