Acclaimed Napa-born Butters Burgers is expanding into the East Bay with a new permanent location at Armistice Brewing Company in Richmond.
The official grand opening is this Friday, April 3, at 845 Marina Bay Parkway. Chef Chris “Butters” Ruiz has operated a successful residency at Armistice’s Napa taproom since 2024 and is now expanding to the brewery’s flagship Richmond location. The move integrates a full-time food program into the local beer garden. Armistice is shifting its hours to open at 11 a.m. daily to accommodate lunch service.
Ruiz previously worked at the three-Michelin-starred French Laundry and was recently named maker of the best burger in Napa for 2026 by Bohemian. While he earned the nickname “Butters” during a popcorn machine mishap at the famous restaurant, he is known for a rigorous and technical approach to his craft. His burgers are described as “two-handers” and “substantial, structurally committing sandwiches designed to be consumed in a single sitting without being set down.”
The menu features high-quality beef builds that brewery officials describe as a “maximalist evolution of the In-N-Out archetype.” Options include robust vegetarian choices and a curated “secret menu” with a highly sought-after version of the patty melt. Rotating specials often include pastrami and birria burgers.
“My order is the Double Royale with the banana peppers,” says Armistice co-founder Gregory Zobel. His sister and co-founder, Alex Zobel, noted they have kept the partnership under wraps for some time. “If you’ve experienced what Chris has been doing in Napa, you know the caliber of the work,” she said. “Bringing that French Laundry pedigree to our Richmond beer garden full-time is going to be a game changer for the neighborhood.”
The brewery also gave a shout out to Curbside Kitchen for providing service to Armistice’s Richmond customers up until this point. Owners say this “isn’t a final goodbye” and that it will bring Curbside Kitchen back for special events. Armistice will also continue its “$6 Monday” special where all pints are $6.
Siblings Alex and Gregory Zobel started Armistice in 2017 near the Richmond Ferry Terminal. The space includes indoor seating and two dog-friendly beer gardens.
