Arizona-born 5th Street Burger & Fries is packing up its smashburgers for a Michigan debut, with plans to open this spring at 3023 Oakland Drive in Kalamazoo. The Oakwood Plaza outpost is the brainchild of Portage native Pasha Khosravani, who will run the new restaurant while his business partner keeps the Arizona operations humming. The longtime neighborhood storefront is being flipped into a takeout-friendly smashburger counter for the surrounding area.
According to What Now Detroit, Khosravani is aiming to open “in the next six weeks” and says the Kalamazoo shop will be corporate-owned, with franchising plans already in motion. The outlet reports that the menu will mostly mirror the Arizona locations, with one special nod to its new home: a Michigan-style olive burger topped with chopped green olives and olive brine. “We’re in the process of franchising,” Khosravani told the publication.
From Ghost Kitchen To Brick And Mortar
The concept started quietly as a pandemic-era ghost kitchen in Mesa, then grew into at least one brick-and-mortar spot in Tempe, a progression the owners outline on the brand’s site. Per the restaurant’s description, 5th Street built a following around smashed patties, loaded waffle fries and novelty builds like a PB & PJ burger alongside other offbeat combinations. Those signature fries, sliders and stacked burgers are expected to anchor the Kalamazoo lineup.
A Space With Local History
Before the grills moved in, 3023 Oakland Drive was home to Schultz’s Treat Street, a longtime neighborhood favorite that closed in 2025. MLive’s year-end roundup of closures notes Schultz’s departure from that address. What Now Detroit points out that the new burger joint will join Oakwood Plaza, which already includes a Subway and the Bookbug bookstore, and shares a lot with Fletcher’s Pub.
Hiring And Neighborhood Traffic
Local coverage indicates the owners are hiring a small crew to get up and running with made-to-order, quick service shifts. WKFR reports that the team is seeking roughly 12 to 15 employees to staff the shop. Fletcher’s Pub on Oakland Ave, listed at 3013 Oakland Drive, sits just a few doors down, a setup that is expected to help funnel evening traffic into the plaza…