After nearly 200 attempts , Paikara found the perfect balance of fresh herbs and spices to compliment his food and is moving on to developing a bacon jam for a luxe add on to his famous burgers .
His passion to please through consistency , speed and quality has carried him far . Now , a second location is in the works near Corpus Christi that will pick up on 600 to 1,200 customers from tourism and refinery traffic each day , and bring him one step closer to his dream .
“ It feels good , I worked very hard . I didn ’ t start making burgers just for money , I started just for fun , and when I see my fun and my passion in a big picture , I feel it ’ s something I achieved . Maybe one of these days I ’ ll go big , I don ’ t know , you just have to wait and watch what happens ,” Shorts Top Burgers owner Suraj Paikara said .
As a Nepalese immigrant and gas station clerk turned American dream , Paikara hopes to be an inspiration to others who come from similar backgrounds as him and to be able to provide a comfortable life for his employees .
“ I think one day if I do get big , or if I do become a Whataburger or McDonald ’ s , I ’ ll be happy that I did something , that I started something of my own and I didn ’ t do it for money , I just did it for what I love ,” Paikara said .
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It feels good , I worked very hard . I didn ’ t start making burgers just for money , I started just for fun , and when I see my fun and my passion in a big picture , I feel it ’ s something I achieved . Maybe one of these days I ’ ll go big , I don ’ t know , you just have to wait and watch what happens .
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HUNTSVILLE LIVING | MAY-JUNE 2021 | 9