Lumpy's Diner

Name of business: Lumpy’s Diner

Type of business: Restaurant

Owners: Jeremy “Lumpy” and Melissa Sturgill

Founded: November 2008

Address: 5891 Lone Tree Way, Suite A, Antioch

Phone number: 778-5867

Hours: Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Number of employees: 30

Products and services: “All American dinner, just like mama’s cooking,” according to owners Lumpy and Melissa Sturgill. The diner specializes in burgers and breakfast meals. Their most popular burger is the Buffalo blue cheese burger, but they dare those with a real appetite to try their “The Dog Pounder”. This features three pounds of hamburger, mayonasie, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, cheese and four slices of bacon. Those who complete the meal are treated to the honor of having their name on the hall of fame wall and a free t-shirt. The Sturgill’s warn though that to be placed on the wall, six condiments must be consumed.

Other favorites include “The Cure” breakfast, which includes hash browns, biscuit, meat, eggs, cheese and gravy piled high, and the breakfast burritos. Aside from dinner and breakfast Lumpy’s also offers sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, chili, chicken dishes, Philly steak sandwiches, and a variety of French fries. Lumpy’s Diner is a family restaurant and offers a kids’ meal. They provide dine-in, take-out, catering and event services.

How did you get into the business? Lumpy’s parents own a popular restaurant in Concord called Diggers Diner. He worked in their diner since he was 13 years old. Over the past few years the young couple has been interested in opening their own place on this side of the hill. Melissa is originally from Antioch and wanted to move back to her hometown. When the former restaurant at their location, NYPD Pizza, closed they found their ideal spot and made preparations to open.

Best part about the business: For Melissa the best part about the business is being around the people. “The size of the restaurant is small and we want to keep it that way. We get our regular customers and they become friends,” she said. “Already we are making a lot of new relationships.”

Worst part about the business: “No sleep,” said Lumpy. “We are here 24/seven. We stay from opening to closing. Really there is no worse part. We picked this as a living because we love the work. We knew exactly what we were getting into and we enjoy doing it.”

Key to success: “Hard work and dedication. We aren’t scared to put in hours needed,” Lumpy said. “It helps that we keep our prices awesome and we’ve been really crowded since we opened. It has been a blessing.”

Biggest misperception about the business: The Sturgill’s said that there really isn’t a misperception about the business, but what people are really surprised about when they walk in the door is that the couple is so young. “They appreciate that we are two young kids trying to make a living and a so dedicated to what we are doing,” Melissa said.

Future plans: Eventually the couple hopes to expand just a bit so they can host a larger space for parties. They also hope to have some car shows in the summer. Presently they are setting up a high school student breakfast special, which includes a breakfast sandwich and an energy drink. High School I.D. will be required for the deal.