Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Rogue States Burgers - Dupont Circle - Washington, DC | Set to Cease Operations

In very sad news for Rogue States a favorite late night Dupont Circle burger joint. One of our personal favorites for an late night flame grilled snack after enjoying a night on the town. USA Today had recently named the top burger spot in each state and the District of Columbia winner was Rogue States.

D.C. Superior Court Judge John M. Mott ruled Tuesday that the fumes from Rogue States’ burger grills were a so-called nuisance to the nearby law firm Steptoe & Johnson and must be shutdown immediately. Steptoe & Johnson the law firm, whose offices are located next door to the Rogue States burger joint, filed a suit against the eatery earlier this year, claiming that exhaust fumes from the restaurant had been polluting its offices and causing the lawyers within to experience nausea and headaches.

Rogue States, A Burger Grilling Company in April installed a system to cut down on fumes in response to the law firm’s suit. Although it was an improvement, the nuisance conditions remained according to Steptoe.

Steptoe released this statement about Mott’s ruling:

“Steptoe is gratified by the Court’s order. From the time that the restaurant started operations in February of this year, we have sought a solution that would allow the restaurant to continue its operations without harming our employees. Unfortunately, the restaurant and its landlord were unable to agree on a solution that would safeguard the well-being of our employees. Accordingly the court had no option but to order the nuisance abated and the restaurant to turn off its grill. While we wish the defendants could find a way to survive in this location and not cause a nuisance to our employees, we are committed to the health and safety of our workforce and providing our employees with a good environment to work in.”

In a hopeful bright side to this story Rogue States owner Raynold Mendizabal has signed a lease for another location and plans to eventually open at 1931 14th St. NW in the former Bargain World Inc. location. He also has made it clear that he will fight to stay open and not to feel sorry for him.

http://www.aburgergrillingcompany.com/