ABOUT

Softies began in 2022 as a weekend experiment by friends Josh Kim and Sam Hong, two self-confessed "softies" who ditched corporate jobs to chase the perfect smash burger. Armed with just $5,000 in griddles and a pop-up tent, they sold 300 burgers on day one, and kept selling out wherever they set up, from Anaheim coffee shops to Smorgasburg LA.

Their cult following led USC Village to invite Softies into the former Wahlburgers space, where the duo built a minimalist diner that feels like an all-day house party. The menu still spotlights their Oklahoma-style smash burgers, crispy-edged patties, blackened onions, American cheese on Martin's potato rolls, but now shares the stage with fried chicken and fish sandwiches, chopped-cheese melts, creative specials, and a single must-order lime pie.

Kim and Hong work "damn hard" to keep Softies approachable, story-driven, and always community-first. They're not chasing an empire; they're building a home base for students, neighbors, and anyone who believes a great burger can bring people together.