South Jersey has a new mobile food operation looking to make waves with its flavorful, handcrafted burgers. The Burger Lab, a venture by wife-and-husband team Katherine Reyes and Mario Diaz, has recently launched and is now available at various locations within the SJFS coverage area. The couple’s journey to food truck ownership has been years in the making, and their first summer on the road is already drawing rave reviews.
Katherine and Mario first met years ago while working in the same restaurant, bonding over long shifts and a shared passion for great food. Katherine, a 2016 culinary school graduate, spent years honing her craft in commercial kitchens ranging from national chains to small family-owned eateries. Mario brings more than two decades of kitchen experience, mastering the fast-paced life in various restaurants.
After taking a break from the restaurant industry to start their family — with Katherine working part-time as a personal chef and Mario exploring another field — the dream of owning their own food business never left them.
“We were scared of failure,” Katherine admitted to South Jersey Food Scene, “but the idea of owning our food business never went away.”
In 2024, they finally leaped. Reyes and Diaz completed their custom food trailer in October, but they waited until June 2025 to officially open. It gave them time to fine-tune their menu, book events, and prepare for a strong debut. Their patience paid off — in just a few months, The Burger Lab is already becoming a favorite at breweries, wineries, markets, and community gatherings across Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Ocean, and Salem Counties.
While the trend for burgers is “smash burgers,” The Burger Lab takes a different approach. Their homemade beef patties are marinated for maximum flavor, cooked to order, and served juicy and tender. Paired with locally sourced buns, fresh produce, crispy seasoned fries, and rotating specialty items, the menu stays approachable while packing in bold flavor. The chemistry-themed branding adds a fun twist, but the focus is always on high-quality, crave-worthy food.
The mobile operation is only the beginning. Katherine and Mario already have their sights set on opening a brick-and-mortar location in 2026, bringing their signature burgers and more to a location yet to be decided. They’re scoping out potential spots, so who knows where they’ll show up!
For now, burger lovers can catch The Burger Lab at upcoming local events or book them for private gatherings. Follow them on Instagram for updates and to find out where they are. Check out their menu below, and if you try one of these amazing juicy burgers – let me know!
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