Iconic Grand Rapids Building Gets New Life as Board Game Lounge and Restaurant

A familiar Grand Rapids building is back open, but what’s inside now looks a lot different from what locals remember.

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From Fat Boy to Kobold’s Kitchen

The former home of Fat Boy Burgers, a Plainfield Avenue staple that first opened in 1952 and closed after more than 70 years in early 2025, has officially been reborn as a board game lounge and restaurant after nearly a year of renovations.

Kobold's Kitchen opened June 3, 2026, transforming the space into a hybrid restaurant, café, and tabletop gaming lounge built around one idea: stay awhile.

At the center of the concept is owner Theodore “Teo” Geiger, who previously worked as a food safety scientist and spent years immersed in board game lounge culture. According to the restaurant, Geiger’s personal board game collection eventually grew large enough that it became the foundation for the business itself.

He partnered with Ashley Wilson, head baker and general manager, and Karina Pavey, the game librarian, to bring the concept to life in Grand Rapids’ Creston neighborhood.

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Curious about the name? A kobold is a mythological creature from German folklore, known as a mischievous prankster, that has since become a fantasy staple in games like Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft.

A Board Game Library of 800 Titles

Inside Kobold's Kitchen, guests will find a library of more than 800 board games, with staff “Gametenders” available to help recommend titles, explain rules, and get groups started quickly.

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You’ll find everything from trivia-style party games and word games, to classic favorites like Monopoly-style strategy games, fast card games, and more complex tabletop adventures for longer play sessions.

Food and drink are just as central to the experience. The menu blends global comfort food with familiar favorites, including smash burgers, fried chicken, bánh mì, empanadas, samosas, grain bowls, salads, pizza puffs, pickle fries, and mini vegan corn dogs. Drinks range from espresso and matcha to boba, teas, Italian sodas, and specialty coffees.

Breakfast is served until 1 p.m., with biscuits and gravy, buttermilk pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, home fries, and a smash burger hash rounding out the morning menu.

Guests can stop in just for food and drinks or reserve a table for dedicated game sessions in timed blocks. A membership option also allows customers to rent board games for at-home play.

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The new restaurant is currently operating in a soft opening period, allowing the team to train staff, refine the menu, and gather community feedback.

Geiger says,

We are so excited to open our doors and provide our community with a safe space to slow down, recharge, and reconnect over delicious food and great games.

Located at 2450 Plainfield Ave NE, Kobold's Kitchen is open seven days a week.

Hours are:
Sunday and Monday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

For a building that spent more than seven decades as a classic burger stop, the new version is a big shift. But the core idea still feels familiar, people gathering around a table, just with a lot more ways to play once they get there.