Funny Farm Burgers and Fries bringing fresh flavour and family atmosphere to Clinton

Owners Lisa and Rob Durnin-Raidt stand outside their burger joint located at 14 Isaac St. in Clinton.

A new locally inspired burger quick service restaurant is preparing to open its doors in Clinton, Ontario, and owners Lisa and Rob Durin - Raidt are hoping to serve more than just burgers and fries — they’re aiming to create a welcoming gathering place for the entire community.

Funny Farm Burgers & Fries soft launched their opening on National Burger Day. The restaurant promises fresh-cut fries, locally sourced ingredients, and a classic roadside burger experience rooted in small-town values.

For Lisa and Rob, opening the restaurant came after years spent as Lisa was working in healthcare and nursing homes.

“I’ve pretty much been in the food industry all my life,” she explained.

“I was working in the nursing field and finally just got fed up with it. I quit my job on a whim, and while driving around Clinton we saw some empty storefronts and thought, ‘What does Clinton need?  A fresh new restaurant just seemed like the way to go.”

The couple says creating a comfortable and fun environment was one of their biggest goals from the beginning.

“We want anyone and everyone to feel welcome here,” Lisa said.

“Healthcare is stressful, and I just wanted a place where people can come in, feel comfortable, happy, and have fun. We want it to feel like family.”

That community focus will also extend beyond the restaurant itself. 

During their soft opening day, Funny Farm Burgers & Fries hosted a food drive encouraging visitors to bring non-perishable food items to support local causes. The restaurant is also trying to support local suppliers whenever possible. 

Their beef comes from Harm-N-E Longhorns just outside Clinton, while other ingredients are sourced through Canadian suppliers.

“We really want the community’s input too,” Lisa added.

“We’ve asked people what kinds of cheese they like, whether they prefer Coke or Pepsi, what soups they’d want to see. We want people to feel involved.”

Although the restaurant will start with a simple menu, customers will have plenty of flexibility when ordering.

“We’re keeping it simple while we learn,” Rob explained.

“But if we have it in the building, you can put it on your burger.”

One feature already getting attention is their traditional fresh-cut fries cooked in beef tallow — a nostalgic cooking method that ties into the restaurant’s old-fashioned roadside burger inspiration.

“We like that classic roadside burger feels,” Rob said.

“That’s what we enjoy ourselves, so that’s naturally what inspired the restaurant.”

The couple says the journey to opening day has not been easy. Construction delays, rising costs, and unexpected hurdles pushed their original opening timeline back significantly.

“There are so many unexpected things that come up.” Lisa added. 

Despite the challenges, they credit local support and perseverance for helping them move forward.

“The town has been behind us 100 per cent,” she said.

“There were definitely times we asked ourselves if we should give up, but we’ve come this far and this is what we want to do.”

Opening the restaurant later in life has also made the project especially meaningful for the pair. Lisa, 55, and Rob, 53, hope Funny Farm Burgers & Fries eventually becomes something their family can continue for years to come.

“We have kids and grandkids,” Lisa said.

“We want this to stay in the family someday.”

Even the restaurant’s eye-catching pink doors and flamingo branding carry a personal story. The “Funny Farm” name comes from the couple’s hobby farm outside Clinton, where they raise goats, chickens, pigs, rabbits, and turkeys.

Their love for flamingos began during a memorable trip to Florida, where Rob had the chance to interact closely with the birds.

“They were just so interesting,” Rob said.

“And I’ve always loved pink, so it all just kind of came together naturally.”

As they welcomed customers, the couple hopes their restaurant becomes a positive addition to Clinton’s growing small business community.

“We want to keep prices affordable,” Lisa said.

“We don’t want to gouge people. We want families to be able to come in and enjoy themselves.”

They also plan to continue giving back through donations and community fundraising initiatives throughout the year.