A sign outside Just Burgers reminds customers the burger shop is chef-owned, a source of pride for owners Ambrose and Amber Pina. After taking over the restaurant in 2012 and making changes, the couple is starting to see the fruits of their labor. Although the restaurant had been at its location directly across from Klein High School for six years, the new owners said it languished because of an image problem. "We just needed to change everything from customer service to the food," Ambrose said. "My hope was that people walked out of here saying 'I would have paid more for that.'" The chef and his wife upgraded the burger meat to certified Black Angus beef, began making fresh onion rings and pretzel buns and updated the atmosphere from a fast-food dive to a restaurant serving fresh, made-to-order fare. "Being a chef in this world means if you are going to pull stuff out of a freezer or a microwave, you don't deserve to wear the jacket," Ambrose said. Ambrose graduated as the top chef from Houston's Alain & Marie LeNotre Culinary School. He found a niche working for upscale retirement facilities where he said residents demanded fine dining. For his part, Ambrose knew he wanted to be a chef when he was 8 years old. "It was because of Mama," Ambrose said. "[On] Mother's Day, I made Mama pancakes and eggs over easy, fresh brewed coffee and squeezed orange juice." The restaurant owner said he loved the way he made his mother feel that day, and added that he became a chef to share part of himself with every meal he serves. Originally from southwest Houston, Ambrose met Amber seven years ago after he moved to take a position as an executive chef at Martini's and More, formerly located at Louetta Road and Hwy. 249. She came into the restaurant looking for a part-time job. Amber said she had little experience with food before meeting her husband, adding that she had a background in legal work after spending four years in college studying law and two years studying accounting. "I do this strictly to support my husband," she said. The couple said Just Burgers initially struggled when they bought the business in spring 2012. The restaurant was shut down most days between April and July 2012 for repairs. Then a Fuddruckers location opened down the street. The couple said finances were so bad they were almost evicted from their home at one point. They pawned their wedding bands four times just to stay open. Ambrose said he did everything he could think of to promote the restaurant. The Pinas said improved customer service helped the eatery slowly build up the client base they had expected when they first bought the business. Putting her accounting and legal education to use, Amber said she considers herself the brains behind the operation. "I basically find a way to support this place," she said. "I [am responsible for] the number crunching and legality of it all. I do all the ordering, all the administrative and managerial work." The owners hope to continue growing and improving the business with plans for remodeling and renovating the dining area in the near future. "We're trying to upgrade some stuff so it's not so much of a dive anymore," Amber said. "I am trying to [save some] money so we can do that."