A new cheeseburger restaurant is rolling into town in a giant orange shipping container, promising fresh sliders, waffle fries, and milkshakes. But there’s one little detail that makes this particular location interesting: it’s setting up shop in a community where small hamburgers have been practically an institution for more than 50 years.
Smalls Sliders is bringing its second Ohio location to 4634 Gallia Street in New Boston, with a special event called a “Can Drop” scheduled for Thursday, October 22.
Instead of constructing a traditional restaurant, the company operates out of brightly colored, 750-square-foot shipping containers it calls “Cans.” The containers are painted in the company’s signature shade of orange, which it has dubbed “Smorange.”
The menu is deliberately simple, concentrating on cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries, and milkshakes.
It’s a concept that’s expanding around the country, with former NFL quarterback Drew Brees among the company’s investors.
But in New Boston, Smalls Sliders is entering familiar hamburger territory.
Hickie’s Has a 50-Year Head Start
Just down the road at 3800 Rhodes Avenue sits Hickie’s Old-Fashioned Hamburger Inn, a local favorite that’s been feeding Scioto County residents since 1975.
While Smalls Sliders is arriving with national investors and a modern restaurant concept, Hickie’s has spent decades building something that can’t be delivered in a shipping container: generations of loyal customers.
The little restaurant is famous for its slider-style burgers, the Big Yogi, homemade soups, and fries covered in gravy. It’s also known for a hometown atmosphere where newcomers may find themselves loudly introduced to the entire restaurant.
And Hickie’s has the reputation to back up its popularity.
The restaurant has been voted the area’s No. 1 hamburger for 25 consecutive years.
That affection hasn’t disappeared. Hickie’s currently holds a 4.7-star rating on Restaurantji, based on 237 ratings, and also earns 4.7 stars on Tripadvisor.
One customer reviewing the restaurant in August 2026 praised the food, the friendly staff, and the owner’s habit of personally checking on customers.
It’s the kind of loyalty a newcomer will have to work to earn.
Two Brothers Bringing More Restaurants to Southern Ohio
The new Smalls Sliders location is being developed by brothers Beckett and Sam Gue, who already have experience operating restaurants in the region.
The brothers own several Guthrie’s Chicken locations, and their first Ohio Smalls Sliders restaurant opened in South Point in July.
Sam Gue previously worked in education, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of the South Point Local School District before moving into restaurant operations.
His brother Beckett has a background in business and franchising, including automotive service businesses and GoFan, a digital ticketing service for school athletic events.
The brothers have signed an agreement to develop more than five Smalls Sliders locations in the region, although the company hasn’t announced exactly where all those restaurants will be located.
Scioto County Daily News reached out to the company’s representatives with questions about why they selected New Boston, whether the operators were familiar with Hickie’s, how many local jobs the restaurant would create, and when customers could expect to order their first burgers.
The company initially offered an interview with Beckett Gue but had not responded to the follow-up questions by publication time.
The Battle of the Little Burgers?
Of course, there’s room for more than one cheeseburger in Scioto County.
Smalls Sliders is betting that its simple menu, quick-service approach, and recognizable national branding will attract customers looking for a convenient meal.
Hickie’s offers something different: a traditional hometown hamburger experience that has survived changing food trends, economic ups and downs, and generations of customers.
The arrival of Smalls Sliders also brings another new business investment to New Boston, with the possibility of additional jobs and restaurant development in the area.
For now, the October 22 Can Drop will give residents their first close look at the unusual orange building. The company has not confirmed an opening date in its announcement.
Whether the newcomer can build the kind of following Hickie’s has enjoyed for half a century remains to be seen.
But one thing’s certain: if you’re going to challenge New Boston for its hamburger business, you’d better bring a pretty good little burger.
