An upscale patty-maker that its owner says is intent on "reviving the classic American hamburger stand" will debut Monday, Jan. 31, in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
BurgerFi (4343 N. Ocean Dr., 954-489-0110) stands for proprietor David Manero's notion of the "burgerfication of the nation," which in this case means fresh, all-natural Angus beef patties cooked on a flat-top griddle and meant to be customized to taste with more than 20 different toppings, from bacon and veggies to sauces and cheeses.
It also means hand-cut fries seasoned with sea salt and premium frozen custard from one of the few continuous-flow custard machines on the East Coast, the latter also offered DIY with an assortment of sweet-treaty toppings. Add Chicago-style all-beef hot dogs, house-made cupcakes, naturally sweetened sodas, craft beers and organic wines and you've got the rest of the menu.
Design is by Manero's wife, Lynn, who makes plentiful use of recycled materials, including wood and steel beams, tables and counters made of reclaimed wood, picnic tables made of recycled plastic bottles, and chrome chandeliers fashioned from meathooks.
Manero, who also owns DeVito South Beach, The Office and twin Vic & Angelo's, has partnered with New York attorney Lee Goldberg on the venture, which they plan to extend to other parts of South Florida, as well as California, Texas and Connecticut, so we'll see if the nation is ready for burgerfication or needs a burger vacation.
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