The Best Burgers in Every State

The Best Hole-In-The-Wall Burger Spot In Your State https://flip.it/NXJynu

Chicago’s The Loyalist is Home to One Of The Top 25 Burgers In The World

https://www.timeout.com/chicago/news/its-official-one-of-the-best-burgers-in-the-world-is-in-chicago-091825

A Trip Back in Time: Nepenthe, Big Sur

800 feet above the Pacific coastline, the million-dollar view from what is now Nepenthe cost Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth $167 and change when they bought an abandoned cabin along Pacific Coast Highway 1 in 1944.

Vintage poster available from Amazon.

The golden couple—he a successful director and she a flame-hair actress—were traveling home to Los Angeles from San Francisco where they’d been selling war bonds along with actor Joseph Cotton. Paid in gas coupons, they decided to use them by traveling the new highway, just seven years old which had taken 18 years to build.

Taking a turn up a dirt road to picnic, they discovered an abandoned log cabin dating back to 1925 with a panoramic view of the craggy shores far below. Told they could buy it that very day, they came up with the cash, and the deal was sealed.

Rita measured the windows for curtains and a new stove, Wells, the director of “Citizen Kane” in which Cotton starred, considered laying a pipe to carry gas to the kitchen. Without even spending the night, they climbed back in the car and headed south. Three years later, after numerous break-ups and reunions, they divorced. They had never made it back.

In 1947, Bill and Lolly Fassett chose the location, paying $22,000 for the property though it would take another two years to actually receive the title from Welles and Hayward. The two moved there with their five children and in 1948 hired Rowan Maiden, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West in Arizona, to design the restaurant.

Maiden created an organic and open space to take in the views of both the Santa Lucia Mountains and the southern coast of Monterey County. According to Nepenthe’s website, legendary Big Sur builders Frank and Walter Trotter erected the structure using native materials such as redwoods hewn from the canyons and adobe bricks, which Lolly made with her own hands.

South of Monterey, the road, is breathtaking and treacherous with hairpin turns and tight corners and nothing between the edge and the rocky shore below, the property lies between Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge and Castro Canyon. There are no off-ramps, torrential rains trigger landslides and since 1937, parts of Highway 1 have been closed more than 55 times.

Just over 30 miles or 44 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea, there’s usually a wait for those wanting to eat at Nepenthe and Café Kevah (the name of founder Bill Fassett’s mother, a one-time suffragette, numerologist, and astrologer to the stars) below. Still owned by the Fassett family, the vibe is totally Big Sur—blooming plants, colorful umbrellas and pillows, friendly waitstaff, open-air dining, a phoenix carved out of driftwood, a Bohemian-chic look, and a sense that the 60s never died. The Phoenix Shop at Nepenthe which opened in 1964 is the place to buy artwork, fabrics, furniture, Nepenthe Aromatherapy by Moss Botanicals, foodstuff, and jewelry such as the Simply Cool series— sterling silver and high karat gold mixed sprinkled with diamonds and vivid gemstones, created by jeweler Goph Albitz. But these aren’t trinkets. One personal favorite, a bracelet goes for $4500. And no, I didn’t buy it.

It’s also a place for celebrities to stop by. Liz Taylor and Richard Burton dined here when filming “The Sand Piper” nearby. Kim Novak, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Salvador Dali, Anais Nin, Ernest Hemingway, and Hunter S. Thompson have stopped by. Much more recently, visitors included Kim Kardashian, Anne Hathaway, Henry Cavill, and Natalie Portman.

View from Nepenthe. Photo courtesy of Nepenthe.

As for the name, Nepenthe (ni-pen-thee) is a Greek word referring to a potion that takes away grief, translating to “isle of no care” or “a place to find surcease from sorrow.” In his poem, “The Raven,” Edgar Allen Poe “The Raven,” writes “Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore; Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”

The beauty here is such that it does indeed provide solace and forgetfulness of sorrow. And the food, including their sublime Ambrosia Burger, helps as well.

The following recipes are courtesy of Nepenthe:

Ambrosia Burger

“Nothing takes the place of eating an Ambrosia Burger, seated inside the restaurant or on the veranda perched high above the ocean,” the owners of Nepenthe write in the introduction to this recipe. “But sometimes, you can’t visit us, and you are longing for a taste of Big Sur at home. The preparation of our Ambrosia burger is very simple, but it is deceptive. The quality of the ingredients and the temperature of your grill are most important.”

THE PATTY

For 4 of these delicious Ambrosia burgers, you’ll need:

1 ½ lbs. of fresh ground beef selection of the finest, coarse ground, low fat beef is extremely important. Ours is ground fresh each morning before we receive it. Many butchers have tried to recreate “Nepenthe Grind,” but we only get ours through Carmel Meats and Specialty Foods in Marina, CA. There is none better.

Form the meat into a six-ounce ball and roll in your hand to form together. Lay the ball on a clean flat surface and press flat. The edges of the patty should be cracked and broken, not perfectly smooth. This really enhances flavor.

The patty must be cooked on a hot open brazier, either over medium hot coals or open gas flame. Turn the burger only once, immediately when you see blood rise to the top. When you see clear juice rise on the cooked side, you’ve got a perfect medium rare.

Wait as long as possible to add cheese, as this slows down cooking time.

AMBROSIA SAUCE

  • 1 cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup Tomato Sauce
  • ¼ cup Mild Chile Salsa

Mix the ingredients fresh for your Ambrosia Sauce. It is very simple, but what a great flavor it adds to your burger.

THE BUN

  • 4 each fresh steak rolls
  • 2 tbsp butter

Butter the buns before you toast them. When you turn your burgers, toast the buns on a pre-heated flat grill, or, over the open flame next to your burgers.

THE PROCEDURE

Upon request, have fresh lettuce, sliced tomato, onion and thin slice cheddar cheese nearby on a plate. The first bite of the burger should almost burn your palate. We believe you can never serve an Ambrosia Burger too fast. Serve with tossed green salad and French fries.

Triple Berry Pie

This is one of the best desserts we’ve ever served. Only slightly sweet, the tart fruit and delicious crumb topping are excellent when heated, then served with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream.

The recipe for the filling will yield one 10″ pie

THE FILLING

  • 3 ½ cups frozen raspberries
  • 3 ½ cups frozen blackberries (boysenberries)
  • 3 ½ cups strawberries
  • 3 TBSP corn starch
  • 2 oz. Grand Marnier
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

Defrost frozen berries in a colander to drain excess juice. Mix all ingredients together and let sit for five minutes.

CRUST PREPARATION – (FOR ONE 10″ CRUST)

  • 3/4 cup + 1TBSP ap flour
  • 1/2 tsp. sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 7 TBSP cold unsalted butter (or 3 1/2 oz)
  • 1-3 tsp heavy cream

With first four ingredients in food processor, pulse until garbanzo sized chunks are formed. Bring dough together with cream. Chill up to ½ hour, roll out and fit into pie pan, flute edges.

NUT CRUMB TOPPING FOR ONE PIE

  • ¾ cup walnuts
  • ¾ cup ap flour
  • ¾ cup rolled oats
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter

Pulse all ingredients in food processor until garbanzo sized chunks are formed.

TO PREPARE

Mix filling ingredients together, let sit five minutes, fill in prepared crust, top with nut crumb topping, covering all berries. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until golden brown and bubbles rage!

Chicago Restaurant Week Kicks Off with First Bites Bash and 13 EMMY Nominations for “The Bear”

If you are a fan of the FX/Hulu series “The Bear“, you may be excited to hear that the show is currently up for 13 EMMY nominations including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Jeremy Allen White), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Sydney Adamu), Outstanding Directing, and more! (Tune in on January 15, 2024, for the live telecast on FOX or stream it the next day on HULU.)

Chicago is often a backdrop for hit TV shows but Season 2 of “The Bear” has brought greater awareness to Chicago’s dynamic food scene. Extending beyond the famous Mr. Beef in Season 1, the second season highlights a range of Chicago hot spots from Michelin-star restaurants to casual pizza joints. It’s become so popular in fact that it’s even inspired a local operator to create Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour


Setting the scene for a month of culinary excellence, the EMMY buzz surrounding “The Bear” is the perfect kick-off to Chicago Restaurant Week (January 19 – February 4, 2024) which officially begins Thursday, January 18 (6:00 – 9:00 p.m.) with First Bites Bash, an all-inclusive tasting event at the iconic Field Museum where guests can enjoy gourmet bites from local restaurants, sip wine, beer and spirits from top brands and explore select Field Museum exhibits after hour. 


Chicago Restaurant Week will feature over 350 participating restaurants offering unbeatable prix fixe menus for a set price of just $25 for brunch/lunch and $42 or $59 for dinner.

Fans of “The Bear” might recognize the below restaurants and be interested in taking advantage of the following specials: 

  • After, the companion cocktail lounge of Ever which is the stand-in for the Copenhagen restaurant where Chef Marcus perfects his dessert skills, is offering a 3-course dinner for $59 (*beverage tax and gratuity not included).
  • Avec, where Chef Syd gets a pre-service sneak peek and gets advice from famed Chicago restaurateur Donnie Madia is offering a 2-course brunch at $25 per guest, 3-course lunch at $25 per guest or 4-course dinner at $59 per guest (*beverage tax and gratuity not included).
  • Publican Quality Meats, where Chef Syd gets a butcher lesson from PQM’s very own Rob Levitt, is serving up a dinner menu for $59 (*beverage tax and gratuity not included).

Chicago’s own Michelin ‘Green Star’ recipient Daisies is offering 4-course dinner menus starting at $59. The Green Star is designed to recognize environmental sustainability, and Daisies is one of only 28 restaurants in North America, and the only one in Chicago, that can boast this accolade. 

Additionally, there are dozens of acclaimed Michelin- and James Beard Award-winning spots on the list this year, an affordable way to experience more of Chicago’s creative, fine-dining scenehttps://www.choosechicago.com/blog/dining/fine-dining-chicago-restaurant-week/Search the Participating Restaurants Guide to reserve your place; the website enables you to search via cuisine or neighborhood, indicate dietary preferences (gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan), and support women-owned and minority-owned businesses. 

For more information, visit Choose Chicago.

Where to Celebrate Fun Food Holidays This September in Phoenix

Food days–and food months–celebrate our favorite foods so don’t miss out on what’s going on this month in Phoenix.

National Chicken Month (September)

Just in time for National Chicken Month, Bar Louie unveiled five new dinner items including two new chicken dishes. Guests can try the Monterey Chicken made with two grilled chicken breasts, roasted cremini mushrooms, artichoke hearts, roasted tomatoes, lemon herb sauce, roasted baby potatoes and asparagus. Guests can also indulge in New Orleans Chicken and Shrimp Pasta made with blackened chicken, jumbo shrimp, andouille sausage, red and green bell peppers and house-made Cajun cream sauce. 

International Bacon Day

Actually International Bacon Day was September 2nd but I’m a firm believer that every day is a great day to celelbrate bacon. So check out Twisted by Wetzel’s where guests can indulge in the Everything Bacon Twisted Signature Dog, featuring Wetzel’s signature hot dog and pretzel bun, topped with twisted sauce, wetz cheese sauce, bacon bits, slaw, and green onion. Not to be missed either is their unique Bacon Ranch Twistz, a tasty Wetzel’s garlic pretzel dough twisted and filled with bacon, mozzarella, parmesan, sun-dried tomato pesto, ranch, and green onions. Their Maple Bacon Topped Pretzel is a sweet-and-savory must-try–an original Wetzel’s pretzel topped with a drizzle of maple glaze and a generous sprinkle of crispy bacon bits, linked HERE.

National Beer Lover’s Day (Sept. 7)

Celebrate National Beer Lover’s Day on September 7th at Bar Louie. That’s when guests can enjoy a wide range of local, rotating, and seasonal beers, along with various tapped options including IPAs and imports. Happy hour is from 4-7 p.m. (Monday-Friday) with 16 oz domestic drafts at $4 and craft drafts at $5. Late night happy hour (Sunday-Thursday, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.) offers $4 beers, $5 shots, and $6 liquor. Location-specific offers and times apply. 

National Guacamole Day (Sept. 16)

On National Guacamole Day, guests can indulge in the delicious flavors of Tocaya’s signature guacamole! For one day only, with every order of $15 or more, restaurant goers will receive a complimentary serving of freshly made chips and guac.

National Cheeseburger Day (Sept. 18)

National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18 at Bar Louie includes the sweet but smoky Bourbon BBQ Burger! Guests can enjoy a juicy patty layered with applewood smoked bacon, cream cheese, Tillamook white cheddar, crispy onion strings and house-made bourbon BBQ sauce. Keep the celebration going the following day and satisfy your craving for juicy cheesy burgers stacked high with 50% off all burgers on Burger Tuesday. Prices and offers vary by location.

National Cheeseburger Day (Sept. 18)

September 18th is National Cheeseburger Day! Dog Haus, a biergarten that specializes in gourmet hotdogs and sausages is highlighting its cheeseburgers on this day. Guests can enjoy a cheeseburger for only $5.99 by texting “cheeseburger” to 833-440-1110 to claim a coupon. See the official graphic HERE.

National Coffee Day (Sept. 29) 

Bar Louie invites guests to try its Mean Bean Martini in celebration of National Coffee Day. A mix of morning fuel and evening thrill – the Mean Bean Martini is made with Smirnoff Vanilla, Kahlua, brown sugar espresso syrup and a shot of espresso. Additionally, all signature martinis are available for just $7 during happy hour from 4 to 7 pm Monday – Friday. Pricing and participation may vary. 

Article: Best smash burgers in Northwest Indiana

Best smash burgers in Northwest Indiana https://flip.it/PilFXr

Not to be missed burger places in my home region.

National Burger Day is this August 25th

It’s time to get ready for National Burger Day coming up on August 25th. So, to get ready here are some burger and other food stats:

America loves its burgers, but there is a debate over how we like them and where we should put our cheese.  RTA Outdoor Living (RTAOutdoorLiving.com), the leader in custom prefabricated outdoor kitchens and cooking appliances, has released the results of a study that reveal what Americans really feel about burgers, hot dogs, BBQing, pizza and more. 

The survey of over 1,000 people from coast to coast revealed the best level of “doneness” for a burger is medium, with 40% of respondents agreeing. More men (43.1%) than women (36.8%) were into medium doneness while more women (23.2%) than men (11.6%) wanted well-done burgers.  In a cheeseburger, 15% of respondents feel the cheese should go UNDER the burger! Really?! Almost 19% of men want the cheese under the burger

The full survey can be seen at: rtaoutdoorliving.com/food-debates-controversial-foods/

Key results include:

–       In a cheeseburger, 15% of respondents feel the cheese should go UNDER the burger! Really?!
o       Almost 19% of men want the cheese under the burger

–       The best level of “doneness” for a burger is medium, with 40% of respondents agreeing
o       More men (43.1%) than women (36.8%) were into medium doneness while more women (23.2%) than men (11.6%) wanted well-done burgers

–       “Drumsticks” are the clear favorite amongst wing eaters, far ahead of “flats”
o       Drumsticks are the winner with 2 in 3 respondents preferring them

–       Boneless wings are more popular than bone-in wings
o       Despite a clear love for drumsticks, 63.4% of respondents chose boneless over bone-in wings

–       57% of respondents say hot dogs are sandwiches
o       A higher number of boomers (63.5%) say so than Gen Z (50%)
o       60% of men think a hot dog is a sandwich, while 52% of women agree

–       56.7% of respondents say grilling is the best method to prepare a hot dog
o       Surprisingly, 12.6% think it is microwaving is the best way
o       Grilling is 10% more popular with females (62.5%) than males (52.2%)
o       27% of those ages 18-23 feel that boiling is the best method

–       10% of Americans think that squares are the best way to cut a pizza
o       While 90% agree that the traditional triangle is the best way to get a slice, 10% do like the squares

–       47.5% of respondents put pineapple on their pizza, meaning just 52.5% of pizzas are safe from certain doom
o       60% of those 18-23 will not put pineapple on their pizza

–       18% of Americans eat pizza with a fork and knife

–       3 in 4 prefer the crispiness of edge brownies while 24% want 100% gooiness of the center brownies. Good thing there are 4 edges and 1 center per tray

What Lies Beneath: Exploring the Caves of the Midwest

https://flip.it/gHsY6E

Spartanburg Restaurateurs Make the City’s Burger Trail a Smashing Success

I love my friends at Mindy Bianca Public Relations’ firm. I really do. But if I hang with them much longer, I’m going to have to consider re-upping my gym membership to the mega level because they sure do like their food whether it’s the Cajun Bayou Food Trail, Meat Plus Three, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival, 11 great cake places they suggest stopping at in honor Duncan Hines who was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, King’s Cakes and all other yummy Mardi Gras foods, and Four Great Christmas Holiday Destinations and we know what that means–lots of cookies, candies, and cakes. Oh, and I almost forgot–there’s Branson at holiday time when they bake about 30,000 fruitcakes each year and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas where the list of foods includes herb-roasted turkey breast and citrus-glazed carved ham, eggnog cupcakes, gingerbread-dusted funnel cakes, and chicken pot pie in a bread cone along with a libation called Spazzy Sparkleshot

And now, just in time for National Burger Month, they’re on to Spartanburg, South Carolina where a year ago the former mill town introduced their  SpartanBURGER Trail (yes, they’re really called “SpartanBURGERS” and it has nothing to do with the Spartans of Michigan State University) a name honoring both the city’s residents and culinary culture. Since the trail’s inception, additional stops have been added to ensure even more juicy options for visitors to choose. All it takes to travel the trail is a cell phone to check in at each stop. The more stops you eat at, the more swag you earn. And we’re talking burger socks–we’re talking serious swag.

AAnd what is also great–no matter your dietary restrictions or preferences (we’re looking at you, gluten-free vegetarians!), classic burger culture has evolved so that now EVERYONE can enjoy the month dedicated to one of America’s most favorite foods.

Why’s the trail such a tasty triumph? Sure hand-crafted, creative, and definitely yummy are part of it all but credit goes to the chefs and owners at these burger-centric restaurants who are a major part of what makes Spartanburg a delicious destination.

Check out some of the burger stops HERE.

Classic Burger Experience: Sugar-n-Spice

212 S. Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302

Sure, burgers have evolved over the years and now they’re not just the traditional patty, LTO, cheese and bun. But what if that’s your thing? What if you yearn for the good ol’ days when a burger was just a burger? Head to Sugar-n-Spice, a classic drive-in that has only changed its menu once in the 60+ years it’s been open. This place serves as a reminder of not only where the humble hamburger started, but also Spartanburg’s growing food scene. The walls are covered in memorabilia from the community, along with photos from the founders’ homeland, Greece, for an extra-personal touch. Customers come in as strangers and leave feeling like family – perhaps one of the many reasons this retro joint is still thriving more than half a century later. Of course, we recommend any of the classic burgers, which are best enjoyed with a side of fries or onion rings. (Or both. Who are we kidding? They’re THAT good!)

Chef Ae’s

Minority- and Woman-Owned: Chef Ae’s

288 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

Chef Amonrat “Ae” Zavala brings authentic flavors from her home country of Thailand in every dish she serves at her restaurant … with an American twist, of course! She hasn’t always been a chef dreaming of serving fusion cuisine, however. Formerly a yoga teacher living in Miami, Zavala found her true calling and it led her to Hub City. She’s never looked back. To get a taste of the perfect Thai/American flavor fusion, we recommend ordering the Isan Thai Sausage Burger. This beef patty is topped with American cheese, Thai sausage, pickles, the traditional LTO and the restaurant’s homemade bang bang sauce.

Featured Main Street Business: Burgar

137 W. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

Full of local businesses from coffee shops to breweries to art galleries, Main Street is a prime example of how Spartanburg has transformed from a former mill town and railroad hub to a thriving area full of growth and opportunity for those who live, work and visit this part of South Carolina. Main Street boasts a few stops on the burger trail, but this one is a stand-out to us. Burgar offers a variety of unique takes on the classic patty, including the Aloha Hawaii Burgar with grilled chicken breast, mozzarella, kale, caramelized onions, grilled pineapple and a creamy chipotle sauce. You can stop in, grab a bite of “burgar” and feel good knowing you’re supporting a Main Street business … all while getting a tasty burger that makes you remember you’re smack-dab in the heart of Spartanburg.

Woman-Operated: Southside Smokehouse

726 S. Howard Avenue, Landrum, SC 29356

Former South Carolina Chef Ambassador Sarah McClure churns out barbecue and Cajun-inspired dishes at Southside Smokehouse. Her success as a chef has led her to represent the state of South Carolina as a Chef Ambassador, nab the runner-up spot in Guy’s Grocery Games, and be prominently featured in several publications. These accolades are apparent at Southside, as what was once a roadside BBQ joint is now a thriving, eclectic spot for a myriad of unique and modern flavors. While Sarah offers a classic burger and even a Bayou Burger, we opt for the FGT & Pimento Cheese Burger because the fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese toppings embody our favorite foods of the South.

Epicenter of Spartanburg’s Food Scene: Cribb’s Kitchen

226-B W. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

With a variety of restaurants all over Spartanburg County, the Cribb family is an essential chapter of the story of Spartanburg’s booming food scene. One of their most popular joints, Cribb’s Kitchen, hosts an annual burger cook-off. Each year, the winner of the cook-off receives the honor of seeing their burger added to the Cribb’s Kitchen menu – and therefore available to everyone traveling the SpartanBURGER trail. This year, the Berry Good Poppin Jalapeno Smash Burger was the cook-off winner … for good reason! Fresh jalapenos are smashed into the beef patty, which is then topped with American cheese, candied jalapeno bacon, Lake Bowen Lager whipped cream cheese, crispy jalapenos and finished with a Raspberry Weisse Is Right sauce. Put all this between a sesame brioche bun and you have patty perfection.

Does it sound great? Are you ready to hit the road? The people along the SpartanBURGER trail await. @VisitSptbg

A Little Burger History

According to the National Today, a website that lists all the national holidays, the name “hamburger” derives, of course, from the city of Hamburg, Germany. Some residents of Hamburg were headed as far west as the eastern shores of the United States during the 18th century. Many of them brought a snack called the “Hamburgh sausage.” This snack, like its cousin the “Rundstück warm,” combined a meatball similar to the Swedish meatball with a slice of bread for utensil-free handling. 

But, and this is according to an article on Food & Wine magazine’s website, the first burger may actually date back to 1st Century AD Rome and a dish called Isicia Omentata that we don’t think you’ll like that much at all as it was made of minced meat (we’re not sure what kind of meat) and also contained pine nuts, pepper, and flavorings of wine and garum. The latter is a fermented fish sauce used in ancient times. As for Omentum, it’s the Latin word for caul fat, an ingredient widely used in historical and traditional Italian cuisine that would have been used in this dish to give the lean meat more flavor and taste.

If you’re interested in knowing more, The World Is Your Burger: A Cultural History, a book by David Michaels and published by Phaidon Press

New Wahlburgers Opens at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place

Mark Wahlberg and Paul Wahlberg Recently Hosted a Wahlburgers Grand Opening Party at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place

Brothers presented with Key to the Las Vegas Strip for their contributions to the vitality of the Las Vegas Strip

Mark Wahlberg, who recently set down roots in Las Vegas with his family, and his brother, Paul Wahlberg, who is the chef behind Wahlburgers’ award-winning menu, were presented with the Key to the Las Vegas Strip. The brothers were honored at the grand opening of their newest Wahlburgers at Mandalay Bay within The Shoppes at Mandalay Place.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside of the new Wahlburgers, the second in Las Vegas, joining their burger restaurant in the Grand Bazaar Shops at Horseshoe, which opened in 2016.

While doing interviews on the red carpet, Mark joked with Paul that he should be next to move to Las Vegas, pointing out the desirability of the city’s schools, churches and homes. The brothers then went inside, where Mark posed in countless selfies before stepping behind the bar to pour shots of his Flecha Azul Tequila. He stopped and took photos with all the Wahlburgers’ employees, even going back to the kitchen where he spent more than 30 minutes getting to know the cooks.

The brothers were welcomed by Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, whose district includes the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, who presented the brothers with the key, which also honored their brother and other Wahlburgers partner, Donnie Wahlberg. The key honors the expansion of the franchise and the brothers’ contributions to the vitality of the Las Vegas Strip. Other notables whose contributions have been honored with a Key to the Las Vegas Strip include Katy Perry, Tiësto and Jimmy Kimmel.

Fellow Bostonian and globally renowned chef, Todd English, and DJ and podcast superstar, Whoo Kid, were among the more than 150 VIP guests who came out to celebrate the grand opening. 

At 5,000 square feet, the new Wahlburgers has a capacity of 150 guests, including an oversized bar ideal for grabbing a beer, adult shake or “Wahlcoction,” and watching the game. HDTVs are located throughout the restaurant, so you’ll never miss a minute of the game whether you’re seated in the dining room or at the bar.

Founded in Hingham, Massachusetts in 2011, Wahlburgers now has more than 90 locations across the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

More information about Wahlburgers can be found on the website at https://wahlburgers.com/, as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wahlburgers/, and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wahlburgers/.   

About Wahlburgers

Wahlburgers is a casual dining restaurant & bar founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and Chef Paul Wahlberg, which wrapped 10 successful seasons of A&E Network’s Emmy-nominated reality show in 2019 (which is now airing on AXS TV). While its interior decor is filled with photos and memories celebrating the brothers’ life journeys from Dorchester neighborhood kids to rising chef and international superstars, Wahlburgers makes food, beverages and its guests the real stars. With menu items like delicious fresh ground beef burgers, entrée salads and sandwiches, loaded tots and frothy shakes, Chef Paul and team are obsessed with making guests happy and feeling like family. Wahlburgers currently has 90+ locations and is dedicated to giving back to every community it serves. Wahlburgers At Home, the brands’ line of proprietary blended Certified Angus Beef, signature Wahl Sauce, bacon, hot dogs, pickles and BBQ sauce, is available in thousands of retail stores throughout the US. Learn more at www.wahlburgers.com and follow along @Wahlburgers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

About Mandalay Bay Resort

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Michelob ULTRA Arena, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot convention center combine to make Mandalay Bay a captivating Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, a AAA Five Diamond hotel offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll-free at (877) 632-7800, or find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.