In a move reminiscent of Danny Meyer's Shake Shack origins, restaurateur Stephen Starr will open a seasonal burger stand in Philadelphia's Franklin Square. The actual stand will open midsummer but until then, Starr's restaurant group will work out of a tent. There's no name as of yet for this venture. Says the Philadelphia Business Journal:
“Franklin Square has always been one of my daughter’s favorite places in the city, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to create a concept for her and other families visiting the park. We are ready to serve the best burgers, hot dogs and shakes that everyone can enjoy while maintaining the quality service and cuisine Starr Restaurants has become known for,” Starr said. “Franklin Square is a piece of Philadelphia history and it is an honor for us to become a part of its future.”
Starr's company is behind a number of Philadelphia, New York City, and Atlantic City restaurants (Barclay Prime, Buddakan, Morimoto, among others).
Two's not necessarily a trend, but it probably won't be long before a third big-city restaurateur opens a burger stand in a park and this movement really takes off.
As a former Philadelphian and current Brooklynite this doesn't surprise me at all. Meyer and Starr run the exact same play book style wise. The only difference is because Philadelphia is smaller than NYC, Starr has pretty much cornered the restaurant scene there. At last count I think he had about 13 restaurants there, all doing well.
That said, I'm very curious how about how Starr's burger stand will procure its meat. Shake Shack owes a large amount of popularity to the La Frieda blend and Starr is going to have to source something of equal quality to get people to venture into Franklin Square for lunch or dinner (I'd love it he could get a compelling blend from an Amish natural beef purveyor in Lancaster). Although the square was completely renovated a few years ago, and is in close proximity to Independence Mall, it's still in a pedestrian dead zone.
Call me a heretic, but I don't really think La Frieda beef makes a burger. It's not like La Frieda practices black magic over its meat grinders to make a tastier burger.
Is it a good starting point? Yes. But I've tasted burgers made with La Frieda meat that might as well have been made with cafeteria beef because of poor preparation.
And I've tasted burgers in places that have never heard of La Frieda and its overblown reputation that were better than the Shake Shack.
I'm sure Starr can find as good a supplier in Philadelphia.
Wow. Adam, didn't you do a whole post about a tour of La Frieda on AHT a long while back? I'm kinda surprised with your opinion, although there's nothing inherently wrong with it.
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5 Comments:
As a former Philadelphian and current Brooklynite this doesn't surprise me at all. Meyer and Starr run the exact same play book style wise. The only difference is because Philadelphia is smaller than NYC, Starr has pretty much cornered the restaurant scene there. At last count I think he had about 13 restaurants there, all doing well.
That said, I'm very curious how about how Starr's burger stand will procure its meat. Shake Shack owes a large amount of popularity to the La Frieda blend and Starr is going to have to source something of equal quality to get people to venture into Franklin Square for lunch or dinner (I'd love it he could get a compelling blend from an Amish natural beef purveyor in Lancaster). Although the square was completely renovated a few years ago, and is in close proximity to Independence Mall, it's still in a pedestrian dead zone.
Still, can't wait to try it this summer.
EazyB at 11:42AM on 04/03/09
Call me a heretic, but I don't really think La Frieda beef makes a burger. It's not like La Frieda practices black magic over its meat grinders to make a tastier burger.
Is it a good starting point? Yes. But I've tasted burgers made with La Frieda meat that might as well have been made with cafeteria beef because of poor preparation.
And I've tasted burgers in places that have never heard of La Frieda and its overblown reputation that were better than the Shake Shack.
I'm sure Starr can find as good a supplier in Philadelphia.
Adam Kuban at 12:48PM on 04/03/09
Wow. Adam, didn't you do a whole post about a tour of La Frieda on AHT a long while back? I'm kinda surprised with your opinion, although there's nothing inherently wrong with it.
EazyB at 1:49PM on 04/03/09
Nick Solares did a whole post with the tour of La Frieda.
My feeling on La Frieda is that they do an awesome job, the burgers made from their meat can be spectacular, but that they're overhyped.
You'd think the fucking hamburger never existed before these guys.
Adam Kuban at 2:39PM on 04/03/09
Prairie at 2:50PM on 04/04/09