Bareburger to Open in Harbor Point on December 21st

The second Connecticut location for Bareburger, in Harbor Point, is due to open on December 21st, as the micro-chain-gone-global expands its Connecticut offerings.

Bareburger started in 2009…after receiving rave reviews preparing hamburgers in the kitchen of Sputnik, an underground music haunt in Brooklyn, Euripides Pelekanos founded Bareburger in an Astoria, Queens’ storefront. After bringing his winning formula to thirteen additional NYC locations, Bareburger launched its first location in Ridgefield in 2013 and is now ready to launch its second, Stamford, location. 

In an exclusive interview with CTbites, Pelekanos explained his philosophy and vision as Bareburger first expanded from its single Astoria location into a global chain. “I want all of my products to be organic or as close to organic as possible. From the meat to the toppings to the salads, I want natural or organic; that is my personal preference; that is what I eat.” With organic producers High Plains Bison Co., Blackwing Quality Meats, Pat LaFrieda Meats, Sir Kensington and Grillo’s Pickles already in the food chain, Pelekanos is now interested in developing relationships with local farms. The Bareburger brand represents products that are “free of hormones, pesticides and other unsavory elements.”

During our conversation, Pelekanos’ passion and his desire to present a consistent, high quality product was evident, “You can trace back where our food comes from.” After the ground hamburger meat arrives, a secret spice mixture is added and patties formed on-site. Customers will choose from a traditional beef patty or opt for one of the exotic choices…elk, lamb, wild boar, duck and bison; each is prepared to order. The beef patties are a six ounce blend of chuck and short rib. “When we were testing for the perfect size, we felt that seven ounces were too large and five ounces too small.” In addition, vegetarian options include a quinoa, black bean or mushroom patty. Sandwiches are also on the menu and include a fried chicken and brisket.

Each patty is served on one of four different rolls or wraps, topped with the customer’s choice of nine cheeses, three bacons, sixteen sauces from ketchup to cauliflower hummus and another fifteen assorted vegetable toppings that include greens, onion(s), avocado, grilled pineapple, and roasted red peppers. Bareburger offers sides of onion rings, fries, several varieties of pickles, sweet potato croqs and zucchini sticks. The menu includes eleven different salads and six sandwich combinations and each location might serve beer and wine, with a limited selection of organic vodka, tequila and rum available. Soda is supplied by Maine Root Hand Crafted Beverages, all organic, and sweetened with Fair Trade Certified Organic Evaporated Cane Juice while Cup & Compass provides the iced tea beverages.

With over 300,000 burgers prepared and enjoyed, Bareburger is slated to be a success and a great addition to Harbor Point, which is becoming a magnet for bars and restaurants. Stay tuned as CTbites follows the opening of Bareburger in a few weeks.