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Hey, Dick! There’s a New Kid in Town. (Not that Kidd …)

Jack Jack May 18, 2017 12 Comments


Many readers will remember the Hawaiian Breeze restaurant which closed a couple of years ago followed, shortly thereafter, by Shima Sushi which was owned by the same people. Now, the Breeze space will finally be occupied once again, this time by a new hamburger restaurant called Wallyburger.

Wallyburger is the newest business of long-time Wallingford resident Gary Reynolds. Indulging his interest in music, Reynolds opened the Electrokitty Recording Studio, and is owner of the Revolver Bar on Capitol Hill. While the Electrokitty’s name makes no secret of its purpose, you would be quite mistaken if you thought Revolver was gun themed. This is actually a reference to vinyl records (which, if I need to point it out, revolve). Guests are invited to, “Sit back, order up a hot sandwich and a bevvy and sink into an entire album side, the way the artist intended it to be heard.”

In opening Wallyburger, Reynolds seeks to fill a hole he perceives in the Wallingford food scene. I know that when I get home from a grueling trip in the mountains, fats and starches are what my body craves, and burgers (or pizza) are what I typically turn to. Sure, we’ve got Dick’s and Kidd Valley, but I also want a beer and someplace comfortable to sit down. So, I often find myself heading over to Giddy Up Burgers or Uneeda Burger. If we had a place like those right here in the ‘hood, I’d save myself the drive.

Enter Wallyburger. Reynolds plans to serve, “Nice, upscale burgers, but not too pricey.” Expect something comparable to Giddy Up or Uneeda, but “not as rustic.” Diners will first order at the counter, then be served at tables. (There will be seating for about 30 persons, and takeout will be available.)

While Reynolds will not be cooking the burgers (that duty and honor will fall to the person who helped him get the kitchen off the ground at Revolver), he sees his role as being informed by lifelong study, admiration and consumption of the great American hamburger. And he has some definite thoughts on what a good burger should – and should not – be. “We’re going to serve burgers that fit in your hands,” he says, deriding tiny burgers stacked so high that they look like Amazon Echoes. As for buns, don’t expect to see focaccia or French bread bracketing a Wallyburger. “We’re going to use hamburger buns. Because it’s a hamburger!” The meat will come from grass-fed beef lightly spiced Texas-style. And while the menu is still being designed, expect to see a chicken, fish and Portobello burger as well as a vegan Beyond Meat burger. Seattle Soda, some beers on tap and a side salad will round out the menu.

Hungry? You’ll have to hold out a little longer. Reynolds anticipates opening in early June.

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12 Comments

  1. Mandy
    May 18, 2017 at 10:26 am

    Hoping Reynolds attempts to source the meat from somewhere other than sysco/costco. Fingers crossed.

  2. Rickvid_in_Seattle
    May 18, 2017 at 11:02 am

    Well, very nice. I really like the Latona Burger at Latona pub, but we shall see…..
    Any word on beverages?

  3. su
    May 18, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    Don’t forget Blue Star for burgers, sandwiches, brews and more. It a regular spot for us. http://www.bluestarcafeandpub.com/

    • cathy wonderful
      May 18, 2017 at 7:01 pm

      Very true- I love their ruben sandwiches,. It will be interesting and nice to have an alternative.

  4. impliedobserver
    May 18, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    I’ll be there. It’s great to get a veggie burger. I hope he reconsiders the buns though. It doesn’t have to be brioche but a slightly more fancy bread for the bun would be much appreciated. I hate it when the bun gets soggy and tastes like foam.

    • Donn
      May 18, 2017 at 11:16 pm

      Qu’ils mangent des brioches à l’hamburger.

  5. Abigail
    May 19, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    Beef “lightly spiced Texas Style”. Just the beef, please.

    • Lauren
      May 22, 2017 at 2:48 pm

      My thoughts exactly. I’m reading along and thinking it was going to be a great next stop for my Burger of the Month club until I got to that line. Beef seasoned with salt and black pepper only would be my request. It should be a hamburger, not meatloaf!

      • donn
        May 22, 2017 at 4:19 pm

        You might consider making it yourself. That’s what works for me, when I have such fixed ideas about something that I don’t need to try it to know whether I’ll like it or not.

  6. Chuck
    May 20, 2017 at 8:54 am

    I hope that have a gluten free bun on the menu. Uneeda and Norm’s both have a good one.

    • Pork Pie
      May 22, 2017 at 9:41 pm

      I always bring my own and ask them to use it. No one’s ever said no.

  7. cathy wonderful
    May 24, 2017 at 6:46 am

    I am looking forward to this. Hope for something like Red mill burgers.. with onion rings in small portions.

Wallyhood is dedicated to fostering community and communication in the Wallingford neighborhood. A group of volunteer editors rotates the responsibility of managing the site, and we welcome stories from all our neighbors.

This week’s editor is ​Jack McLaughlin. You can contact the editor-of-the-week at [email protected].

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