BurgerFi chose New Year’s Day to cut the ribbon on the second Boca location, this one in Uptown Boca.
“We have a real open kitchen. We want people to see we make everything from scratch,” said company president Charlie Guzzetta, in from corporate headquarters in North Palm Beach.
Offering only grass-fed Angus beef, chicken and vegetarian alternatives, everything from fries to frozen custard are made in-house. Nothing is frozen or microwaved, he added.
The menu offers sandwiches including a breakfast burger, and a burger as a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. The average adult meal runs $11 to $13 with a regular beverage. There are kids’ meals including hot dogs, chicken tenders and grilled cheese. They also offer wine and beer, including local craft beers, Guzzetta added.
Called fast casual, diners order at a counter and the food is brought to the table. Guzzetta did a décor tour of tables, chairs and even the ceiling fan, all from recycled materials and energy efficient. There’s covered seating outdoors, and inside is light and bright with individual and group tables.
Business wise, BurgerFi started as a healthier burger alternative in 2011. Now the company’s up to 130 restaurants in 20 states, 58 in Florida. “We opened on Feb. 5 in a former Burger King,” he said. With BurgerFis now in central and west Boca, Guzzetta said he’s scouting for an east Boca location.
The company went public in December after a merger. Some locations are franchised, but this one is corporate, Guzzetta said.
This restaurant is next to Just Salad, also a second Boca site and a separate company. They’re both part of the retail rollout of Uptown Boca, a mixed-use complex with residential on Glades Road between Lyons and 441.
By Marci Shatzman
Photo by Sharon Morgenstern
