In an age of over-processed, miniaturized and mediocre burgers; Billy Burgers (2 N. Five Points Rd., West Chester) offers a refreshing change. The place has a laid-back atmosphere, and customers are greeted with a smile the moment they walk in.
The menu is not static and the owner’s rule in the kitchen is “If we have it, we can do it.” The balanced menu has something for everyone, including vegetarians and vegans, like their Moroccan Lentil Burger or Falafel Sandwich.
Their charbroiled burgers are made from a blend of black angus meats that will leave you satisfied. You’ll also find chicken corn soup, a Kansas City-style BBQ pork sandwich, or Thai chicken wings with a basil mayo sauce on the menu. A meal at Billy Burgers would not be complete without a black-and-white milkshake made from High Point Dairy products, or a piece of carrot cake.
This old-fashioned burger joint has some modern and gourmet flair, with relaxing jazz music that flows throughout this “small space with a big taste.” There are a few tables where diners can watch their food being prepared. Along the walls are photos of the restaurants the owner has worked in, celebrities he has cooked for (former Governor Ed Rendell, John Cleese and Bill Bergey, to name a few), and of his sous chef at home (his daughter).
One customer named Kenny visited Billy’s four days after it opened and has been back a few times. “My experience was great. They made you feel very comfortable here,” he said. “I was referred by a person who I work with who said, ‘You won’t believe this place. Everyone is always smiling.’ And indeed they were! The food didn’t disappoint, either.”
Another customer, who is a self-proclaimed burger freak, said a burger from Billy Burgers was the best burger he ever had, and he would certainly be back.
Your patties won’t be flipped by a random teenager, but by co-owner Bill McConnell. He is a graduate of The Restaurant School and has helped open landmark Philadelphia eating establishments like Martini’s Lounge and the Manayunk Brewing Company. He has cooked in five-star restaurants in Puerto Rico, Cape May, Washington D.C., and numerous other places.
“The later part of my career, I opened up the Manayunk Brewery and I started working with beer and food,” he said. “Working with alcohol gave me sharper skills with taste and contrast, and knowing when it works and when doesn’t work. We are a burger place, but that doesn’t mean I have to use any less experience with burgers. In fact, it enhances the burger experience. We are quite different than most other burger shops.”
His business partner and wife, Sally, is the baker, and she’s a graduate from the Restaurant School as well. Her recipes and skills have been proven as a chef at Whole Foods Market, the Frog Commissary & Jimmy Duffy’s Catering. The counter is lined with her collection of mouth-watering homemade pies, cakes and cookies, which are all available for your holiday parties. When it comes to holiday dessert orders (if they have the ingredients, they will do custom requests), she asks for 48 hours’ notice.
The couple’s combined 40 years of culinary experience is reflected in their menu, their zest for food, and the array of top-notch cooking magazines available for customers to peruse while waiting for their burgers. The owners purchase local ingredients as often as possible, and recycle their cooking oils to be used for local bio-fuel. From Tuesday through Thursday, they are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to10 .pm. on Friday and Saturday. Delivery service is in the works. In the meantime, check out their full menu at www.billyburger.net, check out their facebook, or give them a call at 610-431-3100 to place your order for a high-quality burger experience!
