Burger's The Same; Restaurant Gets New Look

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL -- After being voted Best Burger in Tampa for the past three years, Burger Monger founder, creator and local restaurateur Jake Hickton says “It’s time for change.”

The burger made with U.S.-raised 100 percent Akaushi (Kobe) beef on locally sourced fresh- baked challah buns will stay the same.

It's the restaurants themselves that will change.

“What we’re doing is updating the look and feel of our restaurant to align with what guests are seeking for today," said Hickton. "We’re surrounding our award-winning burgers with more high-quality options for our guests.”

The Wesley Chapel restaurant is the first to get the makeover. Hickton has partnered with restaurant veteran Randy Gier for Burger Monger’s re-invention and expansion of the brand.

The plan is to remodel all five restaurants -- Wesley Chapel, Carrollwood, Clearwater, South Tampa and St. Petersburg -- by the end of 2019. From there, regional expansion of new restaurants will begin.

The restaurant has also added 10 new, chef-inspired recipe burgers.

“We're building from our 30-plus topping options to craft some really amazing burgers,” said Hickton.

Choices include the Ultimate Chophouse Burger, which piles pulled pork, hickory-smoked bacon, real cheddar cheese, a thick-cut onion ring and A-1 Sauce on a fresh-baked challah bun.

As a salute to Florida’s Latin culture, the restaurant also introduces the Cuban Burger, topped with sliced pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles, traditional mustard and mayo.

Burger Monger’s expanded menu also features the addition of a hand-dipped, fresh-breaded chicken sandwich and new recipes for its 100 percent Kobe hot dogs.

There’s also an expanded line of 10 hand-spun premium custard milkshakes, including new creations like the Orange Dreamsicle shake, Andes Mint Chocolate Chip shake and a Florida Key Lime pie shake. Plus Burger Monger is introducing a new line of “un-spun” shakes including the Twinkie shortcake and Snickers surprise.

Capturing the “nitro” coffee trend, Burger Monger is introducing its own Cuban-blended cold brew coffee and has created a first-ever “nitro lemonade."

“We think our guests will be excited by the ambiance of the restaurant, savory food and friendly hospitality,” Hickton said.

Burger Monger locations:

WESLEY CHAPEL

1656 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., 813-991-4242

CLEARWATER

2454 McMullen Booth Road, 727-726-4001

CARROLLWOOD

10412 N. Dale Mabry Highway, 813-968-6860

SOUTH TAMPA

3838 W, Neptune St., 813-254-0290

ST. PETERSBURG

1325 4th Street N., 727-592-4206

Image via Burger Monger

The Ultimate Chophouse Burger

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