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Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Starr to open a burger shack in Franklin Square
The food stand is at center in this artist's conception. At left is the existing golf shack/gift shop and at right is the restroom.

This is not an April Fool's joke:

Stephen Starr has signed on to do a seasonal burger shack at the spiffily restored Franklin Square, home of a mini-golf course, a fountain and carousel.

Expect the official announcement on Thursday.

A zoning certificate was approved Tuesday for a permanent structure, to be erected on the Sixth Street side of the square. It's due to open in midsummer, serving specialty burgers, shakes, salads and Capogiro gelato.

Beginning in mid-April, the Starr people will start working out of a temporary tent on the Seventh Street side, at which a limited menu of burgers, hot dogs, pretzels, drinks, and ice cream will be available. It will close when the permanent stand opens.

There's no name attached, and it's not clear if this is technically an undertaking by Starr's restaurant group or his catering division. It's probably a given that prices will reflect the marketplace. Doubt he's counting on getting $12 for a cheeseburger, as he does at the Continental, $16 for a burger at Butcher & Singer, or the $14 for a kobe cheeseburger at Barclay Prime.

Posted by Michael Klein @ 12:04 PM  Permalink | File Under: TableTalk | 39 comments
Comments   
Posted 12:28 PM, 04/01/2009
Earl J
We are already paying crazy prices for a short carosel ride and snacks so this is to be expected. Good to see the Burger shack there but nothing will beat the Philly mini golf. Best park in the city and now we have good food close by. Starr people beware, the park people screwed the last vendor.
Posted 12:34 PM, 04/01/2009
Echo
Our very own Shake Shack. Awesome.
Posted 12:38 PM, 04/01/2009
Breath EZ
Who ever decided to put that park at that location is an idiot! No parking and hard accessibility across a highway and fast drivers? niiiice. The only miniature gold course in the city and it's in a sucky location......someone needs to open a new bigger better mini golf course/go carts/and batting cages in the city...there isnt any in the whole city. It would help as far as date spots and things to keep kids off the streets and keep them busy.
Posted 12:51 PM, 04/01/2009
cesegal
William Penn? I don't think he was worried about parking...
Posted 01:00 PM, 04/01/2009
burgerbaroness
I offer these tips to Mr. Starr, if he happens to read this (most likely not): Please do not use a brioche bun for your burgers. Study the teachings of Danny Meyer and In-N-Out and Philly will love you forever.
Posted 01:06 PM, 04/01/2009
gsfesq
Hey Breath EZ, any other complaints. Geesh!
Posted 01:09 PM, 04/01/2009
Earl J
No go carts but the place on Philly's side of City Line has the other stuff.
Posted 01:10 PM, 04/01/2009
DN2402
Breath EZ, Franklin Square was part of William Penn's original design of Philadelphia (Rittenhouse, Washington, Logan, Franklin, and the spot where City Hall currently resides) Why don't you pick up a history book?
Posted 01:13 PM, 04/01/2009
buffybilly
Does Michael Klein also work for the tonight show, butchering names and hoisting his coffee cup to the camera?
Posted 01:15 PM, 04/01/2009
Breath EZ
DN I was referring to the Mini Golf Course, kid park (slide, swings, etc), and food vending aspect of the park not the park itself....Do you people read these articles or do you just read the titles? WTF?
Posted 01:15 PM, 04/01/2009
The-Roof-Is-On-Fire
Expect a cheeseburger to cost $42.
Comment removed.
Posted 01:18 PM, 04/01/2009
spadty
Fantastic news! Can't wait to grab a Starr burger at lunch!
Posted 01:23 PM, 04/01/2009
bingo
Ever since they reclaimed the park, it's a 1000x better then the homeless haven that it use to be. Putting the kid stuff there was a brilliant idea, and as for worrying about the cars and parking...Real tired of that being a criteria for anyone building something good. Bene to the park 100s of times with my kids...never had a problem with the traffic. as for giving Stephan Starr advice on what to do...hmmm...how many restaurants do you own?
Posted 01:40 PM, 04/01/2009
Breath EZ
By the way Stephan Starr already serves burgers and other lunch items at the Duane Morris law firm building near 18th and Market so this is nothing new.
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About Michael Klein
Michael Klein chronicles local people, places and things (in easy-to-digest portions) three days a week in his Inquirer column "INQlings." He also covers the restaurant scene in his Thursday Food column, "Table Talk." See his work at http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_klein.
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