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Kensington Quarters to open KQ Burger at Penn's new food hall

Kensington Quarters will offer a line of burgers and fried chicken sandwiches and fresh-cut fries.

KQ Burger and chicken sandwich from KQ Burger.
KQ Burger and chicken sandwich from KQ Burger.Read moreKQ BURGER

You've heard of the Freshman 15? Penn Quakers may be dealing with the Freshman 50 at Franklin's Table Food Hall — the food hall that's about a month from opening at 34th and Walnut Streets on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

It will offer grub options from some of Philly's top-regarded eateries, including sushi from DK Sushi (from Double Knot), baked goods, sandwiches, and Rival Bros. coffee from High Street Provisions (High Street on Market), falafel from Goldie, pizza from Pitruco Pizza, ice cream from Little Baby's Ice Cream, and juices from the Juice Merchant.

Now for details about the seventh stall, what Michael Pasquarello is calling KQ Burger, the spin-off of his Kensington Quarters in Fishtown. Pasquarello and crew will offer a line of burgers and fried chicken sandwiches and fresh-cut fries, all hewing to the restaurant/butcher/bar's tenets of supporting sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Its burger could be a game-changer for University City. Three years ago, Inquirer critic Craig LaBan considered Kensington Quarters' burger as a contender for the best in town. Hence, Pasquarello's decision to base a food stand around it.

KQ Burger, designed by Ian Chapin of Edsel Design and True Hand Society, will share Kensington Quarters' industrial look:

Light cedar planks will border the stall, popped by yellow and black. There will be counter seating to complement the food hall's 174 seats, as well as takeout and delivery.

Tentative hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.