To the beach and beyond.
Kenzington Burger Bar is opening a smaller, seasonal location on Centennial Beach from Victoria Day to Labour Day weekend.
Picture a hot, juicy burger on a fresh brioche bun with onion strings, whole grain mustard, horseradish-mayonnaise and melting brie cheese.
Now picture having that burger on a patio less than a metre from the sand of Centennial Beach looking out at Kempenfelt Bay.
"It's the first time they've ever actually done a full service restaurant on the waterfront," said Kenzington Burger Bar owner and operator Brandon Clark. "The closest table will probably be less than a metre from the beach."
The kiosk in a city-owned building will feature patio only seating for about 100 people, Kenzington's signature string lights, picnic tables and of course build-your-own gourmet burgers, fries and drinks but no liquor license - yet.
Kenzington Burger Bar is partnering with Scoops and Cones so you can finish your summer snack with Kawartha ice cream.
It's the latest move for the 33-year old Clark who had his first taste of the burger business in high school when he worked at McDonald's.
Clark was born in Montreal, grew up in Barrie and had been in the downtown restaurant industry for years before opening his own burger bar with craft beer in 2007.
"Burgers are like a universal sandwich. You can do anything with them. It's really fun," said Clark.
The young entrepreneur says he originally wanted to call his establishment "Market" but it was taken so Kenzington was chosen after Toronto's Kensington Market and Kensington Street in Montreal.
Clark opened a second location in Orillia in 2015, a third in Bradford about two weeks ago and Kenzington Burger Bar restaurants will be opening in even more cities by September.
The unstoppable owner is very much at home in his burger bars.
"When I'm surrounded by a ton of great people and working around food and drinks all day, it doesn't feel like work. It's honestly the industry that I love and it doesn't feel like work."
His staff sometimes call him Burger Clark and he says the biggest thing that sets his food apart from the rest is that everything is fresh and as local as they can have it.
Clark has been all over the world but loves Barrie and especially the city's downtown.
Kenzington Burger Bars are open to 2 a.m. and feature live music.
If you want to see a Kenzington Burger Bar in your town, Clark says feel free to drop him an e-mail at [email protected]
