You might start to see the local lunch crowd shuffling back to their respective workplaces with boxes — full of mini burgers. That's because Israeli-based fast-casual burger chain Burgerim is bringing its signature gourmet fast food to 800 N. Franklin St. in downtown Tampa and 505 Gulfview Blvd. in Clearwater Beach.
New to Florida, Burgerim's "always more than one" approach allows guests to tailor a duo, trio or 16-pack of 2.8-ounce patties to their liking. Mini burgers are customized through three bun, five sauce, 10 patty and nine topping options, so, yes, you can build a dry-aged beef burger with ketchup, bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion on a whole-wheat bun. Or, you can dress that thing with fancier toppings like sautéed mushrooms, a sunny-side-up egg and jalapeño in addition to the standard LTO.
Additional menu items include sandwiches, chicken wings, salads, onion rings, home fries and New York cheesecake. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available, with gluten-free substitutions coming soon.
Burgerim, which operates 80-plus locations worldwide with a stylish, inviting look, expects to launch more than 200 U.S. restaurants in 2017. The chain has estimated a late July opening for downtown Tampa, but there's no word yet on when the Clearwater Beach restaurant will debut.
This article appears in May 18-25, 2017.