P&Z Approves Burgers, Shakes & Fries

The rumors are true: Burgers, Shakes & Fries, the popular Greenwich burger joint, is opening at a second location in Darien.

Tuesday evening saw the Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approve the application, giving founder and owner Kory Wollins the go ahead to start work on the interior fit-up of the downtown property at 800 Post Road.

"People keep asking us: is it true? Are you really moving to Darien?' I tell them: yes the rumors are true," said Wollins. "Everyone seems to be really excited."

Wollins first came before the commission two weeks ago. His current location in Greenwich is too cramped to meet his customers' cravings, hence the decision to open a second, larger property in downtown Darien at the site of the former Bruegger's.

"What we lose in our present location is the ability to eat in. We want to keep the industrial feel but to also meet and exceed our customers' needs," said Wollins.

Described by Wollins as "great food, great prices and a fun, funky atmosphere," Burgers, Shakes & Fries should be up and running for take-out and eat-in business in about five months, he said.

"If I say one month it will be four; if I say four it will be eight," said Wollins. "But we're hoping for three to five months; hopefully we'll get an Indian summer."

But before Wollins could even begin to think about flipping burgers, he first needed P&Z to sign off on a permit that would allow him to grill on an open flame and install a 1.5' by 5' vent to suck out smells.

That approval came Tuesday night after little discussion.

M. Reese Hutchison said he had grabbed a bite at the Greenwich restaurant since the early March meeting. He approved.

"I'm still full," Hutchison said.

P&Z had all but granted the permit approval two weeks ago but needed the time to amend the language in Bruegger's resolution to include the ventilation system.

Plans for outdoor dining and some "beefed up the signage" are also in the works. A restaurant at the base of an office-like building can go amiss, said Conze.

Wollins said the architectural details shouldn't be a problem. He's working with Glazer Construction & Development who built the restaurant at Rowayton Seafood among others.

"He's got a great eye for detail and knows how to really make these things come alive," said Wollins. "This is going to be about comfort, but we also want to keep a certain rough appeal."

Wollins will return to P&Z in April with the outdoor design details.