New Manayunk Burger Joint Serves Anti-Bullying Message

MANAYUNK, PHILADELPHIA – A new burger joint with a socially conscious message has opened its doors in Manayunk and is taking a bite out of bullying and you can get a complimentary burger if you act quickly on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

After months of renovations, the former Union Taco location at 4229 Main St. in Manayunk will be reopening as Napoleon Burger.

On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the restaurant's first day in business, the first 100 customers who arrive at the new Manayunk burger joint will receive complimentary burgers. While the burgers are free of charge, customers are asked to "pay what you want" by making a donation to the Anti Bully Squad.

With Union Taco having moved down the street to 4161 Main St., more than doubling in size while adding a full bar, owner Chef Nick Farina was trying to figure out what to do with his former space, and decided to ask his 11 year-old son Alex for ideas.

"My son suggested that we open a burger joint as partners," said Farina. "And then Alex said he would be donating his salary to the Anti Bully Squad — a foundation run by NFL kicker Brandon McManus of the Denver Broncos. Alex is a sensitive kid with a soft spot in his heart for kids that endure bullying. He knows that bullying is bad, and he wants to help all kids who have been bullied."

Farina installed a donation box at the new burger joint, with all donations going to McManus's charity, whose mission is to create a permanent solution to bullying through education, awareness and prevention.

The Anti Bully Squad is a non-profit foundation which also runs an annual football camp. McManus grew up in the Philadelphia area, attended North Penn High School, and graduated from Temple University.

The restaurant will feature a handful of burgers along with crinkle cut French fries, a variety of soft drinks and a few milkshakes.

Quarter-pound burgers will be priced at $5 apiece plus 50 cents per topping, with options including American cheese, jalapeño, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions and pickles, as well as bacon or avocado for $1 apiece. The Standard Napoleon Burger, which is $5.50, includes American cheese, pickles, onion and Napoleon sauce. There is also a black bean veggie burger option, and all non-veggie burgers will feature a proprietary 70/30 premium chuck blend.

The menu will also feature a double burger for $7, and a spicy burger "with a kick" to honor McManus, as well as a Fried Chicken Sandwich with mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickles for $6. All sandwiches will be served on potato rolls.

Napoleon Burger will be open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., and will feature dine-in seating and pickup, as well as delivery through Grubhub and UberEats.

Image via Napoleon Burger