Yunk’s: Hoping to Become Home of the Sausage Burger

With a soft opening set for Labor Day and grand opening a few weeks later, Yunk’s, at the corner of Main Street and Shurs Lane, is looking forward to becoming the area's newest Italian eatery.

It will be manager Guiliano Verrecchia's second endeavor. His first was Cafe Michelangelo, a family-run shop in Bustleton that opened 20 years ago. 

“My uncle asked if I would come on board and help with daily operations. Twenty years later, I was still there, Verrechhia, a graduate of The Restaurant School of Philadelphia, said. 

The manager will oversee the Manayunk location with his cousin Leonardo Galliani who will be the owner of the new shop. It's Galliani's first attempt at a restaurant but he's been in the pizzeria business for more than five years. 

Yunk’s will not only offer square pizza pies, sandwiches, burgers, salads, soft drinks and ice cream, but also courtesy tables outside on the patio. Food will be available for take-out or eat-in options.

But what Verrecchia really wants is to be well known for a specialty sandwich, like other popular Philadelphia eateries.

“We are going to try to become know for the sausage burger. We make our own sausage meat and instead of casing it, we will make patties out of it. It will be another option to the traditional burger. If you like Italian sausage, why not a sausage burger," he asked. "It has more flavor, more room to play with – it will be our trademark. We hope the restaurant becomes an icon in the Philadelphia area and we will be known for our burgers.”

Yunk’s will also be offering meal packages for lunch with sandwiches, beverages and a side dish like fries or soup. There may also be daily specials for their square pies.

The new restaurant is also hoping to offer delivery and catering options as well as appeal to some night owls. Right now hours are set from 11 to 12 a.m. but they are flexible. 

"It depends on the business," Verrecchia said. "If the demographic demands it, we will expand our hours."

The manager is also hoping that the foot traffic in Manayunk will end up at their door.

“It’s a great location for what we’re trying to do. There is no burger place in Manayunk. We feel like the retail, bars, businesses and medical building behind us will appreciate our business,” he said.

With the grand opening set a few weeks behind the Labor Day opening, Yunk’s will be offering free pizza, hamburger and sausage burger samples.

They may even offer something extra.

“Once we get a feel for the environment, we will work something out,” he said.