Russell Cook, Chris Fultz, Alex Graf and Tom Sullivan in front of the long term residence of Eazzy Burger. (Mike Platania photograph)
There is a reunion brewing in Scott’s Addition.
The entrepreneurs of Ardent Craft Ales and barbecue joint ZZQ are teaming up to open Eazzy Burger in a garage adjacent to Ardent’s beer back garden at 3200 W. Leigh St.
The 2,100-sq.-foot setting up is not far from wherever ZZQ owners and pair Alex Graf and Chris Fultz debuted their barbecue as a weekly pop-up on Ardent’s grounds in 2015 prior to opening their possess brick-and-mortar restaurant all around the corner at 3201 W. Moore St. in 2018.
In the several years because ZZQ’s residency at the brewery, Ardent co-proprietor Tom Sullivan reported they by no means could very get the proper foodstuff setup at the brewery. It was in no way really the exact with out ZZQ.
“We’d struggled with food vans and obtaining a high-quality food option in excess of the decades. It was tough to get the (meals vehicles) we really preferred, as generally as we necessary them,” Sullivan claimed, introducing that they also started offering their personal in-property sandwich menu in summertime 2020.
Sullivan finally related with his neighbors at ZZQ, who’d been workshopping some burger recipes on the side.
“We go by a large amount of beef scrap that turns into beef grind which then goes into our sausages. Around the a long time we’ve experimented with burgers very a little bit and have generated some damn fantastic burgers,” Fultz reported.
“I’ve individually believed that if (Graf) and I needed to do another cafe, it would not be a further barbecue restaurant, it would be a suitable burger joint…We do not see ourselves undertaking high-quality dining or nearly anything like that. We’re heading to do some thing relaxed and effortless.”
The notion for Eazzy Burger was born, with Graf, Fultz and Sullivan as co-owners. ZZQ culinary director Russell Cook dinner will also acquire the same position at the burger joint.
A rendering of Eazzy Burger, which programs to open this summertime. (Courtesy of Fultz & Singh Architects)
Operate to convert the garage into a cafe began in current months, and the burger joint’s eyeing a late July or early August opening. Fultz & Singh Architects, the company at which Fultz is a companion, is designing it. Chopper Dawson Inc. is the basic contractor.
Ardent owns the making as section of its compound, which it purchased in 2017, and had been using the garage for storage.
Eazzy Burger will serve what Graf describes as “pseudo-smash burgers” with patties weighing in at five ounces.
“The menu’s likely to be comparatively basic, maybe 4 signature burgers but also build-your-have,” Graf stated. “We also want to do some exploration into cheese fries.” She added they’ll also have vegetarian solutions, a chicken sandwich and meatless burger solutions.
Fultz claimed Eazzy Burger’s choices will be priced someplace between that of a boutique burger restaurant and a chain like 5 Guys.
“ZZQ is not the most inexpensive option when it comes to barbecue but which is because we use the best-high quality proteins, as very well as in our sides. There’s a good deal of tough do the job and adore that goes into just about every single detail below,” Fultz stated.
“We don’t assume that’ll translate specifically to the burger sector. You never want to shell out an arm and a leg for a burger. We really do not see it as a boutique burger location at all, so you are not paying $14-$15.”
Seeking ahead, Graf, Fultz and Sullivan say they may perhaps not prevent with just one Eazzy Burger.
“We required the brand name to be recognizable as an extension of what we’ve produced right here (at ZZQ),” Fultz explained. “We understood that we wished this to be a launching off level to do a likely small chain of restaurants. Definitely in Richmond but also the point out of Virginia and over and above someday.”
The designs for Eazzy Burger were initially noted by Richmond Journal.
