Fare Concepts announced the grand opening of the first location for their better burger restaurant, Fresh Stack Burger Co, at 20413 N Rand Rd in Kildeer Village Square at 11 a.m. on Monday May 11. The fast-casual spot will be open for carry out and delivery services while the state is under the governor’s “Stay-at-Home” mandate. The restaurant’s founders are hosting a Virtual Ribbon Cutting & Tour at 2 p.m. on May 11 through Google Meet, and will be joined by Kildeer Village President Nandia Black, officials from area chambers and Fabio Viviani, a “Top Chef” fan favorite and the brand’s consulting Chef through Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group. Fresh Stack will be opening a “pop-up” drive-thru within the coming week.
The restaurant’s scratch kitchen uses ultra-fresh ingredients in their signature burgers and every one of their menu items; the environment elevates the category by celebrating the founders’ Midwestern roots with a vibe that’s as enticing as the food.
Described by Founders Sean Thomas (grandson of Wendy’s Founder Dave Thomas), Mookie Lee (Poke Bowl Co, Whole Foods Market) and Patrick Wartan (Hospitality Law) as a polished fast casual spot, the menu was developed by the Sean, Mookie under the guidance of chef Fabio Viviani, founder of Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group, a celebrity food personality and former contestant on Top Chef, as a partner in the project. The restaurant’s interior is a mix of decidedly modern and Midwest aesthetics – the spaces are comfortable, welcoming and airy. Dotted with greenery, the 3,000 square-foot layout features a spacious four-season patio, ample bar seating, and playful injections of local culture (guests are greeted with a middle-American “Hey There” spelled out in black and white penny round tile).
Offerings include classic American stacked burgers alongside fanciful options such as The Crunch Stack with potato sticks and Viviani’s “Rooster Sauce,” vegan burger stacks and a house created Considerate Carnivore burger (a blend of veggies, legumes and All-American beef). The menu also features hand-breaded fried chicken sandwiches made with fresh poultry, and salads crafted to meet the standards of the most die-hard foodies. One of the menu’s most playful items are a selection of outrageously instagrammable shakes – including the “Friescream” shake – an homage to Sean’s restaurant roots and the Fry/Frosty menu hack phenom. The bar seats 24, and features beer, wine and barrel-aged cocktails.
Both the interior design and the menu items were developed with an eye toward enabling guests to create the experience they’re looking for – be it a date night, a meet-up with friends, a family meal, or a friendly meeting space for co-workers.
“We were founded on the values championed by my Grandfather,” says Sean. “His legacy is one of making the ordinary extraordinary by implementing powerfully simple ideas that change consumer expectations. Our goal is to create memorable experiences within a fast-casual environment. by reimagining today’s fast casual vibe and a menu that includes super-fresh, chef-driven crave-able food.”
The menu features thoughtfully sourced ingredients and hormone and antibiotic-free All-American beef burgers and fresh chicken sandwiches prepared on a flat top grill. The shoestring fries can be drizzled with jalapeno cheese sauce; the drinks – which include house brewed teas, seasonal craft cocktails, local craft beers and a selection of wine – offer something for just about everyone. Fresh Stack Burger is also planning on bringing a food truck to the Kildeer area this summer to service private events, public gatherings and more.
