The Wahlbergs with mom Alma at the first Wahlburgers opening in 2011. (Photo courtesy of Wahlburgers)
More Wahlburgers are bound for the Bay Area.
Three years after bringing the celebrity Wahlberg family’s faves to downtown Palo Alto, the group will open its newest location on Burlingame’s restaurant-packed Burlingame Avenue.
No opening date has been announced yet, but the signs trumpeting the brothers’ arrival are up.
It was Wahlberg brother Paul who turned chef and opened the first burger joint in Hingham, Massachusetts, with musicians-turned-actors Mark and Donnie as partners. The A&E Network then turned the family’s venture into a behind-the-scenes reality television show that aired for 10 seasons over five years.
The dishes are Paul’s nostalgic throwbacks, with upgrades. The O.F.D. stands for “Originally from Dorchestah,” and it’s a half-pound burger with Swiss cheese, bacon, sauteed mushrooms and housemade tomato jam. A Crispy Haddock Sandwich, hand-breaded with seasoned panko, is served with balsamic tartar sauce.
If your devotion to Donnie ranges from his New Kids on the Block days to his long-running “Blue Bloods” gig, then the BBQ Bacon Burger (with white cheddar, fresh jalapeños) will be your choice.
Mark inspired the Thanksgiving Day Sandwich. It’s so named because the rapper-turned-film actor/producer reportedly would show up back at home — even in summertime — and announce to his mother and Paul, “I want Thanksgiving.” It’s a seasoned turkey burger topped with stuffing, roasted butternut squash and house-made orange-cranberry sauce.
A rarely-seen-here option from New England is the Wahlbergs’ dessert version of a fluffernutter: a Grilled Banana FluffaNutta made with peanut butter, fresh banana, marshmallow fluff and Nutella.
In Burlingame, the new Wahlburgers is taking over the space formerly occupied by a Rangoon Ruby restaurant. The Palo Alto location is currently open for takeout and delivery.
Details: 1219 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame, and 185 University Ave., Palo Alto. https://wahlburgers.com
