The brothers Wahlberg are bringing their Massachusetts-based burger chain to Midtown, which means one of many things: Wahl to Wahl puns.
Wahlburgers is opening at 725 Eighth Avenue, the chain’s first Manhattan location and its second in New York, following its first on Coney Island. Thor Equities, which purchased the building in 2013, announced on Thursday that it leased 8,300 square feet to the restaurant.
As the name suggests, the restaurant is a family affair. The restaurant was founded by Paul Wahlberg, who serves as executive chef, and his brothers, Mark Wahlberg, of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch fame (and also some movies or whatever … the latest of which is the upcoming “Daddy’s Home”); his brother Donnie, of the TV series “Blue Bloods” and more importantly, New Kids on the Block.
Wahlburgers is billed as a fast-casual restaurant, bar and store. The menu is replete with reminders of the celebrity brothers’ involvement: wahlfaves, wahlbrewski, wahl sauce and wahlcoctions. See? We’re having fun.
The restaurant is also the subject of an A&E reality show of the same name. — Kathryn Brenzel