Tucked away near the Tappan Zee Bridge in West Nyack, Westchester Burger Co. stops traffic ”“ literally. Cars must slow down significantly in order to pull into the small parking lot in front of the newly built restaurant along Route 303.
The site remained an eyesore for many months before a takeover by a West Harrison couple Angelo DiFeo and Michelle Bernal. The lot has seen many businesses come and go over the years including Mexican restaurant Fiesta Sunrise, which was featured on “Kitchen Nightmares,” a reality television show on Fox TV in which Chef Gordon Ramsay and his team help turn around restaurants that hit rock bottom. Although the property at 78 North Route 303 is infamous for frequent turnovers, DiFeo and Bernal took their chances and opened shop last month.
“I like to keep my business in a high-profile and high-traffic area,” DiFeo said. “This was the only place I had my mind set on. It took me six months to gut out and rebuild it brick by brick.”
DiFeo and Bernal also operate Westchester Burger Co. restaurants in White Plains, Rye Brook and Mount Kisco. It has been a family-owned business since they opened their first one in 2010. Unlike Five Guys or Shake Shack, where customers go up to order their food, Westchester Burger Co. seats their customers and brings out a menu with more than 21 entrees, salads, appetizers, shakes and desserts.
The décor, lighting, and booth-style seating arrangements of the restaurant give this burger joint a warm feel, Bernal said. The restaurants have a full bar and vegetarian, gluten-free and kids options to cater to diverse groups including families, senior citizens, students and young professionals.
Yet, the couple doesn”™t stop at these options. They plan to further expand their menu.
“We”™re working on bringing healthier sides, gluten free and vegetarian ”“ like a tofu dish, gluten-free and veggie sides for the kids,” Bernal said.
DiFeo said each of their restaurants is uniquely decorated and tailored to the different demographics it serves. No two interior and exterior spaces look alike among the four burger restaurants.
“The décor and warmth make this a family-friendly ambience and the service presence makes this a great place. We don”™t slap a burger on a plate.”
The tradition of operating a restaurant business runs in DiFeo”™s blood. His mother first opened the Italian restaurant Graziella”™s in 1995. From there, DiFeo learned about restaurant management and expanded his own frontier by opening Blue Bar and Grill in 2006. Since then, DiFeo decided to head in a new direction and closed Blue Bar and Grill in order to start a burger business. Graziella”™s moved into the vacant space at Blue Bar and Grill on Church Street in White Plains, and his family continues to operate that business. Meanwhile, he and Bernal are focused on creating gourmet burgers using local products. DiFeo said his corn, tomatoes and lettuce come from the Mount Kisco farm, and he grows basil in his own garden to use as garnish for the signature burgers. The couple brings in local vendors including beers from Yonkers Brewing Co. and Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
DiFeo considers his burger restaurant to be a business that provides all the bells and whistles of customer service and good quality food using the freshest ingredients.
“If you had a burger here for $15, it would leave you fuller than having an 8-ounce steak for $25,” DiFeo said. “And you”™re going to be more impressed with us. We provide french fries fresh out of the deep fryer and freshly baked brioche buns.”
Even though similar burger restaurants surround them with competition from Cheesecake Factory and Yard House in the nearby Palisades Mall, Bernal said the other businesses aren”™t a threat to the Westchester Burger Co.
“It”™s good to have other businesses around us,” Bernal said. “Having other restaurants around brings people together. What sets us apart is that we”™re family centric, whereas a mall is corporate. When people come here, they love that it”™s a family-run business.”
After spending months training his kitchen staff and servers and receiving positive feedback from customers, DiFeo said business is growing steadily. He envisions expanding his restaurant business outside of New York to the tristate area once everything is settled in his newest restaurant.
Michelle and Angelo very proud of you guys, congratulations, aunt Teresa from Florida!!!!!