COLUMBUS, Ohio — Alley Burger grills its burgers with a mixture of tradition, historical past and creativity.
What You Want To Know
- Alley Burger is positioned in downtown Columbus
- It has been performing on a comfortable opening platform since February
- Homeowners have been struggling to search out staff
- 83 million individuals give up their jobs in 2021
- Menu gadgets are named after alleys positioned round Columbus
The “alley” in Alley Burger is in what turned recognized in the course of the 2020 protests as “Justice Alley.” It’s residence to murals, work and graffiti.
Michael Onyejekwe, proprietor of Alley Burger, was born and raised in Columbus and has seen this alley be residence to many issues, however in the course of the protests, he noticed it turn out to be a make-shift artwork gallery.
When he realized he wished to start out his personal restaurant in Aug. 2021, he wished to attract inspiration from the artwork.
“It was positively an affect and type of a guiding gentle in direction of what we wished to carry and so we simply added to it and took from it,” mentioned Onyejekwe.
When patrons stroll into the burger joint, they’re met with vibrant colours and customer support. Though the alley has been residence to many institutions, Alley Burger has already made a reputation for itself because it opened in February.
Prospects have raved concerning the burgers which might be the fruits of assorted flavors. Its BBQ burger stands nearly a foot excessive, and its Greek burger provides prospects a world expertise.
Whereas flavors would possibly draw inspiration from all around the world, Onyejekwe mentioned the place nonetheless looks like residence. He named all of the signature fries after numerous alleys in Columbus, apart from the one named after his daughter.
“I’m from Outdated Towne East, so each different alley is related to Outdated Towne East, which is likely one of the oldest neighborhoods in Columbus,” mentioned Onyejekwe.
Whereas enterprise has been booming, Onyejekwe has struggled to search out staff to maintain up with the demand. In accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 38 million individuals give up their jobs in 2021, for causes starting from little one care constraints to ongoing weariness of COVID-19.
“Filling the place with individuals who wish to work exhausting and stick round for a profession may be very exhausting,” mentioned Onyejekwe. “I imply, we’re not the one enterprise. There are a lot of companies which might be going by means of it. It’s exhausting to search out staff.”
Onyejekwe is nothing with out his workers. He has stuffed about 80% of the positions. When patrons stroll in, they’re greeted by the host workers and the bartender.
Jelisa Hicks is initially from Brooklyn, New York. She moved to Ohio a few 12 months in the past, and Alley Burger has turn out to be her second residence. Whereas a bartender wears many hats, Hicks mentioned she seems to be ahead to seeing her regulars and creating new ones.
“A variety of the locals are available in and inform us what it was outdoors of the go-go membership, the opposite eating places it was, it was beforehand a bar and somebody instructed me it was a speakeasy again within the day so that you positively get loads of historical past of this alley,” mentioned Hicks.
Whereas she retains the social gathering within the entrance, all of the magic occurs within the again. Anthony Watson is the chief chef and was additionally born and raised in Columbus. He has a private connection to all of the menu gadgets, and each order is made with a way of affection and a way of residence.
“To see individuals are available in right here and order my recipes and dishes they usually’re coming within the tons of means all the things,” mentioned Watson.
Alley Burger has attracted individuals from throughout central Ohio with its meals and neo-soul vibe. Onyejekwe mentioned he’s excited to supply a brand new tradition to Columbus.
“We’re type of like a baby of the group,” mentioned Onyejekwe. “We’re actually preventing to carry downtown again to life.”
Alley Burger is at 26 N. Excessive St. Rear in downtown Columbus. It’s open on daily basis and is on all main meals supply apps.
