Burger Bar catches the attention of America's Best Restaurants scouting crew
Maybe it was the life-size, martini-toasting pink elephant. Or possibly the full wall mural of anthropomorphic hamburgers partying beachside. It could have been something as straightforward as the house menu itself.
But Burger Bar and Back Door Lounge definitely caught the attention of the scouting crew for the Kentucky-based America’s Best Restaurants, which highlights unique, locally owned and operated independent restaurants nationwide.
“The ambiance of the place, the burgers were fantastic,” ABR Roadshow producer Logan Eickhoff said of the establishment tucked into the County Market-anchored Kent Plaza strip mall on Springfield’s southside.
“It’s one of those places that, if I lived in the city, it’s somewhere I’d eat at all the time.”
An ABR Roadshow film crew will be at the 2765 S. Sixth St. watering hole Tuesday to interview Karen Kent, who founded the business with her husband Doug in 2012.
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The menu reflects the business’s name with everything from the top-selling bourbon burger and other specialty burgers to the build-your-own feature that lets customers choose everything from the number and type of patties to sauces and premium toppings like a fried egg or onion rings.
Customers can even opt for a bun upgrade, swapping out the standard bread for a pretzel-version or jumbo English muffin.
“It's a huge compliment,” general manager Jacob Manning said about being chosen. Manning, a Southern View resident, has worked at the neighborhood haunt since 2015.
“I love that we get to broadcast the role we play. It’s a real hub for the community.”
The Burger Bar will be only the second Springfield eatery featured on the social media marketing agency’s platform that touts the culinary pleasures of just under 600 mom-and-pop establishments stretching from New York to Nevada.
D’Arcy’s Pint at 661 W. Stanford Ave. joined the online lineup last fall after a customer nominated the well-known Irish pub that has been featured on such food shows as Food Network's “Roker on the Road” starring Al Roker and Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food.”
“It was similar in a lot of ways but there isn’t a TV show to tune into. It's web-based, which is where the younger generation looks,” owner Hallie Pierceall said, noting another difference was the fee required to participate.
“It promotes only independent restaurants. Anytime (they) can get recognition, that’s a good thing.”
Matt Plapp, chief executive of America’s Best Restaurants, said his company is different from other dining-oriented videos because it is aimed at the potential customers actually living around a restaurant, rather than a national audience.
“I traveled to food shows and I’d always get restaurant owners to say, ‘You need to come to my place,’” said Plapp, who has authored several books on the topic, including “Restaurant Marketing That Works,” “Sell More Slices” and “Don’t 86 Your Restaurant Sales: A Turnkey Digital Marketing Program for Restaurants.
“I’d video the visit. And let them post it. It got strong feedback. Most restaurants, the only time consumers hear about them is from marketing. This gave them a chance to really tell their story.
“We’re not saying this is the best food in the country. We’re saying this is a place you need to go to.”
ABR has two vans traveling throughout the country looking for hidden culinary gems. Like Burger Bar, that is how most of the establishments featured are found. Some are nominated by customers, while others are initiated by restaurant owners, Plapp said.
The footage covers the history of the business and its place in its community, as well as highlighting signature menu selections. Pretty standard fare for food shows. The twist is the recorded interview is posted on the business’s Facebook page with America’s Best Restaurant’s funneling its followers to the local site.
The ABR Roadshow will video at the Burger Bar and Back Door Lounge on March 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Plapp said the video should be available for viewing mid-to-late April.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: America's Best Restaurants to feature Springfield's Burger Bar
