Mega Movie Star On A Roll: It’s A Family Affair At Wahlburgers

If I was a shopaholic, I’d be holed up in rehab by now.  Living down the street from the mall is too good to be true!

I sometimes take it for granted.

Are you kidding me?  I’d be kicking and screaming if I ever moved.  Macy’s, Target, JC Penney and Lord & Taylor are the anchor stores.

It’s a ten minute walk; cardio with a purpose.  One of my favorite haunts is Bath and Body Works. Roaming around testing new lotions and body sprays is divine.  I’m a stalker in that place.

Recently, as I was home getting dolled up for a birthday party, I ran out of my favorite Clinique facial moisturizer and my mascara was all dried up.  I made a mad dash to the mall.

It was at the Clinique counter at Lord & Taylor’s, that I overheard the sales clerk raving about Wahlburgers.  The newest restaurant in the Westfield Trumbull Mall with the catchy name and star-studded pedigree.  They are popping up all across the USA and one opened in Toronto, Canada.

Yep.  Mark Wahlberg sizzles in kitchen, too

This is the first one in Connecticut.  Lucky me. Wahlburgers is a casual dining chain of burger restaurants owned by chef, Paul Wahlberg and brothers, Donnie and Mark.  These dudes have the midas touch!

With that last name, they were destined for burgerdom. They launched their first location in Hingham, Massachusetts, near Boston, in 2011.

Let me start out by saying, I don’t know these people personally. There’s nothing in it for me to heap praise on their cool eatery.  Except, I like sharing information about places that make me happy.

And, sometimes, you just want a good burger, without having to apologize or get a side eye from your vegan friends.  LOL!

Brotherly love

Yes. I am a huge fan of Mark’s. His smoldering intensity on the screen is undeniable. He is a mega-movie star with grass roots appeal. His talent is boundless.  Among a huge roster of action packed hits including “The Departed,” “The Fighter,” and “Patriot’s Day,” he also, cracked me up in “Daddy’s Home” and “Ted.”  That foul-mouthed bear was a hot mess.

I also enjoy Donnie’s acting in the TV show, “Blue Blood.”  I didn’t know anything about Paul’s awesome culinary chops. I couldn’t wait to see what the buzz was all about.

Comfy food

As soon as I walked in, I felt relaxed. The lighting is just right. Not too bright. But, not so dark that you can’t read the menu. It was cozy, uncluttered and family friendly.  Delicious aromas filled the air.

The hostess was cheerful and my animated waiter couldn’t be any nicer and informative. He gushed about his job and co-workers. He said Paul paid a visit soon after the store opened.  “He’s a really cool guy. He pulled out his phone and told me someone wanted to say hi on Face Time.  It was Mark.” That says a lot about staying grounded with the employees and making them feel special.

Besides hearty burgers, the menu includes housemade condiments, crispy haddock, hot dogs, sloppy joes, seared chicken, salads, vegetarian selections, onion rings and sweet tater tots.

If you’re on a diet, stay home!  LOL!

By the way, housemade is a new name for homemade.  Whatever it is called, it is mouth-watering.  As I dug into my absolutely delicious burger called the “Our Burger,” with its signature Wahl sauce, housemade pickles, American ”government”cheese, lettuce, tomato and onions on a soft and slightly sweetened roll; a large picture on the back wall caught my eye of Mark, Paul and Donnie with their mom, Alma.

Mom, Alma, is the real star of the family

As a mom of two sons, it touched my heart.  I was drawn by the incredible family resemblance, warm smiles and playful way Donnie hugged his mom.  They look like regular folks. You know, the family next door; hard working.  Except, they’re filthy rich.

But it wasn’t always that way in the beginning.  Alma raised nine kids on her own, in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, after her divorce, when Mark was eleven.  He is the youngest of the brood.

The family had tough time, suffice it to say, there were no silver spoons in the Wahlberg’s mouths.  Alma worked as a nurses’ aide and bank teller to make ends meet.  I wondered about all the sacrifices, sleepless nights and various ways she stretched meals to feed her family.

I admire the Wahlberg’s for honoring their humble beginnings and not forgetting where they came from.

Yes, Wahlburgers is about burgers.  But, more importantly, it’s about family, loyalty and love.

I have to try the grilled banana fluffanutta next time.

And, then, I’ll hit the gym. Hard!