Eastern Market’s Incoming Burger Joint Aims to Reinvent the Traditional Patty

A new fast-casual brand that bills itself as America’s first “mix-in burger” bar is expected to open near Eastern Market in July.

Eat Brgz will debut in a 1,600-square-foot space, complete with indoor and outdoor seating, at EastBanc Inc.’s new mixed-use project, dubbed 700 Penn (250 Seventh Street SE).

Diners can customize their burgers by picking a core protein (100-percent black angus beef from Roseda Farms, chicken, or veggie) and an assortment of ingredients to cook into the patty. One Greek-styled burger in the works comes filled with feta cheese, kalamata olives, cucumber, sundried tomatoes, and a housemade Greek seasoning blend. Patties will be housed between bread from D.C.’s Lyon Bakery.

Eat Brgz founder Brandon Gaynor is teaming up with industry vets Robert Kabakoff (formerly corporate executive chef at Houston’s Restaurant Group) and restaurateur Juan Martinez of Profitality, who helped build up the Nando’s Peri Peri brand.

Their made-to-order customizable burgers (all under $10) come with dippers like tzatziki, queso, and mojo. Along with wine and beer, expect protein-packed milkshakes with fewer calories than traditional shakes.

Eat Brgz’s interior is designed by Jon Siani and Aria Group (Dave & Buster’s, Pinstripes), with artwork by Brooklyn-based artist Phil Powers.

Other hospitality tenants at 700 Penn, which features 150,000 square feet of office space, include Trader Joe’s and juice bar JRINK.

The Capitol Hill neighborhood will get another dining boost later this year with the arrival of 100-seat restaurant Emilie’s from Himitsu chef Kevin Tien.

• Himitsu’s Chef Is Opening a New Capitol Hill Restaurant [EDC]