Now open: Wahlburgers in Northern Liberties
The wide-open, industrial-style restaurant, behind roll-up doors, fills the spot that was Darling's Diner, from the days when the development was known as the Piazza at Schmidt's.
Wahlburgers, the burger chain founded by chef Paul Wahlberg and his celeb brothers Mark and Donnie, has opened its Philadelphia branch at the Rialto, the building on the northern edge of Schmidt's Commons (1033 N. Second St.) in Northern Liberties.
The wide-open, industrial-style restaurant, behind roll-up doors, fills the spot that was Darling's Diner, from the days when the development was known as the Piazza at Schmidt's. It's the 10th Wahlburgers.
The road from Hingham, Mass., to Philly was long. Jersey Shore-based restaurateur Artie Giordano, one of the local partners, was restaurant-consulting for Atlantic City's Revel casino in 2013 when he heard about Wahlburgers. He had heard whispers about an A&E reality series based on the operation of the chain. "I thought it would be a good idea for Revel," he said.
Revel initially liked the idea of a Wahlburgers but ultimately decided not to sign on. "This was a blessing in disguise," Giordano said. (The Revel went belly-up in 2014, locking out thousands of employees and its restaurants.)
Giordano said he then looked toward Philadelphia, primarily because Mark Wahlberg had shot films, including Invincible and The Lovely Bones, there. That cinched it.
Wahlburgers' menu is more extensive and family friendly than most of the better-burger genre, with non-patty choices including respectably rich sloppy Joes, cups of bacon-studded mac and cheese, and house-made desserts, such as apple empanadas topped with ice cream, as well as a grilled banana Fluffanutta sandwich - one of a wicked numba of New England puns.
This location is selling cupcakes baked by Carlo's Bakery - a partnership of Wahlburgers and Cake Boss, two reality series.
The restaurant - whose bold graphics include the titles of Mark Wahlberg's movies on ceiling signs - has a fully stocked bar, with 14 beers on tap and a collection of frappes and adult shakes.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the week, till 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and till 10 p.m. Sunday.