Wahlburgers to open in Key West

If you think you see Mark Wahlberg, or his boy-banderbrother Donnie, on Front Street in Key West later this summer, it might not be a heat hallucination.

That’s because the Wahlberg family is opening one of their Wahlburgers restaurants on the boardwalk of Key West Historic Seaport. Best known for being the foodie family focus of the A&E Network’s reality TV show of the same name for 10 seasons (the series wrapped for good last summer), Wahlburgers is a casual dining chain with 44 locations in North American and Europe.

“What’s not to love about Key West,” Paul Wahlberg, the executive chef for Wahlbugers, tells the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “Having the opportunity to open a Wahlburgers at the boardwalk … is pretty special.

“We love the relaxed yet vibrant culture of Key West and the opportunity it gave us to play with dishes that have a local flair. We are really looking forward to welcoming everyone through the doors and becoming a part of this community.”

What’s a Wahlburgers?

Co-owned by brothers Mark, Donnie and Paul, the interiors of Wahlburger restaurants reflect their growing up in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston with photos and memorabilia.

Plans for the Key West location calls for a 5,141 square foot restaurant and bar with lots of outdoor seating with an al fresco bar overlooking the Seaport and the A&B Marina.

In addition to burgers, the menu echoes childhood favorites

such as tater tots, housemade chili, haddock sandwiches, Yukon French fries, bacon mac ‘n cheese, fluffanutta sandwiches and housemade shakes/floats.

Chef Paul Wahlberg says that you can expect the Key West Wahlburgers to also have fish tacos, a grouper sandwich as well as grilled or fried shrimp.

A bit of trivia: Longtime watchers of the Emmynominated reality show know that the famous Jenn’s Chicken Sandwich is not a contribution from Jenny McCarthy, who is married to Donnie. The popular sandwich is actually from fan Jenn Tracy, who won a contest in 2012 with her recipe for a marinated chicken breast sandwich with carmelized and crispy onions and a housemade honey-garlic mayo.

Pandemic problem?

Wahlburgers says they have confidence that the relatively low infection rates in the Keys and in Monroe County bode well for the return of tourism.

“We certainly hadn’t planned to open under these circumstances, but we feel confident that we are taking all of the necessary precautions to keep our team members and guests safe,” Paul Wahlberg says. “It’s also important to us that we become ingrained in the community and get to know the residents here. While tourism is of course important for business, and we’re optimistic about the safe return of tourism to the area, we are equally as committed to ensuring we’re an active member of this community and adding value for the full-time residents of Key West.”

If you go

• Wahlburgers Key West will be located at 700 Front St., suite 107 in Key West.

• The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. for lunch and dinner. Depending on COVID-19 mandates at the time of opening, there are plans for the bar to remain open until midnight.

• For more information, go to Wahlburgers.com/ keywest.

WAHLBURGERS Now it’s called Donnie’s Choice, but originally the menu at Wahlburgers called this the Bacon-Cheddar-Jalapeno-Avocado-Housemade-BBQsauce Burger. The company plans to open a Wahlburgers in Key West.

WAHLBURGERS PHOTOS The Jenn’s Chicken Sandwich at Wahlburgers is not a contribution from Jenny McCarthy, who is married to Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block fame. The sandwich is actually a recipe from a fan of the burger chain.

(left to right) Wahlburgers is co-owned by actor Mark Wahlberg, executive chef Paul Wahlberg, mother Alma Wahlberg and Donnie Wahlberg (of New Kids on the Block fame). The burger chain was also featured in an A&E Network reality TV show for 10 seasons.

Wahlburgers’ housemade shakes.