Wahlburgers launched a new menu inspired by what the Wahlbergs ate growing up
Chef Paul Wahlberg explained some of the additions, which roll out this week.
By now, everybody knows about the Wahlberg brothers and their Hingham-based fast-casual-burger-joint-turned-reality-show-turned-global-sensation. The family-run franchise has locations popping up everywhere, with plans for so many more to come. And now the Wahlbergs are sharing their Dorchester roots along with their burgers.
Just this week, Wahlburgers launched a new menu that’s meant to showcase homemade-inspired dishes. With foods like ‘Mom’s Sloppy Joe’ and ‘Mac ‘n Cheese with Smoked Bacon,’ the new additions are influenced by meals the brothers grew up eating with the rest of the big family outta Dorchester.
“A lot of it is still going to be reminiscent of when we were kids,” executive chef Paul Wahlberg said. “That’s the reason for the mac ‘n cheese. Sloppy joe — that was a staple in our house always when we were kids.”
‘Mom’s Sloppy Joe’ is similar to the ones his mom, Alma, used to make. The Wahlburgers version, though, is an “updated” recipe, Wahlberg said, made with crispy onions, signature Wahl sauce, and cheesy sauce.
Wahlburgers’s new mac n’ cheese dish is also an “updated” take on a Wahlberg family favorite.
Wahlburgers’s new ‘Mom’s Sloppy Joe’
“For us, mac and cheese was really simple. It was literally milk and chopped cheese and pasta. You cook the pasta, put the milk in. We never had boxed mac and cheese as kids,” Wahlberg said. “There was not a lot of smoked mozzarella in my house.”
But this new menu version is indeed made with smoked mozzarella — and cheddar, American, and Parmesan. The four-cheese sauce is poured over penne tossed in water, which Wahlberg assured is the trick to keeping the pasta al dente. The plate is topped with smoked bacon and panko crumbs.
“When you look at it, it’s a sloppy joe and mac and cheese. And for a lot of people, that’s the kind of food [they think of] when they think of home.”
You’ll also find a new dish on the menu called ‘The Beast’ (two five-ounce burger patties, lettuce, tomato, pulled pork, barbecue sauce, blue cheese sauce, and pickles, all between a bun), and another called ‘Double Dogs’ (two hot dogs with fries).
“I want people to feel at home coming to the restaurant, to enjoy the experience,” Wahlberg said. “That’s the biggest thing.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com