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Classic Burgers serves up a side of yesteryear

Date: 9/19/2014

WEST SPRINGFIELD – The addition of a new restaurant brings back the unique style of the 1950s and the classic taste of a good old-fashioned burger.
   
Classic Burgers, 1261 Westfield St. (Route 20), celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m. with a ribbon cutting and free lunch for attendees.
   
The menu serves up burgers tailored with free toppings. Other menu items include “Hound” dogs, chicken tenders, soup, salad and fries – hand cut, sweet potato, or chili cheese. For dessert, 20 homemade hard ice cream flavors are various toppings are available.
   
“It’s not a restaurant, it’s just a burger joint, that’s all I want it to be,” Barry Parker, owner of Classic Burgers, said. “We offer good burgers at a great price and an atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else.”
   
Prices range from $4.59 for a hamburger to $6.19 for a double cheeseburger, and serving sizes are portioned to fill guests, but not leave them feeling overstuffed. A large sundae costs $4.99, which is less than the average ice cream shop. Kids’ menus are available for dinner and dessert.
   
“I wanted to be competitively priced,” Parker said, adding that he wanted to provide an affordable alternative to fast food restaurant chains.
   
The 3,500 square-foot building is packed with retro décor such as Route 66 signs, classic car replicas that serve as rumble seats for dinners, even an old fashioned gas pump all set to a 1950s soundtrack.
   
Allen Kronick, senior business advisor at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, who assisted Parker with establishing the business, described him as “Great, passionate, creative, hardworking, persistent and very resourceful.”
   
Fire Chief William Flaherty attended the event and ordered a cheeseburger. “It’s cooked to perfection. I bit into it and it didn’t fall apart,” he said.
   
District 1 Town Councilor Angus Rushlow said, “I especially like the bun. It wasn’t overwhelming and I could really taste the burger. I don’t like French fries, but I’m eating these.”
   
For dessert, Rushlow sampled the French vanilla ice cream. “It’s kind of hard to find that flavor. I have the urge to definitely come back. This is the type of place a family could come.”
   
Parker commented, “I’ve always wanted to open a hamburger place and I’m into cars, so it all came together.”
   
Classic Burgers is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Takeout is available. For more information, call 363-1654.